"The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism — ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. ”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt
From the desk of Leon Gray comes this press release:
For Immediate Release:
June 6, 2013
The Annual Sidney Chism Political Picnic returns this Saturday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. with a new look and swagger.
For 13-years County Commissioner Sidney Chism; who has held office in the Tennessee Senate, is past Chairman of the local Democratic Party, and spent 40-years as a labor leader and Teamsters administrator; held a political meet & greet in a 12-acre park located behind the family owned Horn Lake Road Learning Center @ 3657 Horn lake Road in Southwest Memphis. The annual event allowed members of the community to meet local elected officials and candidates for local offices in an informal setting while enjoying food of the grill and various cold beverages.
Chism did not host the picnic last year but instead took the year off to restructure the event. On Saturday, June 8, 2013, the new “Sidney Chism Annual Non-Partisan Community Picnic” returns with a new look which allows citizens of Memphis and Shelby County the same access to local leaders and candidates plus more FREE FOOD & DRINKS and more LIVE ENTERTAINMENT and some surprises we’re saving for Saturday.
“We’re getting ready for the biggest non-presidential election year in the history of Shelby County and the campaign kicks-off this Saturday”.
Yeah, that's how my mind has been going, or I wouldn't be up at 1:30 in the freaking morning. OK, this CA piece got me to thinking, so follow along with me.
Let's just say for shits and giggles, that we have a special City election on October 8 (just inside the 90-day limit to pick a new mayor after a vacancy) and that County Mayor AC Wharton wins. (Myron, Carol, James Harvey - put those frowns away, this is speculative, just play along with me!) Well, he can't hold two seats at once, can he? So, he's got to resign as County Mayor, creating a vacancy.
Well, it just so happens that September 1, the NEW County year kicks in, and out goes Chair Deidre Malone (D-2), and in comes probable new Chair (and current Pro Tem), Joyce Avery (R-4). If Wharton wins the City race and resigns, Chair Avery becomes Interim Mayor Avery.
However, here's where the next bit of intrigue comes into play. Avery could serve all the way to September 1, 2010, the end of her term; however, with a 8-5 Democratic majority, that is not likely. Besides, the term interim is just that, as the Commission would be charged with appointing a new County Mayor, like any other County vacancy.
Who then, for Mayor? Well, with an 8-5 majority (and doesn't the appointment of Matt Kuhn to fill David Lillard's seat look mighty damn prescient now?), the Democrats COULD select the outgoing Chair (and potential Democratic nominee in 2010) Deidre Malone. Smart move, eh? Well, not when A) the GOP would be REALLY pissed and B) there could be Democratic opposition to this move.
From whom, you might ask? Well, how about the sage of Whitehaven, the best little Picnic-thrower himself, Commissioner Sidney Chism (D-3)?? Remember, Chism is NOT backing Malone, but his friend Harold Byrd for the Democratic nomination, and he sure as hell doesn't want to see Malone be the potential incumbent next year.
Now, the CA article (as well as other commissioners, privately) have suggested that Chism or Commissioner Henri Brooks (D-2) could serve as Mayor until next year. For Chism especially, this could give him a way to leave politics at the top, retiring as Mayor of Shelby County.
Or, he could come back, run for two more terms on the Commission (because, I believe, this would take him out from the term limits provision, making him a new electee). Or, he could do something else entirely, like suggest to Byrd that he'd like to keep the Mayor's job and maybe Harold should run for something else.
This, of course, would set up yet another nightmare scenario with the potential to tear the local Party in two (as if the 9th District race won't do that on its own!) with Malone and Chism going at it hammer and tong. I suspect this is not likely, but it is VERY possible that Chism may be the next Mayor of Shelby County, if only for a few months.
Too bad I'm still on antibiotics, because I could really use a drink right now! Good night!
