James Coleman
MLGW re-appointment put on hold
What normally would have been a routine re-appointment to the Memphis Light Gas and Water Division board of directors took an unexpected turn Tuesday (July 25).
During a meeting of the council’s Personnel and Government Affairs Committee, Michael Pohlman was up for a reappointment vote.
Councilmember...
City Council edges forward on two referenda questions for this October’s city elections
Memphis City Council members Tuesday (July 25) took the first step towards approving referenda questions for this October’s city elections after unanimously approving a pair of resolutions, including whether to re-establish the City Court Clerk position as an elected position.
It was the first of...
Consensus eludes Shelby County Commission in pursuit of new chairperson
The task was to select a new chairperson and the Shelby County Board of Commissioners could not get it down after numerous rounds of voting failed to produce the needed seven-vote majority.
The stalemate on Monday (July 17) came despite Democrats holding nine seats on...
District 5’s vacant school-board seat goes to Mauricio Calvo
With a void to fill, Shelby County commissioners made quick work of approving Mauricio Calvo to an interim seat on the Memphis -Shelby County School Board.
“I pledge to be someone to work for accountability, for transparency, for collaboration across ideas and communities,” said Calvo...
Council’s move to curb gun violence sets up encounter with state government
by James Coleman, Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Memphis City Council members sent a shot across the bow of the gun-friendly Tennessee General Assembly Tuesday (July 11) with the unanimous passage of referendum questions that seek to tighten firearm regulations within the city.
“I think...
MLGW chief links tree-trimming woes to power outages
by James Coleman, Special to The New Tri-State Defender
An annual shortfall in tree trimming is one of the key causes of widespread power outages that typically occur during weather events in Memphis, according to an update provided by Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division...
City Council steps around tax increase with budget slices
With deadlines looming, Memphis City Council members Tuesday (June 27) shot down a proposed property-tax increase and approved a fix of district lines before the upcoming city elections to close out this year’s budget season.
Council Chairman Martavius Jones’ proposed 29-cent property tax (the current...
County Commission to make ends meet with scaled back wheel tax
Following several setbacks and obstacles, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ proposal for a $25 increase in the wheel tax rolled through the Shelby County Commission on an 11-0 vote during an unusual regular meeting Wednesday (June 28).
In a statement released after the commission vote,...
Talk of property-tax hike bubbles up as City Council weighs options
A second reading of a resolution to hike Memphis’ property tax rate from $2.71 to $3 per $100 assessed value to fund MATA operating costs and other priorities met a chilly reception this week from members of the Memphis City Council Budget Committee.
“I’m receiving...
Wheel-tax hike a no-go for County Commission
Shelby County Commissioners are scrambling for new revenue sources for capital projects after they nixed county Mayor Lee Harris’ bid to double the county’s wheel tax to fund a rebuild of Regional One Health hospital and other construction projects.
The rejection came during a marathon...