Oh what a feeling, when you’re “Dancing on the Ceiling” . . . it’s like “You are the sun, you are the rain . . .” Lionel Richie “truly” knows what it’s like to be “Running with the night!” (Warren Roseborough/Tri-STate Defender)
Let's Groove All Night Long! (Photos: Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender)
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Oh what a feeling, when you’re “Dancing on the Ceiling” . . . it’s like “You are the sun, you are the rain . . .” Lionel Richie “truly” knows what it’s like to be “Running with the night!” (Warren Roseborough/Tri-STate Defender)
All together now: “Bah-Dee-Yah . . . Say do you remember? Bah-Dee-Yah . . . Dancing in September? Never was a cloudy day . . . .” (Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender)
"The REA-sons . . . The Reasons that we're here . . ."(Warren Roseborough/Tri-STate Defender)
Of course Lionel Richie sat down for an intimate set at the piano. Of course. (Photo: Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender)
Earth, Wind & Fire icon Verdell White still knows how to move the crowd — and groove on his guitar. Oh what a feeling, when you’re “Dancing on the Ceiling” . . . it’s like “You are the sun, you are the rain . . .” Lionel Richie “truly” knows what it’s like to be “Running with the night!”
At first, I was just planning to attend the Lionel Richie/Earth, Wind & Fire concert at FedExForum this week, but I’m glad I decided to bring my camera with me.
I have seen “The Elements” — Earth, Wind & Fire, that is — about 10 times, but I’ve only seen Richie’s former group the Commodores once. I have never seen Lionel Richie by himself. I was not disappointed.
Earth, Wind & Fire took the stage first. They performed for about an hour, singing most of their popular hits: “Sing a Song,” “That’s the Way of the World,” “Reasons,” and many other top hits. All of their songs are popular to me. Philip Bailey, the lead singer, still has that powerful first tenor falsetto voice. In an almost sold-out crowd at the FedExForum, the audience was practically on their feet for the entirety of the concert.
Next up was music legend Lionel Richie, who emerged from the floor in a white outfit singing his 1983 classic ballad “Hello.” He “Danced on the Ceiling” and had the women in the crowd singing “Endless Love.” And he even went back for hits from his days with the Commodores, having the crowd screaming “She’s a Brick . . . HOOOWZE . . .” and many other great hits.
It was a good, good night for soul music, that’s for sure!
The highlight of the weekend is sure to be the Celebrity Basketball Game, featuring City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris.
The Heal the Hood (HTH) Foundation Celebrity Weekend is back for its 15th year, with a star-studded line-up and a meaningful message. The theme for this year’s event, taking place on June 7th and 8th, is “Don’t Kill My Future,” a phrase frequently used by HTH to bring attention to the need to stop violence in the Bluff City.
The fun-filled weekend will kick off with the Kevin Whitted All-Star Youth Basketball Camp on Friday, June 7th, at Kirby High School. Former NBA player and coach Kevin Whitted, along with his wife De’Neia, will lead the camp, which aims to teach the fundamentals of the game to young boys and girls, ages 7-17.
This year, the first 100 kids to register for the camp will attend for free, receiving a t-shirt, lunch, and an unforgettable experience. The first 50 students to register will also receive two tickets to the Celebrity Basketball Game on Saturday, June 8th, at Ridgeway High School.
But the highlight of the weekend is sure to be the Celebrity Basketball Game, featuring City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. Former NBA coach Lionel Hollins and Coach Kevin Whitted will lead the teams, while Dustin Starr, owner of Memphis Wrestling, will serve as the emcee.
In addition to the mayors, other professional athletes, local and national celebrities, and former Memphis Grizzlies player Tony Allen will also be playing. Allen will be honored with the HTH inaugural Heroes of Change Award for his contributions to the community.
Founder and Executive Director of HTH, LaDell Beamon, is excited about the level of talent participating in this year’s game. “The game this year is on a different level! As far as I know, this is the first time two mayors in office have met on a Memphis basketball court. Add the Grindfather, Tony Allen, and two phenomenal coaches, and you’ve got a recipe for greatness.”
Tickets for the Celebrity Basketball Game are $20 and can be purchased online or at the door. All proceeds from both events will benefit HTH’s youth programs.
HTH is a nonprofit organization that provides positive outlets for youth and young adults through various forms of art and therapy. They are currently raising money to build a multi-million-dollar Hero Empowerment Center in East Memphis, which will serve as a safe haven for youth and their families.
For more information about the event or to register for the Kevin Whitted All-Star Youth Basketball Camp, visit www.hthmemphis.org or call 901-566-0473.
Before I took the reins here at The Tri-State Defender, God gave me one of those “in the wilderness” assignments — you know, when God wants to get you by yourself, so you can be molded?
TSD Interim Editor Lee Eric Smith
For me, that meant what I call a “two-year tour” in Laurel, Mississippi, perhaps best known these days for the HGTV show “Hometown.” Laurel is about 4.5 hours away, so this assignment would take me away from my preschool-aged son.
It was not an easy assignment, but the experience was not completely new. It’s a story unto itself, but the way things went with my ex-wife, I’ve had next to no meaningful participation with my daughter since she was four. I’ve missed so many moments with her — her learning to talk, first day of school, PTA conferences. It may be all very mundane, but if you’ve ever been the noncustodial parent, these things are gold.
Anyway, Eric Jr. was my second chance to be a DAD, and I wanted to miss as little as possible while I was away. We video chatted most every night, where we’d say a prayer before bedtime. And I made a point to come home almost every other week. I noticed my mental health wasn’t good if I went longer than that.
See, so-called “normal parent stuff” – taking kids to school, doing homework, impromptu games of tag – some parents are over all that stuff. Me? I cherish it. That’s why sometimes, I’d stay over until Monday morning before going back to Laurel. I wanted to take my son to school.
That routine has continued since I returned. I pull up near the crossing guard, get Eric out of the car and cross the street. His hand instinctively falls into mine, so there we are: a Black Dad and his son, holding hands as they cross the street. I’m known to overthink things, but I imagine it’s a heartwarming sight too rarely seen.
I mean, Black Dads taking their kids to school, helping with homework, coaching youth sports, teaching life lessons . . . there’s nothing special about that, is there? Well, maybe not — which is why we want to shine a light on the “Black Dads Who DO!”
Look, I know I’m not the only Black Dad walking his kid up to the school door – I know this because I see other Black Dads doing the exact same thing every day. If you’re paying attention, we are literally EVERYWHERE.
But you won’t see THAT on the news — at least not before you see 3-5 photos of Black men in police mugshots. Some would say that these Dads shouldn’t expect praise for handling their parental responsibilities — for doing what they’re “supposed” to do. And maybe they shouldn’t.
But dammit: What’s wrong with showing some love to Black Dads? Lil DrayDray can get on TV for a carjacking, but we can’t shout out a Dad who reads to his kids?
Help us out TSD Readers: We’ve declared June 2024, “The Month of the Black Dad.” And we want to showcase Black Dads being the loving parents they are. Do you know a Black Dad who may feel underappreciated? Is there one in your family or at your place of worship? We want to hear about them!
We’re particularly interested in photos of Black Dads doing normal, everyday activities with their kids — things like doing homework, cooking, playing, doing yardwork or household chores together. If you know anyone who meets these criteria, scan the code, fill out the form and tell us!
And to be clear, we’re looking for Dads and kids of ALL ages. Sure, we want a photo of a Dad feeding his infant baby food. But we also want teens and their Dads cooking together as well as adult children spending time with their parents.
Throughout June, we will highlight and showcase Black Dads Who DO across all our platforms – here on our website as well as Facebook and Instagram. In some cases, we may even follow up for a feature story!
One more closing thought: In the 1990s, my father, the late Mayor Eddie Lee Smith, Jr. of Holly Springs, Miss, gave me a small lapel pin with the numerical fraction on it: “¾.” I asked him what it meant.
“Well, we always hear about the one in four Black men who slip through the cracks, on drugs, in jail or dead,” he replied. “But if one in four are like that, that means THREE out of four Black men aren’t on drugs, aren’t in jail. . . presumably working, taking care of themselves and their families. The pin is a reminder of that.”
Street racers will faces stiffer consequences under a new law signed by Gov. Bill Lee. (Adobe Stock/Express)
As law enforcement agencies across the state continue to grapple with an epidemic of street racing, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a drag-racing law that will expand street racing from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony on Tuesday, May 21.
The law takes effect July 1.
Those prosecuted for the crime could face one to six years in prison, along with a $3,000 fine. Currently, they only face a possible year in prison and a potential $1,500 penalty.
“In the pursuit of safer streets and sounder communities, every measure counts. The new drag-racing law, bolstered by heightened penalties and fines, marks a pivotal step in fortifying our roadways against the dangers of reckless driving,” said the Memphis Police Department in a statement.
“The Memphis Police Department extends its sincere appreciation for this added support, recognizing the crucial role [the new law] plays in our ongoing efforts to uphold public safety and preserve the well-being of our residents.” the statement continued.
Through March, the MPD has only made three arrests for drag racing. To protect the public, existing policies currently prohibit the high-speed pursuit of street racers.
Cases can be difficult to prosecute too. While they can track down a vehicle, it is more difficult for to prove who was driving. They also have to prove intent.
“Drag racing and reckless driving have been a problem in Shelby County for the past few years, and represent a direct threat to public safety. It’s useful to have another tool to address it,” said a statement from Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. “Drag racing itself is often difficult to prove, and that will still be a problem.
“Where we can prove it, it’s good to know the law recognizes the gravity of the public safety threat,” Mulroy’s statement said.
The bill was sponsored by Representative John Gillespie, R-Memphis and Senator Brent Taylor, R-Eads.
Both had previously sponsored a bill that would have seized cars from convicted drag racers and sold their vehicles. The money would have gone to the state’s Traumatic Brain Injury fund.
It failed earlier this year.
Undeterred, Gillespie plans to introduce the bill again. He also wants to upgrade the most severe cases to a new crime, especially aggravated reckless driving. It would be a Class C felony punishable by 3-15 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.
Should the Memphis Light Gas and Water Board of Directors be limited only to people who live in Memphis?
A proposed ordinance to add two non-Memphian seats to the MLGW board faces an uphill climb, after members of the Memphis City Council expressed skepticism with the proposal. The pitch came during the MLGW Committee’s May 21 meeting.
If passed, Memphians would decide whether to add seats to provide representation on the utility’s board of directors on the November 5 ballot. The board currently has five members. All reside within the city limits of Memphis.
“If we spend millions of dollars with the Ford Company, that doesn’t mean we’re going to have a seat on the board at Ford. The county spends several thousands of dollars with MATA. They don’t have a seat on the board,” said Council Member Jana Swearengen-Washington.
“Just because you are a customer, it does not mean you are entitled, or even have the right to demand to have additional seats on the board,” she continued. “Especially when we know that is Memphis, Light, Gas and Water.”
Before inviting members of the utility’s board to explain their position, Swearengen-Washington also questioned if the proposal was beyond the board’s charter responsibility.
Committee chair Philip Spinosa said the questions about the MLGW charter would be provided.
Area leaders outside Memphis – like Bartlett Mayor David Parsons and Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo – are pushing for the expansion too. Nearly a third of the utility’s customer base lives in the suburbs and unincorporated parts of the county.
“As far back as I can remember since I’ve served this City of Memphis, the suburban mayors have been talking about this,” said MLGW CEO Doug McGowen.”Since they are served, they would like to have a voice. This is the case with most public utilities.”
McGowan made a point to add that he was not “coming down one way or the other on the discussion.”
MLGW board members are appointed by the mayor of the City of Memphis, followed by council approval. If approved by the residents of Memphis, the city’s mayor would also appoint these new members, with input from Shelby County and suburban mayors. Terms last three years.
In 2017, two advisory non-voting members were added to represent areas outside the city.
“The state was pushing for that representation. That’s where they landed,” said McGowen.
The proposed ordinance follows a resolution passed by the MLGW board in April, to increase its membership. Two seats would be added to represent areas outside the Memphis city limits, particularly the suburbs. Presently, voting members are required to live in Memphis.
After revealing initial doubts, another member reversed course. Council member Jeff Warren reflected on the help Memphis needs with its systemic problems – like crime and the proliferation of firearms – particularly with the Republican-dominated Tennessee State Legislature.
“Can we use this as a way to build better relationships? To actually get things done that we need in Nashville…not just for our power supply, but for other issues?” Warren said. “It’s going to be a tough push to get it voted through. That push is going to have the county people coming in and saying, ‘Here’s where we can help you out.”
He also said the issue could be used to leverage the Shelby County Commission to raise taxes. The money would be used to fund new construction and maintenance of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
However, that may be a tough sell. Mayor Lee Harris is currently touting a proposed $1.6 billion budget for FY2025. It includes no tax increases.
Over the years, the utility’s charter has been amended several times.
A home rule ordinance was passed in 1983. It requires voting MLGW board members to reside in the city. Prior to that, members were only required to live within Shelby County.
MLGW was created in 1939. A board was soon established that had three members. It was expanded to five members in 1951. In 1980, the utility’s president and vice president were no longer considered members of the board.
Islamic banking can increase access to financial services for minorities, who frequently lack access to traditional banking services due to income inequality. Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA
By Dr. Quiana M. Shamsid-Deen | The Muslim Journal
NNPA Newswire – In order to encourage economic empowerment, the Nation of Islam (NOI) put a strong emphasis on business education and financial literacy. They founded a national bank in 1973 with offices in Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York City that provided financial services like small business loans and credit cards that were especially suited to their members’ requirements.
The Nation of Islam also aimed to establish member-run cooperatives and small businesses in order to foster a culture of economic self-sufficiency. They established Muhammad Speaks Music Group, their own record company, to release albums from various rap and R&B artists. In terms of economic justice and self-sufficiency, the Nation of Islam has left a significant legacy, and its teachings are still applicable today.
Dr. Quiana M. Shamsid-Deen DSW, LMSW, Exe. Dir. Supreme Family Foundation Assoc. Prof., Georgia State University
In order to build a sustainable business that generates jobs and supports the neighborhood economy, Black Muslim entrepreneur Khalilah Beavers opened the Halal Soulfood restaurant in New York City in 2019. She did this by drawing on Islamic principles of economic justice.
Meals were donated to food banks, homeless shelters, and other charitable organizations as a result of Beavers’ dedication to social responsibility.
The development of impact Investment funds are another instance of how Black Muslims have applied these ideas. The Black Muslim Investment Group (BMIG) is an African American-led investment fund that focuses on delivering financial returns while also achieving positive social and environmental impact.
The BMIG has made investments in companies in a variety of sectors, including technology, healthcare, education, and renewable energy. They support sustainability while also fostering economic opportunity within their community by utilizing their resources to invest in companies that share their values.
Through the concept of Zakat, an obligatory act of charity and one of Islam’s Five Pillars, Islamic principles can be used to combat the structural causes of the racial wealth gap. By requiring people to donate a portion of their wealth to the less fortunate, zakat promotes economic justice by providing a source of income for those who are in need.
If properly implemented, this system can help lessen economic inequality by redistributing wealth among the various social classes. Islamic principles also place a strong emphasis on racial and class-neutral solidarity among all members of society; this idea of universal equality under God serves as a foundation for opposing systemic racism and advancing equality for all.
Last but not least, Islamic banking practices like the ban on interest can act as an alternative to conventional banking systems, which have been accused of fostering racial socioeconomic inequality.
Islamic banking can increase access to financial services for minorities, who frequently lack access to traditional banking services due to income inequality. Islamic banking does this by providing an ethical framework for lending money without charging interest.
It’s no longer a choice but an obligation to take the current economic state of our community into consideration. We need to be aware of the influence of our purchasing power and support the policies that influence the expansion of the local economy. We should not rely on the government or corporate entities to bring about change in our communities.
However, we should hold them responsible and have a plan in place for how to make amends for their wrongdoing. It is our responsibility to ensure that we are championing the idea of contributing to capital reinvestment in our community in order to ensure its expansion and prosperity for coming generations.
Furthermore, rather than relying on outside sources, we must develop a financial system unique to the Black community. We should also stay informed about economic inequality and use our resources to help eliminate it, in turn becoming disruptors to the current state of our economic affairs.
The tenets that Black people should “Do for themselves” are the foundation of these principles. This motto encourages the development of economic self-sufficiency among Black people and serves as an inspiration for them to build their own economic ecosystem.
The racial wealth gap nonetheless persists, so Black Muslims must keep advocating for measures to address the causes of inequality in order to close the gap. Black Muslims can regain the self-assurance to take charge of their financial destinies and build a new world for themselves and future generations by relying on these principles and upholding this legacy.
We have the ability to affect long-lasting change both domestically and internationally because of our position as Black Americans. However, in order to achieve this, we must take decisive action to overcome systemic obstacles.
If our voices are included in the global dialogue, our vision of equality can take shape; however, without first addressing injustice at home, we won’t be able to make real progress on a global scale. We’ve waited too long; it’s time for us to take control and turn survival into thriving!
Quiana M. Shamsid-Deen, Ph.D, is Executive Director of the Supreme Family Foundation, and associate professor of Social Work at Georgia State University.
This article originally appeared in The Muslim Journal.
On the hunt for alternatives to a proposed 75-cent property tax increase, Memphis City Council members passed a proposed partial amnesty for overdue fines and fees during the Tuesday, May 21 executive session.
“The idea here is we’re trying to find every source of revenue we can to help lower the property tax raise that has been proposed. I have no idea if we’ll get a penny, but we can ask,” said Council Member Jerri Green.
“From now until the end of the fiscal year, we’ll reduce all payments by 50 percent and see what we can bring in, in hopes of generating revenue to help fill up our coffers. It’s a way for all Memphians to step up and be a part of the solution.”
According to a printout distributed during the meeting, there is around $265 million in outstanding penalties in charges that have accrued since 1991. If the resolution passes on third reading, the revenue it generates would be used to offset the tax hike.
City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young included the hike in his proposed FY2025 budget. It would add another $200 in annual property tax to a house valued at $100,000. For now, the rate is $2.70.
Extra revenue became necessary because of a $53 million budget shortfall. It includes salaries for 101 new Memphis Fire Department employees that were not included in the FY2024 budget. Council members scrambled to pass a resolution to cover the nearly $12 million in salaries and benefits. Members of Young’s team claim they weren’t informed of the oversight by former Mayor Jim Strickland’s staff.
Further sources of income may also be necessary following an impasse in negotiations between the various bargaining units for city employees and the administration.
The impasse committee consists of three council members selected by their peers. It is formed if a labor organization’s contract offer doesn’t match an administration proposal. Members make recommendations to the full council.
In every instance, council members preferred the more generous option proposed by the unions.
If all six gain final approval, over $13 million would be added to Young’s $880 million budget offer.
This includes AFSCME, which represents employees of the Solid Waste Division.
The mayor’s proposal, meanwhile, offers a three percent raise for all city employees in his budget. Most are eligible. The raises are an effort to prevent city employees from fleeing to a generally higher-paying private market, or other municipalities.
Members are also currently considering a $6.98 increase to the monthly solid waste collection fee. Rate payers presently shell out around $30 per month. The added revenue would be used to add staff and new equipment. Two more hikes are planned.
“They are unique, in some degree, because if the solid waste fee stays as proposed, then they are in the general fund. If it doesn’t get approved, they are seriously in the general fund. If it moves up, from what is proposed, they are their own enterprise fund,” said Carlisle. “Keep that relationship in mind…Today, it’s a hybrid system.”
The budget chairman also said any changes to their budget would require a transfer in the general fund, or an increase in the solid waste fee.
Along with the added fee, a resolution to transfer $2.8 million from the division’s FY2024 fleet fund is under consideration. The money would be used to shore up other city divisions’ bottom lines.
The practice is a familiar one in city government. It also echoes the approach Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is taking with his FY2025 proposal. His pitch calls for over 400 open positions within the Shelby County Sheriff’s office to be left vacant. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner has threatened a lawsuit, citing the county charter. It requires the law enforcement agency to be fully staffed.
Along with chiding the practice, Council Chairman JB Smiley pondered whether enough vacancies existed within the city government to offset the bulk of the property tax.
However, City of Memphis Chief Operating Officer Antonio Adams couldn’t provide an answer to how much money that amounted to.
Prior to the next budget negotiation, Smiley tasked the administration with providing detailed information about each city division to explore the option – and to prevent a recurrence of FY2024’s shortcomings.
“Here’s why I’m concerned, going forward…The administration says, ‘Trust us, trust us.’ The Council says, ‘OK.’ Then, the very first chance we get when we find out something is not right, at the very last minute, you say, ‘Hey, we have these firefighters,’” Smiley said.
“I know someone in the administration knew fire personnel were not accounted for, prior to coming to the council,” he continued.
The letter organizations that followed AFSCME also faired well. They include Communications Workers Association (CWA), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Memphis Police Association.
Another impasse vote is required before a final vote on the FY2025 budget can be held. It goes into effect on July 1.
Thursday, May 23, the community will come together to celebrate the powerful words of middle school students at the annual “Do the Write Thing” banquet.
The event, hosted by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and District Attorney Steve Mulroy, will recognize the top two finalists of the National Campaign to Stop Violence program.
The “Do the Write Thing” challenge encourages middle school students to express the impact of violence in their lives through writing. This year, 417 students from 16 Memphis Shelby County Schools participated in the writing competition. The two finalists will be announced at the banquet and designated as National Do the Write Thing Ambassadors.
Mayor Lee Harris praised all the students who participated in the writing challenge.
“I want to congratulate all the students who participated in the writing challenge and thank the parents, guardians, teachers, and school administrators for encouraging students to express themselves through the written word,” Harris said in a statement. “These scholars have provided insightful ideas on how to make our community safer.”
The National Do the Write Thing Ambassadors, along with their parents or guardians and the teachers who submitted their essays, will be invited to participate in the “Do the Write Thing Challenge National Recognition Week” in Washington, D.C. in July.
Shelby County Chief Administrative Officer Harold Collins stressed the importance of providing children with opportunities to express the impact and trauma of violence in their lives.
“Now more than ever, we must provide children with opportunities to express the impact and trauma violence has caused on their young lives,” Collins said in a statement. “It is equally important for us adults to really listen to the ideas and solutions young people have to offer on how to curb violence.”
District Attorney Steve Mulroy also praised the students, saying, “Preventing youth violence is crucial for effective crime reduction. It’s inspiring to hear young people share their ideas on this issue.”
The event will be co-hosted by the Shelby County Office of Education and Youth Services, with Deputy Administrator Reginald Milton expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to bring the national program to Shelby County.
“The issue of violence in the world affecting our children daily is heartbreaking. I am thankful to Shelby County CAO Harold Collins for introducing this national program to Shelby County and the opportunity it gives students to be heard,” said Milton.
For more information on the National Do the Write Thing program, please visit https://www.dtwt.org/.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) recently announced that its Supplier Diversity department will host a procurement fair on June 7, 2024.
The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MLGW Joyce Blackmon Training Center, located at 4949 Raleigh-Lagrange Road.
With the theme “Making Moves in Procurement,” the fair aims to connect the local business community with valuable resources and networking opportunities. Attendees will have the chance to mingle with fellow colleagues and business owners, as well as learn from professionals in finance, the public sector, and non-profit arena.
The event will feature a Budget Summary Seminar, a small business expo, and information about capital improvement and procurement opportunities from MLGW. Attendees can reserve their spot by visiting the event page. For any inquiries, please email supplierdiversity@mlgw.org.
Admission to the Procurement Fair is free, and food trucks will be onsite to provide delicious refreshments. MLGW encourages all businesses, especially local, minority- and women-owned businesses, to attend and take advantage of this opportunity.
For more information about MLGW and its services, visit https://mlgw.com.
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners locked down a resolution to fund repairs to cell doors in the aging Shelby County Jail during its May 20 meeting this week.
In addition to purchasing motors for cell doors, the emergency resolution will also pay Cornerstone Detention Products, Inc. for repairs to the programmable logic controller. The computer controls jail doors in the facility at 201 Poplar in Memphis.
The resolution will draw from the SCSO FY2024 general operating budget. The total cost is $345,632.37.
Motors to cell doors on the fourth-floor lockup no longer function — many failures due to inmate vandalism. The SCSO attached a justification to an April 2 invoice submitted by Cornerstone.
Furthermore, all 340 cell doors no longer work electronically, following an MLGW-caused March 25 power surge. Staff are currently operating the doors manually. Another invoice from Cornerstone on April 4 included another justification underscoring the mounting problem.
“Without this repair, inmates can potentially reach out, assault staff, assault each other and can potentially bypass the manual locking doors,” read the justification.
On May 3, inmates at 201 Poplar set a fire in a housing unit. The door was tied from the inside with bedsheets, preventing deputies from entering. Staff used chemical agents to de-escalate the situation. Four inmates were treated for minor injuries.
Jail lock failures were also highlighted during a May 15 budget presentation from the Sheriff’s Office. The security risk has prevented officials — like commission members — from visiting the lockup.
The item passed 10-0. It was sponsored by Commissioner Erika Sugarmon.
In addition to Sheriff Floyd Bonner, several members of the commission have advocated for a new jail to be built at an estimated cost of $1 billion.
The county lockup, popularly known as “201 Poplar,” was built in 1981 to house 1,200 inmates. It currently averages around 3,000 inmates.
Moving forward to the FY2025 budget, commissioners also approved a fill-in-the-blank tax rate ordinance in its second reading during the Monday meeting.
However, the tax is expected to maintain the current rate of $3.39 for the third and final reading.
With the current breakdown, $1.40 of the final rate is committed to the general fund. It pays for many operating costs. Another $1.54 is earmarked for the county’s seven-school system. A third revenue source of 45 cents would fund the county’s debt service. It is used to pay for capital improvement projects.
Nevertheless, commissioners are still mulling the proposed budget of Mayor Lee Harris, which calls for no new taxes, but does propose a six percent raise for nearly every county employee.
The proposal also includes funding to rebuild the Regional One Health campus, along with new high schools for Cordova and Frayser. All three projects have exceeded their original cost estimates. Mayor Lee Harris has requested commissioners to up funding for the hospital to $500 million over a decade to fund the first phase of the project. The original estimate was $350 million.
Harris came up empty-handed when he requested $350 million from the state legislature earlier this month. He is working with state officials, along with other sources of funding. One idea being considered: Shelby County co-owning the medical center with the UT Health and Sciences Center.
The Harris Administration has assured commissioners the county can afford to finance Phase I of the project and the new schools. Members are considering delaying the latter.
In other business, members gave a thumbs up to the appointment of Meggan Keil to the Memphis Area Transit Authority. The move requires the City of Memphis to include another appointee from the county mayor. Talks are underway.
Commissioners opted to make the appointment, following the encouragement from the administration.
“Approval of this item puts us in a stronger position when negotiating with the city,” said Deputy Chief of Staff Frankie Dakin.
Keil was a failed candidate for the Memphis City Council last year. He manages a grant for the Center of Disease Control and Prevention at the University of Memphis School of Public Health.
