Mayor Addresses Kiwanis Club

 

The memphis mayor W.W. Herenton, has taken the time to address every segment of the community. He didn't have his annual state of the city address for everyone, he addressed them separately. I feel considering the political climate, this was probably the best thing. Meeting the opposition, in their own setting. Rather than have them disrupt an organized meeting, with irrelevant questions.

He had a meeting for the city as a whole. Where he took responsibility for the surplus situation, which is all he could really do. The financial shape of the city, didn't happen over night. He was the first to admit to this infamous "gentlemans agreement". With the former city council, about not revealing the need for raising taxes. For a councilman to come out after the fact, is without merit. Councilwoman Carol Chumney may not be guilty of being involved with this, but she can't accomplish anything by herself. She has the easiest district in the city. You don't hear the people from East Memphis, complaining about anything. The east part of the city is relatively clean and safe. Considering the size and budget, this city isn't in that bad of a shape. There are shortfalls all over the country, not just in Memphis. I think overall the speech was well accepted. He didn't take questions from the media.

The next day he talked to the media and the naysayers together. Sometimes they sound like, one in the same. He accused the media of not being fair and subjective. In all honesty, I think he was right. Race isn't the main issue here, but it plays a part. I noticed Jackson Baker, was quiet as a church mouse. I hope his readers paid attention to that. I don't blame him, he's playing it safe. He is a writer and his job is to sell newspapers. I understand where he's coming from. I just found it interesting that he was the first, to get behind the administrator (Thaddeus Matthews)of the recall. Who the mayor called a "societal misfit". By promoting his blog in his newspaper. Knowing full well, what its content was. The mayor talked about the charter commission, with which I disagree. He said he had no problem with it, as long as the citizens approve. I think he knows it won't amount to much. It's not worth the effort required to fight. I heard the mayor make some concessions in his speech. He might come across as being arrogant, but it may just be his confidence.

His latest speech is to the Kiwanis Club. Some of the movers and shakers, of the Memphis community. The business owners and professionals, a significant part of the tax base. Many of which, for the most part. Opponents of the Mayor, don't even recognize their names. I wonder what they think? They have basically remained quiet, in the midst of our financial woes. Outside the Belzs, Hydes, Smiths and Turleys. Listening to some people, you would think Memphis is divided in quarters. You can't have a discussion without their names coming up repeatedly. Those four people encompass the solution, to all this citys problems. Some people are so tunneled in their vision, they don't look at anything around them. If he only addressed the views of part of the citizens. He could only look to part of the citizens, to pay for everything.

The mayor has said there will have to be some cuts. In the fire and Police departments. We don't want to cut any services, but we don't want to pay more taxes. How can you get anything out, if you don't put anything in. As he has said from the beginning, in spite of what some people heard. His actions have proved repeatedly. He is a Mayor for all the people.