This Time I Agree With Them
The last time the two Mayors publicly agreed on something, I wasn't in agreement with them. I'm not so sure that wasn't them just doing what they did for appearances sake. It was inevitable that Steve Cohen would be the 9th districts next congressman. No need to create any political barriers unnecessarily . That's not the case this time though. They both agree consolidation is the best thing for Memphis. Anything that could save us $20 million a year is a good idea if you ask me. I've been saying this for fifteen years or more and everyone claimed it wasn't possible. It must have been hard trying to deny this for all these years to inquiring minds. If they can do it now, they could do it then.Mayor Herenton seems to be determined to follow this thing through.. He made his intentions known before he was reelected for a fifth term in office. At this point I think his legacy is already set in history. He has always maintained his willingness to step aside in order to make this happen. This is just icing on the cake. He tested the waters to show Wharton they weren't as deep as one might think. Mayor Wharton has joined forces with Mayor Herenton on this proposal, with a minor adjustment. He suggested we join everything but the school systems. Strangely enough that made it a lot more acceptable to some people. It allows them to keep their prized school system in tact. Whatever brought them to this point, this time I agree with them.
posted by Common at
10:18 PM
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9 Comments:
I don't agree with consolidation, I know you may take offesne to this but Herenton screwed up the MCS System while Superintendent and he's screwed up Memphis. Why should people in the County want to trust this man.
His racsit comments and closed mind will do nothing and people in the County won't stand for it.
We who live in the County will watch the values of our homes decline while paying more in taxes.
I could be wrong but I just don't see it as something most in the County would want and for Herenton to say we have no voice goes to his closed mind and racist ego.
I wouldn't expect a county resident to agree with consolidation, it's going to cost you money. Herenton didn't screw up MCS by himself, don't leave out the NEA. I don't take offense to your opinions. I enjoy the spirited debate.
For starters, if they consolidate. Mayor Herenton will have to step down. So that would be one way to get rid of him. Herenton is just pushing the envelope.
Property values will not go down just because of consolidation. What will happen is, it won't be a perk anymore. Everbody will have to pay their equal share.
I feel I pay my equal share, I pay Bartlett city and of course Shelby County.
I believe property values will go down after consolidation becasue it will become a buyers market at the very least. People will try to move to Fayette or Tipton County to get away from this.
The cheaper housed become the more undersirebale negihborhoods will become becaseu fot he criminal elemetn moving in these places.
Of course I am speculating, who is to know what would actually happen but it's my belief that something like that would occur.
We all know A.C Wharton can't run for County Mayor again and it's my belief the Herenton will try and run for the consolidated city if that ever happens.
I just don't like Herenton, it's not because he is black but becasue of the racial tones. He asks for racial healing after the elctions but still continues to sputter out racial speaches, If any white Mayor were to talk like him you could almost bet Al Sharpton would be calling would be forming a march not to mention who knows whio else.
I know you like the Mayor so to speak and would never try to disuade your opinion of him. I just basicalyl wanted to give you mine. He just doesnt sit right for me is all.
Wharton pushes merger
Proposal calls for separate school systems, privilege tax
By Alex Doniach (Contact)
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Following Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton's lead, Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton joined the push for consolidation of city and county governments in his State of the County address Monday.
Wharton also reiterated his support for a privilege tax on all who work in Shelby County and earn more than $28,000, saying the tax is needed because of a $14.5 million funding gap in next year's budget.
Likening county government to a gas guzzling Hummer, Wharton asked the County Commission to consider the hybrid version of a metro government. Consolidation could save $20 million each year, Wharton said.
But unlike Herenton, who has long called for the consolidation of Memphis and Shelby County schools, Wharton said his form of consolidation would not include the school systems.
"Should we find that consolidation is a feasible and desirable alternative, I am prepared to take action to move in that direction so long as the present boundaries and autonomy of the two school systems remain intact," Wharton said.
He said the concern about schools has traditionally caused the biggest hurdle to consolidation. As a parent, he knows the "fears that parents have" about their children's education.
That's why he's advocating a freeze on the district's boundaries through special school districts. He also vowed to keep school consolidation out of the equation. "As long as I'm here, that won't be a valid concern," he said.
What does concern Wharton is the $14.5 million funding gap. In lieu of increasing property taxes, Wharton encouraged county commissioners to support the privilege tax, which could generate more than $18 million a year in new revenue.
The flat tax could start at about $6 per month, or $72 per year for every employee, according to initial projections, and would affect about 252,875 people who work in Shelby County and earn more than $28,000. It would include commuters.
The proposal includes cutting the $50 wheel tax paid by county residents by 25 percent. He said the alternative is raising the property tax rate by 31 cents.
"This proposed privilege tax shifts the burden away from our senior citizens who have the least economic resiliency and spreads it among those who are still working and, in many respects, consuming government services," he said.
But Wharton stressed that the privilege tax was only a bandage on the county's short-term financial woes. He said his administration has implemented the recommendations of a 2004 efficiency study, which has reduced the borrowing to less than $75 million. The debt also has been reduced to $1.76 billion, he said.
Yet he said as long as the county and city continue to operate two systems, true savings won't be realized.
Wharton said he spoke with Herenton and most of the suburban mayors about consolidation, and the suburban mayors are willing to bring their questions to the table.
Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald, who did not attend the speech, said later he is willing to meet with Wharton to discuss cooperative efforts for the betterment of the county, but consolidation is not on his agenda.
Wharton has asked his staff to move forward with reviewing the legal, financial, and procedural aspects of the various consolidation options.
Like Herenton, Wharton said he would support a "blended majority" vote of city and county voters needed to approve consolidation.
While most county commissioners spoke out against the privilege tax, many stopped short of actually dismissing consolidation.
"If we're serious about a more efficient government, streamlined government, then we have to take the issue of consolidation seriously," said Commissioner Mike Carpenter, who opposes the privilege tax.
Commissioner Mike Ritz also spoke out against the privilege tax and said there are areas, such as funding for schools and the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, where the county could more aggressively press for money from the state, even if it means filing a lawsuit.
"I think the mayor has got to lead, and he's not leading," Ritz said.
Ritz also criticized Herenton's and Wharton's consolidation and tax proposals for "stirring the pot, raising a lot of anxiety levels."
But Commissioner Deidre Malone supported both of Wharton's ideas and said a privilege tax is something to strongly consider.
As for consolidation, she urged her colleagues "have an open mind."
Maybe I have a closed mind about it but how many other things have been done in the name of saving money that didn't work.
I'm sorry but I dont want to have anything to do with the City of Memphis. I dont mean that in so far as the people but more it's brand of politics and ineptness for getting the somplest things right.
Before A.C Wharton was re-elected he wouldn't have anything to do with consolidation, now that he doesnt have to worry about it he has changed his tune.
It's to the point where I don't like any politicians because all they do is try and tell you what you want to hear but don't mean a thing. That is except of course for Herenton, I think he is genuine in his dis-like and hatred
of Whites
Suburban mayors had consolidation warning
Wharton gave notice of plan to shift gears
By Clay Bailey (Contact)
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald was not upset with county Mayor AC Wharton's talk of consolidation, even though McDonald still disagrees with the idea.
Wharton warned McDonald and other suburban mayors about his plan before the public unveiling.
"That's a much better approach," McDonald said of Wharton's communication compared to Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton not sharing his ideas with the outlying leaders.
"I really like AC Wharton a lot," McDonald told the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. "I might like Mayor Herenton if I got to know him. But he's too busy for us. We're too arrogant and too stupid, so he doesn't like to come and talk to us."
McDonald's stand and those of the other suburban mayors continued the consolidation rhetoric that began with Herenton's State of the City address, and continued with Wharton broaching the subject Monday in his State of the County speech.
Germantown Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy said the suburb would "continue to question and challenge and oppose metro government as it has been discussed in the past."
"There's always an assumption that if you merge functions, you will automatically get savings," Goldsworthy said. "That's not what we've learned about how government operates best. Bigger is definitely not always better. In fact it rarely is, especially when you begin to lose accountability in the process, or you lose quality of service."
Several of the mayors noted that consolidating Memphis and county governments would give their residents the additional cost of providing government services in Memphis and unincorporated parts of the county, but without directly benefiting their cities.
Wharton called Millington Mayor Terry Jones on Friday to inform him before the county mayor's stance hit the news.
While it was a "little bit of a surprise," Jones said, "I'm willing to listen if he has an idea and a plan."
Wharton usually attends when the suburban mayors meet every other month, and another meeting is planned, Jones said.
"I'm not sure what he wants to consolidate," Jones said.
Bartlett officials were drafting a letter to residents Tuesday outlining the city's position on consolidation, and trying to allay some of the fears the citizens have about the plan. McDonald said he has received dozens of e-mails and calls.
"Just because Mayor Herenton says he's going to make this happen, that doesn't make that true," McDonald said. "This is not so easy that they can just pitch a fit and have the governor come down and change the form of government to something that they like better."
Arlington Mayor Russell Wiseman said he was "shocked. From what (Wharton has) stated before, he's obviously changed his mind." However, Wiseman added, that the recent silence from Wharton's office on the subject made him leery that something had changed.
Wiseman questioned the steps to accomplish consolidation, particularly the county mayor's idea to exclude schools. He said if this plan is to save money, county officials might start by eliminating the cost of attorneys fees, lobbying and studying the merger idea, which he opposes.
Goldsworthy declined comment on whether she felt betrayed by Wharton, saying the discussion needs to be about the issues and not feelings.
McDonald didn't feel betrayed by Wharton opening the consolidation box. He has heard the county mayor say he thought it was worth considering.
"We respect the right of each other to disagree on this."
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