At this point there are only two council people that I feel can make a difference in the direction of the Memphis City council over the next three years. Otherwise we're at a stalemate and we won't get anything done. Everything that comes up will be split down racial lines. The white members are generally Conservative, and the black members are Democrat. In the midst of these troublesome times. I thought Harold Collins was a breath of fresh air on the council. He was what I call an " Independent with sense."Then he had to go and do this. I don't know Harold Collins personally, but I know his background. I knew his older brother James, before he died. He was different from his sibling. But still a branch from the same tree. Harold Collin's story is one of personal responsibility and rising above his surroundings. That doesn't include all of his people though. I knew it was just a matter of time before he would be faced with where he came from. His large family and the degree of his success has largely shielded him from the backlash of his politics. All they know is, "Harold has a big house." They don't question how he got it. They're just glad he came up. Now he is trying to inadvertently rectify his involvement in this shortsighted vote. I wish it hadn't come to this but it has. He hopes he can ease his way out of this on a technicality, or a public oversight. That's not going to happen this time. This is where the rubber hits the road. I know it's hard right now, but steady is the way.
A plea from a concerned citizen to Black council members,
ReplyDeleteFrom: Susan Hedgepeth Sent: Tue 11/25/2008 11:51 AMTo: Lowery, Myron; wmhalbert@yahoo.com; Brown, Joe; Ford Jr., Edmund; Ford Jr., Edmund; Swearengen Ware, Barbara; Collins, Harold
Subject: Vote Change
Council Members: Once again, we are asking that just ONE council member reconsider your vote for relaxing the police residency requiremenents. I am certain all council members want to send the message to the citizens of Memphis that our elected officials are willing to do whatever it takes to protect the citizens.
While relaxing the residency will certainly not eradicate our crime, it is certainly a move in the right direction to reunite our divided city over this issue. I am asking that you thoughtfully reconsider your decision to this resolution.
Sincerely,
Susan Hedgepeth
Susan F. Hedgepeth Director of Fitness and Recreation The Racquet Club of Memphis 5111 Sanderlin Ave Memphis, TN 38117 Phone: (901) 765-4409 Fax: (901) 405-7760
It seems though it has almost alwasy been the "Us VS Them" mentality. I wont say the blacks on the council were racist for not voting for it when all the whites did. The vote was along racial lines but who's to say one group was more racist then the other.
ReplyDeleteBlack council members are looking out for the black's interest as in if the hiring area is expanded less blacks will most likely get on the with MPD.
However what IMHO the black council members arent considering is more than just this next year. If the MPD is short 200 Officers and they require 80 or so officers every year for replacement of ones who left or retired then they will always be in a deficit.
It's not as if Memphis is a growing city, I thought past statistics have shown the City shrinking in size. The ones that can afford to move out of the area are due to crime and taxes.
This is a little bit off topic but earlier I attempted to post something on the Fat Ones Blog.
ReplyDeleteYesterday he made reference to little Ben Ferguson and him calling Janis, Fullofdrugs instead of Fullilove. He mentioned how inappropriate it was for the name calling and how he would not stand for a white man calling a black woman a name. Now I'm not condoning the name calling but I tried to post something on his blog letting him know how he calls white woman and men, along with black men names consistently yet he is now all up in arms because Ben called Janis a name.
Point to this is the Fat one wouldn’t even post it. If you look at most of the posts that he allows, it is either the ones kissing his ass or cussing it out.
He can't and won't allow for an educated difference of opinion.
Just thought I would mention that because at least with Common you can disagree with him but still have a respectful and educated discussion. With Thud he either likes the ones sucking up or the complete opposite, nothing where there is something that basically calls him out of two faced lying double talk.
It's unfortunate that the council members have gotten into a pi##ing contest over this, and the citizens of Memphis are the one who is getting wet.
ReplyDeleteI understand why both sides take their positions, but only one is addressing the issue.The white council members need to use the art of persuasion. And the black council members should have picked another time to flex their muscles. Now if either one of them gives an inch one way or the other. They will be labeled weak.
Brian,
ReplyDeleteI don't even try and post on his blog anymore. I go there periodically because he influences so many local people. Both black and white alike. Some small minded person is always trying to repeat something he said, and can't back it up with facts. That's why he loud talks opposing views and hangs up the phone on his show. So the same thing doesn't happen to him.
I know he is intimidated by my name and voice. It changes the whole atmosphere. Light and darkness don't mix. Since he can't answer my questions and look like he's knowledgable. He claims I'm using his blog to promote mine and deletes my post.
Council member proposes using sheriff's deputies to help patrol Memphis
ReplyDeleteBy Alex Doniach (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
A Memphis City Councilman who rejected a plan to hire police outside the Shelby County line has proposed an alternative: Put more officers on the streets immediately by pulling Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies into Memphis.
Councilman Harold Collins said doubling up on law enforcement in crime-dense neighborhoods would address citizen concerns that there aren’t enough officers on the street and create the perception that resources are being maximized to fight crime.
“Perception is reality,” he said. “… It would provide some sense of comfort to the community, some sense that we’re working together as a collective body.”
But Collins' idea — offered as a short-term fix and seemingly proposed as an alternative to relaxing the residency requirement — was quickly rejected this morning by Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin and Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell, who said a lack of manpower and logistical hurdles make this idea unrealistic.
Collins asked both law enforcement leaders to come back with a plan in two weeks, but Godwin said he doesn’t think it’s possible. There are too many logistical hurdles, he said, such as what law enforcement agency would deal with investigations and who officers would report to.
“I hate to close the door and say well there’s nothing we can do, but at the same time, I don’t know of a plan that we can put together,” Godwin said following a lively debate in the council’s public safety and homeland security committee.
This discussion comes two weeks after the City Council killed a plan, in a 7-6 vote along racial lines, that would have potentially boosted police recruitment by allowing new officers to live within 20 miles of the Shelby County line. Memphis, notorious for its high crime rate, has been struggling to hire more police officers for years. The police department has 2,157 officers, but had budgeted for 2,345 this year.
Many of the council members who oppose relaxing residency rules spoke out in favor of Collin’s idea.
Councilwoman Barbara Swearengen Ware chalked some of the resistance up to turf issues. These same turf troubles earlier thwarted functional consolidation efforts, including the now-dissolved metro gang unit, she said.
“If the community is saying we’re in crisis, then this has to be one of those times that you choose to work together,” Ware said.
But Luttrell rejected the turf argument and said his resistance comes down to manpower. He said his deputies already assist the Memphis police as needed, but resources are too tight to volunteer officers on a long-term basis.
“I do not have the flexibility to take officers off of their assigned duties and put them in the city,” he said.
Council members could revisit the residency issue in the full City Council later this afternoon.
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ReplyDelete