Fast Facts:
Shelby County Commission Votes On Next Mayor Three Commissioners Expect To Be Nominated Candidate Will Need Seven Votes
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 11/08.2009) The person who becomes Shelby County's next mayor won't have to convince voters to go to the polls. Instead, they'll have to get Shelby County Commissioners to vote yes.
So far, Commissioners J.W. Gibson, Joe Ford, George Flinn and former Collierville Mayor Linda Kerley have expressed interest in the county's top seat. They were interviewed by commissioners earlier this month but Commissioner Mike Ritz says its still anyone's game.
"There's a possibility it doesn't have to be a commissioner. In fact, I've told some of my friends to come sit on the front row and they could possibly become the next mayor."
During Monday's meeting, commissioners will have the opportunity to nominate candidates. Then the public will get to do the same. Seven votes are needed for someone to become the next mayor. Ritz isn't expecting Monday's vote to be easy.
"There's a very good chance we're going to have three separate votes from that group in order to get 7 for one person. So we'll probably start the nominations again."
Ritz says by law commissioners can't talk to each other about who they're voting for but candidates can solicit votes. Ritz says he's heard from the commissioners running and even Mayor Joyce Avery. Avery initially said she only wanted to serve as interim mayor after AC Wharton was elected Mayor of Memphis. It appears she's had a change of heart.
"I've talked to Joe, JW and Doctor Flinn because they can talk to us. I've even talked to the mayor, she's interested, she called," said Ritz.
Joyce Avery is acting mayor but can only hold the position for 45 days. Whoever the commission picks will be sworn in a week from tomorrow. They'll stay on the job until September. Considering several commissioners are interested in becoming mayor, if one of them gets the job, commissioners will have to go through a similar process to fill their seat.
Shelby County Commission Votes On Next Mayor Three Commissioners Expect To Be Nominated Candidate Will Need Seven Votes
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 11/08.2009) The person who becomes Shelby County's next mayor won't have to convince voters to go to the polls. Instead, they'll have to get Shelby County Commissioners to vote yes.
So far, Commissioners J.W. Gibson, Joe Ford, George Flinn and former Collierville Mayor Linda Kerley have expressed interest in the county's top seat. They were interviewed by commissioners earlier this month but Commissioner Mike Ritz says its still anyone's game.
"There's a possibility it doesn't have to be a commissioner. In fact, I've told some of my friends to come sit on the front row and they could possibly become the next mayor."
During Monday's meeting, commissioners will have the opportunity to nominate candidates. Then the public will get to do the same. Seven votes are needed for someone to become the next mayor. Ritz isn't expecting Monday's vote to be easy.
"There's a very good chance we're going to have three separate votes from that group in order to get 7 for one person. So we'll probably start the nominations again."
Ritz says by law commissioners can't talk to each other about who they're voting for but candidates can solicit votes. Ritz says he's heard from the commissioners running and even Mayor Joyce Avery. Avery initially said she only wanted to serve as interim mayor after AC Wharton was elected Mayor of Memphis. It appears she's had a change of heart.
"I've talked to Joe, JW and Doctor Flinn because they can talk to us. I've even talked to the mayor, she's interested, she called," said Ritz.
Joyce Avery is acting mayor but can only hold the position for 45 days. Whoever the commission picks will be sworn in a week from tomorrow. They'll stay on the job until September. Considering several commissioners are interested in becoming mayor, if one of them gets the job, commissioners will have to go through a similar process to fill their seat.
