FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 7/9/2010) For the people running for Shelby County Mayor, the idea of consolidating Memphis and Shelby County governments is about as appealing as swine flu.
Services would be merged, like the city and county fire departments. And that begins our story. Andrew Hoard of the Shelby County Fire Fighters Association says "The members of the fire union felt the terms of the fire merger from the city of Memphis to usÂ…well they weren't favorable to the firefighters of Shelby County."
Interim County Mayor Joe Ford put the brakes on fire consolidation plans.
Ford is the Democrat running for County Mayor. He doesn't like the idea.
He doesn't like the idea of any consolidating. Ford hasn't read the Consolidation Task Force recommendations on the issue, and says he doesn't need to read them. He's against the idea, period. It's one reason why he received the fire union endorsement.
"Consolidation will not pass in Shelby County. It was nice to put that committee together, but really I don't think it's going to pass in the city of Memphis either. I think it's going to fail in all municipalities."
Republican County Mayor Candidate Mark Luttrell is now against consolidation.
He says he wanted to see a plan, and now he's seen it. "I have consistently said I wanted see what was put on the table," Luttrell said. "I've said that from the very beginning. Two weeks ago the charter commission put a forty page outline on the table. They gave us something to react to."
Luttrell says he never once said he was in favor of consolidation.
He said his stand was, he wanted to study the issue, to see a plan.
So Luttrell says he hasn't changed his opinion on the issue.
But Ford says the way he looks at it, Luttrell's doing a little political gymnastics. "He flip flopped," Ford said. "Joe Ford has not flip flopped."
- Early voting starts July 16th at Elections Commission HQ, July 19th elsewhere
- Consolidation task force has more public hearings scheduled
- General County Election is August 5th
(Memphis 7/9/2010) For the people running for Shelby County Mayor, the idea of consolidating Memphis and Shelby County governments is about as appealing as swine flu.
Services would be merged, like the city and county fire departments. And that begins our story. Andrew Hoard of the Shelby County Fire Fighters Association says "The members of the fire union felt the terms of the fire merger from the city of Memphis to usÂ…well they weren't favorable to the firefighters of Shelby County."
Interim County Mayor Joe Ford put the brakes on fire consolidation plans.
Ford is the Democrat running for County Mayor. He doesn't like the idea.
He doesn't like the idea of any consolidating. Ford hasn't read the Consolidation Task Force recommendations on the issue, and says he doesn't need to read them. He's against the idea, period. It's one reason why he received the fire union endorsement.
"Consolidation will not pass in Shelby County. It was nice to put that committee together, but really I don't think it's going to pass in the city of Memphis either. I think it's going to fail in all municipalities."
Republican County Mayor Candidate Mark Luttrell is now against consolidation.
He says he wanted to see a plan, and now he's seen it. "I have consistently said I wanted see what was put on the table," Luttrell said. "I've said that from the very beginning. Two weeks ago the charter commission put a forty page outline on the table. They gave us something to react to."
Luttrell says he never once said he was in favor of consolidation.
He said his stand was, he wanted to study the issue, to see a plan.
So Luttrell says he hasn't changed his opinion on the issue.
But Ford says the way he looks at it, Luttrell's doing a little political gymnastics. "He flip flopped," Ford said. "Joe Ford has not flip flopped."
