FAST FACTS:
(MEMPHIS 7/7/2010) He doesn't show his anger much. Memphis Mayor A C Wharton is known for his courtroom demeanor. He stays cool, even under the toughest circumstances, his supporters say. But now he's angry. If you're going to work for him and the City of Memphis, Wharton says it's his way or the highway. "I have never had a personnel action reversed," the Mayor says. "When I come after you, you are gone. Because I'm not going to come after you until I'm ready."
He's angry. A C Wharton is angry. Angry that some of his people apparently don't agree with him on the importance of issues. The Mayor wants five hundred miles of bicycle lanes in Memphis, which is one of the worst cities in the country for bicycling, according to various reports and surveys. "We're going to get started on that," he says. "We should have been started on it already, quite frankly. There's just no excuse for that."
City Engineer Wain Gaskins has told members of the Memphis City Council that bicycle lanes were on the "back burner" because of other issues that he thought were more important. The city did have money already allocated for bike lanes, but it wasn't used. "I'm more than disappointed," Mayor Wharton says. "I'll have to use decent language here. I'm angry about it. If I were out on the street with you, I'd use another word."
Bicycle lanes and nature paths have been part of the A C Wharton agenda since his days as Shelby County Mayor. He says they are needed to make the city a more attractive place for all people, not to mention help people get in shape, in one of the fattest cities in the country. And the Mayor says he is not going to keep anybody around who doesn't agree with his long held plans and beliefs. "I was country when country wasn't cool on this subject," Wharton said. "I'm not going to let anybody scuttle something I am deeply in love with. It is a new day. Folks here better get on board. They'd better get on board or shape out."
When Mayor Wharton was asked if there was a general shakeup in city hall right now his answer was direct. "Yes," he said. "Yes there is."
- Mayor Wharton angry about city engineer not planning bicycle lanes
- Money was set aside in budget for the lanes
- Mayor telling all employees to get on board with his programs or get out
(MEMPHIS 7/7/2010) He doesn't show his anger much. Memphis Mayor A C Wharton is known for his courtroom demeanor. He stays cool, even under the toughest circumstances, his supporters say. But now he's angry. If you're going to work for him and the City of Memphis, Wharton says it's his way or the highway. "I have never had a personnel action reversed," the Mayor says. "When I come after you, you are gone. Because I'm not going to come after you until I'm ready."
He's angry. A C Wharton is angry. Angry that some of his people apparently don't agree with him on the importance of issues. The Mayor wants five hundred miles of bicycle lanes in Memphis, which is one of the worst cities in the country for bicycling, according to various reports and surveys. "We're going to get started on that," he says. "We should have been started on it already, quite frankly. There's just no excuse for that."
City Engineer Wain Gaskins has told members of the Memphis City Council that bicycle lanes were on the "back burner" because of other issues that he thought were more important. The city did have money already allocated for bike lanes, but it wasn't used. "I'm more than disappointed," Mayor Wharton says. "I'll have to use decent language here. I'm angry about it. If I were out on the street with you, I'd use another word."
Bicycle lanes and nature paths have been part of the A C Wharton agenda since his days as Shelby County Mayor. He says they are needed to make the city a more attractive place for all people, not to mention help people get in shape, in one of the fattest cities in the country. And the Mayor says he is not going to keep anybody around who doesn't agree with his long held plans and beliefs. "I was country when country wasn't cool on this subject," Wharton said. "I'm not going to let anybody scuttle something I am deeply in love with. It is a new day. Folks here better get on board. They'd better get on board or shape out."
When Mayor Wharton was asked if there was a general shakeup in city hall right now his answer was direct. "Yes," he said. "Yes there is."
