FAST FACTS:
( Shelby County, TN 05/31/2009) The fight to protect gay, lesbian and transgender rights will move from outside of First Congregational Church to inside the County Commission's chambers Monday. Sunday, hundreds of people joined to support the ordinance.
"We have powerful people, religious leaders county commissioners that are spending their time trying to support discrimination and hate against an entire sector of our population in Memphis and Shelby County," said Jacob Flowers, Mid-South Peace and Justice Center.
Memphis' troubled rape crisis center will also be a hot topic. Rape victims have been turned away because of a lack of staff. As much as 500-thousand dollars in state funding could be unaccounted for. State auditors have stepped in and some county leaders feel they should do the same. Commissioner Sidney Chism is skeptical about the county taking over the center.
"I'm not saying it shouldn't come here (Shelby County). Maybe we can find some resources from the state, maybe the federal government in order to fund it but I think it needs to be worked out between both mayors and work toward getting this thing corrected," said Chism.
Then, there's the budget. A one-point-seven million dollar deficit has the county strapped for cash. They're considering 100-layoffs. The sheriff's department could get hit the hardest.
"It doesn't make sense when you know you've got a crime problem to make the agency that is responsible for fighting that the recipient of the greatest cuts. There's a disconnect in the psyche when you start thinking about that," said Sheriff Mark Luttrell.
- County Commission Taking Up Three Hot Button Issues
- Voting On Non-Discrimination Ordinance
- Rape Crisis Center and County Layoffs
( Shelby County, TN 05/31/2009) The fight to protect gay, lesbian and transgender rights will move from outside of First Congregational Church to inside the County Commission's chambers Monday. Sunday, hundreds of people joined to support the ordinance.
"We have powerful people, religious leaders county commissioners that are spending their time trying to support discrimination and hate against an entire sector of our population in Memphis and Shelby County," said Jacob Flowers, Mid-South Peace and Justice Center.
Memphis' troubled rape crisis center will also be a hot topic. Rape victims have been turned away because of a lack of staff. As much as 500-thousand dollars in state funding could be unaccounted for. State auditors have stepped in and some county leaders feel they should do the same. Commissioner Sidney Chism is skeptical about the county taking over the center.
"I'm not saying it shouldn't come here (Shelby County). Maybe we can find some resources from the state, maybe the federal government in order to fund it but I think it needs to be worked out between both mayors and work toward getting this thing corrected," said Chism.
Then, there's the budget. A one-point-seven million dollar deficit has the county strapped for cash. They're considering 100-layoffs. The sheriff's department could get hit the hardest.
"It doesn't make sense when you know you've got a crime problem to make the agency that is responsible for fighting that the recipient of the greatest cuts. There's a disconnect in the psyche when you start thinking about that," said Sheriff Mark Luttrell.
