FAST FACTS:
Mayoral candidates searching crowds to drum up votes Several candidates appear at Faith and Labor picnic Candidates say job creation a top priority
Shaun.Chaiyabhat@wreg.com
(Memphis 9/7/09) Labor Day means one thing for political candidates: crowds of potential voters.
Several of the Memphis mayoral candidates pressed-the-flesh at the "Faith and Labor" picnic on the corner of Evergreen and Forrest. It's been a busy weekend for mayoral candidates, and many used labor day as a chance to talk about bringing jobs to Memphis.
"The best crime-fighting tool is a job that brings dignity, that allows families to take care of themselves," says AC Wharton. "I have found from most employers that they would chose a good workforce any day over a tax abatement that expires in 7 or 10 years."
"The first thing we have to do is get crime down, because when companies around the country look at Memphis, if they see that we're the worst crime capitol in the United States of America, they're going to look somewhere else," says Carole Chumney.
"One of the biggest problems is a lack of education," says Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery. "We need to improve the educational quality of those we have here, and for those who are educated, we need to encourage them to stay."
Lowery says if he is elected mayor, he'll fight the city's brain drain by attracting young talented workers.
Wharton vows to give make labor forces a part of all city decisions.
Chumney says she'll work closely with the Chamber of Commerce to bring in more jobs.
Charles Carpenter took the day off, but by phone he says as mayor he would enhance what Memphis already has by training workers in tourism and distribution.
Mayoral candidates searching crowds to drum up votes Several candidates appear at Faith and Labor picnic Candidates say job creation a top priority
Shaun.Chaiyabhat@wreg.com
(Memphis 9/7/09) Labor Day means one thing for political candidates: crowds of potential voters.
Several of the Memphis mayoral candidates pressed-the-flesh at the "Faith and Labor" picnic on the corner of Evergreen and Forrest. It's been a busy weekend for mayoral candidates, and many used labor day as a chance to talk about bringing jobs to Memphis.
"The best crime-fighting tool is a job that brings dignity, that allows families to take care of themselves," says AC Wharton. "I have found from most employers that they would chose a good workforce any day over a tax abatement that expires in 7 or 10 years."
"The first thing we have to do is get crime down, because when companies around the country look at Memphis, if they see that we're the worst crime capitol in the United States of America, they're going to look somewhere else," says Carole Chumney.
"One of the biggest problems is a lack of education," says Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery. "We need to improve the educational quality of those we have here, and for those who are educated, we need to encourage them to stay."
Lowery says if he is elected mayor, he'll fight the city's brain drain by attracting young talented workers.
Wharton vows to give make labor forces a part of all city decisions.
Chumney says she'll work closely with the Chamber of Commerce to bring in more jobs.
Charles Carpenter took the day off, but by phone he says as mayor he would enhance what Memphis already has by training workers in tourism and distribution.
