FAST FACTS:
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 10/16/2009) County Commissioner Joyce Avery, soon to be County Mayor Avery, is busy checking faxes and phone calls.
"This morning I received the very first one at 7:30. They said we couldn't wait to call you." says Avery.
Call and congratulate her on becoming Shelby County's first female Mayor .
Avery, who joined the County Commission in 2002, is in his her last term in office. She became chair last month.
It came right in time for the city mayor's race. With County Mayor A C Wharton winning the Memphis Mayor's election, Avery, who prides herself on entertaining and cooking, has been launched into the county's top office.
"You better get 'em in a hurry, because when I get in the Mayor's office, I won't have time to make pear preserves." says Avery.
"Hopefully, I will be a role model for other women, especially the young women in our community who can set their goals and work toward their goals and know that they can achieve them." she says.
Once Wharton resigns, which Avery expects to be announced at next Wednesday's County Commission meeting, she will be sworn in and serve 30-45 days.
"In less than 45 days, the County Commission will approve somebody who will become the interim Mayor for nine months or so til the next regularly scheduled Mayor's election, which will be next August." says Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy.
Avery says she won't run for interim Mayor. As for the August election, "I never say never." she says. Avery doesn't expect to make any changes in her short time in office.
But names are already surfacing for interim mayor.
County Commissioners George Flinn, Joe Ford and J.W. Gibson are mentioned.
The public can also apply, but the County Commission makes the final decision.
- Joyce Avery set to become Shelby County Mayor
- Avery will be first woman to hold the position
- Avery says she doesn't expect to make any changes in her short time in office
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 10/16/2009) County Commissioner Joyce Avery, soon to be County Mayor Avery, is busy checking faxes and phone calls.
"This morning I received the very first one at 7:30. They said we couldn't wait to call you." says Avery.
Call and congratulate her on becoming Shelby County's first female Mayor .
Avery, who joined the County Commission in 2002, is in his her last term in office. She became chair last month.
It came right in time for the city mayor's race. With County Mayor A C Wharton winning the Memphis Mayor's election, Avery, who prides herself on entertaining and cooking, has been launched into the county's top office.
"You better get 'em in a hurry, because when I get in the Mayor's office, I won't have time to make pear preserves." says Avery.
"Hopefully, I will be a role model for other women, especially the young women in our community who can set their goals and work toward their goals and know that they can achieve them." she says.
Once Wharton resigns, which Avery expects to be announced at next Wednesday's County Commission meeting, she will be sworn in and serve 30-45 days.
"In less than 45 days, the County Commission will approve somebody who will become the interim Mayor for nine months or so til the next regularly scheduled Mayor's election, which will be next August." says Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy.
Avery says she won't run for interim Mayor. As for the August election, "I never say never." she says. Avery doesn't expect to make any changes in her short time in office.
But names are already surfacing for interim mayor.
County Commissioners George Flinn, Joe Ford and J.W. Gibson are mentioned.
The public can also apply, but the County Commission makes the final decision.
