FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 6/4/2009) It may be the most attention the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center has gotten in years.
It's been in the headlines for not having enough staff, turning patients away, and misplacing money.
"What has happened at the agency shows there is a clear lack of leadership on the city administration's part," says Memphis City Council Chairman Myron Lowery.
Now a city council committee has voted to let Shelby County run the center.
"We are not releasing any asset. We are releasing a debt," says Memphis City Council Member Jim Strickland.
"I would not want us to move in a direction like this until we have the county saying they are ready to take it over," says Memphis City Council Member Harold Collins.
But it seems the county is entertaining the idea.
"I've had conversations with the County Mayor and Chairman of the Shelby County Commission, who both have indicated a willingness to take over this agency," says Lowery.
But not all County Commissioners are sold.
Commissioner Sidney Chism isn't supporting the takeover. He thinks what should be decided between the two mayors has now become a political football, "If it's politics, they need to leave it somewhere else. We are talking about kids' welfare and young kids being raped need some assistance."
Mayor Willie Herenton has said the center will stay in the city as long as he's Mayor, setting the stage for a showdown.
"If council does approve this, the Mayor can certainly veto it. The council then will have the opportunity to override his veto. Do you think that will happen? We will see," says Lowery.
The discussions between city and county leaders also raised the question of whether they violated the open meetings law.
City Council members adamantly deny that, saying they held one-on-one discussions and they do it all the time.
The full County Commission and City Council still have to vote on the issue.
- Mayor Willie Herenton wants city to continue operating Rape Crisis Center
- City Council Committee votes to turn over the center to Shelby County
- Some think the issue has become a political football
(Memphis 6/4/2009) It may be the most attention the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center has gotten in years.
It's been in the headlines for not having enough staff, turning patients away, and misplacing money.
"What has happened at the agency shows there is a clear lack of leadership on the city administration's part," says Memphis City Council Chairman Myron Lowery.
Now a city council committee has voted to let Shelby County run the center.
"We are not releasing any asset. We are releasing a debt," says Memphis City Council Member Jim Strickland.
"I would not want us to move in a direction like this until we have the county saying they are ready to take it over," says Memphis City Council Member Harold Collins.
But it seems the county is entertaining the idea.
"I've had conversations with the County Mayor and Chairman of the Shelby County Commission, who both have indicated a willingness to take over this agency," says Lowery.
But not all County Commissioners are sold.
Commissioner Sidney Chism isn't supporting the takeover. He thinks what should be decided between the two mayors has now become a political football, "If it's politics, they need to leave it somewhere else. We are talking about kids' welfare and young kids being raped need some assistance."
Mayor Willie Herenton has said the center will stay in the city as long as he's Mayor, setting the stage for a showdown.
"If council does approve this, the Mayor can certainly veto it. The council then will have the opportunity to override his veto. Do you think that will happen? We will see," says Lowery.
The discussions between city and county leaders also raised the question of whether they violated the open meetings law.
City Council members adamantly deny that, saying they held one-on-one discussions and they do it all the time.
The full County Commission and City Council still have to vote on the issue.
