William Larsha, Sr.
Beware Of “Yes” For Referendums!
Could it be that some folk want to change things around Because Memphis is a majority?
By William Larsha, Sr. , Political Columnist
The Mid-South Tribune,
The Mid-South Tribune ONLINE
and the Black Information Highway
Is there a situation in Memphis government right now until changes in the city’s charter are desperately necessary? For more than 150 years this city, with few charter changes, has been the cradle of mid-south progress.
Now, you are being asked to vote “Yes” on a list of ordinances and referendums just because a few “wizards of trickery” are telling you to do so. And some of these wizards don’t even live in Memphis.
Could it be that some folk want to change things around because Memphis is a majority Black city?
And like wizards, some Charter Commission members and elected officials have personal agendas.
Some are even Black who favor the referendum positions of White members in hope of winning White votes at the polls when they run for a hirer elective office – like Memphis Mayor, or a Tennessee state assembly member.
Think about this. In some voting districts, White votes constitute 30 percent. So if a Black candidate gets the White votes, all he or she needs is 21percent or less of the Black votes to win.
Nevertheless, before you vote “yes” on any of these amendments or ordinances, make sure you understand just what they are suppose to do for the real good of the city and county, and not just for the real good of “I, I, me, me” persons. You can always vote no.
Shelby County Commission ordinances:
(1) Shelby County Ordinance, 364, would establish certain county administrative offices such as sheriff, trustee, county clerk, act. as County Charter positions. These positions, however, have always functioned well without such an ordinance. Could it be that initiators of this proposal suddenly saw a Black/Latino majority population in the county electorate?
(2) Shelby County Ordinance, 365, would limit terms of office for all County elected officials (elective and administrative) to two consecutive terms. In all honesty, two years is not enough time for serious minded Commissioners to develop expertise and experience in the operations of government. Do we want dummies and the special interest to govern us?
Memphis City Council Ordinances:
(1) City Council Ordinance, 5232, allows citizens to recall the election of a City Council member. Please be fair. Only voters of that Council Member’s district should have the right and be allowed to recall.
(2) City Council Ordinance, 5265, would require all appointed city employees to live within the city of Memphis. Not again folks! Beware of voting for this ordinance. Beware of these wizards of trickery.
Memphis Charter Commission Referendums:
The first charter referendum would limit terms of office for both the City Mayor, City Council members and city clerk to two consecutive terms. This amendment will prevent elected officials from becoming experts in the operant of government.
The second charter referendum would stagger terms for City Council members. Sounds good, but really not necessary. Also, why all these “changing things around?”
The third charter referendum would require a public referendum before MLG&W can be sold. Beware playing with the economy, especially blindly. Elect good people who will be responsible servants.
The fourth charter referendum would suspend any elected or appointed official charged with wrongdoing. It will also deny an official “due process” as well as denying representation to his voters. Beware of giving wizards the right to play the “blame game.”
The fifth charter referendum would create an Instant Runoff Voting System. Beware! Under this complicated numbers game system a well organized group could elect its chosen candidate even before any vote is cast. Our present run-off elections is fair, honest, and offers a visible and better way to elect the real winners.
The sixth charter referendum would (in the event the City Mayor’s position becomes vacant) allow the City Council chairperson to serve as acting City Mayor for 90-180 days. One hundred eighty days? That’s almost a half a year without an official Mayor.
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