Photo Credit: Main Street Journal
“Crisis in Leadership”

 
Interim mayor and Alderman Greg Guy has resigned his interim mayorship of Southaven, ostensibly because of work commitments. Former mayor Greg Davis remains unreachable, in an unknown location, but he’s been asked to resign. The Board of Aldermen, in the meantime, is under pressure about a fire station contract. They voted last night, unanimously, to purchase the station for as much as $4 million. A new citizen’s group has formed to try to get answers; it will meet January 26.

Suburban School Districts: The first public review of the feasibility study by Southern Educational Strategies was in a Germantown Board of Aldermen work meeting last night. More news reports from WMC, the Flyer and the Commercial Appeal. You can watch the video and read the report. (PDF document) The new districts would all get their buildings from the County at no cost. Estimated student body sizes were identified. The SES website. Bartlett heard Monday from SES that they, too, could create their own district.

Central High School Shooting: The police are still searching for the culprit in last week’s shooting. A suspect has been identified, though not announced. The MPD and the school system are discussing ways to curb violence; more from WMC. The victim, Terrance Wilkins, apparently knew his killer. Police and MCS officials were insistent the incident was “isolated”.

State Redistricting: Somehow, in all the rush to approve the new maps, Tipton County got left out! More from the Knoxville News-Sentinel. Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris says the General Assembly will redo the whole process, for thoroughness’ sake. US Eighth District Congressman Stephen Fincher has a district with new precincts but hopes to represents them well.

Governor Bill Haslam: He vows that the State will stay committed to charter schools.

Unified Shelby County Schools: The Memphis school system spends seven times as much on teacher salaries and benefits as it does on charter schools, building maintenance and supplies combined. (Via MemphisShelbyInform) The lobbyist just hired by the Unified District, Tony Thompson, has also been rehired by the City of Knoxville to act as their lobbyist.

Morgan Keegan: The Raymond James Financial group has been put on credit watch for a possible downgrade by Moody’s Investor’s Service, based on their purchase of MK.

Sunshine Is Good: The bill that would weaken “sunshine” protections, or open meetings by government officials, has been sidelined for the session.

Politics: From WPLN in Nashville, their weekly podcast of Nashville political news. Speaker of the Senate Ron Ramsey says he wants anyone receiving government money–public assistance or business incentives–to get drug tested; more from the Commercial Appeal. Legislative leaders want to keep things moving in the General Assembly. Former Democratic State Senator Rosalind Kurita has asked a Federal court to give her a new primary, to reclaim the seat taken from her by the Tennessee Democratic Party’s executive committee.

Congressman Jim Cooper: The Fourth District Congressman says neither the US nor NATO are eager to get involved in Syria. He also urged Nashville legislators “don’t dawdle” on the Federal healthcare overhaul.

Arkansas: Governor Mike Beebe presented his $4.7 billion 2012 State budget yesterday, which is $162 million larger than last year.

Weather: ABC24 looks back at the weather disasters of 2011.

Elderly Driving: Following State Attorney General Robert E. Cooper’s opinion that the State could pass laws allowing the revocation of a person’s driver’s license at the family’s request, Democratic State Representative Eddie Bass may file a bill making that law.

Internet Exclusive: Rick Santorum and the Tea Party? Our Tea Party contributor, Ed “Doc” Holliday went to New Hampshire for the nation’s first primary vote and argues that that, now, Rick Santorum might be the last hope for the Tea Party movement in national politics.

Internet Exclusive: Who Runs the World? Memphis Urban League president and political candidate Tomeka Hart notes that while women are making progress in politics there still aren’t enough women in office.

Share the Main Street Journal: We have a Facebook page. (Will require Facebook login.) Share the news with your friends and coworkers; discuss the news in the Main Street Journal. Take advantage of our social media tools.

Second Amendment: Mississippi’s new “enhanced” permit for handgun carry has led Memphis police officer Oscar Irvin to move his business–Confidence Through Training, to teach firearm safety–to Southaven.

Mayor A C Wharton: On financial incentives to bring new companies to Memphis, he says, “We’ve got to pay to play.” The investigation into the Community Enhancement Division has, so far, netted four individuals.

Shelby County Commission: At today’s meeting, redistricting is expected to be the major discussion. The meeting is liable to be tense after a heated situation between four commissioners at a meeting last night. The Commercial Appeal paints a different, more threatening, picture of Commissioner Roland’s actions. Commission website.

Memphis Fire Department: The Midtown FD is looking at removing a ladder truck from their equipment and there’s a community meeting to discuss this with Councilman Kemp Conrad.

Memphis City Council: At yesterday’s meeting they approved a list of Division directors, although questions were raised about Robert Lipscomb, director of Housing and Community Development, receiving two salaries.

Mississippi: The State’s pardon scandal may be headed to the US Supreme Court. State Attorney General Jim Hood already will ask the State Supreme Court to invalidate some of the pardons. And new governor Phil Bryant favors limits to gubernatorial pardoning powers.

Memphis Depot Business Park: The Memphis Depot Redevelopment Corporation will vote tomorrow on sending the proceeds of the sale to the City and County.

National Healthy Worksite Initiative: The Centers for Disease Control have chosen Memphis as one of seven sites to roll out this program to improve workers’ health.

Business: Memphis created, in 2011, over 3700 jobs and $1.2 billion in investment. More from WMC, the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal.

From the Business Journal, noting People on the Move. The Commercial Appeal covers What to Do and People in Business. Today’s Events and Memphis Newsmakers noted in the Daily News.

Electrolux: The company released a statement yesterday reiterating its commitment to minority and local hiring in building its Memphis manufacturing facility. Still no written agreement, though. Both mayors say they trust the company to do as they say. More from WMC.

Verso Paper: They are predicting “$45 million to $50 million for fourth quarter 2011 and annual earnings of $200 million to $205 million” before certain expenses.

DeSoto County: County officicials have chosen their team to go to Washington to battle the EPA’s ruling that the County is still at “nonattainent” for ozone pollution. Various bits of County news from the Commercial Appeal.

MIFA: In collaboration with the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts, they are mounting a food can collection campaign, Feeding A Great Need.

Gasoline: Prices may rise to $5/gallon this Summer. The Memphis avergae is currently $3.25/gallon. (via MemphisGasPrices.com)
 

Millington: Economic development is “falling into place” for the city. New mayor Linda Carter isn’t going to change much; she’s focused on “healing”.

Fore Left! Some thoughts on “Doctor” King versus “Reverend” King.

Memphis Connect: Public comment is being solicited for the long-range public transportation plan in Shelby County.

Living Loud in Midtown: Looks like some Memphians need driver education.

FIX MEMPHIS: Safety first, y’all. When biking, you can never have too much neon. A pictorial tour and map of Overton Park’s trails.

East Memphis Moms: It’s already time to consider registration for Spring youth sports.

Commontaries: He thinks something is up with Haley Barbour’s pardons.

artbutcher: Did you miss Sunday’s broadcast of Artbutcher TV? You can still watch it.

Brain Release Valve: Two really great comic book ideas.

Andrea Fenise: Looking to the Sixties civil rights protest marches for fashion inspiration.

Agitatrix: The dream versus the reality. Strange late-night encounters at Walgreen’s.

A Merry Wife: Leftover wedding inspiration, for the next bride to use.

a belle, a bean, & a chicago dog: Five things worse than losing your wallet.

Joe Spake’s Daily Buzz: The rest of the day’s news, from all sorts of eclectic places.

NMissCommentor: Some various bits, including some interesting commenter interaction. The greatest response to a cease-and-desist letter, evah.

Rachel and the City: Some of you will get this joke. This is her favorite movie of all time.

Smart City Memphis: Tom Lee Park needs rescuing. Defending public arts funding by government.

Taming Insanity: Preparing your blog for maternity leave. As a guy, I hadn’t even thought of this.

Guerrilla Sales & Marketing: She surveys the top social media campaigns of 2011. (via the Daily News)

The Worldy Investor: Doing a “quality check” on 2012’s nascent market rally. (via the Daily News)

Weekly Obsession: J. R. has nothing but derision for Governor Haslam’s proposal to cut the grocery tax. (via the Nashville City Paper)

Commercial Appeal: It seems a regular editorial for them–another call to root out government waste, abuse and malfeasance. Equating urinating on corpses with “human rights abuses”?

Joe Spake’s Weblog: Does your blog make use of RSS? Why not, if you want more traffic?