http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2009/06/15/commission-candidate-roland-makes-anti-consolidation-a-major-theme Comments On: Commission Candidate Roland Makes Anti-Consolidation a Major Theme (W/Videos) by Jackson Baker en-us Copyright 2009 Memphis Flyer. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, Memphis Flyer readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact Memphis Flyer. wil@desert.net (Memphis Flyer Webmaster) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 -0600 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:30:00 -0600 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Posted by mad_merc]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:10:45 -0500 Memphis Flyer
Every time Jackson writes about Roland he mentions him coming within a few votes of winning the special election. For full disclosure this should read, '...Roland, who by dumb luck came within a few votes of winning a special election and was soundly beaten in the next election with only 30% of the vote, ...' Saying it any other way gives Roland a sense of credibility that he just should not have. Think Joe the Plumber.

I wonder what it was that Roland had to consider how to say for so long, so he wouldn't "get himself in trouble." I can only imagine what he was struggling so hard to self-edit in his head. He says we'll end up like East St Louis or Detroit, "because the people will be gone." What about this could he possibly need to edit himself on?

Roland thinks we should not even talk about consolidation, we should lower our taxes so we're a better bargain than Tipton County, and that an anti-discrimination resolution is just stirring up trouble (and putting your fellow man and community at risk??). Is that really what we've come to? GOP, come on...if this is your best vision for the future of Shelby County, based on everything we know about the success of cities, we're in trouble.
Posted by dell]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:20:49 -0500 Memphis Flyer
Sincerely,
Nicholas Pegues
Posted by My Nick Pegues]]> Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:15:49 -0500 Memphis Flyer Posted by tomguleff]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:26:20 -0500 Memphis Flyer
Memphis government is dysfunctional because of many reasons, but fundamental to this discussion is that its business models are totally broken. We can't fix it without starting over and imbedding technology throughout the new government.

Our city's government is bad on the issues that you mention, but if you project the trend line out 20 years, we are in disaster unless we do something bold. A totally new government is just that, and if voters outside Memphis will listen to the reasoning and the options - a big Memphis government or a new government - I think they'll decide on the side of something totally new and different.

A metro government would reverse trends on the rises in taxes, it will produce a unified attack on crime, it will produce new faces in legislative office, it will create new districts whose representatives talk for people with shared interests and needs (not something like the county commission that stretches from Hein Park to Cordova), it will simplify the process to recruit businesses, just to mention a few.

I grew up in Collierville and didn't learn until I was 15 years old that damn and consolidation were two different words, and with that background, I am convinced this is the answer for the municipalities.

Otherwise, they will be defined with a massive Memphis government whose decisions they will have no voice in and whose actions will swamp them.

What the towns haven't understood YET is that there is no such thing as things staying as they are. No decision is a decision in favor of City of Memphis government, law enforcement by Memphis Police Department on their borders, etc.


Posted by TJones]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:46:25 -0500 Memphis Flyer
Posted by tomguleff]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:40:44 -0500 Memphis Flyer
Tom Jones
Posted by TJones]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:17:42 -0500 Memphis Flyer
Let's have the conversation instead of immediately seeking political advantage from it.

We're never going to attract talent to Memphis without dramatically changing things. That begins by getting the basics right, and it begins by abolishing City Hall and starting over with a new countywide government.

And of course, there's no plan. That's what a Charter Commission does, and I think most of us would like to hear what they coudl come up with. We may vote against it but at least let's talk about it. Roland acts like we shouldn't even have the conversation.

As for functional consolidation, we've had it for 30 years and the current mess is the result, it makes a strong case for starting over with more accountability and transparency. We can't change the trajectory of Memphis until we have the courage to do something bold and innovative.

People like Roland have this logic: I hate Memphis, Memphis is corrupt, City Hall is inefficient, city governnment is broken. My answer: leave everything like it is. Apparently, he's content for all of us to go down together.

Here's the thing that interests me. In Louisville, the new merged government ushered in a whole new group of candidates. Because districts were smaller and more compact, average people can afford to run and they turned out in force, transforming the government there.

Now, that's a talent strategy we can all support.
Posted by TJones]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:16:26 -0500 Memphis Flyer
Tom makes good points in his follow-up, but how do we do this?
Posted by LeftWingCracker]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:47:09 -0500 Memphis Flyer Posted by mad_merc]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:02:36 -0500 Memphis Flyer
(manning the GOP sleeper cell in midtown - Tom)

Posted by tomguleff]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:15:44 -0500 Memphis Flyer Have you considered running for a seat on either the council or commission?

You make sense!
Posted by B]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:36:26 -0500 Memphis Flyer
The idea that the rest of the county can isolate itself from the problems of Memphis is ridiculous on its face. Our probloems are the County's, and the region's problems, and the idea that "oh, we'll just move out here where it's safe and avoid them" is killing the whole region, not just Memphis. If you really believe that, head for Nashville or Little Rock, because the problems are only going to get worse until we solve them TOGETHER.
Posted by LeftWingCracker]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:28:25 -0500 Memphis Flyer Posted by LeftWingCracker]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:09:52 -0500 Memphis Flyer http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7782…)

List of Current Issues with Consolidation:
1. No Plan
2. No Savings cited
3. No Efficiencies cited
4. Courts / Judges will interfere with representation numbers
5. No tangible improvements in services
6. Current problems of crime, schools,and corruption cannot be solved with a bigger (metro) government.
7. Any hope of a new governmental model will be dashed by current stakeholders
8. "Reinvent Government" is simply fools gold. Government red tape can be cut today without consolidation.

Posted by tomguleff]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:59:40 -0500 Memphis Flyer