Is MLGW Exec Lying About Where He Lives?

Watchdog Mike Matthews broke the story of an MLGW exec, Armstead Ward, who says he lives in one place while he really in another. Mike found the home Ward listed as his address to get a job at MLGW (Execs are required to live within city limits) is worth $28,000, doesn’t appear to have utilities and neighbors say no one ever enters the home. Mike then found Ward really lives in a $650,000 home in Eads. MLGW president Jerry Collins admitted the rules aren’t tough enough and plans to address the matter Thursday.

What do you think? Should city employees be told where they can and cannot live?

sales tax holiday

I’m just wondering if you took part in the tax free weekend? Tennessee was offering no tax on items like clothing, computers etc. The idea originally started to give parents a break on back to school supplies but then a second weekend was added in April. There’s word there may not be another tax free weekend anytime soon since the state is having financial trouble. The state reimburses cities and towns for taxes lost during the weekend.

 

John Ford In Prison

As of 1:48 p.m. Monday, former Tennessee Senator John Ford became a federal prisoner. Ford’s name will be replaced with a prison ID number at a prison camp in Pollock, LA. The camp is not like a prison many of us envision, there are no walls or razor wire fences. We’re told if a prisoner does wander away, they enter up in a maximum security prison. Ford was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison after being convicted of bribery in Operation Tennessee Waltz.

sean bell verdict

As you may have heard, a judge in New York cleared police officers in the shooting death of a man. Please read THIS story BEFORE you comment as it is a little complicated.

14 year old arrested

A veteran officer working undercover said he was shocked when a 14 year old girl solicited him for sex this morning during an undercover bust of prostitutes. Dressed in what appeared to be her school uniform, khaki pants and a white shirt, the girl was arrested. Instead of being in class at Hamilton High School, she was working as a prostitute in front of St. Augustine Catholic School. ”Apparently she doesn’t have the proper parenting at home or doesn’t have any parenting and trying to do a trick for $35 for oral sex with a guy like me who is 42 years old,” the officer explained.   

What do you think about this?

mlgw workers and firefighter arrested in hooker sting

Memphis police have arrested two MLGW workers and a Memphis firefighter in an undercover sting on prostitution. The two MLGW employees were working and in a company truck when police say they tried to solicite sex from a decoy prostitute. The firefighter was off duty at the time of his arrest. One man was arrested with his 7-year-old daughter with him in the car and birthday presents in the back seat.

Police say this is part of their ongoing crack down on prostitution and drugs.

Your thoughts? Do you think this program is working?

400 children taken from compound

As you’ve probably heard more than 400 children have been taken from a Texas compound on allegations they were being abused. At first, we were told a teenage female called from inside the compound saying she and others were being abused, now we’re the told was a fake. 400 children have been taken and put into an arena including some very young children. There are rumors some children may have been sexually abused and that teenage females are married to adult men. Hundreds of lawyers have been brought in to represent the children and their parents. A lot of people have condemned the government from stepping into a compound and separating families just days before the ‘Waco’ anniversary. 

What’s your take?

real time crime center

So, the MPD unveiled its new Real Time Crime Center Wednesday to much fanfare. The center cost 4 million dollars and is packed with digital screens and cameras around downtown and each school. Director Godwin says the center is better than the one it’s based on in New York.

The question is whether the $4 million price tag is worth it. The center can’t necessarily stop crime, just record it as its happening. Information will be sent to officers on laptop computers or PDA’s which could speed up arrests.

Do you think this will help reduce crime in Memphis?

if you want to play, you gotta pay

Memphis mayor Willie Herenton has proposed a .58 property tax hike, saying the city needs the money. On a $150,000 home, you would pay around $1500 dollars, that’s up more than $200. Herenton blamed a slowing economy and rising fuel prices as part of the reason the city needs more money. Herenton said this should be what pushes Memphis and Shelby County to consolidation. The mayor’s total proposal is a budget of 595.3 million dollars and 241.3 dollars in capital improvement programs. Mayor Herenton also proposed closing nine library branches around the city but also said he’s allocated one million dollars to buy land for two future libraries. Herenton’s budget also includes 3.6 million dollars to hire 125 police officers to bring the total to 2,345. Herenton said other cities are much worse off than Memphis and are laying off employees. Herenton is proposing a 5% pay hike for city employees who haven’t had a raise for three years.

That’s a pretty big hike and has some people asking whether it’s worth living in Memphis or better to pack up and move on. Your thoughts? Stay on topic and please don’t attack each other back and forth, it’s not needed and annoying to others.

Durellesharpe@bellsouth.net you have been banned from this board due to foul and offensive language and your screen name of mayorehcrump is not allowed.

nwa/delta merger

The official announcement of the NWA/Delta merger has a lot of people asking questions. The main question is whether this will mean job losses in Memphis with the next being the impact on ticket prices. So far, we’re hearing Memphis will continue to be a hub for the new Delta, the largest airline company in the U.S. Many think prices will go up due to the lack of competition, others say we could see a small drop.

http://www.newglobalairline.com/

What your take? Good or bad? Do you even care?

shelby county #3 for number of inmates

A new study says Shelby County ranks #3 in the nation for the number of people being held in jail per population. Nashville/Davidson County ranks #2 with Philadelphia leading the way. The study criticizes police and prosecutors for arresting the homeless and for giving bonds to high to be posted by inmates. It would appear the group, Justice Policy Institute, has an agenda but still the information is interesting. You can read the Commercial Appeals article by clicking HERE.

protesting the olympics in china

Numerous protests have taken place across the world because of the Olympics taking place in China. In San Francisco, the Olympic torch route was changed at the last minute to avoid protestors and media. Some people are mad because of China’s oppression of Tibet. Other people are upset over toxic toys and food imported from China and because of the country’s oppression of its people.

Do you think the Olympics should have been scheduled for China?