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Education leader wonders if Memphis, Shelby County merger will stick

Education leader wonders if Memphis, Shelby County merger will stick

One of Memphis' top education leaders wonders if a Memphis and Shelby County schools merger will stick.

Memphis school union president Keith Williams questions if the November 2010 Memphis schools charter surrender was futile.

Williams has his eye on the federal court battle to stop the suburbs from forming their own schools to avert the merger.

While the judge voided a suburban effort to start their own schools in 2013, he did not rule on the part of the lawsuit to stop it in 2014.

"I just don't know if at the end of the day, will all of this come full circle and we'll be back at square one?" said Williams.

Williams said if the suburbs are successful, he's concerned the long, hard battle that opened old wounds would only change the school systems in name.

Imagine Memphis event provides opportunity for public input into city’s strategic plan

Imagine Memphis event provides opportunity for public input into city’s strategic plan

 

News release provided by Leadership Memphis

All Memphians will get a chance to share their ideas for the city’s future during an Imagine Memphis event to be held from 9am to 12 pm, Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Christian Brothers University in the Thomas Center 2nd Floor Dining Hall.

Leadership Memphis along with Memphis Mayor AC Wharton and the Memphis Grizzlies Team Up Mentoring Initiative will seek public input for the City of Memphis’ 5-year Strategic Plan and recruit adults willing to mentor area youth.

 Imagine Memphis is a Leadership Memphis initiative that involves local high school students interviewing, and being interviewed by community and business leaders about ways to heighten the strengths and values of the city.

Imagine Memphis is designed to help participants imagine the Memphis they desire, and the role they can play in making Memphis a better place to live.

Mississippi congressmen co-author bill for Elvis Presley Day

Mississippi congressmen co-author bill for Elvis Presley Day

The King of Rock and Roll will get his own holiday, if two Mississippi congressman get their way.

Congressman Alan Nunnelee and Gregg Harper, along with eight other house representatives, have co-authored a bill for an Elvis Presley day.

They want to make Jan. 8 the official day, which also falls on Elvis' birthday.

The members say there is currently no national holiday to celebrate the birth of an American cultural icon.

Councilman: Whitehaven is the Ohio of Tennessee

As presidential candidates target the swing states on the campaign trail, the community of Whitehaven seems to be the target in Memphis and Shelby County.

Memphis Councilman Harold Collins hosted the grand opening for President Obama's headquarters at Shelby Drive and Elvis Presley Boulevard Saturday.

Mayor Luttrell, Gov. Haslam, developing Japanese business relationships

Mayor Luttrell, Gov. Haslam, developing Japanese business relationships

(WMC-TV) - County Mayor Mark Luttrell and Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam are visiting Tokyo, Japan this week, exploring new business opportunities for Shelby County as well as the entire state of Tennessee.

The governor and mayor were joined by members of the Greater Memphis Chamber and 60 other state and local business officials.

“It’s been an exciting week,” said Mayor Luttrell.  “We’ve met with the CEOs of Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Chemical, Brother Industries, Sharp and other businesses. Our goal is to establish new relationships and encourage more companies to locate in our community,” he added.

In 2011, Mitsubishi broke ground on a new transformer manufacturing plant in Memphis, which should create approximately 300 full-time jobs.  The plant will also create opportunities for subcontractors.

Mayor Wharton to receive award

Mayor Wharton to receive award

Mayor A C Wharton is scheduled to receive special honors at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, the official opening day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Wharton will receive the Susan Burgess Memorial Award from the board of directors of the Democratic Municipal Officials. The award is given annually to “an outstanding Democratic Municipal Official committed to improving public education.”

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