Wendy Sumner-Winter has been appointed director of stewardship and donor engagement at Christian Brothers University. In the newly created position, Sumner-Winter will oversee planning, strategy development and implementation of initiatives to increase communication and connections with the CBU community, including donors, alumni and friends.

2. Former Interim Mayor Joe Ford Arrested - Saturday, February 09, 2013

Former interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford was arrested Tuesday, Feb. 5, by Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies after a liquor store owner swore out a warrant saying Ford had not paid a $1,301 bill from July.

3. Former Interim Mayor Joe Ford Arrested - Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Former interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford was arrested Tuesday, Feb. 5, by Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies after a liquor store owner swore out a warrant saying Ford had not paid a $1,301 bill from July.

4. Events - Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The Memphis Association of Law and Business will host a lecture by Christine Richards, executive vice president of general counsel at FedEx, Tuesday, Oct. 16, at noon in the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Wade Auditorium, 1 N. Front St. Visit memphis.edu/law for details.

5. Proposed Gas Tax Advances to November Memphis Ballot - Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Memphis City Council members gave final approval Tuesday, Aug. 7, to a second ballot question for the Nov. 6 ballot in Memphis.

On an 8-3 vote, the council approved on third and final reading the referendum ordinance that puts a one-cent-a-gallon local gas tax to Memphis voters. The same ballot will also include a referendum on a proposed half percent local sales tax hike the council approved in July.

6. Polls Set to Open for Early Voting - Friday, July 13, 2012

Shelby County voters start deciding Friday, July 13, general election countywide races for assessor of property, General Sessions Court clerk, district attorney general and a race for a Shelby County Commission seat. The ballot also includes seven races for district seats on the countywide school board.

7. Council Rejects 18 Cent Property Tax Hike - Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Memphis City Council members voted Tuesday, March 20, to reject a one-time, 18-cent property tax hike to mop up an estimated $13 million in red ink for the current fiscal year.

Instead the council voted to use $10 million from the city’s reserve fund and cut $3.2 million in the existing budget including money for a voluntary buyout program of some sanitation workers that the Wharton administration has yet to activate.

8. Commissioners Fail to Approve Redistricting Plan - Thursday, December 15, 2011

Shelby County Commissioners will try again Monday, Dec. 19, to give final approval to a new set of district lines for the 13-member body.

At a special meeting Wednesday, Dec. 14, a new set of district lines that would keep but tweak the current five-district setup won approval on the second of three readings. But it did not appear to have the two-thirds majority – or nine votes – needed to pass next week.

9. Commissioners Fail to Approve Redistricting Plan - Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Shelby County Commissioners will try again Monday, Dec. 19, to give final approval to a new set of district lines for the 13-member body.

At a special meeting Wednesday, Dec. 14, a new set of district lines that would keep but tweak the current five-district setup won approval on the second of three readings. But it did not appear to have the two-thirds majority – or nine votes – needed to pass next week.

10. McCarver Wins Hall of Fame's Frick Award - Thursday, December 08, 2011

DALLAS (AP) – Tim McCarver found it a bit hard to offer any analysis after this honor.

11. Wharton, Fullilove & Conrad Re-Elected -- Harris-Ford to Runoff - Friday, October 07, 2011
Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. won a full four-year term of office as mayor Thursday, Oct. 6, two years after he claimed the mayor’s office in a special election.

And all 12 of the Memphis City Council members seeking re-election won new four year terms in the city election cycle, marking the largest return of incumbents to the 13-member council in the 43-year history of the mayor-council form of government.

12. Ford Theft Charge Now Dropped - Monday, October 03, 2011

A theft charge against former interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford was dropped Friday, Sept. 30.

Ford turned himself in last week after Las Savell Jewelers swore out the warrant in a dispute over Ford’s purchase of two Rolex watches in December.

13. Ford Waives Arraignment on Theft Charge - Thursday, September 29, 2011

Former interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford waived arraignment Wednesday, Sept. 28, on theft charges in General Sessions Criminal Court.

14. Joe Ford Charged With Theft - Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Former interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford has been charged with theft of property under $10,000, according to a warrant issued Tuesday, Sept. 27.

15. Joe Ford Charged With Theft - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Former interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford has been charged with theft of property under $10,000, according to a warrant issued Tuesday, Sept. 27.

16. UAW, Automakers Continue Talks as Deadline Nears - Thursday, September 15, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – United Auto Workers negotiators say they made progress with General Motors Co. during contract talks Tuesday night, but both sides are quickly approaching a deadline to reach new deals with GM and Chrysler Group LLC.

17. Vote for Me - Monday, September 12, 2011

Four years after the biggest turnover on the Memphis City Council, the Oct. 6 city elections could see the biggest return of incumbents ever on the council. Early voting begins Friday, Sept. 16.

Twelve of the 13 incumbents are seeking re-election. It would have been 13 had Barbara Swearengen Ware not taken a plea deal on an official misconduct charge.

18. 4 Council Members - All 3 City Court Judges To Run Unopposed In Oct. Elections - Friday, July 22, 2011

Four incumbent Memphis City Council members and all three incumbent City Court Judges were effectively re-elected at the Thursday, July 21, noon deadline for candidates to file their qualifying petitions for the Oct. 6 Memphis ballot.

19. Jackson Indicted for Official Misconduct - Monday, July 11, 2011

General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson has been indicted on four state charges of official misconduct.

20. Auto Industry, Seeing New Life, is on Hiring Spree - Thursday, July 07, 2011

DETROIT (AP) – Volkswagen opened a plant in Tennessee last month with 2,000 workers. Honda is hiring 1,000 in Indiana to meet demand for its best-selling Civic. General Motors is looking for 2,500 in Detroit to build the Chevy Volt.

21. City Council Rejects 18-Cent Property Tax Hike - Wednesday, June 08, 2011

The city of Memphis operating budget for the fiscal year to come July 1 is $11 million from being balanced.

The Memphis City Council voted on a series of 16 budget amendments Tuesday, June 7 in a marathon council session that began at 9 a.m. with the budget committee and ended shortly after 10 p.m.

22. MED Gives Up $10M In County Funding - Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and the Shelby County Commission are still considering layoffs and service cuts to balance the county’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

23. Regions Manager in Memphis Honored With Award - Monday, April 25, 2011

Bryan Ford, commercial and industrial client manager in Memphis for Regions Financial Corp., is the April recipient of Regions’ Better Life Award.

24. Council to Consider Budget, Schools Tax - Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. takes a $687.4 million city operating budget Tuesday to the Memphis City Council.

And the council will talk over a special school tax rate of 39 cents Tuesday.

The budget proposal is $22.7 million in the red.

25. $1.2B Budget Presented To County Commission - Tuesday, April 12, 2011

The budget season began officially Monday morning as Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell took a $1.2 billion consolidated county government budget proposal to county commissioners with $22.7 million in red ink.

26. Luttrell Takes $1.2 Billion Budget to County Commission - Monday, April 11, 2011

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell took his first budget proposal as mayor to Shelby County Commissioners Monday morning.

27. McWherter Had Local Reach - Wednesday, April 06, 2011

As Tennessee governor, Ned McWherter always did well politically in Memphis, the largest base of Democratic voters in a single county in the state when they turn out.

His death this week from cancer ends the story of one of the state’s most powerful and influential Democrats. The power and influence was forged during 20 years in the Tennessee Legislature.

28. Local Democratic Party Faces Battle for Chair - Thursday, March 31, 2011

Shelby County Democratic Party chairman Van Turner probably faces a challenge in his bid for another two years in the position and the challenger is probably Shelby County Commissioner Justin Ford.

29. Employee Benefits Issue Plays Out Locally - Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The debate the Wisconsin Legislature is having about public employee benefits is an issue familiar to local elected leaders.

As Wisconsin’s stormy and emotional debate, which includes a generous helping of collective bargaining controversy not present in any of the local discussions, has played out nationally, the local efforts are moving ahead again.

30. Memphis Firm Acquires Two Atlanta Properties - Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Memphis-based Cypress Realty Holdings Co. has acquired two outparcels in the North Atlanta market.

31. Highwoods Extends Tenants at Southwind Office Center - Friday, January 28, 2011

Raleigh, N.C.-based Highwoods Properties Inc. has signed two deals at its Southwind Office Center, a 62,000-square foot, three-story building with views of the Tournament Players Club at Southwind golf course.

32. Cypress Realty Holdings Buys Millington Perkins Site - Tuesday, January 11, 2011

8472 New Wilkinsville Road
Millington, TN 38053
Sale Amount: $1.3 Million

33. Cypress Realty Holdings Buys Millington Perkins - Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Cypress Realty Holdings Co. II LLC has paid $1.3 million for the Perkins Restaurant & Bakery at 8472 New Wilkinsville Road in Millington in a special warranty deed.

34. CNBC Goes Local With FedEx Broadcast - Tuesday, December 21, 2010

It was a Memphis morning on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” program Monday, with FedEx founder Fred Smith guest hosting the show’s broadcast from Hangar 26 at FedEx’s SuperHub at Memphis International Airport.

35. Dear Santa - Friday, December 17, 2010

Dear Santa, Please consider my gift list for our local elected officials. After all, they’ve been giving it to us all year.

To all: Common Sense – a simple grid for MATA routes, consolidated city and county services, cutting the grass, sidewalk maintenance, paying attention to review board and appointed commission recommendations.

36. Luttrell Sets Priorities as Budget Season Approaches - Friday, November 26, 2010

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell has been content in his first three months in office to leave a lot of the out-of-town traveling to Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.

37. Ford’s County Pension Resolution Withdrawn - Thursday, November 18, 2010

A controversial resolution that would have increased the county pension of former County Commissioner and interim County Mayor Joe Ford has been withdrawn by Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz.

38. Swearengen Ware Faces Council Suspension - Friday, October 29, 2010

For the fifth time in the Memphis City Council’s 42-year history, one of its sitting members has been charged with felony misconduct.

And the charge against council member Barbara Swearengen Ware raises the same questions the other cases did about whether an indicted council member should remain in elected office.

39. Commission Delays Ford Pension Vote - Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners have delayed a vote for a month on a resolution that would up retirement benefits to former Shelby County Commissioner Joe Ford by counting his five years as a Memphis City Council member toward his county retirement benefits.

40. County Commission Spars Over PILOT Rules For Suburbs - Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners sparred over how much oversight is too much when it comes to awarding tax breaks for corporate and industrial moves to Shelby County and expansions of existing businesses.

41. Commission: Ford Pension Increase Possible - Monday, October 25, 2010

The Shelby County Retirement Board was scheduled earlier this month to approve the creation of a new slimmed-down pension plan for future county employees.

But the board will have to deal with that item, which it’s been planning for months and will have a big impact on county finances, at a later meeting. Because much of the board’s time this month has been taken up by one thing.

42. Committee Wants to Boost Joe Ford’s Pension - Thursday, October 21, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners are recommending that former interim County Mayor Joe Ford get an increased county pension that counts Ford’s time as a City Council member.

43. Board Declines Ford’s Pension Increase Request - Wednesday, October 06, 2010

The Shelby County Retirement Board rejected Joe Ford’s appeal of the $747 monthly pension amount the board approved last month for the former interim county mayor.

44. Board Declines Ford’s Pension Increase Request - Tuesday, October 05, 2010

The Shelby County Retirement Board rejected Joe Ford’s appeal of the $747 monthly pension amount the board approved last month for the former interim county mayor.

45. MSARC Shift Approved, Transition Begins - Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center will begin its move to a different part of the organizational chart of Shelby County government.

The Shelby County Commission this week approved moving MSARC from the health department to the community services division. There was no opposition to the transfer, which comes more than a year after county government assumed control of the agency from the city.

46. Carpenter Revives Efforts to Limit Employee Leave in Shelby County - Monday, September 13, 2010

Shelby County Commissioner Mike Carpenter is back for another term of office with a revised version of his proposal to put new limits on the amount of leave time county employees can bank.

47. Joe Ford Awarded $747 Monthly Pension - Wednesday, September 08, 2010

The Shelby County Retirement Board has awarded former interim mayor Joe Ford a monthly pension of a little more than $747.

The award is $450 less than the roughly $1,200 amount Ford believes he’s entitled to when his years as a Memphis City Council member are included with his service in county government.

48. Ford’s Pension: $747 a Month - Tuesday, September 07, 2010

The Shelby County Retirement Board has awarded former interim mayor Joe Ford a monthly pension of a little more than $747.

49. Public Employees Challenge Politicians’ Ideas - Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Memphis City Council member Jim Strickland has withdrawn a proposal to solicit bids by nonprofit organizations to run some of the city’s community centers.

50. County Election Winners Sworn in Wednesday - Thursday, September 02, 2010

With former Shelby County Mayor Jim Rout doing the hosting duties and interim county mayor Joe Ford on stage, 26 winners from the Aug. 5 county elections took the oath of office Wednesday at the Cannon Center.

51. Gov. Contender McWherter Tours MED - Monday, August 30, 2010

For candidates running for Tennessee governor, their frequent trips to Memphis this summer have resembled pilgrimages at times.

No one has made the most obvious Memphis pilgrimage stop yet – Graceland – but two other points in the city have been popular.

52. Ford Veto of Leave Resolution Holds But Leaves Scars - Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Outgoing interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford got his way on his veto of a plan to change the rules for county employees who “bank” county leave with the intent of cashing some of it in near the end of their tenure. But Ford probably has a bone to pick with his human resources director in what amounts to the last week of his administration.

53. Ford Veto Stands At Last County Commission Meeting of Term - Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The last meeting for six Shelby County Commissioners came with proclamations, plaques and an agenda full of controversy.

The Monday meeting was the last of the four year term for two commissioners who reached their two term limit, two others who opted not to seek re-election ahead of term limits and two others who were appointed to the body in the last year but were defeated in the Aug. 5 elections.

54. Luttrell Assembles Team - Tuesday, August 24, 2010
As interim Shelby County mayor Joe Ford attended his last County Commission meeting, county mayor elect Mark Luttrell began naming the team he will go into office with on Sept. 1.

55. Controversy Highlights End to Commission’s Term - Monday, August 23, 2010

Six Shelby County Commissioners attend the last scheduled meeting of their tenure Monday.

The commissioners elected and re-elected in the Aug. 5 elections, as well as Shelby County Mayor-elect Mark Luttrell, begin their four-year terms Sept. 1.

56. New Pension Plan Nearing Finish Line - Thursday, August 19, 2010

The Shelby County Retirement Board is moving toward an October vote on the creation of a new pension plan for future county employees.

Assuming the board likes the plan and its features enough to issue the green light, it would then head to the Shelby County Commission for approval. Assuming there are no significant changes there either to the proposed new plan, which includes several features less generous than what the county now offers, it would go into effect at the start of Jan. 1, 2011.

57. Carpenter Wants Legal Opinion on Ford Veto Timing - Thursday, August 19, 2010

With two weeks left in his term of office, interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford is biding his time in a veto of a resolution limiting how much paid leave county employees can bank and cash in.

58. Dem Leaders Prepare for Legal Challenge - Friday, August 13, 2010

Local Democratic Party leaders are collecting affidavits as a start toward formally challenging the Aug. 5 Shelby County election results.

A standing-room-only crowd of more than 200 people gathered at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union hall in Midtown this week.

59. Pinnacle Board Gets Downtown Hard Sell - Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Pinnacle Airlines Corp. executives, after listening to a coordinated, Downtown-focused pitch from developers, businessmen and political leaders, will now take about a month to finish deciding where to relocate their corporate headquarters.

They’re considering sites Downtown, near Memphis International Airport as well as beyond the city. Mississippi has made what Pinnacle acknowledged is a “generous” offer for the company to move to Olive Branch.

Pinnacle executives are in town this week for the Memphis-based regional air carrier’s regular board meeting. Backers of the proposal to make Pinnacle the anchor tenant at Downtown’s One Commerce Square took that opportunity to make their case directly to the company in a private meeting Tuesday evening on the 29th floor of the landmark tower.

After about an hour, Pinnacle executives descended to the One Commerce lobby, where Memphis’ business elite were gathered, refreshments were served, and projected onto a screen were the words “Pinnacle Land Here” against a backdrop of the city.

Guests included a handful of political leaders, representatives of the Greater Memphis Chamber, EmergeMemphis, the Center City Commission and the heads of Memphis two largest locally-based banks, First Tennessee and Independent Bank, among other people.

Contrasting with the traditional nametags everyone else wore, the nametags of Pinnacle board members were brightly colored. All the better, Downtown supporters pointed out, for identifying them and laying on the charm.

“We’re going to fill this building,” exclaimed Karl Schledwitz, one of the partners with Southland Capital president Terry Lynch involved in buying the tower and working to lease a significant portion of it to Pinnacle.

As guests mingled, a marketing video produced by the Center City Commission was played on one wall that featured Downtown workers talking up the neighborhood. The same video was shown earlier that evening during the private pitch to Pinnacle’s board.

Making the case to the board were Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.; incoming Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and representatives of the investors buying One Commerce, as well as the Center City Commission and the Looney Ricks Kiss architectural firm.

“Pinnacle Airlines Corp.’s board of directors participated in a walk-through of One Commerce Square, hosted by members of the Center City Commission, the investors who are buying the building, and key business and government leaders,” said Phil Trenary, Pinnacle’s president and CEO, in a statement released Tuesday night. “This visit gave our board an opportunity to get a firsthand look at the building.

“Pinnacle has not selected a new site and still has to complete an in-depth analysis on this and other sites. We appreciate the interest and enthusiasm that the City of Memphis, the CCC, the Chamber and the ownership group have shown as we move through this process.”

Tuesday was the culmination of a months-long synchronized attempt at deal-making among several entities working to keep Pinnacle from being lured away from Memphis.

Details of the multimillion-dollar incentive package business and civic leaders have pieced together to cement the Downtown location for Pinnacle also began to trickle out Tuesday.

Coupled with that, a series of well-timed dominoes still needs to fall into place before a deal sweetened with a variety of incentives comes together.

Lynch confirmed Tuesday afternoon that several things have to happen more or less simultaneously.

The city, or perhaps an entity like one of the Center City Commission’s affiliated boards, would need to buy a nearby parking garage at the same time the investors buy One Commerce Square and at the same time Pinnacle signs a lease. Plans in the works now call for leasing the nearby parking garage back to One Commerce Square's new owners and giving Pinnacle parking there. More Pinnacle parking would be available at 250 Peabody Place.

Lynch said a memorandum of understanding has already been making its way around to various people involved in the deal. Wharton, outgoing Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford and CCC President Paul Morris have all signed a memo outlining the proposed incentives.

Lynch said U.S. Bank, the current owner of One Commerce Square, has accepted the investment group’s bid, but plenty more moving pieces need to fall into place.

“We have a letter of intent and we’re working through a contract right now. We’re just going back and forth. That’s the status of it right now,” Lynch said.

He said the timeline for next steps is fluid.

“If we don’t get past the first one, we can’t get to the second one,” Lynch said. “There’s various steps we have to get to.”

Wharton said Tuesday the city would like to commit $3 million from the $5 million economic development fund Wharton recently asked for the City Council’s approval to establish.

Wharton also mentioned Tuesday the possibility of applying for $15 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act bond allocations from the state to add to the pot of financing for the Pinnacle deal.

Another facet of the issue is how to pay for and fit into the package the acquisition of a nearby parking garage for Pinnacle’s use. The importance of that topic was discussed by Downtown officials with Pinnacle’s board Tuesday night.

“Landing Pinnacle Downtown would be a big boost in all kinds of ways,” said council member Bill Boyd.

U.S. Bancorp recently accepted the bid to buy One Commerce Square tower from a group of investors that includes Lynch; Schledwitz; and Gary Prosterman.

Lynch’s group is committing $25 million to $30 million on the building, which includes the purchase price and improvements to the building in the coming months. The group is now teeing up a deal to make Pinnacle the building's anchor tenant, something that Wharton has said will be an attraction to other businesses that have expressed interest in following suit if Pinnacle inks a deal.

Lynch wasn’t able to disclose the building's formal purchase price, but One Commerce Square was listed for $12 million.

Look for updates at The Daily News Online, www.memphisdailynews.com.

60. Luttrell Appoints CAO, Transition Team - Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Shelby County Mayor-elect Mark Luttrell has begun preparing to take office in just a few weeks.

Luttrell, who won last week’s election for Shelby County mayor, takes office Sept. 1.

61. Luttrell, Cohen Win Most-Watched Races - Friday, August 06, 2010

Outgoing Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell was elected Shelby County mayor Thursday evening. Meanwhile, incumbent Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen easily won the 9th Congressional District primary, crushing challenger and former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton.

62. Small Business Must Search for Oppty., Gibson Says - Thursday, August 05, 2010

Opening up local government contracts to small businesses is a two-way street.

And small-business owners have to be as good at searching for opportunities as they expect local government to be in opening up the process, said Shelby County Commissioner J.W. Gibson.

63. County’s Top Cop Eyes Top Spot - Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Outgoing Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell arrives this week at the pinnacle of a political rise that began eight years ago.

64. Mayoral Bid Awakens Ford Political Machine - Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Since the late 1970s, the Ford family, as a political organization, has had an interest in either the Memphis or Shelby County mayor’s office. In 1978, John Ford declared he was running for county mayor but then withdrew from the race. Five years later, he ran for city mayor.

65. In Search of an Oasis - Monday, August 02, 2010

Part of the path to inner-city recovery appears to run through a garden, or at least through the produce section of a supermarket. Nine farmers markets operate in various parts of Shelby County this summer, from Downtown to Collierville and places such as Germantown, Agricenter International and Cooper-Young in between.

66. Candidates Agree on Improving Small Biz Climate - Thursday, July 29, 2010

Whoever wins the Aug. 5 race for Shelby County mayor will inherit widespread dissatisfaction with county government’s small-business programs.

Small-business owners have complained that the Memphis and Shelby County programs are too bureaucratic, have nothing in common and are more trouble than they’re worth for the owners to get involved.

67. YouthBuild to Hold Groundbreaking Event - Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford and officials with the Shelby County Division of Community Services and the Division of Corrections will break ground on a new one-room vocational training facility constructed by incarcerated participants of YouthBuild.

68. Ford Jr. Takes Readers Behind the Scenes With New Book - Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Former Memphis Congressman Harold Ford Jr. made it clear last week that he’s a former Memphian.

But his new book, “More Davids Than Goliaths,” to be released next month, has plenty of Memphis – Memphis politics, at least – on its pages.

69. Early Voters Showing Up in Droves - Friday, July 23, 2010

At a clip of more than 7,000 voters a day this week, early voting in advance of the Aug. 5 Election Day is on pace to triple the 31,000 total early voters in advance of the May 4 county primaries.

But that’s if the pace continues. The candidates and their campaigns work on theories about what generates turnout. Some are more proven than others, while others are a shot in the dark.

70. Ford Jr. Endorses Uncle for County Mayor - Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Former Memphis Congressman Harold Ford Jr. made it official Wednesday endorsing his uncle, Joe Ford, in the Aug. 5 race for Shelby County mayor.

71. Hatch Act Behind Oldham’s Sheriff Dept. Resignation - Tuesday, July 20, 2010

It’s a first in a race for Shelby County sheriff.

After decades of contenders who run while serving in the ranks of the sheriff’s department, a notice from the Justice Department in Washington appears to have changed not just the race between Bill Oldham and Randy Wade on the Aug. 5 ballot. It also promises to change future races.

72. DECISION '10: Mayor’s Race a Contest Between Contrasting Styles - Monday, July 19, 2010

The race for Shelby County mayor offers a choice between two very different politicians who, while in the political spotlight for years, have often been near the edges of that light.

Joe Ford, the interim Shelby County mayor and Democratic nominee, is a former Shelby County Commissioner and City Council member. He has served as chairman of both legislative bodies. Ford also is the face of the city’s most storied political family.

73. County Tax Rate Remains $4.02 - Wednesday, July 14, 2010

After one more try to cut the Shelby County property tax rate by five cents, Shelby County Commissioners voted this week to keep the tax rate at $4.02.

The commission approved the stable tax rate on third and final reading Monday. The rate is $4.06 in the county outside Memphis to pay for rural school bonds.

74. Pension Bomb - Monday, July 12, 2010

For years, government pension liabilities – the lifetime retirement benefits paid to everyone from local cops to garbage collectors – have been the equivalent of ticking time bombs.

They were assembled when governments like Memphis and Shelby County, among many others, mixed together some explosive materials.

75. Feds Match County Money 3-to-1 for The MED - Friday, July 09, 2010

Federal, state, county and city officials – both Democrats and Republicans – celebrated Thursday a larger-then-expected $30 million payment to The MED from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

76. Extra $40.6 Million Slated for The MED - Friday, July 09, 2010

The Regional Medical Center of Memphis will get an extra $40.6 million in federal funding through the state in the fiscal year that began July 1.

Interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford was scheduled to make the announcement Thursday afternoon.

77. County Officials Fret Over Unfunded Pensions - Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Shelby County officials who only a few years ago created a new county pension plan that will guarantee retirement benefits for a few thousand county employees are now going back to the drawing board.

78. Sheriff Candidates Spar, Argue Over ‘Thunderdome’ Jail - Wednesday, June 23, 2010

There were two big shows on the local political circuit Monday evening.

One was a forum featuring county mayoral contenders Joe Ford and Mark Luttrell. The two have squared off before, sparring repeatedly over consolidation.

79. Stabilization Program Garners First Home Purchase in Shelby - Monday, June 21, 2010

Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford last week announced the first home purchase thanks to Shelby County’s involvement with the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a federal effort that pumps money into communities to spur the redevelopment of foreclosed and abandoned residential properties.

80. Commission Considers Prevailing Wage Nominees - Monday, June 21, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners take up the issue this afternoon of who to appoint to a Prevailing Wage Commission. The five-member commission is the next step in enforcing a prevailing wage ordinance passed a year ago by the commission.

The ordinance sets an hourly pay scale above minimum wage for workers on county funded construction projects.

But the picks by interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford have drawn some resistance from members of the commission, who vote the nominees up or down.

The commission meeting will begin Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Vasco Smith County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St.

Ford has already replaced two of his five choices after Commissioner Deidre Malone complained that women weren’t represented.

Two of the five appointees are women.

“The debate about the prevailing wage was about a year ago,” said Commissioner Steve Mulroy in committee sessions last week. “If it’s on the books, we ought to enforce it.”

Mulroy, who was a vocal supporter of the 2009 ordinance, is Ford’s choice for the slot to be held by a representative of the County Commission.

Commissioner Sidney Chism, a retired Teamsters union leader, chafed at the choice of Paul Shaffer, of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local 474, as the building trades representative.

“Look, I don’t want to throw a monkey wrench into the mayor’s proposal to have a committee set up,” Chism said. “I understand the philosophy behind what he’s trying to do. But there’s more than one organization.”

Mulroy noted that the union representation must come specifically from the building trades council of union under terms of the ordinance.

Ultimately, the committee vote on the appointments was a tie meaning it will have a negative recommendation at Monday’s meeting of the full commission.

81. Confiscated Cell Phones Go to Domestic Violence Victims - Friday, June 18, 2010

Shelby County Interim Mayor Joe Ford and officials with the Shelby County Division of Corrections on Thursday donated more than 100 cell phones that had been confiscated from inmates to the YWCA of Greater Memphis Abused Women’s Services Program.

82. Show Some Independence - Friday, June 18, 2010

The party’s over.

You haven’t seen your date in an hour. You haven’t seen anything clearly in longer than that. Nobody can come up with enough money to pay the band for another set, and you don’t know where your keys are. Yet you’re still there, wondering why everybody else is leaving.

83. Luttrell, Ford Butt Heads Over Consolidation - Thursday, June 17, 2010

The two candidates for Shelby County mayor clashed again in Bartlett Tuesday evening over who is the most opposed to local government consolidation.

This time, Republican nominee Mark Luttrell took the offensive, criticizing interim Shelby County mayor and Democratic nominee Joe Ford for voting for the formation of a Metro Charter Commission.

84. Community Gift - Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The floats told the story of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital on Tuesday as it celebrated its 58th birthday with the opening celebration for a new $340 million pediatric medical center.

A giant heart with stitches symbolized the giving spirit of the Le Bonheur Club, the ladies sewing club that led the effort to build the old hospital. Another float featured huge hard hats in tribute to the construction workers who built the new one.

85. MED Leadership Team Takes Shape - Monday, June 14, 2010

Dr. Reginald Coopwood is close to having his top leadership team in place three months after taking the helm at The Regional Medical Center at Memphis as chief executive officer.

86. MED Task Force Wraps up Meetings - Friday, June 11, 2010

The MED Task Force, a special committee led by interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford, wrapped up its work Thursday with the issuance of a final report.

87. Commission Poised for Property Tax Battle - Friday, June 11, 2010

The battered real estate market and its relationship to last year’s countywide reappraisal of property played a big – and not widely understood role – in the setting of 2010’s local property tax rates.

88. Commission Sets Tax Rate Vote - Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners will meet in special session Friday at 1:30 p.m. to take the first of three votes on setting the new Shelby County property tax rate for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

89. Task Force Recommends Maintenance Code, Land Bank - Tuesday, June 08, 2010

A planning and development task force convened by interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford is recommending the creation of a property maintenance code and a land bank authority.

90. Events - Tuesday, June 08, 2010

The Small Business Chamber will host a breakfast forum titled “Doing Business with City & County Government” Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at The Crescent Club, 6075 Poplar Ave. Guest speakers are Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford. Cost is $20.

91. Events - Monday, June 07, 2010

The Madison Hotel will host Smoking Up High: High-Class, Low-Key, a monthly rooftop cigar event, Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the rooftop of the hotel, 79 Madison Ave. The event will feature a selection of cigars from the Mix Cigar Emporium, a cash bar and tapas. For reservations, call 333-1224.

92. Commission to Resolve Budget Debate - Monday, June 07, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners vote Monday on a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and take the first of three votes on a county property tax rate.

The vote is certain to come after a continuation of a lengthy budget debate that began last Wednesday in committee sessions.

93. Events - Friday, June 04, 2010

Gallery Fifty Six will host an opening reception for artist JC Graham Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the gallery, 2256 Central Ave. Graham’s show, “One Room Schoolhouse,” will run through June 30. For more information, visit www.galleryfiftysix.com.

94. Luttrell Sharpens Consolidation Stance - Friday, June 04, 2010

When Republican nominee for county mayor Mark Luttrell begins his drive to the Aug. 5 county general election this weekend, he’ll probably also field questions about the prospect of consolidation.

95. Nations Could Give Statement This Week - Wednesday, June 02, 2010

The attorney for Bob Nations, head of the county’s office of emergency preparedness, said an agreement should be reached this week with the county attorney’s office for Nations to give a sworn statement.

96. GOP Candidates Differ on Aid to The MED - Monday, May 24, 2010

Nine Shelby County Commissioners – outgoing, re-elected and recently elected – waited outside the emergency room at The Regional Medical Center at Memphis last week.

The unofficial quorum was the enthusiastic reception Republican gubernatorial contender Zach Wamp received when he signed the commission-authored pledge to support returning all federal revenue for uncompensated care generated by The MED to the hospital if elected governor.

97. Ritz Amends Charge Against The MED - Thursday, May 20, 2010

Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz has amended his complaint to federal health officials alleging discrimination against The Regional Medical Center at Memphis by the state of Tennessee.

In a letter to the office of civil rights of the federal Health and Human Services Department, Ritz wrote May 13 that he is amending his complaint from earlier this year.

98. ‘Saved’ MED Hinges On Budget Boundaries - Wednesday, May 19, 2010

When interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford debated GOP mayoral nominee Mark Luttrell last week in East Memphis, he couldn’t have been more absolute.

99. Ford, Luttrell Show Marked Differences on Major Issues - Thursday, May 13, 2010

The race for Shelby County mayor won’t be a case of two candidates who agree on many issues but differ in style and approach.

Mark Luttrell, the Republican nominee, and Joe Ford, the Democratic nominee, have different styles, different approaches and agree on very little.

100. Federal, State Tax Liens Up In County - Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Interim Shelby County mayor Joe Ford, now the Democratic nominee for mayor in the fall general election, garnered attention last year for his personal financial woes.