On the opening day Thursday, May 16, of the Memphis In May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the Memphis barbecue community was mourning the loss of two icons in the business of barbecue.

2. Local Barbecue World Loses Two Icons - Friday, May 17, 2013

On the opening day of the Memphis In May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the Memphis barbecue community was mourning the loss of two icons in the business of barbecue.

John Willingham, a past winner of the contests, restaurant owner and former Shelby County Commissioner died Wednesday.

3. City Elections Withdrawal Deadline Nears - Thursday, July 28, 2011

Noon Thursday, July 28, is the deadline for candidates who filed for the Oct. 6 Memphis elections to withdraw their names from the ballot if they wish.

And one candidate has already dropped out of a City Council super district race to endorse another candidate.

4. 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.

5. Losing Candidates File Suit Over Election Results - Thursday, August 26, 2010

Before the polls closed Aug. 5, a clearly dismayed Shelby County Election Commission chairman Bill Giannini talked about the inevitability of some aspect of holding an election going wrong.

6. Ford Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary - Wednesday, May 5, 2010
 

Interim County Mayor Joe Ford became the Democratic nominee for mayor in the August county general elections Tuesday night.

And the August sheriff’s race will be a contest between Democrat Randy Wade and Republican Randy Wade.

All three were among the winners in Tuesday’s low turnout county primaries.

Approximately ten percent of Shelby County’s nearly 600,000 voters cast ballots in early voting and election day polling.

Ford, who was appointed interim mayor in December, beat County Commissioner Deidre Malone and General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson in the Democratic primary. He will face Republican Mark Luttrell who had only token opposition in the Republican primary from perennial contender Ernie Lunati.

Luttrell has raised more money than all three of the Democratic primary contenders combined and began running television ads in the last week runup to election day.

The final unofficial totals in the Democratic mayoral primary are:

Ford 20,360 57%

Malone 12,916 37%

Jackson 2,168 6%

The pair of primaries for Sheriff featured eight candidates, seven of whom either currently work for the sheriff’s department or are past employees. Only Reginald French, in the Democratic primary was not a former or current department official.

Wade was the 2002 Democratic nominee, losing to Luttrell who is leaving as Sheriff after serving two terms. French was the Democratic nominee in the 2006 elections.

Oldham is Luttrell’s chief deputy, the number two position in the department. He is also a former director of the Memphis Police Department.

The final unofficials totals in the Republican primary are:

Bill Oldham 13,821 48%

Dale Lane 7,981 28%

Bobby Simmons 5,886 21%

James Coleman 943 3%

In the Democratic primary:

Randy Wade 22,643 67%

Reginald French 6,777 20%

Larry Hill 2,738 8%

Bennie Cobb 1,814 5%

Voters in the primary elections decided to return six Shelby County commissioners to new four year terms with Tuesday’s results. They also elected six new commissioners. The winner of the thirteenth commission seat will be decided on the August general election ballot in a contest between district 5 Democratic incumbent Steve Mulroy and Republican challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos. The winner of the match up will determine whether the commission remains majority Democrat or goes majority Republican.

Mulroy easily defeated Jennings Bernard in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

Republican incumbent Mike Ritz ran unopposed as did new Democratic commissioner Walter Bailey.

In the remaining ten contests, the primaries decided who gets the seats since no one ran in the opposing party’s primary.

The most hotly contested contest among the commission races was for District 4 Position 1. Outgoing Probate Court Clerk Chris Thomas beat John Pellicciotti, appointed to a commission seat last year but running for a different position in the same district. Jim Bomprezzi, the former mayor of Lakeland, was the third contender in the contest.

The final unofficial totals in the Republican primary:

Thomas 7,631 52%

Pellicciotti 4,871 33%

Bomprezzi 2,298 15%

In position 2 of the same district incumbent Republican Wyatt Bunker easily overcame two challengers with former Lakeland alderman John Wilkerson finishing second and Ron Fittes finishing third.

Millington businessman Terry Roland claimed the third position in the district that takes in all six of Shelby County’s suburban towns and cities.

Roland beat George Chism to take the seat Pellicciotti was appointed to but opted not to run for in deference to Roland.

Heidi Shafer, an aide to outgoing County Commissioner George Flinn, claimed Flinn’s District 1 Position 2 seat over Albert Maduska.in the GOP primary.

District 1 incumbent Republican Mike Carpenter easily beat businessman Joe Baier.

In the Democratic commission primaries, Melvin Burgess claimed Malone’s District 2 Position 3 seat in a field of six contenders. His closest contender was Reginald Milton. Burgess, a city school system audit manager, had run for the seat before. He brought in 54 percent of the vote.

The other hard fought Democratic commission primary saw Justin Ford, son of the interim mayor, claim his father’s District 3 Position 3 seat.

Ford beat Edith Moore, a retired IBM executive, whom the commission appointed to the seat after the elder Ford became mayor.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Ford 7,342 66%

Moore 3,822 34%

Democratic incumbent commissioners Henri Brooks, Sidney Chism and James Harvey were all re-elected over primary challengers.

The county-wide primaries for seven clerk’s positions saw the return of former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican 16 years after Republican challenger Bill Key took her job. Johnican decisively beat Ralph White and Vernon Johnson in her first bid for office since the 1994 defeat. She will face Republican Kevin Key, the son of Bill Key in the August general election.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Johnican 16,381 51%

White 10,170 31%

Johnson 5,954 18%

Former Juvenile Court Clerk Shep Wilbun easily won the Democratic primary with 76 percent of the vote to face Republican Joy Touliatos in August for the office being vacated by Republican Steve Stamson. Touliatos was unopposed in the primary.

Democrat Coleman Thompson is back for another go at incumbent Republican Register Tom Leatherwood.

Aside from Leatherwood, Jimmy Moore is the only other of the seven clerks seeking re-election. Moore ran unopposed in the GOP primary. He will face Democrat Ricky Dixon in August.

Trustee Regina Newman was appointed to her office following the death last year of Paul Mattila. Newman easily overcame M LaTroy Williams in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. She will face David Lenoir, who beat former Shelby County Commissioner John Willingham in the Republican contest.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Lenoir 15,922 58%

Willingham 11,569 42%

The other six candidate field on the ballot was in the Democratic primary for Probate Court Clerk. Sondra Becton posted impressive vote totals over her rivals, bringing in 35 percent of the vote with Peggy Dobbins her closest rival. Becton, who is making her fourth bid for the office, will face Republican Paul Boyd, who ran unopposed in his primary.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Becton 10,929 36%

Dobbins 5,366 18%

Annita Hamilton 4,848 16%

Clay Perry 3,549 12%

Danny Kail 3,120 11%

Karen Tyler 2,782 9%

The closest contest of the evening was in the Democratic primary for County Clerk. Wrestling promoter and television personality Corey Maclin won his political debut by less than 1,400 votes over Charlotte Draper and LaKeith Miller. He will face Republican Wayne Mashburn who beat Steve Moore in the companion primary.

Early voting in advance of the Aug. 5 election day begins July 16. The August ballot will also feature state and federal primary elections including the statewide primaries for governor and the primaries for all nine of the state’s Congressional districts.

7. Clerk Races Generate Plenty of Heat - Monday, April 19, 2010

Seven clerks' positions are on the May 4 primary ballot and incumbents are running for re-election in three of them.

None of the seven elections will be decided with the primaries because Democrats and Republicans are battling hard in the countywide races dominated just four years ago by the GOP.

8. Three County Candidates Withdraw - Thursday, February 25, 2010

Three candidates in the May 4 primary elections withdrew from the ballot by today's noon deadline.

Jeff Jacobs withdrew from the GOP primary for Shelby County trustee.

9. County Primary Fields Clear Up - Monday, February 22, 2010

The newest candidate for Shelby County mayor is scheduled to talk about his decision later today.

General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson was a last-minute filer in the Democratic primary for mayor at noon Thursday. Jackson’s decision was the biggest surprise at the deadline.

10. Candidate Filing List -- The Final Version - Friday, February 19, 2010

Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell appeared on his way to the Republican nomination for Shelby County mayor at Thursday’s noon filing deadline for candidates on the May 4 primary ballot.

11. UPDATE: Mayor's Race Grows At Filing Deadline - Thursday, February 18, 2010

Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell appeared on his way to the Republican nomination for Shelby County mayor at Thursday’s noon filing deadline for candidates on the May 4 primary ballot.

Luttrell faces only token opposition from perennial candidate Ernie Lunati.

Meanwhile, the Democratic primary for mayor grew to three contenders as General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson filed his qualifying petition just before the deadline. He joins interim County Mayor Joe Ford and Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone.

Luttrell ruled out a bid for Shelby County mayor last year (2009). But when Harold Byrd decided not to run in the Democratic primary, some local GOP leaders asked Luttrell to reconsider.

The result touched off a scramble of candidates from both parties for the open sheriff’s office. But before the noon deadline, the initial field of over a dozen possible contenders was narrowed to ten – six Democrats and four Republicans.

The other surprise at the filing deadline was the return of attorney Walter Bailey to the District 2 Position 1 seat he gave up in the 2006 elections. Bailey sought re-election then to another term despite a two term limit on commissioners. Bailey lost to J.W. Gibson who decided not to seek re-election. He also lost a court fight to overturn the term limits.

Bailey was the only candidate who had filed for the seat at the Thursday deadline.

Only one incumbent county commissioner – Republican Mike Ritz -- was effectively re-elected at the deadline because he had no opposition.

All but one of the eleven contested County Commission races will be decided with the May 4 primaries. The only general election battle for the August ballot is the district 5 contest between GOP challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos and whoever wins the May Democratic primary between incumbent Steve Mulroy and Jennings Bernard.

Former County Commissioner John Willingham also returned to the ballot among a field of Republican contenders in the primary for Shelby County Trustee.

And former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican joined the Democratic primary field for her old job. Incumbent Republican Bill Key pulled petition to seek re-election but did not file at the deadline.

Here is the list of races and contenders from The Shelby County Election Commission. All candidate have until noon Feb. 25 to withdraw from the ballot if they wish.

D-Democrat

R- Republican

I- Independent

Shelby County Mayor:

Deidre Malone (D)

Joe Ford (D)

Otis Jackson (D)

Mark Luttrell (R)

Ernest Lunati (R)

Leo Awgowhat (I)

Shelby County Sheriff:

James Coleman (R)

Bobby Simmons (R)

Bill Oldham (R)

Dale Lane (R)

Larry Hill (D)

Bennie Cobb (D)

Randy Wade (D)

James Bolden (D)

Elton Hymon (D)

Reginald French (D)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 1

Mike Ritz (R) (incumbent)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 2

Albert Maduska (R)

Heidi Shafer (R)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 3

Mike Carpenter (R) (incumbent)

Joe Baire (R)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 1

Walter Bailey (D)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 2

Henri Brooks (D) (incumbent)

David Vinciarelli (D)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 3

Eric Dunn (D)

Norma Lester (D)

Tina Dickerson (D)

Melvin Burgess (D)

Reginald Milton (D)

Freddie Thomas (D)

County Commission Dist 3 Pos 1

James Harvey (D) (incumbent)

James Catchings (D)

County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 2

Sidney Chism (D) (incumbent)

Andrew "Rome" Withers (D)

County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 3

Edith Moore  (D) (incumbent)

Justin Ford (D)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 1

Chris Thomas (R)

John Pellicciotti (R)

Jim Bomprezzi (R)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 2

Wyatt Bunker (R) (incumbent)

John Wilkerson (R)

Ron Fittes (R)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 3

Terry Roland (R)

George Chism (R)

Edgar Babian (R)

County Commission Dist 5

Steve Mulroy (D) (incumbent)

Jennings Bernard (D)

Rolando Toyos (R)

Shelby County Clerk

Charlotte Draper (D)

Corey Maclin (D)

LaKeith Miller (D)

Wayne Mashburn (R)

Steve Moore (R)

Criminal Court Clerk

Vernon Johnson (D)

Minerva Johnican (D)

Ralph White (D)

Michael Porter (R)

Kevin Key (R)

Jerry Stamson (I)

Circuit Court Clerk

Jimmy Moore (R) (incumbent)

Steven Webster (D)

Carmichael Johnson (D)

Ricky W. Dixon (D)

Juvenile Court Clerk

Joy Touliatos (R)

Charles Marshall (D)

Sylvester Bradley (D)

Shep Wilbun (D)

Julia Roberson Wiseman (I)

Probate Court Clerk

Paul Boyd (R)

Sondra Becton (D)

Danny Kail (D)

Annita Sawyer Hamilton (D)

Peggy Dobbins (D)

Clay Perry (D)

Karen Tyler (D)

Shelby County Register

Tom Leatherwood (R) (incumbent)

Coleman Thompson (D)

Lady J. Swift (D)

Carlton Orange (D)

Shelby County Trustee

Regina Newman (D) (incumbent)

M. LaTroy Williams (D)

John Willingham (R)

Jeff Jacobs (R)

David Lenoir (R)

12. The Vote Count - Friday, October 16, 2009

A total of 109,339 Memphians voted in the Memphis mayor’s race, a 25 percent turnout of the city’s 423,049 voters.

Here is the unofficial final vote tally for the 25 candidate field for Memphis Mayor:

13. The Vote Count - Thursday, October 15, 2009

A total of 109,339 Memphians voted in the Memphis mayor’s race, a 25 percent turnout of the city’s 423,049 voters.

Here is the unofficial final vote tally for the 25 candidate field for Memphis Mayor:

14. Mayor's Race Set at 25 Candidates - Friday, September 11, 2009

The Shelby County Election Commission has approved a field of 25 candidates for the Oct. 15 special election for Memphis mayor.

The vote came hours after the Thursday deadline for any candidates to withdraw.

15. 25 In Final Field For City Mayor - Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Shelby County Election Commission has approved a field of 25 candidates for the Oct. 15 special election for Memphis mayor.

The vote came hours after the Thursday deadline for any candidates to withdraw.

16. Field of 28 For Mayor Meets Filing Deadline With Enough Signatures - Thursday, September 3, 2009
 

A field of 28 candidates had filed petitions with enough valid signatures to run in the Oct. 15 special election for Memphis mayor by today’s noon deadline.

Shelby County Election Commission administrator Richard Holden told The Daily News several contenders had their petitions rejected once election commission staff checked the signatures.

Each person signing must be a registered voter in the city of Memphis and list the address that is on their voter registration record.

A total of 33 petitions were filed by the noon deadline. But several candidates were disqualified for not having enough signatures. And then three were returned to the list of candidates after a second check of their petitions. Those who returned to candidate status included Memphis school board member Sharon Webb.

Those who made today's cut have until noon Sept. 10 to withdraw from the race. The field will then become final.

The candidates include: 

• Leo Awghowhat
• Kenneth Baroff
• Joe Brown, Memphis City Council member
• Randy L. Cagle
• Charles Carpenter, attorney
• Carol Chumney, former City Council member
• Dewey Clark, former aide to and witness against jailed Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell
• James M. Clingan
• Menelik Fombi, a candidate for Memphis City Schools Board in past elections
• Wanda Halbert, chairwoman, City Council budget committee
• Johnny Hatcher
• Robert “Prince Mongo” Hodges  
• Constance Houston
• Dewayne Jones
• E.C. Jones, former City Council member
• Jerry Lawler, entertainer and former professional wrestler
• Myron Lowery, Memphis mayor pro tem
• Ernie Lunati
• Harrel C. Moore  
• Mary T. Shelby-Wright, perennial candidate for numerous offices
• Detric W. Stigall
• Silky Sullivan, restaurant owner and entrepreneur
• David Vinciarelli
• Vuong Vaughn Vo
• Sharon Webb, Memphis school board member
• Kenneth T. Whalum Jr., pastor of New Olivet Baptist Church and Memphis school board member
• A C Wharton Jr., Shelby County mayor
• John Willingham, former Shelby County commissioner

Sullivan showed up at the Election Commission in a white Rolls Royce wearing a white suit.

“When you see this white suit, you know I’m coming at you,” he told reporters as he outlined a plan to turn The Pyramid over to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital instead of the proposed lease to Bass Pro Shops.

“It’s going to be a dogfight,” Sullivan said of the mayor’s race.

When someone asked if he would still be in the race after next week’s withdrawal deadline, Sullivan said he was in “to the violent end.”

“You know you can’t win,” political blogger and radio talk show host Thaddeus Matthews said to Sullivan.

“Why not?” Sullivan replied.

Anthony Willoughby, the last candidate to file before noon, told reporters he was a Realtor-broker who played a role in the development of Banneker Estates in southwest Memphis, the subdivision developed by former Mayor Willie Herenton.

“I’m not a politician,” Willoughby said. “I’m going to run on that statement.”

Willoughby didn't have enough qualified signatures, though. So he won't be running.

Daniko Flowers, a construction worker still wearing his safety vest, showed up at five minutes before noon and checked out a petition. He returned at three minutes past noon and was not allowed to file. Flowers only had 18 signatures on the petition anyway.

17. Halbert Mulls Run for City Mayor - Thursday, July 30, 2009

Another potential mayoral candidate is considering stepping into the fray.

With the release of a brief statement Wednesday afternoon, Wanda Halbert floated her interest in October’s special election to choose someone to fill the rest of Willie Herenton’s mayoral term, which ends in 2011.

18. Halbert Mulls Run for City Mayor - Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Another potential mayoral candidate is considering stepping into the fray.

With the release of a brief statement Wednesday afternoon, Wanda Halbert floated her interest in October’s special election to choose someone to fill the rest of Willie Herenton’s mayoral term, which ends in 2011.

19. Election Totals: Better Late Than Never - Monday, November 10, 2008

Two days after the Nov. 4 elections, the final unofficial totals were finally posted by the Shelby County Election Commission. The long vote count involved absentee ballots whose count was delayed because of problems with an optical scanning machine.

20. Final Unofficial Shelby County Election Results Posted - Friday, November 7, 2008
Two days after the Nov. 4 elections, the final unofficial totals were finally posted by the Shelby County Election Commission Thursday evening. The long vote count involved absentee ballots whose count was delayed because of problems with an optical scanning machine.

The count shows over 400,000 Shelby County voters participated -- a record setting turnout for Shelby County in the most popular election cycle historically with local voters. However, it amounted to a 62 percent voter turnout for Shelby County.

These are the unofficial election results in selected races including the ten charter amendment referenda.

U.S. President

Shelby County results

All 274 precincts reporting

Barack Obama 255,541 64%

John McCain 145,137 36%

U.S. Senate

Shelby County results

All 274 precincts reporting

Lamar Alexander 189,471 51%

Bob Tuke 173,354 47%

Memphis City Council Super District 9 Position 1

All 114 precincts reporting

Kemp Conrad 47,739 42%

Paul Shaffer 37,594 33%

John Willingham 23,070 20%

Arnett Montague III 5,293 5%

Memphis School Board At Large Position 1

All 231 precincts reporting

Freda Williams 83,429 44%

Cynthia Gentry 81,766 43%

Menelik Fombi 22,108 12%

Germantown Board of Aldermen

All 13 precincts reporting

Position 3

Mike Palazzolo 15,022 72%

Donna Chandler Newman 5,842 28%

Position 4

Mark Billingsley 11,117 54%

Frank Uhlhorn 9,375 46%

Position 5

Ernest Chism 10,364 51%

Gary Pruitt 5,316 26%

James A. Danielik 2,550 13%

David J. Spann 2,002 10%

Collierville Mayor

All nine precincts

Stan Joyner 11,891 58%

Brannon Howse 5,130 25%

Tom Allen 3,609 17%

U.S. Cong. 9th District

All 208 precincts reporting

Steve Cohen 198,265 88%

Jake Ford 10,973 5%

Dewey Clark 10,013 4%

Shelby County Charter Amendment No. 364

Five countywide offices become charter offices with no salary petitions for four of five offices.

All 274 precincts reporting

Yes  237,032 68%

No  112,438   32%

Shelby County Charter Amendment No. 365

Term limits of two consecutive four-year terms for those elected sheriff, county clerk, trustee, register and assessor.

All 274 precincts reporting

Yes 276,531 79%

No 75,104 21%

Memphis City Charter Ordinance No. 5232

Provisions for the recall of a City Council member.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 171,489 77%

No 50,210 23%

Memphis City Charter Ordinance No. 5265

City residency requirement for division directors and other city appointees.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 161,205 72%

No 64,013 28%

Referendum No. 1

Term limits of two consecutive four-year terms for those elected to City Council and city mayor post.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 179,844 78%

No 49,852 22%

Referendum No. 2

Staggering City Council terms and moving city elections to even-numbered years in November every two years.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 145,606 72%

No 55,063 28%

Referendum No. 3

No sale of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division without approval by city voters.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 156,570 80%

No 39,116 20%

Referendum No. 4

Any elected or appointed city official indicted or charged with corruption is suspended with pay.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 167,369 75%

No 55,080 25%

Referendum No. 5

Instant runoff voting as an option in school board and City Council district races.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 154,269 71%

No 64,016 29%

Referendum No. 6

Mayoral vacancy process in which council chairman becomes interim mayor.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 188,608 85%

No 33,250 15%

21. Final Unofficial Shelby County Election Results Posted - Thursday, November 6, 2008

Two days after the Nov. 4 elections, the final unofficial totals were finally posted by the Shelby County Election Commission this evening. The long vote count involved absentee ballots whose count was delayed because of problems with an optical scanning machine.

The count shows over 400,000 Shelby County voters participated -- a record setting turnout for Shelby County in the most popular election cycle historically with local voters. However, it amounted to a 62 percent voter turnout for Shelby County.

These are the unofficial election results in selected races including the ten charter amendment referenda.

U.S. President

Shelby County results

All 274 precincts reporting

Barack Obama 255,541 64%

John McCain 145,137 36%

U.S. Senate

Shelby County results

All 274 precincts reporting

Lamar Alexander 189,471 51%

Bob Tuke 173,354 47%

Memphis City Council Super District 9 Position 1

All 114 precincts reporting

Kemp Conrad 47,739 42%

Paul Shaffer 37,594 33%

John Willingham 23,070 20%

Arnett Montague III 5,293 5%

Memphis School Board At Large Position 1

All 231 precincts reporting

Freda Williams 83,429 44%

Cynthia Gentry 81,766 43%

Menelik Fombi 22,108 12%

Germantown Board of Aldermen

All 13 precincts reporting

Position 3

Mike Palazzolo 15,022 72%

Donna Chandler Newman 5,842 28%

Position 4

Mark Billingsley 11,117 54%

Frank Uhlhorn 9,375 46%

Position 5

Ernest Chism 10,364 51%

Gary Pruitt  5,316 26%

James A. Danielik 2,550 13%

David J. Spann 2,002 10%

Collierville Mayor

All nine precincts

Stan Joyner 11,891 58%

Brannon Howse 5,130 25%

Tom Allen 3,609 17%

U.S. Cong. 9th District

All 208 precincts reporting

Steve Cohen 198,265 88%

Jake Ford 10,973 5%

Dewey Clark 10,013 4%

Shelby County Charter Amendment No. 364

Five countywide offices become charter offices with no salary petitions for four of five offices.

All 274 precincts reporting

Yes 238,771 68%

No 113,337 32%

Shelby County Charter Amendment No. 365

Term limits of two consecutive four-year terms for those elected sheriff, county clerk, trustee, register and assessor.

All 274 precincts reporting

Yes 278,659 79%

No 75,538 21%

Memphis City Charter Ordinance No. 5232

Provisions for the recall of a City Council member.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 172,834 77%

No 50,437 23%

Memphis City Charter Ordinance No. 5265

City residency requirement for division directors and other city appointees.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 162,344 72%

No 64,475 28%

Referendum No. 1

Term limits of two consecutive four-year terms for those elected to City Council and city mayor post.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 181,235 78%

No 50,099 22%

Referendum No. 2

Staggering City Council terms and moving city elections to even-numbered years in November every two years.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 146,872 73%

No 55,390 27%

Referendum No. 3

No sale of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division without approval by city voters.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 158,022 80%

No 39,296 20%

Referendum No. 4

Any elected or appointed city official indicted or charged with corruption is suspended with pay.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 168,635 75%

No 55,401 25%

Referendum No. 5

Instant runoff voting as an option in school board and City Council district races.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 155,388 71%

No 64,467 29%

Referendum No. 6

Mayoral vacancy process in which council chairman becomes interim mayor.

All 231 precincts reporting

Yes 190,113 85%

No 33,367 15%

22. Shelby Goes Obama; Conrad To Council; All 10 Charter Amends Pass - Wednesday, November 5, 2008

These are the unofficial election results for Shelby County. The state-wide results in the Presidential election as well as the U.S. Senate races in Tennessee and Mississippi are also included.

The results become official after an audit and certification by the Shelby County Election Commission as well as state election officials.

23. Events - Monday, September 22, 2008

The Engineers’ Club of Memphis will hold its weekly meeting and lunch today at 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. Page Cotton, Midwest regional manger for Stego Industries LLC, will speak on the topic “Below Slab Moisture Protection.” Cost is $14 to attend.

24. Sammons Picked For Temporary Council Post - Thursday, September 11, 2008

Jack Sammons had been off the Memphis City Council for eight months when he returned to the elected body this week. And at the end of his first session back, Sammons joked that he might have made a mistake.

25. City Council to Pick Interim Member - Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Memphis City Council members will pick an interim council member today to fill their ranks until the Nov. 4 election.

The November ballot includes a special election for the Super District 9 Position 1 council seat given up by Scott McCormick last month. McCormick stepped down to become executive director of the Plough Foundation.

26. Council Ballot Whittled to Four - Tuesday, September 2, 2008

When union leader Paul Shaffer and Midtown neighborhood activist Mary Wilder had lunch last week, the two had something in common to discuss.

They both are among the 11 candidates who had filed to run in the Nov. 4 special election for a seat on the Memphis City Council.

27. Memphis School Board Race In Limbo - Friday, August 29, 2008

It looked like Memphis school board member Stephanie Gatewood was on her way to re-election without opposition on the Nov. 4 ballot.

That was until Wednesday (Aug. 27) – the day before the Shelby County Election Commission certified the local portion of the ballot.

28. Memphis School Board Race In Limbo - Thursday, August 28, 2008

It looked like Memphis school board member Stephanie Gatewood was on her way to re-election without opposition on the Nov. 4 ballot.

That was until Wednesday (Aug. 27) – the day before the Shelby County Election Commission certified the local portion of the ballot.

29. Eleven File For Council Seat - Friday, August 22, 2008

A field of 11 candidates had filed by Thursday’s noon deadline for an open seat on the Memphis City Council on the Nov. 4 ballot. Four of the contenders ran for the council just a year ago. Also at the deadline, three Memphis school board members were effectively re-elected when they failed to draw any opposition.

30. Eleven File For Council Seat - Thursday, August 21, 2008

A field of 11 candidates had filed by today's noon deadline for an open seat on the Memphis City Council on the Nov. 4 ballot. Four of the contenders ran for the council just a year ago. Also at the deadline, three Memphis school board members were effectively re-elected when they failed to draw any opposition.

31. Songbird Cooper Anticipates Own Day in Court - Wednesday, May 28, 2008

With the jury verdict last week acquitting former Memphis City Council member Edmund Ford Sr. on six counts of bribery and extortion, the book has been closed on that federal corruption case against him.

32. Wharton Takes First Step With Payroll Tax Today - Monday, January 7, 2008

Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton Jr. takes the idea of a county payroll or privilege tax to the Shelby County Board of Commissioners today.

It's the first step on a political path to Nashville where the Tennessee General Assembly has the ultimate power to grant the county the ability to levy the tax. And it promises to be a rocky path judging by the rough reception commissioners gave the idea last week in committee sessions.

33. Gloves On, Gloves Off - Thursday, September 27, 2007

Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton has run for the same elected office five times.

He's won four and he'll know about the fifth try one week from today.

Herenton said he'll be glad when the week is over. He's been on a charm offensive for about the last month, which has included submitting to a series of one-on-one television interviews that have replaced the home-stretch candidates forums of past election seasons.

34. Events - Friday, September 21, 2007

The American Society for Training and Development will host a one-day conference for learning and networking today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton Memphis hotel, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd. Cost to attend is $30. Visit www.astdmemphis.org for more information.

35. Suit Filed to Stop Tonight's Mayoral Debate - Friday, September 21, 2007
     Much of the chatter among political observers over absentees from this election season's round of public mayoral debates has to do with incumbent Willie Herenton, who has by and large been a no-show for most of them.
36. Events - Thursday, September 20, 2007

The Institute of Management Accountants - Memphis Chapter will hold its monthly Technical Session today at 11:45 a.m. in the Medallion Restaurant in the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. The event is $20. For reservations or more information, visit www.imamemphis.org.

37. Mayoral Candidates Put Efforts Into Early Vote - Wednesday, September 19, 2007

If rain is the enemy of election day turnouts then a sunny late summer day might be the curse of early voting efforts.

Early voting in advance of the Oct. 4 Memphis city elections opened Friday at 15 sites with 4,290 voters showing up. The next day, which saw sunshine and tens of thousands of people jam the Cooper-Young Festival in Midtown, the turnout was less than half that - 2,040 early voters.

38. Events - Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence will host its "Researching Grant Funding" workshop today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the alliance office, 606 S. Mendenhall Road, Suite 108. The event is $65 for members, $55 for participants in the Alliance's Program for Nonprofit Excellence and $99 for nonmembers. Call Nancy McGee at 684-6605 for more information.

39. Attorneys Seek Separate Trials for Lee and Ford - Thursday, September 13, 2007

The legal team representing former Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division head Joseph Lee in his federal bribery case has fired another salvo in defense of their client.

They want Lee and City Council member Edmund Ford to be tried separately.

40. Things Go From Hot To Smoking Hot In Election Contests - Thursday, July 12, 2007

With one week to the filing deadline for the Oct. 4 Memphis city elections, 124 citizens have thought seriously enough about running for the 15 offices on the ballot to check out qualifying petitions. Nearly 40 had filed by the end of the first week.

41. Technology vs. Unique Resume - Tuesday, May 29, 2007

In the annals of Memphis mayoral elections, it seems no candidate has run a race quite like Herman Morris Jr.

Morris - Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division's former top executive - has built a campaign operation that boasts the technological edge and efficiency of a small corporation. His supporters can sign up for cell phone text alerts and Internet podcasts. Videos are posted to his Web site.

42. Some Wins, Some LossesIn Thursday's Election Game - Monday, August 7, 2006
     Like all elections, the results of the Aug. 3 election ushered some new faces into office and brought back some familiar faces.
     In the race for Shelby County mayor, A C Wharton Jr. overw

43. Amid Congestion and Over-Building, Cordova Struggles to Reinvent Itself - Friday, July 7, 2006

It's common to refer to the object of someone's affection as "the apple of my eye," so one thing a group of civic and business leaders wants to do for Cordova is brand the Memphis suburb with a similar phrase.

44. Downtown's Condo/Entertainment Trend Moves East Despite Moratorium - Monday, June 12, 2006

The condominium boom that's driven much of Downtown Memphis' residential growth in the past year is stretching beyond the city's redeveloped urban core.

One example is a new project being handled by John Elkington, CEO of Performa Entertainment Real Estate Inc. He's working with a Chicago-based development firm that wants to transform 67.2 acres of prime real estate on the eastern fringe of Memphis into an upscale retail and entertainment destination with condos.

45. City Council Wants to Hear from You Tuesday - Monday, March 27, 2006

March 27

Memphis Heritage presents "The Parkways: Framing our Midtown Neighborhoods" as part of its 2006 Preservation Series from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Trinity Methodist Church, 447 N. Evergreen St. Registration is $60. Call 529-9828 or visit www.memphisheritage.org.

46. Building Moratorium Nears End - Tuesday, March 21, 2006

In the real estate business, nothing is as sacred as location, location, location, which is why a developer as prolific as Terry Dan is looking at almost every major corner of Shelby County except one.

47. All Is Not Well on County Balance Sheet - Friday, March 17, 2006

For a while now, John Willingham has been one of the loudest critics of Shelby County's finances. He's blasted how the county's money is spent, the rate at which its residents are taxed and the dent new growth is putting in the county's budget.

48. Willingham and Others To Run Against Wharton - Monday, February 20, 2006
Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton Jr. has picked up a few challengers in his re-election bid, including Shelby County Commissioner John Willingham, who is vacating his seat to run on a tax-reform platform. Wharton's other opponents are Jeff Woodard, a

49. Shelby Officials Seek to Reduce Massive Debt - Monday, November 28, 2005

When the Shelby County Commission talked this month about possibly boosting the county mayor's salary - which currently stands at $150,000 a year - it was probably inevitable that public attention would turn to the county's lingering financial problems.

50. Census Bureau Pinpoint's City's Daytime Population - Monday, November 14, 2005

Each weekday after sunrise, Memphis gets a taste of suburban flight in reverse.

More than 100,000 people commute to work in Memphis five days a week from outside the city, offering literally a moving portrait of the city's magnetic pull. That number, calculated for the first time this year by the U.S. Census Bureau, has implications for city planners, businesses - and even supporters of a tax proposal aimed at commuters that has been quietly simmering in the legislature.

51. County Leaders Look to Regroup During Moratorium - Friday, October 21, 2005

Shelby County Commission member John Willingham didn't add his voice to the chorus last week proclaiming that a new day was dawning in Shelby County.

On Oct. 10, his colleagues on the commission approved a building moratorium in unincorporated parts of Shelby County - which goes into effect one week from today - to curb uncontrolled sprawl, even though similar plans failed in 2000 and 2004.

52. City, County Near Conclusion of PILOT Study - Friday, July 22, 2005

By the end of this year, property tax freezes for 40 businesses in Memphis and Shelby County are due to expire, according to figures from Bob Patterson, county trustee. The freezes are given out through the city and county's payment-in-lieu-of-taxes, or PILOT, program.

53. Archived Article: Lead - Tuesday, May 24, 2005
DeSoto Sees Growth in Homestead Exemptions

DeSoto Sees Growth in Tax Breaks

County loses money on homestead exemptions

ANDY MEEK

The Daily News

Shelby County Commissioner John Willingham is calling for a 2.5 percent county-wide payrol...

54. Archived Article: Gov Focus - Friday, April 9, 2004
Adopt the resoliution

Officials Step Up Efforts to Reduce Pollution

ANDREW BELL

The Daily News

To reduce pollution stemming from trucks driving through Shelby County, local health department officials have a proposal on tap one that has ...

55. Archived Article: Casino (lead) - Monday, May 5, 2003
Commissioner rolls dice for Pyramid casino

Commissioner rolls dice for Pyramid casino

By BRYAN MASSEY

The Daily News

Its too simple to say that a plan for converting the Pyramid into a casino is only about money, Shelby County Commission...

56. Archived Article: Willinghams (lead) - Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Crime brings end to Willinghams eatery

Crime brings end to Willinghams eatery

By ANDREW BELL

The Daily News

Vandalism and general decay of the area near American Way and Perkins Road have taken the bite out of Willinghams World Champions...

57. Archived Article: Arena (lead) - Tuesday, December 10, 2002
NBA arena NBA arena, fire museum set for committee discussion

By MARY DANDO

The Daily News

Concerns regarding the amount of control Shelby County Commission members have in decisions about construction costs of the NBA arena will be aired a...

58. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, December 9, 2002
Calendar of events Sept

Calendar of events Dec. 9-Dec. 15

Dec. 9

Wyndham Garden Hotel, 300 N. Second St., is the site of the 15th annual Current Developments in Tennessee Employment Law seminar from 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The seminar is pre...

59. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, November 25, 2002
Calendar of events Sept

Calendar of events Nov. 25-Dec. 1

Nov. 25

The University of Memphis communication department hosts U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. at the Dr. John Bakke Political Communication Lecture Series from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Ro...

60. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, August 5, 2002
Calendar of events Jan

Calendar of events Aug. 5-Aug. 11

Aug. 6

The Memphis Area Technology Council is planning committee alignment meetings for people interested in getting involved with MATC. Meetings are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 6 at the M...

61. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, June 17, 1998
Rick Ruffin has joined Morgan Keegan & Co Rick Ruffin has joined Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc. as a first vice president in institutional fixed income sales. Ruffin formerly was manager of J.C. Bradfords client services group. He has a bachelors ...

62. Archived Article: Back Hobnob - Thursday, June 6, 1996
Public gets chance to meet Public can mingle with politicians at Hobnob 96 Attendees to the Memphis Chamber of Commerces nonpartisan political event "HobnobPolitics in the Park" will be able to mix and mingle in an informal atmosphere with...