In anticipation of its roll out next spring, Explore Bike Share is in the search for a permanent headquarters and a temporary warehouse to construct its 600-bike fleet.

For its permanent headquarters, the nonprofit bike-share initiative is seeking a minimum of 6,000 square feet with expansion opportunities and room for two overnight vans, a maintenance shop and a battery-charging station. It wants the facility to be within its initial service area, which includes Midtown, Downtown, Uptown, South Memphis, Binghampton and Orange Mound.

2. Shaffer Named Executive Director Of Rebranded BLDG Memphis - Wednesday, April 19, 2017

John Paul Shaffer recently was named executive director of BLDG Memphis, the rebranded entity that brings the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis and Livable Mem-phis under a single organizational identity.
In his new role, Shaffer’s job is to guide the organization in its mission of supporting neighborhood revitalization through a network of organizations and individuals working in the community development space – which BLDG Memphis does primarily through organizational capacity building, community education and engagement, and public policy and advocacy – as well as to promote the new brand. 

3. Community Development Council Rebrands, Hires New Director - Thursday, April 13, 2017

Community Development Council of Greater Memphis is undergoing an organizational rebranding to become BLDG Memphis and has named John Paul Shaffer its new executive director.

4. The Week Ahead: March 20-26 - Monday, March 20, 2017

Happy Monday, Memphis! It’s the first day of spring, and a bounty of social gatherings, government meetings and business events are in bloom. Check out our top picks in The Week Ahead…

5. Leave Your Car Home Event Slated March 22 - Saturday, March 18, 2017

A group of local leaders will host an event Wednesday, March 22, to explore how Memphis can secure dedicated funding that grows and improves the city’s transportation system.

The event, part of the “How To Leave Your Car at Home” series, will be facilitated by Suzanne Carlson of Innovate Memphis, Memphis Area Transit Authority commissioner Andre Gibson, Smart City Memphis’ Tom Jones and John Paul Shaffer of the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis. They will share their thoughts on moving Memphis transit forward.

6. Leave Your Car Home Event Slated March 22 - Friday, March 17, 2017

A group of local leaders will host an event Wednesday, March 22, to explore how Memphis can secure dedicated funding that grows and improves the city’s transportation system.

The event, part of the “How To Leave Your Car at Home” series, will be facilitated by Suzanne Carlson of Innovate Memphis, Memphis Area Transit Authority commissioner Andre Gibson, Smart City Memphis’ Tom Jones and John Paul Shaffer of the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis. They will share their thoughts on moving Memphis transit forward.

7. New Prescription: Doctor Offices That Look Like Apple Stores - Wednesday, January 18, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – After a relative suffered a heart attack a few years ago, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Adrian Aoun got an unsettling look at a health-care system that he diagnosed as an inefficient and outdated mess.

8. Final Goodbye: Roll Call of Some of Those Who Died in 2016 - Monday, January 2, 2017

Death claimed transcendent political figures in 2016, including Cuba's revolutionary leader and Thailand's longtime king, but also took away royals of a different sort: kings of pop music, from Prince and David Bowie to George Michael.

9. Medical, Edge Districts Eye Bike Share Connectivity - Friday, June 24, 2016

Efforts to install a new bike share program in Memphis by next year are gaining traction, and organizers are envisioning a much more connected Memphis in the years to come.

Nonprofit upstart Explore Bike Share expects to launch its bike share system in Memphis in 2017, with approximately 600 bikes at 60 stations planned within the Interstate 240 loop.

10. Small Neighborhood Improvements Can Add Up Big - Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Memphians have raised half a million dollars and counting for neighborhood improvements through a Livable Memphis and ioby strategic partnership.

“A lot of times you’re waiting for that check, that one big investment,” said John Paul Shaffer, program director for Livable Memphis. “And that can create a stasis in a neighborhood.”

11. Station to Station - Saturday, May 14, 2016

Even now, Explore Bike Share founder Doug Carpenter does not try to pretend that the initiative will cure all that ails Memphis. 

It won’t wipe out poverty. It can’t cure cancer. It won’t eliminate diabetes and obesity, solve all of the city’s transportation problems or totally bridge cultural and racial gaps that predate the bicycle’s invention.

12. Five City Council Races Destined for Runoffs - Friday, October 9, 2015

The identity of the Memphis City Council that will take office in January with six new members was still in flux at the end of a very long and frustrating Oct. 8 election night.

The races for four of those six open seats and the seat now held by an appointee to the council are going to a Nov. 19 runoff election – one week before Thanksgiving.

13. Memphis Mayoral Field Set at 10 - Friday, July 24, 2015

Shelby County Election Commissioners have certified the Memphis election ballot for Oct. 8.

These are the names to appear on that ballot for the 15 elected offices.

The commission met hours after the noon Thursday, July 23, deadline for candidates to withdraw from the ballot if they wished.

14. Memphis Candidates Prepare To Spend - Wednesday, July 22, 2015

How much a candidate raises in an election season attracts a lot of attention, and the second-quarter fundraising numbers for the Oct. 8 Memphis elections are still trickling out.

The reports were due July 10 but some are still arriving at the Shelby County Election Commission website. And in some cases, the reports are incomplete, showing amounts raised but not amounts spend and on hand as of July 1.

15. Council to Fill Vacancy, Consider Buying State Office Building - Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Memphis City Council members appoint a new council member Tuesday, May 18, and consider spending more than $8 million to purchase, renovate and relocate workers to the Donnelley J. Hill state office building that stands near City Hall in Civic Center Plaza.

16. Council Vacancy Draws Eight Applicants - Friday, May 15, 2015

Eight citizens have applied for a vacancy on the Memphis City Council, some with no intention of serving beyond the end of 2015 and others with plans to seek a full, four-year term in the October elections.

17. Council Begins Hearings on Operating Budget - Tuesday, May 5, 2015

The Memphis City Council is down a member as its budget committee begins hearings Tuesday, May 5, on the $656.5 million operating budget proposal of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.

Council member Shea Flinn resigned Thursday effective immediately to take a position as vice president at the Greater Memphis Chamber in charge of the Chairman’s Circle.

18. Love Song to a City - Saturday, March 21, 2015

As the story goes, Al Green wrote the lyrics to “Let’s Stay Together” in about five minutes. In 1972, the song – which spans just three minutes and 13 seconds – reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

19. Flinn Rumor Could Impact Multiple City Council Races - Monday, March 16, 2015

Even before Shea Flinn gave a “no comment” last week to a persistent rumor that he would resign from the Memphis City Council, there were potential candidates eyeing his super district seat.

20. Flinn Rumor Could Impact Multiple City Council Races - Monday, March 16, 2015

Even before Shea Flinn gave a “no comment” last week to a persistent rumor that he would resign from the Memphis City Council, there were potential candidates eyeing his super district seat.

With no qualifying petitions issued for the October ballot until next month, there is stealthy speculation about who is running for council and which seats may be sought.

21. Shaffer Joins District 5 Memphis City Council Race - Saturday, March 14, 2015

Local labor leader Paul Shaffer has joined the field of declared candidates for the District 5 seat on the Memphis City Council.

22. Paul Shaffer Joins District 5 Memphis City Council Race - Monday, March 9, 2015

Local labor leader Paul Shaffer has joined the field of declared candidates for the District 5 seat on the Memphis City Council.

Shafer, leader of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 474, said in a written statement Thursday, March 5, that he intends to run for the council seat on the October ballot.

23. Center of Attention - Thursday, January 15, 2015

The Pinch District, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and commercial centers, will receive some much-needed tender loving care in advance of Bass Pro Shops opening its massive store at The Pyramid May 1.

24. Despite Low Turnout, Incumbents See Big Wins - Monday, October 10, 2011

Memphis voters kept the turnout in last week’s city elections at less than 20 percent. About 18 percent of the city’s 426,580 or so voters showed up for the Thursday, Oct. 6, elections.

Some politicos doubted turnout would move into double digits until the relatively healthy 7.6 percent turnout for early voters made it clear.

25. Wharton, Fullilove & Conrad Re-Elected -- Harris-Ford to Runoff - Friday, October 7, 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.

26. Unions Continue Budget Battle in Thursday’s Election - Wednesday, October 5, 2011

No ballot questions are to be decided in the Thursday, Oct. 6, Memphis elections. But at least one of the City Council races will be viewed as a referendum on the clout of the city’s municipal labor unions.

27. Get Out the Vote - Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The overall numbers through the first two weeks of early voting seem to indicate a low overall turnout including Election Day in the set of city elections to be decided Oct. 6.

But within the early vote numbers are some indications of voter hotspots.

28. Wharton Makes Choices In Council Races - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. has a ballot for the Memphis City Council races on the Oct. 6 ballot.

The ballot hit the streets this weekend, as the last full week of early voting began, with a set of Wharton endorsements in some but not all of the 13 council races on the ballot.

29. City Candidates Meet in Forum - Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The crowds are small and the questions familiar. The forums for candidates on the Oct. 6 Memphis ballot, in other words, are a lot like past forums.

There were about 25 people in the audience Monday evening, Sept. 19, for the League of Women Voters City Council forum at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library in East Memphis that featured seven candidates for super district seats.

30. Early Voting Kicks Off Friday in City - Friday, September 16, 2011

Early voting begins Friday, Sept. 16, in advance of the Oct. 6 city of Memphis Election Day. Voters across the city can cast early ballots in the races for Memphis mayor, City Council, City Court clerk and City Court judges at 16 locations through Oct. 1.

31. 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.

32. Local Democrats Take City Election Straw Poll - Tuesday, August 23, 2011

It was more fundraiser than legitimate poll.

The Shelby County Democratic Party raised more than $2,000 with a straw poll in which party regulars paid $25 a ballot to show their preferences in races in the Oct. 6 city of Memphis elections with a separate ballot for the mayor’s race.

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. Sharp Reaches Solar Panel Milestone - Thursday, July 1, 2010

With a thumbs up from a factory line worker, the 2 millionth solar panel rolled off the assembly line this week at the Memphis Sharp Manufacturing Plant.

Instead of going immediately into a cardboard box, the panel was lifted by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr., Hiroshi Sato, Japan’s Consul General from Nashville, and Paul Shaffer, head of local 474 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, off the assembly line as workers applauded.

36. County Declines $11.6 Million in Federal Bonds - Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Shelby County government will take a pass on $11.6 million in federal recovery zone economic development bonds.

The Ford administration withdrew a resolution Monday recommending the bonds be reallocated by the state to the city of Memphis. The withdrawal came after several Shelby County commissioners questioned whether county government couldn’t come up with its own list of projects for the money.

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. 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%

40. 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%

41. 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.

42. 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.

43. 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.

44. Gatewood Stays On School Board Ballot - Thursday, September 4, 2008

Memphis City Schools board member Stephanie Gatewood kept her place on the Nov. 4 ballot, and her only potential challenger lost a last-minute attempt Tuesday to get on the ballot.

Also, the Shelby County Election Commission wants to hear from one of the four candidates in the special City Council race on the same ballot.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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.

48. 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.

49. 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.