Author: Micaela Watts

Nathan Bedford Forrest statue in Health Sciences Park

On Friday, the Tennessee Historical Commission denied Memphis City Council’s application to relocate the statue and remains of Nathan Bedford Forrest, the slave-trade profiteer and first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, from a tax-payer funded public park in the middle of a majority black city. 

The city council voted to move the statue and remains of both Forrest and his wife in the aftermath of the Charleston, SC shooting that left nine parishioners dead after white supremacist Dylann Roof opened fire in the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston. Following the shooting, there was an increased national scrutiny over Confederate monuments and symbols in public spaces. 

The Tennessee Heritage Protection Act of 2013 prevents cities or counties from relocating, removing, renaming, or otherwise disturbing war memorials on public properties, so the city council filed an application for a waiver that would allow the monument to be relocated to one of two suggested spaces.

The rejection was based on criteria adopted by the commission in 2015; the commission could have voted to change that criteria at Friday’s meeting, but opted not to.

According to city council’s attorney, Allan Wade, the waiver filed met the commission’s criteria. Much of the criticism and what Wade deems “erroneous” claims regarding the requested waiver came from members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

I think the larger question is, ‘What is the reason for the statue to be located here?'”, said Wade. “The only connection (Forrest) has to the city of Memphis, is that he made millions and millions as a slave trader.”

Memphis mayor Jim Strickland said in a statement today, “I’m disappointed with the Tennessee Historical Commission’s vote today.  We’ll continue to explore options to carry out the statue’s removal, which I voted for as a member of the City Council.”

Presently, it is unclear what options exist for the continued pursuit of the statue’s removal. The city council has the option to file for another waiver, but it is likely to be rejected again if no criteria changes are made.

As of press time, the Tennessee Historical Commission has not returned a Flyer request for comment. 

The Memphis City Council voted 9 to 3 today to approve council member Philip Spinosa Jr’s ordinance that restricts panhandling during rush hours and near high-traffic intersections. 

Spinosa said that his ordinance is “one hundred percent absolutely and positively about public safety” for both panhandlers and commuters.

Detractors countered that the ordinance only perpetuates negativity associated with poverty, and does nothing to change the poor’s everyday reality that drives them to beg in busy intersections.

Spinosa was the only council member to speak in favor of the ordinance, or for that matter, speak at all. All council members remained silent after hearing public comments in opposition to the ordinance.

Memphian Larry Jeter encapsulated the crowd’s general opposition.

“This ordinance under consideration here is based on the idea that what people need when they’re in dire straights are more negative consequences.”

The city council also voted unanimously to pass an ordinance to levy a 3.5 percent and a $2 per-room fee on short-term rentals. Memphis will now join a growing list of cities eager to tap into revenue generated by short-term rental owners hosting renters through popular websites such as Airbnb Inc.. The exact wording of the ordinance will be revised until today’s minutes are approved at the next general meeting.

Much of the council’s trepidation centered around administrative costs and and fine details, such as accountability for short-term rental owners. 

Council member Patrice Robinson wondered aloud, “Are we going to raise enough money to offset the costs, and are we going to be able to hold people accountable?”

The Memphis City council voted to approve their meeting minutes from Oct. 4 and consequently sealed a vote that creates civil fines for possessing small amounts of marijuana. 

Police officers will have the discretion to issue a $50 fine for possession of marijuana less than half an ounce, or uphold the state law which can carry up to $2,500 in fines and one year in jail. 

Under the ordinance, City Court judges could order community service in lieu of fines, but that component of the ordinance is expected to be delayed as details are finalized by city and court officials. 

Loeb Properties.

Loeb Properties announced today that Insomnia Cookies, a company specializing in cookie and ice cream home delivery, will set up shop on the Highland Strip between Newby’s and the upcoming Petra Cafe. Insomnia Cookies will offer delivery between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m..

According to multiple sources, several demurred, sleepy responses of, “Sweeeeet” could be heard from various students at the University of Memphis as word of the cookie chain’s impending arrival traveled around campus. 

Insomnia Cookies will also offer warm brownies, cookie cakes, and fresh milk as part of their delivery services. 

No word yet on whether or not potential employees will be drug tested. 

Saniphoto | Dreamstime.com

The Citizens for Law Enforcement Review Board voted tonight to continue gathering evidence in two complaints against Memphis Police Department officers in order to give the board more time to acquire additional evidence for both complaints. 

Paul Garner alleges that the MPD falsely charged him with disorderly conduct in late 2013 simply because he was filming police interaction with another citizen. Central to Garner’s complaint is the assertion that MPD had not, until that point, made public any video recording policy that would provide criteria for whether or not police could arrest someone for filming them. 

The board passed a motion to request MPD’s video recording policy relevant to the date of Garner’s arrest.

Robert Howard alleges that an MPD officer intentionally and aggressively cuffed a visible blood clot on his right leg, even after he warned the officer that he was suffering from severe health conditions, including leukemia. 

After much deliberation, the board decided that there was a sufficient lack of evidence in Howard’s case to justifiably dismiss or sustain his complaint. The board filed a motion to subpoena video tape from the Domestic Violence Bureau Family Safety Center, where Howard was being held after he voluntarily showed up to turn over a letter from the office of Amy Weirich addressed to his then estranged wife. 

Planned Parenthood, located at 2430 Poplar Ave, is often the site of pro-life demonstrations that sometimes turn vitriolic.

Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region will soon provide escorts for patients visiting their clinic. Starting Tuesday, Oct. 18, the women’s health organization will launch a new program that provides clinic escorts in hopes that the they can provide a heightened sense of safety and companionship for those who have to endure the sometimes vitriolic messages from anti-abortion protestors as they walk in the building. 

Currently, the campaign 40 Days for Life is in the midst of its national, biannual campaign that recruits volunteers to stand outside of clinics where abortion services are provided and protest patients entering the building. 

In addition to the increased protester presence, Planned Parenthood has been under more political fire than usual this year, following the the release of video footage misleadingly edited to indicate that Planned Parenthood was in the business of selling fetal body parts. Though the footage was debunked and multiple investigations into the organization have produced zero evidence that they are, in fact, involved in such a business, the media attention has galvanized throngs of supporters from both sides of the abortion debate. 

“Any time we’re under this much fire, our supporters turn out in stronger numbers,” said Leah Ford, community engagement and advocacy coordinator for Planned Parenthood. 

Volunteers with Planned Parenthood will don neon-pink traffic vests, meant to distinguish them from protestors.

The escort program is meant to last beyond the duration of the 40 Days campaign as the number of protestors tends to fluctuate unpredictably, as does the intensity of their dissuasive tactics aimed at female patients. 

“Above all, this is about the patient,” said Ford. “Their comfort and safety comes first.”

Anyone interested in volunteering to be a clinic escort can contact Leah Ford by email at lford@ppgmr.org.

Today, Governor Bill Haslam named eight members to the first inaugural board of trustees for the University of Memphis.

Among those eight is former interim university president Brad Martin and the chief financial officer for FedEx Corp, Alan Graf. 

In a release, Haslam’s office stated that establishing a local governing board for the university will fulfill Haslam’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign promise to “give the university more autonomy”. This increase in autonomy will allow the university to appoint their president, set tuition, and other key operational decisions. 

Memphis is now one of six public universities under the Tennessee Board of Regents that operates with their own independent board. The broader hope, according to Haslam’s office, is that increased decision-making ability for Tennessee colleges will bolster attendance as part of the Drive to 55 initiative, the state-run initiative to have 55% of Tennessee’s hold a degree or certification by 2025. 

In a statement released by the university, president David Rudd said Haslam’s appointments will “better position the U of M to grow and compete at the national level.”

“We are grateful for Governor Haslam’s vision for the future of higher education in Tennessee and the support of our state legislators,” said Haslam. “Without their commitment to excellence in higher
education, this remarkable opportunity would not be possible.”

The eight named members of the board are: 
Douglas Edwards, senior advisor at BBH Capital Partners and former CEO of Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.;
Marvin Ellison, CEP and board chairman of J.C. Penney Company, Inc.;
Alan Graf, executive vice president and chief financial officer for FedEx Corp.;
Cato Johnson, senior vice president of public policy and regulatory affairs for Methodist Healthcare;
Brad Martin, former interim president of the University of Memphis and retired chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated;
David North, president and CEO for Sedgwick Claims Management Services;
Carol Roberts, senior vice president and chief financial officer for International Paper Co.; and
Susan Springfield, executive vice president and chief credit officer for First Horizon National Corporation.