Reporter
Bill Dries covers city government and politics. He is a native Memphian and has been a reporter for more than 40 years.
There are 1712 articles by Bill Dries :
On The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast, Greater Imani Pastor Rev. Bill Adkins says the case can be made for a new director from MPD ranks or for someone from the outside. Adkins also said he sees a new indifference to violent crime that calls for new solutions as well as new ways of policing the city.
Proposals by Memphis City Council members and Shelby County commissioners emerged during a second joint meeting Thursday of the two bodies. But other elected officials expressed concern that just talking about changes in economic development incentives could put the city and county at a disadvantage.
The Shelby County tax assessor said on “Behind The Headlines” that Germantown homes reflect an increase in values in this year’s reappraisal despite 2019 flooding in some parts of the city. He also discussed a change in the valuation of commercial property and his call for a reappraisal every other year.
The second joint meeting of the County Commission and City Council includes several proposed changes to economic development incentives used locally to grow the Memphis economy.
The permit is a critical juncture in the $60 million project. In an update for donors and potential donors Wednesday, April 14, park planners said the Tom Lee statue in the park will not be moved and will be a focal point of the park.
Since the position was created in 1972, the department has had a dozen directors. A new era is set to begin with the April 14 retirement of Michael Rallings.
Shelby County election commissioners chose Brent Taylor Tuesday, April 13, as the new chairman of the five-member body.
A $450,000 joint county-federal grant would study 10 areas of land in northern Shelby County for flood control projects that could double as public recreation areas when they are not underwater. One project is already underway near Big Creek in Millington.
The funding is to maintain 171 Health Department positions specifically for the pandemic.
Short-term extensions to the Wellpath contract have been a constant for the current commission since the group began their current term in September of 2018.
Some commissioners have doubts about the move to every other year reappraisals. Assessor Melvin Burgess Jr. says the results will be less sticker shock from increases in values after four years.
The new private contractor serving 35,000 households transitioned Monday from dealing with a backup from the past month to making daily trash pickups in Cordova, Hickory Hill and East Memphis.
Monday’s commission agenda includes prep for the budget season that begins later this month in county government.
The contract cancellation comes at the end of a 20-day period to fix problems with waste pickup in Area E — Cordova, Hickory Hill and East Memphis. Residents in the area complained last month that Waste Pro not only missed scheduled trash pickup days but left trash by the curb for weeks.
The City Council Scorecard peels back the layers on the council’s April 6 vote on a $520,000 contract that put the issue of MLGW leaving TVA back on track after six months in limbo.
No date has been set for the return to City Hall by the council but it comes as budget season approaches. Meanwhile, the city’s political scene remains active, as chronicled in The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast.
The seven flagpoles on the Mud Island River Park’s southern end were removed this week. The park, beloved as a memory that in some ways may be too faithful to its 1980s trappings, will get some much-needed maintenance this spring.
Corker surfaced as former President Donald Trump was leaving office, prompting speculation Corker may be looking at a presidential bid in 2024 or some other bid for elected office in the 2022 midterm elections.
The co-leaders of the countywide vaccination distribution effort talked on “Behind The Headlines” about a move this week to no appointments for some and why the federal vaccination presence at the Fairgrounds is unique.
Ashley Cash led the team that developed the comprehensive Memphis 3.0 plan that covers residential and commercial development across the city.
The $60 million capital campaign to remake Tom Lee Park reached the 80% mark Thursday, April 8, with $3.2 million in funding commitments from three health care corporations as well as AutoZone and First Horizon Foundation.
City also giving MATA riders free rides to Pipkin and making blocks of slots available to groups, including businesses.
The City Council voted Tuesday, April 6, to approve a consultant’s contract that is the next step leading to recommendations by the end of this year. But there was some dissent on the council before the vote.
On April 10, the city could terminate its contract with Waste Pro for poor service or determine that Waste Pro has made good on dealing with the backlog of trash. The council voted Tuesday calling on the administration to cancel the city’s contract.
City Council also endorsed a general plan for athletic fields by Christian Brothers University on 7 acres at the intersection of Avery Avenue and South Hollywood.