Suburbs

A quick tour around the suburbs this week where there was plenty of news from Bartlett to Lakeland and other points.

McCarter no show

This week, the Lakeland Community Advisory Board held a candidates forum for the election coming up Nov. 3. The race at the top of the ballot features incumbent Josh Romanchallenged by Commissioner Connie McCarter.

The answers to questions submitted by citizens became a one-side commentary from Roman.

Instead of seizing the opportunity to talk about her platform and why voters should consider her, McCarter decided to skip the event.

Seems like a bad decision for someone trying to unseat a sitting mayor.

McCarter said she was concerned about the format fairness and decided the day of the forum to bow out.

That reservation about participating in a debate, forum, appearance, whatever you want to call it, seems reserved for a candidate firmly in the lead. Someone who is the favorite not wanting to give the challenger an opportunity to use the event as a way to get their name before the public at the leader’s expense.

The front runner could even worry about being tripped up or making a mistake that could dilute their advantage.

We are seeing that scenario in other races where a candidate is choosing not to debate their opponent.

In this case, it seems McCarter should have used the opportunity to appear right next to Roman and explain to Lakeland voters the difference between her ideas and the mayor’s record.

Threadgill leaving Bartlett Chamber

John Threadgill has served as president of the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce for a long time. Just more than 20 years, according to a story reporter Michael Waddell wrote this week about Threadgill stepping down.

Threadgill’s impact in Bartlett came after his 16 years working with the Greater Memphis Chamber. That connection gave him an understanding of the two organizations. From my days covering Bartlett, he could share some insight into their relationship.

Anyway, Threadgill will hang around for a few more months. There’s the need to find his replacement and the transition time when the new president assumes the duties. Waddell’s story said Threadgill will bow out at the end of January.

“I’m past the retirement age of most people,” Threadgill, 74, told Waddell. “I love what I do, and it’s time to pass the baton over to somebody younger.”

New team for Southaven

On Thursday, the folks at the Landers Center got a new tenant – another try at arena football.

The Mississippi Wolfpack are moving 50 miles north from Batesville to Southaven. The Wolfpack are part of the American Arena League. That’s the same league where the retooled Memphis Hound Dogs, who are now the Memphis Blues, will play for the upcoming season. As league representatives pointed out to reporter Aarron Fleming, the proximity of the Blues and the Wolfpack should create a natural rivalry.

“The American Arena League (AAL) is a professional arena football league focused on delivering competitive play, community connection, and high-energy sports entertainment,” according to the league’s website.

The Blues and Wolfpack will play in the league’s West Division along with three teams from Texas and the Tri-City Horsemen out of Kearney, Nebraska.

With the christening of two arena teams in the Memphis area, a trivia contest will be to try and name all of the different franchises that have called the area home.

Maniax

Hound Dogs

Showboats

Mad Dogs

Xplorers

Rockers. (Was there a Rim Rockers?)

And a lot more. - Suburbs editor Clay Bailey

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