County Ethics Commission reactivation dies quick, quiet death
Commissioner Michael Whaley withdrew an ordinance that would have downsized the Ethics Commission in order to get the group to meet — something it hasn’t done in years.
Topic: Michael Whaley
RSSThere are 63 article(s) tagged Michael Whaley:
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May 2025
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Noisy debate doesn’t deter County Commission from ethics vote
The vote brought to the surface deep differences the body has with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, and one commissioner brought a plastic bag filled with house shoes.
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County Commission to vote on putting all MSCS seats on ballot
The ordinance is possible because of a state law passed in the Tennessee Legislature this year that enabled local legislative bodies to do that in Shelby and Knox counties.
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County ethics proposals could face ‘can of Raid’ and ‘house shoes’
Two ethics proposals return to the Shelby County Commission Monday. County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., who faces criminal charges himself, is accusing others of wrongdoing.
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March 2025
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County Commission may attempt to block state schools takeover
“If we do nothing then we are really leaving ourselves at the will of the state,” said Commissioner Shante Avant.
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For years, Mayor has tried to appoint new members to ethics board. County Commission hasn’t taken a single vote
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has produced six letters, going back to April 2021, in which he asked the County Commission to vote on new ethics board members.
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County Commission will continue giving grants, despite federal bribery case
A proposed one-month moratorium on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners’ grant program was voted down, but the commission may change how grants are made. There could also changes to the ethics board.
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County Commission has little appetite for giving itself a raise
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County Commission to mull grants moratorium, other ethics moves
The possible freeze, which follows the indictment of Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. on bribery and tax evasion charges linked to grants, is one of the items on the March 17 agenda.
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Commissioners weigh moratorium on program at heart of Ford indictment
The grant program that allots each county commissioner $200,000 is at the heart of federal bribery and tax-evasion charges against Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr.
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Inside proposed ethics changes for Shelby County government
The proposals include ballot questions for voters countywide in 2026 and an attempt to bring to life the dormant Shelby County Ethics Commission — or abolish it.
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Ford indictment spotlights County Commission ethics guidelines
There is no provision for removing a Shelby County commissioner facing criminal charges, but there is a push to strengthen the ethics commission’s role, Chairman Michael Whaley said.
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January 2025
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‘Let’s get our school system in order,’ county commissioner says
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners is moving toward creating a “governance plan,” which would set goals for both the elected school board and Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins.
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December 2024
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County Commission retreat gets at what makes it tick — and what makes it go off
The Shelby County Commission met for a retreat where the aim was to get at the working relationship among the body of 13. That relationship has been rocky during the first half of the group’s four-year term.
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Shelby County Commission looks for smoother, swifter budget season
The rules discussed at a Saturday, Dec. 14, retreat at Shelby Farms Park include a budget subcommittee to hash out details of budget amendments.
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September 2024
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Sheriff asks for $15.5M for ‘emergency’ jail repairs
More than 630 jail doors as well as light fixtures, a walk-in freezer and access-control systems damaged in a power surge this past March are said to need to be repaired or replaced.
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August 2024
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Mental health center, pay raises move forward at County Commission, but not without friction
Commissioners approved a design contract for the proposed mental health center on a second vote. The commission also redistributed the 6% pay raise budgeted in June.
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County Commission leaders talk new schools, Regional One
The incoming and outgoing chairs of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners talked on “Behind The Headlines” about new Cordova and Frayser schools funding and rebuilding Regional One Health’s campus.
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County Commission to weigh reworked pay-raise proposal
The commission meeting also marks the last for Miska Clay Bibbs as chairwoman of the body. Michael Whaley becomes chairman next month.
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County Commission denies new ballot question for November
The final vote on the referendum allowing the County Commission to hire its own independent attorney failed by one vote.
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Political Roundup: What to look for election night, Chairman Whaley and November referendums
The vote totals in Thursday’s race for General Sessions Court clerk could be a larger political indicator than who is the next clerk. Also reaction from Cohen, Kustoff and Blackburn to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to D.C.
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July 2024
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Whaley selected as County Commission chair
The vote Monday, July 22, revealed some enduring gaps among the commission’s nine-vote Democratic majority.
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June 2024
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Sheriff keeps vacant positions, tax rate stays stable in approved county budget
At a meeting that stretched past 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the Shelby County Commission closed out its budget season with no property-tax hike and a 6% pay raise for county employees.
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March 2024
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Proposed U of M district wouldn’t lead to school takeovers, supporters pledge
But there are still some lingering concerns about the proposal, which would make the proposed University Schools district the 10th public school operator in Shelby County.
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May 2023
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County budget season hinges on property tax drop for wheel-tax deal
County Commission Budget Committee Chairman Michael Whaley talks about the proposed doubling of the county’s capital budget on The Daily Memphian’s “On The Record” podcast.
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March 2023
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Shelby County ‘green fleet’ goals will get more specific
As a final Shelby County Commission vote nears on a move toward a “greener” fleet of government vehicles, there are a lot of questions about the county administration’s timeline for meeting its goals.
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