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Otis Sanford

  • Otis Sanford
  • Dan Conaway
  • Guest Columnists
  • Chris Herrington
  • Letters to the Editor
Otis Sanford

Sanford: It’s crunch time in mayor’s race. But interest is far outpacing turnout.

“This is a crucial election. And it’s important that voters get it right. It’s also important that turnout starts to match the interest. So undecided voters, make up your mind.”

By Otis Sanford September 28, 2023
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Sanford: It’s up to city voters, including younger ones, to boost election turnout

“Memphis is at a critical juncture. We cannot afford to continue the stagnation. We cannot continue allowing crime, poverty and low educational achievement to define this city.”

By Otis Sanford September 14, 2023
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Sanford: As campaign reaches end run, mayoral candidates owe voters answers

Each of the seven serious contenders for Memphis’ next mayor owe voters answers to important, and different, questions about their pasts. 

By Otis Sanford August 24, 2023
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Sanford: With Herenton on the mayoral ballot, voters must ask, ‘Would we? Should we?’

“I consider the former mayor, who was elected five times, the most pivotal player in this year’s election for a couple of reasons.”

By Otis Sanford August 10, 2023

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    Sanford: Revising the brutal history of slavery is not a winning campaign message

    “Young people must be told the truth about our history — not shielded from it because it makes adults uncomfortable.” 

    By Otis Sanford July 27, 2023
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    Sanford: Despite personal opposition, Mulroy makes right call on death penalty cases

    “There is a legitimate public policy debate to be had over the appropriateness of the death penalty. It seems clear that since the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in the U.S. in 1976, it has not been a deterrent to murder. And opposition to it transcends political party lines.”

    By Otis Sanford July 13, 2023
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    Sanford: Looks aside, good food and great people made CK’s Coffee Shop special

    “My love of CK’s was about the people, the regulars, who showed up like clockwork every morning and became an informal coffee klatch to talk sports — mainly pro football — and politics, or to share the latest gossip.”

    By Otis Sanford June 22, 2023
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    Sanford: In Motor City vs. Bluff City, the real challenge is to make both places better

    “If we want to really make a difference for everyone in our city, we will keep working to reduce crime, improve education and strengthen families.”

    By Otis Sanford June 08, 2023
  • Premium Otis Sanford

    Sanford: The court battle is over, but more pressing residency issues in mayor’s race remain

    “Whether the residency issue continues to dog Van Turner and Floyd Bonner Jr. in the court of public opinion remains to be seen. But both have legitimate responses about their time living outside the city.”

    By Otis Sanford May 25, 2023
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    Sanford: If only Clarence Thomas had the integrity of Memphis’ Abe Fortas

    “Republicans, through dirty dealing and hypocrisy, have managed to pack the Supreme Court with a 6-3 ultraconservative majority that is having a profound and negative impact on the lives of Americans.”

    By Otis Sanford May 11, 2023
  • Premium Otis Sanford

    Sanford: We still don’t know who can run for Memphis mayor, and city hall is not helping

    “With incumbent Jim Strickland forced to leave office at the end of the year because of term limits, the field is wide open for anyone who can make the best case for why she or he is the most qualified and most electable candidate.”

    By Otis Sanford April 27, 2023
  • Premium Otis Sanford

    Sanford: Memo to state House Republicans: Political dynasties don’t last forever

    Given the activism that is being whipped up among younger voters and others who believe there should be some limits to gun rights, the Tennessee 3 incident could be the turning point away from GOP super-dominance in Tennessee.

    By Otis Sanford April 11, 2023
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    Sanford: Chapman’s retirement a reminder of his enormous impact on public safety

    Buddy Chapman, 83, is calling it all quits. He will step down as the leader and face of CrimeStoppers effective April 1.

    By Otis Sanford March 23, 2023
  • Premium Otis Sanford

    Sanford: This heartbroken Ja Morant fan is hopeful for an all-star comeback

    Memphis needs a feel-good story, a redemption story, of overcoming stumbles, our pain and our negative national image. We need Ja Morant to bring his moves back to the Grindhouse soon and break ankles — not hearts.

    By Otis Sanford March 09, 2023
  • Premium Otis Sanford

    Sanford: Deadly violence by an out-of-towner only adds to our city’s woes

    “Let’s pay tribute to one of the good ones who, by losing his life, reminded us again how dangerous policing can be.”

    By Otis Sanford February 23, 2023
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    Sanford: Service for Tyre Nichols drives home need for meaningful police reform

    During the Tyre Nichols funeral, the forceful messages from the pulpit and soul-stirring music from the choir celebrated Nichols’ life, but the service also became a spark for a renewed call for police reform — locally and nationally.

    By Otis Sanford February 03, 2023
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    Sanford: Family of Tyre Nichols deserves justice for a fun-loving son

    Memphians, who already feel beleaguered by violent crime that at times seems out of control, must now come to grips with the fact that elements within the police department — however small — are partakers of criminal violence themselves.

    By Otis Sanford February 02, 2023
  • Otis Sanford

    District 86 election marked by generational divide: The TikTok era vs. the Walkman age

    Voters who show up for the District 86 race could serve as a bellwether for whether Memphians are ready to elect a new generation of political leaders or if they are content to stick with familiar names who have been around local politics and government for decades.

    By Otis Sanford January 13, 2023
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    Sanford: Litterbugs are hurting our legacy as a beautiful city

    For the sake of all of us who believe cleanliness is indeed next to godliness, let’s make a commitment in the new year to support the cleanup efforts in Memphis.

    By Otis Sanford December 21, 2022
  • Premium Otis Sanford

    Sanford: Legal argument aside, the link between an unsolved rape and Eliza Fletcher’s murder is clear

    Barring some technicality in the law, there is nothing complicated about whether there is a link between Alicia Franklin’s rape and Eliza Fletcher’s murder.

    By Otis Sanford December 15, 2022
  • Premium Otis Sanford

    Sanford: My journalism class studied the Supreme Court. The findings are not pretty

    “Far too many college students — and older adults, for that matter — know little, if anything, about the Court, its history, its unfettered power, who’s on it and how they got there.”

    By Otis Sanford December 09, 2022
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    Sanford: My big brother Louis’ courage, influence and love will never be forgotten

    “Louis had such a dominant influence on my life – perhaps even more than my parents. And I always wanted to be just like him.”

    By Otis Sanford December 01, 2022
  • Premium Otis Sanford

    Sanford: Renaming VA Medical Center for Luke Weathers appropriate honor

    “And there is no Memphian, past or present, more deserving of the recognition. Weathers’ story is one of resilience, courage, perseverance and heroism.”

    By Otis Sanford November 17, 2022
  • Otis Sanford

    Sanford: Two words best describe Lee’s impressive reelection victory — BlueOval City

    In Tennessee, it was GOP business as usual following Tuesday’s midterm election. The legislature remains under total control by Republicans and Gov. Bill Lee cruised to reelection without breaking a sweat.

    By Otis Sanford November 11, 2022
  • Otis Sanford

    Sanford: If colleges can consider family legacy in admissions, why not race?

    Diversity in many forms should be a compelling societal interest. And race should be one of several factors used in making hiring decisions.

    By Otis Sanford November 03, 2022
  • Otis Sanford

    Sanford: Brent Taylor’s ‘radical left’ ad belies his reputation as a conciliator

    “With all that cash and goodwill going for him, Taylor could easily take the high road, the 100% positive road, to a smooth Election Day victory.”

    By Otis Sanford October 28, 2022
  • Otis Sanford

    Sanford: With reelection all but assured, is higher office possible for Gov. Lee?

    Recent speculation has focused on Gov. Bill Lee being a possible national candidate for elected office in the future — if not in 2024, then in 2028.

    By Otis Sanford October 20, 2022
  • Otis Sanford

    Sanford: GOP leaders pushing hard for ‘right to work’ amendment, but are unions really that bad?

    “I’ve witnessed shameless corporate greed and blatant union nepotism. And on balance, I believe the positives of organized labor outweigh the negatives.”

    By Otis Sanford October 14, 2022
  • Otis Sanford

    Sanford: Capitol rioter from Millington isn’t only one conned by persuader-in-chief

    “At least Sandlin and others who stormed the Capitol are now admitting their wrongs and are facing the consequences. I’m still waiting for the deniers holding elected office to come to their senses.”

    By Otis Sanford October 06, 2022

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