Lakeland strips vice mayor of title after ethics complaint
Wesley Wright participates in a Feb. 10, 2022, Lakeland Board of Commissioners meeting. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)
The Lakeland Board of Commissioners stripped Wesley Wright of his vice mayor’s title for violating city policy regarding a contract with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
The contract with the orchestra’s big band — for a performance at the city’s International Harvester Managerial Park — was executed prior to the Board of Commissioners considering the matter, thus without board approval. After removing the title from Wright during the Tuesday, June 18, meeting, the board considered the matter closed, not taking action on an ethics complaint filed by Commissioner Connie McCarter and her call for further investigation.
Wright recently decided not to run for reelection and insists this ethics situation played no part in his decision. He plans to continue with his work with the Lakeland Arts Council once his current term ends.
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Lakeland Board of Commissioners Commissioner Wesley Wright Memphis Symphony Orchestra Lakeland Arts Council Michele Dial Subscriber OnlyThank you for supporting local journalism.
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Michael Waddell
Michael Waddell is a native Memphian with more than 20 years of professional writing and editorial experience, working most recently with The Daily News and High Ground News.
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