A.C. Wharton is now the new Mayor of Memphis, Tennessee. I was watching the news when the election results were announced and I saw how happy all of his supporters were. All of them seemed to be very excited about the results and were very proud to show their support for Mr . Wharton. The one question I would have liked to ask his supporters was, "What is your view on consolidation?" You see it is very obvious by his campaign logo (One Memphis) that he sincerely believes in consolidation. No more Shelby County Government, only Memphis City Government. Consolidation would elimate two public school systems, two fire departments, two mayors, two different councils, two police forces and supposedly make our great city equal in all aspects. The City of Memphis would like better public schools, but Shelby County does not want Memphis' crime. For some reason whenever the issue of consolidation is addresses on television it seems to be white v. black.
This leads me to believe that regardless of the transparency that Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery claimed he brought to the Mayor's office, we are still a city divided. The City of Memphis would very much like to share the cost of everything with the county. The City of Memphis is more concerned with the monetary aspect. Then there are the people I see on television being interviewed from Shelby County. They comment on the fact that if consolidation happens their schools will deteriorate and the crime rate will raise. For some reason all of the people interviewed for the County are white and those for the City are a mixture. Also, those who are interviewed for the County seem to have a chip on their shoulder. Those who are interviewed for the City seem to be more laid back, or shall I say "Hospitable."
I am not quite sure what Mayor A.C. Wharton has in store for the City of Memphis and only time will tell. I only hope that he can end this Shelby Residents v. Memphis Residents and bring us together as "One Memphis."
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