City Councilman Edmund Ford Jr. is the newest member of Memphis Mayor-elect A C Wharton's transition team.
At Wharton's invitation, Ford, a Memphis City Schools Algebra teacher, replaces City Councilman Jim Strickland, who resigned from the team to serve on the charter commission tasked with drafting a charter for a consolidated metro government.
Wharton's staff said Herman Morris, who was sworn in as the new city attorney this week, is also off the transition team to devote full attention to his new job.
No word yet on who will serve as his replacement.
The full team will meet today at City Hall.
Edmund Ford Jr., is it like father, like son?
Looks like Wharton's not gonna' be any different than Willie.
Losing Strickland is a minus for Wharton and this city as far as coming up with some good changes.
It's a shame we can't hear some new names that are not political,names from the non political population. You know,ordinary, honest,hard working citizens who this government is supposed to be all about serving.
I'm slowly getting disappointed.
Why would the mayor want anything to do with any of the Ford family members who have not seperated themselves from the other members of the family. Birds of a kind flock together. I would think the mayor would be running as fast as he can from the Ford family. To taint his office before taking office with a Ford family member on the transition team seems to indicate nothing will change for the better in Memphis city government.
Has not the questionable behavior and criminal actions of some of the Ford family not been enough to keep a arms length away from them. Apparently not.
Perhaps I could be wrong and the Ford family should not be condemed for their past actions. But based on what has been reported in the media, I would personally believe there are other individuals in Memphis who could serve and not be a member of the Ford family. Yes, I am taking a broad brush associating all the Ford family together, but I am not aware of Edmund Jr condeming the actions of his family members who have been involved in unethical and illegal activity.
More of the same. What's A.C. Wharton going to change or improve?
Well, what do you expect? With such a pitiful turnout for this election, you get what you deserve. Shame on the 75% of the elecorate who chose not to exercise your voting privilege. People who are registered and do not vote, should not be allowed to vote for at least another 5 years. Voting should be mandatory. Memphis and Shelby County have early voting; they make it absolutely convenient for all voters and it is completely unacceptable for anyone not to vote. Half of the people who did NOT vote could have determined the next mayor. The election process and a democratic republic are truly wasted on these useless individuals. No matter what happens in this administration, DO NOT COMPLAIN. You chose this by your apathy. Can't for the life of me understand anyone not voting. Great men and women fought and died so that you could live in a free republic and decide your leaders. It is just SHAMEFUL. Wish I could be more eloquent, but that's the only thing I can come up with.
Edwin Fraud, Jr. is not a plus for Memphis.
Its funny how you guys are so quick to condemn someone just because of his last name. He's an Algebra teacher you guys, and besides his last name, that's all you know about him. Just because he's from the Ford family, doesn't automatically make him bad. People need to stop prejudging.
Well, Memphis... I guess you are getting what you asked for - more of the same old stuff. Edmund Ford Jr. has always been and will continue to be a total embarrassment with his obvious illiteracy and racial biases. Everytime he opens his stupid mouth I cringe. I was willing to give AC his chance, but this just shows what many of us were trying to say before the election - AC is just no better than Herenton except with better, milder manners. Thank goodness it is only for 2 years. Maybe this city will wake up next election...
Marvin Morgan,
I didn't pre-judge I looked at the way he's voted on the counciul and the statements he's made and who he has backed in other elections.n He's no different than his father and the rest of the Ford family save Harold Jr..
Geing an algebra teacher is no guarantee that he has sense and have you seen the grade scores of Memphis students lately?
Marvin Morgan,
I didn't pre-judge I looked at the way he's voted on the counciul and the statements he's made and who he has backed in other elections.n He's no different than his father and the rest of the Ford family save Harold Jr..
Being an algebra teacher is no guarantee that he has sense and have you seen the grade scores of Memphis students lately?
YOU SLEEP WITH DOGS YOU GET FLEAS.I REALLY THOUGHT THAT THE NEW MAYOR WOULD SURROUND HIMSELF WITH SOMEONE BESIDES WILLIE'S CRONIES.GOOSE
All the negative comments,
It is so interesting how people are quick to draw conclusions in the comments area. This is one reason why Memphis is looked upon as a city of negativity. After growing up here, living in other places like Atlanta, Dallas, Cincinnati and Nashville, I really do not understand why the people are so simple minded. This is truly translated in many of the posts in the CA. Get some exposure people and try to help make it better for the younger generations
Does my memory betray me or was Edmumd the one who shared notoriety with Joseph Lee over an unpaid utility bill?
I was pleased with the appointment of Herman Morris. Edmund Ford... not so much.
But, thank God I didn't let y'all's prejudice influence me when I bought my truck. It's a Ford, and I could go on and on about her fine traits.
Kev Jackson - wondering why so negative to so many posters, and you lived all over the place - every where but Memphis for a long period of time - what you don't know is that 99.99% of those named Ford have been total morons in office, flagrantly doing idiotic things, inciting racial issues, and generally being combative persons to deal with. The HISTORY is with the name, Kev, and that has been a proven track record, for all the years you have NOT lived in Memphis.
It's been rumored AC did a deal with WWH to NOT run against him in WWH's last Mayoral campaign and Herman Morris was running to split the vote. Had he NOT run (Herman) Carol MAY have won the last time. It was also rumored that AC would not run when folks held that "Draft AC" campaign. Is it a payback to Willie that AC is in now, and a payback to Herman for dividing the vote to ensure Carol did not win last time? As it is, more folks have gravitated to AC, thinking he is going to deliver "ONE MEMPHIS" but that could not be further from the truth. Here comes the predicted plot twists - number one was a Ford - who is in both the Herenton camp and now the AC camp. Memphis would have been better served if folks rallied behind Myron, and see what he could have done to actually HELP the city in the next two years. Now it will be the "same old, same old" only with a buffered temperment.
Yes, msspell, you are right about the Ford and Lee business. That's been confirmed also - not a rumor at all. Any takers on who the Shelby/Memphis/County/City Mayor will back in the Cohen/Herenton fight? That should be no surprise to anyone either when that comes up. Those who backed AC should have thought about that.
All that can really be said is: "Stay Tuned". There will certainly be way more to come that those who voted for AC will certainly NOT like.