How to improve our city... (Memphis, Central: homes, neighborhoods, schools)

[zoggie83]

I started a thread last September about trying to be positive about Memphis. There were about 20 replies to my comments, which wasn't as much as I had hoped for, but I want to go in a different direction with this thread. A few things have changed since then, and I want to get people thinking about what our city needs, instead of constantly bashing Memphis. A lot has changed since then and there are definitely issues that need to be addressed. Let's get the creative juices flowing...

I will start by applauding the vote that was passed limiting the Mayor's term. That was the best thing that could have happened for our city, and that's a positive!!! My only hope is that AC Wharton doesn't run for mayor...he will be the next "King of Memphis" if we vote him in. We need fresh blood after 18 years of poor leadership. Mr. Wharton is (in my humble opinion) not a far cry from Mr. Herenton.

With the national economy in a downward spiral, our local Memphis economy has become affected as well. Now is the time for City-County consolidation. It needs to be done for financial reasons, and the time is ripe. It's ridiculous to have two seperate school systems, fire/police, and basically two government positions at every level. Paying one set of property taxes to a smaller government (employment number-wise) would save our area money. More money could be spent on actual programs, as opposed to double salaries. And while on the subject, the entire metropolitan area needs to begin thinking in "regional terms." Look up Welcome to NCTCOG.org It's a regional consortium of governments in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Regional cooperation and planning is a big factor in the rapid growth in that area. Think what could be accomplished if all of the area's governments were working together in recruiting businesses to relocate here.

Our infrastructure is in need of a good reassessment. Our highway and street system needs to go in a different direction. This website illustrates how Memphis has become a very car oriented city Memphis's Most Walkable Neighborhoods - Walk Score Neighborhood Rankings -- we are ranked 35 out of 40. That makes for low sustainability, and a less vibrant city. I read a report that states that walkable neighborhoods help alleviate crime. If you know and speak with your neighbors, it does help! I think some of our 7 lane thoroughfares should be restriped for 5 lanes and allow for street parking OR dedicated bike lanes, and wider sidewalks. The speed limit should be reduced to 30 MPH inside the loop, with no execptions. This would promote traffic calming, and people parking their car, and taking a stroll. We also have WAY too many parking lots!

Also, how many years is MATA's light rail system in the making? Is that ever going to happen? What about the CSX line that's being made into this "bikeway?" Why not make a commuter rail similar to the line Nashville built? The right of way is in a wonderful location to do so. Cordova is a quickly growing suburban area that could use a few park and rides on that rail line that would go directly through East Memphis and Midtown, right into Central Station. One could get out and take the trolley further into downtown, or the Medical District pretty easily. There could also be bus lines that feed into and out of those future stations to help connect different places. If we built multiple LRT lines and a few commuter rail lines, not only would land values increase around the stations, but it would foster denser redevelopment of those areas. Rail is no longer a guess, but rather a proven redevelopment engine. Not to mention improvement of our air quality!

Crime. Always a big issue on Memphian's minds. I think the city is moving in the right direction now that they are allowing people from outside the city limits to apply to the force. More officers on the streets will definitely help matters. One thing I didn't like that I heard was one of the city council members complaining that Memphis wasn't hiring enough blacks on the force. Now I'm sorry, I don't care if you are green, yellow, purple, or red...if you want to sign up for the PD, it shouldn't matter what color you are. As long as we are signing up new officers, what does it matter? The police dept. has been begging for officers these past few years...I highly doubt that they have been turning anyone with a pulse away. These comments by our elected officials are exactly why people still believe that there are racial tensions in our city. Could it be that maybe there are fewer black applicants?? I think that may be the more likely reason.

Maybe our most important issue is our school system. I feel that consolidation of the two systems is needed to help cut down some of the extraneous costs. Of course you have some that live out in the county who don't want this to happen. We must ultimately realize that we need one system, and a damn good system, if we ever want our entire region to flourish. This is what will grow our minds of tomorrow. We need to maintain order in the classroom for starters...police need to present a larger presence in every school, and teachers need to be firm with their students. I definitely think that if students weren't cutting up in school, and weren't given opportunities to cause mischief, that would help to begin turning the entire system in the right direction. I also think that we need many more schools. There is overcrowding evident in both city and county schools. My idea would be to have more schools with fewer students...maybe in each of our area's neighborhoods. A school within walking distance of most homes (within reason). If a child is having trouble in a class of 40, they are less likely to get help from the teacher in a class of 15. Simple matter of ratio.

Phew... That was a very long-winded spill! I do apologize! But instead of everybody being so negative, why don't we come up with some good ideas that we need for the future direction of the city? This forum should become one of a positive nature, and should focus on civic improvement as opposed to just bad-mouthing everything. I would gladly give up my (much loved) job to run this city, but I certainly don't have the money to run a campain...I'm only 25. Most people who complain are unwilling to do the work to improve anything around them. Let's see what a little positive thinking can do.

Jake

[TN-rox]

Wharton has done well with the county, he isnt money and power-crazed like Herenton (yet). And he especially aint a crook like King Willie. He would be a, even if a small, step towards a better Memphis government. You cant wish for the perfect mayor, we have to start out small.

City-County consolidation is not the answer here. The bad will corrupt the good, and not even the county is growing now- the burden of the city will further depress the county. The city will bring the county down rather than the county bringing the city up, I mean, what does the city have thats better in what you stated? It aint the schools, it aint the government, it aint the police department- so what is Memphis going to contribute to the county?? Maybe there will be a little more money distribution in the entire area, but that will quickly go into the Memphis politicians' pockets since they now rule the county as well, just like it does in Memphis today. The county needs to consolidate with surrounding counties

Dont get me started on the MPD, they threw out the whole promotion test a few years back because there werent enough blacks who passed it. Theyre lowering the educational requirements now, to try and get more officers, but Id rather have a lesser amount of educated officers than a whole slew of dumb ones, "protecting" our city. A new chief will fix this, but that isnt happening in the near future.