Politics

Mayor Wharton to receive award

Submitted by Lyle Bontrager on Tuesday, September 4th, 5:50 am

Mayor A C Wharton is scheduled to receive special honors at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, the official opening day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Wharton will receive the Susan Burgess Memorial Award from the board of directors of the Democratic Municipal Officials. The award is given annually to “an outstanding Democratic Municipal Official committed to improving public education.”

For more information, click here.

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Women stage red tape protest against TN lawmaker

Submitted by Kontji Anthony, Action News 5 Anchor/Reporter

Saturday, July 28th, 2012, 4:29pm

(WMC-TV) - The race for one Tennessee House seat led to a silent demonstration in Cooper-Young Friday night.

State Representative Jeanne Richardson, who is running for the District 90 seat against fellow Representative John DeBerry, participated in a taped-mouth protest.

Protesters railed against DeBerry's support of what Richardson considers Tea Party conservative initiatives in the Tennessee House of Representatives, including an abstinence only bill.

"He's trying to take away a woman's right to the most basic thing about her: What she does with her body," criticized Richardson.

The women, including Memphis City Councilwoman Janis Fullilove and Arkansas' first openly gay State Representative Kathy Webb of Little Rock, stood on the Midtown Memphis street with tape over their mouths.

They said the tape represents how women's voices have been silenced by conservatives in the Legislature.

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Luttrell to hold one-on-one meetings with citizens

Submitted by Jeramia Trotter, WMCTV.com

Monday, June 25th, 2012, 3:17pm

Luttrell to hold one-on-one meetings with citizens

(WMC-TV) – Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell will meet one-on-one with his constituents to hear what their concerns.

The first sessions will take place in the mayor’s office on the 8th floor of the Vasco Smith Administration Building, 160 N. Main, on July 10, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.

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Shelby County mayor to give state of county address next week

Submitted by Danielle Wilburn on Wednesday, June 13th, 1:05 pm

(WMC-TV)- Mayor Mark Luttrell is preparing for the State of the County address Tuesday, June 19. The Shelby County mayor will speak at the University Club.

This Midtown Memphis club is one of the oldest private clubs in the Mid-South

Luttrell is scheduled to give his speech at noon.

Advance registration is required and the cost is $18 per person.

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Invisible Children's #StopKony

Submitted by Katie Hannings, Editor

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012, 10:27am

Trending in Memphis this morning is a powerful anti-child abduction campaign by the non-profit organization, Invisible Children. A video published Monday, March 5, 2012 titled Kony2012 is causing a stir. The 30 minute long documentary is a "film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice" says Invisible Children, Inc. Some groups accuse the organization of over-simplifying the problem.

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Planned Parenthood Supporters Meet with Congressman Steve Cohen

Submitted by Joan Carr, Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region

Thursday, March 1st, 2012, 3:05pm

Planned Parenthood Supporters Meet with Congressman Steve Cohen

On February 24, 2012, a group of Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis (PPGMR) supporters met with Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) at his district office in downtown Memphis to thank him for his stance on birth control access. Representative Cohen sent a letter to President Obama asking him to stand strong on HHS requirements guaranteeing coverage of birth control without copays.

The provision under the Affordable Care Act of 2010, means that employers are required to offer insurance that covers women's preventative health care at 100% without co-pays. Birth control is one of the preventive services covered under the provision, but women will also be guaranteed well woman exams, cancer screenings including screening mammograms, domestic violence screening and counseling and osteoporosis screenings for women over 60, all without co-pays.

PPGMR Board Member Katy Leopard checked her 7-year-old daughter, Nonie, out of school so that she could meet the Congressman.

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) with Nonie Leopard, daughter of Planned Parenthood board member Katy Leopard

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Public servants honored for marathon of caring

Submitted by Joe Birch, Anchor

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012, 5:20pm

Public servants honored for marathon of caring

Memphis City Councilman Myron Lowery received more nominations for the Bobby Dunavant Public Servant Award than any other honoree in the nine year history of the accolade. Rotary Club of Memphis East was besieged with recommendations from fellow council members, encouraging judges to name Lowery for the special recognition. The four time council chairman and former Memphis Mayor Pro Tem accepted the honor after a Rotary Luncheon at the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality Management at the University of Memphis. "My mother wanted me to be a minister, but I didn't want to do that, " Lowery said as his wife Mary Lowery stood by his side. "I wanted to help people in other ways, first as a reporter and now in public office, " the councilman said. Lowery devoted his early career to broadcast journalism at Action News 5 before running for City Council in the 1980s.