MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The battle between early retirees from the city and Mayor A C Wharton’s administration has been ongoing.
The president of the Firefighters Union, Thomas Malone, told a council committee what is really at stake if benefits are cut.
“We are creating a poverty level for these pre-65 because they can’t afford their insurance,” he said.
Councilwoman Wanda Halbert got committee approval for a one-year hold on cutting pre-65 retiree health care.
“The city seems to be looking for an additional cost savings, and right now I think we need to put people’s lives before we look at a cost saving and just kick them off of their insurance with no options, very limited options,” she said.
The Council also got updates on sexual assault rape kit testing. Police said 7,187 kits out of 12,000 have been analyzed or they are at the lab.
Next month, a community meeting will target student groups.
“We are targeting college students, talk to them, address the community,” Memphis Police Chief Mike Ryall said. “Start a dialogue about what’s right and what’s not. No is no.”
The Memphis Zoo is on the Council’s radar for $250,000 in funding to help secure exhibits like the one from which Zimm the monkey escaped.
“The rear of the exhibit has large blocks that make it look like a block wall,” said Chuck Brady with the Memphis Zoo. “That monkey was able to put his fingers in the grout, move along the wall and get out. So we have covered that grout.”
Then there is the statute. On the third and final reading, the Council will decide if Nathan Bedford Forrest should stay or go. It still has to go before a State Historic Committee.
Early Tuesday, we found a one man protesting in front of city hall.
“It’s part of history, why remove it?” protestor Charles Coates said. “Try to learn from it instead.”
The Nathan Bedford Forrest issue is expected to be a big one before the Council.
WREG has a crew there for all the action and will bring it to you.
