Sometimes Good Guys Do Finish First



















City Councilman Elect Bill Morrison

Well the 2007 City of Memphis Election is all over. Soon the yard signs will make their way to the trash cans; campaign buttons, shirts and hats will be boxed away; and all the campaign rhetoric will become nothing more than a distant echo.

This was the first time I had ever run for political office. I can tell you I received a four-year college degree for sure, and it cost me about that much as well. But I would not trade it for anything. I have a much better understanding of how our system works or doesn’t work in some cases. I had the opportunity to meet many new people and form new friendships. I was able to walk up and down the many streets of District 6, knock on doors and spend time with these wonderful residents. No, I have no regrets. To the many supporters, friends, and well wishers I sincerely thank you. I can never fully repay your kindness.

After recuperating from my own race for City Council I turned my attention to helping a couple of other candidates who were vying for public office. One of those candidates was Bill Morrison. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill some time back at a dinner function. I was immediately impressed with his passion. He showed a clear understanding of many of the issues facing this City. Bill won me over that very day. Now don’t get me wrong I like Stephanie Gatewood. She has been doing a fine job on the School Board and that is where I feel her talents can best serve our City.

At Bill’s victory party, showing what a good guy he is, he was busy trying to make sure everyone else was having a good time. I had to pull him aside and tell him to stop and enjoy the moment for himself. I truly feel he will make a wonderful addition to our City Council.

In my District, Mr. Ed Ford, Jr. showed the Ford name still carries some weight in this City. As I said earlier I felt Mr. Ford was an affable individual, but I thought he lacked the experience needed to address the serious issues facing District 6, but the voters felt otherwise. I truly wish him only the best, if for no other reason, if he is not the best our community will suffer. Mr. Ford has been given a great opportunity. I now expect him to devote the time, energy and commitment necessary to moving our community and City forward. If he can do this he will have no problem from me.

To those candidates who put themselves out for public display and lost. I know the defeat can be painful. You worked so hard and you gave so much. At times it may not seem fair or you may even question your sanity for even running and the pain, like an open wound, may seem unbearable. It is important to remember that this wound will heal with time. And take to heart what F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” To all the Candidates, good job!”

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mr. Milton you came to my door during the campaign. You spoke nice then as you do now. I think you would have made a very good city councilman. I did vote for you. After you lost. I voted for Ford. I don't have the education to keep up with what our elected people do. We need people like you to keep watching them. So stay on top of them and you run again and I'll vote for you again.

Anonymous said...

This new Council will need to focus on getting more resources into the poor communities. They need to support agencies working in these areas. That is the only way we are going to stop crime, and improve education.

Anonymous said...

I have known Bill for years. He is a smart and good man. He will serve ALL of Memphis. This is a great day!!!

Anonymous said...

Yea, Brian Stephens was really working hard. If there was an award for the candidate that knocked on the most doors Brian would win hands down.

Here is how I see it. Bill Boyd paid his dues and everyone supported him for that. It's like getting the Oscar for Lifelong Achievement. But everybody I talked with agreed Brian has a bright future.

Boyd will do his four years and in 2011 (God, I know this sounds like a long way off) Brian will win hands down. Brian is still young he can wait.

Anonymous said...

Go Bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Crime, school system, and filth are the three reasons my family and I left Memphis. I love Memphis. I lived most of my life there, but when you are the Crime Capital, Bankruptcy Capital, Poor Health Capital and, and... What else could we do? I am not pleased with the selection of people for City Hall and City Council. I don’t see a positive change, and I don’t see me bringing my family back anytime soon.

Anonymous said...

Well Bill Morrison may be nice but he better be tough because these people play for keeps. He better find as many allies in this City as he can.

Anonymous said...

1:12 PM

Bill is tough and he will take a real stand on issues. You'll see. He will work to help bring more support to neighborhood groups and get City Council more involved in the community.

Anonymous said...

mr. milton did bill appreciate your support. i no that a lot of times people will ask for help and then don't care after they win. that let you know what type of people thy are.

Reginald Milton said...

6:13 AM

Yes Bill was very gracious. I have no doubts or reservations about his passion or commitment. He will make a fine City Councilman.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Reginald Milton I am interested in the other candidates you endorsed. I followed your progress in the City Council race and felt you were cheated. I respect your view.

Reginald Milton said...

To 10:01 AM

Thank you, but let me state that it is my firm belief that it is the job of the candidate to get his or her message out to the public. At the end of the day, money, credentials, endorsements, and qualification is meaningless if you have not gotten that message to the voters. I might agree that there were deceptive things done in the race but at the end I and I alone am responsible for the outcome of my race.

The public voted for Mr. Ford, Jr. and I feel he ran a fair race. I congratulate him on his victory and ask the public to support our new District 6 Councilman.

Now to the other candidates I endorsed. In the run-off I supported in District 1 Bill Morrison; District 2 Brian Stephens and in District 3 Harold Collins. In the general race I enthusiastically, endorsed Myron Lowery who has without question exemplified the highest level of professionalism I have ever witnessed on City Council. I supported these individuals because I felt these men symbolized the qualities needed to represent us on City Council.

It is important to understand that the City Council race is a nonpartisan race. In other words these candidates do not represent any political party. Hence my decisions are based solely on qualification. In those races where political affiliation is expressed, make no mistake, unless there is an egregious situation, I will side with the Democratic candidate always. I am a proud Democrat and always support my party.

Anonymous said...

I don't see a democratic party. All I see are a bunch of opportunist who would sell their mothers for a political office. You Mr. Milton are loyal to an idea that most of your democratic colleagues have no idea what the word means.

Reginald Milton said...

To 10:40 PM

You said, "You Mr. Milton are loyal to an idea that most of your democratic colleagues have no idea what the word means."

I know it can seem that way but I must believe that the majority of our politicians wake up every morning hoping to do the very best for our City.

The problem is that all too often they become isolated in office. They don't see the average citizen. The public become nothing more than an equation. "We need to cut service to 46% of this group." "If we close this building only 8% of the workers will be laid off."

It is imperative that elected officials come from behind their desks and interact more with the public. I fear we elect too many administrators and not enough civic minded individuals.

Anonymous said...

Good luck Bill. Don't let them corrupt you!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Milton I hope you don't delete my comments again. I know why you did it. I was a bit hostile when talking about the new City Council, but I am so mad! I will rephrase my comments and try to be a little more professional.

My concern is that the City of Memphis, especially those in Whitehaven, South Memphis and Westwood had a chance to really put some professionals on City Council that could have addressed the MASSIVE problems facing our community. As a black women who lives in Whitehaven I am angry at people like Ricky Peete and Ed Ford who have used their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of our community. Understand when a politician sells their vote he/she is not representing your best interest. If that business has to pay the politician to allow him/her to do something then more than likely it is something that will not be in the best interest of our City! If it was in our best interest there would have been no reason to pay the politician off in the first place! Ok, let me calm down I'm getting angry again.

But how could we elect people like Janis Fullilove, Joe Brown, Ed Ford, Jr., and Wanda Halbert. Dear God these people will not move our community forward but backwards!!!!!

In my last comment, the one you deleted, I went into detail about how I think these PEOPLE do not deserve to sit on City Council. I fear our communities will continue to slide down hill as long as we have uneducated people going to the polls and voting these PEOPLE in office. I will stop now before I have a stroke!

Reginald Milton said...

To 8:40 A.M.

I remember your earlier comment that I had to delete. Let me first state that I do not enjoy by any means deleting comments posted on my site, but I decided from the beginning what type of blog I wanted and that is a blog focusing on solutions, education and finding the positive aspects of our City. I will not allow gossip, slander, flaming, racism or self promotion to litter my site. If that is what you are looking for there are other sites for that. I have to delete dozens of comments each day. If I allowed all the comments that are posted here at this site stay the number of posts would triple! But to me the most important thing is creating an environment that motivates change, not propagate hate.

Now as I have said several times before I have moved on. The election is over. THE VOTERS SPOKE AND I LOST. Now that does not mean we can not address problems in our voting process, but to sit here and just attack our newly elected officials even before they have had a chance to demonstrate their talents is to me unfair. The reason I deleted your earlier post 8:40 A.M. was because you were stating that you had first hand knowledge of unethical acts commented by several of these elected people. Now if you have proof of something that is illegal then by all means please send it to me. If it checks out I will consider posting it, but to just make allegations of criminal acts without proof is slander pure and simple.

I will agree we need to do a far better job of educating voters. It is critical that voters understand it is their duty to do their homework and research these candidates and make thoughtful choices.

To all of you, it is important that whatever I put on this site is based on facts. When you see a comment on this site I want you to feel confident that it has gone through at least some basic process of verification.

I welcome your comments and please feel free to send me any information that you feel is important for the public to know and I promise to look into it.

And 8:40 A.M. you watch your blood pressure, ok. Thanks for your comments.

Anonymous said...

Anyone who gets so upset until they nearly have a stroke expesssing themselves, has a serious problem. This person is upset with themselves only. No other person's actions caused medical conditions another. Come on, get real.