By Eleanor Boudreau
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkno/local-wkno-931879.mp3
Memphis, TN – In the lead up to next week's election civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton has traveled the country trying to bolster support for Democrats in tight races, but today Sharpton made an unusual stop in Memphis to speak out against a single ballot measure: consolidation.
On Beale Street, at the local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union, Sharpton addressed a room packed full of supporters and Democrats. Green flyers placed on each seat had the words "Vote AGAINST Consolidation" printed on the front, and the Democratic ballot ticket--starting with gubernatorial candidate Mike McWherter--printed on the back.
Sharpton says it is unfair that Memphis--the only majority African-American city in the county, and one of a very few in the nation--is the only city that would give up its charter under the merger. He told the room that merging Memphis and Shelby County will, inevitably, lead to a dilution of black power.
"If you're the only one putting up your charter, that's not consolidation that's co-option," Sharpton said.
Sharpton got a lot of applause from the room full of mostly African-Americans, but speaking out against consolidation also aligns Sharpton with white suburbanites. The mayors of Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, and Millington--cities which are all more than 70 percent white--have all spoken out against consolidation, too.
But not everyone is in agreement. Darrell Cobbins is Chairman of Rebuild Government which advocates for the metro charter. Cobbins says Memphians shouldn't worry about getting a say-so in a merged government and points out that on the proposed metro council 18 of 25 representatives will be from Memphis.
Cobbins thinks merging Memphis and Shelby County governments will streamline the process for companies considering relocating and bring more jobs to the area. He says there's one thing opponents of the charter are missing, "I've not heard any proposition of how we make things better."