Memphis City Council Election Guide for Oct. 6, 2011

Today is election day in Memphis. TEP PAC is proud to endorse in every competitive race for Memphis City Council elections. 

We urge you to support the following candidates to create a pro-equality consensus on the Memphis City Council. Pools are open until 7 PM today.

Districts

1. Kendrick Sneed

2. Sylvia Cox
3. No endorsement

4. Wanda Halbert

5. Jim Strickland
6. Edmund Ford, Jr.

7. Lee Harris

Superdistricts

8-1. Tammy Warren

8-2. Janis Fullilove
8-3. Myron Lowery

9-1. Paul Shaffer

9-2. Shea Flinn
9-3. No endorsement

All of the above candidates in italics are incumbents and they voted pro-equality in the last term. Council members Harold Collins (3), Jim Strickland (5), Myron Lowery (8-3) and Reid Hedgepeth (9-3) face no opponents in the October 6 election.

Additionally, TEP PAC recognizes the follow candidates as equality advocates: Scott Banbury (7), David Vinciarelli (7) and Rosalyn Nichols (8-2).

TEP PAC is a state political action committee registered in Tennessee, Joyce Peacock, treasurer. The endorsements of TEP PAC do not necessarily represent the views of the board of the Tennessee Equality Project. 

Pastor Steve Gaines leads attack against working people in Memphis City Elections

In a special email alert sent Tuesday of this week, Bellevue Baptist Church called on members to vote against equality and fairness in the current City of Memphis elections scheduled for October 6, 2011. The church mentioned the Tennessee Equality Project's Political Action Committee specifically in the email and on its blog:

It's shocking to learn that Pastor Steve Gaines called upon his flock to vote for Memphis City Council candidates who support a "pro-family" agenda. Pastor Gaines is the same man who secretlyprotected a confessed child molester on Bellevue's clergy staff for over 6 months; the same man who allowed this child abuser to counsel others who worked with children; The same man who allowed a sexual predator to counsel victims of child sexual abuse. What qualifies Pastor Gaines to say anything meaningful about family values when he places victims of abuse and children in his own church at risk?

The link provided in the message leads to the Family Action Council of Tennessee's website listing of "pro-family" candidates to support for Memphis City Council. Pastor Gaines is using his bully pulpit to attack law abiding people who simply want the right to make a living in Memphis. He's also using his Bible and church to prop up his personal bias and bigotry against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Gaines lives outside Memphis city limits yet believes he should determine the fate of city elections.

How firmly does Pastor Steve Gaines pull the strings of Councilors Morrison, Boyd, and Conrad? How "pro-family" or pro-worker can these candidates be if Pastor Gaines is calling the shots from his pulpit? Surely the good people in the pews at Bellevue Baptist Church and the people of Memphis deserve guidance from better men than this.

Truly pro-family voters will be voting for candidates who support the right of all people to earn a living, provide for their families and contribute to their communities without fear of unfair workplace discrimination. Voters can be proud to cast their vote in District 1, District 2, and Superdistrict 9-1 for pro-equality and pro-family candidates endorsed by TEP PAC: Kendrick Sneed, Sylvia Cox and Paul Schaffer. They aren't likely to succumb to a false prophet like Steve Gaines.

Learn about the other equality advocates endorsed by TEP PAC here.

- Jonathan Cole

TEP PAC is a state political action committee registered in Tennessee, Joyce Peacock, treasurer. The endorsements of TEP PAC do not necessarily represent the views of the board of the Tennessee Equality Project. 

TEP PAC Meet & Greet and Straw Poll a success!

A C Wharton won last night's TEP PAC Straw Poll

I wish you could have all been there.  We had a great happy hour meeting new advocates as well as the candidates running for Memphis City Council in the upcoming election.  It was a relaxing atmosphere in which to discuss equality issues, our concerns, and our hopes with people who will have the power to make a difference.  TEP PAC endorsed candidates attending last evening's soiree included Councilman Myron Lowery, Councilman Jim Strickland, Councilwoman Janis Fullilove, and candidates Paul Shaffer, Lee Harris, and Sylvia Cox.  Getting to talk to these candidates in this informal setting was a unique opportunity, and we appreciate their attendance.

Mayor AC Wharton won the straw poll in a landslide.  In fact, the only vote cast other than for Mayor Wharton went to Prince Mongo, the perennial mayoral candidate.  We congratulate Mayor Wharton, and we thank those who cast their vote in the poll.

The election is already upon us.  Early voting begins September 16 and election day on October 6.  Make your plans to vote and let your voice be heard.  For your benefit,  I've reposted the PAC's election guide.

Thanks to everyone who helped last night, and thank you especially to the Hi-Tone Café for hosting the event.

-          Anne Gullick, TEP Board member and Shelby County Committee Co-Chair

A chorus of endorsements for Paul Shaffer

The endorsements for Paul Shaffer to fill the Super District 9 Position 1 seat on the Memphis City Council vacated by Scott McCormick are piling up.

The editorial board of the Commercial Appeal, Congressman Steve Cohen, and Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton join TEP-PAC in recommending him to voters.

FUNDRAISER UPDATE FROM THE SHAFFER CAMPAIGN:

Paul Shaffer for City Council
1899 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis, TN. 38104

October 10, 2008

Dear Friend,

On Tuesday, October 21st from 5:00- 7:30, we are hosting a fundraiser reception for Paul Shaffer, candidate for Memphis City Council, At-Large, District 9-1 at Just for Lunch, 3092 Poplar (Chickasaw Oaks Plaza-just east of the Memphis Public Library). We hope you will attend, and contribute $100, or more (made payable to Paul Shaffer for City Council). You can also mail your check to Paul Shaffer, 1899 Jefferson, Memphis 38104.

Many of you may know Paul as the business manager of the IBEW Local 474 where he oversees over two million dollars in revenue annually. As the business manager, Paul has broad experience in the functions of government, as well as private industry. He has worked to bring jobs, train workers, negotiate and build consensus on economic and other issues with both labor and business leaders and elected officials. As a Memphis City Councilman, he will work to bring more major industry to Memphis.

Paul has been married for 36 years to Madaline Crossley Shaffer. He advocates for better public schools, and his three (now adult) children all graduated from the Memphis City Schools (White Station). Paul supports neighborhood revitalization, and has lived in different areas of the city. He has taught Sunday school and been a youth group leader for the United Methodist Church.

Paul volunteered his services as an electrician for the needy, and helped Habitat for Humanity, and MIFA Meals on Wheels. He is a member in the Wolf River Conservancy. Paul served as a scoutmaster for the boys scouts, and was honored with the George Meany Scouting Award and the Kiwanis Club Joe Fuso Youth Service Award.

We hope you will join us in supporting Paul Shaffer, who has a proven track record of building coalitions to make Memphis better.

David Cocke
Carol Chumney
Commissioner Steve Mulroy
Regina Morrison Newman
Former State Rep. Mary Wilder
David Upton
Dr. Joe & Midge Weinberg

TEP PAC endorses Paul Shaffer for Memphis City Council Super District 9, Position 1

TEP PAC has endorsed Paul Shaffer for Memphis City Council Super District 9, Position 1. The winner of this special election will finish the term of Scott McCormick who resigned in late summer.

Mr. Shaffer will be a strong equality advocate on the Council. TEP PAC urges you to cast your vote for him if you live in his district.

If you would like to make a contribution to Mr. Shaffer's campaign or volunteer, go to http://www.shafferformemphis.com/ . Let's work together to put another friend of our community on the Council so we can get closer to passing a nondiscrimination ordinance.

TEP PAC is a registered political action committee in Tennessee. Joyce Peacock, treasurer. The endorsements of TEP PAC do not necessarily reflect the views of the board of the Tennessee Equality Project.