An argument is brewing over whether Memphis chief administrative officer Keith McGee can keep his job without City Council approval.
But on Monday Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton said he'd like to keep McGee on his staff until his own resignation July 30.
Now City Councilman Shea Flinn (left) is saying because McGee has already resigned, keeping him on would actually be rehiring him. He said in order to keep working, McGee would have to follow procedure and, according to the city's charter, that means getting council approval.
"When you have a resignation that takes effect on July 4 and you try to revoke it on July 6, it's a day late and a dollar short," Flinn said.
City Atty. Elbert Jefferson said in a committee meeting earlier today that McGee wouldn't need to be formally rehired. He's expected to prepare an opinion on the matter.
City Councilwoman Janis Fullilove (left) agreed, speaking passionately on McGee's behalf during the discussion.
Fullilove later said she would be OK with formally approving McGee as CAO "out of respect for all of my colleagues. If that's what they want, then I think that should be the process."
Fullilove went on to say Herenton's fickleness, and all the confusion it's causing, doesn't bother her because "while people play checkers, he's playing chess."
She said he keeps people guessing and she wouldn't be surprised if he delays his July 30 resignation until August 30.
And while she said Herenton's antics might be costing him some credibility among some in the community, she remains unfazed.
"He's still my tall, cool drink of water," Fullilove said. "I still love him whatever he does."
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