City residents pipe up with questions at town hall meeting

We're still at Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery's town hall meeting, and residents are now asking questions of division directors.

The audio isn't terribly good and it's hard to hear all of the citizen questions. But one resident has asked whether it was a goal of the City Council to decrease the city's tax rate in accordance with increases in the county's rate.

Lowery said that's a goal of the entire city government.

"We are working toward efficiency in government by combining some services," Lowery said, adding that he's looking into merging the city and county fire departments.

"We are going to work together for everyone in this area," he said.

Another resident from Frayser has asked about whether the city had plans to pave its streets.

Dwan Gilliom, the city's public works director, said the city is receiving stimulus money this year, meaning $33 million will be spent on street paving in fiscal year 2010.

"I don't know how many streets in Frayser will receive resurfacing, but if you can give me the names of some streets, I will look at the paving list," Gilliom said.

A University of Memphis student said the Memphis Area Transit Authority does not provide enough bus service to his area. He's asking if MATA will add more routes for later in the evening.

MATA general manager Will Hudson said a MATA board meeting on Aug. 24 will discuss adding and changing routes. He encouraged the student to come.

Another resident is wondering if the city is working with Elvis Presley Enterprises to clean up the area surrounding Graceland.

Lowery said the city is looking at infrastructure improvements in that area.

A resident has also asked whether there were plans to improve the vacant Sears Roebuck building in Midtown.

Lowery said the building has been purchased by a private investor. "He is looking to make needed improvements," he said. "We can't announce that right now but I can tell you that it's under way."

Following questions, residents will be ushered into the Hall of Mayors where they can ask specific questions of division directors. Tours are also starting to the mayor's office on the seventh floor and the council offices on the fifth floor.