Mayoral candidate Carol Chumney is calling on Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton to drop out of the Memphis mayor's race.
Chumney's campaign issued a press release this morning blasting Wharton for his lack of accomplishments during his seven years as county mayor.
"During Wharton's past seven years, we've seen no reduction in infant mortality; no results on consolidation of the city/county governments; no results on securing adequate funding for the Regional Medical Center," Chumney said. "Let's see some results from our County Mayor, before he tries to quit."
When reached by phone, Chumney said The Med, which has for years struggled to cover expenses, is the safety net for the community. To learn that it might have to shut down except for essential services is "really an emergency situation," she said.
"The county mayor under county charter is required to devote full time and attention to duties. By running for city mayor, he's not fulfilling his obligation under the county charter. Nor is he doing the job of making sure that The Regional Medical Center doors stay open for the public," Chumney said.
"I'm calling on him to get the job done that the people elected him to do before he tries to jump ship and abandon these citizens and seek another public position," she added.
Chumney is the second mayoral candidate to attack Wharton's record this week. On Wednesday candidate Charles Carpenter challenged Wharton to a one-on-one debate so the citizens could hear Wharton defend his record.
Wharton was not immediately available for comment.
Wow, I might actually agree w/ Chumney on something. A very hot place must be freezing.
I like Wharton, but seriously, what has he done as county mayor other than not make a spectacle of himself? I can't think of anything really. Can you?
The only candidate that seems to be talking any sense whatsoever is Jerry "The King" Lawler. Too bad he doesn't have much of a chance of winning.
this "what has he done" meme is hysterical. lets see carol point to some of her many accomplishments like creating shelby farms and the csx greenline, finding federal resources to deal with infant mortality, expanding head start, paying down the county debt, creating nationally recognized programs to deal with prisoner re-entry, etc etc.
carol is realizing just a smidge too late that she should have bowed out and kept her powder dry for the county mayor race. this is just pathetic.
Mayor Wharton's accomplishments are many.The work he has done for children is very accomplished. As a mother and educator of pre school children this is so important to me.
His work with the head start program has won him national recognition and an invitation to congress.He is the only politician to initiate an infant mortality program at the grass roots level. He advocated the free books program for every child in Shelby County from birth to 5 years.Maybe Carol should take a page out of respected Mayor Wharton's page and run a campaign that focuses on the issues and no mud slinging. I think of all of the Mayor's accomplishments his campaigning left the greatest impact on me and my children. A fine man and politician.
Does Chumney know how to do anything except badmouth people?
You never hear anything constructive or positive from this woman. She's constantly playing negative politics, calling people names and the other usual rightwing tactics.
Memphis has had all the badmouthing politicians we can stand, they've all been spending their time being negative they've had no time to do positive things for the city and people.
Sounds like Chumney knows who the front-runner is. She isn't calling out anyone else because they have no chance at winning....just like her. Wharton has done plenty for Shelby County, including not making a spectacle of himself.
First, Shelby Co. is in pretty good shape. It's the city that needs help. Second, Chumney wants AC to drop out because he is already a mayor. What does that even mean?
Under Chumney's logic, I should just watch my neighbor's house burn down if it is on fire because I really ought to stay home and watch the clothes in my drier tumble and make sure are dry before I go worrying about the problem next door. After all, my neighbor's home and safety is not currently my responsibility. Ridiculous.
Can you really say Wharton has done something for the children.When last I checked the Memphis City Government spends over half it's budget on the schools.
You people like attemps.The infant mortality rate has not dropped.When Carol was a city councilman she started a program with the police to stop people from leaving infants on daycare buses and in private cars.
The results speak for themselves,no infant deaths in vehicles in the hottest weather for more than two years.A.C. was mayor of the county and did nothing to address the problem.As a state representative she was Chair of the House Childrens & Family Affairs committee.She also passed child care reform.So,A.C. is
window dressing and his motor is stuck in neutral.Turn off the A.C. and elect Carol Chumney for Mayor.
Is Ms. Chumney serious? What has she done beside lose every election she's run for after her stint on the council? The only reason that we are aware of her candicy is due to her verbal attacks that are being directed to Mayor Wharton's camp.
Remember, she lost badly to Mayor Wharton in the County election and probably realizes that it will be just as bad this time around.
Do us a favor Carol, stick to "practicing" law.
Once again, instead of offering anything positive — like maybe outlining what SHE would do as mayor — Ms. Chumney instead puts all her energy in attempting to tear down another candidate.
She needs to quit the negative campaigning and focus on her plans for the city. Two campaigns and I've yet to hear one idea from this woman. We don't need another negative, divisive, whiner as mayor. We just got rid of one.
Out of all the Candidates, Mayor Wharton is most qualified with his experience as the County Mayor. He has done a great job with the County and I haven’t heard any County Tax payer complaints. His ideals and accomplishments have been better than any other candidate. All I have seen Carol Chumney do, is cause more conflict within the city council and with Mayor Herenton. I used to believe that Carol Chumney was an intelligent viable candidate until she started to retaliate against Mayor Herenton. You don’t join men in their antics, you beat them with professionalism and she stooped to his level.
Mayor Wharton has always been composed and his demeanor makes him the perfect person to make things happen for us. He has the ability to walk amongst any people and not lose his common touch. He is a role model for children and a true example of how to act. It takes support to make things happen in Memphis, he can’t do it alone, that is why I support him because he can bring the right people together to make it happen. The rest of the bridge burners and hyper politicians with their personal agendas should ALL step down.
A C Wharton has accomplished many concrete things in his role as County Mayor. Others have mentioned a few, and there are many more, as can be seen by any serious review of his record.
But, to me, the most important thing he has accomplished, and the reason he has my vote for City Mayor, is that he has on a day-to-day basis managed County government in a low-key, no-drama, efficient, effective and honest manner of which we can all be proud.
The fact is that the City Mayor position is far more important and powerful than the County Mayor position. We need our very best, proven leader in the City Mayor position at this critical time in the life of the City. We absolutely do NOT need another flame thrower with a track record of not getting along well with others.
Without an ability to build consensus, a Mayor cannot really accomplish anything. Mayor Herenton had many bold plans, but accomplished little because he could not build consensus. We don't need another self described "bold" leader of this variety.
A C has a talent for bringing the right people together and building consensus to effect real change without fanfare. Memphis has had enough drama; we need calm, mature, serious leadership.
My first experience with Carol Chumney was an unforgettable one. I was a student at CBU in the early 90s, she came over and made some promises concerning college grants. After the meeting, as a student I asked for specifics on some of these grants. All I got was the run-around. At that point I remember saying to myself "She's not credible". Mrs. Chumney people arent saying negative things about you for the sake of it. Your reputation and the way you behave create these opinions. Leave AC alone, we do not want another angry mayor. Please be constructive in your dialog. You are not going to win, so why not at least lose with some dignity and grace. Myron Lousy certainly will not, please do not go down the same path.
Chumley is accomplished at diverting her lack of accomplishments by pointing out the lack of accomplishments by her unaccomplished opponents. Why she singled out a sleepy old fart like AC is curious when she could have lumped all those powerhouse candidates together.
Bring back King Willie "Mugabe" Herenton!
Here's my issue with Carol (BTW I am not part of AC Wharton's campaign comment internet patrol team) - She needs to describe the problem and offer solutions. She has a very solid base, but it's hard to expand it with the same point and blame strategy. Good luck to all the candidates.