Joyce Avery was sworn in this morning as Shelby County mayor, becoming the first woman ever to hold the mayor's title in Memphis or the county. But her time as acting mayor could be much shorter than the maximum 45 days allowed.
As soon as this afternoon's meeting, the County Commission could set a date to appoint an interim mayor who would serve until Sept. 1 of next year. And some commissioners want an early date, said Commissioner Steve Mulroy.
"There's a sense that the sooner we get an interim mayor, the better," he said. An interim mayor would have the ability to make real improvements, rather than serving as caretaker of the office, he said. "It's nothing against Joyce, obviously."
Democrats like Mulroy control the County Commission and will set the timing of the election as well as pick the interim mayor.
Avery, who stepped into the acting mayor's role automatically because of her status as County Commission chairwoman, is a Republican and is unlikely to win a majority of votes. The leading Democratic candidates are County Commissioners Joe Ford and J.W. Gibson II.
The process will also be open to outsiders who turn in resumes and do public interviews alongside Ford and Gibson.
Avery alluded to her short tenure in comments today, when she said, "I do not know if my role as acting mayor will be two weeks or two months."
She said her one goal is continuity and promised the community a steady hand in a time of transition.
With Memphis hater Charlie Perkins as one of Joyce Avery's key advisors, The Commission needs to get her out of the job ASAP.
Let's count how many posts are on here before some one says he was bad, at fault, a racist or got what he deserved... My bet is 5 or less....
I think it is funny to watch these politicos fall over each other and talk about how fast the process should be ... but when it comes to crime, education, and jobs we are moving backwards. Sad.