Shelby County Commissioner Terry Roland – who apparently has no ability to self-edit – has now suggested that his part of Shelby County should secede and become part of another county.
While we’re not quite sure why Tipton County would want the problems of Millington and Northern Shelby County to deal with, our immediate response to Mr. Roland’s idea is: “Please don’t let us get in your way.”
Almost every trend line in our community gets better if we can excise Millington from Shelby County.
Boycotting Paychecks
Mr. Roland also suggested that “county” residents (of course Memphians are county residents too) should boycott Memphis.
We can’t wait to see this in action. It will be the wake-up call that the anti-Memphis politicians of the suburbs need. After all, any self-respecting boycott of Memphis should include trips inside the city limits to work. Despite impassioned rhetoric suggesting that the towns can do without Memphis, the city remains the source for the vast majority of all jobs and economic activity in Shelby County. That’s why roughly 75% of every town’s workers leave their city to work every day.
Northern Shelby County has waited a long time to get a commissioner from its part of the county, and despite what Mr. Roland thinks, his brand of country-boy, anti-intellectual politics really doesn’t play so well in Eastern Shelby County. That’s one fact that escapes him as he continues his pandering to the tea partiers among us.
Down in Germantown and Collierville, the truth is that his shtick just doesn’t play as well.
Conflict of Interest
Mr. Roland asked the Shelby County Attorney’s Office to provide him with an opinion on how to break off pieces of Shelby County to become part of other counties. The request alone indicates his fundamental lack of understanding about government. The county attorney represents the interests of Shelby County, and it would be a conflict of interest for her to give him any legal opinion that is detrimental to her client.
More to the point, we recommend that another member of the Board of Commissioners requests the county attorney’s office to develop a legal plan of action to block any secessionist impulses. As we wrote recently, the county legal staff looked into this question more than two decades ago when some suburban firebrands called for the creation of Neshoba County. The county’s attorneys identified ways to block any such actions that Shelby County did not want.
State law prevents the establishment of a new county that is within 11 miles of the Courthouse, which gives rise to the prospects of Agricenter International being designated as the Courthouse and therefore leaving only Millington, Arlington, and Lakeland for a new county or to be moved into another county.
Here’s the Check
Despite the machinations that could be undertaken by Shelby County Government to prevent creation of a new county, it’s hard to see a groundswell for Mr. Roland’s idea.
Most of all, we suspect that any supporters are unaware that they don’t get a free pass on taxes that they are likely expecting. Tennessee law says the following: “The fractions taken from old counties to form new counties, or taken from one (1) county and added to another shall continue to be liable for their pro rata of all debts contracted by their respective counties prior to the separation…”
That’s one big reason we don’t think any counties will be lining up to take Mr. Roland up on his big idea.
Personally, I like Terry Roland and think it a serious mistake to confuse his “country-boy” demeanor for lack of intelligence. While I disagree with the notion that suburban communities could somehow maintain any quality of life without the amenities and services provided by the the taxpayers of Memphis, he is giving accurate voice to the sentiments of many, if not most of his constituents.
What we need is an honest discussion of consolidation issues, one that lays bare the fears, both real and imagined, of those opposed and recognizes valid concerns about the potential for corruption in a larger government body led by a “strong” mayor and a weak and/or complacent legislature. To be effective, such government would require diligent oversight by a diverse and discreetly representative legislative body.
We can, and should, consolidate Shelby County under one government as it already is by asphalt. The trick is doing it in a way that is fair and equitable to all those currently invested in their personal parts of it. The process is key to this goal. Any future attempts should be fully public and democratic–those managing it should be elected, not appointed, and all data gathering should be subject to open-records laws and all decisions subject to sunshine.
SB-
I think you give far too much credit to Roland and his drama laden grandstanding. What Roland is suggesting is not about consolidation. He is basically saying it is his way or the highway.
This is about a backwoods gas station attendant parading as a leader of an urban county.
If you have been paying attention then you would realize that if an individual like Roland is involved, your suggested approach would never even be allowed to take place. Individuals such as Roland are the reason this community is becoming an economic and social backwater. If, as you suggested, he accurately represents the sentiment of the local population, then this community deserves to be marginalized.
“We can, and should, consolidate Shelby County under one government as it already is by asphalt. The trick is doing it in a way that is fair and equitable to all those currently invested in their personal parts of it. The process is key to this goal. Any future attempts should be fully public and democratic–those managing it should be elected, not appointed, and all data gathering should be subject to open-records laws and all decisions subject to sunshine.”
Scott, that is a MAJOR reason why it took me a long time to get on board with it. Those public meetings were too few and far between, and not scheduled for working people to attend. They acted as though they did not WANT our feedback, they knew what was best for us, and they really didn’t want to hear what we had to say. I blame that on Charter Commission itself.
I support consolidation, but the whole process was driven by the elite, and that has to change when we do this again.
All of this assumes there will be a next time. Per the topic of this post, if commissioners such as Roland are allowed legitimacy there will not be a “next time”. That is why his idiotic comments are so damaging and their stupidity should receive negative publicity. Roland should be called out for the ridiculous comments he made, for their basic fallacy and his lack of any real knowledge per the basic foundation of government structure.
oh come on y’all!
just look at him as Henri’s doppelganger.
you can’t fix stupid. But it can be uproarious fun to watch.
Urbanut, I humbly suggest that if we prejudge folks like Roland, if we don’t remain open to the hope of communication, that we have essentially doomed ourselves to failure.
The problem is not that we don’t see eye to eye, but rather that we can’t make eye contact for all the timbers sticking out of them.
I was their yesterday afternoon and spoke in favor of Mulroy’s resolution despite my very real friendship with many of those on the other side of the issue. We may be far from agreement on this or that but we are all in this together.
Roland’s a bloviating idiot, i/o is right, he’s just the flip side of Henri Brooks. HIs schtick may play well in Hooterville, but it just makes him look ignorant.
SB-
I appreciate the reply, but please re-read your last statement. “We are all in this together”. Really? I am pretty sure Roland is blatantly suggesting that we are not in this together. I am willing to sit down and rationally discuss the issue of moving this community forward as just that- a community. However, I am not willing to waste my time with those that would prefer to have nothing to do with said community. I agree with your basic premise, but there are those on the commission that want to separate themselves from this community both symbolically and physically.
As for consolidation, the premise of being able to communicate with each other is that we have a shared set of goals for the city and county which enables a shared path to be established. In Roland’s case, there appear to be no shared goals or values as he wants nothing to do with this community and apparently has no interest in a brighter future that includes all of Shelby County.
It’s worth remembering – and it’s why we have so little patience with Mr. Roland – that he said during the consolidation debate that US 385 would become the economic artery for this region, leaving Memphis in the dust, and when Memphis crawled to the suburbs and asked for help, they will happily say no.
We seen not a glimmer of good faith or anything beyond pandering self-aggrandizement.
Charter commission meetings were held from 4 until 7 or later, and we thought it a reasonably good time for most people to make it if they wanted to.
At least you know Terry Roland is an idiot. I am more concerned about Heidi Shafer who “represents” me in a mostly Memphis district but votes for suburban interests.
She needs to be reminded where her district is.
No one with a job can regularly attend a 4PM meeting.
In recent conversation, Roland has expressed as much distaste for the I-69 as I would, albeit for different reasons and I pointed out to him how it’s being split into multiple local utility segments (ie US 385) was the planners’ way to circumvent the cumulative and secondary impact analysis requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act which may have successfully derailed the entire project. I’m sure he was previously unaware of this aspect of the issue which serves to illustrate that information and education can open minds to new ideas.
Again, I never expect to agree with anyone about everything but politics does make strange bedfellows and all minds can change as perceptions and conceptions evolve.
All that said, I bet Roland hosts some excellent BBQs and I for one intend to get to know him better and better understand the viewpoints he represents in the interest of enhanced communication in the future.
I am certain that nothing good will come of continuing with the us and them arguments that prevail today.
Scott: We assign you to get to know him better and report back to us. Better thee than me. We fear that what you’ll learn is that his isolationist, anti-urban, tea partyish attitudes are heartfelt, and that he places little value on compromise. That said, we admire you for trying.
Scott, it’s good to have people like you in Memphis.
Scott: Roland is a dirtbag. It is really that simple. SCMs posts regarding Roland’s 385 comment typify what that buffoon is all about. He is the lowest of the low. Whatever you do, don’t let him drag you down to his level.
By the way, I HOPE he moves Millington into Tipton county. I would be a great win for Shelby county. That how area is a cesspool. Let Cooter in Tipton deal with it. We have enough problems here.
Sorry, should read, “It would be a great win for Shelby county. That whole area is a cesspool”
Thanks, Tom, maybe it will be my first “contribution” to SCM. Believe it or not, I even watch Glenn Beck on occasion just so I understand what other folks are (mis)believing 😉
Bocefius, have no fear of my being dragged anywhere–my beliefs have far too much inertia to move from their present path 😉
Scott- I for one cannot wait to read your first intel report. Hopefully you are correct and there really is a well meaning individual buried in there somewhere. After all, ‘tis the season for hearts to grow 3 sizes over an unusually small timeframe.
Terry Roland is a redneck. 🙂
you folks are the biggest group of name callers I have seen. you whine and cry because for whatever reason your version of success in life is stealing from peter to pay paul. becareful what you wish for in your title, folks might just leave or continue the process of breaking the school system apart. or what might be more fun if the schools do consolidate we can raise city taxes or reduce the overpayed memphis teachers and students down to county rates. no reason the old agreement would still be valid.
Just so you know, big group whiners, I’m not calling anyone names and Mr. Guleff is complimenting Mr. Roland, or at least I hope he is, since I consider myself a redneck too.
Big Group-
That was an amazing comment and added much to the group conversation.
Big Group: If you want to discuss my comments in person, I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO IT.
big group: You seem to be oblivious to the point that it’s the county taxes that make our taxes the highest in the state. The City of Memphis tax rate is the same as it was in 1993.
SCM, my county tax rate is higher than yours.
Urb, your shared vision and goals are disturbing.
Buffy Jones, grow up.
Buffy? PLEASE name a time and place so that I can beat your ass. PLEASE.
btw, saying “grow up” is code for “I am a candyass”.
big group, SCM’s point, since you’re being obtuse, is that it’s the country tax rate which has been going up at an unsustainable rate. The city’s rate has been flat.
And urbanut’s ideas are quite positive and interesting, unlike yours.
Big group: The sarcasm becomes you, but you’re not making any sense. You just proved our point about the county tax being the problem, not Memphis. By the way, Memphis delivers its services per capital cheaper than Shelby County, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, and Millington, so I don’t think Mayor Wharton needs any advice from the “county.”
As usual, Urbanut hit the nail on the head in a thoughtful and logical and research-based way. Want to give it a try?
SCM: doesn’t your description of Urbanut’s way speak for mine as well?
sorry, we inadvertently left everyone else out. the conversation has been very good.