Organize Tennessee’s Poll Observer Training
When: Tuesday at 10 a.m.; Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual; Sign up here
Why: While some may watch polls for imaginary voter fraud, in this training you’ll learn to protect the vote. Includes information on election law, voter suppressions, and how to respond when voters are denied this essential American right.
Shelby County Board of Commissioners Committee Meeting
When: Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Vasco A. Smith Jr. County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St., Commission Chambers on the first floor; or streamed, enter with Webinar ID 859-920-347
Why: There’s a resolution coming up encouraging Shelby County Board of Education to require Shelby County Schools to offer conflict resolution courses to help reduce and prevent violence in elementary, middle and high schools. With the superintendent’s recent message about the issue, this seems like a good time for the public to weigh in on proposed solutions. If you attend in person, you can pull a comment card and share your thoughts. If you watch, or even if you don’t, email comments to boc.email@shelbycountytn.gov; put RESOLUTION COURSES in the subject line. Or you can phone in during the stream: 910-222-1234.
Land Use Control Board meeting
When: Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Where: City Council Chambers, City Hall, 125 N. Main St., but it’s being live streamed
Why: These are the people who decide what your neighborhood looks like — what housing can be built there, what stores can open, when the streets can close. Among the questions on the agenda this week: Whether a gas station should be built at a Raleigh corner; whether there should be changes to allow apartments in Southwind; whether there should be two new car washes on Cordova corners, and another in Raleigh. Don’t let these decisions be made without your opinion being heard.
Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission public meeting
When: Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Where: River Front Room at the Renasant Convention Center, 255 N. Main Street
Why: This is the first in a series of meetings connected to the question of whether Memphis and Shelby County should consolidate. This session will look at information on the places the area is and isn’t growing, the ways county and city governments can work better together and separately, and will make comparisons and take lessons from similar cities. Take the opportunity to get informed on this issue because a better run government means less waste of tax dollars — also known as your money.
Candidate Workshop: How to Run for Office
When: Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.; Nov. 12 at 10 a.m.
Where: Zoom; email: carol.collinsworth@shelbycountytn.gov and a link and materials will be sent to you
Why: There’s a process before you get on the ballot and this class aims to walk you through it in less than an hour. It promises to answer your questions and tell you about the deadlines, the paperwork and what you need to know about money in campaigns.
How to Curb the Gun Violence Epidemic
When & Where: Nov. 16 at 5-6:30 p.m. at The Pursuit of God Church, 3759 N. Watkins in Frayser; Nov. 18 at 5-6:30 p.m. at Riverside Missionary Baptist Church, 3560 South Third in South Memphis
Why: Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich will be there along with law enforcement members, health care leaders and community members. This is your city; you should have your say, too.
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