Milton looks to retain seat, facing off against Durham
Vontyna Durham is challenging incumbent Reginald Milton for the District 10 County Commission seat.
Both candidates say they want to see improvements in education and community engagement.
Milton was elected in 2014 as the first representative of an area including Central Gardens, Chickasaw Gardens, Cooper-Young, Midtown, Orange Mound, Overton Square and South Memphis.
He described the current commission as “civil servants.”
“With all due respect to previous commissions, this has been one of the best ones I’ve seen,” he said, adding members have worked together despite party differences.
He sees lack of concern as the biggest issue facing the community.
“There’s a sense of apathy from within and apathy outside,” Milton said. “People have become disillusioned. There’s a loss of hope.”
He said the Commission needs to do a better job of interacting with people in the communities.
“We need people who are truly committed to trying new things and taking chances to invest (in the community),” he said
Milton said the county used to invest with grants, which brought organizations and activism. The county has taken that away, so he helped create the enhancement grant program. The money is given for each commissioner to spend on addressing the issues in their own districts.
“Every district gets back their tax dollars in grants,” he said.
He also wants to see better opportunities for minorities.
“Less than 1 percent of all county contracts found themselves in the minority,” he said. “We’ve been effective in turning that number around.”
He said he wants to continue to be aggressive so that everyone benefits from a “prosperous community.”
Milton said the current commission has supported education, as it gave Shelby County Schools funding for pre-K.
“My job is to help find the resources and help keep them on track,” he said.
He also is pleased with the recent increase in police officers.
“I’m committed to our men and women in blue,” he said, adding that body cameras have protected citizens and officers.
Vontyna Durham is an entrepreneur who lives and works in District 10 and was born and raised there.
Durham’s biggest priority is more education funding.
“We have a lot of disenfranchised areas,” she said.
Durham has been an SCS substitute teacher for at least five years and often is in District 10 schools.
“I see firsthand the condition, the children in poverty and the needs,” she said.
She said she has been pleased with the push for career technical education in schools and would like to see it continue so that students who do not pursue college are ready for the workforce.
She also wants to see better funding for small community organizations. She wants to see organizations that help people get jobs and fight crime get better funds.
“We need to fight systematic crime,” she said, adding that some people need help changing their mindset and outlook.
She also said people in the district want a “hands-on” and “transparent” commissioner.
She also wants to see programs that help teach people about community leadership.
“In District 10, you have strong neighborhoods like Cooper-Young,” she said. “But others are still struggling.” She mentioned areas such as South Memphis and Orange Mound.
She said she would like to see advocacy and leadership for neighborhoods districtwide.
Earlier this year, Durham was charged for illegal dumping for allegedly leaving tires, garbage and debris in South Memphis. “The case is still ongoing,” she said. “As a business owner, I found it surprising,” she said.
She said the allegations were “hurtful,” adding it might be a political scheme.
“I’m strong about change. I always have been,” she said. “The blight charges will not stop me from being the best commissioner in District 10.”
Durham said even if she does not win, she will still be an active leader in the community.