Ford, Fullilove must resign
The Memphis City Council is now accepting applications for candidates interested in serving out the remainder of outgoing District 1 Councilman Bill Morrison’s term.
Morrison’s resignation from the City Council is effective Nov. 1, after he was elected in August as Shelby County Probate Court clerk.
Morrison, Edmund Ford Jr. and Janis Fullilove were all elected Aug. 2 to Shelby County positions, and have remained in their City Council seats since their Aug. 30 county swearing-in ceremony.
Memphis City Council Chairman Berlin Boyd said he can’t set out the public process for filling Ford and Fullilove’s seats until he has their resignations in hand.
“I hope it happens sooner rather than later,” Boyd said this week. “That gives us the opportunity to publicly put the information out there.”
Shelby County Attorney Marlinee Clark Iverson said Thursday the deadline for the three to resign their city seats is Nov. 30, which is 90 days from when they were entitled to compensation for their county positions.
Ford has been serving as both a city councilman and county commissioner since late August, while Fullilove has remained on the council after being sworn in as Shelby County Juvenile Court clerk.
Candidates interested in running for the District 1 seat can pick up their packets from the council at City Hall, and have until noon on Nov. 14 to submit their candidacy materials.
Candidates must submit a proof of residency to the city, a sworn affidavit and a nominating petition with at least 25 signatures of District 1 registered voters.
The city charter requires vacant seats to be filled within 30 days, so the City Council will decide Nov. 20 who will serve as the interim District 1 council member. All of the nominees will be given the chance to make a speech at that meeting.
Jamie Munks covers Memphis city government and politics for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jamie.munks@commercialappeal.com or 901-529-2536. Follow her on Twitter @journo_jamie_.