Leadership in action
I enjoyed visiting with the Leadership Bartlett class of 2024, which held their county government day on March 6. This is a great group of current and future leaders who are putting in the work to learn more about our community.
Leadership programs are an excellent way to learn, get plugged in, make new friends and find ways to serve. Get involved with the one in your area; you won’t regret it.
County clerk updates
There were more developments in the ongoing County Clerk saga this month, with both the Tennessee Comptroller’s office and the Hamilton County DA’s office making on the ground stops in Shelby County.
The Comptroller’s team of auditors spent a week with the Clerk’s office straightening out their financials. They were able to fix mistakes in the reporting for the last six months, which the county needed going into budget season. They also made a list of recommendations for the Clerk’s operations moving forward. Comptroller Jason Mumpower said there are “still many operational deficiencies within the clerk’s office.”
Hamilton County District Attorney General Coty Wamp was also in town to continue the ouster investigation of Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert. General Wamp and her team conducted interviews with witnesses and gave an update to media.
Wamp said they had placed the investigation on pause in the beginning, hoping that the issues would resolve themselves. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Here’s a key bit of reporting by the Commercial Appeal:
“The burden of proof for ouster proceedings is high, Wamp said, and reiterated that she would like to have a solid case before bringing anything to a judge. Wamp did say that her office will begin a draft of proceedings when they return to Hamilton County but confirmed there is no time estimate on the conclusion of the investigation.”
I continue to hope the investigation reaches its conclusion soon so that new leadership can correct the many issues in that office and better serve our citizens.
“Do your job” speaking tour continues
I’ve been speaking to groups throughout Shelby County and beyond delivering the same message: “Do your job.” Pictured above is a photo from the 7Ps Summit at the Shelby County Sheriff’s training facility on March 16.
“Do your job” is a simple phrase but with universal application, and particularly when it comes to our system of justice. Not enough is being done to steer people away from criminal behaviors, to keep repeat offenders behind bars, to complete more criminal trials, to reduce a backlog of cases, and to ensure public safety.
Things are about to get even worse unless something changes dramatically, soon.
Upcoming meetings
April 9 — Commission meeting, 3 p.m.
April 17 — Standing committees, 8:30 a.m.
April 22 — Commission meeting, 3 p.m.
April 25 — Public Safety Ad Hoc Committee, 1:30 p.m.
Book of the month
Pause! No new book this month. I’ve fallen behind on previous selections and need to catch up. Have you encountered a good read? Send me a recommendation.
Stay in touch
If you have a question or concern, email me at mick.wright@shelbycountytn.gov.
You can speak with the Commission office by calling 901-222-1000.
I welcome your feedback on Facebook @CommissionerMickWright and X @mickwright.
Thanks for reading.
Mick Wright
Shelby County Commission – District 3