Shelby County Charter Amendments

Plan now to attend the Public Hearings on the Shelby County Charter Amendments at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at Arlington High School and at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February 11 at the Bartlett Performing Arts Center. (Times and dates were changed from the original post).

Detailed information is available at www.shelbycountytn.gov. I urge all residents to visit this site and read the detailed information and take advantage of the opportunity to comment directly to the Shelby County Commission.

Chairman David Lillard has been very active in publicizing the activities of the Shelby County Commission and providing an opportunity for all Shelby County residents to review actions by the County Commission and comment.

I cannot overemphasize the importance to Lakeland (and any City in Shelby County other than Memphis) of the Shelby County Charter Amendments reading as follows:

-Sheriff and other “Constitutional Officers” (Trustee, Register, County Clerk, Assessor) be ELECTED with the SAME title and duties and current constitutional officers.

This is also an opportunity to suggest other amendments to the Shelby County Charter.

The Ah Hoc Committee on Law Enforcement Consolidation (which has ended) recently adopted a recommendation to the Shelby County Commission basically providing for the Sheriff (or the “Chief Law Enforcement Officer” of the County) to be appointed by the MEMPHIS MAYOR meaning that Lakeland residents would have a Sheriff without any say in who it is!

Reminder-Holiday Trash/Recycling pickup changes!

Lakeland Residents are reminded of the following trash and recycling date changes:

Christmas week: Recycling and trash pickup will be one day later if your normal trash/recycling pickup is not Monday. (For example, if your normal trash pickup is Tuesday, you will be picked up on Wednesday etc. If your normal pickup is Monday, your trash will be picked up Monday.

New Year Week: Recycling and trash pickup will be one day later if your normal trash/recycling pickup is not Monday.

Representative Ron Lollar presents check for Lakeland Phone Book

Representative Ron Lollar stopped by and presented the City of Lakeland with a check for $20,000 early this week! The funds are provided by the Community Enhancement Grant program. The City applied for $20,000 for funding to develop a Lakeland Phone Book for use of Lakeland residents.

We will be requesting assistance and input on development of the phone book in the near future.

This is a chance to finally update the "Lakeland" phone book which was produced approximately 10 years ago!

We appreciate the assistance of Representative Lollar in obtaining this grant.

Shelby County Charter Amendments-HOLD THESE DATES

The Shelby County Commission is having approximately 13 Public Hearings on possible Charter Amendments.

The two Public Hearings most convenient for Lakeland residents are:

-Thursday, January 31, 2008 (joint with Arlington/County at Arlington High School. Reception planned at 7:00 p.m. with the Shelby County Commissioners. Public Hearing starts at 7:45 p.m.

-Tuesday, February 12, 2008 (joint with Bartlett/County area) at the City of Bartlett Performing Arts Center. Public Hearing starts at 7:30 p.m.

I urge all residents to attend at least one of the Public Hearings.

Shelby County Commission preliminary guidelines are that each resident can speak only one time. However, residents may attend any or all Public Hearings on the Charter Amendments.

Shelby County Commisson Chairman David Lillard has insured that detailed information is available at http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/. The webside also allows residents on the Charter. Of course, letters and calls to the Commissioners are also encouraged.

As soon as detailed information is finalized, detailed information on Shelby County Charter issues will be posted at http://www.lakelandtn.gov/.

Board of Commissioners December meeting rescheduled

The Lakealand Board of Commissioners Work Session orginally rescheduled to Tuesday, December 18 has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 3, 2007 and the Regular Meeting normally held on January 3 has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 10, 2007.

This rescheduling was necessary due to a conflict with other meetings by several BOC members.

Highway 70 is 50 MPH!

Highway 70 in Lakeland now has a 50 miles per hour speed limit. The reduced speed limit signs were posted by the Tennessee Department of Transportation this week.