The 9:01: Blackburn says no to Memphis debate, Harris makes first hire The 9:01 is a weekday column on all things Memphis

Ryan Poe | Memphis Commercial Appeal

Show Caption Hide Caption Will Phil Bredesen or Marsha Blackburn succeed Bob Corker in the Senate? Phil Bredesen and Marsha Blackburn are the leading candidates to replace Bob Corker in the U.S. Senate

Marsha Blackburn turned down a debate invitation from Rhodes College.

Shelby County mayor-elect Lee Harris announces his first hire, and it's a big one.

WEVL has a golden opportunity — one that's in danger of slipping through its fingers.

Good morning from Memphis, where WEVL is in danger of missing a golden opportunity and eight Shelby County commissioners just said their goodbyes. But first...

Marsha Blackburn, Republican U.S. Senate candidate, declined an invitation to debate Democratic opponent Phil Bredesen in Memphis — the only debate in West Tennessee.

Blackburn, a U.S. representative whose district roughly lies between Memphis and Nashville, agreed to just one debate — in Lebanon, east of Nashville. Bredesen, the state's former governor, agreed to four debates, including one at Rhodes College.

Abbi Sigler, Blackburn campaign spokeswoman, gave me this statement today about the decision: "Unfortunately, the Rhodes College debate does not fit our schedule, but we are happy the debate on September 25th at Cumberland University does. We are looking forward to this debate and others."

However, Bredesen's team was quick to point out that the decision snubs Memphis:

"I know it is the Washington playbook to avoid talking about the issues, but we deserve better here in Tennessee. The closest debate to Memphis shouldn’t be more than 200 miles away and I hope Congressman Blackburn reconsiders. Memphians and West Tennesseans deserve attention to their issues just as much as the rest of the state and that is why I intend to be at Rhodes on September 13 and host a forum to share my ideas."

In Memphis and West Tennessee, which has long suffered from the neglect — and, frequently, prejudice — of lawmakers to the east, it's hard not to see Blackburn's decision in that light. West Tennessee is already one of the most economically underutilized areas of the state. It's no wonder the decision is provoking condemnation:

Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn has rejected a request to debate Democrat Phil Bredesen at Rhodes College in Memphis next month. So far she is only agreeing to one debate in Lebanon. That means no West Tennessee senatorial debate. Voters should be outraged. — Otis L. Sanford (@OtisSanford) August 27, 2018

But was the snub intentional? Probably not. More likely, Blackburn is trying to cut down on airtime for Bredesen in the hopes that voters will vote for the "R" over the "D."

Either way — or even if it's just that she can't fit us in her schedule — it's not a great look for Blackburn in what is shaping up to be a close race.

Lee Harris makes first appointment: Patrice Thomas, a rising star in Memphis government, will be the chief administrative officer of Shelby County.

Thomas, currently deputy chief operations officer of Memphis, will oversee the administration of Harris in her new role. Harris' statement on the hire:

From Harris:

"Patrice Thomas is the best possible leader to serve as our next CAO," Harris said in an emailed statement. "Our next chief administrative officer must be nimble, progressive, and capable of translating our vision for A New Era into the day-to-day execution of County Government. Patrice proved to be the most qualified candidate and I am confident that she will make a lasting impact on the residents of Shelby County.”

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland's comment: "Mayor-elect Harris just hit a home run.” And here's city spokesman Kyle Veazey on the importance of her role:

The COO/CAO jobs in local govs are vitally important. They are get-things-done gigs, executing on the respective mayors' visions and priorities.



Having people like Doug McGowen and Patrice Thomas occupying those two chairs is very, very good for our continued momentum. — Kyle Veazey (@kyleveazey) August 28, 2018

A few initial thoughts on what Thomas' hire means:

It signals a new era for city-county relations. Harris has said he wants as much, but this is the first step toward that end. It puts a black woman in the top county administrative job, reinforcing Harris' commitment to diversity. Thomas is known for getting things done. Government is all about follow through. Harris has big ideas, and Thomas' hire will help in the implementation.

WEVL's golden opportunity: WEVL FM 89.9, a ray of sunshine in Memphis music radio, needs a makeover, according to a new group called Friends of WEVL. The group, which has more than 150 "friends" listed on its website, has some bold ideas like getting WEVL to broadcast 24 hours a day and adding more local programmers.

But the group, which came out of a WEVL-approved exploratory committee, moved too fast for the comfort of WEVL's board, the Memphis Flyer reports. So, the board dissolved the committee. Here's the board's explanation, released yesterday:

After reviewing and approving initial recommendations, WEVL's Board felt it necessary to dissolve the Development Exploratory Committee–-there was concern that possible efforts and projects discussed by the Committee with third parties could be mistaken for efforts already approved by the Board. This decision was made because the pace of activity was accelerating beyond what was responsibly manageable and outpacing thorough vetting and discussion. In short, the dissolution of the Committee doesn't mean the Board doesn't share the goals or visions being discussed; the Board simply decided it needed to take a direct role, rather than a supervisory one.

The board should take direct oversight of such sweeping changes as those proposed by the committee. But the danger is that the WEVL board will opt for the same old rather than the exciting new. If that happens, the board will miss out on a golden opportunity to take the momentum of the "friends" and use it to improve a station that, while great, could use more than a fresh coat of paint.

De-annexation opposition mounts: Memphis City Council member Martavius Jones appears to be marshaling opposition to proposals to de-annex the Southwind/Windyke and Rocky Point areas. The proposals are scheduled for a final council vote Sept. 11.

Jones makes an interesting point that state lawmakers seem less gung-ho for de-annexation than a couple of years ago, which is probably true — on the surface. But their appetite for de-annexation could return if Memphis doesn't follow through on its commitment to make common-sense decisions to right-size its footprint.

And, frankly, allowing de-annexations of areas annexed since 1998 — including Hickory Hill — could be a quick low-blow to Memphis for removing Confederate monuments.

Yes, Jones is right that Memphis had every legal right to annex those areas. But Mayor Jim Strickland has looked at the question more pragmatically and come to the conclusion that it's better to move forward with the de-annexation of an area that never wanted to be annexed in the first place.

Many on the council have supported de-annexation until now — but perhaps the opposition from Jones, who was always hesitant about the plan, signals a more vigorous debate at the next council meeting in two weeks.

Farewell, county commissioners: Last night was the last meeting for eight Shelby County commissioners, most of whom had reached the end of their final term.

To outgoing commissioners: Thank you for your service.

Now, the attention turns to the new commission, where Democrats now hold an 8-5 advantage after Michael Whaley's win in Heidi Shafer's District 5.

The outgoing Shelby County Commission adjourned tonight sine die and the incoming Commission is ready to go! @mgwhaley pic.twitter.com/ZIwRtzAnoD — Commissioner Tami Sawyer (@tamisawyer) August 28, 2018

Mayor Lee Harris and the 13 commissioners will be sworn in at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Cannon Center of the Performing Arts, although their terms will not begin until a minute after midnight on Sept. 1.

Overdose update: Nashville-based Addiction Campuses, which operates Turning Point, a drug and alcohol treatment facility in Southaven, Mississippi, released some drug overdose statistics yesterday, citing the Memphis Police Department.

"To date, over one thousand MPD officers have been trained on how to administer Narcan. Thus far, 30 lives have been saved due to MPD's efforts. Since January, 47 individuals have lost their life due to an overdose related to Heroin; 255 non-fatal overdoses have occurred."

Good reads:

Shelby County Mayor-elect Lee Harris is a "man on a mission," writes Ted Evanoff in a new profile.

is a "man on a mission," writes Ted Evanoff in a new profile. Germantown is tightening school security, Abigail Warren reports.

is tightening school security, Abigail Warren reports. The Shelby County Commission approved a new Collierville residential development Monday that residents fear will destroy the character of the area, Katie Fretland reports.

approved a new Collierville residential development Monday that residents fear will destroy the character of the area, Katie Fretland reports. The Greater Memphis Chamber is looking for site improvement grants at nine sites across the city, The Daily News reports.

Happening today:

9 a.m.: The Memphis City Council meets through the day. Find agendas here and watch live here.

The Memphis City Council meets through the day. Find agendas here and watch live here. 9 a.m.: The Yida Photography Exhibit, examining the human rights crisis in Sudan, opened yesterday in the Sabbatini Lounge of Christian Brothers University's Thomas Center. The free exhibit runs daily through Friday, 9-6 p.m.

The Yida Photography Exhibit, examining the human rights crisis in Sudan, opened yesterday in the Sabbatini Lounge of Christian Brothers University's Thomas Center. The free exhibit runs daily through Friday, 9-6 p.m. 10 a.m.: County mayor-elect Lee Harris' transition team meets at Leadership Memphis, open to the public.

County mayor-elect Lee Harris' transition team meets at Leadership Memphis, open to the public. 10:30 a.m.: The owner of Aretha Franklin's Memphis birthplace heads to Environmental Court over concerns her interests will be steamrolled in a new push to develop the home into a shrine to Aretha, Ron Maxey reports.

For more happenings, check out The CA's events page and its summer events roundup.

The Fadeout: Here's one of the many great live performances of Aretha Franklin, who was born in Memphis and who — newsflash if you've been in a coma — recently died:

Reach Ryan Poe at poe@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter at @ryanpoe.