Why the Memphis Grizzlies shouldn’t trade Andre Iguodala – and maybe not anyone at all. Sports, Page 11
What’s all the fuss about ‘Real ID.’ Do you really need one? Community, Page 8
January 23 - 29, 2020
VOL. 69, No. 4
Bali state of mind
www.tsdmemphis.com
Council embraces electric-rate boost, with strings attached by Erica R. Williams
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Erica R. Williams, The New Tri-State Defender’s freelance government and politics reporter, kicks off the TSD’s periodic Travel section with an account of her adventure in Bali, where she relaxed, reset and grew spiritually through lessons learned from the Balinese culture. (Courtesy photo) (See Lifestyle & Culture, Page 6)
After months of debate and voting delays, the Memphis City Council reached almost unanimous approval of an electric rate increase on Tuesday. As a result, the monthly bills of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division’s residential customers will increase by $8.98 over a three-year implementation period. The first increase of $3.70 will happen in July. The final vote on the electric increase was 11 to 1. Councilman Frank Colvett was the only member to vote no, while councilwoman Jamita Swearengen abstained. The decision came after MLGW’s CEO, J.T. Young, proposed an alternative plan at the Jan. 7 meeting. That proposal was put forth in the wake of council members shooting down another proposal last December. The council approved smaller gas and water rate hikes over the same multiyear schedule at that same meeting last year. Support for the electric rate hike resolution didn’t come without debate or provisions. Newly-elected Councilman J.B Smiley (Super District 8-1) proposed an amendment
LeMoyne-Owen alumni honors Dr. King with prayer breakfast tradition
“I think we all agreed that power outages are our main concern. We don’t differ on the need, but we differ on the solution.” - Dr. Jeff Warren
requiring MLGW to provide monthly reports detailing their efforts to reduce costs, a final report at the meeting in May, and to seek a legal opinion by an independent council regarding the bond issuance for MLGW’s ailing infrastructure. Smiley’s suggestion came after Dr. Jeff Warren (Super District 9-3) questioned MLGW’s authority to use bonds to fix the infrastructure. “I think we all agreed that power outages are our main concern,” Warren told Young. “We don’t differ on the need, but we differ on the solution.” Warren also pushed MLGW leaders to look for additional energy supply providers outside of the Tennessee Valley Authority as a way to cut costs. Young said he would be making a recommendation to the council regarding energy suppliers in the spring.
Small business’ anniversary jumpstarts Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week
by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Hundreds gathered in the scenic elegance of Hilton Hotel East on Monday morning for the 29th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast sponsored by the LeMoyne-Owen College Alumni Association. This year’s theme was: “2020 Vision: Be the Dream.” The occasion brought back a favorite son, Dr. Alvin O’Neal Jackson, former pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. Now the national executive director of the Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington, slated for Saturday, June 20, 2020. “Over 140 million people live in poverty in this country,” said Dr. Jackson. “That is nearly half the people in America. Think of it—140 million people suffering in this country, living below the poverty line. As director of the Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March, I am working with Dr. William Barber and the Poor People’s Campaign. This is a national
$1.00
by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Deborah Manning Thomas was the featured vocalist at LOC’s 29th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. Also pictured (l-r): Katrina Thompson, president of the LOC Alumni Association-Memphis Chapter, Interim LOC President Dr. Carol Johnson Dean and the Rev. Dr. Alvin O’Neal Jackson, keynote speaker. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley) call for moral revival. Join us as we seek to be the change our nation needs. We must be the dream. We must be the voice of the voiceless. We are Dr. King’s dream in 2020. Interim President Carol Johnson-Dean in her greeting had generous words of gratitude for the Memphis Chapter of former students who planned and sponsored this year’s event. “On behalf of the LeMoyne-Owen College family, I can’t thank you enough for all you do to ensure that our school’s 158-year legacy continues. Your contributions help our stu-
MLK Day and Dr. King’s ‘radical’ economic agenda Perspective, Page 4 Luminary Awards Page 2 V.P. Mike Pence in Memphis Page 9 Trailblazing athletes share words of wisdom at MLK symposium Sports, Page 11 MLK Day parade SEE BREAKFAST ON PAGE 2 Page 12
Electrolyfe Juice Bar on Elvis Presley Blvd. marked its second anniversary Saturday morning with a celebration that also kicked off 2nd Annual Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week. Whitehaven residents packed the organic juice bar out. “Although it wasn’t a grand opening, I thought it was important to mark our second year in operation,” said owner Quavisa Henderson. “Every anniversary is a momentous occasion. I have a friend who opened up their spot the same time I did, and they are closed already.” Henderson heaped praised on the Whitehaven community for its support, noting that, “Community support is the lifeline of any business. There would be no Electrolyfe without it.”
SEE RESTAURANT ON PAGE 3
Get TSD News, announcements and special promotions in your email! visit TSDMemphis.com to sign up, or scan the code at right!