MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - The Shelby County Commission is still trying to come up with new voting districts and the fighting among commissioners is still happening. One former member accused the group of spending most of their time just throwing "hissy fits."
There was work to do. Old plans for new voting districts were about to get the heave ho, at least that's what Commissioner Walter Bailey wanted to do.
"For us to rehash old arguments on a dead plan I would suggest is an exercise in futility, and an utter waste of time," he said.
For some reason, Commissioner Justin Ford didn't like what Bailey said. Ford supports one of the old plans, and the friction between both men sent the sparks flying.
"Mr. Bailey has done exactly what I accused him of from the beginning. Being hypocritical," Ford said, to which Bailey interjected, "Mr. Chairman, I'm not going to sit here and indulge personal attacks. If you want to discuss the merits of my argument, fine. You can do that until you drop. But please don't attack me personally." Ford replied, "And please don't interrupt me when I'm speaking."
Former Commissioner Edith Moore talked to the group, saying the people she knows are frustrated with all the fights and, as she put it, "hissy fits," that are going on at meetings.
"There are people out there who don't know who we are, or who you are, or who is representing them," she said.
Then there were more disagreements between Moore and some commissioners. Justin Ford was pretty emotional again when the Committee Chairman Brent Taylor decided to 'drop the hammer.'
"You can call this a hissy fit if you want to. I'm chairing this meeting. And I'm going to chair it the way I see fit."
Commissioner Chris Thomas noted, "When families get into squabbles, they do it behind closed doors. But our family can't."
Commission Chairman Sidney Chism thinks things will be fine once they deal with the new voting districts.
"You know it's always been my theory that it only takes seven. If we can get seven votes we can pass and move the agenda."
They will continue looking for a new voting district plan next week.
