Coalition for a Better Memphis asks serious questions of candidates running for public office

The Coalition for a Better Memphis, an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization, wasted no time in submitting serious questions to city council and mayoral candidates. A questionnaire with more than a dozen questions was mailed to each of the candidates.

The candidates have until August 1, 2007 to respond in writing to the organization’s questionnaire. Some of the questions focus on issues such as ethics reform in local government, term limits, education and economic development. The responses will be used to rate each candidate, and the not-for-profit organization will begin evaluating each written submission as they come in to the organization.

“The Coalition’s goal is to have all candidates rated by August 10 followed by a series of face-to-face interviews with the city council candidates on Tuesday, August 14,” said Peggy Callahan, executive director.

The non-partisan group has also scheduled a Mayoral Forum on Thursday, August 16. Once this process is complete, the Coalition for a Better Memphis will release its ratings of the candidates at a luncheon on Wednesday, August 29. The organization produces a voter guide that helps citizens learn more about the candidates and where they stand on critical issues that will affect the future of Memphis and Shelby County. The voter’s guide, which includes all candidate ratings, will be distributed to citizens and posted on the coalition’s website at http://www.bettermemphis.org.

“The future of this great city hangs in the balance, so it is our intention to ensure that voters are armed with valuable information about the candidates who may end up leading city government,” said Callahan. “We are proud of the work we have done in the past, and what we are doing today to provide this resource to residents.”