DNA hosted a public Forum at Springhill Suites on the evening of September 27, 2011. We invited all the registered candidates for both the District 6 and 7 Memphis City Council races. Downtown was split into these two districts this year. Of the eighteen invited candidates, ten spoke to DNA members. Bill Dries, Senior Editor for The Daily News (a much-appreciated DNA Business Member!) moderated the Forum. Candidates were seated as a group as we hoped to instill a sense of community as Downtowners will need to now work collectively with both Districts. Someone pointed out that Downtown really should benefit from the redistrciting as we would now have  at total of FIVE representatives (Districts 6 and 7 and three in Super District 8) and it only takes seven council members to approve legislation. Each candidate was asked to provide some biographical information on themselves and why they would be the best candidate for office.

DNA wishes to again thank Mr. Dries, Springhill Suites, catering by Michael Patrick, and our Platinum Level Sponsor - Jones-Ryan Building Group.

We also wish to thank these participants for taking their time to speak to the DNA: Edmund Ford, Jr., Clara Ford, Rhoda Stigill, Scott Banbury, Lee Harris, Jesse Jeff, Julie Ray, Michael Steven Moore, Raymond Bursi, and Kemba Ford. 

Photographs provided by Bob Lundy, Terry Woodard, Maudie Kite-Powell, and Barbara Standing