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BTH: Journalist Roundtable on Mayoral Election and Economic Development Incentives

On October 3, Memphis will elect a mayor. Incumbent Jim Strickland is currently facing challenges from former mayor Willie Herenton and county commissioner Tami Sawyer.

This week on WKNO-TV's Behind the Headlines, host Eric Barnes conducts a journalist roundtable with Daily Memphian Reporter Bill Dries, The Memphis Flyer’s Toby Sells, and The New Tri-State Defender’s Karanja Ajanaku.  

Dries says that the candidates“all have very different views." He offers insights into the priority issues of their respective campaigns. 

Guests also discuss economic development in Memphis, including incentives, accountability and the Graceland and City of Memphis development deal.  

Sells says that after Electrolux's planned departure, the conversation about incentives is changing. Ajanaku believes that the Memphis media has a duty to “drill down accountability,” so that taxpayers won't suffer another Electrolux deal. 

Finally, the reporters discusssome Tennessee legislation and Gov. Bill Lee's recent budget proposals for vocational education and criminal justice reform. 

https://youtu.be/ur6Ns-eqeM0

Copyright 2019 WKNO

A native "Florida Man," Christopher started in this business as a copy clerk at the renowned St. Petersburg Times before persuading editors to let him write. He moved to Memphis in 2001 to cover arts and entertainment at the Commercial Appeal. Since then, he has contributed to nearly every publication in Shelby County, writing features on everything from the Civil War to Civil Rights. Also, Elvis... a lot of Elvis.
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