Obama on Kennedy's Legacy

“Though it is Teddy’s historic body of achievements we will remember, it is his giving heart that we will miss. He was the friend and the colleague that would pick up the phone and say I was sorry for your loss . . . to those who would never imagine that a U.S. Senator would take the time to think of them . . .

We cannot know for certain how long we have here. We cannot foresee the trials or misfortunes that will test us along the way. We cannot know what God’s plan is for us. But what we can do is live out our lives as best we can with purpose and with love and with joy. We can use each day to show those who are close to us how much we care about them. And treat others with the kindness and respect we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures and we can strive at all cost to make a better world. So that some day if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here we’ll know that we spent it well. That we made a difference. That our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of others. This is how Ted Kennedy lived. This is his legacy. He once said and this was already mentioned about his brother Bobby that he need not be idolized or enlarged in death because of what he was in life, and I imagine he would say the same about himself. The greatest expectations were placed upon Ted Kennedy’s shoulder because of who he was. But he surpassed them all because of who he became. We do not weep for him today because of the prestige attached to his name or his office. We weep because we loved this kind and tender hero who persevered through pain and tragedy. Not for the sake of ambition or vanity. Not for wealth or power. But only for the people and the country he loved. “

President Barack Obama
Eulogy of Senator Ted Kennedy
August 29, 2009

iM Aware! 5k Walk Run in Hickory Hill

Shelby County is experiencing one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation. The Hickory Hill Community Redevelopment Corporation (HHCRC) has teamed up with Hickory Ridge Mall, World Overcomers, MSC Health Department’s Healthy Start Program, All Babies Count, and SuperLo Foods to host an iM AWARE! 5k Walk/Run. Organizers of the event hope to increase public knowledge about infant mortality and advocate for a healthy start and bright future for all babies in Memphis and Shelby County. Proceeds will go to support The Baby Store which is opening in Hickory Ridge Mall.

iM Aware! 5k Walk/Run is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 26th at 9:00 a.m. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. at Hickory Ridge Mall located at 6075 Winchester Road. The community is invited to enjoy this fun-filled, family-oriented event that includes activities for all ages.

Registration and sponsor packets can be found online at iM Aware! website.

UniverSoul Circus is Coming to Hickory Hill

Named one of the Top 10 “Most Requested Family Attractions” by Ticketmaster, the world-renowed UniverSoul Circus will be in Memphis from August 18th through August 23rd. The circus, now in its 17th season offers a unique circus experience under the Big Tent and is known as the “Circus with Soul.” Shows will consist of comedy and magic acts, contortionists, African elephants, Rough Riders, Chinese Acrobats and flying performers on the trapeze. Tickets are on sale at Ticket Masters and groups of twenty and more can acquire tickets by calling 800-316-7439.

National Night Out in Fox Meadows

The annual Fox Meadows National Night Out 2009 event drew more than 50 homeowners from southeast Memphis. Each interested in preserving the tranquilly and value of their neighborhoods by pushing back against crime. Colleen Phillips, president of the Fox Meadows Homeowners Association and organizer of the event, has been active in hosting National Night Out celebrations for more than a decade. As in previous years, the event united neighbors, civic leaders, law enforcement and the clergy. Memphis Fire Department and Memphis Police opened fire trucks and cruisers for inspection by neighborhood children. Guest speakers, great food, and wonderful fellowship provided a perfect platform to discuss strategies to help keep Fox Meadows an attractive community.

Participants were invited to sign up for the Citizens Police Academy and were presented with crime fighting tools like CYBERWATCH, MPD’s crime abatement program designed to provide public safety information and alternative methods for communicating with the police. Teenagers were introduced to “Streetwise,” a program started by the National Crime Prevention Council which provides common-sense strategies for teenagers to stay safe and protect their personal property. Information about these programs can be found by following these links: http://www.memphispolice.org and http://www.weprevent.org.

Mrs. Phillip’s long-time dedication to organizing this annual event is rooted in her basic belief that neighbors united can and do make a difference. The Fox Meadows community is adjacent to Hickory Hill and neighbors in both communities share the same challenges in preserving their family-oriented, working-class neighborhoods. This 2009 National Night Out event was hosted by Resurrection Community Church on Winchester.

Collins' Townhall Meeting Informs Residents of Fox Meadows and Hickory Hill

About 70 homeowners in Fox Meadows and Hickory Hill gathered at the Resurrection Church on Winchester for a townhall meeting with Councilman Harold Collins. Collins is the representative for District 3 which includes Fox Meadows, Hickory Hill, Parkway Village and Whitehaven.

Like Memphians in other districts, residents in Fox Meadows and Hickory Hill are concerned about city services including garbage collection, police response time, code enforcement, and reduction of hours for the community center and neighborhood golf course.

The Hickory Hill Community Center is the city’s state-of-the art community center complete with weight rooms and aquatics and is touted as one of the best equipped and built community centers in the country. Director Buchanan of Park Services has proposed delaying the opening of the center from 6am until 9am which will affect many of the senior citizens who use the center as a safe place to exercise each day. The Fox Meadows Golf Course faces the same fate with proposed delay in opening hours. Councilman Collins plans to meet with Director Buchanan this week in an effort to work out alternatives suitable for Park Services and the residents of Hickory Hill and Fox Meadows.

When residents voiced their concern about garbage collection, police response time and code enforcement, Collins said, “Citizens should expect to see positive changes from city government that affects their neighborhood. Citizens deserve to live in clean, safe communities and I am working everyday to make that happen for residents in District 3.”

Top on Collins community improvement to do list is tackling neighborhood blight before it spirals out of control. On Wednesday, Collins will be in court to hear proceedings regarding Marina Cove and will actively seek resolution to this neighborhood blight that has become a dumping ground and breeding place for crime. He asked for support and input in developing a strategy to empower residents to file lawsuits against property owners who fail to keep up their property. “We’ll go after the big offenders first and then the smaller offenders.” He encouraged neighborhood association to adopt by-laws that include covenants that address property maintenance.

When questioned about trash collection, Collins informed residents that the City, in an effort to reduce cost, has contracted with a private company to assist the sanitation department with garbage collection. This change will affect approximately 60,000 homes. His office is waiting details regarding specific neighborhoods that will be serviced by the contracted company.

After an hour or so of addressing concerns, Collins delivered some good news to those in attendance. He announced code enforcement has been approved to start a second shift to respond to complaints during evening hours. Funding to cover the cost for the second shift has already been approved.

Additionally, he announced he has introduced an ordinance to place a camera in every police car in an effort to protect law enforcement as well as citizens. “If Hickory Hill and Fox Meadows made up a city, it would be the 5th largest city in the state of Tennessee. That’s a lot of ground for law enforcement to cover.” Around the Mt. Moriah station, crime has decreased 9% in the community. The Safeway Initiative and watchful residents were cited as actions that are making a difference.

Townhall participants learned that city government was getting serious again about Neighborhood Watch. Collins announced the re-establishment of a strong Neighborhood Watch program that will be staffed and funded to the tune of $300,000 to $500,000 each year.

Speaking passionately about District 3 and Memphis in general, he challenged city leaders and state legislators to lay aside petty bickering, race baiting, and apathy and work together to improve the quality of life for Memphians. “We must find ways to increase our tax revenue without placing further burden on property owners. I’m fed up with people who come to Memphis to work then bad mouth our neighborhoods and city when they return home. I love Memphis, I love my district,” Collins said to an applauding audience.