Hundreds of Memphians took time out of their day to drop by the Halloran Centre, 225 S. Main Street downtown, to hear Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ first State of the County address on Friday, February 15, 2019. By Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson Reflecting on the first 150 days in his new role as Mayor of Shelby County, Tennessee, Mayor Lee Harris stated, “The state of our county is strong” during his first State of the County address at 3 PM on Friday, February 15, 2019. Based on the recent wage increase to $15/hour given to all Shelby County employees and other accomplishments, Harris wants to do something to help offenders to learn life and work skills to help them be productive citizens in society. Other items Harris wants to work on include education, reducing the population of people in jail because they can’t afford bail, and increasing public transportation to help reduce the amount of wasted time individuals who rely on public transportation waste. Mayor Harris stated and continues to speak on his concern with the current juvenile justice system. On Facebook, Harris said, “Our goal is the rehabilitation of kids who get caught on the wrong side of the law. We have to give these kids some chance at rehabilitation and try to make sure they are not consigned to repeated interactions with our system.” (Left) A few members of the Official Southwind High School Community Choir performed at the 2019 State of the County address given by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris on Friday, February 15, 2019, at the Halloran Centre, 225 S. Main Street in Memphis. The entire group had previously performed in the Mayor’s Office on January 18th. (Right) Recently elected Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris invited the community to the Halloran Centre, 225 S. Main Street, on February 15th, to hear “The Heart of America,” his first ever State of the County address. The well attended event can be seen online here. 12
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