Insult to Injury

It's been a long month, and finally Halloween sends us into the new phase, wondering what in tarnation is going on in this town.

As part of our ongoing effort to play by the rules and help save an historic park, Save Libertyland! has to date accomplished the following:

1) Rescued the Carousel & Pippin -- two priceless historic artifacts -- from demolition and/or auction

2) Helped secure votes in favor of preserving these artifacts, from both the County Commission and City Council

3) Helped provide for a feasibility study to be conducted on the historic Carousel & Pippin

So, with this in mind, imagine the flummox-ability of being told that Save Libertyland! can no longer take a walk through the park as has been done in the past to gauge condition of the rides.

Oh, and I almost forgot: We own the Pippin!

If it's a question of likability, that doesn't fly -- likability is certainly no deciding factor in Memphis. The recent election proves that.

Memphis Lost?

An architect living in Memphis suggested the title above as a possible name for our movie (Mike McCarthy's documentary, tentatively titled "Destroy Memphis"). It felt right last night, when we decked the garden in strings of lights and watched as Hermann Morris siphoned off just enough votes for the Mayor to receive an unprecedented 5th term. Carol was very gracious and brave in her concession speech -- it would have been nice to make history as the first female mayor of Memphis.

District 5 split half-a-dozen ways, with Lord Jim getting 20,000 votes, "Bob" got 3,000, I came in third with 1,794, and Mug-Shot Man got 1,000 or so! The others were in the 400s range.

When I am not so tired perhaps I can figure out the amount of dollars spent per vote. The top vote-getters spent over $100,000 dollars, with bus stops, billboards, TV spots, the works. We spent $500 on printing and gasoline... truly a grass-roots effort, down to the hand-painted signs w/vintage lettering and lots of family and friends getting very sweaty. Will this heatwave ever let up?

Hello, MANDATE!

PIP-PIP, HOORAY!

Today's City Council meeting was a GAS, GAS, GAS! The City Council voted to "preserve and protect" the historic landmark rides we saved -- Memphis's Grand Carousel and Zippin Pippin rollercoaster -- and we all went home with big smiles on our faces. Value vs. Vacancy -- that is our GOAL.

More later on the vision of Liberty Gardens, and our new non-profit coalition! Must go celebrate w/Team Liberty.