In another sign of political animosity trumping (pun intended) magnanimity, the Memphis City Council discussed and barely passed a resolution to name a stretch of Union Avenue after outgoing Mayor Lee Harris. The resolution passed with four “aye” votes, which caused some on social media to question why the resolution passed without the 7 votes generally required.

For clarity, the naming is honorary. No address changes or newly printed letterhead is required. A black and gold metal sign will be attached to a telephone pole or light pole and likely ignored by drivers and pedestrians.

Councilwoman Jerri Green proposed the resolution. Green worked for Harris in the Mayor’s office and was later appointed by Harris as interim Public Defender. Green said she considered it an honor to have worked for him

Councilman Dr. Jeff Warren was most vocal in his opposition, saying he had attempted to orchestrate a sit-down meeting between parties opposed to a new Regional One campus at the former Commercial Appeal site and those who support it. Warren has pushed to have Regional One partner with Methodist Healthcare and utilize vacant space in the Methodist system. Warren told his colleagues that Harris refused to meet.

Councilman Edmund Ford, Sr. called Harris “a snake in the grass” and said he could not support the resolution because of “my son.” Ford Sr., without elaboration, was seemingly blaming Harris for the legal troubles of former County Commissioner Edmund Ford, Jr., who recently pleaded guilty to tax evasion as part of an indictment and investigation alleging Ford, Jr. awarded grants to nonprofits that paid him with the grant money for services and supplies. There had long been a tense and unproductive relationship between Harris and Ford, Jr., but the latter’s legal troubles are his own doing.

While Harris did not end his tenure on the highest notes, voting against an honor of this kind, abstaining, or avoiding being in your seat while the vote occurred is petty. Harris was elected to the Memphis City Council in 2011, so he is obviously a former member of the body considering the honor. In 2014, he was elected to the State Senate representing District 29, and the following January he became the first African American elected to a State Senate leadership position when his colleagues named him Minority Leader. In 2018, Harris won the County Mayor’s seat 55%-45% and was re-elected in 2022 with a margin of 58%-42%. Harris grew up in Memphis, attended local public schools, received his undergraduate degree from Morehouse and his Juris Doctorate from Yale Law – not too shabby.

It doesn’t require one to agree with the policies or statements of another to be generous and recognize significant accomplishments. When so much of the news coming out of our community is about crime and public corruption, someone with the resume of Mayor Harris should be celebrated, though quickly, so Councilmembers can get back to addressing the issues that really matter.