New Path is giving its full support to LaRita Mitchell for Shelby County School Board, District 7 in the August 3rd Elections. She is an impressive person and will be an exceptional addition to the Shelby County School Board. District 7 of the Shelby County School Board makes up the southeast area of the county. Mrs. Mitchell is already a valuable asset to District 7 as a community volunteer, PTA Board Member, and regular attendee of County School Board meetings. New Path believes Mrs.

You are invited to join New Path in celebrating its 2 year anniversary on Friday, April 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Plaza Club in Downtown Memphis (175 Toyota Plaza).

This event will serve as celebration of the remarkable successes of the past two years, an opportunity to meet our new candidates, and a fundraiser for the continued efforts of the organization. A donation of $50 or more is requested.

Date: Monday, April 10, 2006
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: the historical Tom Lee Park--357 Riverside Dr. (in front of the monument)

Amid a new political wave to restore ethics to state & local government, the non-partisan, political empowerment group New Path has conducted an extensive assessment of candidates seeking office in Shelby County for May Primaries. As the county embarks upon a new set of rules enforcing term limits leading to 7 new Shelby County Commissioners, New Path feels it is important to provide voters with access to sound political choices.

The Memphis City Schools Board has set the example for how appointments should be made. The School Board and the City Council were both in a similar situation, even down to the district, with the resignation of Michael Hooks, Jr. and Janet Hooks, respectively. The difference was in how these two legislative bodies handled the process of finding an interim replacement.

On Tuesday, Nov 1st, the Memphis City Council bypassed a tremendous opportunity to take a new path in selecting the replacement for Janet Hooks in District 4 council seat. The Council had a chance to show that the wants and needs of the community were important in appointing a representative. Instead, through a questionable and clandestine process, it continued down a road that alienates its citizenry creating a wealth of apathy by substantiating the commonly held belief that our elected officials will do whatever they want with no accountability to or respect for their constituents.

Special to Commercial Appeal - Viewpoints

June 26th, New Path will hold its second panel in the Who Wants to be a Candidate series. The topic of this panel will be  What’s the Big Deal in 2006: The Largest Ballot in Shelby County History. The panel should be interesting with local political pundits participating in a lively discussion. The panel members include:

August 30th, New Path will hold its third panel in the Who Wants to be a Candidate series. The topic of this panel will be  Party Politics 101. The panel will focus on deciding whether to join a political party, how to get involved, what you can expect from the party, and other options such as running as an independent. The panel members include:

Young people in Memphis are finding their voice. We recognize that we are the future leaders of Memphis. We will be responsible for facilitating the continuing positive development of the city. We must lead the charge in decreasing the apathy and increasing the engagement of the citizens. It is time for us to move the city forward.

Memphis Business Journal (12/17/2004)