MEMPHIS — University of Memphis officials confirmed Sunday that offensive lineman Malcom Rawls was the Tiger football player hospitalized after Saturday’s 56-28 loss to Tennessee.
Rawls, a senior and a former Tennessee player, had to be removed from the team bus as it was en route to take players and schools officials to the airport to catch a charter flight back to Memphis. Rawls was transported by ambulance to University of Tennessee Medical Center and kept overnight for observation. The team flew back to Memphis, but Tiger head athletic trainer Amos Mansfield stayed in Knoxville with Rawls.
Initial reports said Rawls was taken to the hospital after complaining of chest pains, but Memphis officials would only confirm Rawls was hospitalized because of a medical situation that warranted observation.
Rawls, in his third season with the Tigers, played in Saturday’s game as a reserve. Redshirted at Tennessee in 2005, the former East High player sat out 2006 per NCAA transfer rules before making his Tiger debut in 2007. Rawls has made eight career starts, but none this season.
Source
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Career Centers Report More Interest From Recruiters
MEMPHIS, TN – There are more jobs available in the Mid-South. Some career centers report seeing a slight increase in the number of companies looking to hire. A new White House report credits the president's economic stimulus plan with creating, or saving, more than 600,000 jobs. But plenty of people are still looking for work.
Searching for work is a full-time job for Janice Sims.
"I'm a hardworking person,” said Sims, who lost her job last month and is looking for work as a caregiver or counselor for abused children. “I just graduated from Phoenix Home, I'm also waiting for them to call me, and no one has called me.”
Chauntay Jones, an employment specialist with the Tennessee Career Center, has seen the job hunt get a little easier for some people who come to the career center.
“Maybe a month or two ago we had more companies that were placing job orders with us, so it is picking up in that aspect,” Jones said.
She said it's hard to tell whether the president's economic stimulus plan played a role, and she wonders whether Memphis is seeing any of the jobs the White House attributes to the stimulus.
“You do have some of your major companies that are doing a lot of hiring, but it’s not that dent that’s being put in there to say that we are coming out of the recession,” she said.
She said the job market for people who want to work in health care is strong.
“Your health occupations are going to pick up a little bit more, we've gotten a few job orders in reference to that,” she said.
Sims hopes that will hold true in her case. She hopes to find permanent work before the holidays.
"It's hard, like I said no one called me for a job, so I might not even have Thanksgiving dinner at home this year,” she said.
But Jones believes there is good news ahead. Her office typically sees a hiring increase at the beginning of the year.
Source
Searching for work is a full-time job for Janice Sims.
"I'm a hardworking person,” said Sims, who lost her job last month and is looking for work as a caregiver or counselor for abused children. “I just graduated from Phoenix Home, I'm also waiting for them to call me, and no one has called me.”
Chauntay Jones, an employment specialist with the Tennessee Career Center, has seen the job hunt get a little easier for some people who come to the career center.
“Maybe a month or two ago we had more companies that were placing job orders with us, so it is picking up in that aspect,” Jones said.
She said it's hard to tell whether the president's economic stimulus plan played a role, and she wonders whether Memphis is seeing any of the jobs the White House attributes to the stimulus.
“You do have some of your major companies that are doing a lot of hiring, but it’s not that dent that’s being put in there to say that we are coming out of the recession,” she said.
She said the job market for people who want to work in health care is strong.
“Your health occupations are going to pick up a little bit more, we've gotten a few job orders in reference to that,” she said.
Sims hopes that will hold true in her case. She hopes to find permanent work before the holidays.
"It's hard, like I said no one called me for a job, so I might not even have Thanksgiving dinner at home this year,” she said.
But Jones believes there is good news ahead. Her office typically sees a hiring increase at the beginning of the year.
Source
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Memphis' muddled Workforce Investment Network at risk of state takeover
The taxpayer-financed Workforce Investment Network is still having problems getting the job done, according to state and local officials.
WIN, a city agency that uses public money to train people for jobs and help employers find workers, is again under scrutiny from the state, which is urging the city to turn it into a not-for-profit or risk a possible state takeover.
The state has withheld $11 million from WIN since November 2008 because the agency did not turn in accurate financial information.
"We've let it be with the city now for almost nine years, and it's not working," said Susan Cowden, administrator of the workforce development division of the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development. "I think being part of the city has not helped at all. But it's not our decision, it's the local elected officials' decision."
Blair Taylor, president of the business group Memphis Tomorrow, said it is crucial to get WIN on the right footing.
"Memphis has left millions on the table that should have gone to our neediest populations for job-training and job-placement support," Taylor said. "We can't afford any more underperformance...."
WIN operates the Memphis Area Career Center with other partners, including the state, vocational rehabilitation groups and adult-education providers. WIN staff are city employees.
For nearly a decade, WIN's spending and management has concerned the state, which hired a consultant to perform a management and performance review of the center, released last year.
The report found an "internal struggle" at WIN over "trust, authority, roles and responsibilities, organizational structure and communication," and noted a "chronic problem of late submissions of grants, paperwork and general information requests."
Source
WIN, a city agency that uses public money to train people for jobs and help employers find workers, is again under scrutiny from the state, which is urging the city to turn it into a not-for-profit or risk a possible state takeover.
The state has withheld $11 million from WIN since November 2008 because the agency did not turn in accurate financial information.
"We've let it be with the city now for almost nine years, and it's not working," said Susan Cowden, administrator of the workforce development division of the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development. "I think being part of the city has not helped at all. But it's not our decision, it's the local elected officials' decision."
Blair Taylor, president of the business group Memphis Tomorrow, said it is crucial to get WIN on the right footing.
"Memphis has left millions on the table that should have gone to our neediest populations for job-training and job-placement support," Taylor said. "We can't afford any more underperformance...."
WIN operates the Memphis Area Career Center with other partners, including the state, vocational rehabilitation groups and adult-education providers. WIN staff are city employees.
For nearly a decade, WIN's spending and management has concerned the state, which hired a consultant to perform a management and performance review of the center, released last year.
The report found an "internal struggle" at WIN over "trust, authority, roles and responsibilities, organizational structure and communication," and noted a "chronic problem of late submissions of grants, paperwork and general information requests."
Source
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Memphis Bleek Delaying "The Process"
The long awaited return of rapper Memphis Bleek may have to wait a little longer as his upcoming album, The Process, has been pushed back to 2010. Originally slated for November 24, the album is now set to drop in February. The Process is truly a process.
Stating that he needs to really take his time with it to make a true return, the album has been promised for early 2010.
With Jay-Z on his side as executive producer, the project enlisted names such as Just Blaze, Rick Ross and No I.D. to join the ride. Hopefully, the big homie won't be able to eclipse Bleek's work again like he did last time with “Dear Summer."
Bleek has been out of sight since 2005s 534, but has been in the process of building his own brand with Get Low Records. Trying to make his own name and escape the shadow of Jay-Z, the rapper has stepped up to the plate as CEO and has been releasing mixtapes as though he was starting his career from scratch under his own guidelines.
Source
Stating that he needs to really take his time with it to make a true return, the album has been promised for early 2010.
With Jay-Z on his side as executive producer, the project enlisted names such as Just Blaze, Rick Ross and No I.D. to join the ride. Hopefully, the big homie won't be able to eclipse Bleek's work again like he did last time with “Dear Summer."
Bleek has been out of sight since 2005s 534, but has been in the process of building his own brand with Get Low Records. Trying to make his own name and escape the shadow of Jay-Z, the rapper has stepped up to the plate as CEO and has been releasing mixtapes as though he was starting his career from scratch under his own guidelines.
Source
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Pirates look for 4th straight win over Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — East Carolina has traded its familiar routine for national TV exposure.
The Pirates visit Memphis on Tuesday night, then won't play again until Nov. 5, when they host No. 5 Virginia Tech. Ten days later, it's a Sunday night game at Tulsa on Nov. 15.
East Carolina coach Skip Holtz says he loves being the only game on TV, exposure a team can't get playing Saturday.
"I love the exposure," East Carolina coach Skip Holtz said of being the only game on TV. "That's an exposure that you can't get on Saturday."
Memphis (2-5, 1-3 Conference USA) is coming off of a 36-16 loss to Southern Miss in which the Tigers had 11 penalties for 105 yards, allowed a punt return for a touchdown and a 78-yard kickoff return.
The Pirates (5-3, 3-1) have won three straight in this series against Memphis.
"I think East Carolina probably does the best job in the league of making you beat them," Memphis coach Tommy West said. "They don't beat themselves. They won't make errors and beat themselves. They'll be solid, and they'll be sound in what they do. So we'll have to be the same way. It's the same thing we try to be."
Facing a Memphis defense that ranks 106th in the nation and allows 186.7 yards rushing per game, Holtz said his offensive line's ability to create holes and move the chains could be the key for the Pirates to put points on the scoreboard.
Running back Dominique Lindsay, however, hurt his left ankle in East Carolina's 49-13 win over Rice on Oct. 17 and could be limited if available.
Memphis knows the value of a healthy running back. The Tigers have gotten a boost since Curtis Steele returned from injury two games ago, running for 376 yards and three touchdowns.
Steele should help to take pressure off Memphis senior Will Hudgens, the third quarterback the Tigers have used this season. West tabbed senior Arkelon Hall as the starter in spring practice, then switched to sophomore Tyler Bass after a 0-2 start. When Bass injured his non-throwing shoulder two games ago, Hudgens got the nod.
Holtz said his team must keep an eye on the Tigers' senior receivers — 6-foot-4 Duke Calhoun and 6-9 Carlos Singleton. The duo ranks sixth and 18th nationally in active career receiving yards.
"That 6-foot-9 is nearly a foot advantage over some of our corners," Holtz said.
Source
The Pirates visit Memphis on Tuesday night, then won't play again until Nov. 5, when they host No. 5 Virginia Tech. Ten days later, it's a Sunday night game at Tulsa on Nov. 15.
East Carolina coach Skip Holtz says he loves being the only game on TV, exposure a team can't get playing Saturday.
"I love the exposure," East Carolina coach Skip Holtz said of being the only game on TV. "That's an exposure that you can't get on Saturday."
Memphis (2-5, 1-3 Conference USA) is coming off of a 36-16 loss to Southern Miss in which the Tigers had 11 penalties for 105 yards, allowed a punt return for a touchdown and a 78-yard kickoff return.
The Pirates (5-3, 3-1) have won three straight in this series against Memphis.
"I think East Carolina probably does the best job in the league of making you beat them," Memphis coach Tommy West said. "They don't beat themselves. They won't make errors and beat themselves. They'll be solid, and they'll be sound in what they do. So we'll have to be the same way. It's the same thing we try to be."
Facing a Memphis defense that ranks 106th in the nation and allows 186.7 yards rushing per game, Holtz said his offensive line's ability to create holes and move the chains could be the key for the Pirates to put points on the scoreboard.
Running back Dominique Lindsay, however, hurt his left ankle in East Carolina's 49-13 win over Rice on Oct. 17 and could be limited if available.
Memphis knows the value of a healthy running back. The Tigers have gotten a boost since Curtis Steele returned from injury two games ago, running for 376 yards and three touchdowns.
Steele should help to take pressure off Memphis senior Will Hudgens, the third quarterback the Tigers have used this season. West tabbed senior Arkelon Hall as the starter in spring practice, then switched to sophomore Tyler Bass after a 0-2 start. When Bass injured his non-throwing shoulder two games ago, Hudgens got the nod.
Holtz said his team must keep an eye on the Tigers' senior receivers — 6-foot-4 Duke Calhoun and 6-9 Carlos Singleton. The duo ranks sixth and 18th nationally in active career receiving yards.
"That 6-foot-9 is nearly a foot advantage over some of our corners," Holtz said.
Source
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Iverson tweets he's going to Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Allen Iverson will be a fan attraction for the Memphis Grizzlies — from the very beginning.
The Grizzlies confirmed Wednesday they have agreed in principle to a contract with Iverson, hours after the guard tweeted he was heading to Memphis. And the team scheduled a Thursday news conference open to the public at FedExForum.
Iverson would become the highest profile player ever to put on a Grizzlies' uniform.
"We anticipate signing him to a contract very soon," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said.
Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley wants Iverson to provide a big-name attraction for a team that struggled to attract fans to the plush FedExForum to watch a young team rebuilding through the draft.
Iverson, the first overall draft pick in 1996 and the league MVP in 2001, can provide valuable minutes and scoring off the bench needed by a franchise that went 24-58 and tied for the fifth-worst record in the NBA last season.
The 34-year-old free agent said on his Twitter feed that he met Monday with Heisley, general manager Chris Wallace and coach Lionel Hollins in Atlanta.
"I feel that they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that. I feel that I can trust them," Iverson tweeted.
Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, did not respond to messages to his cell, office or from e-mail from The Associated Press.
Iverson tweeted earlier Wednesday that "God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career."
Memphis would be the fourth team for Iverson after starting his career in Philadelphia and playing for Denver and Detroit. He has averaged 27.1 points per game through his 13 NBA seasons, but his production dropped to 17.4 points per game in his 54 games after being traded by Denver to Detroit during last season.
Source
The Grizzlies confirmed Wednesday they have agreed in principle to a contract with Iverson, hours after the guard tweeted he was heading to Memphis. And the team scheduled a Thursday news conference open to the public at FedExForum.
Iverson would become the highest profile player ever to put on a Grizzlies' uniform.
"We anticipate signing him to a contract very soon," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said.
Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley wants Iverson to provide a big-name attraction for a team that struggled to attract fans to the plush FedExForum to watch a young team rebuilding through the draft.
Iverson, the first overall draft pick in 1996 and the league MVP in 2001, can provide valuable minutes and scoring off the bench needed by a franchise that went 24-58 and tied for the fifth-worst record in the NBA last season.
The 34-year-old free agent said on his Twitter feed that he met Monday with Heisley, general manager Chris Wallace and coach Lionel Hollins in Atlanta.
"I feel that they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that. I feel that I can trust them," Iverson tweeted.
Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, did not respond to messages to his cell, office or from e-mail from The Associated Press.
Iverson tweeted earlier Wednesday that "God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career."
Memphis would be the fourth team for Iverson after starting his career in Philadelphia and playing for Denver and Detroit. He has averaged 27.1 points per game through his 13 NBA seasons, but his production dropped to 17.4 points per game in his 54 games after being traded by Denver to Detroit during last season.
Source
Monday, September 28, 2009
Conference USA News and Notes
EAST CAROLINA - The Pirates were given a scare in their opener, as they survived a frantic comeback attempt from Appalachian State in a 29-24 triumph over the weekend. ECU seemed in control of the game with a 29-7 lead heading into the final quarter, but the Mountaineers fought back and scored 17- unanswered points in the fourth quarter to make things interesting. It wasn't enough though, as the Pirates held on and improved to 3-2 in season openers under head coach Skip Holtz. Dominique Lindsay led the charge with 105 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while Patrick Pinkney threw for just 131 yards in a sub par performance. Pinkney converted on just 12-of-27 chances and threw one touchdown against two interceptions. He will need to be much better this weekend when ECU faces a stiffer task in Big East foe West Virginia.
MARSHALL - Brian Anderson threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns, as the Thundering Herd survived Southern Illinois for a 31-28 season-opening victory this past weekend. With a strong spring showing, Anderson earned the starting gig under center and completed 27-of-36 pass attempts with one interception in the win. Chuck Walker hauled in 10 of those passes for 119 yards, while Cody Slate had nine catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. The Herd, which has now won 17 of its past 19 homer openers, will clash with nationally-ranked Virginia Tech this weekend.
MEMPHIS - The Tigers hosted one of the top teams in the SEC this past weekend and were handed a 45-14 loss by eighth-ranked Ole Miss. The score wasn't indicative of the game though, as Memphis trailed just 24-14 midway through the fourth quarter before the Rebels scored 21-unansewered points to seal the deal. Curtis Steele led Memphis with 90 yards and two scores on 19 carries, while Arkelon Hall struggled in completing just 15-of-30 tosses, for 110 yards and two interceptions. The Tigers will try to get into the win column this weekend when they travel to Middle Tennessee.
SOUTHERN MISS - The Golden Eagles took care of business in their opener, rolling over Alcorn State by a 52-0 score. It was the first shutout since 2006 for the Eagles, who have now won six straight games dating back to last season. USM racked up 631 yards of total offense, including 398 on the ground, while holding Alcorn State to just 171 yards. Quarterback Austin Davis threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 36 yards and another score. Damion Fletcher added 126 yards and a score on the ground, marking his 22nd career 100-yard effort. The Eagles open their C-USA slate this weekend by hosting UCF.
UAB - In a simply remarkable performance, quarterback Joe Webb threw for 221 yards and rushed for 194 more, as the Blazers rolled to a 44-24 victory over Rice this past weekend. Webb, who set a C-USA record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,021 in 2008, completed 12-of-15 pass attempts and totaled four touchdowns in the win. Frantrell Forrest hauled in four balls for 64 yards and a two scores for UAB, which racked up 516 total yards. The Blazers will face another conference foe this weekend in SMU.
UCF - Brett Hodges threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jamar Newsome early in the fourth quarter, helping the Golden Knights escape Samford with a 28-24 victory this past weekend. Hodges, making his first career appearance as a Knight after transferring from Wake Forest, replaced ineffective starter Rob Calabrese and completed 10-of-17 pass attempts for 129 yards with the one touchdown and interception. Tailback Brynn Harvey also played a big role in the win, as he rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 31 totes. The Knights will face a much tougher task this weekend, when they open league play at Southern Miss.
Source
MARSHALL - Brian Anderson threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns, as the Thundering Herd survived Southern Illinois for a 31-28 season-opening victory this past weekend. With a strong spring showing, Anderson earned the starting gig under center and completed 27-of-36 pass attempts with one interception in the win. Chuck Walker hauled in 10 of those passes for 119 yards, while Cody Slate had nine catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. The Herd, which has now won 17 of its past 19 homer openers, will clash with nationally-ranked Virginia Tech this weekend.
MEMPHIS - The Tigers hosted one of the top teams in the SEC this past weekend and were handed a 45-14 loss by eighth-ranked Ole Miss. The score wasn't indicative of the game though, as Memphis trailed just 24-14 midway through the fourth quarter before the Rebels scored 21-unansewered points to seal the deal. Curtis Steele led Memphis with 90 yards and two scores on 19 carries, while Arkelon Hall struggled in completing just 15-of-30 tosses, for 110 yards and two interceptions. The Tigers will try to get into the win column this weekend when they travel to Middle Tennessee.
SOUTHERN MISS - The Golden Eagles took care of business in their opener, rolling over Alcorn State by a 52-0 score. It was the first shutout since 2006 for the Eagles, who have now won six straight games dating back to last season. USM racked up 631 yards of total offense, including 398 on the ground, while holding Alcorn State to just 171 yards. Quarterback Austin Davis threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 36 yards and another score. Damion Fletcher added 126 yards and a score on the ground, marking his 22nd career 100-yard effort. The Eagles open their C-USA slate this weekend by hosting UCF.
UAB - In a simply remarkable performance, quarterback Joe Webb threw for 221 yards and rushed for 194 more, as the Blazers rolled to a 44-24 victory over Rice this past weekend. Webb, who set a C-USA record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,021 in 2008, completed 12-of-15 pass attempts and totaled four touchdowns in the win. Frantrell Forrest hauled in four balls for 64 yards and a two scores for UAB, which racked up 516 total yards. The Blazers will face another conference foe this weekend in SMU.
UCF - Brett Hodges threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jamar Newsome early in the fourth quarter, helping the Golden Knights escape Samford with a 28-24 victory this past weekend. Hodges, making his first career appearance as a Knight after transferring from Wake Forest, replaced ineffective starter Rob Calabrese and completed 10-of-17 pass attempts for 129 yards with the one touchdown and interception. Tailback Brynn Harvey also played a big role in the win, as he rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 31 totes. The Knights will face a much tougher task this weekend, when they open league play at Southern Miss.
Source
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Memphis mayoral race is wide open
The Memphis resident to bear the title of "Mayor" preceding their name next fall could be just about anyone at this point, because incumbent Charles Garber will not be seeking reelection to a fourth term as the city's top official.
Garber, 70, a former Memphis police chief who retired from the Detroit Police Department, also put in time with the Armada police force.
In 1997 he commenced a four-year city council term and successfully ran for his first two-year term as the mayor of Memphis in 2001.
Voters re-elected him to that position in 2005 and again in 2007.
Though Garber is justifiably proud as he looks back at his distinguished career, he now stands ready to face the future from a different perspective.
"I am still healthy. I have been here for 18 years and have been involved in the politics and the running of the city and I would like to do something different," he said.
In addition to the race for mayor, three city council seats are up for grabs.
Candidates interested in running the city can pick up nomination packets at the Memphis City Hall, 35095 Potter St., during normal business hours.
Questions regarding rules governing a candidate can be directed to personnel at (810) 392-2385.
"We don't have a primary. We are non-partisan," Clerk Mary Brusca advised.
Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, a Memphis resident for a minimum of two years, a U.S. citizen, qualified elector of the city, bondable and not in default to the city.
The city charter requires there be at least two candidates vying for the mayoral post and a minimum of four contenders for the three open city council seats.
The two-year mayoral term pays an annual salary of $1,200, and council members are compensated $1,000 for each year during their four-year term.
Nominating petitions must be circulated and returned to the clerk's office before 4 p.m. on Sept. 15.
Election Day is Nov. 3, and winners will be sworn in within 10 days of the election.
Eric Schneider, Terry Treend and Dan Weaver are the councilmen whose four-year terms conclude this fall.
Schneider, who began his city council career in 1998 when called upon to fill a vacancy, was twice re-elected to additional terms and plans to run again this fall.
Treend has decided to call it quits and will not seek election for the position he has held for six years since he was first appointed to fill a council seat vacancy in 2003.
"No I am not running again," Treend declared, indicating he plans to do some traveling.
Rumor has it that Weaver, a councilman since 2003, will make a run for the mayor's office; but he was hesitant to comment just yet.
"Maybe I'll run for mayor," he said. "I am going to run for something. I have to talk things over with my wife before I make any decisions."
Source
Garber, 70, a former Memphis police chief who retired from the Detroit Police Department, also put in time with the Armada police force.
In 1997 he commenced a four-year city council term and successfully ran for his first two-year term as the mayor of Memphis in 2001.
Voters re-elected him to that position in 2005 and again in 2007.
Though Garber is justifiably proud as he looks back at his distinguished career, he now stands ready to face the future from a different perspective.
"I am still healthy. I have been here for 18 years and have been involved in the politics and the running of the city and I would like to do something different," he said.
In addition to the race for mayor, three city council seats are up for grabs.
Candidates interested in running the city can pick up nomination packets at the Memphis City Hall, 35095 Potter St., during normal business hours.
Questions regarding rules governing a candidate can be directed to personnel at (810) 392-2385.
"We don't have a primary. We are non-partisan," Clerk Mary Brusca advised.
Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, a Memphis resident for a minimum of two years, a U.S. citizen, qualified elector of the city, bondable and not in default to the city.
The city charter requires there be at least two candidates vying for the mayoral post and a minimum of four contenders for the three open city council seats.
The two-year mayoral term pays an annual salary of $1,200, and council members are compensated $1,000 for each year during their four-year term.
Nominating petitions must be circulated and returned to the clerk's office before 4 p.m. on Sept. 15.
Election Day is Nov. 3, and winners will be sworn in within 10 days of the election.
Eric Schneider, Terry Treend and Dan Weaver are the councilmen whose four-year terms conclude this fall.
Schneider, who began his city council career in 1998 when called upon to fill a vacancy, was twice re-elected to additional terms and plans to run again this fall.
Treend has decided to call it quits and will not seek election for the position he has held for six years since he was first appointed to fill a council seat vacancy in 2003.
"No I am not running again," Treend declared, indicating he plans to do some traveling.
Rumor has it that Weaver, a councilman since 2003, will make a run for the mayor's office; but he was hesitant to comment just yet.
"Maybe I'll run for mayor," he said. "I am going to run for something. I have to talk things over with my wife before I make any decisions."
Source
Monday, July 6, 2009
Career Center Site To Serve Laid-Off Attorneys
Memphis Legal Placement Inc., a program of the Memphis Bar Association, earlier this week launched a new Attorney Career Center Web site to help laid-off or unemployed attorneys find local work.
Memphis Legal Placement has been operating since 1984 to help find jobs for legal staff, such as paralegals and legal secretaries. MLP has had a link to its Web site for that service for several years, but this newly launched Career Center focuses on attorneys, and unlike the rest of MLP, which charges employers a nominal fee to place a job availability ad, the Attorney Career Center is free of charge.
The Web site has taken off quickly. The MBA e-mailed an announcement about the new Attorney Career Center on Monday, and by Wednesday morning the site had recorded 381 hits, said Dottie McCallen, the communications director at the MBA.
“Clearly, there was a need for a service such as this in the local legal community,” McCallen said in an e-mail.
After attending the annual meeting of the National Association for Bar Executives earlier this year, Fritz returned with the idea for the Career Center.
She and Mary Lynes, the president of MLP, put their heads together and came up with the Attorney Career Center.
“We thought the MLP was the logical place to put the Career Center since (Lynes) already did support staff and everything,” Fritz said.
“It’s our attempt to help attorneys who have been laid off find jobs and employers, law firms … who have jobs, to post them on the site with no charge.”
Lynes was out of town this week and wasn’t available for comment by press time.
The MBA doesn’t keep track of how many lawyers have lost jobs locally, but Bass, Berry & Sims PLC recently announced it was letting go of 32 employees, including two lawyers and four staff members from the firm’s Downtown Memphis office.
While it’s not unusual for a law firm to avoid publicly announcing layoffs, especially those of lawyers, Fritz said she doesn’t think Memphis has been hit as hard with the attorney layoffs.
“I don’t think we’ve had the layoffs like in some of the larger cities,” Fritz said.
One local change that could cost some attorneys their jobs is the Tennessee Department of Human Services’ new contract with Maximus, a private government services agency, to provide child support services to Memphis and Shelby County residents.
DHS issued a press release earlier this month announcing its contract with Maximus and, as a result, the move of the Shelby County child support office from the Shelby County Juvenile Court on Adams Avenue to a new location on South Mendenhall Road.
A representative at DHS told The Daily News he was not sure, but he could speculate that some of the attorneys who had been serving as referees for the court may not have been hired by Maximus or by the court, but he couldn’t give any specific information.
With MLP’s legal staff placement program, there is a fee to place an ad for a job. That fee amounts to either 10 percent of the future employee’s first-year salary or “reasonable hourly rates for temporary employees (to) cover all payroll costs including taxes and insurance,” according to the MLP Web site.
Consumers of either service – legal staff or attorney placement – never pay fees, according to the Web site.
But for attorneys, Fritz said she wanted to keep the program free all around. This method also will encourage employers to post available jobs, helping boost the number of lawyers MLP assists.
Attorneys who wish to post their information can put their resumes up on the site. If they wish to remain anonymous, they can put a summary of their experience and qualifications, Fritz said.
Although MLP does provide a screening service for legal staff – so charging fees is necessary for the bar to continue providing that service – the program will not screen attorneys.
“For (the Attorney Career Center), we wanted this to be free, so basically we’re just a conduit,” Fritz said. “You can post your resume; you can search for jobs; employers can post attorney jobs.”
The Attorney Career Center Web site is still very much in its infancy, and Fritz said that at this time, the bar has no immediate plans to expand it to offer additional services.
“But I’m sure we will,” Fritz said. “I’m sure something will come up.”
Source
Memphis Legal Placement has been operating since 1984 to help find jobs for legal staff, such as paralegals and legal secretaries. MLP has had a link to its Web site for that service for several years, but this newly launched Career Center focuses on attorneys, and unlike the rest of MLP, which charges employers a nominal fee to place a job availability ad, the Attorney Career Center is free of charge.
The Web site has taken off quickly. The MBA e-mailed an announcement about the new Attorney Career Center on Monday, and by Wednesday morning the site had recorded 381 hits, said Dottie McCallen, the communications director at the MBA.
“Clearly, there was a need for a service such as this in the local legal community,” McCallen said in an e-mail.
Hard times for all
Anne Fritz, the MBA’s executive director, said she wanted to help attorneys who are seeking work, as well as legal staff.After attending the annual meeting of the National Association for Bar Executives earlier this year, Fritz returned with the idea for the Career Center.
She and Mary Lynes, the president of MLP, put their heads together and came up with the Attorney Career Center.
“We thought the MLP was the logical place to put the Career Center since (Lynes) already did support staff and everything,” Fritz said.
“It’s our attempt to help attorneys who have been laid off find jobs and employers, law firms … who have jobs, to post them on the site with no charge.”
Lynes was out of town this week and wasn’t available for comment by press time.
The MBA doesn’t keep track of how many lawyers have lost jobs locally, but Bass, Berry & Sims PLC recently announced it was letting go of 32 employees, including two lawyers and four staff members from the firm’s Downtown Memphis office.
While it’s not unusual for a law firm to avoid publicly announcing layoffs, especially those of lawyers, Fritz said she doesn’t think Memphis has been hit as hard with the attorney layoffs.
“I don’t think we’ve had the layoffs like in some of the larger cities,” Fritz said.
One local change that could cost some attorneys their jobs is the Tennessee Department of Human Services’ new contract with Maximus, a private government services agency, to provide child support services to Memphis and Shelby County residents.
DHS issued a press release earlier this month announcing its contract with Maximus and, as a result, the move of the Shelby County child support office from the Shelby County Juvenile Court on Adams Avenue to a new location on South Mendenhall Road.
A representative at DHS told The Daily News he was not sure, but he could speculate that some of the attorneys who had been serving as referees for the court may not have been hired by Maximus or by the court, but he couldn’t give any specific information.
Fee free
There are no fees associated with the Attorney Career Center, Fritz said. Attorneys who are MBA members can post their resumes for free and employers can post job openings at no charge.With MLP’s legal staff placement program, there is a fee to place an ad for a job. That fee amounts to either 10 percent of the future employee’s first-year salary or “reasonable hourly rates for temporary employees (to) cover all payroll costs including taxes and insurance,” according to the MLP Web site.
Consumers of either service – legal staff or attorney placement – never pay fees, according to the Web site.
But for attorneys, Fritz said she wanted to keep the program free all around. This method also will encourage employers to post available jobs, helping boost the number of lawyers MLP assists.
Attorneys who wish to post their information can put their resumes up on the site. If they wish to remain anonymous, they can put a summary of their experience and qualifications, Fritz said.
Although MLP does provide a screening service for legal staff – so charging fees is necessary for the bar to continue providing that service – the program will not screen attorneys.
“For (the Attorney Career Center), we wanted this to be free, so basically we’re just a conduit,” Fritz said. “You can post your resume; you can search for jobs; employers can post attorney jobs.”
The Attorney Career Center Web site is still very much in its infancy, and Fritz said that at this time, the bar has no immediate plans to expand it to offer additional services.
“But I’m sure we will,” Fritz said. “I’m sure something will come up.”
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