Mason, a 153-year-old majority Black city of about 1,500 in Tipton County, might sorely profit from Ford’s $5.6 billion electrical truck and battery plant, which is anticipated to generate 26,000 jobs in its deliberate 2025 opening.
“There’s no approach Mason received’t prosper and develop,” Rivers told the Tennessee Lookout. “And now they wish to take it away from us.”
Lots of these residing in Mason are the descendants of individuals enslaved within the space earlier than Emancipation. Till 2016, the city was led by white elected officers. These officers resigned after years of fraud and mismanagement allegations.
Mumpower might have opted for state monetary oversight, however as a substitute he demanded the city quit its constitution totally, one thing that might have subsumed the largely Black and majority Democrat neighborhood into Tipton County, which is 75% white and voted 71% Republican within the final presidential election, according to the Tennessee Lookout.
At the moment, Mason’s present mayor, vice mayor, and 5 of its six aldermen are Black.
A monetary takeover means the comptroller has full veto energy over any and each nonpayroll expense of $100 or extra.
The comptroller additionally has the facility to approve any grants town desires to use for. Over the subsequent 27 months, city officers shall be held answerable for paying off a stability of $584,000 owed to its water and sewer utility—funds that for years have been improperly transferred into Mason’s common fund to pay the city’s payments.
The Tennessee Lookout reviews that Mason officers owed their water utility $226,000 within the 2017 fiscal yr, in keeping with the very fact sheet offered. By 2019, the quantity rose to $649,000.
Mumpower has made clear that cuts to town’s 26 public worker advantages are on the best way.
Rivers, who has known as Mumpower’s actions “akin to a hostile takeover,” says Mumford and Tipton County Government Jeff Huffman are livid about the truth that town wouldn’t quit the constitution.
“What they received’t let you know is that Huffman sits on Ford’s board, and he and Mumford organized a purchase order of about three acres between the Ford plant and Mason,” Rivers instructed Each day Kos. “That is unfair. They only need management. And with this management, they will are available in and make it more durable for us. They are often hateful.”
A press release launched by Ford firm officers Friday says the corporate is “conscious of the long-running scenario between Mason and the State of Tennessee however we now have not been immediately concerned.”
“We’ve got reached out to state and area people leaders to precise concern and be taught extra,” writes Angie Kozleski, a Ford spokesperson.
“As we ramp up building of Blue Oval Metropolis this yr and transfer towards manufacturing in 2025, Ford is completely dedicated to being a superb neighbor and offering inclusive and equitable alternatives for West Tennesseans, together with the residents of Mason,” mentioned the assertion.
Rivers instructed Tennessee Lookout Friday that she’s nervous that Ford hasn’t spoken immediately with her, Mason Mayor Emmit Gooden, or any of the city’s elected aldermen.
“Who’s Ford referring to after they state that they reached out to area people leaders to precise concern?” she mentioned. “It most undoubtedly has not been the leaders of the city of Mason.”
Kozleski reportedly reached out to Van Turner Jr., president of the NAACP Memphis department.
Gloria Sweetlove, president of the Tennessee State Convention NAACP, attended a city assembly earlier than they voted to reject the constitution.
“You might be in a pleasant little spot, a candy spot, and lots of people need your land,” Sweetlove said at the time. “If you want to battle, I’ll battle with you … Don’t signal away your constitution. Maintain your rights.”
Based on John Dunn, director of communications for Mumford, the oversight ends when the city is ready to function on a balanced price range and present it might handle its personal funds going ahead.
“This was the ultimate step. Not step one,” Dunn instructed Each day Kos.
Rivers denies Dunn’s accounting. She says that though Mason officers knew how dangerous the debt coming in was when Mumford walked into their city a couple of weeks in the past, that they had no concept what was taking place. She says they’ve accomplished the required 5 audits for the final three years.
Mason metropolis officers will meet with Mumpower Tuesday to debate the city’s monetary future.
