Thank you to all of my friends and supporters that were there for OUR campaign. We feel that we have definately created momentum and we will continue to build...Its not over...stay tuned.Antonio '2 Shay' Parkinson*********************************Only in Memphis, Tenn., the home of ground-breaking independent thinkers from Fred Smith to Sam Phillips, could a new and promising star emerge, one who's assisting in leading the way to bringing pride and excitement back to the City of Memphis and its communities.Welcome Antonio '2 Shay' Parkinson, a member of Breath of Life Christian Center and founder of ABetterMemphis.com.Brought to Memphis via the Marine Corps (where he was given the nickname '2 Shay' by his Drill Instructor), he is well-known by many in the Raleigh-Frayser area as someone who makes a difference. Antonio '2 Shay' Parkinson is dedicated to Making Memphis a Better Place to Live.His latest creation, ABetterMemphis.com, was born as a venue for the citizens of Memphis and Shelby County to voice their likes, dislikes, opinions, praises and solutions for issues that pertain to our city and county. Through ABetterMemphis.com, he has spearheaded numerous community events and initiatives such as The Raleigh-Frayser-Cordova Town Hall Meeting (Focus on Crime & Solutions), P.R.E.P. 14 Initiative (For Academic Excellence), The Raleigh Fire Victims Fund & Donation Center, Toys in the Garden and The Raleigh-Frayser Block Party for Peace.The Raleigh-Frayser Block Party for Peace, was born as an idea to create a signature community event for the Raleigh-Frayser and Cordova areas. The purpose of this event is to bring empowerment and development, both economic and workforce, to the residents of this community, while bringing forth awareness and solutions to help stem violent crimes. The 1st Annual event, was a huge success, so huge, in fact that it was repeated three months later in the Northaven community to an even greater success. The event drew 1500-2000 plus in attendance in its first year.Through music and partnerships with outside organizations such as The Memphis and Shelby County Health Department, Methodist North Hospital, Southwest Tennessee Community College, TenderCare and a host of other social and arts organizations, he began to plant the seed of pride and excitement for the communities in which the attendees reside. The Raleigh-Frayser Block Party for Peace has three major components to it. They are: Education, Employment and Living a Healthy Lifestyle. '2 Shay' feels that these are some of the most important factors in determining quality of life for our citizens.As the past Board Chairman of the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission, Parkinson helped to lead the Commission in bringing two bi-monthly Memphis Music Radio shows, a new partnership with Memphis in May that allows Memphis artists to perform during the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Fest, creation of an executive director's position and other great initiatives that were designed to benefit what he calls one of our largest natural resources...our music and our musiciansMost recently Parkinson along with members of the Shelby County Fire Station where he works, spearheaded the very successful "Toys in the Garden" toy drive for the resident children of the Horton Gardens Housing Development. Horton Gardens Housing Development is the largest public housing development outside of the city of Memphis. The group made sure that the 157 children who come from some of the poorest families in Shelby County did not go without toys on Christmas Day.Background:
Parkinson is a Lieutenant with the Shelby County Fire Department, President of the Frayser Exchange Club, past Chairman of the Board of the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission, a member and Vice President of the Raleigh Community Council just to name a “few†of his affiliations.He is anxious to not only see, but to facilitate major changes in the city that he loves, works in, and lives. He is an 18 year resident of the Raleigh community. ____________________________________________________________
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_________________________________Want to Make a Donation to the Campaign to Elect Antonio '2 Shay' Parkinson? You can Do it Right here!
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************************We need your financial help to win on October 4th, 2007. Please help us to VICTORY by making the donation or donations of your choice. Your financial help is appreciated.
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..As an eighteen year resident of the Raleigh-Frayser Community, I am not only anxious to see, but to lead the facilitation of change for the community in which I live and love. Therefore, I am running for Memphis City Council District 1. My reason for taking on such a tremendous responsibility is simple. We (the citizens of Memphis) are tired of the lack of integrity and accountability displayed by the current leadership. (Ethics) We are tired of being under the siege of violent criminals (Crime). Finally, we need new leaders with a renewed vision for the city. (Economic and Workforce Development)
On a district level, the key issues are crime, school safety, ethics in leadership, negative perceptions of the district and home and business ownership.To my constituents, I pledge to deliver Integrity, Accountability, and Strong, Decisive Leadership.My Plan:
Through branding of the community I will bring to light the assets and infrastructure that District 1 has in place while developing the workforce. Leveraging of the infrastructure and assets of the community will lead to New Business Recruitment, Increased Employment and an Increased Economic Impact for the community. Workforce development will aid in new business recruitment and employment while diminishing crime. Please be reminded, workforce development is for children as well as adults.
The best way to stop a bullet is to give a person a job.This, endeavor is a huge step in public service for myself personally as well as the community. However, I am no stranger to public service. Some of my prior public service includes:
*Former U. S. Marine (Desert Storm Veteran)*
Lieutenant with the Shelby County Fire Department*
Chairman of The Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission*
President Elect of The Frayser Exchange Club*
Vice President of the Raleigh Community Council*
Board member of the Frayser CDC*
Creator and Founder of www.abettermemphis.com*There are more examples of my service to the community, but this is not about me. It is about improving the quality of life for the citizens of Memphis and changing the perception internally and externally when it pertains to how our city is viewed.Thank you in advance for helping to make Memphis a better place to live.Sincerely,Antonio ‘2 Shay’ ParkinsonPaid for by the Committee to Elect Antonio ‘2Shay’ Parkinson, Bruce Newman, Treasurer
