Posted on 05/03/2007 7:52:53 AM PDT by SmithL
The Whitehaven property where Memphis City Councilman Edmund Ford operates a mortuary -- and where he ran up his notorious utility bill -- is going on the auction block.
Ford's landlord, Dennis Churchwell, is planning to sell the property on May 19, billing the 5.8 acres as "ideal" for a motel or strip mall.
Advertisement Churchwell values the land and four buildings at about $1 million, but they will go to the highest bidder no matter what. He just wants out of Whitehaven and to sever his ties with Ford, owner of E.H. Ford Mortuary Services.
"I'm just sick of all this crap that's going on on account of him," Churchwell said. "I'm sick of him, and I'm sick of all the problems he's caused me."
Churchwell said he was preparing a letter to send to Ford to tell him about the auction.
Reached Wednesday at his business, Ford said he was not aware of Churchwell's plans.
"I'll probably end up talking with him. But I'm in the process of buying it anyway, so that will work," Ford said, before hanging up.
Churchwell was subpoenaed and testified before a federal grand jury about a month ago in connection with an ongoing FBI investigation into Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division's handling of Ford's accounts.
Churchwell said hiring a lawyer has cost him about $12,000. "I'm an innocent party in this deal," he added.
Ford was allowed to rack up more than $16,000 in debt for water and other utility charges on three accounts -- including two connected to the mortuary and the neighboring businesses -- while he served as chairman of the council committee that oversees MLGW's spending and budget.
Churchwell said he was quizzed at the grand jury about whether Ford ever got free rent for the mortuary and was asked "all kinds" of other questions.
Churchwell denied making any special deals with Ford, his tenant for more than two years.
He said he receives $7,000 a month in rent from the tenants, including $2,500 a month from Ford, who "never pays it on time." He's sent Ford a couple of eviction notices, and then he always paid up, Churchwell said.
The auction covers the following parcels: 3390, 3396, 3398 and 3402 Elvis Presley Blvd. In addition to the mortuary, there are car repair shops on the property.
Information on the auction, which is set for noon at 3403 Elvis Presley, can be found at midsouthauctiontn.com.
If the property sells, Churchwell said, it will be up to the new owner to decide whether Ford remains a tenant, but he's not really concerned about Ford.
"I'm going to sell it and get away from this crap," Churchwell said, "and be done with it."
It was the dead vote that sent Ophelia to Nashville. And look how close Harold Ford, Jr. came to being elected U.S. Senator.
I figured this was the infamous Ford crime family of Memphis, and you confirmed it.
Walking in Memphis
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