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Speak Up! Memphis

Ophelia Ford's Illness Still a Mystery

Tennessee lawmakers are meeting in Nashville for the first day of the 2008 legislative session, but one state senator is not in attendance.

State Senator Ophelia Ford is absent from the proceedings. Her attorney, David Cocke, sent a letter to Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, informing him that Ford was very ill and would miss several weeks of the session. Ford was admitted to a hospital in December; her family told Eyewitness News Everywhere she was very ill, but would not disclose any further details of her condition.

Ford has asked that her committee responsibilities be reassigned, but several people close to Ford family wonder if she will ever return to the General Assembly. State Senator Jim Kyle and other lawmakers also have questions.

"If the folks elected you, they expect you to be there. They will forgive you if you are not there and they know why, but if they don't know why, they are not gonna forgive you," said Kyle.

After several weeks at a local hospital, sources tell Eyewitness News Everywhere that she has been moved to a rehabilitation center for physical therapy.

According to the letter sent by Ford's attorney, he will give lawmakers an update on Ford in about three weeks.

What do you think? It's your turn to Speak Up! Memphis.

Published Tuesday, January 08, 2008 4:08 PM by APhillips

Comments

 

Bartlettman said:

wine and courversier will do that, as will crack
January 8, 2008 4:19 PM
 

outspoken said:

how many employers would take that excuse and allow this "sick" person to remain on the payroll?  NOT MANY!
January 8, 2008 6:40 PM
 

Oh, Yeah! said:

Stick a fork in her. She's done.
January 9, 2008 5:33 AM
 

MS JONES said:

Leave that woman alone somethings can be personal.Let that lady breath.
January 9, 2008 7:59 AM
 

mnshadow53 said:

I wonder why Ms. Ford, who ran for office, selflessly to serve, doesn't retire so someone else can do the job?  After all, Ms. Ford has always embodied selflessness, service, honesty and integrity, right?  
January 9, 2008 8:15 AM
 

Bartlettman said:

hahahahahahaha

you are funny shadow.   Ms Jones, she is a public servent, her actions are public. She has not fulfilled her obligation, but I will take bets her checks have been cashed. We have the OBLIGATION, to question her actions and lack of service to the electorate. She made her bed, now she must lie in that bed.
January 9, 2008 8:24 AM
 

RollingEyes said:

I'm so glad Ophelia Ford fought tooth and nail for her seat so that she could (presumably) dry out at the taxpayers expense. Only in Memphis.
January 9, 2008 8:30 AM
 

State Employee said:

My guess would be that Ophelia is taking advantage, and I do mean TAKING ADVANTAGE, of the wonderful FMLA law. I am a State employee and have a co-worker that YOUR tax dollars are paying a nice salary to and she is hardly ever at work. Every week it's something new and she's on FMLA. We have to hold her job open for her and cannot do a THING about it. B**S***.

Until someone changes THAT law there is nothing we can do about Ophelia or people like her.
January 9, 2008 11:04 AM
 

WestMemphisgirl said:

StateEmployee  you are right to a degree....Unless the laws have changed...You have to be employed for at least one year and have worked at least 1200 hours..And we all know that is not true.  Also FMLA is only good for 12 weeks in a one year base.  She has been out now for how long?  Each time does not start a new 12 weeks.
January 9, 2008 11:24 AM
 

amazed said:

a typical "FORD" NO ACCOUNTABILTY FOR THIER ACTIONS
January 9, 2008 11:33 AM
 

State Employee said:

West Memphis Girl - agree with you.

However, Ophelia could be showing up at her office and hanging out - not doing anything - that will prolong her leave.

Not arguing with you at all, I'm sure she's using some freakish law or loophole to get by with this. Average honest folks like most of us here wouldn't know where to look nor would be even try!
January 9, 2008 12:18 PM
 

Bartlettman said:

Anyone thinking she is in the "nervous hospital" or kicking a drug habit?   Take a look at a crack head and then look at Ms Ford......hmmmmmmmmmmm
January 9, 2008 4:30 PM
 

Bartlettman said:

Ophelia we feelya


I wonder if she needs a box'o'wine and her shoes before she attends a senate session?
January 10, 2008 1:52 PM
 

Kathryn Miller said:

I for one want representation.  You can't do that if you are not there.  I'm not sure she was there even when she was present.

Something should be done to provide people representation, even when their representative is ill.
January 10, 2008 8:43 PM
 

Bunny H said:

I think that we need to know what her problem is and if she can't fill the seat she needs to be let go or have someone in there that has the pride of the USA to represent our people. After all we all pay their salaries. I believe that she is an alcoholic and possibly on drugs to boot. Let's get someone in there to take her place. LET US ALL KNOW WHAT HER PROBLEM IS! Seems like she takes after her brother JOHN another idiot how they got where they are is amazing.
January 11, 2008 12:19 AM
 

Static said:

When you dabble in drugs and alcohol equals a possibility of AIDS.
January 11, 2008 10:52 AM
 

mnshadow53 said:

When you watch her on TV she looks stoned....like she isn't sure where she is or what is going on.  Whatever is wrong with her, she needs to do the right thing for the people she represents....step down and let someone capable do the job!  
January 11, 2008 11:29 AM
 

Regal said:

Ms. K. Miller stated it best.  The district needs representation, it you can not do that then she needs to in her resignation and let someone else do the job.
January 11, 2008 11:56 PM
 

hatemonger said:

just another *** ford draining memphis
January 13, 2008 8:37 AM
 

jacobi131 said:

Think most people know what her problem is after all the news of falling off bar stools, beating up on cab drivers due to intoxication, slurring speech and outrageous rants  at legislative  sessions...she 's in rehab and too ashamed to own up to it.
Replace her and give the citizens the representation they should have had all these months. Just another FORD  using  tax money and getting nothing in return.
January 16, 2008 1:41 PM
 

GEL CAPS said:

IT SHOULDN'T BE A MYSTERY. LOOK WHAT FAMILY SHE'S A PART OF.
THE DISFUNCTIONAL FORDS
January 24, 2008 9:59 AM
 

Bunny H said:

this is getting ridiculous. Get the b*t*c* out of office and put someone in there that cares about the USA and its people.
January 24, 2008 11:39 AM
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