Outgoing chairman Ford Canale delivers farewell, announces public-comment change

Ford Canale delivered his final remarks as chairman of the Memphis City Council during the Dec. 16 meeting recap, thanking colleagues and residents and outlining a small procedural change for public comment.

Canale said he was pleased with recent council actions — from public-safety investments to appointments — and thanked citizens for their trust in his leadership. He explicitly stated that Dec. 16 was his last meeting as chairman.

Canale announced that, moving forward, citizens will not be required to announce their physical address aloud on the microphone during public comment; instead, he said citizens must write their full address on the comment card when submitting it. Chairwoman-elect Jana Swearingen Washington responded that she "loves that" change.

Canale also publicly thanked Chairman Kennelly for leadership during the past year and expressed confidence in Swearingen Washington as the incoming chair. The council closed the recap by reminding listeners of the next meeting, Jan. 13, 2026.

The recap did not include a formal resignation, election mechanics or a recorded vote for chairmanship in the excerpt provided.