This is the full text of Willie Herenton's statement from today, explaining why he picked up a petition to run in the special election for Memphis mayor after retiring from the job:
"Citizens of Memphis: My primary political goal is to represent the ninth congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. I have every intention of being a congressional candidate during the August 2010 election. However, during the interim, recent events have compelled me to step forth to provide leadership and express my sincere feelings on how our city can continue to move forward, despite our current dilemma. My recent retirement from the office of Mayor has created this situation and I feel obligated to seek alternatives to Myron Lowery and an "anyone can win" mayoral race. The city I love deserves better. Therefore, I am also preparing a referendum resolution that would allow the citizens of Memphis to rescind the current charter amendment that elevated Myron Lowery to the office of Mayor Pro Tem. This resolution would prescribe limitations on the powers of a non-elected mayor. It is clear to many citizens that my retirement from office created opportunities for Mayor Pro Tem Lowery and a puzzling list of mayoral candidates to turn our city backward. I am disappointed in Myron's reckless style of leadership. He must be stopped. We cannot allow Mayor Pro Tem Lowery to be elected mayor during the upcoming special election. Unfortunately, it is difficult to predict a clear winner with a complicated array of mayoral candidates in the race. Therefore, I have pulled a petition to run in the upcoming mayoral special election."
Thanks Mayor Herenton, please put an end to this fiasco. Come save our city !!
Come save our city? Really. How about don't resign from office and SAVE THE CITY about a million dollars we're about to have to spend on a special election.
Private Citizen Herenton needs to be put in a mental hospital and evaluated on the basis that he suffers from delusion.