Herenton Resigns...Again
Thursday June 25, 2009
Just over a year ago, I joyfully blogged about the fact that Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton had announced his resignation.
Today, it is with equal joy but considerably more doubt, that I am blogging about his newest resignation announcement.
The mayor says that he will leave office on July 11th to pursue business opportunities with his son, as well as to focus on his campaign for the 9th Congressional District seat.
Upon Herenton's departure, City Council Chairman Myron Lowery will serve as interim mayor until a special election is held 90 days later. Who will be on the ballot then? At last count, Myron Lowery, A.C. Wharton, and Carol Chumney have announced plans to run and several others are considering it.
So what do you think? Is Herenton really gone this time? And if so, who will make the best new mayor for the city of Memphis? Post a comment below and tell us what you think.
Comments
Well, it really doesnt matter that much. Herenton will never win another election for Mayor. With the new run-off rule he can’t count on winning with the paltry 36% base that he has counted on for so long.
He is now starting to see the fruits of his labor, a city that once was proud is now a backwater has-been. Thank God that no matter what happens we can be out from under him in 3 more years.
I think he is sincere though. Mostly because he knows he can’t win again, so he wants to make it look like its his “choice” to run for Congress instead of Mayor.
Herenton’s resignation made front page on Care2 News Network yesterday at this link:
http://www.care2.com/news/member/513396753/1178009
The article gives a possible motivation for the resignation.
I’ve barely lived here, only a year, but I can see that Memphis has some great possibilities once it can move away from everything Herenton’s done to the city. The problems of a great city have definitely come under Herenton and we hope the good that comes of all this is that Cohen beats him for Congress and Herenton disappears from public life in this community.