Fast Facts:
Posted by 3 On Your Side Watchdog Mike Matthews
(Memphis 7/30/09) He had a dozen red roses. "I want you to smell these," Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton said, "...while you still can." His mother sat in a chair, put the roses on her lap, and smiled at her son.
Willie Herenton went out in classic Herenton style. He thanked God for allowing him to serve. He thanked his friends, his family, and the voters. And he bashed the news media. "I think the Commercial Appeal has used more ink on me than any other Mayor in this city's history," Herenton said. "I can't think of anybody who has had to deal with such a negative group of reporters and reporting than me."
In the Hall of Mayors, supporters cheered every word of praise that Wille Herenton received. And he received the kind words from such people as Rev. James Netters, and Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton. Wharton quoted singer Frank Sinatra's classic song when describing Herenton as a man who "faced it all. And I stood tall. And did it my way."
Across the hall in the City Council chambers Herenton took questions from reporters, and again, it was classic Herenton style. In 1997 Willie Herenton was the only Mayor in Tennessee to fight legislation that would enable communities to set up towns with ease, thus depriving cities like Memphis of a future tax base. "That legislation would have destroyed Memphis," Herenton said. "I think that was my finest hour."
His least finest hour had to do with the continuing investigation by the feds into allegations that Herenton used his influence to purchase land and make a profit. One area the feds have reportedly been very interested in, concerns Herenton's involvement with the land where the Greyhound Bus Terminal sits. It's land that the mayor has pushed as a site for a proposed new convention center. "You people have just blown that out of proportion," the Mayor said. When told that we were reporting what was coming out of federal court, Herenton said, "Who gives those people a label of credibility. I have known some of the most corrupt people in the world working under the badge of the justice system." When he was asked to give his side of the story Herenton was dismissive. "What Mike (Matthews NewsChannel 3) is doing right now is being theatrical," Herenton said. "Mike don't try those theatrics with me."
Once the reception and news conference wrapped up, Herenton went back to his 7th floor office and met with soon to be Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery. Lowery still won't say when he is going to be sworn in as Mayor Pro tem for the next 90 days. The special election for mayor is scheduled for October 27th.
- Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton is retired
- Has qualified for pension of $75,000 a yr
- Says he's been a "terrific" Mayor
Posted by 3 On Your Side Watchdog Mike Matthews
(Memphis 7/30/09) He had a dozen red roses. "I want you to smell these," Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton said, "...while you still can." His mother sat in a chair, put the roses on her lap, and smiled at her son.
Willie Herenton went out in classic Herenton style. He thanked God for allowing him to serve. He thanked his friends, his family, and the voters. And he bashed the news media. "I think the Commercial Appeal has used more ink on me than any other Mayor in this city's history," Herenton said. "I can't think of anybody who has had to deal with such a negative group of reporters and reporting than me."
In the Hall of Mayors, supporters cheered every word of praise that Wille Herenton received. And he received the kind words from such people as Rev. James Netters, and Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton. Wharton quoted singer Frank Sinatra's classic song when describing Herenton as a man who "faced it all. And I stood tall. And did it my way."
Across the hall in the City Council chambers Herenton took questions from reporters, and again, it was classic Herenton style. In 1997 Willie Herenton was the only Mayor in Tennessee to fight legislation that would enable communities to set up towns with ease, thus depriving cities like Memphis of a future tax base. "That legislation would have destroyed Memphis," Herenton said. "I think that was my finest hour."
His least finest hour had to do with the continuing investigation by the feds into allegations that Herenton used his influence to purchase land and make a profit. One area the feds have reportedly been very interested in, concerns Herenton's involvement with the land where the Greyhound Bus Terminal sits. It's land that the mayor has pushed as a site for a proposed new convention center. "You people have just blown that out of proportion," the Mayor said. When told that we were reporting what was coming out of federal court, Herenton said, "Who gives those people a label of credibility. I have known some of the most corrupt people in the world working under the badge of the justice system." When he was asked to give his side of the story Herenton was dismissive. "What Mike (Matthews NewsChannel 3) is doing right now is being theatrical," Herenton said. "Mike don't try those theatrics with me."
Once the reception and news conference wrapped up, Herenton went back to his 7th floor office and met with soon to be Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery. Lowery still won't say when he is going to be sworn in as Mayor Pro tem for the next 90 days. The special election for mayor is scheduled for October 27th.
