• Fast Facts:
  • Edmund Ford Sr. former Memphis City Councilman
  • Found not guilty in trial where he was charged with malfeasance in office
  • Son Edmund Ford Jr is current Memphis City Councilman

(MEMPHIS,TN) 7/2/09 -- Pinch yourself, Go ahead...give your arm a good squeeze. You're not dreaming. What you are about to hear is fact. At least fact for July 2nd, 2009.

Welcome to the Political Twilight Zone. Where day is night and resignations mean...well not much. First let's head over to the land of Whitehaven. We find Edmund Ford, Senior in his office at the Ford Mortuary Service. He is not a happy man. "I don't like what I've been seeing at City Hall, "Ford says. "Everybody is thinking about themselves, and nobody is thinking about the people."

Edmund Ford, Senior is a member of this citys most famous political family. He was an outspoken member of the city council, and at times seemed almost combatative. "I fought for my district," he says. "I wanted to make sure the others didn't over look us."

Ford says he doesn't like how Mayor Pro Tem to be Myron Lowery is doing business. The issue of Lowery's transition team, and how Lowery wants to get the Pyramid and Fairgrounds redevelopment issues settled as soon as possible. "He needs to remember he is not the Mayor," Ford said. "He is the interim. Not the Mayor. The interim. There are things he can do, and there are things he can't do."

Ford says right now he's "100 percent sure" that he's going to run for City Mayor. If Lowery meets with him and they can reach agreements on issues, he might change his mind. "if I run" Ford says, "...I intend to win." Ford also expects his legal troubles will be an issue in a campaign. "I dealt with all of that for two years, I can deal with it again," Ford says.

Now, let's travel across town. To a gated community right next door to the home of Mayor Willie Herenton. This is where his trusted aid and friend, Shelby County Commissioner Sidney Chism lives. He is not a happy man. Not happy with how Myron Lowery is conducting business, and not happy with the ever increasing number of people who want to run for mayor. "We might have a candidate who wins this race," Chism says, "...with only 15% or 20% of the vote. I'm not worried about a white candidate winning, I'm more concerned about a candidate winning who has no knowledge of government and who is not capable of being mayor."

Chism talks with Willie W Herenton just about every day. "He is sincere in his wanting to be elected to Congress," Chism says. Herenton said he was retiring to run in the 9th Congressional District against incumbent Congressman Steve Cohen. But Chism says Herenton is extremely concerned about the people who are running. "What he might do," Chism says, "...he might very well retire on July 10th, and then turn around and run in the special election for mayor in October. He is just that concerned," Chism said.

Meanwhile another development. City Attorney Elbert Jefferson submitted his resignation to Mayor Herenton this morning. Herenton refused to accept it.