FAST FACTS:
"I don't think the citizens want someone who each time somebody claps their hands, they're going to look off and saying what's going on over there. I am looking to the future," said Wharton.
We talked to Wharton about the future. What would a city run by A C Wharton as mayor look like.
"For those who want to come here and offer their best and enjoy our best it's going to be a welcoming city. But if you got something else on your mind, it's not the place for you to come. If you're coming here for crime or anything else this is not going to be your place," said Wharton.
When it comes to crime fighting, he says he'd focus on three things. They would be guns, crack and gangs.
Wharton said, "Far too many youngsters, particularly the gang members, are packing."
Wharton says he'd personally lobby for gun laws that would allow courts to monitor long term those juveniles caught with weapons. He wants tougher laws for the adults who give them guns.
"I feel that the gun racketeers we ought to come down as hard on them as we do on sex offenders. I think once you are convicted of illegal trafficking of guns. We need to put a wrist band on you. You need to go on a registry," said Wharton.
Wharton says he would conduct a national search for police director but it doesn't mean he would name anyone new. He says his idea would be to build onto Director Larry Godwin's signature Blue Crush program by also tracking those social ills that often lead to crime.
On consolidation, Wharton said voters have the ultimate say so but personally feels it makes good money sense for taxpayers to combine city and county government.
Wharton said, "We need to be as efficient as we can and I would suggest to you having two of everything is not the model of efficiency that our citizens want."
What about the efficiency in divisions of city government and the millions of dollars spent on contract lawyers that defend the city. Wharton says he hired more in-house lawyers in the county to cut cost. How would this lawyer by trade tackle the city's big legal bills?
"First thing you do is conduct a complete review for every possible savings. I don't go in with pre-fixed notions. I don't think folks want that kind of leader," said Wharton.
And, what about former Mayor Willie Herenton getting in the race. Previously, Wharton told us he would not run against the man he called his friend.
"Keep in mind that was what two years ago. I never, never said I will never run if he runs. That was at that particular time. To make it absolutely clear. I am running for city mayor in 2009," said Wharton.
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"I don't think the citizens want someone who each time somebody claps their hands, they're going to look off and saying what's going on over there. I am looking to the future," said Wharton.
We talked to Wharton about the future. What would a city run by A C Wharton as mayor look like.
"For those who want to come here and offer their best and enjoy our best it's going to be a welcoming city. But if you got something else on your mind, it's not the place for you to come. If you're coming here for crime or anything else this is not going to be your place," said Wharton.
When it comes to crime fighting, he says he'd focus on three things. They would be guns, crack and gangs.
Wharton said, "Far too many youngsters, particularly the gang members, are packing."
Wharton says he'd personally lobby for gun laws that would allow courts to monitor long term those juveniles caught with weapons. He wants tougher laws for the adults who give them guns.
"I feel that the gun racketeers we ought to come down as hard on them as we do on sex offenders. I think once you are convicted of illegal trafficking of guns. We need to put a wrist band on you. You need to go on a registry," said Wharton.
Wharton says he would conduct a national search for police director but it doesn't mean he would name anyone new. He says his idea would be to build onto Director Larry Godwin's signature Blue Crush program by also tracking those social ills that often lead to crime.
On consolidation, Wharton said voters have the ultimate say so but personally feels it makes good money sense for taxpayers to combine city and county government.
Wharton said, "We need to be as efficient as we can and I would suggest to you having two of everything is not the model of efficiency that our citizens want."
What about the efficiency in divisions of city government and the millions of dollars spent on contract lawyers that defend the city. Wharton says he hired more in-house lawyers in the county to cut cost. How would this lawyer by trade tackle the city's big legal bills?
"First thing you do is conduct a complete review for every possible savings. I don't go in with pre-fixed notions. I don't think folks want that kind of leader," said Wharton.
And, what about former Mayor Willie Herenton getting in the race. Previously, Wharton told us he would not run against the man he called his friend.
"Keep in mind that was what two years ago. I never, never said I will never run if he runs. That was at that particular time. To make it absolutely clear. I am running for city mayor in 2009," said Wharton.
