Herenton's Harsh Words: Media and Mayor

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - It's always hard for any man to escape his past. Yet, on Wednesday, former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton declared he was willing to delve into it one more time to clear the decks in his quest to become a 9th district congressman.

Of course, as always, Herenton brought his own sanitizer. Once he entered the room it became clear Willie Herenton was ready to play "Gulliver" taking charge over a roomful of media "Lilliputians."

"First question...wait a minute. You're not running this!" said Herenton.

Over the next 95 minutes of bombast, characteristic arrogance, defiance, bits of humor and his own interpretations of actions and issues past and present, the former mayor of Memphis and current 9th district congressional Democratic candidate confidently conducted what was billed as a free-for-all question and answer session with reporters.

"I try to conduct myself professionally. I know I always meet that standard. Sometimes I let you guys get to me. Today you will not get to me," said Herenton.

And despite the lengthy session that seemed to run as long as a 15-round fight nobody truly seemed to land a "haymaker of a question" on the quick to counter-punch former golden glover.

But, Herenton himself got off some stinging jabs at past media coverage, former critics of his management decisions and an opening vitriolic salvo leveled at current Memphis Mayor AC Wharton's Monday announcement of a financial settlement with Beale street developer John Elkington.

"The Wharton administration has caved in to John Elkington and to whatever pressures that surrounded that decision and I wanted the taxpayers and the citizens of Memphis to know that as a a citizen, as a former mayor, that deal stinks!" claimed Herenton.

"I told you when I retired, I said AC Wharton would be the next mayor. I knew the mentality of Memphis. I also knew he would be a disaster. That's what he's proven to be."

Herenton's most emphatic defense of his tenure in office came when asked about the controversies that arose over his administration's management of problems at the MSARC Rape Crisis Center and later the City Animal Shelter.

"Who gives a damn about what happened at MSARC and the dog shelter? These are national issues. How we gonna put people back to work," fired back Herenton.

"What I say about m-sarc and the dog shelter...and you should know this too. Had I been the mayor, unlike AC Wharton, I wouldn't have made one visit over there to that dog shelter."

Herenton said, under advice from his lawyer, waived off any specific questions about the FBI investigation which didn't lead to a federal indictment. But, he said he's not really concerned the feds will try to mount a case against him again. As for closing the book on his 18 years as mayor, Herenton is fully aware of his place in Memphis history.

"For thousands of citizens in Memphis, I will always be their mayor. Thousands of them," said Herenton.