Lowery Reacts to Herenton's Letter

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton says he's running for mayor because he doesn't want temporary mayor Myron Lowery to win the post permanently.

"Our citizens are smart in this community," says Lowery. "They are not going to be fooled by publicity stunts and media stunts like this."

But in Herenton's letter to the citizens of Memphis, he says Lowery has compelled him to run. He writes:

"I feel obligated to seek alternatives to Myron Lowery and an anyone can win mayoral race. The city I love deserves better."

Herenton attacked Lowery saying:

"I am disappointed in Myron's reckless style of leadership. He must be stopped. We cannot allow Mayor Pro Tem Lowery to be elected mayor during the upcoming special election."

Lowery says he will not return the attack on Herenton.

"I'm not going to speak in a negative way, I'm speaking in a positive way," says Lowery. "That's my style. If that's reckless, than so be it."

Herenton says Lowery is too powerful in his mayor Pro Tem role. He writes:

"I am also preparing a referendum resolution that would allow the citizens of Memphis to rescind the current charter amendment that elevated Myron Lowery to the office of Mayor Pro Tem. This resolution would prescribe limitations on the powers of a non-elected mayor."

Lowery says that issue is up to the voters, but disagrees with Herenton on being too powerful.

"There is not too much power," says Lowery. "The power I have as Mayor Pro Tem is the same power that any elected mayor has. We're not reducing power on a temporary basis."

Lowery says he will not be put on the defensive by Herenton.

"In fact I must be on the offensive because no one would talk about you unless they're afraid of you," says Lowery.

The Mayor Pro Tem position is newly created. It was approved by the voters in the last election and the provision was added to the charter. Memphians would have to vote to recall the measure to reverse in.