More candidates talk at mayoral forum

More on the candidates at the Holiday Inn forum:

City Councilman Kemp Conrad said he hasn't officially declared his candidacy and is only still thinking about a run. He also said he's come here today to thank ABC members because they supported him in his past council race.

Conrad underscored the crime problem, holding up today's CA with the story about the East Memphis shooting. He talked about the city's other ills, including the high tax rate and the population drain - "people are voting with their feet, they're leaving the region."

He's also saying our infant mortality rates were higher than third world countries including Vietnam and El Salvador.

"I refuse to accept this," Conrad said.

City Councilman Jim Strickland, who also said he's still contemplating a run, says hope is down in Memphis and the population is shrinking.

He stuck mainly to policy initiatives, including his plan to fight crime. He's also in support of single-source funding for education.

He didn't have a speech planned, he said, because had not planned to attend the event today, thinking originally that he'd be tied up in court. (He's an attorney).

Memphis City School board Kenneth Whalum Jr. took the podium and turned this hotel ballroom into his church.

Unlike some of the other candidates, he did not read from notes and spoke with a captivating cadence. (It's evident he's a pastor).

It appears he's positioning himself early on as the straight talker, taking numerous digs at City Council chairman Myron Lowery and a few at The Commercial Appeal. (He's the guy the CA loves to hate, he said).

Perhaps distinguishing himself from the others, Whalum said he doesn't have a platform yet "because there is no race. I haven't written out my speeches, there's no race. And if there is a race, I plan to win it."

He said his views are rooted in common sense. And "common sense is not very common, especially among politicians."

As for the digs at Lowery, who will take over as interim mayor if Herenton resigns, Whalum teased him for his eagerness to take on the mayor's seat for 90 days. Whalum then started quivering.

"'I'm going to be the mayor, I'm going to be the mayor,'" Whalum said, imitating Lowery.

"You know I'm right!" Whalum said, and the audience chuckled.