A group of black ministers, and at least one state lawmaker, are urging Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton to stay in office - at least until February 20.
The group of ministers (left), including Pastor LaSimba Gray and Rev.
Dwight Montgomery, held a press conference outside of City Hall this
morning urging Herenton to delay his resignation for three reasons.First, they say the city and county should not spend $750,000 to $1 million to hold a special election.
Second, they want to "give time for an orderly transition in government and consequently in city service," according to a press release passed out by Gray.
Third, to "settle the unresolved issues of separation of executive powers from legislative powers."
"We're asking him now for the good of the city," Gray said.
The group also said they've asked attorney Javier Bailey to represent them in a lawsuit to clear up whether the city's charter allows the mayor pro tem - who would be City Councilman Myron Lowery when and if Herenton steps down - to hold onto his City Council seat.
According to charter amendments recently approved by voters, the mayor pro tem could retain his or her seat.
The speakers denied that this suit has anything to do with Lowery, who has already put a transition team in place and has announced plans for his 90-day stint in office.
But Rep. G. A. Hardaway (D-Memphis) insinuated that the last time a mayor resigned - Wyeth Chandler resigned in 1982 -- his interim mayor, J.O. Patterson, acted differently than Lowery.
"It wasn't an issue then because of the way it was handled by the personalities involved," Hardaway said. "When Councilman Patterson proceeded, he did it in a manner that did not bring a lot of attention to the situation in order to make it a situation."
The pastors wouldn't say whether they met with Herenton last Thursday when it was first reported that he was having second thoughts about resigning.
However, Hardaway said they have been in constant communication with the mayor.
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