A third controversial Willie Herenton appointment just had his pension approved. Michael Gray, a former Herenton bodyguard and who was last year named the deputy director of the library system, had his $65,740 annual pension finalized. Gray is 51.
The city's retirement board approved these pensions without discussion. In addition to the full board, City Atty. Elbert Jefferson is sitting in the room.
The pension board also made final the approval of Tony Elion's pension. Elion, a former Herenton body guard who last year was named the Public Works deputy director over waste management, will get $49,989 annually.
Special time has been allotted during Mayor Herenton’s farewell party for Herenton and all his appointees to roll around in a room filled with piles of gold coins laughing maniacally and shouting “WE’RE RICH! RICH RICH RICH!!!!
And now you all know why Willie put Gray and Elion in high paying six figure salaries even though neither was qualified for the positions he appointed them to.
He knew he was going to retire soon and he set them up to get bigger pensions thanthey would have if they remained his bodyguards.
He has disdain for the people, the taxpayers of this city, the ones he falsely crows about being good for all these years.
If the voters select anyone who is or has been remotely connected, directly or indirectly, to Willie for the next Mayor, then they deserve the same that Willie has wrought upon this city for his 18 years in office.
Vote for Steve Cohen to be re-elected to Congress next year and retire Willie for good from public office.