2008 Woodie Awards
Mayor Kilpatrick stands strong
Despite calls for his resignation, Kilpatrick will not step down
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Nation
DETROIT - Yesterday, the Detroit City Council called for the resignation of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who is being investigated over an alleged affair he swore under oath he did not have. He quickly rejected the request.
The resolution, passed 7-1, amounted to a "no-confidence" vote because the council lacks the power to force Kilpatrick to step down.
"You take a whole day to discuss an issue like this," Kilpatrick said. "My reaction is: This is over. It has no effect. It's not binding. Let's get back to work."
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy is investigating whether the mayor and former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty lied under oath when they testified in a whistle-blowers' lawsuit that they had not had a physical relationship. Kilpatrick has been dogged by media reports about steamy text messages the two exchanged that suggest a romantic relationship.
Kilpatrick also has been criticized for using a racially charged word during a recent speech.
The lone vote against the resolution was cast by president pro tem Monica Conyers, the wife of U.S. Rep. John Conyers. One councilwoman was absent because of illness.
The council considered the issue two weeks ago, but postponed a vote because some members said they needed more information before they could decide what to do.
"A whole lot has changed between then and now. ... My vote is not an indictment of the mayor so much as it is a request of the citizens to get back to work," said Councilwoman Barbara-Rose Collins, who supported the measure.
The resolution, passed 7-1, amounted to a "no-confidence" vote because the council lacks the power to force Kilpatrick to step down.
"You take a whole day to discuss an issue like this," Kilpatrick said. "My reaction is: This is over. It has no effect. It's not binding. Let's get back to work."
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy is investigating whether the mayor and former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty lied under oath when they testified in a whistle-blowers' lawsuit that they had not had a physical relationship. Kilpatrick has been dogged by media reports about steamy text messages the two exchanged that suggest a romantic relationship.
Kilpatrick also has been criticized for using a racially charged word during a recent speech.
The lone vote against the resolution was cast by president pro tem Monica Conyers, the wife of U.S. Rep. John Conyers. One councilwoman was absent because of illness.
The council considered the issue two weeks ago, but postponed a vote because some members said they needed more information before they could decide what to do.
"A whole lot has changed between then and now. ... My vote is not an indictment of the mayor so much as it is a request of the citizens to get back to work," said Councilwoman Barbara-Rose Collins, who supported the measure.
Be the first to comment on this story