City Council Considers Raise for Memphis Mayor: What???

According to the Memphis Flyer, the Memphis City Council recommended giving the Mayor of Memphis a $11,500 raise. If approved by the full council, Mayor Willie Herenton will be making $171,500. The Memphis City Council discussed this in a meeting this week and it must be approved by the entire council.

This effort is on the heels of a recent effort by Memphis city leaders and citizens to draft a candidate to run against Mayor Willie Herenton, hoping to defeat him in the next election. The next election for Memphis Mayor is only months away.

What an odd move by a City Council made up of members, most of which are not seeking re-election. Long time council member, Tom Marshall as well as Jack Sammons and Carol Chumney are among the members not seeking re-election. Carol Chumney resigned to run for Memphis Mayor.

There have been many scandals, controversial issues surrounding elections, FBI probes as well as scandal within the city's utilities company, Memphis Light Gas and Water. Does it really seem like a time we should be debating whether "King Willy" gets a raise? Many Memphis citizens have lost confidence in the Mayor and other city leaders. In April of this year The Commercial Appeal conducted a poll that found that 66 percent of citizens think the mayor should not be re-elected. It also found that 62% felt Memphis is going in the wrong direction and that the support of Mayor Willie Herenton had gone down among black citizens and white citizens as well. Does it sound like a time to raise the salary for Mayor Willie Herenton?