This week, for the second time in a month, Mayor Willie Herenton
held a press conference to critique the press.
While that may be interesting to people in the media and some of
their viewers and readers, it has deflected attention from two more important
issues: the city’s financial condition and the mayor’s political condition, both
of which can be affected by any sudden adverse development on the mayor’s legal
front. And it was this prospect — teased on local television,
perhaps prematurely and incompletely — that prompted the press conference on
Tuesday.
Dewey Clark, a witness in the corruption trial of former Atlanta
mayor Bill Campbell, has said that he gave Herenton $9,000 — in Herenton’s
office. A wiretapped audiotape on which Clark said such has been introduced into
evidence at the Atlanta trial. The circumstances of this claim are unclear and
will remain so until Clark and Herenton provide more testimony in the trial,
which is expected to last several more weeks.
Statements made in federal court by government witnesses who are
under oath should be taken seriously. Clark, who is from Memphis, and Campbell
were good friends. Clark even lived in Campbell’s basement for a while. Herenton
and Campbell were good friends too. They took part in each other’s ceremonial
functions, traveled to Tunica together, and helped each other raise money.
The media and the public, understandably, have a big interest in
this. When Herenton testifies, he can be cross-examined by the prosecution.
Presumably, prosecutors will bring up the $9,000 payment. Herenton said he runs
an honest shop, and he has promised to raise his right hand and put his other
hand on a Bible and tell the truth when he testifies. He added that he will
speak about Clark’s testimony and Campbell’s trial after it is over.
The media and the public and their elected council members have
an obvious concern with challenges, made directly or indirectly, to the probity
of this city’s chief executive. Likewise, they have a legitimate interest in the
city’s financial condition and changing forecasts from the Division of Finance
and Administration. Herenton hasn’t yet explained in detail how he will cut
costs and possibly raise revenues at City Hall to balance the budget.
His criticism of some media reports as incomplete, biased, and
overblown is fair shooting. Reporters have learned this mayor gives as good as
he gets. You bait him, badger him, or, as one reporter did, put a hand on him at
your peril. By political standards, Herenton is direct and not especially
devious. On the other hand, we suspect that the former Golden Gloves champion
can be a hard man at close quarters, within or without the Marquis of
Queensberry rules.
Whether a television station had a scoop or a mini-scoop, a
bombshell or a blank — and whether said station over-hyped it during the Super
Bowl — is for viewers to decide.
The two pressing questions are whether Herenton can fix the
budget and whether he did anything illegal. Whether His Honor likes it or not,
both these stories are going to receive a full-court press from the media.
Want
to respond? Send us an email here.