Memphis Voters

Dear Reader:

I'm asking for your support of Mayor Willie. W. Herenton as he seeks re-election on October 4th. I am of the opinion that Mayor Herenton is the best candidate for Mayor. He has a tremendous record, and our City has made unprecedented growth and progress under his leadership.

The Mayor has been an advocate for giving young college graduates an opportunity to excel in the professional arena by actively recruiting them to City Government. Under his leadership, City Hall is more than ever both culturally and gender diverse. It was also Mayor Herenton that implemented the Summer Youth Program which gives thousands of teens jobs during the summer. (I was actually one of the teens hired back in 1992.) Finally, the Mayor in 1996, created the Minority and Woman Business Enterprise Program to bring small minority and women owned business to the table of City Contracts. Since its inception, over ONE-HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS has been dispersed to such businesses. These accomplishments were unheard of prior to the Mayor taking office.

My friends, these successes and others are in jeopardy of being brought to a halt if certain individuals have their way. There is a movement in this City that wants to halt the progress made in certain segments of our community and return City Governance back to the ways of old. EXCLUSION. Some have said that the Mayor has been in office too long. But if you look to the history of this City, there was no black Mayor from 1827 to 1992. They want to get rid of him after only sixteen years of steady progress, I think not.

I am not asserting that this Mayor has been perfect, by no means. However, I'd urge you to not get CAUGHT UP IN THE HYPE of voting for another candidate based on the Mayor's perceived personality. I'd ask you to look to his record, and to look at how far this City has come, and then cast your vote for Mayor Herenton. Lets continue to move forward, not take steps backwards. Your Friend, Spike Zee