Detroit (WWJ)  -- Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's plea deal brings to an end a 7-month-long scandal that plunged the city, region and state into political chaos.

As the story broke Thursday, WWJ Newsradio 950 heard from several pubic figures who were reacting to the news.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said she is extremely satisfied with the outcome of the plea agreement. "Yes, we insisted on jail time. And, like I said, we did not give an inch."

According to Worthy's, it's not just Kilpatrick's resignation that's important. "I'm glad he resigned. That was certainly something that was part of this agreement. But other things were important as well," she said.

"Restitution was critically important. Jail time was critically important. You have to have some consequences for your actions. This is sometime we tell our children. You don't just lose your job and walk away," Worthy said.

Governor Jennifer Granholm suspended the removal hearings that began this week, saying "This sad but historic story is coming to an end. Listen: 

WWJ spoke live with Gary Brown, one of the police officers involved in that 8-million-dollar whistleblower lawsuit that started the whole scandal.  He said the mayor needs time to heal, and says the city does too.

"I hope he tries to get the city to come together and heal -- and he just lets the new transition take place as quickly as possible so that we can more on," Brown said.

Brown said he doesn't expect, or even desire, any type of apology from Kilpatrick.

Adolph Mongo, a political activist and friend of the Mayor, told WWJ he was baffled by the plea deal.

"If this was the best he could get -- you know, personally -- I would have took it to trial, regardless of the outcome of the governor's hearings," Mongo said. He said he thinks the mayor could have gotten a better deal.

State Senator Hansen Clarke shared some suggestions for the next mayor of Detroit. "We'll need more cops on the street to make sure it's safer -- open up, reopen some of those police stations that were closed. Help people stay in their homes who are facing foreclosure," he said.

Clarke, who once ran against Kilpatrick, said Detroit's new Mayor should refuse to move into the Manoogian Mansion and put the Cadillac Escalade up for sale on Ebay, showing taxpayers that he is  serious about changing the way the city does business. 

Detroit City Councilman Kwame Kenyatta said the city will go on. "This is Detroit; this is Motown. This is a city that has come back many, many times before," Kenyatta said.

Speaking live on WWJ, Oakland County Executive L Brooks Patterson said Ken Cockrel, who will take over for Kilpatirck, is a "very decent guy" and he looks forward to working with him.
 
"I've worked with Ken in the past -- talked to him this morning, in fact -- after the plea was entered. And, I said 'Hey, I pledge my support and cooperation and I want to work with you to rebuild the fortunes of the city, and for the matter, the region," Patterson said.

Patterson said he had a good working relationship with Kilpatrick and he is not celebrating his political demise.

Mayor Kilpatrick's Pastor, J. Drew Sheard of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ spoke live with WWJ about Thursday's outcome. He said he believes the mayor's punishment is he punishment is excessive. "I just don't think it was fair to put a first offender, or a person who hasn't committed any you know, major crimes, any crimes before this, in jail," Sheard said.

Sheard said he is surprised at Prosecutor Kym Worthy, who says she's a person of faith, be so hard on the mayor.

In an official statement releadGeorge Jackson, president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, said he expects a smooth transition to new administration. He also expressed support for Kilpatrick:

"We could not have led the region in new housing starts or spurred nearly $6 billion in new investment in the city without excellent support from Kwame Kilpatrick. We hope people remember that part of his legacy as mayor ... As Kilpatrick leaves office, I hope for him and his family that he can learn from his mistakes and redevelop his own life with the same kind of resolve he had supporting the redevelopment of the city he loves."


The Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, III, still an ardent supporter of  Kilpatrick, released the following statement:

"I am grateful to have been entrusted with the confidence and support of Mayor Kwame K. Kilpatrick over these last several years, and especially over these last several more difficult days. No matter what happens from this point on Mayor Kilpatrick will remain in my mind one of the most gifted young black leaders of the 21st Century, his deficiencies not withstanding. I would hope that as we look back upon his legacy that this tragic end will be pale in comparison of his overall contribution to Detroit.

I also continue to believe, and no critic, foe, or anchor person can change my mind, that at the core of this tragedy, aside from the Mayor's own obvious failings, was an unquenchable thirst possessed by a self-serving posse to bring about the Mayor's demise. I have lived in Detroit long enough to see certain politicians granted indulgences, based on their usefulness and contributions to the bottom line of certain interests, that this Mayor was not afforded." More here.

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