Detroit (WWJ)  -- Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick said the discussion about his resignation amid criminal charges related to a text message scandal fails to account for long-term realities. 

Responding to a question 20 minutes into the Pancakes & Politics forum at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham Friday, Kilpatrick said Detroit could have four mayors in 15 months if he were to resign.

"What you don't want is absolute chaos to happen in government, in financing, in sense of mission, in priorities at this particular time," Kilpatrick said.

The mayor said there is a "media storm going on" but he said the city is attracting businesses, fixing streets, building buildings and solving crime.
 
"The knee-jerk reaction of leave, leave, leave, no one has ever had a proper discussion of what happens the next day," Kilpatrick said when asked why it is good for Oakland County for him to stay in office.

Kilpatrick said "how Oakland County flourishes as a bedroom community of the city of Detroit or as mature urban suburbs is that the city, the nucleus, from the riverfront all the way to Eight Mile is strong and that has to be maintained and continue. The only way that continues is there is a righting of the ship."

To view video highlights from the event, including Kilpatrick explaining why he won't resign, click here.