Mayor Takes Responsiblity For Actions, Criticizes Gov
Detroit (WWJ) -- Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick said Thursday he takes full responsibility for his own actions and the poor judgment they reflected. But he also singled out Governor Granholm for wanting to pursue political ambitions.
Kilpatrick spoke for about 20 minutes live on WWJ and local television hours after he agreed to step down as mayor as part of plea deals in two criminal cases. His mother, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., sat in the front row watching.
The mayor said under his administration the city has become an example of progress and resilience.
"I want to emphasize tonight that I take full responsibility for my own actions, for the poor judgement that they reflected," Kilpatrick said. "I wish with all my heart that we could turn back the hands of time and tell that young man to make better choices, but I can't. Our challenge now is to put the anguish and turmoil of the recent months behind us and join in a common cause to love our city, to love one another and to move forward together."
Kilpatrick walked into the conference room to thunderous applause and thanked his backers for sticking by him during his rocky 6 1/2-year tenure.
"I know that supporting me has not always been easy. .. You have done so because of your immense love of this city,'' he said.
The mayor said he's stepping down because the new expectations and standards of excellence of his two terms has been tangled up in what he said was the pursuit of peoples own political ambitions.
The mayor singled out Governor Jennifer Granholm.
"Rather than focusing on finding solutions to the huge issues that are facing our state, from record home foreclosures, the lack of affordable health care, a record unemployment in our state, Kwame Kilpatrick was at the top of her list," the mayor said, referring to removal hearings that were suspended Thursday afternoon.
Kilpatrick said after the headlines pass, those same issues will still be issues in the state and city.
"I wish her well and hope that the same tenacity, the same professionalism if you will, and intensity that went around putting together a quasi administrative court would also be the same tenacity to solve the problem of the people of the state of Michigan," Kilpatrick said.
Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd deflected Kilpatrick's sharp words after his speech, saying: ``The governor wishes Godspeed to the mayor and his family. With this behind us, leaders of our state and Detroit can devote 100 percent of their attention to growing the economy and creating jobs.''
Kilpatrick has two weeks to resign and urged people to support City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr., who will succeed him in office.
"It's a big difference between City Council and the mayor's office. He is going to need our support. He is going to need our prayers,'' Kilpatrick said. "My resignation should not stop the continuing progress of the place we all love, the city of Detroit.''
The mayor talked about new developments in the city including the multi-million dollar renovations of the historic Fort Shelby and Book Cadillac hotels.
He ended the speech saying ``I want to tell you, Detroit, that you have set me up for a comeback.''
Kilpatrick pleaded guilty on two obstruction of justice charges. He will serve four months in jail, pay the city $1 million in restitution, and spend five years on probation.
Kilpatrick admitted in court Thursday that he lied on the stand about a romantic relationship he had with former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty.
Kilpatrick also pleaded no contest to one count of assault in a separate case.
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