The City Awaits: Will the Mayor Offer A “Goodbye” or More Promises?

by Anita S. Lane

I honestly cannot imagine what exactly was going on inside the Detroit Manoogian mansion on the morning of Tuesday, January 29, 2008—a week after Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick's sex-text scandal broke—but it wasn't a happy affair. In fact, as individuals approached the mansion for their regular cabinet meeting, it was clear that the content of this meeting would be anything but regular. The attendees approached the mansion as those attending a funeral—in a steady, singular procession—solemn, quiet and often with heads hanging down. After a week-long seclusion, the Deputy Mayor stated that the city of Detroit will soon hear a statement from the Mayor. Finally.

Finally, we will hear from the man who has so thoroughly embarrassed himself, his family, his employees, the residents of the City of Detroit and the entire region. While hearing from the Mayor may prove that he is willing to “confront” instead of hide from the issue at hand, I’m not sure there is anything he can say to make anyone feel any better—except maybe:

“I was wrong. I have blatantly betrayed the trust of Detroit’s residents, and that is unacceptable. I have asked the forgiveness of my family, and I ask for your forgiveness as well. It know it will take time to regain your trust. Unfortunately, time is not on our side. The city of Detroit has many important and urgent challenges that need our full attention. We cannot afford to be distracted from the issues that matter most. Therefore, I ask that you accept my resignation as the Mayor of the City of Detroit. And please—pray for me and my family. God bless you and God bless this city.”

How’s that for an appropriate response? The recently revealed text messages clearly show that the Mayor and his chief of staff lied under oath and collaborated to cover up their affair, as well as the firing of a police officer who might have uncovered their affair while investigating another incident involving the mayor.

There is no gray area. The Mayor flat-out lied. He then had the audacity to invoke the name of God while he was lying on the witness stand. Well, if he spent much time in God’s Word or even recalled what he learned in Sunday school as a boy, he’d know that “…there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.” (Luke 12:2) It’s just a plain ole’ common sense fact-- and a spiritual law. A law that lawyer Mayor Kilpatrick thought would not apply to him. Shame.

Yes, shame is what Kilpatrick has brought on himself, his family and the city of Detroit. He has some serious issues to contend with—including a perjury investigation and a separate $150 Million law suit concerning the cover-up of a murder of a dancer who performed at party at the Manogian mansion that Mayor Kilpatrick denies ever happened. I fear things may get uglier before they get better. Hence, I purport that Kilpatrick needs to focus on making things right with God, himself, with his family and with the law. All of these important things take time and energy—and they should be a priority.

That said, I think it would be big of the Mayor to admit his wrong-doing and state that he will step down to tend to these matters. Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick can be forgiven and he can move on. But I implore him—please— not on the city’s dime—and not while consuming precious city time.

I have genuine compassion for Mayor Kilpatrick. And I will continue to pray for him and his family—especially his three young sons who are experiencing the brunt of this first-hand.

Lastly, I pray that Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick puts the city and its future first, and steps up to do the right thing—right here, right now.

Copyright ©2008 by Anita S. Lane
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