Kilpatrick Returns Home Following Hospitalization

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has returned home to Detroit following treatment at a Houston hospital for diverticulitis.

Doctors granted Kilpatrick clearance late Monday evening to return to Detroit, according to Ceeon D. Quiett, the mayor's communications director. The mayor and first lady Carlita Kilpatrick returned home early Tuesday to join their family.

Kilpatrick has made tremendous progress since first checking himself into the hospital on Friday, but will be required to get plenty of rest and take antibiotics while at home, according to city officials. They mayor will work with his primary care physician, Dr. Aaron Maddox, to determine appropriate care.

The mayor and his family extended their sincerest appreciation to all citizens, especially the children, for their warm wishes. Kilpatrick also thanked the media for their coverage and efforts to rally the community in support of his recovery.

Oh come on now! He's from my hometown. Whats not to like about the guy?

In early 2005, the Detroit media began reporting on the issue of Mayor Kilpatrick's overspending of city funds. One example is a $24,995 lease on a new Lincoln Navigator. Of particular interest, had this lease come to an amount of $25,000, then the Lincoln Navigator would have required City Council approval first. Kilpatrick disavowed any knowledge of this. And although he said it was for his wife, no proof supports this claim.

By April 2005, Kilpatrick's approval rating in Detroit was sharply declining due to the scandals and the perceived lack of improvement in the city. As a result, the April 17, 2005 issue of Time Magazine listed him as one of the three worst big-city mayors in the United States. The other two mentioned in the article are Dick Murphy of San Diego and John F. Street of Philadelphia.

In May 2005, the Detroit Free Press reported that over the first 33 months of his term, Kilpatrick has charged over $210,000 on his city-issued credit card for travel, meals, and entertainment. Kilpatrick has also been under scrutiny for an allegedly inappropriate party at the Manoogian Mansion.

In June 2005, Kilpatrick threatened to cancel the International Freedom Festival if the council overrode his veto of the council's budget plan. City Council did indeed override Kilpatrick's veto, and the mayor was forced to back down from his threat.

In October 2005 Kilpatrick caused controversy with an ad which compared media criticism of him to lynch mobs.

And I'm sure the family of the murdered stripper after the Manoogian party would agree with me.

LOL

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