Pruneface

[Octafish]

Can we quote you on that? The greatest hits of Coleman Young

Detroit Mayor Coleman Young was certainly one of the more controversial figures to lead the city. People either loved him or hated him, but as more time passes and more facts come to light — such as the Free Press’ investigation “How Detroit went broke” — it is clear that he actually was one of the city’s five best mayors.

But he also is remembered for being one of the more colorful characters to lead the city, and his mouth — and his language — were legendary.

Here are 12 of Young’s greatest hits — or, at least, his greatest family-friendly hits — as excerpted from the book “The Quotations of Mayor Coleman A. Young.” For more, buy the book here from Amazon.com.

SNIP...

On the abandonment of Detroit:

“No other city in America, no other city in the Western world has lost the population at that rate. And what’s at the root of that loss? Economics and race. Or, should I say, race and economics.”

On Ronald Reagan, before the Republican was elected president:

“Pruneface.”

On Ronald Reagan, after the Republican was elected president:

“President Pruneface.”

CONTINUED...