Minni Forman (107)
"Go in the garage, pull the door down, leave the engine running." That was the advice Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson (who’s always good for a sharp quip) gave last week to his neighboring county executive Robert Ficano as the Wayne County corruption scandal escalates.
And it's no secret that Ficano, after having four former members of his administration facing federal corruption charges and a recent Detroit News reports showing his top ten campaign donors are employees of county vendors, that the leader of Wayne County has some 'xplainin' to do. It's also a chance to draw out some real party politics.
As the weeks ramp up to elections, party political lines are clearly drawn around the scandal. Republican candidate for Wayne County Commission Rick Convertino vows to raise $400,000 to pay poll workers and get the 200,000 sigantures needed to oust Ficano. A goal Convertino called "very doable" in a Detroit Free Press report. If they can raise that kind of money there must be some polical will behind the way.
Either way, it's a good look for Ficano.
"Go in the garage, pull the door down, leave the engine running." That was the advice Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson (who’s always good for a sharp quip) gave last week to his neighboring county executive Robert Ficano as the Wayne County corruption scandal escalates.
And it's no secret that Ficano, after having four former members of his administration facing federal corruption charges and a recent Detroit News reports showing his top ten campaign donors are employees of county vendors, that the leader of Wayne County has some 'xplainin' to do. It's also a chance to draw out some real party politics.
As the weeks ramp up to elections, party political lines are clearly drawn around the scandal. Republican candidate for Wayne County Commission Rick Convertino vows to raise $400,000 to pay poll workers and get the 200,000 sigantures needed to oust Ficano. A goal Convertino called "very doable" in a Detroit Free Press report. If they can raise that kind of money there must be some polical will behind the way.
Either way, it's a good look for Ficano.
I never thought I'd say this but poor Mayor Dave Bing. Forgive the poorly drawn artwork, but when one is forced to make decisions they don't agree with that's a loss of power. The more I follow Detroit's controversial consent agreement, I realize what a tough place city officials, especially Mayor Dave Bing, are in. With so few solutions on the table and a crisis on hand, they've been cornered into making decisions they themselves don't fully support.
I was there at Bing's victory party on election night three years ago when black and red balloons swirled through the air and hopes were high for the newly elected mayor. Bing undoubtedly knew that night the he had his work cut out for him and that the years ahead would be rocky. And that he might have to concede powers to the state. Now, here he is, after three years of battling with unions and privatizing city services to and stave off an oncoming financial storm, the bricks are still falling... fast. I'm afraid to say motor city mayor is stuck between a rock and a hard place with regards to the state takeover and the financial crisis the city faces. In a way, he's already condeded much of his decision making freedom due to this political bind.
I understand how he could be privately be against the agreement that would but a nine-member board in charge of the city’s money (or lack thereof), and yet publically support the same agrement. Having an up-close and personal view the budget pitfall the city faces, he is forced to take a meager compromise. What’s worse: the messy end of the stick which is what consent agreement offers? OR being ousted by one emergency financial manager (EFM) OR filing for bankruptcy? Of the three bad deals, the consent agreement is the better, according to Bing.
So Mr. Dave Bing for navigating this tough situation. I don’t support anyone coming in and taking over—EFMs, and advisory board members alike—but I also am pragmatic and know something has to give. But what? Federal help has been suggested, but it would take more than a few months s to secure such federal resources (if at all).
Sure, if I had the answers I’d be mayor... or better, a high paid state apointed financial advisor. Obviously, I don’t. I know one thing though: I wouldn’t want to trade places with Dave Bing. But I would like to hear thoughtful solutions that could help save Detroit from being taken advantge of during this vulnerable time.
When I heard the Rainbow PUSH Coalition along with other community organizations were staging a funeral for democracy, I thought it was a bit melodramatic. Of course, there are always challenges to voter rights, but to say democracy has crumbled and died was a bit much.
But after attending the "funeral" I got a better idea of the purpose of the event.
"There are a number of ways to protest something other than a press conference or a march. You can do it through the arts and sarcastic symbolism," said Rev. Alexander Bullock, President of Rainbow PUSH Michigan and the NAACP Highland Park branch.
Sarcastic sybolism. That would explain the theatrical mourners, the coffin, the hearse, and the pamphelt comemorating democracy's loving memory. Any type of creativity is welcome and after taking it in, I couldn't help but find the dark humor of the affair. From african style drumming and dancing to props, songs and speaches, Demoracy went out in style. In terms of attendance, one would think democracy's funeral would draw more than 50 people, but then again, maybe not. Maybe that's why it's "dead" in the first place. Apathy.
But Bullock says he's still optimisitc:
"I thought it went well. It’s not how many people show up, it’s how many people you reach (through media). The message was clear enough so people could get it. The mock funeral was part of a series of events leading up to a major, major march in August. We seek to organize and inform."
People say the darndest things, the funniest things, and even some really eloquent things. For people who like wordplay, or are amused by quotations, this is fun stuff. Every week I'll scavange the best Detroit-themed quotations. From making budget "soup" to "disgusting" bus rides, there's something for everyone. Straight talk. Just quotes. Verbatim.
“Our job is to educate children, and by the same token, we’re going to close some more schools.”
-Detroit Pubic School’s Emergency Financial Manager Roy Roberts on shrinking DPS to match population.
"You're here because you made a bargain with the government."
-Bobby Ferguson's lawyer Gerald Evelyn to Ferguson contactor Brian Dodds during testimony after plea deal.
"It's making soup. It's good stuff."
-Governor Rick Snyder on state budgetting
“Mitt Romney is gonna open up a can of whopass.”
-Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson on his prediction for 2012 election
“I was not aware of any suspension of license due to change of address.”
-Pastor Marvin Winans on why he was driving with a suspended license
“People are disgusted with bus service.”
-Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh describing DDOT busses
“I have not done anything wrong.”
-Wayne County executive Robert Ficano regarding Wayne County corruption scandal
"It’s going to take more than campaign promises and stirring speeches to move transit forward.”
-Executive Director of Transit Riders United (TRU), Megan Owens, to crowd of transit advocates in Detroit.
"I really want to thank the bus riders."
-TRU Volunteer accepting an award for transit advocacy service.
"We're about getting deals done and getting them done quickly.”
-DPS Real Estate Manager Tammy Deane to crowd of potential buyers for DPS’ abandoned property
Detroit Public Schools announced yesterday that it is selling 200 abandonded buildings and properties racked up from school closures. DPS teamed up with the Detroit Works project and other groups to help sell buildings and properties for repurposing. DPS Emergency Manager Roy Roberts called the reuse of the old schools "critically important” and urged businesses to buy the closed school buildings to help revive the economy in the city as well as generate revenue for DPS through property sales.
Roberts told potetnial buyers at a conference Wednesday: “School buildings last longer than most businesses. If you can find other uses for these facilities, it’s a great help to the community where they are located.”
The buildings may be good enough for businesses, but apparently not for schools. DPS will be building eight new "state of the art" schools with federal bond funds. Half of those will be built this year, DPS reports:
Detroit Public Schools will open four new schools in 2012 totaling $150 million of voter-approved investment that will provide some 4,500 students brand new learning environments that will replace older facilities.
Voters chose to support controversail Proposal S funding in 2009, bonds that will be re-paid by Detroit residents over the next 20 years:
Detroit Public Schools plans to build eight new schools and modernize 10 schools thanks to the passage of Proposal S, a bond referendum voters approved on Nov. 3 to take advantage of $500.5 million in stimulus dollars that President Barack Obama made available to build new schools and modernize existing schools. Under Proposal S, $246 million — nearly half of the bonds — will be re-paid at a 0% interest rate.
There is a lot of public resistance to Detroit's consent agrement, a move that would allow the state to appoint an outside board of experts to take over the city's finances. The agreement is just a shade away from the state appointing one emergancy financial manager (EFM) who would also control the cities finances, the difference is, an EFM would be taking away more than union jobs-- he or she would toss the power of elected officials as well.
According to Mayor Dave Big, the cash strapped city only has three options: accept the concent agreement, get slammed with an EFM, or file for bankruptcy. While none of these options are good, Bing and the majority of city council members believe the consent agrement is the better of three evils.
And while nayways abound, who has offered viable options that would save the city aside from a true financial collapse?
One idea comes from U.S. Congressman Hanson Clarke, (D-13), who believes the city is eligible for a federal bailout, much like the one provided to GM and Chrysler.
The Huffington Post reports:
"Clarke said he plans to seek emergency federal aid in Congress and from the Obama administration and may introduce legislation as early as next week. His plan is modeled after the federal bailout of New York City in 1975. 'It's the same situation that's just as grave,' Clarke told HuffPost. 'We need to provide relief for the city of Detroit in order to create jobs in this country and rescue this symbol of our manufacturing power.'"
How likely is a City of Detroit bailout in the heat of a presidential election year? Not very. But hey, it's worth a try.
Last week at the Michigan Chronicle's Pancakes and Politics speaker forum, Wayne County executive Robert Ficano said the county's budget was balanced, and even had a bit of surplus. "Wayne County is functioning very well," Ficano said last Friday morning.
But that's not true according to a report published in The Detroit News today. The article stated that Wayne County is actually facing a general fund deficit so steep, that county officials are looking to use grant money earmarked for other programs to stave back economic fallout.
The Detroit News' Steve Pardo reports:
"Under state law, counties with deficits need to submit five-year deficit reduction plans. Wayne County is the only county in the state submitting such a plan; it already qualifies for emergency manager status, meeting four of 18 triggers spelled out under state law," the report stated.
So which is it? Or can it be both?
Yes, it can. The whole picture shows that by certain measures, both statments are true. In the fiscal year of 2011, yes, Wayne County had balanced the budget and a surplus mostly income from a legal settlement between the County and the 3rd Circuit Court according to county CFO, Carla Sledge.
But that doesn't mean the county doesn't owe big time cash. The overall County deficit weighs in at around $154 million, according to Auditor General Willie Mayo. While that's not terrible news, (In 2010 the comprehensive budget defifict in Wayne County was $253 million) it's no light bill. And for Ficano to cliam that the the county is prospering is a bit of a stretch.
Wayne County executive Robert Ficano continued to defend his reputation this Friday morning at the Michigan Chronicle's Pancakes and Politics forum in Birmingham's Townsend Hotel. But he said he has no hard feelings about media coverage of the Wayne County corruption scandal despite tough scrutiny. "No, I am not going to resign," he responded when event host, Carol Cain, asked if he would step down under the pressure of having four former members of his administration facing federal corruption charges. "I have not done anything wrong."
When asked if he felt media coverage of the Wayne County scandal has been fair, he said he understands everyone has a job to do. "I recognize what the first amendment is all about. The media have a job to do and I don't resent it. This is the life I have chosen. I am a public official. With that comes scrutiny."
Ficano was a panalist along with fellow Metro Detroit leaders Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Oakland County Executive Robert Ficano and Macomb County executive Mark Hackel.
Ficano also added that the important thing to keep in mind is that Wayne County is doing fine under his leadership, with a balanced budget and event a bit of surplus. "I've been a public offical for 30 years and doing a good job," he told more than 400 attendees at the forum. "Six months of difficulty shouldn't define me."
Digital Daily Signup
Sign up now for the Michigan Chronicle Digital Daily newsletter!
Trending Topics
Free Digital Edition
