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Opinions Mixed As State Takeover Looms In Detroit
 [DETROIT.CBSLOCAL] Is the governor caving to pressure from the suburbs? Does it matter if he is? Detroit City President Charles Pugh said that's a fact, as Rick Snyder on Friday declared a financial emergency in Detroit, setting the stage for a state takeover. Probably the fact that Detroit has a mayor and a president is a big part of its problem. Pugh said, however, while there is pressure from outside the city, he's certain there are people within Detroit who would welcome a state-appointed emergency financial manager. Meaning not everybody in the city is below average... "Because they're tired of it lingering. They want to get it over with," Pugh told WWJ Newsradio 950′s Pat Sweeting. If you're cutting spending you're not handing out contracts. Government consists of giving contracts to campaign contributors and other people you know. But what those people don't realize, Pugh said, is that an EFM won't just be in and out. What? No magick wand? "It doesn't work like that. And if it doesn't work like that in smaller cities, why in the hell would they think it would work in a city as complicated as Detroit?" No end in sight, huh? That means no more boodle for the foreseeable future... Pugh pointed out that emergency financial managers were appointed to oversee the Detroit Public Schools, and, years later, the second EFM there is still on the job. Danger, Will Robinson! How well has the EFM for the city schools worked? Also among those who oppose the EFM move is U.S. Congressman Gary Peters, who said he's "deeply disappointed" in the governor's decision. "The city council of Detroit has the right to dispose of its own boodle!" "All of us agree that the city has serious financial challenges which must be addressed, however I fundamentally disagree with taking measures that disenfranchise the families I represent in Detroit," Peters said, in a statement. Let's translate that statement into English: "All of us agree that Detroit's politicians have plucked the rotting carcass of the city bare, and won't stop of their own accord, however I fundamentally disagree with taking measures that will do anything about it." Posted by: Fred 2013-03-03 |
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