Detroit's Terrible way To Fresh Start
An editorial in the Detroit Free Press is a poor way to start fresh in Detroit and is disappointing. No matter what you think of him, degrading Benny Napoleon is not the way to start the rebuilding of the city. Benny Napoleon seems to be a fine man who has dedicated himself to the city. There is no need to slam the man who got 45% of the voters to cast their ballot for him. This was accomplished even though outside money poured into Duggan's coffers. What did you accomplish by calling Mr. Napoleon a "lesser opponent"? You just slapped the 45% of voters supporting Napoleon in the face.
I am glad to hear that Orr recognizes his operational weaknesses. He seems to have a very big ego and we will see if he is ready to share some of his intoxicating power. I sure hope so. The same holds true with the Governor. I am suspicious given the fact they just hired a Deputy Emergency Manager for $175,000 per year.
You say records matter. It did not seem to matter when Mr. Orr, who has no history of overseeing the operations of a city was put in charge of that task in Detroit. Frankly, the new Deputy EM also seems to lack that experience. You claim that "One of the more fantastical lies told on the campaign trail was that Snyder and Orr intend to lock the city’s democratic leadership out of city hall decision-making." The reason for these "lies" is that, up until now, this is exactly what Orr and Snyder have done. Give the citizens of Detroit credit for recognizing reality.
I too believe Duggan has the talent to move Detroit forward. I hope so. I hope Snyder has the internal strength to adjust the emergency manager law so there are checks and balances in place so that the interests of the city are not sacrificed for the interests of the state and Governor. I also hope the citizens of Detroit will support Duggan's effort. He will need all the support that can be mustered.
Here is what is causing so much mistrust of the state by the citizens of Detroit as it relates to the emergency manager law and its application to the city.
"...After the hearing or the expiration of the 10 days in the case of no hearing, the governor confirms or revokes his determination. A confirmation will assign management of Detroit's fiscal emergency to a Local Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board composed of three state officials, including the treasurer, who are all Snyder appointees...." NBC News, March 1, 2013
This mistrust is exasperated when the Financial Assistance Loan Board is making decisions where both the state and the city have a direct and competing financial interest. The word "Local" is misleading. How can state officials look out for the best interest of the city and the state at the same time when the interest of the two entities may be in conflict?
This will be especially true during the upcoming Governors attempt to be reelected.
I am glad to hear that Orr recognizes his operational weaknesses. He seems to have a very big ego and we will see if he is ready to share some of his intoxicating power. I sure hope so. The same holds true with the Governor. I am suspicious given the fact they just hired a Deputy Emergency Manager for $175,000 per year.
You say records matter. It did not seem to matter when Mr. Orr, who has no history of overseeing the operations of a city was put in charge of that task in Detroit. Frankly, the new Deputy EM also seems to lack that experience. You claim that "One of the more fantastical lies told on the campaign trail was that Snyder and Orr intend to lock the city’s democratic leadership out of city hall decision-making." The reason for these "lies" is that, up until now, this is exactly what Orr and Snyder have done. Give the citizens of Detroit credit for recognizing reality.
I too believe Duggan has the talent to move Detroit forward. I hope so. I hope Snyder has the internal strength to adjust the emergency manager law so there are checks and balances in place so that the interests of the city are not sacrificed for the interests of the state and Governor. I also hope the citizens of Detroit will support Duggan's effort. He will need all the support that can be mustered.
Here is what is causing so much mistrust of the state by the citizens of Detroit as it relates to the emergency manager law and its application to the city.
"...After the hearing or the expiration of the 10 days in the case of no hearing, the governor confirms or revokes his determination. A confirmation will assign management of Detroit's fiscal emergency to a Local Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board composed of three state officials, including the treasurer, who are all Snyder appointees...." NBC News, March 1, 2013
This mistrust is exasperated when the Financial Assistance Loan Board is making decisions where both the state and the city have a direct and competing financial interest. The word "Local" is misleading. How can state officials look out for the best interest of the city and the state at the same time when the interest of the two entities may be in conflict?
This will be especially true during the upcoming Governors attempt to be reelected.
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