tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74158819584819083612024-03-13T10:25:27.269-04:00FREE Detroit - NO ConsentWe are a broad-based coalition of communities, unions, and concerned citizens united in retaining self-government by the people of Detroit.
We oppose the Emergency Manager Law (Public Act 4) as well as two illegal strategies which stem from it: (1) The Financial Stability Agreement, signed by the Detroit City Council, which strips away the power of our elected officials, and (2) the imposition of the Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager, which has left our school system in ruins.Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-14980005607176361732016-06-13T07:30:00.000-04:002016-06-13T07:30:11.367-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">All are invited to attend this forum on June 30, 2016 for county, citywide and district candidates in northeast Detroit. The event starts at 7pm at Conner Creek, 4777 E Outer Drive.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7415881958481908361" target="_blank"></a>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Block clubs or neighborhood associations that wish to cosponsor this event may communicate that <a href="mailto:russbellant@gmail.com" target="_blank">by email [link]</a>. Cosponsorship commitment only requires that you agree to notify your members and encourage their attendance.</span></div>
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Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-89235725588085310062015-05-14T21:52:00.001-04:002015-05-14T21:55:00.485-04:00Social Movements Gathering: Welcome to Detroit!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.socialmovementsgathering.info/2015/04/welcome.html?spref=bl">Social Movements Gathering: Welcome to Detroit!</a><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're excited to share this </span><a href="http://www.socialmovementsgathering.info/p/invitation.html" style="color: #008599; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Invitation</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> with you to join the upcoming International Social Movements Gathering on Water and Affordable Housing in Detroit, MI from May 29-31, 2015. This regional, national and international gathering will bring together social movement organizations and justice groups working in defense of water and housing affordability and access.</span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the <a href="http://socialmovementsgathering.info/">SocialMovementsGathering.info</a> website, you'll find links for <a href="http://www.socialmovementsgathering.info/p/registration.html" style="color: #008599; text-decoration: none;">Registration</a> and </span><a href="http://www.socialmovementsgathering.info/p/blog-page.html" style="color: #008599; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Lodging</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> that we've arranged. As more information becomes available, including a <a href="http://www.socialmovementsgathering.info/p/schedule.html" style="color: #008599; text-decoration: none;">Schedule</a>, we will post it here.</span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please make arrangements to join the <a href="http://www.socialmovementsgathering.info/p/about-coordinators.html" style="color: #008599; text-decoration: none;">Detroit conveners</a> and many other groups expected to attend!</span></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog-this.g?u=http://www.socialmovementsgathering.info/2015/04/welcome.html?spref%3Dbl&n=Social+Movements+Gathering:+Welcome+to+Detroit!&t=+++Download+PDF+++Note:+Registration++deadline+is+Wed,+May+6th.+++We%26%2339;re+excited+to+share+this%C2%A0+Invitation+%C2%A0with+you+to+join+the+upcoming..." target="_blank"></a><br />
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Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-3101126531647831722015-05-14T21:47:00.001-04:002015-05-14T21:47:43.914-04:00Social Movements Gathering: Schedule<a href="http://www.socialmovementsgathering.info/p/schedule.html?spref=bl">Social Movements Gathering: Schedule</a>: The following is the schedule of events for the International Social Movement Gathering on Water and Affordable Housing being held May 29-31 in Detroit.Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-1871239381591966202015-02-18T14:30:00.000-05:002015-02-18T14:30:50.472-05:00Michigan Welfare Rights Organization: International Network ESCR files legal brief in su...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://michiganwro.blogspot.com/2015/02/international-network-escr-files-legal.html?spref=bl" target="_blank">Michigan Welfare Rights Organization: International Network ESCR files legal brief</a>: For immediate release International human rights network intervenes in case challenging large-scale disconnection of water supply to tens of thousands of low-income residents in Detroit.</div>
Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-65960319593070089162014-06-27T11:35:00.001-04:002015-02-18T14:32:00.850-05:00Water Shutoffs declared violation of human rights by United Nations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Freedom Fridays first targeted the Detroit Water Board's actions as directed by the Emergency Manager's staff in early June.<br />
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Looking at how delinquencies are being handled is why the United Nations has warned Detroit about possible human rights violations.<br />
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Who is Responsible for Shutoff Activities</h4>
Gary Brown, Detroit's appointed Chief Operating Officer, is the most known executive behind the water shutoffs, and is known for shutting off electric in 90 degree Sept 12, 2013 in downtown - paralyzing the city and causing health problems as a result. [<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/09/16/1239167/-Detroit-s-Emergncy-Mgr-staff-intentionally-cut-power-during-heat-wave-stranding-people-in-elevators" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1</a>][<a href="http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/environment/energy/unelected-detroit-official-gary-brown-turns-city-power-some-areas-video" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2</a>]<br />
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"We had to send them a strong message by turning the power off", says Gary Brown.</blockquote>
Brown, former City Council pro tem was selected by Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr's leadership and moved to Assistant Emergency Manager at the end of 2012 with the COO title and salary moving from roughly $80,000 to $225,000. There are questions as to how legal this move was from one position to another, as detailed in the Michigan Citizen. [<a href="http://michigancitizen.com/council-leaders-test-ethical-boundaries/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">3</a>] The end of 2012 saw a lot of upheaval in Detroit City Council. Charles Pugh fled office after the EM denied leave request, and Kwame Kenyatta was in hospital fighting for his life resigning from office in June. City Council was extremely weakened (6 of 9 remaining), and Saunteel Jenkins became acting City Council president [<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/09/saunteel-jenkins-detroit-city-council-president_n_3566930.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">4</a>] for the remainder of the year until election was held.<br />
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References</h3>
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<li><a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/09/16/1239167/-Detroit-s-Emergncy-Mgr-staff-intentionally-cut-power-during-heat-wave-stranding-people-in-elevators" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Detroit Emergency Mgr staff intentionally cut power during heat wave, stranding people in elevators</a>, Daily Kos</li>
<li><a href="http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/environment/energy/unelected-detroit-official-gary-brown-turns-city-power-some-areas-video" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Unelected Detroit Official Gary Brown Turns Off City Power In Some Areas (Video)</a>, Opposing Views </li>
<li><a href="http://michigancitizen.com/council-leaders-test-ethical-boundaries/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Council leaders test ethical boundaries</a>, Michigan Citizen</li>
<li><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/09/saunteel-jenkins-detroit-city-council-president_n_3566930.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Saunteel Jenkins Elected Detroit City Council President To Replace AWOL Charles Pugh</a>, Huffpost Detroit</li>
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Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-55698047283631107832014-06-02T16:19:00.001-04:002014-06-02T16:19:27.774-04:00Hey Detroit - Running Water is a Human Right!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eWQtq1LHBoI" width="459"></iframe><br />
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Get out and participate in <b><a href="http://moratorium-mi.org/tag/freedom-friday/" target="_blank">FREEDOM FRIDAYS</a></b>. The past few weeks we've been outside the Detroit Water Board Building raising awareness about the shutoff of 1500-3000 residents each week. The Emergency Manager's team is aiming for 120,000 residents this year. Meanwhile corporate water bills well in excess of $500,000 remain unpaid.<br />
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Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians came to Detroit to listen to concerns and hold a discussion about water rights.<br /><b>Links:</b> Maude Barlow's <a href="http://www.canadians.org/blog/water-cut-offs-detroit-violation-human-rights" target="_blank">blog post</a> | <a href="https://lcessprod.cc.wayne.edu:8443/ess/portal/section/44d825d2-6d59-40eb-8a59-f1263139500f" target="_blank">video at WSU</a> | <a href="https://lcessprod.cc.wayne.edu:8443/ess/echo/presentation/f93932ff-97d7-4fe7-bda1-a56c9dca4d5e/media.mp3?downloadOnly=true" target="_blank">audio at WSU</a>Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-866663913904294382014-04-22T05:47:00.003-04:002014-04-22T05:47:59.015-04:00Bankruptcy Info and Pensioners Radio SpotsYou might hear these radio spots on the air around Detroit.
<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/145851196&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/145850931&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-45891966320304263342014-04-22T05:28:00.000-04:002014-04-22T05:28:37.447-04:00Representing the People of the City of DetroitSomething seems to be lost in the City of Detroit witness list submitted April 18 to the bankruptcy court -- REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE'S INTERESTS. Corporate interests are well represented through the list provided to the court, as shown in the document below.
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/219372783/4-18-14-Amended-City-Witness-List" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View 4.18.14 Amended City Witness List on Scribd">4.18.14 Amended City Witness List</a> by <a href="http://www.scribd.com/WDETDetroit" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View WDET 101.9 FM's profile on Scribd">WDET 101.9 FM</a></div>
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The city has done well with bringing <b>corporate interests as witnesses</b> to the bankruptcy, however <b><i>the city is a government body elected BY THE PEOPLE to represent CITIZENS whom are both PUBLIC and corporate.</i></b> Corporate interests such as the following are not public-serving employees of the city, nor the affected public. These are contracted "guns-for-hire" with a mission to strip Detroit assets and leave its residents destitute.<br />
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<li>Conway MacKenzie - financial restructuring advisors stating the plan is in good faith (yet proposes sacrificing constitutional rights of the people), is equitable, and in best interests of the city's citizens.</li>
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<i>How dare they say it is in our best interest - have they spoke with the public? There has been no public hearing regarding the bankruptcy by the City Council or Mayor. No publicly elected official of the people of Detroit brought this bankruptcy filing to the court. It is a violation of the bankruptcy code. (NO Governor Rick Snyder is not the Mayor of Detroit or pseudo-official[fascist position] as such). </i></blockquote>
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<li>Ernst & Young - contracted to discuss ability to provide adequate levels of municipal services.</li>
<li>Milliman, Inc - contracted actuarial advisors to provide valuation and funding issues of the General Retirement System and Police and Fire Retirement System.</li>
<li>DIA board members whom have various corporate affiliations and stories of interest.</li>
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<li>Eugene Gargaro - Michigan Manufacturers Association, Merillat L.P., Metaldyne Precision Forming, and more</li>
<li>Graham Beal - received $103,000 in bonuses and a $155,000 loan from the DIA, plus is "downscaling" his Detroit house <a href="http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/8215/why_is_dia_director_graham_beal_selling_his_detroit_home#.U1X7nVVdWSo" target="_blank">[article link]</a></li>
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<li>Roger S. Penske - representing "importance from a business and investment standpoint of the City’s ability to capitalize and build on the efforts contemplated in the Plan post bankruptcy." Better stated as how can Penske Corporation profit from going through municipal bankruptcy.</li>
<li>Daniel Gilbert - again representing the ability to capitalize for Rock Ventures and Quicken Loans. Note the appointment to the fabricated Blight Authority.</li>
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The date for court is May 30, 2014. The people need to bring forward a list of fact witnesses which could be added to the city's list, and possibly forwarded to the bankruptcy court as well demanding representation from the residents.<br />
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<b>Remember objections to the plan of adjustments can be filed before May 1</b>. This is the week to file your objection! Anyone can file an objection. <a href="http://detroitdebtmoratorium.org/may-1-deadline-for-filing-objections-to-plan-of-adjustment/" target="_blank">Get more information from Moratorium Now website</a> [<a href="http://moratorium-mi.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Peoples-Objection-instructions.pdf" target="_blank">people's objection instructions</a>] [<a href="http://moratorium-mi.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Peoples-Objection-to-Plan-of-Adjustment-form.pdf" target="_blank">objection form</a>]<br />
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Watch the <a href="http://www.mieb.uscourts.gov/apps/detroit/DetroitBK.cfm" target="_blank">Bankruptcy Court website</a> for updates [<a href="http://www.mieb.uscourts.gov/apps/detroit/DetroitAudio.cfm" target="_blank">audio files</a>]<br />
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Recording from April 21 Conference Call</h3>
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<b>Detroit City Council meeting 10:00am on Tuesday</b> on the 13th Floor at Coleman A Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit MI 48226. Arrive early and request a comment card - put your name on the card to be able to speak. The cards are issued before the meeting and collected within the first 5-10 minutes of the meeting at latest,. Public comments happen FIRST at a meeting of the whole council.</div>
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<li>Request public hearing regarding Bankruptcy to understand fully why and how.</li>
<li>Request public hearing regarding Bankruptcy Witness List (referenced above) and lack of public representation. Demand an additional amendment to the list.</li>
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<b>Protest Illitch's Water Bill at Joe Louis Arena</b> on the Riverwalk entrance at 6:30pm - Hockeytown owes $80,000 for outstanding water bill, yet was awarded large parcels of downtown real estate pushing elders and low-income citizens to the curb. Wear red because the opening of playoffs is starting. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/765872346776315" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook event link</a> | <a href="http://peopleswaterboard.blogspot.com/2014/04/mr-illitch-pay-your-water-bill-rally-at.html" target="_blank">People's Water Board Coalition</a></div>
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Connect to <a href="http://d-rem.org/" target="_blank">http://d-rem.org</a> (<b>Detroiters Resisting Emergency Management</b>) to get more information on <b>May Day plans</b> and get to know the <b>Peoples Plan</b> regarding the Bankruptcy.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-98878818825573222014-04-21T15:32:00.000-04:002014-04-21T15:32:12.797-04:00Detroit Concerned Citizens - Video Announcement<br />
Don't be deceived by the mainstream press. The perceived financial weaknesses of Detroit have been fabricated. Watch the video!<br />
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Pensioners vote NO. The Michigan Constitution protects pension obligations. Any negotiating is an effort to request you to sacrifice your rights.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-8098270570023682512014-04-18T14:34:00.000-04:002014-04-18T14:34:58.799-04:00Nightly Conference Calls 8pm until May DayWe are beginning a series of phone conference calls at 8pm each night until May Day (May 1st) to assist the public with questions they may have about the bankruptcy, pension obligations, and the various events coming up immediately. <div>
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Nightly Conference Calls</h2>
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Our group is interested in discussing the day to day activities happening around the bankruptcy, pension obligations of the City of Detroit, and a number of other topics in a manner you will not be hearing in the mainstream news.</div>
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Call is from 8pm and will last approximately 20-45 minutes depending on activity through the call. A playback of the recorded session will be available as well.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Call in number: 712-432-0075<br />Access code: 652920#<br />Playback number: 712-432-1085</span></b></blockquote>
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Community Calendar</h3>
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There is a calendar at <a href="http://activate313.com/" target="_blank">Activate313.com</a> of various events being held. It is full of activities and if you are hosting a progressive action event you're encouraged to get your event posted on the site. If you need help with setting up events that can be discussed at the end of the nightly conference call.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-62518637148995158592014-04-16T20:27:00.002-04:002014-04-16T20:28:37.274-04:00Petitioners MUST VOTE NO on Bankruptcy Plan of Adjustments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Azd-a7oTpqE/U08YgkVnlyI/AAAAAAAABJI/wU56TEklWx8/s1600/PensionersVotNo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Azd-a7oTpqE/U08YgkVnlyI/AAAAAAAABJI/wU56TEklWx8/s1600/PensionersVotNo.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is important for this decision to be thrown back on the bankruptcy court to issue a ruling on the unconstitutional process of handling your pension.</span> If the rank and file vote to approve the plan of adjustment then you have removed the protections afforded by the Michigan Constitution. The pension board members are working with the offerings of the Emergency Manager and State of Michigan. The media is painting a picture of the proceedings without fully informing the public. The media will make it appear that there is nothing the rank and file can do, however pushing it back on the court to rule would reveal the unconstitutionality of the bankruptcy plans.<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7415881958481908361" target="_blank"></a><br />
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<table border="0" style="width: 640px;">
<tbody>
<tr><td colwidth="300px" valign="top"><h4>
Phone Line For Q&A</h4>
Our voicemail greeting is:
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Thank you for calling Detroit Concerned Citizens and Retirees. We are urging petitioners to <b>vote no on the plan of adjustments</b>. It is important the <i><b>unconstitutional decision</b></i> is thrown back on the court.</blockquote>
</td><td valign="top"><div style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">313-444-0061
</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<object align="right" data="https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton" height="85" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="230"><param name="movie" value="https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="FlashVars" value="id=a71939f93963979d267be6961d484bec88c92b22&style=0" /></object></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Objections to the bankruptcy plan of distribution can be <b>filed by anyone</b> up till May 30th. Our website <a href="http://freedetroit.net/">freedetroit.net</a> has printable forms to file objections to the Bankruptcy Court, and offers next steps. The office of the bankruptcy court is at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir//US+Bankruptcy+Court,+211+W+Fort+St,+Detroit,+MI+48226/@42.32959,-83.049353,19z" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">211 Fort St and Washington</a> on the 17th floor, open weekdays 8:30 until 4pm. Please leave a message with your name so we can call you back to answer any questions you may have. </blockquote>
<br />
<h2>
Your Constitutional Rights Sacrificed By A Vote? </h2>
<div>
The manner of takeovers which have been occurring is to have the legislative body of the public - whether that is the Detroit City Council, or the union, or the <b>general retiree pension board</b> offer their APPROVAL of the takeover. By voting yes along with them you would be absolving the bankruptcy court from their <b>responsibility to uphold the law</b>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are protections in our laws but if the people and their elected representatives continue to sacrifice those protections then we are left with the desired results of those wishing to control the masses. This is how non-elected appointed dictators come to power, by allowing rights and protections to be GIVEN AWAY.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
What does the Michigan Constitution say? </h3>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The accrued financial benefits of each pension plan and retirement system of the state and its political subdivisions shall be a contractual obligation thereof which <b>shall not be diminished or impaired thereby</b>.<br />
Financial benefits arising on account of service rendered in each fiscal year shall be funded during that year and such funding shall not be used for financing unfunded accrued liabilities. -- <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(4j0b3o45gg5cj1a4ite0pd45))/mileg.aspx?page=shortlinkdisplay&docname=mcl-Article-IX-24" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Public Pension Plans and Retirement Systems, Obligations</a></blockquote>
<h2>
The Deals Made By Pensioner Boards </h2>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Under the accord, general retirees will see their <b>pensions cut</b> by 4.5 per cent, far less than the 26 per cent cut the city had earlier proposed, and lose their annual cost-of-living increases. Retired police and fire fighters would keep their full pensions, and see their <b>cost-of-living allowances fall</b> from around 2 per cent to 1 per cent. --- <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5beed754-c5a2-11e3-97e4-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz2z5UTQoAq" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Financial Times</a></blockquote>
<h3>
Why is this insufficient? </h3>
</div>
<div>
If you look at the two indented quotes above you'll find the phrase from the Constitution says "shall not be diminished or impaired" by the state. The results of <b>any negotiating</b> includes diminished benefits.</div>
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<h2>
Things To Know About Bankruptcy </h2>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Only a municipality's elected official can legally file for bankruptcy. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://uscode.regstoday.com/11USC_CHAPTER1.aspx#11USC109" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">11 USC 109(c) Bankruptcy Code</a> and Public Act 436</span></li>
<li>A municipality may not bind any creditor that does not consent to such composition. A judgement entered under such a law may not bind a creditor that does not consent to such composition. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://uscode.regstoday.com/11USC_CHAPTER9.aspx#11USC903" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">11 USC 903(1) and (2) Bankruptcy Code</a></span></li>
<li>The Bankruptcy Code requires a notice to be given of the commencement of the case. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://uscode.regstoday.com/11USC_CHAPTER9.aspx#11USC923" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">11 USC 923 Bankruptcy Code</a></span></li>
<li>Magistrate Steven Rhodes is not an Article III judge and has limited jurisdiction to hear and render a decision in Bankruptcy cases.</li>
</ol>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-50328098780818195402014-04-04T16:15:00.000-04:002014-04-04T16:15:09.468-04:00Two Years Under State Rule<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdHuOTtt9vM/UK0CFzzaksI/AAAAAAADB_M/b7bWAY-9ReY/s1600/O1013530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdHuOTtt9vM/UK0CFzzaksI/AAAAAAADB_M/b7bWAY-9ReY/s1600/O1013530.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary Brown - 2012 Detroit City Council President Pro-Tem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today the Michigan Citizen ran a significant article worth reading... <a href="http://michigancitizen.com/selling-our-city-for-a-paycheck" target="_blank">"Selling Our City for a Paycheck"</a>, it begins:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>There’s one group in Detroit city government that has been exempt from all the austerity measures leveled at others. This group has kept its salary intact; the auto is still free; the health insurance paid for; those two months a year of vacation waiting to be taken; the pension protected. Yes, their pension is protected. In fact, name any cut that has hit any other sector of city government and one group remains untouched: <b>the city council</b>.</i></blockquote>
Two years ago today (April 4, 2012) <a href="http://michigancitizen.com/consent-agreement-is-a-shameful-betrayal-of-citizens/" target="_blank">Detroit City Council voted to approve a Consent Agreement</a> that gave the city over to fascist rule by the State of Michigan. A sufficient number of elected officials (6 vs 3) chose to allow SELECTED officials to run the city. They abdicated democratic rule.<br />
<br />
Sadly three of those that voted in this manner won re-(s)election in November 2013. Detroit - you need to read the history book being created daily. If you blink you might not see the depth of matters.<br />
<br />
When did it become OK to give large plots (or quantities) of land over for development without that land value being assessed?<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Hantz Woodlands - holding the lands for future real estate sale?</li>
<li>New Red Wings Hockey Arena - the land baron has destroyed more than built and owes the city debts</li>
</ul>
<br />
Large corporations continue to request tax abatement in a system that desperately needs taxes paid by businesses. Who approves these requests? The legislative body of the City of Detroit, the City Council. Here are some of the practices of these corporate tax dodgers.<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Their promises are half baked of employing residents. Most import talent into the city - setting them up in sculpted corporate-managed neighborhoods. Then these new Detroiters can claim their resident life.</li>
<li>Preferential land buying, lease arrangements, and insurance practices continue to squeeze long-term residents out of the city and out of Michigan. If that doesn’t work, then a reduced value buyout will transform ownership. Or maybe even condemn the place.</li>
<li>Our public parks become watched over by private security forces. All part of the tax abatement “giving back” to the city program of wresting public commons into corporate control.</li>
<li>Failing to put taxes into public government leaves the roads, utilities, and mass transit systems languish to be picked over for privatized service providers.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Who enables this system? Detroit’s legislative body, the city council.</div>
Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-55478272488051464152014-02-24T19:46:00.000-05:002014-02-25T00:52:01.375-05:00Detroit #PeoplesPlan Press Conference opposing EM plan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLqUK3qThQNmPKKpD4MstHVCGsK6nwBzOv" width="640"></iframe> Detroit #PeoplesPlan Press Conference February 24, 2014 opposing EM plan (video playlist)</i></div>
<br />
<h3>
Solicitation of People's Input</h3>
<div>
March 2, 2014 @ 2:00pm</div>
<div>
Central United Methodist Church, 23 W Adams at Woodward, Detroit near Grand Circus Park</div>
<div>
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</a><a href="http://www.d-rem.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DREMheader-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.d-rem.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DREMheader-copy.jpg" height="55" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.d-rem.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DREMheader-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
<br />
Please review the <a href="http://www.d-rem.org/category/peoplesplan/" target="_blank">People's Plan for Restructuring</a> found on the D-REM.org website. Additional solutions and resources for the People's Plan are welcome to be discussed and potentially incorporated.</div>
</div>
Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-7893226026477914282014-01-10T12:49:00.000-05:002014-03-06T12:52:07.278-05:00The Sun Never Rises: Sources of Michigan’s Dark Money Set to Remain Hidden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Two days after Christmas, Governor Rick Snyder gave a belated gift to dark money groups and those donors who felt stifled by Michigan’s campaign finance limits. Snyder <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20131227/NEWS06/312270093/Synder-issue-ad-campaign-law" target="_blank">signed Senate Bill 661</a>, which the Money Tale described in depth here, after it reached his desk without changes to it’s controversial provisions.<br />
<br />
The bill will affect the 2014 elections in Michigan in two crucial ways. First, the bill doubles the maximum allowable contributions to candidates. Previously, statewide candidates could not accept donations from individuals in excess of $3,400, state senate candidates could not accept donations above $1,000, and state House candidates were limited to $500. Those limits are now $6,800, $2,000, and $1,000, respectively. These limits are not set in stone, however, as the legislation also included provisions coming into effect in 2019 which will index those limits to inflation, meaning those limits should gradually rise over time.<br />
<br />
The effects of these changes could be sizable, but may pale in comparison to the effects of the changes that were not made. The bill Snyder signed included the provision added via amendment in the State Senate which would block the Secretary of State’s <a href="http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/11/michigan_secretary_of_state_ru.html" target="_blank">proposal</a> to require electioneering communications groups disclose their donors under the provisions of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. In approving this change and blocking disclosure, Snyder directly reversed himself from an earlier white paper released by his campaign. <a href="http://www.gongwer.com/public/SnyderEthics.pdf" target="_blank">That document read</a>, “All electioneering communications – broadcast, printed, and telephonic – that feature the name or image of a candidate for public office or ballot initiative should be considered expenditures subject to appropriate disclosure requirements.”<br />
<br />
Under the terms of the new legislation, such groups will now be required to end electioneering communications or robo-calling with an acknowledgement including the name of the group. They will not, however, be considered expenditures under the Michigan Campaign Finance Act, and thus will face no requirement to disclose donors. This isn’t a theoretical matter either: the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, after examining only television ads targeting statewide offices and high court races, estimated that there was more than <a href="http://www.mcfn.org/pdfs/reports/MICFN_HiddenInPlainViewP-rev.pdf" target="_blank">$70 million</a> in unaccountable electioneering communications between 2000 and 2010.<br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: ivory; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Reposted from <a href="http://www.followthemoney.org/blog/2014/01/the-sun-never-rises-sources-of-michigans-dark-money-set-to-remain-hidden/" style="color: #a53c22; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Follow The Money - Jan 9, 2014</a> by <a href="http://www.followthemoney.org/blog/author/zach-holden/" style="color: #a53c22; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Zach Holden</a>, shared using <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a53c22; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution</a></i></div>
Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-4156963510163510082013-11-14T12:36:00.000-05:002014-03-06T12:45:55.998-05:00Michigan Eclipse: Will the Sun Ever Shine on the State’s Dark Money?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A tumultuous morning in the Michigan State Capitol revealed a stark divide between Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and the Michigan State Senate on the issue of disclosure of dark money. At stake was was whether the sources of “<a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20131114/NEWS06/311140078/1001/news" target="_blank">some of the most negative advertising in political campaigning</a>,” to quote Johnson, should be required to disclose their spending and their donors.<br />
<br />
In our recent <a href="http://www.followthemoney.org/press/ReportView.phtml?r=495" target="_blank">2013 scorecard</a> of essential disclosure requirements for independent spending, the National Institute on Money in State Politics gave the state of Michigan an F because it was one of 25 states that do not require any disclosure of electioneering communications, which are those that stop just short of advocating for or against candidates. This lack of transparency has been Michigan’s policy dating back to 2004, when then-Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land ruled that electioneering communications were not covered under Michigan’s campaign finance laws and thus were free from disclosure requirements. This morning, Secretary of State Johnson <a href="http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/11/michigan_secretary_of_state_ru.html" target="_blank">announced</a> that she planned to use the powers of her office to require reporting of electioneering communications within 30 days of a primary election or 60 days of a general election, and also require groups spending more than $500 on electioneering communications during a single election cycle to form a committee and disclose donors.<br />
<br />
Within an hour of Johnson’s announcement, the Senate Committee on Local Government and Elections voted 3-1 to prohibit administrative regulation of electioneering communications. The <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(rvkqcm55eww1ng55smv11y45))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2013-SB-0661" target="_blank">full bill</a>, passed 20-18 a few hours later by the full senate, also included provisions that would <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20131114/NEWS06/311140078/1001/news" target="_blank">double existing contribution limits</a> for candidates and PACs and require the Secretary of State to adjust the limits every four years to account for inflation. The fate of additional disclosure now rests with the Michigan House of Representatives and Governor Rick Snyder. Will Michigan retain its failing grade for disclosure or will it support transparency?<br />
<br />
<i>Reposted from <a href="http://www.followthemoney.org/blog/2013/11/michigan-eclipse-will-the-sun-ever-shine-on-the-states-dark-money/" target="_blank">Follow The Money - Nov 14, 2013</a> by <a href="http://www.followthemoney.org/blog/author/zach-holden/" target="_blank">Zach Holden</a>, shared using <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution</a></i></div>
Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-33378767928991246172013-11-04T01:22:00.000-05:002013-11-04T01:22:28.199-05:00Subverting Detroit's Vote <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Office of the Attorney General in Michigan is aligned with working toward Emergency Management. This was demonstrated in 2012 in statements regarding the referendum to Repeal the Emergency Manager Law. The referendum sought abrogation of the law. The Attorney General's opinion reduced the effect to subrogation by insisting that a replacement law for that being repealed had to be available.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The <a href="http://bitly.com/HpM6BX" target="_blank">AG's opinion on Aug 6, 2012</a> indicated PA 72 was to be revived <b>contradictory to MCL 8.4.1</b>. Some would call this a zombie law because the law says once a law was repealed as PA 72 was to make way for PA 4, then it could not be revived. AG Schuette's opinion was the revivification forumla for the zombie law.
The Attorney General opined that MCL § 8.4 prevents the revival of
an earlier statute by repealing legislation, but not when the repeal was initiated by voter
referendum:
The disapproval of an act by referendum does not constitute a “legislative
enactment” but rather the “disapproval” of a prior legislative enactment.
Accordingly, MCL 8.4, on its face, does not apply to a referendum.
<br />
<div>
</div>
The revived law was brought to trial in April 2013. The following statement from <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCOURTS-mied-2_13-cv-11760/pdf/USCOURTS-mied-2_13-cv-11760-0.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">trial records (2:13-cv-11760-GCS-RSW Doc # 19 Filed 05/15/13 Pg 6 of 11 Pg ID 271)</a> demonstrates the intent of the public vote was ill-conceived by the court hearing the case.
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The Attorney General opined that MCL § 8.4 prevents the revival of an earlier statute by repealing legislation, but not when the repeal was initiated by voter referendum:</i>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The disapproval of an act by referendum does not constitute a “legislative enactment” but rather the “disapproval” of a prior legislative enactment. Accordingly, MCL 8.4, on its face, does not apply to a referendum.</i></blockquote>
</blockquote>
Under this opinion the voting power of the people under a referendum does not supercede that of our elected representatives and the <b><i>people thereby have no access to remove a law once enacted</i></b>. Apparently once a statute has been set it can't be removed unless through our representatives. This is how AG Schuette has interpreted the intent of MCL 8.4.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The injury alleged by plaintiff is the dilution of his voting power due to defendants’ unconstitutional interpretation and application of Michigan’s anti-revival statute. Plaintiff argues that the revival of PA 72 “debased, diluted and weakened [his] vote to repeal Public Act 4 in the November, 2012 general election.” (Complaint ¶ 22). Plaintiff acknowledges that his vote was counted in
the November, 2012 election. Plaintiff also acknowledges that he was aware of Schuette’s opinion regarding the permanent revival of PA 72 at the time of the election, so before he voted he knew what the outcome would be if the referendum passed. Finally, plaintiff acknowledges that he is arguing a
unique impact on his vote in the form of <u><b>diminished voter expectations due to the fact that the State does not agree with the position taken by the referendum</b></u>.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The problem with plaintiff’s standing to bring this action is that his asserted protected interest is not “concrete and particularized.” Rather than being individually targeted, his alleged injury is shared with over two million members of the statewide electorate. It is speculative for plaintiff to argue that all of the voters expected MCL §8.4 to be applied such that the repeal of PA 4 would not revive PA 72. In light of all of political and legal maneuvering leading up to the election, which was widely covered by the press, the more <b><u>likely accurate speculation</u></b> is that the educated voter knew that if PA 4 was repealed PA 72 would be revived. It is <u><b>reasonable to speculate</b></u> that the class of voters who voted for the repeal of PA 4 knew PA 72 would be revived if they were successful, and they wanted this less intrusive statute which had been on the books since 1990, as opposed to the available alternatives included bankruptcy or PA 4. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>For a host of reasons, including the ones discussed above, the court finds it
unlikely plaintiff has standing to bring this case. </i></blockquote>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vgsEmN7fYWU/Unc84mSNpHI/AAAAAAADRIQ/9j-bIgu3AhM/s1600/DetroitDemocracyInCrisis.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vgsEmN7fYWU/Unc84mSNpHI/AAAAAAADRIQ/9j-bIgu3AhM/s400/DetroitDemocracyInCrisis.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
November 6, 2012 over 60% of Michigan voters voted NO on Proposal 1 and successfully repealed PA 4 of 2011. Michigan legislators got to work on revising a skeletal new Emergency Manager Law bill and pushed it through during the lame-duck session in December 2012, giving Michigan PA 436 signed into law by Lt Gov Calley on December 30, 2012. This new law would replace the propped up "zombie law" PA 72 on March 28, 2013.
Detroit, you must understand your right to vote and to petition grievances is seriously undermined by the State of Michigan and its court system. Appealing cases up to the Federal level takes a lot of labour and manoeuvring with allies. It takes escalating information outside the local and state viewing to national and international viewers. It takes finding allies in "unlikely places".
<br />
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<a href="http://michiganforward.org/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://michiganforward.org" border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdHQl-IKdGo/UncqWs1lRFI/AAAAAAADRIE/YJL4bZLswf4/s400/MichiganForward.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Get Out And Vote Detroit! </h3>
The Detroit Free Press Editorial Board published a story <a href="http://www.hometownlife.com/article/C4/20131103/OPINION01/311030056/detroit-mayoral-election-super-PAC-state-politics-dark-money-NERD-schuette-napoleon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>"Editorial: Dark money invades Detroit politics"</b></a>, about the Michigan Community Education Fund. The article brings forward the position that "<i>Detroit Forward isn’t the problem. It’s just a symptom of a broken campaign finance system that abets special interests who seek to manipulate the political process without leaving fingerprints.</i>" Yes money in politics is a nuisance, but if you fail to fight back on the same ground that you're being targeted then the battle is conceded without a fight. Its a matter of equality in the system.
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Section 501(c)4 of the U.S. tax code — including the provision that allows nondisclosure of donors — has been around for about a century. But in 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Citizens United case changed the ways in which corporations and unions can spend money in political campaigns, giving them the ability to spend directly to influence campaigns. Pair the ability to spend directly in political campaigns with the nondisclosure provision of the 501(c)4, and suddenly, that kind of nonprofit became an attractive vehicle for donors who didn’t want to be publicly associated with an issue or campaign.
And in the last three years, 501(c)4s have roared into action. Gov. Rick Snyder’s New Energy to Reinvent and Diversify Fund (NERD Fund) took in $1.3 million during its first year in operation. Attorney General Bill Schuette is supported by a 501(c)4, On Duty for Michigan.</i> --- Free Press Editorial article</blockquote>
Deadline Detroit also offered a story "<a href="http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/6970/mike_duggan_superpacs_and_the_dawning_of_the_age_of_plutocracy#.Uncm-qpx2PI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mike Duggan, SuperPACs And The Dawning Of The Age Of Plutocracy</a>" about the Super PACs and their alignment with the candidates for Mayor of Detroit. The article also offers links to the <a href="http://www.wccampaignfinance.com/Public/ViewFiledReports" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">campaign finance reports</a> for <i>Turnaround Detroit (Duggan)</i> and <i>Detroit Forward (Napoleon)</i>.
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The era of SuperPACS in Detroit is just dawning; there is no indication that it will go away. The U.S. Supreme Court spoke forcefully in 2010 that many types of donations to political campaigns are protected by the First Amendment's free speech guarantees.
As recently as Thursday, a federal appeals court struck down a law in New York state that limited contributions to independent political committees, and SuperPACs suddenly can get involved in the waning days of New York City's mayoral campaign. Similar laws in other states have been overturned.
Wealthy people in metro Detroit have always had much more influence on political candidates than regular citizens, like they do everywhere. And many of the rich people and their organizations that gave to Mike Duggan stand out for being public spirited, giving generously to a variety of causes that make life better in the city and region -- even buying much-needed police cars and ambulances. </i>--- Deadline Detroit article</blockquote>
</div>
Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-56342676735323878172013-10-07T11:02:00.002-04:002013-11-03T22:34:38.902-05:00Fast Tracking of DWSD into a Metropolitan Areas Metropolitan Authority?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Detroit's Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is interested in fast-tracking legislation to establish a metropolitan authority which would absorb Detroit Water & Sewage Department. The passage of legislation during December's flurry of 435 bills signed into law in Michigan included the Metropolitan Areas Metropolitan Authority Act.<br />
<br />
Opposition is to be expected to moving DWSD to a metropolitan authority according to Shannon Price, chairman of the Wayne County Commission's Water Board Task Force.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Interest in buying the treatment plant from a third party is likely to be high, he said. Wayne County is facing its own financial problems outside Detroit. The threat of an emergency manager coming into the county looms, and its general fund debt was recently measured at $210 million.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>But any attempt at selling the treatment plant would be met with swift legal opposition, said Dan Paletko, Dearborn Heights mayor and chairman of the committee that oversees the plant — the Downriver Joint Management Committee.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Wayne County owns the land, but Paletko said the 13 communities have some ownership claims, having made some $300 million in improvements to the plant over the years.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
--- From <a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131007/METRO01/310070012#ixzz2h2yufHNl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Detroit News</a></blockquote>
</blockquote>
</div>
Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-8344064274499220772013-07-19T04:30:00.000-04:002013-07-19T04:30:34.501-04:00Bankruptcy Firmly Under State Control<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Thursday June 18, 2013 Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr pushed through an Executive Order requesting Governor Rick Snyder to approve <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bfDtZiDluk/Uej2-TW0odI/AAAAAAADKdk/kL4GjAT85Ao/s1600/Orr-Snyder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bfDtZiDluk/Uej2-TW0odI/AAAAAAADKdk/kL4GjAT85Ao/s200/Orr-Snyder.jpg" width="200" /></a>Detroit entering into municipal bankruptcy. The bankruptcy question has been looming for a while, but the State of Michigan wouldn't allow it to happen. Now the city is on the chart of <a href="http://www.governing.com/gov-data/municipal-cities-counties-bankruptcies-and-defaults.html" target="_blank">Bankrupt Cities, Municipalities List</a> found on the governing.com website. The State wouldn't allow Hamtramck to enter bankruptcy in 2000 or 2010. <b>Could the intent of law simply not have been ready then?</b> The quickening pace of churning laws has become dizzying for many. Step by step passages change to open up new ground, consume other, and reroute; many laws are narrowing in focus to provide an us and them slant of favoritism through the conditions applied.<br />
<br />
This year Hamtramck had a <a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2013/06/hamtramck_mayor_city_council_c.html" target="_blank">choice as the first city</a> going through the full power of Public Act 436 of 2012. They could choose from the options of: bankruptcy, consent agreement, emergency manager, or mediation -- their choice was emergency manager. Governor Snyder appointed Pontiac City Administrator <a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2013/06/hamtramck_gets_emergency_manag.html" target="_blank">Cathy Square as Emergency Manager of Hamtramck</a> on June 26.<br />
<br />
Detroit didn't have a choice, because the emergency manager was appointed before the effective date for PA436. Detroit was affected by Attorney General Bill Schuette's opinion that Public Act 72 of 1990 was resurrected since there was no replacement emergency manager law when Public Act 4 of 2010 was removed by referendum vote of the people on November 6, 2012. (<a href="http://koehlerlegal.blogspot.com/2012/11/repeal-by-referendum-in-michigan.html" target="_blank">Read additional legal discussion by Kurt Koehler, esq.</a>) This resurrection of law flies in the face of <a href="http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-8-4" target="_blank">MCL 8.4.1</a>.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Whenever a statute, or any part thereof shall be repealed by a subsequent statute, such statute, or any part thereof, so repealed, shall not be revived by the repeal of such subsequent repealing statute.</i></blockquote>
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Read <a href="http://freedetroit.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-extreme-prejudice-of-hearing-under.html" target="_blank">prior blog posts</a> to understand how this opinion needed to be contested but failed to be approached properly.<br />
<br />
Reading through PA436 you'll find the State of Michigan has placed itself above the people of the city in negotiating the terms of bankruptcy stating <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/treasury/0,1607,7-121-1751_51556-198770--,00.html" target="_blank">(found on the 12 steps of a financial emergency on the State of Michigan website)</a>.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The Governor may place contingencies upon a local government, <b>including the selection of an individual to act exclusively on behalf of the local government</b> in any Chapter 9 proceedings.</i></blockquote>
As much as it would be great to see Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr "do the right thing", it really ends up being what the Governor wants. The "viceroy" is taking direction from his superior. </div>
Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-17516156494250875342013-07-08T14:03:00.000-04:002013-07-08T14:05:50.060-04:00Last Day for 2013 Voter Registration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://michigan.gov/vote" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnoUltvmhXY/Udr-BzIM5wI/AAAAAAADKIw/eAk4vmuhTYU/s1600/mvic-300-x-122_394471_7.jpg" /></a></div>
If you are a registered voter today you will want to check your address and make sure you have it recorded correctly with the <a href="http://michigan.gov/vote" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">State of Michigan Voter Information Center</a>.<br />
<br />
There is also a <a href="https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/m.vote/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">mobile friendly version of the site</a>. This QR code can be scanned and it will take you there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7kJPArq1Yk/Udr-tx_MUPI/AAAAAAADKI4/Po1gQoyo3VY/s1600/michigan-vote.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7kJPArq1Yk/Udr-tx_MUPI/AAAAAAADKI4/Po1gQoyo3VY/s1600/michigan-vote.png" /></a></div>
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Those who have not yet registered and are eligible (includes persons exiting serving time), please visit a Secretary of State office and get registered.</div>
Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-12621221838513616312013-06-05T11:15:00.000-04:002013-06-05T11:52:10.275-04:00Hamtramck Under The EM Knife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpOfRJNXvQU/Ua9PR6WRkuI/AAAAAAAABII/J4rof_VKST0/s1600/Hamtown_city_seal_4776.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpOfRJNXvQU/Ua9PR6WRkuI/AAAAAAAABII/J4rof_VKST0/s200/Hamtown_city_seal_4776.png" width="200" /></a></div>
The State of Michigan has descended upon Hamtramck as its next target for Emergency Management through Public Act 436 of 2012. <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/treasury/0,1607,7-121-1751_51556-198770--,00.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The step by step process is documented on the State Treasury page</a>. At this point a hearing of the Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board (ELB) is scheduled for June 11, 2013 at 10am in the Richard H Austin Building (Treasury), 430 W Allegan, Lansing, MI 48933. City executives can request a hearing in advance of the state scheduled meeting.<br />
<br />
Hamtramck has previously declared a Financial Emergency with assistance from the State of Michigan under Public Act 72 of 1990. The date of that filing was December 2000. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/us/28city.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hamtramck requested to file for bankruptcy in November 2010</a>, but Governor Snyder denied that request deferring the city to a series of loans to assist it through tough times. According to Hamtramck City Manager Bill Cooper in 2010, receiving a loan would merely delay the city's financial problems. “We do not need an EFM (Emergency Financial Manager) to look for cost savings within our operations, which was done under the previous EFM, and has continued under my direction,” Cooper said in his letter.<br />
<br />Now Hamtramck faces new rules that will play out differently even under Chapter 9 bankruptcy since the passage of Public Act 436. Did the State prolong this decision to allow them to move into bankruptcy until they could get a law in place that would ensure the State of Michigan holds a controlling position.<br />
<br />
Choices under the new law which are to be made by Governor Snyder with a recommendation from the ELB include: a consent agreement; an emergency manager; a neutral evaluation process; or<br />
Chapter 9 bankruptcy. Even if the choice of Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy managed by the Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District US is selected, the following provision of Act 436 maintains State of Michigan control rather than allowing local officials direct interaction through the bankruptcy.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"The Governor may place contingencies upon a local government, including the selection of an individual to act exclusively on behalf of the local government in any Chapter 9 proceedings."</i></blockquote>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-86027954143062059012013-05-19T09:25:00.000-04:002013-05-19T09:25:40.274-04:00Honorable Louis Farrakhan, NOI, At Detroit's City Council Meeting<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/n_REdF6CqL4" width="480"></iframe>
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<br />
On Thursday Farrakhan who is now 80 years of age, had spoke to about 250 religious, community leaders, members of the of the communities at Rev. Horace Sheffield, New Destiny church. Now he was speaking at the Detroit's City Council Meeting, and later would be speaking at Fellowship Chapel Church, headed by Rev. Wendell Anthony.
<br />
<br />
He called on the Detroit community yesterday and today to buy the valuable property that's now for sell in Detroit. About the important of uniting, we could choose what part of downtown we wanted to own.<br />
Farrakhan pointed out that there shouldn't be any division between Islam and Christianity. Urging Africans people to develop more African pride, saying we "You're the people of God. ... You're the builders of civilization."<br />
<br />
He preached about the important of self-reliance and family values. The important of "Black Empowerment" saying we, Detroiter's can rebuild Detroit if we ground ourselves in good morals.<br />
<br />
This was the first time Minter Farrakhan had been to Detroit since 2007. He also, pointed out the Nation of Islam was started in Detroit, and he felt an obligation to help!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">A No Struggle, No Development Production! By Kenny Snodgrass, Activist, Photographer, Videographer, Author of </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1} From Victimization To Empowerment... www.trafford.com/07-0913 eBook available at www.ebookstore.sony.com<br />
2} The World As I've Seen It! My Greatest Experience! {Photo Book}<br />
YouTube: I have over 405 Video's, over 148,000 hits averaging 5,000 a month on my YouTube channel @ <a href="http://www.youtube.com/KennySnod">www.YouTube.com/KennySnod</a></span><br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-17468262734108945952013-04-17T14:48:00.001-04:002013-04-17T14:48:40.231-04:00Hamtramck Under Financial Review (PA 436) by Michigan TreasuryApril 17, 2013 - This afternoon we received notice that the City of Hamtramck will be under financial review per the conditions of Public Act 436, the new Emergency Manager Law.<br />
<br />
We're providing a <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0FWHSl9ji13dTB4RUQtR24xeXM/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">copy of the release from the Michigan Treasury</a> received.<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img align="center" src="http://www.eclectablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/EmergencyManagerLaw.png" /></div>
<br />
There has been quite a bit of Emergency Manager action around the state as attested to by this <a href="http://www.eclectablog.com/2013/04/michigan-emergency-manager-news-round-up-4172013.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">post over at Eclectabog</a>. Topics within the post:<br />
<ul>
<li>Detroit Emergency Manager Orr issues Order putting himself in charge of the City
</li>
<li>Detroit Emergency Manager Orr’s former boss/company hired to fix Detroit</li>
<li>Detroit Emergency Manager Orr moving quickly to privatize city services</li>
<li>Detroit Emergency Manager Orr redefines role of Financial Advisory Board</li>
<li>Unionized Detroit firefighters will have a new contract imposed on them July 1st</li>
<li>Detroit Tigers’ opening day game was disrupted by EM protest on I-75</li>
<li>Suit to rid Detroit of Emergency Manager tossed out of court</li>
<li>Former Highland Park Emergency Manager Blackwell sees his day in court, gets sentenced to probation</li>
<li>Pontiac Emergency Manager Schimmel planning to eliminate health insurance coverage for city retirees</li>
<li>Former Detroit Public Schools superintendent sues DPS Emergency Manager after being fired</li>
<li>Pontiac Mayor and City Council get their paychecks back while Flint Emergency Manager Kurtz ends pay for Mayor Dayne Walling and entire City Council</li>
<li>Highland Parks Schools Emergency Manager rescinds diplomas for 18 students</li>
</ul>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-46061091582756835262013-04-10T09:28:00.001-04:002013-04-10T09:28:13.782-04:00No Emergency Manager For Detroit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2cojirIrgXc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-25197955066290571162013-04-01T18:17:00.002-04:002013-04-01T18:27:35.318-04:00EM Roy Roberts Revels in Accolades During NBC Education Nation in Detroit<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>Opinion from Dr. Thomas Pedroni</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/detroitdataanddemocracyproject/education-nation-detroit" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Original Source</a></i></div>
Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager Roy Roberts had some fabulous news (see video below) to share on NBC’s Education Nation Detroit Summit this past Friday morning. DPS had surpassed the Michigan state average in 14 of 18 categories measured by the state’s student proficiency test, the MEAP. Applause and accolades followed Roberts’ pronouncement. Chelsea Clinton divulged that she would entrust her own children to the Emergency Manager’s schools.<br />
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<div style="background: transparent; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center; width: 592px;">
Courtesy of NBCNews.com - Education Nation</div>
Notably, the jubilant mood at the summit was not dampened by any of the usual naysaying. There were none of the niggling challenges to Roberts’ assertions. The day’s take-home message was clear—Roberts and his staff were finally turning the corner with Detroit’s long-suffering schools. Education Nation, take note.
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYSXL-10xpk/UVoCoKFzCDI/AAAAAAAABGo/97yL8ejQ-Ek/s1600/DPS-EAAvsNoEAA.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYSXL-10xpk/UVoCoKFzCDI/AAAAAAAABGo/97yL8ejQ-Ek/s320/DPS-EAAvsNoEAA.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michigan Proficiency Average vs DPS <br />
(with and without EAA) Proficiency Average, <br />
2012 MEAP</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given all the recent bad news in Detroit, Roberts might be forgiven if his facts were a bit off the mark. It turns out, according to the Michigan Department of Education, that DPS did not outshine the state in 14 of 18 MEAP categories. The actual number was somewhat lower—zero. DPS trailed the Michigan average in proficiency in all 18 categories. And not just by a bit—by more than 10 percentage points in the two science categories, and by 20 or more in the other 16. But it was a happy moment at the summit. No one—not one panelist, not one moderator, not one preselected member of the audience—raised an eyebrow over Roberts’ innovative facts. Perhaps Roberts had merely stumbled over his own words. Maybe he really meant to say that DPS schools were gaining ground on the Michigan averages—that yes, DPS was still behind, but was steadfastly narrowing the achievement gap in 14 of the 18 categories.
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRux1Msk-88/UVoDHlRfAVI/AAAAAAAABGw/o5YQphAh31w/s1600/MEAP2009-2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRux1Msk-88/UVoDHlRfAVI/AAAAAAAABGw/o5YQphAh31w/s320/MEAP2009-2012.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proficiency Gap between DPS and the State<br />
2009 vs 2012, using new MEAP cut scores</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately, that’s not the story the MEAP numbers tell either.
Instead they show that the Detroit Public Schools have fallen even further behind the state average since gaining an Emergency Manager in 2009. The picture the numbers paint is particularly bleak when the 15 schools handed to the EAA just before the fall MEAP administration are factored in. They show that Detroit’s third through eighth graders continue to lose ground in reading and math proficiency in most categories.
The hardest hit have been our youngest test takers—those who have spent most of their school years under emergency management—our third, fourth, and fifth graders. Although Detroit students scored among the worst in the nation in 2009, Detroit’s third graders have since fallen 5.3 percentage points farther behind the state average in reading proficiency. In math, they have fallen another 5.1 percentage points below the state average.
Our fourth graders are now 2.9 percentage points farther behind the state average in reading proficiency, and 6.2 in math. Fifth grade students have closed the achievement gap by 1 percentage point in reading (and are now only 27.5 percentage points behind their state peers), but have fallen 6.8 percentage points further behind in math.
In sixth through eighth grade reading, the proficiency gaps increased by 0.6 points, 1.8 points, and 0.5 points respectively, while progress was made in math—by 0.2, 2.8, and 0.5 points respectively.
We hear again and again that Detroit’s children must be prepared to compete in the 21st century global economy. If the proficiency gap between Detroit’s children and the Michigan average is any indication, our children have only fallen further behind these past four years. Just don’t tell Chelsea Clinton—enrollment is also down sharply, and the Emergency Manager could desperately use a few more bodies.
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<hr />
<address>
Editorial Note from Dr. Pedroni:</address>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">This column was submitted for consideration to the Detroit Free Press on Monday, March 25. The column was accepted, and slated to run online beginning Tuesday morning. However, on Tuesday afternoon I received a call from the paper’s editorial desk that more time was needed to go over the column. I had already emailed the editorial office links to the <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbc-news/51290109#51290109" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Education Nation Detroit Summit video</a> with the times at which the pronouncements by Roberts (at 25:39) and Clinton (at 43:00) were made. I had also emailed a link to <a href="https://mdoe.state.mi.us/MDEDOcuments/Fall2012Assessments/02-Fall2012MEAPFourYearComparison_GapAnalysis.xls" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the MDE site where the relevant MEAP data is stored</a>, and shared my Excel Worksheets on which I had done the calculations underlying the analysis. The Free Press staffer and I carefully went over on the phone all the numbers and how they were derived. She thanked me for my time and care. The column was again cleared for publication, this time for Wednesday at noon. Just before noon I received another communication from the Free Press— that if they ran a piece accusing Roberts of lying, then the paper at least needed to check with him on what he intended to say. I pointed out that the column did not accuse Roberts of lying, but merely used data to analyze his claim. Moreover I noted that I had taken painstaking care in the second half of the piece to surmise what Roberts might have meant to say, in case he had simply misspoken. Later Wednesday afternoon I received a final email, that based on Roberts’ response, there was too much that would need to be changed in the column, and that I was welcome to take it elsewhere. </span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415881958481908361.post-40000457070427040892013-04-01T17:31:00.000-04:002013-04-01T17:31:16.808-04:00HB4369 - Expansion of EAA Schools, Testimonial Against<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
TESTIMONY TO THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ON HB 4369</h3>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>By Dr. Thomas C. Pedroni on March 13, 2013</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
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Good Afternoon House Education Committee:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://vimeopro.com/mipfs/house-edu-hearings-and-vote-on-eaa-bill/video/61899621" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(Video of testimony)</a><br />
<br />
My name is Tom Pedroni, and I am an Associate Professor of Curriculum Studies at Wayne State University. In her testimony last week, Mary Esselman of the EAA reported what appeared to be substantial progress in student growth. Specifically, Esselman shared data with this committee attesting to the fact that a substantial number of students in the EAA appeared to be on target for one or more years of growth over the course of the EAA's first year. Both Esselman and Covington referred to this growth as evidence that the EAA model is a good model, and that therefore this committee would be acting in Michigan students' best interests to expand the EAA model to more schools in more regions of the state.<br />
<br />
The purpose of my testimony today is to show, using Esselman's own numbers, that student growth in the EAA as represented by the first two administrations of Scantron's Performance Series tests, are not nearly as remarkable as Esselman claimed them to be. In fact, as I will show, student growth using Esselman's own numbers is quite the opposite of remarkable. Furthermore, using teacher testimony, I will show that the chaotic testing conditions under which the baseline tests in the fall were administered in some schools likely contributed to student scores that under represented students' actual abilities. If the baseline scores are in fact partly lower due to testing conditions, this has the effect of artificially increasing the apparent growth from the baseline to the most recent administration.<br />
<br />
First on the numbers that Esselman shared in her testimony before this committee last week.<br />
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The EAA school year started September 4. Assuming that the tests were given around February 1 (and the EAA says they were given in January and February) that would mean that the tests represent growth from September 4 to roughly February 1. That is a time span of roughly five months. For that time span, Esselman presented us with the proportion of students who are on track to make one year or more of growth during the school year. The EAA is giving four such tests across the school year, with the first having been the baseline test. If the three tests that occur after the baseline test are spaced evenly through the entire school year, it would mean that the results from the most recent test, administered around February 1, were measured against what students are expected to learn in the first third of the school year. In most schools, the school year is nine months. Thus, EAA students on or around February 1 were being compared to what most students in most schools should have learned in the first three months of the school year. So when we look at Esselman's charts, what we are really seeing is how students fared in their first five months of work compared to what students in most schools should be learning in their first three months of work. After five months of instruction in the EAA, students' scores demonstrate how much they learned compared to what other students are expected to learn in three months. For most schools five months is not a third of the school year. It is rather more than half of the school year. <br />
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So taking more than half the time of a typical school year (and this is forgetting that the EAA school day is also longer than the typical student school day), how did EAA schools compare to what students should be learning within three months? Well, to find out, all we need to do is flip the charts that Esselman presented us with during her testimony last week. So, if you look at reading, Esselman says that 48 percent of students are on track, if we assume that five months is a third of the school year, to make the progress that they should be making over the entire year. That leaves 52% of students who are NOT on track, even after five months, to make three months of progress toward a full year's expected growth. More than half of the EAA students did not make progress in five months that most schools should make in three months. Even if the EAA had accomplished this growth in only a third of the school year, still more than half of the EAA students did not make minimal expected growth within that time span. Is this a laudable model that should be expanded before taking a closer look?<br />
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Now let's look at math. In math, Esselman reports that 43% of students in EAA schools are on track to make a year's worth of growth, again after five months compared to what most students are expected to show in growth in only three months. That means that 57% of EAA students are NOT on track to make one year's worth of growth, even though they had five months to demonstrate what most schools only have three months to demonstrate. Even if EAA students had shown this amount of growth in just three months, still 57% did not make minimal expected growth. Again, is this a laudable model?<br />
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So the claims of growth made by Esselman, when considered in this light, appear to actually represent a distinct lack of success attaining student growth in the EAA.<br />
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But now I'm going to use teacher testimony to show that even that unremarkable growth is probably an exaggeration of how much students actually grew. Now, we already know that beginning of the year baselines are always lower because of the decay of student learning over the summer months. Students entering the EAA in September had been off since school ended last June. This already means that student scores in the fall represent less than what they knew in June. That dynamic affects all students who are off during the summer months, and therefore all students scores in any school district that is off during the summer. That is simply a well-known fact in the testing world.<br />
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But in addition to that there were conditions in the EAA schools this fall that drove the baseline even lower. As we have now heard from many teachers at many schools in the EAA, there was a chaotic environment that surrounded the administration of the baseline test at many schools. Thus, the baseline test results from last fall likely underrepresent students' real abilities. Listen to the following teacher's testimony, and think to yourself if it sounds like under such conditions students would have performed at their best. If not, then the second test would actually show more growth than what was real:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"In my building (Burns), the internet was out constantly during the tests. Students would be in the middle of a test and the whole thing would shut off, limiting their ability to take the test as well as restricting how many students we could test at once. Because of this, we had to test within a very extended window of time. Students sometimes did not have headphones with which to test, even though some portions required them. Other students had log-ins that did not work, or worked every other time they sat down to test. At times, students tested in the cafeteria because there was nowhere else to test them, so conditions weren't great." </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"That being said, Burns is said to have had the MOST growth out of any EAA school in the district re: Performance Series. Considering the middle school students haven't had a teacher for 3 out of the 4 core subjects for over 3 months now, I seriously doubt this growth is valid. Unless, of course, our daily substitutes were just pumping them full of information, which I know for a fact they weren't because they weren't provided any behavior systems to manage the classrooms. Most substitutes didn't last the full class day, let alone months at a time."<br />
--- Teacher, Burns Elementary-Middle School.</blockquote>
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I ask this committee to reconsider the growth that Mary Esselman claimed last week as a reason for why the EAA legislation should be approved. Was student growth as shown on the tests remarkable? No, on the contrary it was quite unremarkable, to put it mildly. Were even those claims to growth exaggerated by the chaotic conditions under which the baseline test was administered? Based on several teachers' reports, including one that I shared with you, the answer is likely yes. The EAA may be a model of something, but it is not a positive model that should be replicated or codified or expanded. I urge you to vote no on HB 4369.<br />
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Thank you.<br />
Thomas C. Pedroni<br />
Associate Professor, Curriculum Studies</div>
Stephen Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235554705704561246noreply@blogger.com0