Requests at Mayor's 2nd Community Meeting

The Mayor and at least 30 people in his administration attended the meeting on Thursday July 12 at Rosedale Park Community Center. About 175 people filled the 160 seats on the first floor of the center, with a few seated in the mezzanine as well. Many of the specific questions asked within the community were handed to specific department heads and liaisons for one on one consultation.

However there were a number of questions and requests that either were not answered or were answered in a way that begs additional clarification.


Cindy Darrah's requests at the meeting consumed the one minute limit of time, and went beyond it apparently too far. The microphone was pulled from her face and she was escorted out as she continued with her questions.

• Complete the unfinished business of the City Charter. Make sure printed copies are available to the public. Give us a readable version of the City Charter and Financial Stability Agreement.
• FIRST layoffs should be city workers that DON'T LIVE in the city of Detroit.
• Reveal the 'secret' meeting of the Financial Advisory Board (FAB) that is stripping pension benefits from city workers and more. We should know these meetings are being held BEFORE they happen.
• Declare a moratorium on mortgage foreclosures as other cities have.
• Banks should continue paying property tax on buildings that are empty rather than sending them to ruin by failure to maintain and then to demolition. Put people in houses.
• Ownership in the new bridge project needs to be offered to the people and benefit the residents. Don't let the State take what exists on Detroit soil without a fight.

Attorneys Michael McGee, Michael Hodge, Irene Hathaway,
and James Saylor are principals at Miller-Canfield

Your Future is in Their Hands

Another question was "Who is running Detroit? Is it Miller Canfield?" Some may not know how the law firm that has been around for 260 years has shaped government in the City of Detroit across the State of Michigan, and invites foreign take over of American business. These are a few recent activities that dig into ethical behavior, and perhaps leads to organized corruption of government.

• Wrote the changes for Public Act 4 which replaced Public Act 72 and amended the Public Employee Relations Act. These revisions gave new dictator powers to Emergency Managers allowing for union busting and restructuring of municipalities.
• Are employed as Mayor Bing's legal counsel, in so far as consulting with them has replaced working with Detroit Corporation Counsel.
• The public and City Council have requested contract billing information for Miller-Canfield working on behalf of Mayor Bing and the City of Detroit - yet nothing has been provided to date.
• Hold significant influence in governance of the State of Michigan.
• Drafted and revised the Financial Stability Agreement, ensuring revised Michigan law was used as a basis for a contract that blends Public Acts 4 and 7.
• Has intervened on behalf of Mayor Bing and consulted with him behind closed doors. These private dealings have created controversy into how the administration is handling issues such as public health, wellness, transportation, housing, and community needs.

Mayor Bing responded saying he was running the city with his Department heads and staff as administration. This is the same administration that has been criticized repeatedly during public comments with City Council and in public meetings with Mayor Bing.

There has been a delay of a Debarment Ordinance as set forth in the 2012 revised Charter (sec 6-308), additionally a delay in the appointment of the Inspector General (sec 7.5.3xx). These must be addressed as soon as possible. City Council held interviews with Inspector General applicants on Friday July 13, after closing applications May 31. On July 17 a vote was held with five candidates, James Heath captured the appointment as Detroit's first Inspector General with four votes of the nine member council.

Is the Public Concerned?

We've asked the public is there a War on the Poor of Detroit and Michigan? The most common reply is "Yes, it has been going on for decades". The evidence is shown through targeted voter suppression of communities under Emergency Manager control by Public Act 4 throughout the state. There is an intentional degrading and removal of services from communities that are in need. Privilege stands upon the back of those who struggle to get by daily.