  Bindetroit Member Username: Bindetroit Post Number: 920 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.246.117.31 |
Daily Press and Argus Thursday, April 14, 2005 Editorial Back Phil Power column: Is Detroit due for a new mayor? For folks who don't live there, Detroit and its manifold problems often seem like another world, tortured by layers of mismanagement, racism, poverty and political corruption. "I just wish it would go away" is a comment I must have heard 100 times - and we've all heard even worse. Like it or not, Detroit does matter to us all - and like it or not, it is not going away. It is and will remain Michigan's largest city, with a long and distinguished history going back to 1701. Less than a century ago, it led the birth of the manufacturing revolution that brought unprecedented prosperity to Michigan and its workers. Yet its present condition - described by a columnist some years ago as "America's first Third World city" - brings shame on our state and hurts our national image. Which is why the August primary election for mayor of Detroit really matters. There will be three major candidates: The incumbent, Kwame Kilpatrick; City Council member Sharon McPhail; and Freman Hendrix, who was deputy under former Mayor Dennis Archer. Kilpatrick, who at 31 was the city's youngest-ever mayor when he took office, has been acting ; well ; his age. Or not quite his age. Many observers consider him immature and impulsive, not ready for the big time. There have been many gaffes over his three-plus years in office - key staffers improperly pulling rank, a fancy car leased for his family, investigations suppressed and widespread rumors of nightlife funny business. So many, in fact, that his re-election is no longer a sure thing. Devastatingly, a poll released last week by EPIC_MRA found that more than half of Detroiters think Kilpatrick has accomplished nothing since being elected, and only one in five voters want to see him re-elected. His job approval rating is 62 percent unfavorable, while 61 percent of respondents think the city is "on the wrong track." In a trial heat, Kilpatrick fared poorly, running behind Hendrix and even with McPhail. McPhail is no stranger to the voters. She's run for many offices, including mayor, since 1993, and was finally elected to Detroit City Council in 2001. Unfortunately, this is a council that for years has ranked right up there as among the silliest and least constructive legislative bodies in our state. A friend of mine, a longtime knowledgeable observer of Detroit politics, describes McPhail as "mercurial, brilliant, but erratic, with one set of standards for herself and another for everyone else. "She tried to be Ecorse city attorney and a Detroit councilman at the same time and fought to keep both jobs, though every court and the state attorney general told her she was nuts to think that wasn't a conflict of interest," the observer said. Two years ago, she was roundly ridiculed for charging that Kilpatrick had somehow rigged her electric back massager on a chair in her council office to give her a nasty shock. (No evidence was ever discovered that anyone had sabotaged her chair.) This year, she has cleverly gotten Benny Napoleon, the popular former police chief, to appear to run with her under the promise that she will appoint him deputy mayor. Then there is Hendrix, who met with a group of HomeTown Newspapers editors a couple of weeks ago for a conversation about the city and the region's future. He is a tall, relatively slim man with a high forehead, salt-and-pepper moustache and large hands, which he folds together when not gesturing. During our conversation (in which he, unlike so many politicians, spoke in complete sentences) he sat on the edge of his chair, legs bent under him, giving the impression of somebody ready to spring. Hendrix served for eight years as deputy mayor and chief of staff, running the city's day-to-day operations and a work force of 17,000. On his watch the city ran a balanced budget and cut taxes for the first time in years. He was also chairman of the reform city Board of Education. Later, he spent several years as chief of operations for Strategic Staffing Solutions, a Detroit-based information technology company. I knew Hendrix while he was in the Archer administration and came to think highly of his managerial skills, maturity and common-sense vision for the city. "The image of Detroit affects the entire region," Hendrix said, "but Detroit right now is a fragile place. A good mayor can make a big difference, but Mayor Kilpatrick's learning curve has just been too steep." Hendrix was blunt about the city's financial situation. "Bankruptcy is imminent unless we get our act together," he said. "Now that isn't entirely bad, because the specter of bankruptcy can drive collective bargaining with the municipal unions, who could find themselves faced with a choice between no union contract (via a judge's ruling) or a 50 percent cut in payroll. In any event, we need to reduce the number of departments from 44 to 30, but we also need to get another 800 or so police officers out on the streets." Yet can Hendrix win, especially given his relatively low name ID and Kilpatrick's campaign war chest, now bulging with contributions from firms doing business with the city? "Name ID helps," responded Hendrix, "but only if it's positive. It takes $2 million to win. My goal is to have raised $1 million by June, and if you get through the primary, you can raise a ton. Dennis Archer raised $500,000 the day after he won his primary." Originally, I thought Hendrix's campaign was a long shot. But I now think it just might succeed, if only because both Kilpatrick or McPhail have a demonstrated capacity to self-destruct. Of course, it's a long way until the August primary, but the recent poll was surprising and encouraging for Hendrix ... and for anybody who hopes for a better future for Detroit. Full disclosure: Philip Power is a supporter of and a contributor to Hendrix's mayoral campaign. He is also the former chairman of HomeTown Communications Network. He would be pleased to get your reactions to this column either at (734) 953-2047 or at ppower@homecomm.net. | ||
Brian Member Username: Brian Post Number: 2607 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.37.83.132 |
Is this biased? Hell Yeah, and wrong. Hendrix said on Mildred's show, the day she sabotaged Sharon McPhails interview, that under Archer there were 21,000 city employees. The city has a smaller workforce under Kilpatrick. Then he fails to mention how Strategic Staffing Solutions was intself a city contractor and its owners were major contributors to Archer during his years as mayor. But the author mentions that Kilpatrick gets donations from city contractors. How can Hendrix stoop so low? | ||
Bindetroit Member Username: Bindetroit Post Number: 923 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.246.117.31 |
Brian disjointedly asks: "How can Hendrix stoop so low?" Huh? Oh. One person writes an editorial and the subject of the piece is consequently a bad guy beause the author didn't slant it Brian's way. Note Brian's hypocrisy from a companion thread: "Royce, unlike you and your candidate I do not declare someone guilty by association." Really? Since or starting when? | ||
Brian Member Username: Brian Post Number: 2610 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.37.83.132 |
BD, your editorial which has found its way into campaign literature as though it is unsolicited was written by
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Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 1831 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 68.42.77.83 |
My prejections to the August mayoral primary. It would Kwame Kilpatrick vs. Freeman Hendrix for the Mayor of Detroit. Sharon McPhail, Mary Waters, and Ken Cocerel would be out. And in the November election Freeman Hendrix will win for mayor for the City of Detroit and here's the results: Hendrix: 72% Kilpartrick 25% There would be 3% marjin of error and the voter turn out would be sixty percent. | ||
Jelk Member Username: Jelk Post Number: 3337 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 141.217.119.145 |
Helmut may have a shot to beat Mrs. Snead and Saturday but lead this city? No way, the only place you'll find real leadership is from the Lemmonses slate. Power of Three... | ||
Amelia Member Username: Amelia Post Number: 427 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 4.229.120.31 |
Interesting that Brian does point out one of several lies that should be pointed out. The number of city employees under Archer/Hendrix - 17,000 is the number under KILPATRICK. Now you can do the math that the Mayor quotes - ARCHER/FREMAN = 21,000 and Kilpatrick reduced it by 4,000 which is how we arrive @ 17,000 UNDER KILPATRICK. The Hendirx campaign is not as correct as some would want to believe and believe me there will be more. Just keep a sharp eye on this slick bunch. | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 1537 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.251.27.41 |
That wouldnt be correct Amelia.... The city of Detroit has been losing employees under both Archer and Kilpatrick. The truth of the matter is that through retirements and attrition the Archer administration held the budget together through the good years and then as the decline began after 2001 Kilpatrick did the same. Infact, most of the layoffs that Kilpatrick did were the attrition-based kind, with a smaller percentage being actual postion removals. So what Kilpatrick inhereted was a plan that had been started by his predecessor and he succesfully kept going.... | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 1138 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.167.58.208 |
"...both Kilpatrick or McPhail have a demonstrated capacity to self-destruct." No mention by Phil Powers of Hendrix's Cadillac lease out of his meager campaign chest... | ||
Brian Member Username: Brian Post Number: 2611 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.37.83.161 |
Zulu, that is one of your more blatant mistruths about your candidate and mayor KK. Your candidate said on Mildred's show that Archer used to borrow money via selling bonds to balance their budgets. Mildred was attempting to criticize Kilpatrick on the use of selling bonds to balance a budget and hers and your candidate corrected her on air. The notion that the Archer years were the "good years" is not accurate for Detroit. Perhaps its accurate for those people who made money off of Detroit during Archer's two terms as mayor. The same abuses that existed then exist now. The same business contractors who did business with the city then do business with the city now. Kilpatrick did not sweep all of Archer's contractors out and get new ones to come in. Even some of these folks who call into support your candidate who are former Archer appointees used to have to kick back in order to remain an appointee. Why did Archer add all those positions to city government when the city was shrinking? Why did Archer need to sell all those bonds? If those years were 'good' why didn't Archer erase the city's debt, and take care of business and not leave a deficit when he left offce. Archer planned an accounting trick (learned from Werdlow?) to balance his last budget. But if you look at his last budgets he spent more money than he received. | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 1539 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.251.27.41 |
http://www.detnews.com/2001/po litics/0107/18/a01-248553.htm This article states that in 2001 there were 16,000 or so employees. Amelia's information is dead wrong. On Archer defict- thats KK's fault. Archer left him a plan to finish the year. http://www.afscme207.com/organ izers/organizer21_2k2.htm "Just before Archer left office he said that if the city sold the DEHOCO land in Plymouth that there would be a $30-40 million surplus. That sale has been approved but the newspapers still claim that the city is in financial crisis without presenting a shred of proof. The money is there, it's just being wasted on private contractors who buy politicians at fire sale prices." http://www.freep.com/voices/ed itorials/edeho29_20011129.htm http://www.detnews.com/2002/wa yne/0201/27/b03-400776.htm btw, who said I have a candidate? | ||
Brian Member Username: Brian Post Number: 2614 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.37.83.161 |
You continue to post untrue statements about the Mayor and Counciwoman while ignoring the truth about your candidate. All of the times you have begun threads on what was said on Mildred's show you choose this time to plead ignorance on your candidates statements when Mildred sabotaged an interview with his appearance. So by your article, Kilpatrick is doing much better on city employees than Archer did. Kilpatrick added less than Archer. But you still ignore the deficit statements. Each year Archer had to use bonds or other budget modifications to balance his budget. Kilpatrick will have a balanced budget if the CC approves those things he has requested. That is the way the budget works. There can be no deficit. But Archer never stuck to his budget, he always spent more than he had allocated. Archer was fortunate to have a GREAT economy during his years as mayor so that he could borrow his way into the black. | ||
Rasputin Member Username: Rasputin Post Number: 2922 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.77.161.40 |
Zulu ..... Amelia's info is not "dead wrong" by any means. Methinks you can remember how many staff were added due to the influx of EZ dollars, which has now expired. Rather than go into detail, I find it amazing that you (of all folk) did not connect the dots - yet rely upon "fishwrap" articles as a source of support data. Even your quote from AFSCME points to the quandry created by the source. However, Archer had no credibility regarding leaving a plan ..... after all, knowledgeable folk knew that his voodoo budget balancing act on the newly found casino money wouldn't hold up under scrutiny. You may wish to reread some of Nick Hood's comments (as a CC Member & Candidate) regarding the matter. Additionally, there was no EZ employee/funding phase out plan under Archer's gig. That was inherited by kk, similar to the fukked up DeHoCo deal which Archer tried to sell to ex-urbanites (McNamara & Engler cronies) at pennies on the dollar value. btw: I'm sure you still have access to the White Book, which would really prove or disprove your statement of Amelia, in addition to the EZ reports ..... who methinks has access too!! Go figure .... Gotta say tho, I'm kinda glad to see kk and his peeps reverse, edit, change their statements on the "so-called" budget screw-ups and the effect on Detroit. In an earlier statement he blamed 2 prior Black Mayors for his delima. That was changed in his budget address to "the past 50 years". Methinks that takes the message back to the 1950s, implicating white flight and inability of white mayors to address that revenue income stream; which Mayor Young inherited. The boy-mayor is learning, albeit slow though. Kinda funny ain't it, Lowell - how an article/editorial/propaganda piece could be so slanted?? but that's politricks, especially when one has bought the media. I'm still waiting for the Detroit Chamber of Commerce's endorsement of a candidate. Mewonders if they can be bought too?? Mayhaps I should ask Al Garrett!! Black-atcha ..... watching Black folk go at each other's throats, when we are clearly not the enemy. | ||
Bindetroit Member Username: Bindetroit Post Number: 927 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.69.165.10 |
Brian erroneously jaw-flaps: "Kilpatrick will have a balanced budget if the CC approves those things he has requested." Not at all true. Like false. Wrong. Couldn't be further from the truth. (All territory Brian, Snead and KK are very familiar and comfortable with). KK admits that even if he got everything on his wishlist (union concessions, new taxes, sin-off of DDOT and cob, etc.), the 2005-2006 deficit would not be erased. (No problem ignoring the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 carryover deficits since he's not addressed them since incurred anyway). When CC asked the Kwamster if his budget cuts and other measures would elimintate the City's entire deficit, the best that he could do was "I don't know." When pressed, he admits that the more accurate answer (i.e. the truth) is "no." | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 1540 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.251.27.41 |
Kilpatrick did add less than Archer because he had tougher budgets, but Kilpatrick added more 6 figure appointees. Ms. McPhail and I agree on this, Brian. I have not attacked her policies, many of which I think are helpful, some of which I have worked with her staff on. Her questionable practices I have commented on, most in away that seek to improve her chances. Hopefully, she will stand tall in this budget season as it an opportunity to show her fiscal prowess- something that she needs to show Everyone has a record, all will be held accountable. Hendrix removed people from a Board meeting- He will be held accountable. The Mayor has a record- he will be held accountable. McPhail/Napoleon have records- they too will be held accountable. On the deficit issues, I agree Archer had to make yearly adjustments on his budget to balance them, just like Young before him and Kilpatrick after him. The budget works such that when its presented to council it must be in balance, and when it is finally approved it must be balanced, but then it becomes out of balance as the state shrinks its contribution or as revenues change. It is something that no one can claim to have perfected, but is challenging to all. Archer had the benefit of a good economy, lower unemployment and the first infusion of casino revenues. 9/11 accellerated a decline that was there but not as sharp as immediately after that, which Kilpatrick inhereited. There will be a reckoning of all- including the council-especially as their major work on the budget has begun. | ||
Brian Member Username: Brian Post Number: 2618 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.73.32.109 |
Zulu now you cite dollar amounts when that was never dicussed. We were talking number of employees. I'll betcha they still come out even. More folks still need to be paid. Many folks want to appologize for Archer but he just plain FUKKED UP. He had the greatest economy this city and nation had seen in over 40 years and he screwed up. He gave away land for nothing, he missed generating new revenue streams, all he could do is spend the federal money congress sent his way. And that would not have happened without a strong democrat in the white house. look at the country now. Anyway, Rasputin makes the best point on this thread. Black-atcha ..... watching Black folk go at each other's throats, when we are clearly not the enemy. (Rasputin I am sending that line to a friend of mine because it clearly illustrates the troubles of Detroit.) | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 1549 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.195 |
I agree that we are not enemies, and in my opinion, we are not going at each others throats, as some would categorize. I feel differently about the 8 years under Archer than Brian and Ras, as we are individuals and should have differing opinions. I am acutely aware that Archer did not always do the best thing possible as I have my own critisms about his terms, especially the early years. Thus I grant that there are more issues about him that history will dictate as problematic. It is always hard to follow a Colossus, as Mayor Young was. But as we seek to shape the opinion of a new generation of leadership and advocate for a better stronger Detroit, I believe that debate is healthy. I want you to critique my thoughts and opinions, I want you to challenge me to provide better posts, and to have a sharper knife to cut through the chaff here. And it is what I want to do for you. In fact it is what I will do. McPhail is Brian's choice, and she is deserving of support in her quest to be the next mayor. But she is not above reproach and will be made to answer questions about policies and character- as too the Mayor, and as also Mr. Hendrix. If you think people are critical now, wait till the elections are over and its time to do something. All of them will have more problems- the only question is which will have the mettle to deal with the on-rushing storms in Detroit Politics, and there are violent storms ahead. As to Ras' post, more history there than I can speak to, except that the post by Amelia is predicated on how and who you count as a city worker. Housing, DIA, DEGC, EDC, so many public private partners- who do you count? Archer added people in times of good- but once council accepts grant dollars- they become mandates in hiring if thats what's in the plan. If KK is phasing out these jobs funded through EZ dollars or other grant dollars-he should state that. Model Cities didnt make Detroit a model city, and the EZ didnt make things easy in Detroit. I dont have White book for the years in question, so until some one takes me to Mizzou, Amelia is wrong. (Zulu-atcha...evaluating the "unbossed" for leadership) | ||
Amelia Member Username: Amelia Post Number: 450 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 4.229.114.147 |
Zulu: Until you make a better case than what you have, you diminish all that sword rattling, chest beating, king of the amazon "I AM RIGHT, WOMAN IS WRONG" bullshit. I too am UNBOSSED, But right!!! (Message edited by amelia on April 17, 2005) | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 1554 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.251.27.41 |
Employers (by number of employees, 2001) 1. Detroit Public Schools 20,218 2. City of Detroit 17,605 3. Detroit Medical Center 12,055 4. DaimlerChrysler Corp. 14,282 5. U. S. Government 4,612 6. State of Michigan 7,397 7. Henry Ford Health System 3,796 8. St. John Health System 5,700 http://www.previewdetroit.com/ history.asp I keep giving you the facts. Your statement was wrong on the number of employees. Can we see some sources for you? | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 1555 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.251.27.41 |
http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/le gislative/CharterAppointments/ AuditorGeneral/Reports/Appropr iations%202004-2005.pdf If we look here it shows that in 1998 there were 18379 actual employees in 1998-1999 on the chart termed COMPARISON OF BUDGETED TO ACTUAL POSITIONS. Ergo this quote: Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 8:10 am: ------------------------------ ------------------------------ -------------------- "Interesting that Brian does point out one of several lies that should be pointed out. The number of city employees under Archer/Hendrix - 17,000 is the number under KILPATRICK. Now you can do the math that the Mayor quotes - ARCHER/FREMAN = 21,000 and Kilpatrick reduced it by 4,000 which is how we arrive @ 17,000 UNDER KILPATRICK. The Hendirx campaign is not as correct as some would want to believe and believe me there will be more. Just keep a sharp eye on this slick bunch." This quote is not factual, Amelia. Just admit it. | ||
Amelia Member Username: Amelia Post Number: 454 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 209.69.165.10 |
The COD data is what I will respond to. You arbitrarily picked a budget year under Archer, which were the actuals in 1998-1999. That's fine [however I said "under Archer/Hendrix" - no budget year]. Nonetheless, in that same year the BUDGETED figure was 20,752. Looking at the same chart, approaching the Kilpatrick year 2004-2005 the BUDGETED figure was 18,705. Since the submission of the 2004-2005 budget, Kilpatrick has reduced the ACTUALS to the estimated figure of approximately 17,000 through elimination of positions and layoffs [including DHC]. Can't admit to your analysis on your choice of comparisons. | ||
Amelia Member Username: Amelia Post Number: 456 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 209.69.165.10 |
The COD data is what I will respond to. You arbitrarily picked a budget year under Archer, which were the actuals in 1998-1999. That's fine [however I said "under Archer/Hendrix" - no budget year]. Nonetheless, in that same year the BUDGETED figure was 20,752. Looking at the same chart, approaching the Kilpatrick budget year 2004-2005 the BUDGETED figure was 18,705. Since the submission of the 2004-2005 budget Kilpatrick has reduced the ACTUALS to the estimated figure of approximately 17,000 through elimination of positions and layoffs [including the DHC]. Can't admit to your analysis on your choice of comparisons. (Message edited by Amelia on April 18, 2005) | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 1556 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.251.27.41 |
Very good. I'm glad you pointed out that the difference between the ACTUAL and the BUDGETED positions. I agree with your assement. Now you need to answer this: Which set of numbers did you mean in your post? You didnt specify which set of numbers in your original post. The tenor of your post made it sound like Archer hired some 20,000 people- which is not true. So what did you mean exactly? | ||
Bindetroit Member Username: Bindetroit Post Number: 949 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.69.165.10 |
To the numbers: 2000-2001 Total budgeted positions - 20,642 City financed - 19,205 2001-2002 Total budgeted positions - 20,990 City financed - 19,941 2002-2003 Total budgeted positions - 20,441 City financed - 19,577 2003-2004 Total budgeted positions - 19,702 City financed - 18,965 2004-2005 Total budgeted positions - 18,743 City financed - 18,074 2005-2006 proposed: http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/bu dget/2005-06_Budget/Charts/EBS _Schedule%20C_Personal%20Servi ces%20comparison.pdf | ||
Amelia Member Username: Amelia Post Number: 458 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 209.69.165.10 |
Do you really think I "meant" Archer HIRED some 20,000 people? However, I have read in posts here that Kilpatrick hired 1,000 friends and family. I haven't seen anything to prove that either. (Message edited by Amelia on April 19, 2005) | ||
Rasputin Member Username: Rasputin Post Number: 2926 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.77.161.40 |
Peeps, I'm glad you read the "old dude's" post. Asente' Sane We must be forever vigilant, even as we know the outcome of the next election will be decided by Black Folk of Detroit. It only takes 1 or 2 white boys to muddy the water and send some cats on the journey of "chasing their tails." Kudos to ya. btw: My reading of some of your posts brings me to acknowledge a vast degree of known info about actual city operations (including budget). As much as I detested the Archer admin; I have come to grips that his schitt is gone ..... hopefully forever ..... however, mehopes that you will see how the white media has/is attempting to take back the only city in the "Great Cities" listing that is Black dominated and controlled. A conspiracy theory, you may ask??? "Ya Damn Skippy". Gotta remember, the majority of Black Detroiters DON'T subscribe to TIME magazine or listen to Mildred Gaddis either ..... go figure! on how many read this web-site too!! (roflmbao) If you've noticed ..... the white folk shut-the-fuck-up when you started the ego trips with each other. The bottom line is that more people will be leaving City service, through lay-offs, attrition, and job category realignment based upon budget shortfalls and your garbage will still be picked up on schedule. And NO, Oakland County will not take-over the Detroit Zoo; nor will Detroit voters approve kk's "Fast Food Tax." Figure on that too, while you're at it. Grab a big chunk of the CC talking (again, for the umpteenth time in umpteen years - kinda strange though, that kinda talk never surfaced during the CAY years of mayorship. Mewonders why???) of rewriting the entire budget ..... now, that would be the making of DETROIT history; actually forcing a sitting mayor to realign his entire plans of action to conform to the Legislative Branch's fiscal mandates and (de facto) setting actual City policy using the back-door approach. Do they have the "balls" to do it?? Black-atcha ..... |
