  Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 1810 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.251.27.41 |
Kilpatrick says gloves are off and race is on He pays Detroit for $9,000 he charged on city credit card May 18, 2005 http://www.freep.com/news/locw ay/kilp18e_20050518.htm BY M.L. ELRICK, JIM SCHAEFER and MARISOL BELLO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS Battered by news reports about his use of a city-issued credit card and a series of scandals that have clouded his political future, a defiant Kwame Kilpatrick said Tuesday he would fight the media and his critics to win a second term as mayor of Detroit. Kilpatrick would not discuss a check for nearly $9,000 he wrote to the city Tuesday in the wake of a Free Press story about expenses his administration deleted from credit card records. The newspaper obtained the documents after a two-year wait and a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. Instead, in front of hundreds of supporters, Kilpatrick wiped away tears as his parents defended his performance over the past 3 1/2 years during a rally announcing the mayor's re-election bid. His father, Bernard Kilpatrick, likened the unfounded rumor that his son held a wild party at the city-owned Manoogian Mansion in 2002 to the Nazis' blaming of the Jews for Germany's problems. "They had a big lie in Europe. A guy by the name of Goering said that the Jews was responsible for all the misery that the Germans was having. One lie! And that lie caught on," he said. "And before it was all over, 6 million of them died. Off of one big lie." Hermann Goering was a Nazi politician. The mayor's mother, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Detroit, urged Detroiters to rally around her son. "Don't lay down, stand up. Don't be quiet, speak up," she said. "Don't let too many people talk about y'all's boy." The mayor, standing on a dais surrounded by rows of tasteful new brick-and-siding homes on the city's near west side, took a few moments to compose himself and said: "I ain't cried since I was 10 years old." But his tone quickly changed. "We're not stopping this progress because somebody said something about me," he said, referring to media reports about his administration's conduct. "We're not stopping this progress because the news media are fixated on Kwame Kilpatrick." The mayor blamed cuts in federal and state aid for contributing to a budget crisis that threatens to force the city into receivership. He said he also inherited a city with a police department in chaos. In an apparent shot at former Mayor Dennis Archer, who is expected to endorse Kilpatrick rival and his former deputy Freman Hendrix later this month, Kilpatrick said: "Nothing was done over the past 8 years to correct that situation. Nothing was done. I'm not being defensive. But the gloves are off now." Archer served as mayor from 1994 to 2002. "It's time for some offense," said Kilpatrick, a former college football player. The crowd cheered. "As an offensive tackle, I can't wait to hit someone." Among his accomplishments he listed improving fire department apparatus, getting grass cut in city parks and resurfacing 350 miles of city roads. Still, talk of the mayor's use of the city's MasterCard dominated the airwaves Tuesday. And City Council members said they are frustrated by the administration. Last week, the council voted unanimously to discontinue all unnecessary travel and use of city-issued credit cards. The move was aimed directly at Kilpatrick, the only Detroit official with a city credit card. Auditor General Joseph Harris said Tuesday that given all the missing receipts and questionable charges on the card, the mayor might have to reimburse the city for about $50,000. Harris said the mayor shouldn't have to pay back those trips that were a part of legitimate city business. "He's the top dog and nobody is going to challenge him," Harris said. "But he has to be accountable." Earlier Tuesday, Kilpatrick reimbursed the city for some expenses he put on his city credit card during his first 33 months in office, keeping a promise from a day earlier. In a news release, the mayor said he cut a check for $8,978.41, but did not specify what expenses the reimbursement covered. The amount he paid back did not cover the $11,644.84 put on the city's credit card for hotel expenses during the 2002 Super Bowl in New Orleans. Chief of Staff Christine Beatty had told the Free Press the city is contesting charges for at least two rooms that she said were billed in error. She said they were occupied by people she did not know. The Free Press reported Tuesday that Kilpatrick's administration withheld information about certain expenses when it released city credit card records to the newspaper. The newspaper obtained unedited versions of the same documents from Harris. Among the documents Kilpatrick withheld from the newspaper were a receipt showing the city paid for his family baby-sitter's stay in a Las Vegas hotel, nearly $4,000 in chauffeur service over four days in Washington, D.C., an $836 New Orleans hotel charge for his sister, Ayanna Kilpatrick, and a $5,450-a-night luxury suite in a Vegas hotel, where Kilpatrick put up his family. Kilpatrick reimbursed some of those charges on April 12, the day the city agreed to release credit card records to the newspaper. The city argued that omissions are legal under the Freedom of Information Act because the charges were either reimbursed or disputed. Free Press lawyers contend the omissions are not proper. Contact M.L. ELRICK at 313-223-3327 or elrick@freepress.com and JIM SCHAEFER at 313-223-4542 or schaefer@freepress.com. | ||
Jmy8 Member Username: Jmy8 Post Number: 2347 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 12.75.50.88 |
We're running on a 24-day schedule here; hope he isn't claiming it's every ten days. | ||
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit Post Number: 493 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 63.149.5.130 |
I have been bitching for 5 years about the street in front of my house having more pot holes than most 3rd world country roads. AND guess what I came home yesterday and it is all torn up and they are resurfacing it....funny how all this is happening now! | ||
Metrodetguy Member Username: Metrodetguy Post Number: 1435 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 207.200.116.134 |
Let's count how many groups were offended by the remarks made at Kilpatrick's campaign announcement...Black people, White people, Jewish people, Detroiters, young people, senior citizens, educated/intelligent people, media | ||
Jmil Member Username: Jmil Post Number: 1067 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 68.73.53.134 |
"Kilpatrick says gloves are off" Yeah, its so much easier to steal without those damn gloves getting in the way. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 2019 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 141.217.173.167 |
Down with the KING! KING KWAME KILLpatrick. His political party is going to over soon. Therw would NO more spending our tax dollars through his credit cards. And he's going to leave home without it. | ||
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit Post Number: 500 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 69.246.4.46 |
metro - OMG for once we agree. I think he imagined to offend most everyone...I think his father summed it up best when he said "ALL young black men should be affraid - if they can treat my son this way they can treat you the same way to".... If I was a young black man I would be pissed! Is he saying young black men all abuse city credit cards, cheat on their wives with their chief of staff, wear big stupid earrings, screw the city out of money, go to Vegas on tax payer dollars? OF all people that should be most pissed is young black men! | ||
Metrodetguy Member Username: Metrodetguy Post Number: 1439 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 207.200.116.134 |
Nice try "Ilovedetroit". Don't "talk about ya' boy" like that (as Mom Kilpatrick says)! Like you said, he's got your vote (since McPhail may not make it past the primary). | ||
Restoretheroar Member Username: Restoretheroar Post Number: 379 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 199.67.138.25 |
Fox News take. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0 ,2933,156992,00.html | ||
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit Post Number: 505 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 63.149.5.130 |
Just remember as offensive as his speech was I would still vote for him over Hendrix... | ||
Bindetroit Member Username: Bindetroit Post Number: 1118 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.69.165.10 |
ild - For all of your misplaced hatred of Freman Hendrix over his appointment by Dennis Archer to the interim school board, why do you not place the blame where it corectly belongs? Kwame went to Engler and lobbied for your disenfranchisement. Kwame supported he legislation that took away local control of the schools. And all this took place before he even got to be mayor. His crimes and mistakes since taking office are well documented and listed elsewhere. But don't forget his polticking prior to the vote on Prop E. and his publicly acknowledged attempts to gain control over the DPS money and contracts. And you, of all people, would still vote for the guy when Sharon loses in August? That's just plain hypocritical or ignorant, but either way it's shameful. Be true to your handle, ild. | ||
1honey Member Username: 1honey Post Number: 233 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 208.39.170.77 |
Restoretheroar thanks for the link to Fox News. Don't you just love that shot with the big billboard over looking the abandoned truck and tires. "Standing strong for Detroit", nice picture!!! | ||
Rustic Member Username: Rustic Post Number: 1485 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 130.132.177.245 |
Did you notice in KKs statements mentioned in the freep article were directed toward the Archer Administration (and therefore Hendrix by association)? The freep didn't mention KK saying anything about the City Council (which would be a shot at McPhail). What does this story from the freep imply re the primary? That KK is fighting with Hendrix for second place in the primary? OR would KK rather face McPhail than Hendrix in the election? OR is McPhail a distant 3rd so we are merely seeing what will happen in the general eletion? What's up? | ||
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit Post Number: 508 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 69.246.4.46 |
I can guarantee that KK is trying to take out Hendrix. They are firing shots at each other (via their minions - Gaddis/Blackwell/Dumas) on morning talk radio. KK has not said anything about McPhail other than veiled references to her city council duties. He knows that she has strong support amongst the Prop E people and that her base is unshakeable (unless they catch her in bed with a dead man or a live woman)...KK is going after Hendrix - his association with Archer does not play well with many folks in the city and the Prop E school takeover pisses a lot of folks off. The Primary will include McPhail not sure who she will be with. I am still thinking the mayor will make it...but he keeps saying some damn dumb things. However, those bill boards are MIGHTY BIG! Detroit's high illiteracy rate translates to lots of visual things. | ||
Metrodetguy Member Username: Metrodetguy Post Number: 1441 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 207.200.116.134 |
"I can guarantee"...ok "Ilovedetroit" you lost it right there. Once again a McPhail supporter shilling for Kilpatrick, demonstrating that they are basically one in the same. | ||
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit Post Number: 512 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 63.149.5.130 |
HAHAHAHA one in the same! If McPhail heard that her hair would curl right up! Boy you are dumb as a box of rocks Metro if you believe that statement! Start packing your bags for Ferndale buddy! | ||
1honey Member Username: 1honey Post Number: 234 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 208.39.170.77 |
I wouldn't care if those billboards stretched from the eastside to the westside. I wouldn't vote for him!!! PERIOD!!! | ||
Rasputin Member Username: Rasputin Post Number: 2991 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.255.163.69 |
ILD: maybe the repair of your street was already scheduled without YOUR knowledge, as most street repair is (even as far back as 5 years ago when Archer made all those promises regarding the same). Go figure .... on a City & B-cratic process. Black-atcha .... saying, "don't look a gift horse in the mouth." | ||
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit Post Number: 514 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 63.149.5.130 |
I know...I just think it is funny after all these years the week he announces he is running it finally gets fixed go figure! | ||
Rasputin Member Username: Rasputin Post Number: 3003 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.255.163.69 |
Gotcha .... glad the tax dollars are working for ya. Black-atcha ..... as the runs for elective office tighten up | ||
Metrodetguy Member Username: Metrodetguy Post Number: 1443 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 207.200.116.134 |
Actually "Ilovedetroit" I think you and your crew will be heading for Southfield or Ecorse. | ||
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit Post Number: 518 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 69.246.4.46 |
Metro - You were the one who said you were leaving and I will know when you are gone becuase the smell of a liar will be gone with you! | ||
Brian Member Username: Brian Post Number: 2752 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.73.32.127 |
MD, when Freman loses where are you going to go? | ||
Llyn Member Username: Llyn Post Number: 722 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 68.61.197.206 |
Everyone just keep talking about these three candidates... like one of them is going to be better than the others. Get a clue from the lack of consensus. Disillusionment-atcha | ||
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit Post Number: 519 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 69.246.4.46 |
Llyn - Thank you for your thought provoking insight  | ||
Llyn Member Username: Llyn Post Number: 723 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 68.61.197.206 |
<--------- following in Ras's footsteps ilovedetroit. |
