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In a move believed to be the first under sweeping new state legislation, Emergency Manager Joseph Harris suspended decision-making powers of city officials Friday.
The action is likely the first since Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law in March a new statute that grants more powers to emergency managers appointed by the Treasury Department to take over distressed schools and communities.
At least one elected Benton Harbor official was sanguine about the order. "It doesn't bother me," said City Commissioner Bryan Joseph. "I'm in favor of it."
"This is sad news for democracy in Michigan," said Mark Gaffney, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. "With the stripping of all power of duly elected officials in Benton Harbor … we can now see the true nature of the emergency manager system."
The new powers of emergency managers include setting aside collective bargaining.
Emergency managers are in place at Detroit Public Schools and in the cities of Benton Harbor, Ecorse and Pontiac.
Mackinac Donor: Chase Foundation
BLM Member: Sarah McClelland, President, Michigan Region/Chase Bank
Mackinac Donor: Hanover Insurance Group Foundation
BLM Member: Frederick Eppinger, President and CEO, Hanover Insurance Group
Mackinac Donor: Herbert and Grace Dow Foundation
BLM Member: Andrew Liveris, CEO, Dow Chemical
Mackinac Donor: General Motors Foundation
BLM Member: Daniel Akerson, CEO/Chairman of the Board, General Motors
Mackinac Donor: Jay and Betty Van Andel Institute
BLM Member: Steve Van Andel, Amway
Mackinac Donors: Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation, Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, Edgar and Elsa Prince Foundation
BLM Member: Doug DeVos, Amway
Originally posted by PeasantRebellion
Not to sound like one of those conspiracy theorists *cough, cough* but I honestly wonder if it's something in the water.
Originally posted by sonofliberty1776
So, what do the people of Michigan plan to do about it? I was in favor of removing unions from public employees, but this is way too far. Will the people bend over and take? Will they lick the hand of their new master? Or will they take back their power? God give them the strength to stand up to tyranny.
Originally posted by mizbeach40
reply to post by Vitchilo
Ever since the Electoral College was introduced decades ago...our vote hasn't mattered. How else do you think G.W.Bush "won" Florida 2 1/2 terms ago?
When Hitler first came to power, many thought the exact same way. Benevolent dictators are still dictators.
Originally posted by mikellmikell
Welcome to my world I live it every day here in Benton Harbor. Ask me anything you want. The Em (Emergency Manager) is the best thing to happen to this town. The people that were in charge never paid the bills and gave themselves raises on a regulsr basis. Millions in debt and their response was the state needs to help us.
Here's the local paper go back in the local news and get a lesson.
"I have seen for more than 30 years the mismanagement of funds and personnel in the city," Joseph said. "Infighting has been going on for decades." The new powers of emergency managers include setting aside collective bargaining. Harris' order comes before two days of training for prospective emergency managers and turnaround experts is to be held next week. From The Detroit News: detnews.com...