Live updates from protest against Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder near Ann Arbor
Beatrice Wright, of Pontiac, holds her arms out during a prayer at Parker Mill County Park for a rally before marching to the gate of Gov. Rick Snyder's subdivision near Ann Arbor on Monday.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
- Updated story: Rick Snyder protesters: 'We don't want our elected officials to be unilaterally dismissed'
An estimated 800 people — possibly more — headed into Superior Township near Ann Arbor on Monday afternoon to participate in a rally protesting Gov. Rick Snyder and his effort to place emergency managers in struggling Michigan cities.
The protest was breaking up by 5:30 p.m., as protesters — after delivering a message intended for Snyder to a representative behind the gates of his private community — started to disperse.
Others remained on the scene, lighting candles, singing and chanting in unison despite the cold, damp weather. A few people tried to incite the crowd — including one person who yelled, "Snyder is a terrorist and we have a legal right to arrest him."
But the crowd — including many Occupy Detroit protesters, who remained close to the gates by 6 p.m. — was calmed by a woman who read a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King through a megaphone.
The event attracted about 800 people, according to police estimates, and no arrests were made as of 6 p.m., officials said. That's when the last marchers left the scene.
Several of Snyder's neighbors visited the gate to the private community, but didn't exit the confines. They did not want to comment on the rally out of respect for their fellow neighbor, the community residents said.
It started shortly after 3 p.m. when church buses and vans started rolling into the Washtenaw Community College parking lot. The pace accelerated closer to 4 p.m. as the group prepared to leave that staging area and head to Parker Mill County Park.
By 4 p.m., the crowd was marching to the park, chanting: "This is what Democracy looks like."
Protesters leave the Washtenaw Community College parking lot en route to Parker Mill County Park for a rally before marching to the gate of Governor Rick Snyder's subdivision in Superior Township on Monday.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
The group assembled at the park, where organizers estimated they'd rally for at least an hour before heading to Snyder's house.
And by 5 p.m. — after a few speakers and prayers — the crowd started to leave the park, heading east toward Snyder's house on Geddes Road.
They marched shoulder to shoulder in the westbound lane of Geddes Road, reaching the gate of Snyder's community shortly after 5 p.m., while the line extended an estimated half-mile to the park where the march started.
The mood across the park and, earlier, the WCC parking lot — where at least three sections of spaces filled with hundreds of protesters — was upbeat. The crowd, a diverse mix of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, assembled their signs and took photos of each other before heading out.
The marchers planned the event for Martin Luther King Day, as most state offices and schools were closed and the public focused on the peaceful protests urged by the slain civil rights leader.
“I know that Dr. King fought long and hard for us to be able to have the right to vote for what we want," said Tiffany Burroughs of Ann Arbor, speaking out against the emergency manager law.
Burroughs brought her mother and daughter to the protest.
Others in the crowd included Brit Satchwell, president of the Ann Arbor Education Association, and Zach Steve, president of the Young Democrats of Michigan.
The goal of Monday's protest, Steve said, was to "fill up Superior Township," citing the municipality where Snyder lives in a gated community on Geddes Road west of Dixboro.
"Our actual goal would be to make a statement," Steve said. "We want people to know that emergency managers are un-American and against everything we stand for.”
Not everyone attending the event was protesting. Stacy Swimp, president of the Frederick Douglass Society in Lansing, said the emergency manager law is just a symptom of a bigger problem.
"If I could ask one question to one of the protesters, it would be, 'Who’s really responsible for our financial problem?" he said.
He continued: "Dr.King was a man who believed in personal responsibility. We must own the consequences of our communities and cannot pass the buck."
Snyder's chief of staff Dennis Muchmore, left, listens to the Rev. Charles Williams II, of Detroit, during a rally outside of the governor's subdivision.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
As he saw the crowds responding to the call to action, he said, "I got some hope.
"It's urgent," he continued. "People are participating in their governments again.”
His church was one of many attending the event, ranging from local congregations like Second Baptist Church of Ypsilanti to several from across the state that sent representatives. They include Tabernacle Missionary Baptist in Detroit to groups from Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Flint and Pontiac.
However, the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson — national civil rights leaders — did not attend the rally in the park, despite reports that they'd be there.
Members of Michigan's NAACP groups and Occupy Detroit did play a role, though.
As the crowd reached the gates of Snyder's neighborhood, the chant changed to: "Detroit won't go to the back of the bus. No EFMs. No racist cuts."
Members of the crowd included Elizabeth Fox of Muskegon. She was visiting Metro Detroit for the weekend and rearranged her schedule so that she could stay to participate in the protest.
She emphasized that the protest was a statewide effort.
“I wanted to make sure I stayed to see what was going on so I could bring it back to the Muskegon area," she said. "There are people there who care just as much as here.”
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AnnArbor.com reporters Ryan Stanton and Danny Shaw are reporting this story.
Comments
Luther von Miller
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 12:25 a.m.
As the gated community Governor sends his emergency assistant to speak to the crowds, one can only guess he needed more time to dress up his "dashboard" state of Michigan report. While Snyder seems t to rely on other forms of personal representation in his public responses, one statistical dynamic remains un changed in his dash board report. He hasn't brought any of his business back from China! The dashboard shows margins of increases, and decreases in topics listed in Michigan, but he hasn't brought any of his businesses back from China to stimulate Michigans struggling economy. Do our taxes go down due to loss of jobs and the depressed state economy? Why hasn't Snyder repatriated any of his business as a stimulus to the state he governs? Snyder has helped the Chinese Communist economy long enough hasnt he? Why wont he help the state he governs with economical business assistance? Is this taxation without representation? How much tax does he pay to the Chinese economy? What kind of tax breaks did he get from the Chinese for his economical abandonement of Michigans residents and taxable support? Why does the dashboard not mention what he has contributed to China? Let us see your Chinese dashboard Snyder!
shanedr
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.
Only 800 protesters is a sign of little support. People with opinions like that is what made a mess out of Michigan and our cities. Thankfully saner heads are prevailing now.
Ted Bundy
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
If Snyder only works for the rich("1%ers"), why did more than half of the state vote for him?
Ted Bundy
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
Kind of like how Obama ran as a moderate but then become a left-wing nut job?
Sparty
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.
Because he didn't take positions on almost anything ... and certainly nothing controversial before the election. He ran as a moderate and then became a right-wing radical nut job.
ChelseaBob
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
It's good that these people protested. Citizens have a right to corrupt officials, decaying neighborhoods ineffective schools and no services. How dare Governor Snyder try to take those things away. Just look at the damage he's done the state already. By modifying the tax code he's encouraged businesses (yuck) to expand in this state and create jobs. They are even projecting a state budget surplus. Yes, by all means arrest Snyder as a terrorist. Let's bring back the good old Granholm days.
Sparty
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
Yes, Granholm could created a surplus to by taxing senior pensions, increasing personal taxes on every individual, reducing educational funding to both K-12 and higher education, reduced local funding, slashing safety net programs to the poor, reducing unemployment benefits, cutting workers comp benefits, cutting auto catastrophic care insurance, eliminating same-sex domestic benefits to children and adult partners, and many other cuts. She would also have benefitted from Obama's saving of the auto industry, as they are the primary driver of improved job results. So, all in all, I don't know that Snyder has anything to be proud of. Ashamed yes, proud -- no.
A Voice of Reason
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 4:56 a.m.
And surprise, surprise, Ms. Beatrice Wright from Pontiac is a big old Teacher's Union member. MEA!!! Worry about the children learning and not your own self preservation.
Arborcomment
Thu, Jan 19, 2012 : 2:28 a.m.
You are correct BB, when adjusting for family, it's $335,779.
Basic Bob
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 3:01 a.m.
A family making $340k is in the top one percent. A double dipping school superintendent can make that much.
Arborcomment
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.
Know your enemy Sparty: $532,613. The average of what a 1 percenter made in 2011. You're only "off" by half.
Sparty
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.
You do understand that 1% refers to those on average making more than $1 million dollars annually? I don't think there's a teacher in Michigan making more than that. Your post is crazy.
Basic Bob
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.
So how do those 1% teachers (figuring in the cost of those benefits for life and opportunities for double dipping in "retirement") figure to fix the urban problem? Maybe if they gave in on their outrageous financial demands, the schools and government would have half a chance.
Sparty
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 7:21 a.m.
Imagine, a teacher with her own interests and rights, exercising her constitutional right to protest as an American. How amazing. How wonderful!
Sparty
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 3:16 a.m.
Slick Rick has brought his nasty brand of unconstitutional law to every Michigan home, so it's only fair that protesters bring their legally protected constitutional right of protest to his home. It's all being coordinated with the AAPD, Sheriff's Office, and other law enforcement agencies, so not to fear --- all will be done completely legally. Regardless of whether you approve or not, the US Constitution does approve and it prevails. Hopefully it will gain some national exposure for the Nerd's tendency to foster unconstitutional laws on the State, e.g. the EFM, domestic partner benefit ban, medicinal marijuana hijinks despite the citizens ballot approval, and others. The lawsuit filed in US District Court charging multiple violations of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment related to the Domestic Partner health benefit ban? Or perhaps they will highlight the pending May recall vote? Or perhaps his 19% approval rating, below the lowest rating of his Democratic predecessor, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, and nearing the lowest level of current Governors - the newly elected republican Governor of Florida. All in all, it's sure to put Michigan in the spotlight for intolerance and radical right-wing social re-engineering. Courts will rule on these issues and then the story will be written, but not before.
Arborcomment
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 1:21 a.m.
Still trotting that tired 19% survey... 807 people took it. Led by survey director with big government bias. But, when it's all you got...
pawky
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 2:10 a.m.
I am 100% in favor of peaceful protest at the proper venue. Protesting at someone's home, left or right, is way out of line. Playing the race card over the EM issue is just plain ridiculous and marginalizes those involved. This has nothing to do with race. You've got to love the "Apartheid" sign, though. If a city is given a reasonable opportunity to bring their house in order, and don't, bring in an EM to clean up the mess. Besides blindly throwing money at the problem, what choice is there?
nicole
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 1:55 a.m.
Go home.
jbhuron
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.
To everyone complaining about the corruption that needs to go in Detroit and championing and EMF: How does it solve the problem by installing another corrupt government (Snyder and the EMF) in its place?
grye
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 2:47 a.m.
Then let's do nothing and let a bankruptcy judge appoint someone to solve the financial crisis. Would that be better?
Agradable Amigo
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:38 a.m.
So typical. You used to see the same people standing in front of the downtown Ann Arbor post office before the election of our democrat president. Where were these same committed people when the "city" of Detroit was being pillaged by then mayor Mr. Kilpatrick or the multiple daily murders. I say give the good psuedo-protesting mob the "city" of the Detroit for their very own utopia with Mr. Sharpton as their leader...without any state or federal appropriations at all. Have the civilized committed Detroit citizens pay their own way...most of the State is frankly sick of paying for the "D".
martini man
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:20 a.m.
These bussed in protestors do NOT represent me ..they are left wing zealots with a socialist agenda. The more I see of them the less I like them, and I know I speak for a vast majority of people in this area. Their math is just as screwed up as their politics. 99% my hind end !!!
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:20 a.m.
I guess I'm confused here. What has Sharpton to do with this? Anyone can express his or her views on any topic (at least so far, but I wouldn't know where these TP people are taking us), and Sharpton gets to do so , too. According to the article, he was not at this rally. Just because he shoots off his mouth about the rally, that doesn't make it his rally. It amazes me how so many posters deflect the discussion to empty nonsense that is not even actually related to the purpose, actual behavior, or results of the protest. Much of the griping yesterday and panic about how these people were going to end the Geddes world as we know it never occurred. How embarrassing.
grye
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 2:51 a.m.
Cash, no one wants to move there that can make a difference. Just voting will not change things. It takes a group of knowledgeable and dedicated individuals. If that is not going to happen, or least to within a reasonable period of time, what is the alternative if not an EFM?
Cash
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:28 a.m.
AM...there are ways that Americans can make change in a city...move there and vote and pay taxes. That is real change.
Cash
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:27 a.m.
Amen....how far have we really come since Dr King died? From reading some posts, we are further behind then we were then.
Angry Moderate
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:24 a.m.
Strange to complain about irrelevant comments without addressing the #1 question being asked here-- how is letting the cities go bankrupt better than appointing a manager to fix their budgets?
Cash
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:16 a.m.
Snyder and the rest can take over Detroit with my blessing......move to the Detroit . Then, you can make all of the changes you want to make....the American way.....by VOTING and PAYING TAXES there.
Basic Bob
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:40 p.m.
Great suggestion, they should move the capitol to Detroit, where it belongs. Lansing is unimportant and irrelevant.
lordhelmet
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 8:54 a.m.
The problem is that the non Detroit residents are paying they bill. If Detroit wants independence, then they can survive on taxes from their own resident base; not mine. Deal?
Cash
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.
Oh move the wealthy there, they build mansions like they currently have in other areas....and BINGO...ya got a grand tax base! They'll need a ritzy golf club, nice facilities for their yachts etc.....Detroit will have plenty of money.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:53 a.m.
Detroit's union contracts and responsibility for their retirees goes on despite shrinking tax revenues being brought in to pay for all of it...how would you pay everyone?
1bit
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:40 a.m.
Cash, you are better read on the State Constitution then you let on with your comment. The issue of voiding contracts will come before the Courts and the decision will be made there.
Cash
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:24 a.m.
AM......poor people do have a problem with those things...but he rich won't! And then maybe there will be some mass transit for the poor to get out of there to get a job.
Angry Moderate
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:18 a.m.
LOL, as if Detroit voters pay taxes.
packman
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:13 a.m.
If the 1% gave each of the 99% a million dollars, how long do you think it would be before the 99% would be broke again and the money would revert back to the 1%. You just can't fix naivete or stupid, or whatever you want to call it.
Knobby Kabushka
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:12 a.m.
If Detroiters don't want EFM than maybe Mayor Bing can take the keys to the city over to Hard Core Pawn on 8 mile and see what Les will give him for them...
John Spelling
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:08 a.m.
Too bad there can't be an emergency manager to step in for the U.S. Congress. My guess is many of these Geddes Rd protesters wouldn't have a problem with that.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:02 a.m.
Citizen's Research Council puts Detroit's total debt at $20 Billion today. Twice what they originally thought.
CuriousOneMi2
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:46 p.m.
They are protesting at the home of the wrong governor. They should be at Granholm's house. These problems did not suddenly develop during the last year. They developed during the one-state recession of 2002-2010 under Granholm. They developed during the one-state recession of 2000-2010 under Stabenow. Go to Stabenow's house. The protestors are at the wrong location. Head over to Granholm's and Stabenow's houses. Sharpton At Granholm's is not going to occur; bad libs. C1 P.S. Go to <a href="http://www.bea.gov/regional/GDPmap/GDPMAP.aspx" rel='nofollow'>www.bea.gov/regional/GDPmap/GDPMAP.aspx</a> (pull real GDP info)
Arborcomment
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:48 a.m.
granholm may be in California. She got 300k to be a guest lecturer there on ineptocracy.
chris
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:37 p.m.
I'll pay attention to anything "reverend" Al Sharpton has to say as soon as he apologizes to the Duke lacrosse team and Duke University for the false accusations he made against them. It's no wonder Sharpton & Jackson didn't show up. It's cold in Michigan in January.
joe.blow
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:19 p.m.
The 99%? Someone should sue them for slander and liable! I can guarantee you that they less then 10% of people.
The Black Stallion3
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
I can hardly wait for the Em's to take over Detroit and start the healing process.......Go Rick go
justcurious
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:03 p.m.
I marched in Washington against the Vietnam War. I marched again at the start of the Iraq War. I would not march to protest someone coming in and trying to save Detroit, practically at the last minute of it's economic existence. I suppose many of the marchers were government workers that had the day off.
Marshall Applewhite
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:02 p.m.
Your revolution is over, Mr. Lebowski. The bums lose! THE BUMS WILL ALWAYS LOSE!
Kai Petainen
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.
ann arbor news... thanks for covering this. nicely done.
jill
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
Shame on you protesters. I do not believe Martin Luther is looking down on you,saying "well done".Mr. Snyder is doing his best to rectify the disaster he was dealt.Someone has to pay the bills. We have had enough of incompetent politicians increasing our debt to the point of no return. Thank you Mr. Snyder for your thankless job.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:40 p.m.
"However, the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson - national civil rights leaders - did not attend the rally in the park, despite reports that they'd be there." Jessie Jackson net worth = $10 Al Sharpton Net worth = $5 <a href="http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-politicians/jesse-jackson-net-worth/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-politicians/jesse-jackson-net-worth/</a> <a href="http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-politicians/al-sharpton-net-worth/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-politicians/al-sharpton-net-worth/</a> Maybe Mr. Edward Kudla made him feel unwelcome with his sign?
halflight
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:37 p.m.
"Snyder transferred 1.2 billion dollars FROM the poor TO the rich." No, he reformed a business tax that everyone recognized as destructive, because it taxed business whether or not they had a profit, and made Michigan an extremely uncompetitive place to do business. He "raised" taxes only by making the pension income of public employees (who, by the way, are not the "poor") taxable, so they have to pay the same tax as those who receive pensions from private employers. "Keep defending this man, and soon you won't have a state left to live in but rather a dictatorship with many extremely poor people and a few extremely rich people" Like Detroit, which has been ruled by the Democratic Party for decades. "When it happens, maybe you should consider following him out of the state too -- just a suggestion." Maybe you and your race-baiting friends should leave now. At least, you can leave Ann Arbor.
Bear
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 4:50 a.m.
Forgive the typos please, not used to using my mobile to comment.
Bear
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 4:36 a.m.
Snyder added $180 million to our state deficit and paid for it by taxing the poorest workers & retired citizens. Get real.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:41 p.m.
Scott, your pay cut actually has nothing to do with how much private employers choose to pay their CEOs. This is not a communist country.
scott
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:11 p.m.
For the record I took a 7k pay cut this year and am not rich or poor 30-35k after taxes that will now compile with a lot other thousand dollar pay cuts to give CEOs and other wealthy friends of Snyder and the like HUGE raises....
John Q
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
"He "raised" taxes only by making the pension income of public employees (who, by the way, are not the "poor") taxable, so they have to pay the same tax as those who receive pensions from private employers." Wrong. He blocked a reduction in the state income tax rate and eliminated many tax credits and deductions for individuals, increasing their tax liability. Millions of Michigan taxpayers will pay more in taxes so that businesses get a tax break.
Alan Goldsmith
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:36 p.m.
Where was Ann Arbor's Mayor? Oh right, he's got his lips fastened to the backside of the Governor and supports Emergency Managers.
Ryan J. Stanton
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 5:17 a.m.
Actually the mayor says he absolutely does not support the emergency manager law and believes it is unconstitutional.
Alan Goldsmith
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
I think you give the Mayor way more credit about be a thinker. Lol. All I know he's the invisible man when it comes to MLK Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:43 p.m.
Or rather, he thinks Detroit should balance its budget and pay its own expenses just like Ann Arbor has to.
kulse012
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:35 p.m.
Okay Detroit, you don't want the EFM.Cool. I don't want to hear anyone complaining in 4 months then when the city has no cash, and then it can't meet the payroll. Then when? Bankruptcy with some judge from an unsympathetic judge from another jurisdiction? Don't pay the city workers, or vendors? Let me know how that goes. If Detroit thinks the clowns known as the City Council will ever work with Mayor Bing(who I do believe is doing the best he can) to find a solution they are sadly mistaken. They won't even give up their city paid cars and cell phones for personal use, even when one of them calls for sacrifice and the city is on the brink of disaster. These are the people Detroit wants to fix the mess? Well good luck then I say. It is so not a racial issue, it's a financial issue.Everyone can call the law racist but at the end of the day, what good does it do? Detroit will still fall.
DonBee
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:33 p.m.
1,000 people? I guess that shows how outraged the over 6 million in Michigan are. I guess this also shows how well the dozen or so organizations behind the recall are at getting out the demonstrators. I think governor Snyder may get a second term after all.
Bear
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 4:30 a.m.
Snyder is responsible for me losing 20% of my income this past year. Way to go Rick! And it would take a person clueless about how things actually work to believe that Rick Snyder is in anyway responsible for the drop in unemployment. The forces behind that were in play before he was elected. That's just common sense. But you guys seem to spend a lot of time in delusional thinking, so why stop now?
Bear
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 1:01 a.m.
He doesn't have mine
chris
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:40 p.m.
If he wants a second term, he's got my vote. And I'm in the bottom third of the socalled 99 percent.
Stephen Landes
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:30 p.m.
The march today is nothing but a "feel good" opportunity for the same old progressive lefties who continue the mantra of "give us more". Notice that there is no practical alternative to the Emergency Manager law -- they aren't fighting FOR anything; just opposition to a last ditch attempt to protect vulnerable citizens in troubled communities. On days when I've just read too much of this stuff I think the best thing we can do is change the EM law, so that cities/school districts which reject an EM can never get any more money from the State. However, I recognize that such a change would not be good for those communities or for the State, so I hope we fight for the EM law as it is now. What we could do that would be both more useful AND in the spirit of REV King would be to educate the citizens of this State on just what the responsibilities of the State are with respect to units of government that it charters and what local voters should be doing to be sure they have responsible elected officials. Simply going into the voting booth and pulling voting for the Democrat your pastor tells you to vote for isn't getting the job done. Frankly, the pastors I've heard on the radio from locals in Detroit to REV Sharpton seem to be interested in one thing -- their own position: this is a power thing for them and has nothing to do with democracy.
Oldmaniac
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
Is there even a remote chance that it might be ineptitude, mismanagement, or even some level of corruption at the city level that is causing the situation requiring "emergency management"??? It's not like that has never happened before.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:39 p.m.
LOL. Where do you think Detroit and Flint get their operating expenses? If you can even call what they do "operating."
John Q
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:07 p.m.
"Forcing the entire state to pay Detroit's bills without any say in their spending decisions is not local control." Which hasn't happened. Why are you saying it has?
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:51 p.m.
Susie Q, you seem a bit confused. "Local control" includes local control over our own money. Forcing the entire state to pay Detroit's bills without any say in their spending decisions is not local control. Also, I don't recall you complaining when Granholm used the emergency manager law to remove elected officials from office without a vote?
Susie Q
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:42 p.m.
Of course there has been ineptitude and corruption, but that cannot be an excuse to unilaterally appoint someone that will overturn legally elected officials. I also do not believe in just writing the City of Detroit or any city a blank check. It has taken years of mismanagement and worse for it to come to this ssad situation. I am constantly amazed that the oft-spoken tenets of the Republican Party--personal liberty and responsibility and local control--are not really something they believe in. This current group in Lansing continue to pass more and more legislation that takes away both liberties AND local control. I cannot imagine that those jokers in Lansing know better than the the local people.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:04 p.m.
No, that's racist.
JustMyOpinion
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
I am quite confused - what is the alternative these folks want that is reasonable? If the city is out of money and basically bankrupt, what other measures suffice? Let me say that giving a bankrupt city free money is a non starter as is proffering a loan without them showing a balanced budget. It concerns me that at some point a city that cannot pay its bill is a danger to its residents. I appreciate that its not particularly great to be 'taken over', but the resolution to that is painfully obvious - balance your budget before that happens. I grew up in a similar area, I know racism is a very strong and present factor, but I don't see another option here. If Detroit wants to come back strong, it needs to pay wages and benefits it can afford and collect taxes (so it needs employed people). It also needs to make sure its a place people want to live, which right now it is not. The State may wish to also help Detroit get back on its feet by investing in schools and infrastructure. Build some great schools, you will see people moving back. Time to get creative and build something really excellent and outside the box - perhaps a set of boarding / day schools with different magnet curriculum. Hire teachers from local Universities and pay off their student loans plus a stipend for service. Hire NO ONE with a salary over 100,000 and limit those to no more than 1 per school. Look for and recruit retired teachers from Universities and the like. Take some of the abandon land and build an agricultural center and a manufacturing center. Hire non teachers with actual experience to teach. Just DO something. It sucks to be a kid in the Detroit school systems and the path out of poverty begins and ends with education.
Fatkitty
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.
Is it raining yet?
GoBlue1984
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:52 p.m.
I'm so proud of everyone for putting this together and coming out! Way to go everyone! Let's keep the pressure on Snyder and the other Republicans currently trying to steal from the poor and give to the rich! Not In My State Snyder!
Bear
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 4:17 a.m.
Oh wait! kwame Is a convicted felon who's no longer in office. Yeah, everybody was real easy on him... NOT! Why not talk about things that are relevant? Something is seriously wrong with you guys if that is the best segment you can come up with.
Bear
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 4:12 a.m.
God, I cannot believe how you folks are harping on kilpatrick! He's a convicted felon and has been removed from office. No longer relevant! But, hey, go ahead & chew your cud about him if it makes you feel god. It ha nothing to do with what's going on now.
martini man
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:52 a.m.
Oh Puhleeze ..take your bumper stickers and go home !!!
Arborcomment
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:14 a.m.
It appears Blue84 favors a return to "Ineptocracy", a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers. Missing those good olde Granholm days.
a2flow
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.
@james... So which districts in Michigan use these "rubber rooms." I guess I was under the mistaken belief that is only occurred in NYC. Any enlightenment would be appreciated.
maallen
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:31 p.m.
Let's see, Snyder has been in office for one year and the Michigan unemployment rate has dropped from 10.7% to 9.8% (November was the most recent numbers). And we have a surplus in our budget. Not bad
james
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
@GoBlue1984 And what do you propose we do? I keep hearing we need to "pay our fair share", yet when a tax increase is proposed in anyone not making a 6-figure salary, there are protests in the streets. Half of the citizens in this country didn't pay federal taxes last year. In addition to this, the most wealthy in the US pay the majority of the taxes. If you have a $1,000,000 home, I seriously doubt you are using all of the property taxes that you are pumping into the economy. In addition to this, all of the workers you pay in- turn pay taxes into the economy. You can't say this about the majority of the citizens. Am I against taxes? no. I just wish people would stop saying the rich aren't paying their "fair share" because it's just not true. Massively increasing taxes is not the answer to our problems. We need to create more jobs and the only way to do this is to increase the number of businesses in the state. I despise our education system mostly because the systems in place to protect the worker (IE: the unions) are as corrupt as any big corporation and use their power to keep lazy and incompetent teachers from getting fired. Ever hear of "rubber rooms"? Look it up sometime. It's an example of our tax dollars at work.
The Black Stallion3
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:17 p.m.
Goblue84.........are you joking or what? Open your eyes son...who do you think is paying for the fiasco in your beloved Detroit? You dems just don't understand budgets do you?
GoBlue1984
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.
Snyder transferred 1.2 billion dollars FROM the poor TO the rich. It was the single largest cut in education this state has seen in 20 years. Keep defending this man, and soon you won't have a state left to live in but rather a dictatorship with many extremely poor people and a few extremely rich people. Sounds like a great life for you -- enjoy. The rest of us here in reality are voting Snyder and anyone else who supports his delusional policies OUT OF OFFICE! When it happens, maybe you should consider following him out of the state too -- just a suggestion.
halflight
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:04 p.m.
Yeah, let's keep the pressure on people like Bob Ficano and Kwame Kilpatrick!!! Oh, wait, they're Democrats, so we're supposed to ignore how they rob the public to pay off their cronies. If you're really concerned about the "stealing from the poor" thing, you might want to check out how much federal money goes to the City of Ann Arbor, one of the wealthiest metropolitan areas in the U.S.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:01 p.m.
Huh? Fixing the broken governments in Detroit in Flint will help the poor, and hurt people like Kwame and Sharpton who make a career out of swindling them.
The Black Stallion3
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
I csn hardly wait for the EM's to take over Detroit and start the healing process.......Go Rick go
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:47 p.m.
If we DON'T appoint emergency managers, these cities will go bankrupt, and the bankruptcy court will break union contracts, sell of assets, and mandate changes in spending. The emergency manager law takes us to the same results, but with more structure, predictability, and planning, and without taking a huge hit to the entire state's credit rating.
Roadman
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
Dr. Martin Luther literally died while fighting for economic justice. He was shot on April 4th, 1968 on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel organizing support for black sanitation workers who were compensated less than white employees performing the same services for the City of Memphis. Shortly after his death, the City of Memphis capitulated to the demands of the black workers. Neither our current governor nor Jennifer Granholm supported Senate Bill 1306 introduced by then-State Senator Hansen Clarke to re-enact a two-year moratorium on home foreclosures that had been in effect during the Great Depression in Michigan and other states. Clarke's efforts were appreciated by voters and they voted ihim into U.S. Congress over incumbent Carolyn Kilpatrick. There is a palpable absence of leadership among both elected leaders and social activist groups that has helped destroy substantial segments of our middle class. The middle and lower classes effectively have no voice in government as Wall Street has co-opted both major parties. We need First Amendment activity in the spirit of Dr. King to protect society as we know it.
Roadman
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.
@Angry Moderate: Exactly my point about "a palpable absence of leadership"
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
Allowing Kwame Kilpatrick and Monica Conyers to rape all the taxpayers in the entire state while depriving Detroit residents of a safe place to live and a decent education is not "economic justice."
Joe_Citizen
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:43 p.m.
I believe that this rally in MLK's name is a disgrace to him as for what he stood for. These filthy rich preachers want to try to make a name of fo r themselves by using MLK Day, to their benefit. Sure, they have the right to protest, but I don't understand why they are. I have spoken to many friends who live in Detroit, and they can't wait for the city EM manager to take over. None of them told me like wise. I have a firm suspicion these preachers are related to the reason why Detroit is doing so bad. If the wheel is broken, then by all means, "fix it". Why do they want to keep the wheels broke anyway?
Fred Flyovah
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:43 p.m.
It's amusing how many people start their comment with "If Martin Luther King were alive today", follow with their OWN opinion, and then get voted to the top. I'm sure if Dr. King were alive today, he'd be unimpressed by the time frittered away by the sock puppets that seem to populate threads like this.
Fred Flyovah
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.
And apparently some commenters' Irony Detector™ is broken as well.
Usual Suspect
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
"It's amusing how many people start their comment with 'If Martin Luther King were alive today', ...." "I'm sure if Dr. King were alive today, ..." So, as long as you don't START your comment with "If Martin Luther King, etc," it's OK.
The Black Stallion3
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:36 p.m.
I think in the best interest of all Americans it would be best for the Detroit crowd to just stay in Detroit and work on making their city better......we do not care to have them in our city just like they have made it clear they do not want us in theirs.
Fire Rick
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:36 a.m.
Not sure why everyone seems to think this is about Detroit . . . it's not! It's about every Michigan city that's already been taken over by an EM, and all those that will follow. There were buses bringing protestors in from Highland Park, Benton Harbor, Muskegon, Flint, Grand Rapids, Detroit and other Michigan cities. All of that aside, why such hatred for the people in Detroit? Really?? Your comments ooze "segregation." How sad . . . especially on MLK Day. I will leave you with these words from MLK, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
The Black Stallion3
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:48 p.m.
I hope you like in in Detroit....are you part of the problem or the solution?
Maxwell
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.
Speak for yourself - I spend lots of time in Detroit and welcome their patronage as well.
javajolt1
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.
What does that mean? Are the 1% criminals? Is creating jobs a crime? Why not 2%, 3% or 4%. Are the only the 1% worthy of being ex-communicated from society? Is Kwame Kilpatrick a friend of the 1% or the 99%? If you are the 1%, does that mean you stole it from the 99%? What if you are the 99% yet stole it from your 99% brethren? Are all 1%'ers bad? Are all 99%'ers good? Do all 99%'ers think alike? Are they monolithic? I didn't think so.
1bit
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:35 a.m.
And when did a minority of protestors decide that they could speak for 99% of the US?
Steve
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:24 p.m.
Ok Scott..... So you would take assets from the non-minority 1% because they got it because through advantage but minorities in the 1% are ok? Are those in the top 5% a-ok and only the 1% are the problem? How about this: the problem isn't who is taxed or by how much. The problem is how badly the government wastes all of our money after they take it.
scott
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
The top 1% financially have a huge amount of wealth that I would argue is earned through means that are privilege, race and hard work. Those are generalizations but also true to a huge extent. Why should they continue to benefit from the public so much more than the other people that work hard? There are several things an organized 99% could do that would eliminate the bulk of their wealth and redistribute it fairly.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
Stop confusing us with logic javajolt!! Just let us march with the preacher man who tells us what to do.
Sarcastic1
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.
Thanks for marching on a holiday. Cops are loving the overtime. It will help them pay for Synder's 80/20 healthcare plan.
81wolverine
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.
There's nothing anti-democratic about the emergency manager law. If the elected officials in Detroit (or any city in Michigan) can't do their job and balance the budget, then they should be held accountable. It's a check and balance system that prevents continued incompetent management by politicians. I'd like to see more such controls in place for State and Federal government so that elected people are held accountable for ongoing irresponsbile deficit spending.
1bit
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:32 a.m.
sh1: You don't have a right to a local government.
tommy_t
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:57 p.m.
Right, pretty soon we will have to appoint emergency congressional and senatorial managers!
sh1
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
It's not about holding them accountable. It's about taking elected officials out of their positions and replacing them with 6-figure EFMs who are NOT held accountable because they can't be voted out.
djacks24
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.
"Hundreds of people were rolling into Washtenaw Community College near Ann Arbor on Monday afternoon to participate in a rally protesting Gov. Rick Snyder and his effort to place emergency managers in struggling Michigan cities." That's nice. They are also crowding up the WCC parking lot which already has no parking for students this time of day and this early in a new semester along with closing down Geddes road. They are imposing into our daily lives today just like they impose that their beliefs apply to 99% of the population for which they absolutely do NOT!
Maxwell
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:56 p.m.
So you're blaming them for something hypothetical? And condemning them for not making their protest convenient for traffic? That's rich!
djacks24
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.
"Its MLK day so there are no classes." Yeah, forgot about that. But do you really think that they would have taken that into consideration, just like they are not taking Geddes rd rush hour into consideration.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.
There's no need to counter-protest when the vast majority of voters already agree. Who cares what this small group of riled up out-of-state race baiters think.
Maxwell
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:42 p.m.
1 - Its MLK day so there are no classes. 2 - I find it no more tiresome to hear about the "99 percent" than when I hear the Tea Party claiming "We're going to take back our country". 3- Since it was a holiday you could have counter protested.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
We should change the emergency manager law. The cities should be allowed to choose for themselves whether they want an EM or not. And if not, they no longer get any money or help from outside city limits. They're free to vote fools into office if they please, but they can't force the rest of us to pay for it.
Daniel
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:20 p.m.
That is what we do when we elect Republicans and Democrats. It is so pathetic that both political parties only believe in self perservenance and we just go with the flow and argue about which one is more evil!! Instead of recruiting and electing officials that represent the people.
DonBee
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:31 p.m.
Angry Moderate - If it did not end up raising bond costs for all the rest of cities and school districts in Michigan, I could see it. But the rating agencies would have a field day with this and it would still cost us all.
javajolt1
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
Pitting one group against another does not reflect the spirit of MLK stood for.
halflight
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.
No, actually the march uses race as a pretext to attack a politician and a law that requires financial accountability from cities, because that will mean less $$$ for public employee unions. Reverend Al sure knows how to whip the people up about false accusations of racism (see Tawana Brawley). This march is intended to promote racial tension, not prevent it.
Forever27
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:31 p.m.
that's exactly the point of the march!
2WheelsGood
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
"Our actual goal would be to make a statement," Steve said. "We want people to know that emergency managers are un-American and against everything we stand for." Apparently he doesn't understand the meaning of the word "emergency". This needs to be fixed now, and the existing powers simply can't cut it.
halflight
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:22 p.m.
"Our actual goal would be to make a statement," Steve said. "We want people to know that emergency managers are un-American and against everything we stand for." I guess that emergency managers were all apple pie and baseball when Granholm was in office. On the other hand, Steve was right, financial accountability is against everything for which the Democratic Party stands.
1bit
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:30 a.m.
Look, if your bank overspends its assets then the FDIC comes in on Friday evening and closes it down. It will then "strongly encourage" another bank to assume the assets/debts of your bank and allow the new bank to rewrite all of the rules including the interest rate on your CD (yes, the one which promised you a specified rate of interest over a specified time). The alternative to the EFM law is bankruptcy, in which case a judge oversees things or appoints a knowledgeable entity to assist in the reorganization. The whole self-righteousness of this is much ado about nothing.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:38 p.m.
And what would you suggest we do, Daniel, when cities make promises that they CAN NOT keep?
Daniel
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:18 p.m.
Actually under the old EM Law the Emergency Manager could NOT vacate Collective Bargaining Agreements. Under the new EM Law, the EM can ELIMINATE Union Wages and Benefits with no Appeal available. This law was passed in March, 2012. You are a little off about Granholm. Even Granholm overused the law as well.
golfer
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:21 p.m.
the democratic party has nothinhg to do with detroit. it is detroit that is causing problems. years and years of me vs us has been going on. still is right now. what i keep thinking is i do not like the emergency manager concept. you have a credit card for $1000 you reach your limit. you stop spending. detroit will never do this. to darn many ME VS US. still going on. what to do i have no idea but something has to be done.
A2James
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:20 p.m.
If MLK were still alive, he would be much more outraged at the incompetence and corruption in Detroit that led to its despair, than any possibility of an EFM trying to save it.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.
Joe C...To which "filthy rich preachers" do you refer? I doubt that any of the "preachers" at the rally are actually "filthy rich." Name a couple of them for me, please.
A2James
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:10 a.m.
According to the Citizens Research Council, Detroit is $20 BILLION IN DEBT. Take that astronomical amount, and figure in a steadily declining population and revenue base. How would you suggest they take care of their finances without an EFM...?
Daniel
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 11:25 p.m.
It is the amount of power the EFM has that is the most important part of the debate. Everyone seems to forget that. Union busting is getting mixed up here with Bankrupt Cities.
Joe_Citizen
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:41 p.m.
I do believe your right, and I also believe that this rally in his name is a disgrace to him as for what he stood for. These filthy rich preachers want to try to make a name of r themselves by using MLK Day. to their benefit. Sure, they have the right to protest, but I don't understand why they are. I have spoken to many friends who live in Detroit, and they can't wait for the city EM manager to take over. None of them told me like wise. I have a firm suspicion these preachers are related to the reason why Detroit is doing so bad. If the wheel is broken, then by all means, "fix it". Why do they want to keep the wheels broke anyway?
A2James
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:41 p.m.
Ignorant? Lol, ok. Anybody who is at least somewhat familiar with MLK's beliefs would know that he was in favor of governmental change (i.e. the EFM) to correct the ills of society (i.e. corruption, incompetence, the self-destruction of Detroit). He was also highly critical of African Americans who squandered opportunities that they had and the opportunities that they were given.
Forever27
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.
yeah, i highly doubt that. Nobody argues that detroit, flint, pontiac, and benton harbor are in rough shape. But to say that MLK would be more worried about that than the EFM is just plain ignorant.
Bob Carlin
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
Snyder favors the 1% and creates policies that transfer money from the majority to the few. Hey, maybe some of that wealth will come back to the 99%. After all, we've been told for several generations that trickle down is the way to go. In truth, trickle down is a proven method for concentrating wealth at the top.
1bit
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 12:24 a.m.
Bob, to which policies are you referring? That Snyder ended double taxation on small business owners? That he wants to build a bridge to Canada that won't be owned by a billionaire? That he, like his predecessor, are encouraging municipalities to clean up their finances? I understand that you might not agree with Snyder, but please let the rest of the 99% speak for themselves.
DonBee
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
Forever27 - I would suggest a bit of research on your part. The US as a whole is just over 5 percent of the global population, but controls 34 percent of the wealth, so should the world march on the US? In the US the top 1 percent control 35 percent of the wealth and pay 37 percent of the taxes. In fact the people in the top 10 percent pay more than 60 percent of federal taxes.
maallen
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:25 p.m.
Let's see, Snyder has been in office for one year and the Michigan unemployment rate has dropped from 10.7% to 9.8% (November was the most recent numbers) and we have a surplus in our budget. Not bad.
james
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
"Snyder favors the 1% and ceates policies that transfer money from the majority to the few" Michigan is a dying state (like many other right now). His plan is to help businesses create more jobs in this state. Tax incentives is one way to do this. Make it harder for businesses and they will leave (along with jobs and taxes). You need a balance of company/employee regulations/laws for things to benefit everyone. Did you know that many businesses were taxed based on gross rather than net revenue when Granholm was in power? It resulted in many businesses leaving the state or going out of business. Nobody seems to be mentioning this. I'm not going to forget it. I know 3 restaurant owners that closed up shop because of this. As it is, margins are razor thin with restaurants (usually less than 5%). A law like this was ridiculous. Snyder thankfully repealed it. If there were a Democrat in power, we would most likely have even more taxes and regulations in place and people would then complain why jobs are being sent overseas.
Dave
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
Bob, repeating empty rhetoric isn't the same thing as spreading understanding. If you want change minds or 'educate' the rest about the problems we're facing, help us understand by omitting the over-used slogans and over-simplifications (a.k.a. 1%ers).
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:35 p.m.
Did you think that was a coherent response to something...?
Forever27
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
@angry moderate, you're right. the percentage of people who own 95% of the nation's wealth is actually smaller than 1%.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 9:22 p.m.
Actually, "1%" is a meaningless distinction that was made up 6 months.