Ken Whipple and other members of Detroit's Financial Advisory Board meet on Monday at Wayne State University. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
"We die. The city lies. No police. No peace," said Scott Pellerito from the Detroit Police Officers Association.
Despite the repeated cries and even a drawn up "eviction notice", the state appointed Financial Advisory Board took residence for an hour and a half meeting on Wayne State's campus and moving ahead with decisions about how to clean up the city's financial mess. The board's powers and decisions that stood before the suspension of Public Act 4 still stand, and so ten percent wage cuts for all city workers start this Wednesday.
"We're moving forward with the project manager. We're moving forward with all the initiatives, imposing the contracts on the unions, and we're trying to save money," said Detroit Mayor Pro-tem Gary Brown.
The city plans to address the Financial Advisory Board when it comes to police issues. That will be in October. Then in November, they'll talk about fire needs, and then EMS in December, but are they moving at a quick enough pace. We're in crisis mode many would argue.
"You'd like to do everything at once, but you just can't. I think if we could show the citizens that together we can make some movement, we can turn some streetlights on, we can accelerate the houses coming down, we can make the place safer, I think that will go a long way," said Ken Whipple, who serves on the board.
Members of the board understand the anger, but say they are here for nothing more than leverage in a back and forth power grab between the city and the state.
"Whether it's the city using us as leverage to make some proposals of things that badly need to be done or soliciting some help from the state, whatever else it is, we're not a bunch of outsiders coming in to dictate to Detroit at all," Whipple said.
The next time the Financially Advisory Board will meet will be September 10 despite some of the protesters not wanting them to get together.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:21:52 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:48:50 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction two months ago on corruption charges.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
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