Who wants to be the emergency manager for Detroit? A letter to Governor Rick Snyder suggests Charlie Beckham is the best selection.
Beckham started working in the Detroit mayor's office for Coleman Young, and nearly four decades later he resigned his position with Dave Bing's administration in 2010.
No one has signed the letter drafted by the Detroit Coalition of Community Leaders. It includes 36 names of prominent Detroiters who, according to the letter, are endorsing Beckham as emergency manager, including Detroit police officer John Bennett.
"Of the names that I've heard mentioned, I think, by far, he's the most qualified person," Bennett remarked.
He said he is in favor of Beckham as emergency manager, but other people listed as endorsing Beckham say hold the phone.
Mike Duggan, who is exploring a run for mayor himself, said he had no knowledge of his name being included and had no involvement in the drafting of the letter.
Dan McNamara, Detroit fire union boss, and Mark Diaz, police union boss, both said they never endorsed Beckham for emergency manager.
What is Bennett's reaction to his name being included in the letter?
"I don't have a problem with that. I know there's a big uproar over that, but I've talked to Charlie. He seems like a capable person. I think he's qualified. He can do the job. I don't have a problem with my name being added to that list," he said. "Let me say again I'm not in favor of an emergency manager, but faced with the prospects I want somebody who knows what to do."
I tried to reach Beckham for comment on this story, but was unsuccessful.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:40:48 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:20 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:20:12 GMT
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:13:58 GMT
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Friday, January 18 2013 10:59 PM EST2013-01-19 03:59:24 GMT
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Friday, June 14 2013 11:42 PM EDT2013-06-15 03:42:43 GMT
Police say a man entered a Rochester Hills apartment through an unlocked door wall early Thursday morning and then sexually assaulted the woman inside.
Police say a man entered a Rochester Hills apartment through an unlocked door wall early Thursday morning and then sexually assaulted the woman inside.
Friday, June 7 2013 10:33 PM EDT2013-06-08 02:33:06 GMT
Golf is supposed to be a relaxing sport, but in Oakland Township, police say the game turned violent. A club was broken and then the shaft used to stab a man in the arm.
Golf is supposed to be a relaxing sport, but in Oakland Township, police say the game turned violent. A club was broken and then the shaft used to stab a man in the arm.
Monday, May 27 2013 7:01 AM EDT2013-05-27 11:01:40 GMT
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
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Charlie Beckham (Credit: Fox 2 News)
