Michigan's Hostile Takeover

[MarkCharles]

http://motherjones.com/politics/2012/02/michigan-emergency-manager-pontiac-detroit

A new "emergency" law backed by right-wing think tanks is turning Michigan cities over to powerful managers who can sell off city hall, break union contracts, privatize services—and even fire elected officials.
—By Paul Abowd |

Gov. Rick Snyder put Louis Schimmel in charge of Pontiac last September, invoking Public Act 4, a recent law that lets the governor name appointees to take over financially troubled cities and enact drastic austerity measures. Under the law, passed last March, these emergency managers can nullify labor contracts, privatize public services, sell off city property, and even dismiss elected officials.

Schimmel got to work quickly, firing the city clerk, city attorney, and director of public works and outsourcing several city departments. City fire fighters were told that they would be fired if their department was not absorbed by Waterford Township's. Schimmel has proposed putting nearly every city property up for sale, including city hall, the police station, fire stations, water-pumping stations, the library, the golf course, and two cemeteries.

[Cartaphelius]

1. Clearly,

Rick Snyder has discovered a way to repay friends and relatives by gutting the heart of democracy community by community. The sale of tax payer purchased facilities, equipment and property (known as the commons) will generate untold millions for "Ricko and Co." while the real owners of the confiscated properties loose their investments but get a new, probably higher, tax bill from a neighboring community.

Don't get me started about the proposed bridge while we already have 1.5 bridges already.

[sarcasmo]

3. That bridge drives me crazy.

We both know that bridge is not needed. He must have a contractor buddy who is in his pocket.

[Bill USA]

2. recommended!