Don't let Detroit die without a fight
A city must be awfully hard to kill. How else do you explain that Detroit is still breathing?
Detroit is down with a fatal case of chaos. The structure of government has dissolved, with every public institution in dysfunction and disarray. Last week's shouting match between City Council members and mayoral appointees looked a lot like anarchy.
And it was brought on by public officials who are all about serving themselves, rather than their people.
Mayoral Watch
Tunnel talks on hold
Canada.com - Don Mills,Ontario,Canada
Detroit is likely to put on hold any further talks on the proposed tunnel
deal with Windsor at least until after Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's next major
court ...
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Granholm denies 60-day extension in mayor case
WOOD-TV - Grand Rapids,MI,USA
Mayoral Watch
Worthy looks to further restrict mayor's travel
Detroit Free Press - United States
Prosecutors may ask for even more bond restrictions on Detroit Mayor Kwame
Kilpatrick if he took a trip to Windsor last week without court
authorization. ...
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Other major council decisions Tuesday
Detroit Free Press - United States
Detroit council approves land bank to sell vacant city land
DETROIT -- The City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to create a controversial land bank to help the city sell vacant land. The proposal has been debated by council members for years.
Land banks, which have been established at the state and county levels, would help the city sell vacant land quicker because it can help clear titles quicker. Proponents say the banks allow the city to package land and sell it for redevelopment. Foes worry it would give land to suburbanites and speculators.
Kilpatrick's dad seeks to avoid witness stand
BY JOE SWICKARD, BILL McGRAW and JOHN SMYNTEK • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS • July 30, 2008
Bernard Kilpatrick's lawyer says Kilpatrick is so entangled in news reports of federal investigations that he'll invoke the Fifth Amendment if questioned in the divorce proceedings of an Oakland County waste management executive.
Mayoral scandal cows business leaders
In the earlier days of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's text-message scandal, a prominent business leader confided that folks like him weren't ready to denounce the mayor and call for his resignation. But they didn't want to wait too long, either, lest they appear weak followers instead of the strong leaders they should be.
Too late, ladies and gentlemen of the Detroit business community.
Mayoral aides pressed Detroit compost deal
Project now under FBI probe sold hard to community despite limited return for city.
David Josar and Christine MacDonald / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- Top aides to Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick pushed hard for a controversial composting deal that created no more than five jobs and has attracted scrutiny from FBI agents in their public corruption probe.
Cox claims no bias toward mayor
Attorney general says earlier call for Kilpatrick to resign wouldn't affect possible assault case.
George Hunter / The Detroit News
LANSING -- Attorney General Mike Cox has made no bones about it: He believes Kwame Kilpatrick should step down as mayor of Detroit.
But even though the state's top law enforcement official has publicly called for Kilpatrick's resignation amidst a text message scandal that resulted in perjury charges against the mayor, Cox said those statements would not have an effect if he ends up prosecuting Kilpatrick for allegedly shoving a sheriff's deputy.
Controversial Synagro contract stays put
Leonard N. Fleming, Christine MacDonald and David Josar / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- Heeding a warning from the city's Law Department, the City Council on Tuesday voted against recalling the controversial $47 million sludge-hauling contract that is under investigation by the FBI.
The council voted 4-2 against nixing the deal with Synagro Technologies Inc. of Houston, which was approved last year after it appeared dead. Now, federal agents are investigating whether some council members or other city staffers took bribes to approve the deal.
Mayoral Watch
State police hope to wrap up probe of Detroit mayor by week's end
DetNews.com - Detroit,MI,USA
LANSING -- State police investigating possible assault charges against
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick for allegedly shoving a Wayne County
sheriff's deputy ...
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Detective Details Confrontation with Detroit Mayor
BlackNews.com (press release) - Columbus,OH,USA
Mayoral Watch
Detroit Postal Workers To Meet With Mayor
WDIV - Detroit,MI,USA
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is expected to meet with postal workers at
his home Sunday. The mayor's office sent out a flyer to postal workers
about the ...
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Cheeks Kilpatrick in a fight for survival
Detroit Free Press - United States
Kwame Kilpatrick is charged with eight felony counts in connection with the
Mayoral Watch
Attorney General will prosecute if charges stem from alleged ...
DetNews.com - Detroit,MI,USA
LANSING -- Attorney General Mike Cox will charge Detroit Mayor Kwame
Kilpatrick with the assault of a detective if a State Police investigation
reveals a ...
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Ferguson drunken driving pretrial hearing adjourned until August
Detroit Free Press - United States
FreepOpinion: Hizzoner speaks on honor Where is his shame?
Where is his shame?
The dangers of megalomania continue to make themselves evident in the bizarre and irrational behavior of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who pronounced today that Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy's case against him is quickly "going to hell."
Tax exemptions given in error
Audit: Over 50% didn't meet conditions
BY ZACHARY GORCHOW • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 25, 2008
More than half of Detroiters awarded an exemption from their property taxes in March because they claimed they were too poor to pay should not have received one, according to a report by the city's auditor general.
The exemptions were granted by the Property Assessment Board of Review, a panel that was overhauled by City Council last year after it was learned that dozens of exemptions were granted to property owners who did not meet income requirements.
Mayor faces new probe for run-in with officers
Deputy says he was pushed, but Kilpatrick lawyer says there was no roughness
BY M.L. ELRICK, JIM SCHAEFER, BEN SCHMITT and JOE SWICKARD • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS • July 25, 2008
Michigan State Police are investigating whether Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick assaulted a deputy trying to serve a subpoena at his sister's house Thursday -- an incident that could lead to additional criminal charges against the mayor.
Prosecutors could seek review of mayor's bond in shoving dispute
By JOE SWICKARD • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 25, 2008
Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is due in court this morning to hear if a judge will release excerpts of explosive text messages, but the spotlight may be also focused on an incident Thursday afternoon, in which the mayor allegedly shoved a sheriff’s deputy who was trying to serve a subpoena on the mayor’s friend.
Committee declines to OK lawyer contracts
BY BEN SCHMITT • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 25, 2008
A Detroit City Council committee declined to approve more than $200,000 in contracts for lawyers in the text message scandal and Tamara Greene lawsuit.
One set of contracts would pay the legal bills of John Johnson Jr., the head of the city's Law Department, both for representation in Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy's investigative subpoena of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and former chief of staff Christine Beatty, as well as the complaint filed against Johnson with the Attorney Grievance Commission.
Should an ethics complaint be filed against Monica Conyers?
Should an ethics complaint be filed against Monica Conyers for her dealings with a city towing contractor as outlined by Fox2 where she exchanged her son's older vehicle for a newer one, for free?
Fox2 story: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=6599229
Mayoral Watch
Rose Collins: Paradise Valley District should be named African Town
Detroit Free Press - United States
Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was on hand for the ground breaking in Harmonie
Park. Plans for Paradise Valley include an African-American cultural
district with ...
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WILSON: Mayor Frequent Flying For Free
WXYZ - Detroit,MI,USA
Council Watch
TEXT MESSAGE SCANDAL Mayor is added to suit aimed at stopping his ...
Detroit Free Press - United States
Under the ruling, Dillard and Sedler are to represent the citizens of
Detroit, while Goodman represents the City Council. Jim Thomas, one of
Kilpatrick's ...
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Work to start Monday on Detroit's Paradise Valley district
Embattled Kwame comes to Windsor
Canada.com - Don Mills,Ontario,Canada
Scandal-plagued Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick paid a surprise visit
Wednesday morning to Windsor, where he met with Mayor Eddie Francis in the
downtown ...
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Workers may be siphoning Detroit's gas
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Workers may be siphoning Detroit's gas
Auditors say lack of oversight leaves city's fuel supply vulnerable.
Christine MacDonald / The Detroit News
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080724/METRO/8072403...
DETROIT -- City auditors say there's strong evidence that employees and others are misusing and even stealing fuel from city pumps, warning there is a "total lack of control" over the city's nearly $7 million a year gas supply.
Secret Is Out: Anthony Adams Makes $230k
(WXYZ) - The Mayor's man who vacated the Deputy Mayor post to temporarliy lead the Detroit Water Department will be paid handsomely for his new duties
Anthony Adams' new salary will be $230,000 annually. That is a 64% increase over his $140,000 Deputy Mayor Salary. The previous director, who stepped down to take a position in Florida earned $240,000.
Mary Sevakis, Public Affairs Manger for the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department told WXYZ.com in an email Adams "is an outstanding administrator whose abilities have already proven to be valuable to the department."
DMC tells city to sell land or lose pediatrics office
Developer has a hold on parcel
BY ZACHARY GORCHOW • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 24, 2008
The Detroit Medical Center is warning that a proposed pediatrics office in Detroit could be in jeopardy if the City Council continues to delay selling the parkland it wants because of a competing party's claim on the property.
Tiger Stadium's fate up for a final vote
The last chance for preservationists hoping to save a corner of Tiger Stadium comes Tuesday.
A measure to demolish all of Tiger Stadium -- including a portion of the ballpark that preservationists have urged be saved -- was moved out of a Detroit City Council committee Wednesday.
The full council is expected to take a final vote Tuesday -- three days before the Aug. 1 deadline Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick set for preservationists to raise $400,000 to preserve part of the stadium.
Worthy wants to release even more texts
Judge faces new fight on what to allow
BY JOE SWICKARD • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 24, 2008
Even as a judge is set to rule Friday on the possible public release of about 200 text messages, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office says it is primed to unload another batch of the texts written by Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, his former aide Christine Beatty and others.
Tunnel sell-off's not dead yet, mayor tells Canadian officials
Council's vote is meaningless, Kilpatrick says
BY JOE SWICKARD • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 24, 2008
Embattled Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick turned his hand to international diplomacy Wednesday, crossing the river to meet with Canadian negotiators in Windsor on the stalled Detroit-Windsor Tunnel deal.
Kilpatrick -- who faces felony charges in the text message scandal -- told the Canadians the deal to sell Detroit's share of the tunnel that connects the two cities is not dead.
Mayor is added to suit aimed at stopping his ouster
City still a plaintiff on citizens' behalf
Without even asking, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick found himself added as a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the City's Council's efforts to oust him.
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"The mayor is certainly a party of interest in this matter," Wayne County Circuit Judge Robert Ziolkowski concluded at a court hearing Wednesday.
Ziolkowski added Kilpatrick at the request of Bill Goodman, the City Council's lawyer, who argued successfully that the suit primarily benefits the mayor, not the City of Detroit, which filed the court action.
Free Press asks to take text fight into Greene suit
The Free Press asked a judge for permission Wednesday to intervene in a federal lawsuit filed by the family of a slain stripper in order to argue for the release of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's text messages.
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Herschel Fink, the newspaper's lawyer, said lawyers representing the city in the case want U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen to rule against the release of numerous text messages from Kilpatrick and other city employees, based on their interpretation of federal law and a recent opinion from another federal court district.
Mayoral Watch
Kilpatrick must be plaintiff in ouster fight
Detroit Free Press - United States
BY BEN SCHMITT • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 23, 2008 Detroit Mayor
Kwame Kilpatrick must be a plaintiff to a lawsuit challenging City Council
ouster ...
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Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Accused of Texting Additional
TransWorldNews (press release) - Monroe,GA,USA
Council Watch
THE SYNAGRO SLUDGE DEAL Council postpones vote on sludge deal
Detroit Free Press - United States
The Detroit City Council postponed a vote that had been expected today to
rescind the Synagro Technologies sludge recycling contract that is now the
subject ...
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Plenty of fodder for FBI probe in Oakland
San Francisco Chronicle - CA, USA
Kwame Kilpatrick
by Metro Times news staff
7/20/2005
Kwame Kilpatrick, 35, is a lifelong Detroiter. A graduate of Cass Technical High School, he holds a BS in political science and a teacher certification from Florida A & M University. He earned a law degree from the Detroit College of Law. Kilpatrick worked as a middle school teacher in the Detroit Public Schools before his election to the state House of Representatives. He was elected mayor of Detroit in 2001.
Mayoral Watch
Detroit mayor: Prosecutor has 'personal vendetta'
Crain's Detroit Business - Detroit,MI,USA
AP (AP) Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick on Tuesday accused a prosecutor of engaging
in a "personal vendetta" in trying to convict him on perjury, misconduct
and ...
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Kilpatrick says he'll meet with Granholm on Cobo expansion
Detroit Free Press - United States
Mayoral Watch
Detroit mayor's legal team 'unprecedented'
United Press International - USA
DETROIT, July 21 (UPI) -- Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has assembled a
legal team of unprecedented size as he battles corruption charges, legal
experts ...
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Nice brochure on Kwame ... who wrote it?
Crain's Detroit Business - Detroit,MI,USA
Saginaw neighborhood watchdog groups make a comeback
Saginaw neighborhood watchdog groups make a comeback
Posted by Justin Engel | The Saginaw News July 20, 2008 05:22AM
A year has passed since the tides of crime washed away Linda D. Gilliland's sense of security.
RELATED STORY
http://www.mlive.com/saginawnews/news/index.ssf/2008/07/saginaw_neighbor...
• Saginaw citizens prepare to quell Halloween arsons
When the 60-year-old moved into her home near Lutz Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Saginaw 17 years ago, the neighborhood was comfortable. Poverty and the shifting economy hadn't reached there.
Congressional candidates toss out decorum at TV forum
Lively debate hits on mayor, experience -- and a brassiere
BY KATHLEEN GRAY • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 20, 2008
It began with a flurry of verbal haymakers and ended with the television host begging the three congressional candidates to stop talking over one another.
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Just another day in the race between U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, a Detroit Democrat, and the two Democrats who want to defeat her on Aug. 5 -- state Sen. Martha Scott of Highland Park and former state Rep. Mary Waters of Detroit.
Is Detroit dying? (And other questions on a Sunday)
Is Detroit dying? (And other questions on a Sunday)
Posted by Susan J. Demas | Capitol Chronicles | Analysis July 20, 2008 18:54PM
Detroit
http://blog.mlive.com/capitolchronicles/2008/07/is_detroit_dying_and_oth...
Is Detroit dying? Between indicted Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, an FBI probe of the City Council and a school district on the brink of insolvency, it's hard to say no. Nolan Finley's solution is for citizens to say a la "Network," "I'm mad as hell. And I'm not going to take it anymore!"
2009 mayoral election draws big crowd of potential candidates
2009 mayoral election draws big crowd of potential candidates
Message scandal prompts early, widespread interest
BY SUZETTE HACKNEY, ROCHELLE RILEY and ZACHARY GORCHOW • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS • July 20, 2008
More than a year before Detroit's mayoral election, many high-profile candidates are strongly considering a run for the job, unusually early because of the text message scandal.
Nearly all of the likely candidates, who hail from backgrounds as diverse as business, law enforcement and civil service, say they may run because they want to restore integrity in city government.
Jesse Jackson out of touch
Jesse Jackson out of touch;
Posted By ROLAND S. MARTIN
Posted 1 day ago
http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1119385
GULF OF MEXICO
There have been two constants in this presidential campaign: Sen. Barack Obama will discuss his faith openly and present some of today's most troublesome issues through a moral prism, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. will say something outlandish and stupid for which he will have to apologize.
McCain's Tough Talk to Auto Workers
July 18, 2008, 11:32 AM
McCain's Tough Talk to Auto Workers
Posted by John Bentley| Comments10
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/07/18/politics/fromtheroad/entry427151...
(CBS)
From CBS News' John Bentley
Wayne State, ARISE Detroit!: Partners in the community
Incoming Wayne State freshman Titus Duncan (left) stands next to his Pershing High School mentor Donald Henderson on July 17. The two were present during the announcment of ARISE Detroit! and WSU's partnership that allocates 3,000 incoming freshmen who will participate in a day of community service on Aug. 30 called Warrior Service Day. "If you don't serve your community, how good is your education?," Duncan said.
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Wayne State, ARISE Detroit!: Partners in the community
Officer: Manoogian Mansion Rumor Is True
WDIV DETROIT -- Tony Davis, a current Detroit police officer, confirmed he is on the witness list to testify in the criminal case against Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and if what he says is true, could lead to more perjury charges.
The 22-year veteran was questioned by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office, in regards to the perjury and obstruction of justice charges filed against Kilpatrick.
“I went over to answer a subpoena at Kym Worthy’s office,” said Davis. “I answered the questions they asked at the time to the best of my knowledge.”
Mayor paid two linked to prob
Finance reports show two other targets of FBI investigation donated cash to council members.
David Josar, Paul Egan and Christine MacDonald / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's campaign finance reports show he has paid $170,000 for "consulting" and "reimbursements" to two figures involved in the federal public corruption probe of City Hall: Democratic insider Michael Tardif and Bernard Kilpatrick, the mayor's father.
Revise City Charter ethics language
Place a charter revision on the ballot to strengthen the language pertaining to ethics, forfeiture of office, influence peddling, nepotism, resulting penalties, in addition to the structure and make up of the Board of Ethics and how it processes complaints.
Worthy still open to charging others
Worthy still open to charging others
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy issued a reminder Monday that when it comes to the text message criminal cases and their labyrinthine intrigues, it's not over till she says so.
After confirming that a criminal charge against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick would be amended, her office was coy about whether others, aside from former Kilpatrick aide Christine Beatty, would face prosecution.
Spokeswoman Maria Miller said that no new people are charged in the investigation "at this time."
IN OUR OPINION: Fresh leadership, please!
Remember Feb. 5, 2006, when Detroit so successfully hosted the world for pro football's Super Bowl and the city seemed on the brink of a genuine comeback? Seems like eons ago, given the mess the city's in now. Mayor, City Council, schools - they all need restored credibility, and new faces.
Strip club application suspension may be extended
Strip club application suspension may be extended: The City Council today is expected to consider a resolution asking Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to extend a moratorium on applications for strip clubs. The extension could be for about 120 days and would allow the council more time to review zoning and licensing, said Council member Barbara-Rose Collins.
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Cockrel: FBI probe won't deter ouster
David Josar, Leonard N. Fleming and Christine MacDonald / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- Reaction was mostly muted Monday among City Council members stung by revelations that the FBI is investigating the panel's approval of a $47 million contract to handle sludge removal.
But Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr., whose chief of staff is a focus of the probe, vowed the new scandal won't derail efforts to oust Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
