Hold the Sugar
Quick---someone check Coleman Young's grave for signs of spinning.
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing trudged over to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday and told the leaders there---plus state politicos who showed up---that his city is broke, which isn't news to anyone who's been half paying attention.
Bing appeared and all but plunged his hands inside his pants pockets and turned them inside out in front of everyone in attendance.
See? No moolah.
"Detroit needs Oakland County," Bing said. "Detroit needs Macomb. Detroit needs Wayne County."
Can you imagine Hizzoner, Young, doing such a thing?
Of course, no matter what you think of Young---Detroit's mayor from 1973-93---he never presided over a city that was in the financial straits that Motown finds itself in currently.
Bing's visit to the Oakland County Commission was the first, according to today's Detroit Free Press, since Kwame Kilpatrick's about five years ago. But, the Freep noted, Bing carried none of the cocky swagger that Kwame had back then, nor did he sugarcoat the city's problems.
"Detroit, from a structural standpoint, is broke," Bing said with the same deadeye accuracy he exhibited as a player for the Pistons.
Then, more "the-truth-hurts" honesty from Bing.
"What we've had is failed leadership in the City of Detroit. Our City Council has been as big a disappointment as the mayor's office has been."
As the PA announcer used to say at Cobo Arena after a Bing bucket, "BINGO!"
Bing made no bones about Detroit's financial mess to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners; will his candor be rewarded?
Again, this really wasn't a case of Bing telling anyone at the meeting Wednesday night anything they didn't already know, or at least highly suspect. So it wasn't enough to state the mostly obvious. He had to go further.
Bing vowed to balance the city budget this year, indicating he's prepared to make painful cuts. Then he pointed to the region's cooperation when it came to the Cobo Center expansion plan and hoped he could call upon that same spirit again, particularly when it comes to regional transportation.
I wonder if everyone in attendance was too polite not to remind Bing that the Cobo Center thing wasn't without its dicey moments and shaky esprit de corps, but there you have it.
Bing also appealed to the roots of those in the auditorium, among whom included some state senators and reps.
"I know your heart is still in the city of Detroit."
It's unclear exactly what Bing wants from the suburbs, nor what the suburbs are willing to do. But Bing's appearance at the Commission meeting was a step in the right direction.
"I want to thank you for reaching out, said County Commissioner Tim Greimel, D-Auburn Hills. "That has not gone unnoticed."
Others pleaded for Bing to work with Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and other state leaders in helping to save the Michigan State Fair, which isn't funded beyond this year.
Chairman Bill Bullard, R-Highland Township, said he hopes Bing visits annually.
Quite a difference from the days of Coleman and his invisible fence along 8 Mile Road, eh?
Bingo!
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing trudged over to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday and told the leaders there---plus state politicos who showed up---that his city is broke, which isn't news to anyone who's been half paying attention.
Bing appeared and all but plunged his hands inside his pants pockets and turned them inside out in front of everyone in attendance.
See? No moolah.
"Detroit needs Oakland County," Bing said. "Detroit needs Macomb. Detroit needs Wayne County."
Can you imagine Hizzoner, Young, doing such a thing?
Of course, no matter what you think of Young---Detroit's mayor from 1973-93---he never presided over a city that was in the financial straits that Motown finds itself in currently.
Bing's visit to the Oakland County Commission was the first, according to today's Detroit Free Press, since Kwame Kilpatrick's about five years ago. But, the Freep noted, Bing carried none of the cocky swagger that Kwame had back then, nor did he sugarcoat the city's problems.
"Detroit, from a structural standpoint, is broke," Bing said with the same deadeye accuracy he exhibited as a player for the Pistons.
Then, more "the-truth-hurts" honesty from Bing.
"What we've had is failed leadership in the City of Detroit. Our City Council has been as big a disappointment as the mayor's office has been."
As the PA announcer used to say at Cobo Arena after a Bing bucket, "BINGO!"
Bing made no bones about Detroit's financial mess to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners; will his candor be rewarded?
Again, this really wasn't a case of Bing telling anyone at the meeting Wednesday night anything they didn't already know, or at least highly suspect. So it wasn't enough to state the mostly obvious. He had to go further.
Bing vowed to balance the city budget this year, indicating he's prepared to make painful cuts. Then he pointed to the region's cooperation when it came to the Cobo Center expansion plan and hoped he could call upon that same spirit again, particularly when it comes to regional transportation.
I wonder if everyone in attendance was too polite not to remind Bing that the Cobo Center thing wasn't without its dicey moments and shaky esprit de corps, but there you have it.
Bing also appealed to the roots of those in the auditorium, among whom included some state senators and reps.
"I know your heart is still in the city of Detroit."
It's unclear exactly what Bing wants from the suburbs, nor what the suburbs are willing to do. But Bing's appearance at the Commission meeting was a step in the right direction.
"I want to thank you for reaching out, said County Commissioner Tim Greimel, D-Auburn Hills. "That has not gone unnoticed."
Others pleaded for Bing to work with Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and other state leaders in helping to save the Michigan State Fair, which isn't funded beyond this year.
Chairman Bill Bullard, R-Highland Township, said he hopes Bing visits annually.
Quite a difference from the days of Coleman and his invisible fence along 8 Mile Road, eh?
Bingo!
What you have to understand is that Hiz Honor and King Kwame would never publicly endorse the beyond Outer Drive world. bu all their financial support came from that world. It is not the citizens of Detroit that kept them in power. Follow the money into their coffers. It is all out state green. The "us against them" was the perception that cons the Detroiters. Remember in June 08, Karmamos was asked about the future of Mayor Hip Hopand he said that"we don't have anyone to take his [place" at that time. Read into that statement.
ReplyDeleteBing can do anything he wants... he is not running for a 2nd term.