Whole Town Privatization? Emergency Chief Takes Action against Benton Harbor, Michigan

April 18, 2011

BENTON HARBOR, Michigan — A state-appointed emergency financial manager has suspended the decision-making powers of Benton Harbor officials in a move that's likely the first act of its kind under a new state law.

The Detroit News reports that Friday's order by Joseph Harris means Benton Harbor officials can only call meetings to order, adjourn them and approve minutes of meetings:


This is what happens when you privatize government

If I told you that a group of folks were planning to take a park that was a gift given to a community, develop it, and turn it into a bunch of condos, houses, and a golf course, what would you think?

Great! People love golf courses and condos!

Now what if I told you that the golf course was going to be developed by a group of white folks in a broken black community where the average income is $10,000 per year?  And, what if I told you that the annual membership for the new golf resort is $5,000?

Not so great anymore, is it?

Essentially, that’s what is happening in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  The Emergency Finance Billallows Governor Rick Snyder to take over the town of Benton Harbor (which he did) and appoint an Emergency Financial Manager (which he did).  The local government in Benton Harbor is now powerless as Joseph Harris, the EFM, further decimates their town:

Eclectablog has more:

[O]ne of the first things that Joseph Harris did was to fire a number of people on both the Planning Commission and the Brownfield Development Commission in Benton Harbor and replace them with people he hand-picked. These two commissions are the ones most intimately involved in decision-making about real estate development in Benton Harbor. They will decide who gets permits, what developments will look like and who gets to pick the ripe plums present in Benton Harbor. And they are now staffed largely by people chosen by the Czar of Benton Harbor.

This is where the rubber meets the pavement. If you are looking for motivations for Snyder and his Republican friends to take over Benton Harbor, watch who gets development rights of the Lake Michigan shoreline. They are already setting things up to ensure that it is not the local residents of Benton Harbor.

Elections have consequences, people.  Anyone who pounds the “Democrats and Republicans are the same” drum is a fool and should be ignored.  Full stop.

If Rick Snyder (R-Asshole) were not governor, this would not be happening.

Good morning to you, too.