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MI Gov. Rick Snyder’s takeover of Benton Harbor tied to shoreline development – what Rachel missed

By on April 19, 2011 in Benton Harbor, Joe Harris, Michigan

Last night on her show, Rachel Maddow connected some very important dots in the situation that led up to the Big Government TakeoverTM of Benton Harbor, Michigan by Joseph Harris, aka “The Czar of Benton Harbor”.

But she didn’t connect ALL of them.

In her piece we learn these facts about Benton Harbor and its twin city next door, St. Joseph.

St. Joseph Benton Harbor
Population 8,508 10,235
Demographic 89.5% white 85.5% black
Per capita income $33,034 $10,235

We also learn that one of the best parts of Benton Harbor is Jean Klock Park, donated by wealthy benefactors years ago with the stipulation that it be used for the public good and that it remain “the children’s” park.…


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Benton Harbor Emergency Financial Mgr. gets right to work

By on April 18, 2011 in Benton Harbor, Joe Harris, Michigan

New Benton Harbor Emergency Financial Manager (EFM), effectively the “Czar of Benton Harbor”, Joseph Harris got right to work this weekend in his new capacity by reconfiguring the city’s Planning Commission and Brownfield Commission.

In two directives released Friday, Benton Harbor Emergency Manager Joseph Harris removed members of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Planning Commission, appointed others, and reduced brownfield board membership from nine to five.

The commission and board were reorganized to make them more effective, Harris said. The changes were made “to include people who are interested enough and knowledgeable enough to show up and to make a contribution.”

Eight members of the brownfield authority were removed from office: Mary Adams, Eddie Marshall, Willie Williams, Charles Yarbrough, Don Mitchell, Willie Bledsoe, Mathew Bradley and Juanita Henry.

…


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Will the Tea Partiers protest against the Big Govt. Takeover™ of Benton Harbor?

By on April 17, 2011 in Benton Harbor

Will the Tea Partiers protest against the Big Govt. Takeover™ of Benton Harbor?

Hahahahaha!

Just kidding. Benton Harbor is more than 90% African American.

I’m just sayin’…

…

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How Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is quietly & intentionally creating more Benton Harbors

By on April 17, 2011 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Rick Snyder

By now you have probably heard about Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s takeover of Benton Harbor, Michigan‘s government via his Emergency Financial Manager. As I said in my previous piece on this, while I understand the utter shambles that Benton Harbor was in, I also understand that there are systemic reasons for that in addition to malfeasance and mismanagement. A population that has a median income of only $17,471 with 42.6% below the poverty line is a recipe for financial disaster. Add any amount of corruption or poor leadership to that mix and there will need to be some involvement by the State to put things right.…


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UPDATED: And so it begins. Emergency Financial Mgr. fires entire government of Benton Harbor, MI.

By on April 15, 2011 in Benton Harbor, Emergency Financial Managers, Joe Harris, Michigan, Rick Snyder

NOTE: I have an important update to this entry up titled “How Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is quietly & intentionally creating more Benton Harbors” that you may find of interest.

NOTE 2: A second update is here: Benton Harbor Emergency Financial Mgr. gets right to work and shows how Harris is already at work, rejiggering two city development commissions.

As you probably know, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder recently signed legislation passed by the Republican-dominated House and Senate that gives State-appointed Emergency Financial Managers (EFMs) historically broad and sweeping powers. These new powers allow the EFM to cancel or modify contracts (including with unions) and even to fire the municipality’s government.…


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