Saturday, June 20, 2009

Help sought finding Detroit man

Police are asking the public’s help in finding a 59-year-old man whose family has not heard from him since Monday. Damian Onwuzulike was last seen leaving work. Freep.com

Money meant for library benefits paying Detroit's bills

The City of Detroit has been spending property tax money intended for Detroit Public Library employees' benefits on city operations instead, a library official said Friday. Freep.com

Conyers worries about FBI investigation

Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Monica Conyers talks about the City Hall probe Friday at Eastern Market.

Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Monica Conyers says she's worried about an ongoing FBI investigation into City Hall corruption but does not feel she can control its outcome. detnews.com

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Despite bribery cloud, Monica Conyers says she's still smiling

Detroit -- City Councilwoman Monica Conyers wouldn't discuss the federal corruption probe swirling around her, but says she's doing well despite everything. detnews.com

Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers

Conyers plea deal not expected today

Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers showed up at a council meeting today apparently without any plea deal in the City Hall corruption case. freep.com

Conyers hasn't said she'll accept plea deal

Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers tried to keep things routine Tuesday, even as authorities dangled a plea deal in their bribery investigation. Freep.com

    Incinerator foes begin to lose hope

    Financial realities and a lack of information from the city have many residents convinced that July will find Detroit right back to handling the bulk of its waste through burning -- a move some see as a betrayal. Detnews.com

Bribery probe closes in on Conyers

Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers said Tuesday she's trusting God to deliver her from her mounting problems -- a possible federal indictment and the prospect of prison. detnews.com

Monday, June 15, 2009

‘Ficano Unfair to Workers’
Robert Ficano
Robert Ficano
Commissioner Parker questions expenses for 233 Ficano appointees

By Diane Bukowski
The Michigan Citizen

DETROIT — Despite a projected county deficit of $105 million, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano is busy building an empire, apparently on the backs of the county’s lowest-paid, hardest-working employees.

Ficano’s campaign contributors stand to profit from a proposed takeover of Cobo Hall, the construction of a regional jail complex, Aerotropolis, and the county’s purchase of the Guardian Building.

Bing financial chief criticized, but he says he's up to the job

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's restoration of Norm White to the chief financial officer post he held for the final 9 months under former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has alarmed those who say tardy audits and deep problems with bookkeeping were not solved on White's watch. Freep.com

Bills seek drastic DPS reform

Two bills introduced in Lansing on Thursday would let Detroit voters decide whether to eliminate the Detroit school board and make the mayor and City Council responsible for hiring and firing the school superintendent. Freep.com

How many will fall in Synagro sludge scandal?

The City of Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant at 9300 W. Jefferson, Monday, June 30, 2008.

If Rayford Jackson pleads guilty Monday in connection with the Synagro scandal as expected, he will become the second big player to fall in the federal corruption probe of Detroit city government. freep.com

Where Detroit pension trustees visited

Detroit pension trustees say they attended conferences, meetings and researched investments as they traveled around the globe. freep.com


Guilty plea expected today in sludge deal

Rayford Jackson, a Detroit developer who worked as a consultant for Synagro Technologies, is expected to plead guilty today to charges related to the City Hall scandal involving allegations of pay to play, sources have told the Free Press.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Views of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's new Southlake, Texas, home.

Commentary: Kilpatrick's digs show contempt for those he left behind

Laura Berman: It's a house fit for a heart surgeon who saves seven lives a day or an entrepreneur who recently sold his digital gizmo firm to a public company. It's a house, even, for a software salesman who has risen to the top of his profession, improbably scooping up new accounts on the shoals of recession. Detnews.com