Blogging For Michigan:: Rally and March in Benton Harbor on April 27th Against Financial Martial Law
Showing posts with label Financial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Financial. Show all posts
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Blogging For Michigan:: Rally and March in Benton Harbor on April 27th Against Financial Martial Law
Blogging For Michigan:: Rally and March in Benton Harbor on April 27th Against Financial Martial Law
Friday, April 22, 2011
New Facebook Page | A Referendum to Reject MI PA 4 - The Emergency Financial Manager
Click here for Facebook Page Link | A Referendum to Reject MI PA 4 - The Emergency Financial Manager,
About this Page|Founded
March 19, 2011
Location
Traverse City, MI 49686
Description
FAQs about the new EFM law | Facebook Page Info
Can it there be a referendum | Facebook Note
Compiled by Betsy Coffia, Traverse City, MI from direct source PA 4 and other (cited) sources
*self disclosure: I do not belong to a union, nor do I work for a school or other state funded entity. I have lived in northern Michigan since I was 5 and voted regularly since I was 18. I do not typically think of myself as an activist, but this is a PEOPLE issue. It sets an incredibly frightening precedent and impacts us all.
Concerns with the expanded,
more powerful EFM law Gov. Rick Snyder signed March 16, 2011
more powerful EFM law Gov. Rick Snyder signed March 16, 2011
- Even as Michigan is struggling financially, this law puts NO salary cap on the EFM – multiple attempts to cap it to be no more than what a Michigan Governor makes were voted down!
- An amendment to prevent the EFM from receiving outside compensation while on the job was VOTED DOWN.
- NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED • An EFM controlling a school district is NOT required to have any experience or background in education, yet is allowed to make educational plans and curriculum choices.
- SO LONG, COMMUNITY IDENTITY • The EFM can abolish cities and towns and can force school districts to merge and consolidate with others, or close public schools and turn them into charter schools, with NO input from the affected communities.
- BROKEN AGREEMENTS • The EFM can break existing contracts and remove collective bargaining rights to public employees (teachers, firefighters, bus drivers, police, corrections officers, etc.)
- FOR PROFIT… JAILS • The EFM can privatize functions such as jails, busing, food service, etc.
- PARKS, WATERFRONT FOR SALE • The EFM decides if public “assets” (land, buildings, etc.) will be sold. If the state treasurer signs off, the EFM can sell without competitive bid.
- YES there are more | (read them here)
Click Here To Visit Our Informational Website: https://sites.google.com/site/rejectemergencymanagers/home
INFORMATION IS OUR GREATEST DEFENSE AND OFFENSE DURING THESE EXTRAORDINARY TIMES. PLEASE HELP US DEVELOP THIS INFORMATIONAL GRASSROOTS NETWORK BY SHARING THIS INFORMATION WITH OTHERS.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Stealing Beachfront Parklands from the Children of Benton Harbor
"In 1917, John and Carrie Klock deeded a half mile of lake Michigan frontage to the City of Benton Harbor Michigan in memory of their deceased daughter Jean. Their gift consisted of 90 acres of globally rare natural resources that included Great Lakes Dunes, a Great Lakes Marsh and interdunal wetlands.
The donated land, named Jean Klock Park and was dedicated
"FOR THE CHILDREN" - "in perpetuity" - "FOREVER.""
www.savejeanklockpark.org
"Through the years the park has been threatened with development proposals and survived but in 2003 came the beginning of a new, and at the time, unforeseen threat. The city announced an interest in selling a portion of the park’s property for a lake front residential development. A lawsuit took place that was settled out of court allowing the development in exchange for permanent protections of the remaining 73 acres of the park. Within a matter of months it was discovered that there was a secret and far bigger interest in developing the park. That interest and ultimate threat to the park was of the Whirlpool Corporation’s desire for a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and a glitzy second home community that would become the “Harbor Shores Golf and Beach Club."" www.savejeanklockpark.org | Jean Klock Park | Benton Harbor | Harbor Shores | Jack Nicklaus
Please help us by sharing this information with others. You can email, facebook, or tweet from this site or directly from the link. Every time you Share, you help get the word out… and it is making a difference.
The donated land, named Jean Klock Park and was dedicated
"FOR THE CHILDREN" - "in perpetuity" - "FOREVER.""
www.savejeanklockpark.org
"Through the years the park has been threatened with development proposals and survived but in 2003 came the beginning of a new, and at the time, unforeseen threat. The city announced an interest in selling a portion of the park’s property for a lake front residential development. A lawsuit took place that was settled out of court allowing the development in exchange for permanent protections of the remaining 73 acres of the park. Within a matter of months it was discovered that there was a secret and far bigger interest in developing the park. That interest and ultimate threat to the park was of the Whirlpool Corporation’s desire for a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and a glitzy second home community that would become the “Harbor Shores Golf and Beach Club."" www.savejeanklockpark.org | Jean Klock Park | Benton Harbor | Harbor Shores | Jack Nicklaus
"NEW UPDATED" INFO | BENTON HARBOR AND RALLY
rachel-maddow-benton-harbor-is-ground-zero
earlier coverage by :Rachel Maddow's Coverage of Benton Harbor
rachel-maddow-benton-harbor-is-ground-zero
earlier coverage by :Rachel Maddow's Coverage of Benton Harbor
Please help us by sharing this information with others. You can email, facebook, or tweet from this site or directly from the link. Every time you Share, you help get the word out… and it is making a difference.
YouTube - Benton Harbor, MI Story On The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/2011
YouTube - Benton Harbor, MI Story On The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/2011
Posted on Michigan Stands Up for Democracy Facebook page by | Richard T. Rapscallion Jr.
Benton Harbor, MI Story On The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/2011
www.youtube.com
Rachel Maddow covers a story about the injustice that is going on in Michigan's Southwest. From Emergency Financial Mangers dismantling Benton Harbor City government to the takeover of Benton Harbor's gift "PUBLIC" beach Jean Klock Park (the legal situation now), which is now home to Harbor Shores Golf Course & Resort.
YouTube - Benton Harbor, MI Story On The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/2011
(303 views | time of post)
Read More | Stealing Parklands from the children of Benton Harbor
CONTACT | Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
PHONE: (517) 373-3400
PHONE: (517) 335-7858 - Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863
E-MAIL: Rick.Snyder@michigan.gov
ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION | MICHIGAN GOVERNOR RICK SYNDER
Posted on Michigan Stands Up for Democracy Facebook page by | Richard T. Rapscallion Jr.
Benton Harbor, MI Story On The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/2011
www.youtube.com
Rachel Maddow covers a story about the injustice that is going on in Michigan's Southwest. From Emergency Financial Mangers dismantling Benton Harbor City government to the takeover of Benton Harbor's gift "PUBLIC" beach Jean Klock Park (the legal situation now), which is now home to Harbor Shores Golf Course & Resort.
YouTube - Benton Harbor, MI Story On The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/2011
(303 views | time of post)
Read More | Stealing Parklands from the children of Benton Harbor
CONTACT | Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
PHONE: (517) 373-3400
PHONE: (517) 335-7858 - Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863
E-MAIL: Rick.Snyder@michigan.gov
ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION | MICHIGAN GOVERNOR RICK SYNDER
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Maddow Blog - What's at stake in Benton Harbor
The Maddow Blog - What's at stake in Benton Harbor
Posted on Facebook by | Jonny Cache
What's at Stake in Benton Harbor
maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com
The first thing you folks note about the story of Benton Harbor, Michigan, is that the state has picked a very black town for its first action under the new and so-called financial martial law.
The Maddow Blog - What's at stake in Benton Harbor
"Although the heart of Jean Klock Park has been privatized for three holes of a championship golf course, there are unresolved questions regarding federal permits which were issued in order for the golf course development to proceed. Litigation is ongoing, and the federal lawsuit filed in August, 2008, is on appeal in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Jean Klock Park is located on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore in Benton Harbor, a rustbelt city abandoned by manufacturing and related industries. One significant corporate headquarters persists, however. Whirlpool Corporation, located in an adjoining township, announced the closing of its last manufacturing-related facility in Michigan, which resulted in a loss of 216 jobs."
This a local article link different from the above Maddow Video link...
Posted on Facebook by | Jonny Cache
What's at Stake in Benton Harbor
maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com
The first thing you folks note about the story of Benton Harbor, Michigan, is that the state has picked a very black town for its first action under the new and so-called financial martial law.
The Maddow Blog - What's at stake in Benton Harbor
"Although the heart of Jean Klock Park has been privatized for three holes of a championship golf course, there are unresolved questions regarding federal permits which were issued in order for the golf course development to proceed. Litigation is ongoing, and the federal lawsuit filed in August, 2008, is on appeal in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Jean Klock Park is located on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore in Benton Harbor, a rustbelt city abandoned by manufacturing and related industries. One significant corporate headquarters persists, however. Whirlpool Corporation, located in an adjoining township, announced the closing of its last manufacturing-related facility in Michigan, which resulted in a loss of 216 jobs."
This a local article link different from the above Maddow Video link...
How Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is quietly & intentionally creating more Benton Harbors
How Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is quietly & intentionally creating more Benton Harbors
Posted on Michigan Stands for Democracy Facebook page by | Jonny Cache
“Effectively disbanding their duly-elected government is not, however, the answer …”
"And, waiting on the sidelines like vultures ready to pick over the carcasses of these cities are Snyder and his Emergency Financial Managers (EFMs). They can come in, disband the local government, thereby disenfranchising the local residents, modify or cancel union contracts and use their now-expanded powers to restructure, reconfigure and otherwise refashion the cities in their own vision.
Got some nice public lands on the shores of Lake Michigan or a river, maybe a nice park or nature preserve? Think of the revenue that could be generated by selling or leasing it to your corporate friends for development into a McMansion development or golf course.
Got some development grants coming in to help the community expand services? Think of how those plums can be repurposed to put money in the coffers of your corporate friends.
I'm generally not cynical enough to believe that this is a conservative conspiracy to kill off selected communities and then pick over their bones and divide the spoils among the wealthy victors. But, more and more, as you look at the budget priorities and how they seem aimed at destroying already-vulnerable communities, you really begin to see a pattern developing. And, when you couple that with the enhanced powers of the EFMs, what happened this past week on the shores of Lake Michigan begins to look more and more like Rick Snyder is intentionally working to create more Benton Harbors in the State of Michigan." Full Article Here
Posted on Michigan Stands for Democracy Facebook page by | Jonny Cache
“Effectively disbanding their duly-elected government is not, however, the answer …”
"And, waiting on the sidelines like vultures ready to pick over the carcasses of these cities are Snyder and his Emergency Financial Managers (EFMs). They can come in, disband the local government, thereby disenfranchising the local residents, modify or cancel union contracts and use their now-expanded powers to restructure, reconfigure and otherwise refashion the cities in their own vision.
Got some nice public lands on the shores of Lake Michigan or a river, maybe a nice park or nature preserve? Think of the revenue that could be generated by selling or leasing it to your corporate friends for development into a McMansion development or golf course.
Got some development grants coming in to help the community expand services? Think of how those plums can be repurposed to put money in the coffers of your corporate friends.
I'm generally not cynical enough to believe that this is a conservative conspiracy to kill off selected communities and then pick over their bones and divide the spoils among the wealthy victors. But, more and more, as you look at the budget priorities and how they seem aimed at destroying already-vulnerable communities, you really begin to see a pattern developing. And, when you couple that with the enhanced powers of the EFMs, what happened this past week on the shores of Lake Michigan begins to look more and more like Rick Snyder is intentionally working to create more Benton Harbors in the State of Michigan." Full Article Here
Sunday, April 17, 2011
04-13-2011 - Senate Investigations Subcommittee Releases Levin-Coburn Report On the Financial Crisis : Senator Carl Levin: News Release
04-13-2011 - Senate Investigations Subcommittee Releases Levin-Coburn Report On the Financial Crisis : Senator Carl Levin: News Release
Posted on Facebook Michigan Stands Up for Democracy | Jonny Cache
Senate Investigations Subcommittee Releases Levin-Coburn Report On the Financial Crisis
levin.senate.gov
WASHINGTON – Concluding a two-year bipartisan investigation, Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Senator Tom Coburn M.D., R-Okla., Chairman and Ranking Republican on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, today released a 635-page final report (PDF, 6MB) on their inquiry into key causes of the financial crisis. The report catalogs conflicts of interest, heedless risk-taking and failures of federal oversight that helped push the country into the deepest recession since the Great Depression.
comment:Jonny Cache
“Using emails, memos and other internal documents, this report tells the inside story of an economic assault that cost millions of Americans their jobs and homes, while wiping out investors, good businesses, and markets,” said Levin. “High ...risk lending, regulatory failures, inflated credit ratings, and Wall Street firms engaging in massive conflicts of interest, contaminated the U.S. financial system with toxic mortgages and undermined public trust in U.S. markets. Using their own words in documents subpoenaed by the Subcommittee, the report discloses how financial firms deliberately took advantage of their clients and investors, how credit rating agencies assigned AAA ratings to high risk securities, and how regulators sat on their hands instead of reining in the unsafe and unsound practices all around them. Rampant conflicts of interest are the threads that run through every chapter of this sordid story.”See More
7 hours ago
Posted on Facebook Michigan Stands Up for Democracy | Jonny Cache
Senate Investigations Subcommittee Releases Levin-Coburn Report On the Financial Crisis
levin.senate.gov
WASHINGTON – Concluding a two-year bipartisan investigation, Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Senator Tom Coburn M.D., R-Okla., Chairman and Ranking Republican on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, today released a 635-page final report (PDF, 6MB) on their inquiry into key causes of the financial crisis. The report catalogs conflicts of interest, heedless risk-taking and failures of federal oversight that helped push the country into the deepest recession since the Great Depression.
comment:Jonny Cache
“Using emails, memos and other internal documents, this report tells the inside story of an economic assault that cost millions of Americans their jobs and homes, while wiping out investors, good businesses, and markets,” said Levin. “High ...risk lending, regulatory failures, inflated credit ratings, and Wall Street firms engaging in massive conflicts of interest, contaminated the U.S. financial system with toxic mortgages and undermined public trust in U.S. markets. Using their own words in documents subpoenaed by the Subcommittee, the report discloses how financial firms deliberately took advantage of their clients and investors, how credit rating agencies assigned AAA ratings to high risk securities, and how regulators sat on their hands instead of reining in the unsafe and unsound practices all around them. Rampant conflicts of interest are the threads that run through every chapter of this sordid story.”See More
7 hours ago
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Gov. Scott Walker Reportedly Planning Financial Martial Law In Wisconsin - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - Forbes
Gov. Scott Walker Reportedly Planning Financial Martial Law In Wisconsin - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - Forbes
Posted on Facebook by | Defend Wisconsin
"According to the reports, should a locality’s financial position come up short, the Walker legislation would empower the governor to insert a financial manager of his choosing into local government with the ability to cancel union contracts, push aside duly elected local government officials and school board members and take control of Wisconsin cities and towns whenever he sees fit to do so.
Following the lead of Michigan GOP Governor Rick Snyder, Walker is said to be preparing a plan that would allow him to force local governments to submit to a financial stress test with an eye towards permitting the governor to take over municipalities that fail to meet with Walker’s approval."
"Yes, this has really happened right here in the United States of America."
"Walker’s plans give further credence to the notion that the efforts of the GOP governors with Republican majorities in their state legislative bodies are part of a coordinated plan to enforce a right-wing agenda designed to not only destroy state, county and municipal employee unions, but to take control of local governments by replacing elected officials with appointees, both corporate and individual, of the state’s highest executive officer.
More on this as it becomes available."
"Full Article Here - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - Forbes
Posted on Facebook by | Defend Wisconsin
"According to the reports, should a locality’s financial position come up short, the Walker legislation would empower the governor to insert a financial manager of his choosing into local government with the ability to cancel union contracts, push aside duly elected local government officials and school board members and take control of Wisconsin cities and towns whenever he sees fit to do so.
Following the lead of Michigan GOP Governor Rick Snyder, Walker is said to be preparing a plan that would allow him to force local governments to submit to a financial stress test with an eye towards permitting the governor to take over municipalities that fail to meet with Walker’s approval."
"Yes, this has really happened right here in the United States of America."
"Walker’s plans give further credence to the notion that the efforts of the GOP governors with Republican majorities in their state legislative bodies are part of a coordinated plan to enforce a right-wing agenda designed to not only destroy state, county and municipal employee unions, but to take control of local governments by replacing elected officials with appointees, both corporate and individual, of the state’s highest executive officer.
More on this as it becomes available."
"Full Article Here - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - Forbes
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