While Bing emphasized that his plan included collecting taxes and other debts from businesses, the lion’s share of the money would come from residents who already are paying the highest taxes in the state for inadequate services.
Firefighters called for an arson investigator but received the common response: “There are no arson cars available.”
For just $200, some Detroiters can buy neighboring vacant lots and receive help sprucing up the property.
Despite the threat of a state takeover and municipal bankruptcy, Mayor Dave Bing dished out bonuses of up to $750 to nonunion employees, a move that is certain to distract from serious budget cuts.
State officials took blame for demolishing up to 20 Detroit homes that recently were purchased at a Wayne County tax foreclosure sale.
Marie Thornton was speaking beyond her one-minute public comment period when she demanded that council President Charles Pugh apologize for once accusing her of tossing a grape at a school board member.
The city of Detroit has been within weeks of running out of cash for more than a year now – and services haven’t stopped.
“Oh, God,” Janet Howard said, fearing the spreading flames would devour the entire block of Garland and Canfield, where an arsonist also set a blaze the day before. “Please. Please, God.”
Scrapping thieves have become alarmingly more daring and audacious as police have virtually ignored an organized scrapping operation that has sprung up at the abandoned Packard Plant in Detroit.
Bing is expected to call a 1 p.m. meeting in council chambers in what almost certainly will be a bitter, combative session. Crowds have grown more hostile, and the mayor and council’s relationship is dysfunctional.