Detroit City Council continues to fight governor's EFM plan

Detroit City Council members fight governor's plan to appoint emergency financial manager

DETROIT – Fresh off its defiant case made during Tuesday's emergency financial appeal hearing, Detroit City Council congratulated its staff for continuing the fight against the governor.

Councilwoman Joann Watson feels the next stop for City Council should be at the Attorney General's office in Washington D.C.

"A review of what has happened and is on the verge of happening to the largest city in the state of Michigan, with respect to the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments, the Constitution of the United States," she said.

The next stop could be a district courtroom either in Detroit or Lansing. Many councilmembers do not want to wait to see what Gov. Rick Snyder will do about an emergency financial manager before being ready to act.

Councilman Kwame Kenyatta, who just returned from sick leave, was on board with the idea. He help some passionate scorn for Mayor Dave Bing and his position not to back the City Council's appeal.

"When you sideline yourself and you don't show up to the game with your team ... I think what general managers do is they bench you. They bench you," Kenyatta said.

Council President Charles Pugh admits legal action is a Hail Mary pass, but one he's happy to try.

"Sometimes it looks like you're not going to win, but you gotta keep fighting because you might win," Pugh said. "That's the kind of person I am. I don't give up. I don't do that. People who do, you have to question their leadership and really if they should be in charge of a major city."

The sports metaphors were flying Wednesday at City Hall. However, councilmembers want the governor to know they feel he is usurping democracy by not allowing the city to leave its leadership in place. They will keep fighting however and wherever they can.