Dozens protest governor's decision for emergency manager in Detroit, but don't speak for city's majority

Many Detroit residents simply want change, better service for city

DETROIT – Dozens of people protested outside Detroit's Cadillac Place Thursday when the governor announced Kevyn Orr as Detroit's emergency financial manager.

Read more: Detroit EFM announcement draws group of protesters

While they can get attention for their method of protesting, they do not represent the entire population in Detroit. Many residents have told Local 4 they are simply hoping for a change for the better for the city.

"I know (the governor) is going to be fair. We've been praying. I know he's going to fix the lighting system, the police department, the fire department. I wish he'd bottle the water so that we could make more money," said Michael Cunningham, who supports the Gov. Rick Snyder's decision.

Cunningham, like so many others Local 4 spoke with, said he doesn't think an EFM is the optimal choice, but the status quo has to change. There is a job to do in the city of Detroit, and Cunningham said if you're going to do something do it well.

"I wish that those who are lazy in city government be evicted," said Cunningham.

On the other hand, there are those who feel their civil rights are being violated. They see the appointment of an EFM as a state takeover that circumvents the voting process and takes away the power of the people they voted into office.

"We just need to clean the whole state. We just need to get rid of everybody and let everybody re-vote who they want into office," said Pastor W.J. Rideout, who disagrees with the governor's action.

The new EFM will be in place on March 25.

Read more: What Detroit EFM has authority to do