On Nov 8 Vote No on Proposal C That Illegally Revises Detroit Charter

It's time to fight for what is right for Detroit's Citizens. Don't believe takeover promoters! VOTE NO on Proposal C! Why? Here are some reasons:
1. The current city charter is not up for review until the year 2018, so what is the rush all about? (Removing voting power and decision making by Detroit Citizens: voters and taxpayers, the senior citizens, poor,and working poor)

2. The proposed "Community Advisory Councils" have no real power to make change or apply for federal government grants to assist neighborhoods with repair themselves. Struggling neighborhoods will fail.

3. Council by District was added without regard to effectively setting up city government to enable true democratic representation. Who are the representatives and how are they chosen as the "voice" of citizens?

4. A NO vote kills Mayor Bing's proposal to turn Detroit into mini townships.
5. A NO vote stops the final attempt to takeover Detroit by Emergency Managers and private companies ( Benton Harbor already taken over. Emergency Management is an UN-Democratic form of government run by people that were not Voted for, that has never been a part of American Government and History).

6. A NO Vote allows Detroiters choose and vote for their own city council.
7. A NO vote stops the takeover of The Water Plant, Public Lighting, DDot City Bus Service and sale of Belle Isle.
8. A NO Vote will help to stop people from over taxing you, foreclosing, cutting city services like street lights and garbage collection.

See www.HoodResearch.org for more info.

To Become a Vote Challenger to make sure your vote was counted and ballot boxes are not illegally opened or tampered with, call 313 533-8764

Sept 10, 2011 SOS People's Forum at Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church

Good Morning Fellow Activists!

You are invited to a very important Save Our Selves Mobilization Forum to address several issues that serve to diminish the empowerment of Detroiters.  This forum is sponsored by We the People of Detroit and will be held next Saturday, September 10, 2011 at Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church is located at 2501 East McNichols on the left side of the street, just past the KFC.

Please mark your calendars and prepare to receive an update on several critical issues (see attachment for details) that we must mobilize to address by taking tangible actions.  Please RSVP to dtaylor524@comcast.net as soon as possible.

Yours in the struggle for justice, equality and freedom!

Debra Taylor
Peace and blessings!

Emergency Financial Mgt Bills Are Illegal by Hood Research

 


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Henry Teutsch (Hood Research)
Date: Monday, May 2, 2011
Subject: HOOD RESEARCH - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Lawmakers Break the Law
To: HoodResearch_Release@hoodresearch.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOOD RESEARCH
Contact Person Theo
Broughton
313.931.2700, contact@hoodresearch.org
May 2, 2011
 
Lawmakers Break the
Law
Emergency


Manager Laws - Not in Effect
 
Michigan


Governor Snyder
signed into law four public acts on March 16, 2011;
 
Public Acts 4, 5, 6
and 7 of 2011 all deal with the new emergency manager law under
the innocent sounding title of “local government and school
district fiscal accountability act”.
 
All acts were stated
in the record as filed with the Secretary of State as having
immediate effect.
Immediate effect as
stated in the Michigan Constitution, Art. IV, § 28, Dictates the
effective dates of all new laws. No act shall take effect until
90 days have passed from the end of the session in which the act
was approved. New laws can be effective immediately if they are
passed with a two thirds majority in both the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
 
Republicans lack a
two thirds majority in the House of Representatives. These bills
passed strictly on the party line votes. Republicans have 63
seats of the 110 seats available. A two thirds vote equals 73
votes. None of these acts passed with more than 62 votes.
 
Therefore these laws
are not in effect.
 
Those persons at the
state level including the Governor, the state legislative body
and the emergency managers are violating the law. They seek and
use powers that were not legally obtained. All actions with
these powers are illegal. All results from the use of these
powers are also illegal and must be immediately reversed. The
law enforcement agencies in Wayne County, Berrien County and the
State Attorney General’s office must intervene and restore
public order, uphold the Constitution and fulfill their oath of
office.
 
Furthermore as these
acts state that they were passed with immediate effect and have
been published with this language, the Michigan Secretary of
State should be investigated by an impartial legal authority to
determine why that office would be complicit in publishing
language that is not accurate. How can it be known if other laws
and publications with this office are correct? If the Secretary
of State fails to ensure that documents published by that office
are official then there can be no confidence in the office
holder who has taken an oath to perform the duties of the
office.
 
http://hoodresearch.org/pressrelease/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Press-Release.pdf

 

SAVE OUR SELVES TOWN HALL MEETING April 5th 5 PM

Get up, Stand Up! Stand Up for Your Rights! Tired of the very essence of your quality of life being threatened? Want to do something about it besides grumble? Mark April 5th @ 5 pm & check out this link http://local.we-r-1.org/weareone/events/show/332

Feb 23rd Detroit Protest; Call to Action to Stop Emergency Financial Management of Cities and Schools Feb 28th and 29th- Call Gov. Snyder's Office

Message From We The People of Detroit, Community Groups, Parents
Cities Targeted for Emergency Financial Management Takeover include Detroit, Benton Harbor, Flint, Pontiac, and Saginaw


Subject: URGENT "911" Message! DISMANTLEMENT OF DETROIT & OTHER CITIES!  Join "Synder Call-a-Thon"

Subject: A MUST WATCH: Share the Information With Everyone (See YouTube link below - a must see!) The Detroit Protest in Lansing that news sources blacked out from being shown on T.V. and read about in newspapers.

Governors Phone Number and email address: Flood his office with calls and emails to oppose EFM Takeover all day Monday & Tuesday (Feb. 28th & Feb. 29th). (517) 335-7858    email address: ricksynder@michigan.gov  Contact to voice your opposition to EFM (Emergency Financial Managers) legislation that would takeover Cities in Michigan with Detroit as the "bullseye"!  Get on Facebook, Twitter, text and email this to everyone you know.  Short details on facebook page "We the People of Detroit"!
                                                                                                                                                                     Dear Friends,  This is the information that must be shared with everyone that you know! Especially residents of the city of Detroit and anyone who does not want a "CZAR Like"  ruler, Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) assigned to takeover the pension fund ($8 Billion), Water Dept. (DWSD), Public Lighting Dept, Belle Isle, Chene Park, suspend all contracts including Union Contracts.  (For continual updates visit facebook page "We the People of Detroit".

THIS IS A "911" CALL TO THE COMMUNITY!
Make announcements Sunday at your churches, clubs and share the link for the PEOPLES RALLY held in Lansing, this past Wednesday, February 23rd, barely covered by the media!  Twitter it, Face book it, email it BUT MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS a chance to truly understand what is happening or could happen soon if we do not act in unity!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVoejXESaJk

Suggestions to Fight This! What You Can Do
1) Call the Governor Snyder's Office and oppose the EFM Bills 4214-4218 that would do the above and more.  It would assign a "Ruler/EFM") to make all decisions about all matters (water dept., pensions, suspend Union Contracts etc.) of any Michigan city including Detroit.

2) Ask to make announcements about this at church, mosques etc. this Sunday and give the following resources to stay abreast of the issues going forward: a) We the People of Detroit (Face book Page link to PEOPLES' Rally video & more); b) www.voiceofdetroit.net for current updated info and c) www.michigancitizen.com
 current alternative news with more of a "community based" perspective!

3) Share with everyone you know via Twitter, Face book, email etc.

4) Get creative and start your own campaign to defeat Draconian legislation that would take strip citizens of Detroit and other cities in Michigan of our rights & assets as citizens!

Sincerely yours,
Standing for Liberty, Justice & the Pursuit of Happiness!
http://wethepeopleofdetroit.blogspot.com

Protest Today Thursday @ the Spirit of Detroit @ Noon!

Show up at the Spirit of Detroit today, Thursday, February 17th  @ 12 Noon to protest all takeovers in Detroit!  This is the beginning of Detroit's Egypt!  House Bill 4214 passed yesterday in Lansing!  In one move the State can take over most cities occupied by African. American, minorities and low income peoples! They can assign an Emergency Financial Manager (EFM), dismiss local elected officials, seize assets, school districts, utilities, union & other contracts, issue tax bonds etc. It's Draconian & similar to the bill that Wisconsin's citizens are protesting! Show up @ the Spirit of Detroit @ Noon today & Friday, February 18th @ Noon to protest all takeovers!

Feb 9 Call to Action in Lansing for Parents of Special Ed Students in Detroit

Please excuse the formatting of text regarding proposed bills that are being submitted in Lansing, that are found below. They were copied and pasted. Due to the urgency of the matter, I did not have time to "fix" the formatting.

 

FROM HELEN MOORE, RUSS BELLANT and AURORA HARRIS:

 

This is a call for and from Detroit Public School community advocates to be in Lansing this Wednesday at 8:30 am for a joint hearing of the House and Senate Education committees, where Robert Bobb is scheduled to testify.

 

While they state that no specific legislation is before the committee, legislation could be proposed that day or shortly thereafter that affects the governance, finances and operation of DPS.

 

Bobb recently told the Detroit News that DPS should be governed and administered by appointees of the Mayor. We have been told that the committees will soon consider legislation to give the EFM power over academics, which would negate the Board's lawsuit against Bobb. Last year the votes were not there for such legislation; this year the votes could be there.

 

If such legislation is brought to the committees Wednesday, this could be our only chance to speak against it. It is therefore essential that all advocates for DPS come to Lansing to constructively educate the new legislators as to what is really going on at DPS.

 

We will assemble at 6:45 am at the Northwest Activities Center for car pools. Please call 368-2148 any hour day or night to let us know if you need a ride or can drive others. Please pass this message on to others.

 

Helen and Russ

 

P.S. At 3 pm that afternoon, the House education and local government committees will hold a hearing regarding Public Act 72, which governs emergency financial managers for cities and school districts. Those who can stay for that hearing should indicate that in their phone call, since that may be where the changes will be proposed.

 

The attached legislative bills are sponsored by Detroit Democrat David Nathan. The first two bills relate to the EFM and are referred to the Local Government committee. The third bill is referred to the Education Committee. The prospect of these bills is unknown.

 

00566'11 TAV

HOUSE BILL No. 4176

HOUSE BILL No. 4176

HOUSE BILL No. 4176

February 1, 2011, Introduced by Rep. Nathan and referred to the Committee on Local,

Intergovernmental, and Regional Affairs.

A bill to amend 1990 PA 72, entitled

"Local government fiscal responsibility act,"

by amending section 40 (MCL 141.1240).

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

Sec. 40. (1) In consultation

1 with the school board, the

2

emergency financial manager shall develop, and may from time to

3

time amend, a written financial plan for the school district. The

4

financial plan shall provide for both of the following:

5

(a) Conducting the operations of the school district within

6

the resources available according to the emergency financial

7

manager's revenue estimate.

8

(b) The payment in full of the scheduled debt service

9

requirements on all bonds and notes of the school district and all

10

2

00566'11 TAV

other uncontested legal obligations.

(2) FOR A WRITTEN FINANCIAL 1 PLAN DEVELOPED OR AMENDED AFTER

2 THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE WRITTEN FINANCIAL PLAN

3 SHALL INCLUDE A SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE SCHOOL

4 DISTRICT AND A BUDGET FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT

5 IMPROVEMENT PLAN. ALL OF THE FOLLOWING APPLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND

6 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN:

7 (A) THE BOARD OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL DEVELOP THE SCHOOL

8 DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN, AND A PROPOSED BUDGET FOR IMPLEMENTATION

9 OF THE PLAN, WITH INPUT FROM THE LOCAL TEACHER BARGAINING UNIT AND

10 THE LOCAL SUPERINTENDENT.

11 (B) THE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL

12 ASSISTANCE AND EXPERTISE TO THE BOARD.

13 (C) THE BOARD SHALL SUBMIT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT

14 PLAN AND PROPOSED PLAN BUDGET TO THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER.

15 (D) BEFORE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND PLAN

16 BUDGET ARE INCLUDED IN THE WRITTEN FINANCIAL PLAN, THEY MUST BE

17 APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BY THE INTERMEDIATE

18 BOARD OF THE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND BY THE EMERGENCY

19 FINANCIAL MANAGER.

20 (3)

(2) After the initial development of the financial plan

21

required by subsection (1), the emergency financial manager in

22

consultation with the school board shall regularly reexamine the

23

plan, and if the emergency financial manager reduces his or her

24

revenue estimates, he or she shall modify the financial plan to

25

26 MANAGER SHALL SUBMIT TO THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY

27 RESOLUTION BOARD CREATED UNDER SECTION 38 QUARTERLY PROGRESS

conform to revised revenue estimates. THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL

3

00566'11 Final Page TAV

REPORTS THAT DETAIL THE STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION 1 OF ALL ASPECTS

2 OF THE FINANCIAL PLAN, INCLUDING THE STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION

3 OF THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (2).

4 (4)

(3) The financial plan shall be in a form, and shall

5

contain that information for each year the plan is in effect, that

6 IS REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION AND THAT

the school district's

7

emergency financial manager specifies.

8 (5)

(4) The emergency financial manager shall make public the

9

10 UNDER SUBSECTION (3)

plan or modified plan AND THE QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS REQUIRED. This subsection shall not be construed to

11

mean that the emergency financial manager must receive public

12

approval before he or she implements the financial plan or any

13

modification to the plan.

14

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect

15

unless Senate Bill No.____ or House Bill No.____ (request no.16

00567'11 TAV

HOUSE BILL No. 4177

HOUSE BILL No. 4177

HOUSE BILL No. 4177

February 1, 2011, Introduced by Rep. Nathan and referred to the Committee on Local,

Intergovernmental, and Regional Affairs.

A bill to amend 1990 PA 72, entitled

"Local government fiscal responsibility act,"

by amending section 38 (MCL 141.1238).

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

Sec. 38. (1) If the superintendent

1 of public instruction

2

determines under section 35 or 36 that a school district has a

3

financial emergency, the superintendent of public instruction,

4

within 30 days after that determination, shall submit to the state

5

board the names of nominees who shall be considered for appointment

6

to serve as an emergency financial manager for the school district.

7

From the list of nominees submitted to the state board, the state

8

board shall submit to the governor the names of not more than 3

9

nominees who shall be considered for appointment to serve as an

10

emergency financial manager for the school district. From the list

11

2

00567'11 TAV

with the advice and consent of the

of nominees submitted to the governor, the governor shall appoint,1 senate, an emergency financial

2

manager for the school district who shall hold office for a term

3

4 BOARD CREATED UNDER SUBSECTION (4)

fixed by the governor EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION, but not to exceed 1 year. The

5

appointment shall be by written contract and may be renewed on an

6

7 THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD AND THE

8 EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER SHALL CONTAIN SPECIFIC CONTRACTUAL

9 REMEDIES FOR FAILURE OF THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER TO COMPLY

10 WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE.

11

annual basis for not more than 1 year. THE WRITTEN CONTRACT BETWEEN(2) An emergency financial manager appointed under this

12

article shall be chosen solely on the basis of his or her

13

competence in PUBLIC SECTOR fiscal matters and shall not have been

14

either an elected or appointed official or employee of the school

15

district for which he or she is appointed for not less than 5 years

16

before the appointment. The emergency financial manager shall not

17

be the superintendent of public instruction. The emergency

18

financial manager need not be a resident of the school district for

19

20 INDIVIDUAL SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE COMPETENT IN PUBLIC SECTOR

21 FISCAL MATTERS UNLESS THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION

22 BOARD FINDS THAT HE OR SHE HAS DEMONSTRATED PREVIOUS PUBLIC SECTOR

23 EXPERIENCE, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE WITH A SCHOOL DISTRICT,

24 SHOWING THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO DO AT LEAST ALL OF THE

25 FOLLOWING:

26 (A) PREPARE AND ANALYZE A BUDGET OF A SIZE APPROPRIATE FOR A

27 SCHOOL DISTRICT THE SIZE OF THE AFFECTED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

which he or she is appointed. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, AN

3

00567'11 TAV

(B) REVIEW AND CREATE BOOKKEEPING AND 1 ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS OF A

2 TYPE APPROPRIATE FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT THE SIZE OF THE AFFECTED

3 SCHOOL DISTRICT.

4 (C) CREATE A DEFICIT REDUCTION PLAN APPROPRIATE FOR A SCHOOL

5 DISTRICT THE SIZE OF THE AFFECTED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

6 (D) TAKE ACTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UNIFORM BUDGETING AND

7 ACCOUNTING ACT, 1968 PA 2, MCL 141.421 TO 141.440A, AND IN

8 ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES.

9 (E) REVIEW AND CREATE PROFIT AND PROFIT-LOSS STATEMENTS,

10 BALANCE SHEET STATEMENTS, CASH FLOW ANALYSES, CASH RECEIPTS

11 JOURNALS, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, GENERAL LEDGERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR

12 FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS.

13

(3) Unless the legislature provides special funding, an

14

emergency financial manager shall receive compensation and

15

reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses from the school

16

district as approved by the superintendent of public instruction

17 EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD CREATED UNDER

18 SUBSECTION (4)

. In addition to staff otherwise authorized by law,

19

with the approval of the superintendent of public instruction,

20 EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD CREATED UNDER

21 SUBSECTION (4),

the emergency financial manager may appoint

22

additional staff and secure professional assistance considered

23

necessary to implement this article.

24 (4) THERE IS CREATED AN EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY

25 RESOLUTION BOARD WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. ALL OF THE

26 FOLLOWING APPLY TO THIS BOARD:

27 (A) THIS BOARD SHALL CONSIST OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC

4

00567'11 TAV

INSTRUCTION OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, THE 1 STATE TREASURER OR HIS OR

2 HER DESIGNEE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY,

3 MANAGEMENT, AND BUDGET OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE.

4 (B) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, SHALL SERVE

5 AS A NONVOTING MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY

6 RESOLUTION BOARD FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL COUNSEL TO

7 THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD.

8 (C) FOR THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD'S

9 FUNCTIONS RELATED TO A PARTICULAR SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE PRESIDENT OF

10 THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL SERVE AS A NONVOTING

11 MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD.

12 (D) THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, OR HIS OR HER

13 DESIGNEE, SHALL SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL

14 EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD.

15 (E) EXCEPT FOR BUDGETING, PROCUREMENT, AND RELATED FUNCTIONS

16 OF THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD THAT SHALL BE

17 PERFORMED UNDER THE DIRECTION AND SUPERVISION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

18 OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION

19 BOARD SHALL EXERCISE ITS PRESCRIBED STATUTORY POWERS, DUTIES, AND

20 FUNCTIONS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

21 (5) THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD SHALL

22 DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING WITH RESPECT TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT

23 HAS AN EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER APPOINTED UNDER THIS ARTICLE:

24 (A) DIRECTLY SUPERVISE THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER AND

25 OVERSEE ALL DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL

26 MANAGER.

27 (B) REVIEW AND APPROVE ALL COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENTS

5

00567'11 Final Page TAV

MADE TO THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER 1 AND ALL APPOINTMENTS MADE

2 BY THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER.

3 (C) REVIEW ALL CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BY THE EMERGENCY

4 FINANCIAL MANAGER, THE CONTRACTING PRACTICES OF THE EMERGENCY

5 FINANCIAL MANAGER, AND ALL OTHER DECISIONS OF AND ACTIONS TAKEN BY

6 THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER OR HIS OR HER STAFF.

7 (D) REVIEW ALL WRITTEN PLANS AND REPORTS DEVELOPED BY THE

8 EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER.

9 (6) THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER'S POWERS AND DUTIES UNDER

10 SECTIONS 39 TO 41A ARE SUBJECT TO OVERSIGHT BY THE EDUCATION

11 FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD UNDER THIS SECTION.00567'11) of the 96th Legislature is enacted into law.

Press Release: DPS Union Meeting Tomorrow, Monday Feb 7, 10:00 AM

Coalition of Detroit Public Schools Unions News Release Ruby Newbold, President 115 West Willis, Detroit MI 48201 (313) 832-1275          FAX  (313) 832-2328

For immediate releaseFebruary 04, 2011
Michigan Circuit

Contact:
Edward L. McNeil, Spec. Asst. to President
Michigan AFSCME Council 25, AFL-CIO
1-800-237-2632

Media Advisory

Detroit MI  February 04, 2011 -- The Coalition of Detroit Public Schools Unions will hold a news conference on Monday, February 07, 2011, at 10:00 AM, in the First Floor Auditorium at Michigan AFSCME Council 25, 600 West Lafayette Blvd., Detroit MI 48226.

Union spokespersons will be present and available, in addition to University of Michigan Economist Roland Zullo and Detroit Board of Education President Anthony Adams.  The news conference will question figures announced, but not explained, by Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb in connection with his plan to privatize non-instructional services.  Union proposals for greater cost savings will be available to the media at the conference.

The Coalition of Detroit Public Schools Unions includes: Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees (AFT Local 4168); AFSCME Council 25, Local 345; Detroit Federation of Para-Professionals (AFT Local 2350); Detroit Federation of Teachers (AFT Local 231); Greater Detroit Building Trades Council; Radio and Television Broadcast Engineers, Local 58; International Union of Operating Engineers; Organization of School Administrators and Supervisors (AFSA Local 28).

 

---

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. - Martin L. King, Jr.

Tanise M. Hill
Administrative Assistant to
Saundra L. Williams
President
Metro Detroit AFL-CIO
313 961-0800

> MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION > NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION > NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
>
> The Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services will conduct public hearings to receive public comment on the following proposed administrative rules and documents:
>
> * Special Education Programs and Services Administrative Rules (2010-049 ED)
> * School Social Worker (2010-048 ED)
> * Notice and Consent Procedures
> * Due Process Complaint Procedures
> * State Complaint Procedures
> The rules governing Special Education Programs and Services are promulgated by the authority conferred on the superintendent of public instruction by sections 1701 and 1703 of 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1701 and MCL 380.1703, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1996-6 and 1996-7, MCL 388.993 and MCL 388.994.
>
> The rules governing School Social Worker are promulgated by the authority conferred on the superintendent of public instruction by sections 6, 1701 and 1703 of 1976 PA 451,
> MCL 380.6, MCL 380.1701 and MCL 380.1703, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1996-6 and 1996-7, MCL 388.993 and MCL 388.994.
>
> The proposed rules will bring the administrative rules into alignment with the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and update outdated language. The proposed rules are accessible on the internet at www.michigan.gov/ose-eis<http://www.michigan.gov/ose-eis> under “Spotlight.” These rules are published in the February 15, 2011 Michigan Register. The rules are proposed to take effect upon the filing with the Secretary of State.
 Public hearings will be held at the following sites:
>
> Monday, March 7, 2011 from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at Renaissance High School, 6565 West Outer Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48235,   313-416-4600.
>
> Tuesday, March 8, 2011 from 3:30–7:30 p.m. at Gaylord University Center,
> Rm. U-111, 80 Livingston Boulevard, Gaylord, Michigan 49735,   989-705-3700.
>
> Thursday, March 10, 2011 from 3:30–7:30 p.m. at Kent Intermediate School District, Cedar Room, 2930 Knapp Street (Parking Lot 11), Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-364-1333.
>
> Citizens who wish to participate in video-conference hearings may provide comment at the following locations:
>
> Friday, March 11, 2011 from 9:30–11:00 a.m., CST at Menominee Intermediate School District, 1201 41st Avenue, Menominee, Michigan 49858, 906-863-5665.
>
> Friday, March 11, 2011 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency, 321 East Ohio, Marquette, Michigan 49855,
> 906-226-5100.
 
> Oral or written comment may be presented in person at the hearing or submitted in writing by mail, e-mail, or facsimile no later than 5:00 p.m., March 18, 2011. All comment will be reviewed and considered in the final version of the rules. Comments may be submitted to the following:
>
> Public Comment, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services, Michigan Department of Education, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, Michigan 48909
> Email: mde-ose@michigan.govmde-ose@michigan.gov> or Fax: 517-373-7504.
>
> If special accommodations are needed to participate in the public hearings, contact Meredith Hines at 517-373-0924 or email hinesm@michigan.govhinesm@michigan.gov> by March 1, 2011.

> Please forward this message to individuals that may have an interest.
>

January and February Calls to Action and Announcements

January 27th Call to Action: Press Conference:

Hello Again Colleagues and Friends,

Please note the slight change in the time for the "No Takeover of Detroit Water Department" to be held on this Thursday, at 3:30 PM instead of 2:00 PM.  Also, due to the anticipated weather we will hold the rally/meeting in the Erma Henderson Auditorium on the 13th of the Coleman A Young Municipal Center. See corrected flyer with the update time and location.

Make your voices heard by showing up!  See you there.
_______________________________________________________________________

HOOD
 RESEARCH

contact@HoodResearch.org

January 25, 2011

Removal of Item Pricing Law is Bad Business


    The elimination of the Item Pricing Law would lead to a
reduction in thousands of jobs. The projections can be from
a high of 100,000 jobs to a conservative number of 60,000
jobs. This is based on the retail industry’s projections of
the two billion dollars in cost caused by the regulation.
This is a labor intensive law. This law has a cause for
people to be hired to allow compliance with the law and then
to inspect and regulate the law. The projections above do
not include government jobs only private industry jobs.

    This law forces a physical encounter with every tag-able
item. Then forces a manual encounter with store shelves to
apply additional pricing information. More physical activity
occurs when repricing merchandise already located on store
shelves. Machines stamp bar-codes on the items themselves
and update store computers. This happens today. Removing the
law only removes the physical or manual efforts. This leads
to a reduction in the workforce. This existing workforce is
not an area of restructuring to serve in another capacity.
The retail association has stated that its a cost they wish
to do without which means a reduction in jobs in the state
of Michigan at a time when that would lead to a deeper
recession, a further reduction in taxes and increased
unemployment.

    This $2 Billion dollars will flow directly into the
executive bonus packages and executive salary compensation.
Neither the republicans or their business partners have said
that this money can be used elsewhere to meet other needs.
Also there have been no promises and more importantly no
projections of savings to consumers such as a percentage
drop in prices. There has also not been any promises or
projections of consumer benefits elsewhere such as better
customer service or newer services where the money can be
redirected. This matter is strictly a grab for profits to
place into executive pockets.

    This is in addition to the natural increase in problems
Michigan consumers would encounter when making purchases.
 Today the law demands compensation when consumers are hurt
by incorrect pricing. Scams such as Bait and Switch or
outright fraud are not common in Michigan thanks to this
law. The compensation serves as a deterrent that does not
harm the retailer and serves as a self regulating
punishment. Without the law, pricing errors would increase
unchecked and without recourse. Retailers would not have any
incentive to check for accuracy or ensure legal behavior.

Th suggestion to remove this law is anti-labor, anti-consumer, and against the best interest of the State of Michigan.

###
Upcoming Events

1) Next Monthly Meeting Saturday February 12th @ 2:00 PM

Join us at

Barton-McFarlane Neighborhood Association
8222 Joy Road

2) Black History Tour Saturday March12th
WHERE
Battle Creek Michigan,
Ypsilanti Michigan
Tour Bus leaves from Detroit that morning

more Details to be announced
contact Hood Research
313.931.2700
contact@hoodresearch.org
or stop by our next monthly meeting

ACLU Meeting: DPS Parents Report New Security Swipe Procedures

ACLU of Michigan Office, 2966 Woodward Ave, Detroit MI 48201  Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 3:30 PM

WHAT:   Gathering of concerned parents and citizens regarding the new DPS policy to swipe visitors ID cards and conduct background checks. The ACLU is extremely concerned about this policy and is interested in getting input from community members and speaking to folks about their personal experiences. We would like to have as much information as possible, so please feel free to invite as many friends/family members as can attend.

CONTACT: If folks have any questions, they should feel free to contact Jessie Rossman at 313 578 6823 (direct line) or jrossman@aclumich.org

 

 

Victory for Detroit Parents With Special Ed Students!

Jan 14th blog.  Writer: Aurora Harris

Dear Readers,

FIRST, THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARENTS, CONCERNED CITIZENS, AND DPS BUS AIDES THAT WENT TO LANSING TO SPEAK TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION!

I was one of the parents that went to Lansing on January 11, 2010 to address violoations
with Special Education as a result of being under Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb. This blog entry is an example of positive results that can happen when parents and concerned citizens work together to advocate for special needs children.  We had two victories within three days: 1. a lawsuit to stop the layoff of bus aides, 2. The layoffs were rescinded, and 3. Newspaper coverage of real issues with special education in Detroit as a result of being under EMF Robert Bobb.  My family and friends were excited that I was mentioned in the Michigan Citizen article below. Please help Detroit Parents with Special Ed Students get these stories out by sending them to your email lists, independent news sources, and other bloggers.

Yesterday, I received news that the layoff of DPS bus aides was rescinded by Robert Bobb after a parent filed a lawsuit in Federal court on behalf of her child with autism. According to the Dettoit News article, the family's lawyer stated the aids are on the buses because we receive federal funds. Click here to see the article: http://www.detnews.com/article/20110114/SCHOOLS/101140382/1026/schools/Layoff-of-DPS-bus-attendants-halted

Later in the afternoon, I received a recorded message from the Detroit Public Schools Chief of Police stating that a new security system was installed at the schools to run background checks on everyone entering the school. When I called other parents who went to Lansing on January 11, to see if they received the recorded mes sage, they said "No."  Since we stated in Lansing that we did not receive prior notification of the security system, the recorded message that I received at 5:38 p.m. from the Main DPS office, is a response from Bobb to address the issue.  Parents at the Board meeting had questions like:

1. If the security system is installed in Detroit as a result of a Homeland Security order, then why aren't the rest of the cities, school districts, counties, etcetera, in Michigan AND the UNITED STATES installing the "swipe your drivers license- run a criminal back ground check" system in the schools?

2. If Robert Bobb keeps telling the world that the District is broke, has no funds, where is he getting the money from to purchase the security system, employ the contractors and sub contractors to install them in the schools, and pay the people that are running the background checks, with police working overtime?  All of this without notifying the parents or the Board of this expenditure when we are supposed to be saving money.

He doesn't have money for new equipment for a refurbished school that is being turned into a vocational school for special education adults aged 20-26 or get rid of the rats at the existing school or repair doors and windows, but he can install a security system to criminalize parents.

3. What is the name of the company? Where are they located? Are they bonded? What security measures are in place to keep those workers from stealing our identities?

4. What other information is Bobb and Administration collecting from drivers license and State Id in addition to traffic and court records, that are being sold to other contractors? This is called "data mining"... they compile your data and profiles to determine what a target market they market to and any other purpose.

5. Are you going to make public the records that show that the information is scrubbed from the datafiles and computers once the info is scanned?

6. This is against our Constitutional and privacy rights.

At the Board meeting at Brenda Scott Middle School, the bus aides, the security system and the front page stories by Zenobia Jefferies in the Michigan Citizen were the top items of parent discussions. Click this link to see the front page stories on Detroit Public Schools:  http://michigancitizen.com/index1.htm  The front page article begins with this:

"State probes DPS

Citizens spark state probe of DPS
By Zenobia JeffriesThe Michigan Citizen
DETROIT — Short of a formal investigation, Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan has begun looking into parents’ and community concerns about alleged special education violations in Detroit Public Schools.

Over 50 parents, bus attendants for special education students and community members, including state lawmakers from Detroit, attended the first State Board of Education meeting of the year held Jan. 11 in Lansing. During public comments Detroiters spoke to what they called the destruction and dismantling of DPS in general and special education in particular. "

Another article is in the Free Press: http://www.freep.com/article/20110114/NEWS01/101140431/1001/news/DPSs-Robert-Bobb-stops-layoffs-of-bus-attendants-for-special-education-studentshttp://www.freep.com/article/20110114/NEWS01/101140431/1001/news/DPSs-Robert-Bobb-stops-layoffs-of-bus-attendants-for-special-education-students

This is the statement that I read to Michigan Superintendent Michael P. Flanagan and members of the State Board of Education. It is also in yesterday's blog entry:


The report below is what I read to the members of the State Board of Education on January 11, 2010. Other parents and concerned citizens voiced their complaints and the State Board called for an investigation of IEP violations. 52 parents rode to Lansing to request that the special ed bus aid layoff / firings is rescinded.

Please see the following and the document attached to circulate to the public. The meeting was televised by Live Feed yesterday. Perhaps someone can find a copy of the feed at mich.gov/sbe

January 11, 2010 Report to the State Board by Aurora Harris-Member of DPS Special Ed Wayne-RESA PAC

To: All Members of the Michigan State Board of Education, Michigan Department of Education Superintendent Michael P. Flanagan

Re: Detroit Michigan’s Parent Concerns and Complaints About DPS Special Education

From: Concerned Parents of Special Ed students in Detroit Public Schools. Contact Carolyn Carter-LSCO Chair at 313 739-7647

1. TRANSPORTATION Safety issues: We are requesting that the layoffs and firings of special education bus attendants are rescinded immediately. We feel that this is a manipulation of the IEP, whereby many of us for up to 20 years have never been asked or told to write that we need a bus attendant for transportation. No notification was given to parents. Robert Bobb wants to save 2 million dollars by placing our children in harms way and treating 5000-7000 special needs students as if their lives are an expendable $400.00

2. There are no bilingual translators at the Welcome Center, in Administration, in schools for enrollment, or at the bus terminals to service non-English speaking students or parents when emergencies arise. We are requesting a bi-lingual emergency hotline and bi-lingual staff and resource persons be reinstated. There is no one to service the blind and hearing impaired. Resources like OT, PT and speech are eliminated. Many parents, principals, and teachers are not aware of the changes to the IEP and have not been trained on the removal of parental consent, the amendment form, and the revocation form. Parents are providing information to the principals and teachers. If we do not have a superintendent for Special Ed, are we to send our amendment forms to State Board of Ed members and Mike Flanagan to sign?

3. Robert Bobb did not inform the parents, the public, or the DPS Board that he has installed a new security system in the schools that scans drivers license and personal information is given to company to run criminal background checks. Two parents have been arrested since January 3, 2010. Parents feel this is a violation of our Constitutional rights and privacy. We are requesting that the State Board of Education provide the parents of the copy of the order or mandate from Homeland Security that Robert Bobb referred to at the January 8, 2010 DPS Board meeting. Parents that refuse to give there license or ID to strangers for scanning are not allowed to enter the building.

4. Why is the Detroit Public schools district targeted as a proving ground for blatant discrimination against special needs students and used to test how many IEP’s can be violated without parents knowledge; how many Federal Laws and IDEA Law can be broken, including the destruction or elimination of Special Education?

5. Who is running our Special Ed department? Several requests for an organizational flow chart are ignored. The DPS website is an example of discrimination under Civil Rights, 504, ADA, and IDEA. Virtually everything on the website concerning special ed is either nonworking, nonexistent, or obsolete.

6. We have requested an accounting of special ed funds that the district received and who is spending it, and what it is spent on, and have been ignored. We want to know who is controlling special ed funds for parent involvement. What is the policy and process for parents to utilize the funds?

7. We would like a full investigation by the Department of Justice, The IRS, and the FBI of all persons, consultants, and companies receiving and spending federal funds for Special Education and Title 1. We request a full audit, and full public report of all Federal funds coming to the District, how the funds were spent, the names of the consultants and companies that were paid.

8. The DTC East vocational school is infested with rats, has 16 doors that need repair, has ADA violations. Parents have not been given any description of the curriculums. Why do we have a Michigan Rehab office in our school that is allowed to hold our students back to age 25, then send them out for training?

9. Why did Robert Bobb cancel the liability insurance on the vocational special needs adults that prevents them from getting vocational training and skills in the community? Why are our children forced to remain in ADA violated and unsafe buildings until the other school is refurbished. We need someone to talk to immediately about this and other concerns.

10. When parents report issues, they are targeted or threatened. If they try to assist, they are told ‘its causing problems.”

Aurora Harris, M.A. Social Foundations of Education, B.A. Sociology
Published Poet, Educator, Lecturer, Advocate, Independent Scholar and Researcher
http://detroitparentswithspecialedstudents.blogspot.com/
313 673-6313

Robert Bobb Laid Off DPS Special Ed Bus Attendants Today

Message From A Concerned Parent to We The People of Detoit:

The Cost of My Child's Life

At 2:42 PM...  I just received notice from another parent who is at a school that the bus driver reported that bus attendants for DPS special education students received pink slips today.

By endangering our childrens' lives, he saves 2 million dollars. Divide 2 million dollars by 5000 - 7000 Special ed students and you will find out what your special needs child's life is worth to Robert Bobb.  at 5000 students, my child's life is worth $400.00 to Robert Bobb.
--

We the People of Detroit

Committed to Make a Difference!

MORE DISCRIMINATION BY ROBERT BOBB TOWARDS DETROIT'S SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS

THIS IS THE LETTER THAT SOME DETROIT PARENTS RECEIVED THIS EVENING FROM OUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER ROBERT BOBB IS COMMITTING MORE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST OUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. CALL YOUR STATE REPS AND LEGISLATORS IN MICHIGAN AND WASHINGTON DC. SAY NO! TO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST DETROIT, MICHIGAN'S SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS!


ATTENTION
ALL PARENTS, CONCERNED CITIZENS AND EMPLOYEES

AH concerned Parents, Citizens, and Employees. The School District of the City of Detroit thru its Financial Manager, Robert Bobb has decided to eliminate Bus Attendant Service
for the 5000 Special Needs Students of the School District. The District is stating that out of the 5000 medically Wheel Chair Bound, Autistic, Severely Mentally Impaired, Severely
Physically Impaired, Emotionally Mentally Impaired, Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired and Learning Disabled only 93 out of 5000 Special Needs Students are eligible to receive a Bus Attendant. This is an absolute outrage to put over 5000 Special Needs
Students and Staff in danger because of a budget deficit. We call on all Concerned Parents, Citizens and Employees to contact the following People and request Bus Attendants be placed in the IEP reports for all Special Needs Students that require Bus
Attendant assistance and that Bus Attendants Service be restored immediately for the safe transportation of the Detroit Public School Special Needs Students.
 

Governor Rick Snyder
517-373-3400
Kathleen Strauss, President
Michigan Board of Education
517-373-6534
Mayor Dave Bing
313-224-3400 -
Terry Burgess, Consultant
313-873-6532
Chasity Pratt,
Detroit Free Press
313-223-4537
Steve Wasko
Detroit Public Schools Media
313-873-4892
Angela Joyner, Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Phone: 313-873-4044
Fax: 313-870-3661
Lieutenant Brian Galley
517-373-3400
Mr. Robert Bobb, Financial Manager
DPS 313- 873-4149
Sherrie Ulerly, Deputy
Chief of Academic 313-873-6478
Felicia Baker, Supervisor
313-873-7494
Jennifer Mokowski,
Detroit Public Schools Media
313-873-8401
Marisa Shultz
Detroit News
313-222-2310
1. Why would you take away a direct service to Special Needs Students.
2. I will file a lawsuit against Detroit Public School if the Bus Attendants are laid-off and my child is injured on the bus.
3. Bus drivers are refusing to take Special Education Routes oift without a Bus Attendant.
4. If Bus Attendants are laid-off Parent Groups will file lawsuits on behalf of thestudents due to safety concerns and large numbers of Special Education Students that are transported on a daily basis (over 7000 Special Education Students).
bsr/324iuoeaflcio