Updated:

Benton Harbor’s Emergency Financial Manager Should Be Terminated

By
2118
0

Latest

Protest against the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) and Whirlpool Corporation’s takeover of prime lakefront property in Benton Harbor, MI.
Protest against the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) and Whirlpool Corporation’s takeover of prime lakefront property in Benton Harbor, MI. Photo/Daymonjhartley.com


Editor’s Note:  The following is excerpted from a statement by Marcus Muhammad, Commissioner-at-Large, Benton Harbor, MI.
Since Mr. Joseph Harris arrived in Benton Harbor, the city operating deficit, list of unpayable and pension plan deficits have increased significantly. Elected leaders, citizens and stakeholders are all getting less information than they ever received from the Finance Department.
The information that has been received has proven to be largely false and/or inaccurate. Several lawsuits and unpaid vendors have now surfaced. The staff morale is at an all time low. Staff competency and training is nearly non-existent. Relationships with neighboring municipalities and corporate leaders have been severely strained. Public procurement and new hires processes in city government under Mr. Harris’ leadership have consistently violated state and federal regulation. Mr. Harris has manipulated public procurements and hiring by lowering standards and qualifications to justify his personal preference and selections.
If the officials in Lansing truly have Benton Harbor’s best interest at heart, then they must remove Joe Harris immediately for negligence, false statements, Federal and State procurement violations, increasing the budget deficit, failure to act on correcting the pension deficits and default in duty.
There are ten reasons why Joseph Harris should be fired. (1) Failure to prepare and/or train local elected leaders to competently manage Benton Harbor. (2) Fiscal failures. (3) Political liability and antagonism. (4) Failure to collaborate with elected leaders regarding the Community Benefits Package (CBP) grant funding. (5) The Closing of 200 Paw Paw (Carl Brown Economic Development Center) (6) Negligent management of NSP grant funding. ( 7) Wasteful spending. (8) Gross fiduciary negligence. (9) City sued due to non-payment. (10) Inaccurate and deceitful communications.
Benton Harbor should return to the power of democratic self-rule, just as free people the world over experience government. Benton Harbor has had enough of a government imposed grossly incompetent dictator.

+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

Featured

The Texas Tribune and Chloe Landen, Religion News Service -

Japanese Internment Survivors, Faith Leaders Demand Texas ICE Detention Center Close

Faith leaders and Japanese internment camp survivors held a 45 mile pilgrimage demanding the closure of the only federal family detention center, described as inhumane and a tragic “repetition of American history.”
Maureen Taylor, Michigan Welfare Rights -

Progressives? Conservatives? Left? Right? Who Do They All Represent?

The billionare class paints the economy as very good based on rising stock market episodes that don’t filter down to most blue-collar people. Let’s concentrate our efforts on those fighting for the needs of the many.
Indira Treon-Mutuma -

A Somali Perspective on Life in Minnesota

The words “Nobody wants you here,” may have been directed at one Somali family, but they do not define Minnesota’s Somali community. By listening to the voices of Somalis themselves, a different story emerges, one of belonging, resilience, and community.
Alexandria McKenzie -

50 Years Later: The Man Who Refused to Let Allensworth Disappear

While a historical site cannot bring back the haven of possibility that the town of Allensworth in the state of California once was, its presence forces a reckoning for anyone it reaches — a ceaseless act of resistance in itself.
From the Editors, People's Tribune -

ICE Killings Are Increasing, But So is the Resistance

If we allow ICE, as a servant of the powerful, to kill or deport our working class sisters and brothers then we are not only immoral, we’re setting ourselves up to be next in line for the detention centers.

More from the People's Tribune