Michigan’s Governor just announced he will appoint a special fiscal manager for Detroit.
Detroit is so fiscally distressed it makes Stockton look like Dubai. It has $14 billion in liabilities, “nearly annual cash shortfalls,” services are breaking down and the place is falling apart.
Who ya gonna call? Bob Deis, suggests one reader.
Stockton’s City Manager fits the bill, the reader said. The job, according to the New York Times:
“The state-appointed manager, who could be selected later this month, would ultimately wield powers aimed at swiftly turning around the municipal government’s dire circumstances — powers to cut city spending, change contracts with labor unions, merge or eliminate city departments, urge the sale of city assets and even, if all else failed, to recommend bankturcy procedings.”
That does sound up Deis’s alley. Not so fast. If the position is to be filled later this month, then Deis cannot go. Stockton should just be entering Chapter 9 around then. Motown will have to find its own reformer.
