Letter to Editor, Thursday, September 30, 2010
Harris' methods are in violation of state statute
[Joe Harris was sent by Granholm to BH as state financial mngr.]
Editor,
You can get a prescription for drugs from your doctor. It will make you feel better or kill you. Gov. Jennifer Granholm gave Joseph Harris a prescription to cure Benton Harbor's financial problems; he must have had a pocket full of methadone, because he is killing this city and its residents.
At Benton Harbor High school, Mr. Harris told the citizens (with his boss present) he was working with the commissioners and he will continue to do so and that he would be transparent. His job description clearly states that he was to collaborate with the city officials to formulate plans to eliminate the city's deficit. He said he had and will continue to do so. He lied.
On April 10 President Obama said that the loud voices of the special interest should never be allowed to drown out the voice of the common man.
Public Act No.72 clearly states that Mr. Harris is supposed to collaborate with commissioners. I read this to him at the high school. Now all of a sudden he gets amnesia and disregards everything he said.
What's wrong with checks and balances? The only oversight committee connected to Mr. Harris' job is the Emergency Loan Board (appointed by Gov. Granholm) and they are all in bed together. Why shouldn't the commissioners and mayor meet with him? The last time I looked we were still a democratic nation.
Gov. Granholm is doing a darn good job of turning this blue state red. And for the first time in my adult life I am considering voting Republican.
George Moon, Benton Harbor
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/30/opinion/letters/2005675.txt
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Airs Thursday: Cooney, Upton debate on radio
Kalamazoo Gazette
John A. Lacko | Special to the Kalamazoo Gazette
ST. JOSEPH — U.S. Rep. Fred Upton and Democratic foe Don Cooney took part Sunday in an hourlong debate recorded in the studios of Benton Harbor radio station WSJM-FM (94.9) and scheduled to air on the station at 7 p.m. Thursday, according to Cooney’s campaign. It will also be available online at www.wsjm.com.
Cooney and Upton have also agreed to a debate sponsored by the Kalamazoo Gazette and tentatively scheduled for Oct. 12.
The last day to register to vote in November’s general election, meanwhile, is Oct. 4. Voting information is available online at www.michigan.gov/sos.
Kalamazoo Gazette
John A. Lacko | Special to the Kalamazoo Gazette
ST. JOSEPH — U.S. Rep. Fred Upton and Democratic foe Don Cooney took part Sunday in an hourlong debate recorded in the studios of Benton Harbor radio station WSJM-FM (94.9) and scheduled to air on the station at 7 p.m. Thursday, according to Cooney’s campaign. It will also be available online at www.wsjm.com.
Cooney and Upton have also agreed to a debate sponsored by the Kalamazoo Gazette and tentatively scheduled for Oct. 12.
The last day to register to vote in November’s general election, meanwhile, is Oct. 4. Voting information is available online at www.michigan.gov/sos.
Article with 2 comments:
"we have actually lost jobs from Whirlpool while giving Whirlpool tax cuts"
County backs tax break zone for Whirlpool
Creating the rehabilitation district would allow appliance maker to apply for abatement, freezing taxes on properties
By Scott Aiken - H-P, Friday, September 24, 2010
ST. JOSEPH - Berrien County commissioners Thursday agreed to support the creation of a commercial rehabilitation district to provide Whirlpool Corp. with a tax abatement on a planned $68 million world headquarters in Benton Harbor...The Benton Harbor City Commission has voted to create the district. But under the state law that allows the tax abatement, the county has a rejection right...The complex is part of an $85 million plan to consolidate Whirlpool's 15 operations in the Twin Cities into three, one each in Benton Harbor, Benton Township and St. Joseph.
The world headquarters complex is to be built on Main Street in Benton Harbor between River Street and Riverview Drive.
Another abatement being sought by Whirlpool is an amendment to the Harbor Shores brownfield plan to include property at the LeValley site and certain nearby properties the company does not now control.
A third abatement that requires county involvement would extend the Renaissance Zone designation for Whirlpool properties...Fette said approval of all the abatements would mean a $100,000 annual loss of tax revenue for the county.
JamesO wrote on Sep 25, 2010:
" "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go..." "
we need a balance sheet wrote on Sep 25, 2010
" I...think it's time that our elected officials asked Whirlpool for a balance sheet comparing their donations to their tax breaks. Who wouldn't like to trade paying taxes for the ability to chose where and how to spend the money in donations. That's not how democracies work. We elect people to represent us in determining how the money is best spent in the public interest. As for the economic benefits of jobs we have actually lost jobs from Whirlpool while giving Whirlpool tax cuts. Middle class jobs we so desparately need have been sent to other states and out of the country..."
"we have actually lost jobs from Whirlpool while giving Whirlpool tax cuts"
County backs tax break zone for Whirlpool
Creating the rehabilitation district would allow appliance maker to apply for abatement, freezing taxes on properties
By Scott Aiken - H-P, Friday, September 24, 2010
ST. JOSEPH - Berrien County commissioners Thursday agreed to support the creation of a commercial rehabilitation district to provide Whirlpool Corp. with a tax abatement on a planned $68 million world headquarters in Benton Harbor...The Benton Harbor City Commission has voted to create the district. But under the state law that allows the tax abatement, the county has a rejection right...The complex is part of an $85 million plan to consolidate Whirlpool's 15 operations in the Twin Cities into three, one each in Benton Harbor, Benton Township and St. Joseph.
The world headquarters complex is to be built on Main Street in Benton Harbor between River Street and Riverview Drive.
Another abatement being sought by Whirlpool is an amendment to the Harbor Shores brownfield plan to include property at the LeValley site and certain nearby properties the company does not now control.
A third abatement that requires county involvement would extend the Renaissance Zone designation for Whirlpool properties...Fette said approval of all the abatements would mean a $100,000 annual loss of tax revenue for the county.
JamesO wrote on Sep 25, 2010:
" "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go..." "
we need a balance sheet wrote on Sep 25, 2010
" I...think it's time that our elected officials asked Whirlpool for a balance sheet comparing their donations to their tax breaks. Who wouldn't like to trade paying taxes for the ability to chose where and how to spend the money in donations. That's not how democracies work. We elect people to represent us in determining how the money is best spent in the public interest. As for the economic benefits of jobs we have actually lost jobs from Whirlpool while giving Whirlpool tax cuts. Middle class jobs we so desparately need have been sent to other states and out of the country..."
Monday, September 27, 2010
Herald Palladium - Propaganda Watch
Beginning of an article, followed by an informed reader comment
Joe Harris, flak catcher
He's the Slasher In Chief, but that's the job the governor gave him
By Julie Swida-H-P, Sunday, September 26, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - His own job is on the cutting room floor.
Still, Benton Harbor City Manager Ron Carter Jr. says Emergency Financial Manager Joseph Harris is doing exactly what he was sent here to do.
Most Benton Harbor city commissioners and several city residents disagree and say Harris is overstepping his authority. Others say he is doing his job, and doing it well.
Harris was sent to Benton Harbor in April after Gov. Jennifer Granholm declared that a financial emergency existed in the city. The declaration came under Public Act 72, also known as the Local Government Fiscal Responsibility Act...
Resident wrote on Sep 27, 2010 5:24 AM:
" Someone tell me how there is going to be a city left without a fire department, a city manager, an administrative staff, city assessor and city clerk? Who will be left to run the city - oh that's right Whirlpool is already. Very convenient for them to eliminate the city assessor's position when the properties they are getting tax breaks on have yet to be assessed I wonder in who's favor they may end up? Wake up people.Governor Granholm brought in a task force in 2003 to revitilize Benton Harbor and this is what you got. She also had the heads of all governmental agencies sign a letter supporting Harbor Shores. Harbor Shores used Benton Harbor to get all their infrastructure paid for and where are the benefits of Harbor Shores for the city now ? "
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/26/local_news/1945995.txt
Beginning of an article, followed by an informed reader comment
Joe Harris, flak catcher
He's the Slasher In Chief, but that's the job the governor gave him
By Julie Swida-H-P, Sunday, September 26, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - His own job is on the cutting room floor.
Still, Benton Harbor City Manager Ron Carter Jr. says Emergency Financial Manager Joseph Harris is doing exactly what he was sent here to do.
Most Benton Harbor city commissioners and several city residents disagree and say Harris is overstepping his authority. Others say he is doing his job, and doing it well.
Harris was sent to Benton Harbor in April after Gov. Jennifer Granholm declared that a financial emergency existed in the city. The declaration came under Public Act 72, also known as the Local Government Fiscal Responsibility Act...
Resident wrote on Sep 27, 2010 5:24 AM:
" Someone tell me how there is going to be a city left without a fire department, a city manager, an administrative staff, city assessor and city clerk? Who will be left to run the city - oh that's right Whirlpool is already. Very convenient for them to eliminate the city assessor's position when the properties they are getting tax breaks on have yet to be assessed I wonder in who's favor they may end up? Wake up people.Governor Granholm brought in a task force in 2003 to revitilize Benton Harbor and this is what you got. She also had the heads of all governmental agencies sign a letter supporting Harbor Shores. Harbor Shores used Benton Harbor to get all their infrastructure paid for and where are the benefits of Harbor Shores for the city now ? "
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/26/local_news/1945995.txt
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Cotter blasts state again
Parole board's decisions 'abysmal,' prosecutor says
By Scott Aiken, H-P
Published: Friday, September 10, 2010
ST. JOSEPH - Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter is not backing down from his contention that violent criminals are being released too soon from state prisons.
Speaking to county commissioners Thursday, Cotter repeated his earlier criticism that "money driven" decisions by the Michigan Parole and Commutation Board create risks for the public...
Maybe ...not wrote on Sep 10, 2010 4:42 PM:
" To Maybe, the judges do not need any more power! As corrupt, unfair and immoral as the local ones have proven to be, it would be horrible for them to have any more power. They abuse what they have already. The parole board should be given more information about each person and there should be more time spent on each case/person before the consideration for granting parole is given. "
get real wrote on Sep 10, 2010 7:37 PM:
" Violent offenders should be in prison, too bad that drug offenders are taking up so much space. Does Art have a solution, does he want more taxes, does he want to let drug offenders out? Besides self serving blame what does Art offer? "
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/10/local_news/1897157.txt
Parole board's decisions 'abysmal,' prosecutor says
By Scott Aiken, H-P
Published: Friday, September 10, 2010
ST. JOSEPH - Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter is not backing down from his contention that violent criminals are being released too soon from state prisons.
Speaking to county commissioners Thursday, Cotter repeated his earlier criticism that "money driven" decisions by the Michigan Parole and Commutation Board create risks for the public...
Maybe ...not wrote on Sep 10, 2010 4:42 PM:
" To Maybe, the judges do not need any more power! As corrupt, unfair and immoral as the local ones have proven to be, it would be horrible for them to have any more power. They abuse what they have already. The parole board should be given more information about each person and there should be more time spent on each case/person before the consideration for granting parole is given. "
get real wrote on Sep 10, 2010 7:37 PM:
" Violent offenders should be in prison, too bad that drug offenders are taking up so much space. Does Art have a solution, does he want more taxes, does he want to let drug offenders out? Besides self serving blame what does Art offer? "
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/10/local_news/1897157.txt
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