Benton Harbor takeover sparks furious reaction

Opponents mobilize protests, repeal campaign

By Eartha Jane Melzer | 04.20.11 | 8:01 am

The impoverished former industrial town of Benton Harbor has become a flashpoint in the controversy over the new law that allows the governor to appoint Emergency Managers with virtually unlimited authority over local governments.

On Thursday the state-appointed Emergency Manager Joe Harris used the expanded powers granted by the new law to issue an order banning the city commission from taking any action without his written permission.

Benton Harbor City Commissioner Juanita Henry says her constituents are angry and looking for help, but without the power to hold meetings the city commission can’t even provide an official venue for citizens to ask questions and get answers.

“They are using Benton Harbor as a test case,“ Henry said. “If they have disenfranchised the people so badly they just don’t respond to anything, they can do this all over the country.”

Community activist Rev. Edward Pinkney said that many Benton Harbor residents only learned that their city government had been sacked by reading about it in the paper days later.

Though home to the corporate headquarters of appliance giant Whirlpool, the city lost its last manufacturing plant this year, almost half the population lives below the poverty line and the public lakefront has been privatized as part of a luxury golf development backed by the Whirlpool corporation.
(An appeal of the conversion of the city park is underway in federal court.)

Gov. Jennifer Granholm approved a state takeover of Benton Harbor’s finances last year after the city needed help meeting payroll.

Relations have been strained between the elected officials and the Emergency Manager Harris. In January the city commission tried to oust him after criticizing his expenses and his plans to cut the fire department.

“People should be paying attention to what is happening here because Benton Harbor is GROUND ZERO for the future of what is to become of our state under Governor Rick Snyder,“ said Carole Drake, who fought the privatization of Jean Klock Park in state court.

Locals in Benton Harbor said they will work to repeal their state Rep. Al Pscholka, who sponsored the bill, as well as State Sen. John Proos and Gov. Rick Snyder who also approved it.

A group called Heartland Revolution is planning to rally at the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce and march to City Hall on Wednesday, April 27th to protest the takeover of the city.

The total suspension of power for local officials has brought Benton Harbor’s situation into focus for other Michigan communities, where people now worry that growing budget problems could mean that they will face similar loss of assets and control.

“I have been in touch with people all over the state via e-mail, face to face and Facebook … this is a hot
topic all over the place and our community FB page A Referendum to Reject PA 4 has quickly quadrupled in size in just the last 24 hours as we have reposted the link with our different contacts,“ said Traverse City activist Betsy Coffia. “I think Benton Harbor really shook some folks up.”

Coffia said that repeal advocates are talking with legal experts about how to draft official language for a petition.

According to information from the Secretary of State website, in order to have a referendum on a newly enacted law petitioners must gather signatures from 161,305 people — five percent of the number that voted in the last gubernatorial election.

The signatures must be submitted within 90 days of the end of the legislative session in which the bill was passed. If the group manages to gather enough certified signatures, the Emergency Manager law would be automatically suspended until a repeal vote can be held on the next general election date.

“Education is key as the groundwork is laid for an organized referendum to repeal,” Coffia said. “This motivates me to educate as many people as I can so that we will be fully prepared to sign our name as registered voters repealing this law.”

Comments

http://www.blogitiks.com Shannon Browne Bertuch

I’ll sign the petition. Those city officials need to get an injunction against the ECM and at the very least get a status quo restraining order setting until the city officials can get some recognition and move forward on something positive. If the situation is simply an opportunity knocking for a golf course, this is just scum politics, and should have the backing of any decent Court of law.
Anonymous

this governor can be recalled by July where are the petitions?the poor in benton habor don’t vote & these are the results,before you fire back check the voter turnout there.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_F64O6SWQ6UCOGWV56J5M5LZ5DI nikita6062

Michigan Citizens United is the PAC committed to the recall of Rick Snyder, we are in the final stages in getting the petitions approved a hearing is set for April the 29th and once approved we are hoping to launch in Benton Harbor around May the 8th. Please visit the website http://www.firericksnyder.org for up to date information on where we are in the process and please get registered to vote.. You must be a registered voter to sign.

Anonymous

Petition!? I’m wondering why the Benton Harbor police just don’t arrest this “manager” (thief) and anyone involved with the “privatization” (theft) of public property. Ms.Granholm is a lovely person, as I remember, but surely there has to be some other way for state government to help locals. Of course, Snyder has stepped over the line into totalitarianism, which is their true inner desire that the right-wing Republicans have been projecting onto others for years. The only appropriate response for the people in this case seems to involve torches, pitchforks and “second amendment rights”–for real!
Anonymous

The guv is NOT TRYING TO HELP the CITIZENS OF BENTON HARBOR,
he is trying to help his rich friends!!!
http://twitter.com/nonnydee Henrietta (top that)

Wake Up America! Your Town could be next that they steal. The beginning of a Communist Effect growing through the Midwest by the GOPS who’s biggest backer is The KOCH Brothers who gained thier Wealth by Grandfather working for Stalin processing gas in Russia. Beware of who you vote for. And don’t be afaid to stand up and fight for the freedom that they are trying to steal from us. We are fighting them in the Midwest as I am sitting here writing this.

Anonymous

This is not a communist take-over. If only it were! Communism would insure that not only the commons (parks, water, etc.) were jointly owned by all citizens, but also the means of production. This is blatant fascism, the melding of corporate and governmental interests.
http://profiles.google.com/morgansher Morgan Sheridan

This is NOT a communist take over, Hennie… it is a fascist takeover. Get out your dictionary and go to work!

http://twitter.com/nonnydee Henrietta (top that)

The Governor cannot be recalled by a petition, this is law. They swooped in and have taken over the city. This is a new law the Governor created in January when he first took Office. The GOPS had this all planned before they came into office in January all through the MIdwest. They did this while we were working our hineys off. Wake up , pay attention. Get those Petitions started and tell People what they are trying to do.
http://twitter.com/nonnydee Henrietta (top that)

Oh and since I have been spreading the word on the Gops, I have been hacked and blocked from my email accounts. So now, I just have to keep making new ones. We do want a Free America , and this is not what anyone could call Freedom where they can dissolve a town and steal the land. No way.
Anonymous

My friends here think I have lost my mind as I sit here in a furor over this Snyder feudal lord type of takeover, thinking I have no stake in this, but my mother’s family came from, and some of my cousins still live in, Chesaning. I know everyone remembers Denny McLain and Peet’s Meats, but Chesaning was my first love as a child when we traveled up there to see Grandma and Grandpa. This all out assault by Republican govenors nationwide is only the start in the trashing of the entire electoral process, WAKE UP PEOPLE and recall ASAP before this country morphs into a third world catastrophe. Jack Nicklaus should rightfully withdraw his name that will be applied to the golf course and multimillion dollar development. Does anyone find it curious their “test case” here is an overwhelmingly African American city that is one of the growing number of industrial graveyards in America? Ostensibly people with no voice? Where are all the Tea Party nitwits and their rants about big government intrusion? I have been looking for a worthy cause (although I didn’t know it) since the Vietnam antiwar demonstrations in DC. Take our government back and kick the corporatists who are flocking there like cockroaches into Lake Michigan now. God bless you Michiganders and I am behind you 100% from miles and miles away down here in little ole Georgia where our newly elected Rep guv is an avowed birther, which, in my humble estimation, should exclude any and all who cling to the ‘Obama is not an American citizen’ tag line from even running for public office on the basis of stupidity and racism.

Anonymous

This was park was garbage dump, filled with drug dealers and crime. What would you have happen? Let the city descend deeper into chaos as the citizens watch more and more services disappear. Or better yet lets keep pouring state funds into the hands of city officials, so they can squander that money to. Someone needed to step in and reorganize this city so they can move forward and progress. I think people need to calm down wait and watch how this all pans out before going off the deep end and screaming tyranny with only half truths to back them up. The people of this city will be better off in the long run if the state is allowed to pump some new commerce into this area.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YKEL63XDOXMZ2G4UODZTZ4MYGQ joseph

You should have your head chopped of for such a statement. I grew up in Benton Harbor. I visited the beach and it was not a dump. I am so thankful for all the people who are willing to fight this injustice that has fallen on the city of Benton Harbor. This is not about just a park or local government. This is about the right’s our country was founded on. Some people who are for the wealthy think other-wise. Benton Harbor is just the test tube baby. Wait until they take over your town.

Anonymous

If my town was in the shape BH has been in for over 30 yrs, I’d say go for it! I’m just saying people should watch how this goes and be open enough to admit that it helped in the end. This city has been a getto for decades and was descending from that level. City officials let their pride go, while they fell. They couldn’t even pay their employees. Should we as a state just keep handing them money? Watch them keep repeating the same toxic behaviors and continue to stand by while its citizens suffer the price of incompetence. I think it’s great this has gotten more people to pay attention. It is the sad reality of the state of affairs for our state and coutry. Every citizen of this state has seen the loss of services provided by the state. Unfortunately, in times like these the weak die first. This a wake up call to all citizens. Demand your local government make the painful cuts necessary to survive.

Anonymous

I grew up in Michigan and remember when the Michigan state legislature paid itself more than any other state, including Texas, where they actually work at state government. I saw all kinds of problems in our lovely state. But you are blindly missing what is happening here… first of all, it isn’t about money, it is about freedom and the US Constitution. 2ndly, this action will not solve the money problem, it will further degrade it. Privatization of public domain is a third world act, and it further strips the state of the ability to govern. Wake up and smell the fascism.
Anonymous

I grew up in Michigan and remember when the Michigan state legislature paid itself more than any other state, including Texas, where they actually work at state government. I saw all kinds of problems in our lovely state. But you are blindly missing what is happening here… first of all, it isn’t about money, it is about freedom and the US Constitution. 2ndly, this action will not solve the money problem, it will further degrade it. Privatization of public domain is a third world act, and it further strips the state of the ability to govern. Wake up and smell the fascism.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Margie-Kronewitter/100001007920889 Margie Kronewitter

Benton Harbor probably would have made it if Whirlpool hadn’t moved to Mexico to take advantage of those who were more impoverished. The “anything for $$$” attitude of Big Business is GreedySick. Bet the drug gangs in Mexico are worse than any in Benton Harbor. WHY couldn’t Whirlpool have GIVEN guidance instead of taking the GREEDY path and now TAKING their park?
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Gildea/659058083 David Gildea

Your forgetting the fact that these same republicans have been extracting income from these impoverished cities for decades! Now they want to blame everyone but themselves! Your story is great but the facts remain…sure wait and see? No thanks I’ve seen enough!!! Recall all of them!

Anonymous

What you are saying is irrelevant. People are not up in arms because of EFM’s. They have existed or over 10 years. Granholm used them twice while she was govenor. Our current govenor changed the law allowing him to trample on people’s rights and freedoms. NO ONE has the right to fire officials duly elected by the people. WE are THE PEOPLE and are the only ones that have that right.
The US Constitution forbids breaking contracts too. Article 1 Section 10 of the constitution disallows any state from creating any law impairing the Obligation of Contracts. Look it up.
It is too bad if it’s “too hard” to go into these troubled areas and help them by legal means but that does not allow them to take away the rights of the people. They are going to have to work a little harder or maybe try working with the people instead of coming in like a steamroller.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VLBIB3CKYJQ4ZWZVXBB757RT3M susan

A state can’t declare bankruptcy… but cities and counties can. This happens all the time in broke and near bankrupt CA.

Anonymous

Susan, when someone files bankruptcy, the court does not have the authority to come in and invalidate the head of house’s marriage license or legal guardianship of the children. The family stays in tact as a “community”. The elected officials are the “head of house” for these communities. They were duly elected by the PEOPLE and NO ONE but the people have the right to fire them.

http://realityhappensontheweb.com Joe Guy

I would hope that you and your family NEVER are treated so badly that you find yourself in the same situation. You obviously are willing to give up your freedoms in the name of some kind of financial security….

“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

Benjamin Franklin, Febuary 17, 1775

Shame on you!
http://twitter.com/ghewittofa Gary Hewitt

THe only people that will be help are those that already own everything! What about helping the people that need help! How is stealing their park and putting in a golf course that none of them will be able to use helping them!
Anonymous

If you keep repeating these lies, i am sure people will eventually believe ‘em! :-D
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_M25G5KDJD4EW7FTYRNMLMCW53E TR

What the hell do you mean by, “people need to calm down wait and watch how this all pans out.” Hasn’t the park already been stolen? It’s time for civil disobedience and more serious approaches. The tyrannical dictator is at least ethically obligated to take action in the best interest of the city he dictates over, just like any other professional. Sue the Un-American bastard. He deserves to be lynched. I wouldn’t give this bastard a hand even if he were drowning right in front of me.

http://profiles.google.com/morgansher Morgan Sheridan

No surprised at all that their attack would be on the poorest minority communities.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Margie-Kronewitter/100001007920889 Margie Kronewitter

I’m encouraging you from Maui. Wish I were young & tough enough (& could afford) to go back you all up. Thank Rachel Maddow for covering this. Fight and Pity the Fascist Republicans. NeuroScience has shown Republicans act out of fear & inability to reason. ALoha

Anonymous

See “Save Jean Klock Park 2011 Update” at:

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

The only pending litigation to protect Jean Klock Park is the Weiss v. Salazar case. See: http://www.protectjkp.com
Anonymous

As a former Michigander, this is heartbreaking to me. Everyone who grew up in the state knows that vacationing rich people have been champing at the bit to get their hands on Benton Harbor real estate FOR YEARS so they can make it an extension of St Joseph. TO that end, they have destroyed any population in their way by denying services, pulling out their manufacturing jobs and using any dirty trick possible, legal or not, to get their way.

It’s stunning to me that people are not in the streets over this. How Snyder was ever elected is beyond me, but people have to realize that these guys are playing for keeps. They take no prisoners, and will stop at nothing to get their way.

They can’t win a fair election on the issues. Bring on the dirty tricks and deception wearing a mask of constitutional patriotism. Disgusting.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4HZHAEQUY7GQMY4RGWDUI2LQDE Sylvia

VERY INTERESTING:

“vacationing rich people have been champing at the bit to get their hands on Benton Harbor real estate FOR YEARS so they can make it an extension of St Joseph. ”

My husband and I have spent our whole lives here in Michigan and even spent 14 out of 71, 66 in west Michigan and loved going to Benton Harbor so we could feel some diversity since living in the lily white rural areas was very hard at times.

So what you are saying is they have the same mindset as the Bushes did when after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. You sound so right here, I hope there is some way to combat this. We are in a suburb just two miles outside of Detroit, and that has been so hard to observe how far Detroit has fallen and how easy it would be to kick it over the precipice like all these other financially strapped communities. So much sorrow.

Anonymous

There was this guy named Benito Mussolini in Italy that got rid of all the elected officials in government and instead installed representatives of Italy’s most powerful corporations. He thought this form of government was the cat’s meow and gave it a name: Fascism. To give people a little more history of that era (the 1920′s), the corporate elite in America were VERY attracted to this form of government and were hoping to push FDR out of the way and follow Mussolini’s (and Hitler’s) form of goverrnment themselves. After all, they were making great money in doing business with them. Henry Ford (a rabid anti-Semite), and Charles Lindbergh were among the American Fascists then. The corporate power-hungry have survived and still yearn for the same corporate-controlled, government, although they are careful not to use the word “fascism”. They infiltrated the Republican Party, especially after WWII. FDR kept them at bay back then (notice that the GOP has always hated FDR and has wanted to do away with the New Deal – now you know why). Roosevelt called them out by name and attacked them in his speeches:

“The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism – ownership of government by an individual, by a group.” – FDR

This is who they are, Michiganders. American Fascists. And it’s time we CALLED them that! You don’t “wait and see” with these snakes – you FIGHT them!
http://zeraland.wordpress.com/ Zera Lee

“all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
Anonymous

I am not from MI. When I Google this topic, I don’t find articles in major newspapers. Why? Do people really care?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1580611162 Betsy Rose

The corporations own the media. Their is very little real news. I have taken to listening to the radio 1310 wdtw Thom Hartman and many others. Its very informative.

Anonymous

I love golf………………………………………………..and all the residual money it brings. Wise up

Anonymous

YOUR PROBABLY I RICH DICK HEAD. AN YOU NO WHAT GOLF IS FOUR ASS HOLES THAT NEED A BETTER HOBBY SO WHEN U TELL US BLUE COLLAR WORKING MEN TO WISE UP WORK FOUR A LIVING AN SEE THREW ARE EYES.

Anonymous

Easy there, tough guy. There is a lot more to life than cap locks. Your going to give yourself a heart attack

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1580611162 Betsy Rose

TTGR You sound like you would sell your country to play golf. I feel sorry for you. No integrity. You really are so poor and don’t even know it.

Anonymous

No, but there comes a time when you either sink or swim. BH was insolvent and sinking. Thankfully, there are people willing to swim in that area. This is the time for them to rebuild and actually give its citizens a better chance at earning a living. More people means more money being spent at gas stations, restaurants, shops, etc. This could be a windfall for a historicly poor area, if short sighted people don’t muck it up and send them back into poverty.
There is a reason and set guidelines why this EFM is there and has been since before Snyder took office. They couldn’t pay their bills. Let me say this again- THEY COULDN”T PAY THEIR BILLS, which includes employees. What happens when all the employees stop going to work? How long do we as a state hand them money without insurance of reform? This is a sad turn of events and one to vigilantly keep our eyes on. It needed to happen for the freedom of its citizens. Ironic I know, but people with an average income of 10,000 cannot afford to move. They are trapped and when all the services dry up, they decsend into a lawless community. Is that really what you would have happen, because that is where they were heading?
Give them some time to do what is needed to help. Wait and watch. Make sure they do what they say. I think and hope you’re going to see this city comes out better off because some people cared enough to finally step in and help.

Anonymous

You’re not making any sense, TTGR. If the people no longer have the power to elect their own officials, how can they “make sure” the EFMs “do what they say”? They’ve been stripped of their power as citizens and you want them to wait to see how it pans out. Wait for what? Wait until after the park is made into a haven for rich people and the rich developers, who will of course hire them at a NON-living wage?! You’re just ridiculous, and you are clearly in the minority here.

Anonymous

Yeah, exactly Margie. We can’t let this nonsense continue. Can’t rationalize it away. If you cannot see why these actions are a problem, you are either dishonest, or stupid.

Anonymous

You’re not making any sense, TTGR. If the people no longer have the power to elect their own officials, how can they “make sure” the EFMs “do what they say”? They’ve been stripped of their power as citizens and you want them to wait to see how it pans out. Wait for what? Wait until after the park is made into a haven for rich people and the rich developers, who will of course hire them at a NON-living wage?! You’re just ridiculous, and you are clearly in the minority here.
Anonymous

Fuck that. The state could intervene without the need for the measures they’re taking. Have you ever heard of bankruptcy? The state can mediate local government problems while towns are in receivership without taking over the whole thing, with no oversight by voters (either local or state).

Anonymous

TTGR, there’s a huge difference between sending in help or firing every elected official and taking the city over. From what I’ve seen in the past several months, Rick Snyder is radical and for big corporations and the rich. How about we the people? Isn’t that what America is all about?

Anonymous

They aren’t fired, they have been put on hold until the city can operate in the black.

Anonymous

Put on hold, TTGR? It’s about that bridge I want to sell you.

Anonymous

Maybe you should read the act

Anonymous

Oh NOW people are all freaked out….after 30 years of decay and crime…give me a break. Just how long do you want it to fester before any meaningful action is taken? The only way an Emergency Manager can “take over” is if the municipality is an utter failure based on specific criteria spelled out in the Bill/Law…do some reading people. It’s pretty simple, figure out how to run your city and you don’t have to worry. If B.H. goes bankrupt, who is on the hook?? You guessed it, the State, so there is a vested interest. All you chest beaters go right ahead and get Snyder on the ballot for recall, it will be another opportunity to silence the ignorant ones who are part of the problem.

Anonymous

Yes, and Benito Mussolini made the trains run on time! This type of state government behavior is a violation of the U.S. Constitution Article I , Section 10, and violates any past practices of local popular sovereignty, (or sets a new precedence) for how a state government may dictate to a local community. The idea that a state may incorporate, or disincorporate a town or county, or join it with other communities (something which is legal) does not have anything to do with establishing an unelected, local, dictatorship over it (an illegal act). Furthermore, huge corporations with their massive firings (“downsizings” and “outsourcings”) are the ones who created this revenue poor-financially bankrupt town. Now some of them are supporting those who want to blame, and disenfranchise those who are largely the victims of these policies, by saying they are too incompetent to govern themselves. Lastly, to generate more of a financial crises to justify this illegal takeover Governor Snyder, who they back, will cut state revenue sharing, so more localities, not just Benton Harbor will be in financial trouble rationalizing further dictatorial takeovers. While in the end this will cut the amount of money needed to help pay public workers, and rebuild these communities for the local people.

Anonymous

Rethugs=fascist pigs
Anonymous

Ok so heres the break down in the process :
1) Local government says they are having trouble, in which case a preliminary review is conducted. Conditions for this are:
a) local governing body sends letter saying they are in trouble
b) over 5% of local voting body says they are in trouble
c) Creditors bring to the states attention is owed more than $10,000 for more than 6 months.
d) Pension fund has not been paid
e) employees are not paid
f) The local government has violated preexisting Acts
g) The local gov. is operating within a deficit

2) This review determines that in fact there is a problem and professional detailed plan is recommended by a team set up through the state.

3) The review team formulates a consent agreement that allows the local government to continue offering services. This consent agreemnet MUST be approved by resolution by the LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

4) Local government fails to perform and execute said agreement thereby defaulting on its obligation.

5) EMF steps in and follows the plan

This is obviously very simplifed. The local government must adopt a plan i/e representation. The state just makes sure the path to recovery is followed.

Anonymous

TTGR, once again,
What you are saying is irrelevant. People are not up in arms because of EFM’s. They have existed or over 10 years. Granholm used them twice while she was govenor. Our current govenor changed the law allowing him to trample on people’s rights and freedoms. NO ONE has the right to fire officials duly elected by the people. WE are THE PEOPLE and are the only ones that have that right.
The US Constitution forbids breaking contracts too. Article 1 Section 10 of the constitution disallows any state from creating any law impairing the Obligation of Contracts. Look it up.
It is too bad if it’s “too hard” to go into these troubled areas and help them by legal means but that does not allow them to take away the rights of the people. They are going to have to work a little harder or maybe try working with the people instead of coming in like a steamroller.

Anonymous

If noone is allowed to do this, how come they are so freely doing it? And what is being done to stop them? This is reminiscent of Nazi Germany, no doubt they have a Gestapo presence waiting to implement their plan. Who has the authority in a democracy to stip elected officials of their duties given to them by the people, and what are the elected officials in their authority doing to stop the Nazi movement?

http://twitter.com/ghewittofa Gary Hewitt

You better look at the new revised plan the Republican’s just passed not the old one that allowed the town to recover instead of being taken over completely by the state with them having no say as to what they do.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527530532 Ken D. Orlich

Behold the new “final solution.”
http://twitter.com/TonyaA6 Tonya Alston

What’s going to happen to the citizens when the luxury housing and golf course are built? Is there a requirement in the contract with the developers to build affordable housing?

http://twitter.com/mikeyhatesit Mike

that’s silly! they’ll probably just build a block of apartments behind the resort, so the guests can’t see where all the employees (who used to be residents) live…

http://profiles.google.com/kallayanna82 Kallay Carr

Give me a break. The ten people that actually show up to the city council meetings aren’t getting a voice, while the rest of the city continues its drug dealing and gang fighting. The whole point of the Emergency Management is to help. Clearly the city is in a state of emergency if they can’t afford to police the extremely dangerous neighborhoods it houses. What are they supposed to do? Wait until they (the drug dealers/gangs) pollute the surrounding areas even more? No Thanks! They whine because they put in a golf course to create revenue for the city and then they whine because there is no assistance. Hello… Legal money doesn’t grow on trees, yo.

Anonymous

You don’t live there and you do not know what you’re talking about. You’re simply using inflammatory accusations to justify an egregious assault on the people of BH. You’re true colors are showing and it is NOT pretty.
Vanilla Infused

do you live in benton harbor? no? ok then. i live there and i say you’re talking out of your ass. it’s not detroit, ffs.

Anonymous

This is a theft of representation. Once upon a time, we fought a war because the people who lived in the colonies were denied representation. Our founding fathers had a great deal to say about the potential for any government to become tyrannical. “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance” is trotted out all the time when our government wants us to let go of a fundamental right in exchange for a false sense of security, but Jefferson was actually warning us to be vigilant against the possibility of corruption within our own government.

It seems that day is here. Now what?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Margie-Kronewitter/100001007920889 Margie Kronewitter

I tried to SHARE this whole article on Facebook with my Michigan family and it wouldn’t go through. So… please read Michigan Messenger, family. Read the comments, though I know you’re busy playing Farmville. It’ll be a sad day when the only farms are fantasy or GMO conglamerates and you’re eating PLASTIC CHINESE RICE.

MICHIGAN MESSENGER: Tried to share the Comment and that didn’t work either. Maybe Blackwater or Xe hacked you. BLESSINGS FOR TRUTH & JUSTICE.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_M25G5KDJD4EW7FTYRNMLMCW53E TR

TTGR says, “people need to calm down wait and watch
how this all pans out.” Hasn’t the park already been stolen? It’s time
for civil disobedience and more serious approaches. The tyrannical
dictator is at least ethically obligated to take action in the best
interest of the city he dictates over, just like any other professional.
Sue the Un-American bastard. He deserves to be lynched. I wouldn’t
give this bastard a hand even if he were drowning right in front of me.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_M25G5KDJD4EW7FTYRNMLMCW53E TR

If Westinghouse is behind this, start a Westinghouse boycott. I am going to write them immediately and tell them I will never buy another Westinghouse product.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Y6KKECLZHMX55IGOI66J7FQ7IQ Unkle Ruckus

Time to move outta the city and the small towns….all of a sudden the Preppers that are already out in the sticks don’t look so bad.

The Michigan Messenger

Top Stories

The Michigan Messenger going forward

Colorado-based abstinence program provided false and misleading information to Michigan students

Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

Schuette fights important mercury regulations

Active Conversations

Benton Harbor takeover sparks furious reaction

Comments

Trending Now

AINN Affiliates

The American Independent News Network:

American Independent

Colorado Independent

Florida Independent

Iowa Independent

Minnesota Independent

New Mexico Independent

Texas Independent