Please accept this rare foray outside the sports world. This post is about Dave Bing, current mayor of Detroit. After replacing the ousted Kwame earlier this year, Mayor Bing spent the first few months behind closed doors. There were grumblings that he was as inactive as any other Detroit mayor. In early August, Bing broke his silence. He said he spent those first few weeks poring over the city's finances. To the shock of no one, the city is in major financial turmoil - a $300million budget deficit.
Catering to nobody, Mayor Bing proposed massive cuts across the board, including eliminating **gasp** 1,000 city employees, "We can't afford to carry 13,000 employees." The unions, of course, are fighting back. Many, including the bus drivers, are threatening to strike. But Bing is approaching this like a businessman, not a politician. There's no middle-ground. He's like the consultant that comes into your business to hack-off the unnecessary limbs. The fact is that the City of Detroit is a business, and it's in disrepair. It desperately needs this type of leadership to achieve ground zero. When Bing achieves financial stability, he can start to rebuild in a healthy and productive and, hopefully, legal manner.
Evidently, 50 bus drivers called in sick on Saturday, and the city received no complaints. "That's at least 50 drivers we don't need," he said. I love it. You just don't hear politicians talk like that. Bing also wants to eliminate paid lunches and daily overtime for city employees. Paid lunches? Who's bright idea was that? And what city in financial ruin can possibly afford overtime pay? These are obvious concessions, and it's likely most sensible individuals will support Bing's plan. The main complainers, of course, will be those who will no longer get their paid lunch, or, worse, those that get laid off. Those folks have my sympathy. Yet, Detroit is a sinking ship. The city employees are now feeling the effects of the massive corruption of recent administrations.
Tayshaun for Stephen Jackson?
Stephen Jackson recently said he wants out of Golden State. Can't blame him for that. A fellow Piston blogger suggested that Dumars offer Tayshaun for Jackson. That seems like a bad trade to me. While Jackson offers much more scoring punch than Tayshaun, I think the trade would kill the team's tenuous chemistry. Every team needs "glue" players like Tayshaun. Trading for Jackson smacks of the Knicks-style of rebuilding -- land as many big names as possible and see what happens.
Perhaps if the season starts poorly, Dumars can revisit this trade. Tayshaun started off on an all-star level last year then tailed off. His veteran presence and leadership will be key this year. Let's hope he steps up to the plate.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your comments in this article. Dave Bing truly is the "hardest working Piston." The situation in Detroit is the joke of our nation. No other city, no other town, no other village has such a poor reputation. The saddest part of all is that much of that reputation has been earned over the last many decades. Believe me, it started even before Mayor Coleman Young came into power.Mr. Bing is doing what needed to be done years ago. I hope he is able to turn things around. He won't be able to do it alone. He'll need the backing of the City Council, the city's workers and those of us who live in the metropolitan area. He is taking on an almost impossible task. One that cannot be accomplished without everyone's support. He has mine. I hope others see things the same way. The only way Detroit can pull out of its free fall is with everyone working together for the good of the city. It is going to mean severe sacrafices for many and some inconveniences for others, but a balanced budget and living within its means would do much to turn things around for Detroit, and set an example for other cities throughout the country. Wouldn't it be something if Detroit, the largest city in the state with the largest unemployment and among the highest percentage-wise in home foreclosures, took the lead in pulling our country out of its recession. Dave Bing, this time as a city leader, not as a ball player, would be an all-star again. Wouldn't that be something! JFK
My guess is that Dave Bing, if he continues on this path of cost-cutting and budget-balancing, will be relatively unpopular. He may have a difficult time winning re-election. Yet, his legacy will be much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it will speak volumes about the people of Detroit on how they react to his reforms. It's possible that most folks will think, "It's about time!"