Survey , says…… Detroiter doubt their city can get help

The Detroit Free Press 03/29/12 Todd Spangler, Paul Egan, Cecil Angel and Bill Laitner

“Free Press Poll: The most important thing to Detroiters…. FIX OUR CITY: Many say they doubt anyone can help”

http://www.freep.com/article/20120329/NEWS15/203290584/Free-Press-poll-The-most-important-thing-to-Detroiters-fix-our-city

A deeply divided Detroit overwhelmingly wants improved city services even if it means Gov. Rick Snyder's administration must step in, though residents are skeptical of what it can do for them.
By a slim margin, city residents remain supportive of Mayor Dave Bing and the Detroit City Council staying in charge for now.

But a Detroit Free Press/WXYZ-TV poll showed that 7 out of every 10 Detroiters consider it essential or very important for the city's looming fiscal crisis to be addressed in a way that improves basic services -- even if it requires state intervention.

With the city facing a crisis that could potentially lead to bankruptcy or the appointment of an emergency manager with sweeping powers unless it reaches an agreement with the state, the Free Press and WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) commissioned a survey of 400 Detroiters, with Lansing-based pollster EPIC-MRA.
Conducted March 24-26, the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points. More than 6 of every 10 said the city is on the wrong track, and 78% gave Detroit negative marks for providing basic services. About 78% of respondents were African American, 13% were white and 9% other.

An even larger percentage -- 50% -- believe neither Bing nor the council will be able, in the end, to clean up the city's financial mess.

That is clearly part of the conundrum for the city: The poll found that 50% of Detroiters say the mayor and council should remain in charge -- compared with 44% who want the finances fixed, even if it means the state taking a measure of control.

Common Sense Review

Why does this has to be an issue, if the people of Detroit don’t want the state’s help to correct their financial ills. So be it!

I don’t have an issue with Detroit not wanting help but then don’t beg the state for funds to help balance their budget. Nothing is for free…

Contrary to popular belief, the state doesn’t want to own Detroit. Yet using state forensic accountants to review their records to find issues that can be corrected to make Detroit solvent again, is not a crazy idea. The Detroit city officials are so afraid of losing their power and authority that they would push help away to save face.

If Detroiter don’t stand up to their officials, they will continue in this uncertain financial boat that will never find the stable land it deserves.