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In reply to the discussion: Just sickening. "Emergency Manager" in Detroit caused blackout during heatwave to teach a lesson.... [View all]suffragette
(12,232 posts)Sounds like they're accelerating the drive to privatize using Shock Doctrine tactics.
And they don't care who they hurt in the process.
http://www.freep.com/article/20130809/NEWS/308090158/Kevyn-Orr-Detroit-Public-Lighting
Orr spokesman Bill Nowling confirmed that lighting director Richard Tenney was booted from his job as part of Orrs efforts to restructure city government. The lighting department is among Detroits most troubled operations, with as many as half of the citys 88,000 streetlights not working, blamed on lack of money to upgrade equipment and thieves stealing copper wiring.
Tenney, who couldnt be reached for comment Friday, was escorted out of his office by police, but Nowling said there was nothing untoward about his removal. Its not unusual when you terminate someone theyre allowed to collect their belongings and are escorted out, Nowling said.
Gary Brown, the former Detroit City Councilman whom Orr tapped to lead his restructuring of city operations, said that Tenney, an engineer, has the option of reverting to a civil-service position in the department, and his removal as director shouldnt reflect poorly on him. The lighting department was underfunded and understaffed, and he was set with a Herculean task, Brown said.
Brown said the city next week will put out a request for proposals for private companies to provide a team of experts to help run the department as it transitions to the newly created lighting authority as well as getting the lights on in the city immediately.