Detroit 2013 - Mike Duggan announces run

[CathKhan]

I heard yesterday via the twitter that Mike Duggan, current head of the Detroit Medical Center, is running for Mayor of Detroit. While not necessarily pretty to look at, he seems to have a pretty good record, though his chances may be slim.

A career biography can be found at his website. In short, he has served as Wayne County Deputy Executive under which a series of new and successful initiatives took place. He then served as Wayne County Prosecutor (2001-2003) "ushering in many new tactics and strategies". Finally, as head of the DMC from 2004 to present, he has delivered a profit every year, and for the first time since 1997. While I can't find it on the site, I recall reading that under him, the 29 minutes or less emergency room guarantee. Overall, it looks like a successful record and the type of guy who might be able to turn around Detroit. Not that I expect him to win...

[Benj]

Is Bing term-limited? Because he's been solid, as far as these things go, though unable to accomplish very much due to the intransigence of the city council.

[CathKhan]

Is Bing term-limited? Because he's been solid, as far as these things go, though unable to accomplish very much due to the intransigence of the city council.

To my knowledge, he isn't term limited. The real question is whether he'll choose to run again this year, on which he hasn't given a definite answer, to my knowledge.

Wikipedia page for the race is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_mayoral_election,_2013

[Gass3268]

Will it matter who the Mayor of Detroit is? Especially when Synder is going appoint a dictator... I mean an emergency manger for the city.   

[CathKhan]

Will it matter who the Mayor of Detroit is? Especially when Synder is going appoint a dictator... I mean an emergency manger for the city.   

I really don't see where you on the left get this contempt for Governor Snyder. I suppose it's the typical liberal opposition to actual leadership as opposed to peacenik compromisers and moral cowards.

[Zioneer]

Will it matter who the Mayor of Detroit is? Especially when Synder is going appoint a dictator... I mean an emergency manger for the city.   

I really don't see where you on the left get this contempt for Governor Snyder. I suppose it's the typical liberal opposition to actual leadership as opposed to peacenik compromisers and moral cowards.

Excellently done.

[Gass3268]

Will it matter who the Mayor of Detroit is? Especially when Synder is going appoint a dictator... I mean an emergency manger for the city.  

I really don't see where you on the left get this contempt for Governor Snyder. I suppose it's the typical liberal opposition to actual leadership as opposed to peacenik compromisers and moral cowards.

Since when is it considered leadership to appoint an overlord that has the ability to take away the powers of elected officials? Especially considering the people of the state just voted to remove the whole idea of emergency mangers, only to see their will overturned by the legislature. The whole scenario spits in the face of democracy. Also almost all of the EFM have sucked: http://www.eclectablog.com/2013/03/rachel-maddow-shows-how-emergency-managers-in-michigan-dont-exactly-have-the-best-track-record.html#.UTH-sSNU_m8.twitter

I love his Q&A in the Detroit Free Press:

Q: Will Detroit elections for mayor and City Council still go forward?

A: Yes. Detroiters will have a primary in August and a general election in November. What powers those elected officials will have -- and their salaries -- ultimately will be up to the EFM.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130302/NEWS01/303020111/City-Council-Detroit-mayoral-elections-will-go-forward

I can't wait to see what powers the overlord allows the mayor and council to have! All I know is that they should be so grateful for whatever he gives them! Seriously, how in the hell is it legal to take away the power of local governments?