Emergency Financial Manager Panel Discussion

EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER -

An Educational FORUM

Presented by the League of Women Voters Detroit Metropolitan Area

Saturday, April 20, 2013

10 am to 12 noon

Henry Ford Centennial Library

16301 Michigan Ave.

Dearborn

Public Invited / Welcome

• What is the law pertaining to Emergency Financial Managers?
• When was legislation first passed to establish State Management of municipalities or school districts?
• What was on the ballot in 2012?
• What is an Emergency Financial Manager and what authority does one have?
• What are the criteria for State intervention into local government entities?

In a recent Bridge Magazine article, Ted Roelofs reported that, "In five years, total Michigan property values plunged by more than $260 billion, according to an analysis of state records."  Values dropped from $725 billion in 2011 to $698 billion in 2012.  There was a drop of $36 billion in value for residential, industrial, commercial, timber, development and personal property. State and local governments levied $1.3 billion less in property taxes in 2011 than in 2007 because of declining property values and exemptions from the tax, according to Treasury Department figures. That has caused layoffs and cutbacks in everything from police and fire protection to schools. Detroit's problems are echoed in several communities.

Come learn about this very important topic.

An impressive list of speakers will compose the panel presentation:

Dr. Anthony A. Perry, Associate Dean, Social Science Division and Director of the Democracy Institute, Henry Ford Community College, will act as moderator.

Ms. Bettie Buss is former Supervising Budget Analyst for the City of Detroit, Director of Policy and Research for Detroit Renaissance from 1994 to 2006, and presently Senior Research Analyst at Citizen Research Council.

Mr. Fred Headen is former Director of Bureau of Local Government Services and presently serves as legal advisor to the State Treasurer, Andy Dillon.

Dr. John Telford is a dedicated educator who began teaching at Detroit Southeastern, Finney, and Pershing High Schools, advanced to administrator at several suburban school districts including Walled Lake, Berkley, Plymouth/ Canton, Rochester, and Macomb Community College. He coached high school and college track champions, especially at Wayne State and Oakland Universities. Dr. Telford returned to Detroit Schools in 1999, subsequently served as Executive Director supervising principals, and until recently served as Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools sharing district leadership with an emergency financial manager.   

                                              10:00 am to 11:00 am - Panel Presentation

   11:00 am to 12:00 noon - Question / Answer

                                              12 to 12:30 pm - Light Refreshments

For more information, please call 313-278-6476.