City of Detroit

CITY COUNCIL
CHARLES PUGH COUNCIL PRESIDENT

**MEDIA STATEMENT** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kirsten Ussery 313-205-4211

Detroit City Council President Pugh Issues Statement Regarding Reports of Detroit Need for Emergency Manager
DETROIT, Mich., November 3, 2011 Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh issued the following statement today regarding reports of Detroits need for an Emergency Manager: It is true that the City of Detroit is in fiscal crisis and more tough decisions need to be made. However, the Mayor and City Council are capable of making these decisions on our own. We realize that our biggest cost saving opportunity is in addressing our growing healthcare costs and pension obligations. But those things must be negotiated in collective bargaining and we will not achieve those savings until the unions come to the table. In the meantime, there are many things within our control that we can do right now before there is a need for intervention from an emergency manager such as: o Controlling the workforce consolidate departments to eliminate redundancy and layoff workers o Cutting contracts demand that contractors do more with less and cut contracts if they do not comply o Raising fees for licensing and permits And there are a multitude of other options available to us that we simply need to execute. The City Council will support smart, tough decisions but we need the Mayor to show leadership on this issue. We

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 2 Woodward Ave., Suite 1340 Detroit, Michigan 48226 (313) 224-4510 Fax (313) 224-0230 CouncilPresidentPugh@detroitmi.gov

should be talking about bold ideas - an Emergency Manager is the last thing we should be talking about. -moreABOUT COUNCIL PRESIDENT CHARLES PUGH Charles Pugh serves as President of the Detroit City Council, the legislative branch of city government. This honorable body is responsible for, not only, approving the citys budget and contracts, but also, passing ordinances and resolutions. With his historic election, Pugh is charged with helping to revive the City of Detroit. ###

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 2 Woodward Ave., Suite 1340 Detroit, Michigan 48226 (313) 224-4510 Fax (313) 224-0230 CouncilPresidentPugh@detroitmi.gov