I'd like to think he has some conscience. Perhaps his strategy is to appeal to moderates; whether it's a sound strategy or not I suppose it's worth a try and it's better morally in my opinion than to appeal only/mostly to what some politicians call their 'base'. I suppose I should learn who his opposition is before I make a final decision, and also consider potential lame-duck issues.
Also yes, the city manager scheme is the biggest stumbling block for me about Snyder. Hearing things like the stadium sale really doesn't change my mind. If he were to promise some reform regarding oversight and regulation (especially concerning
policy all decisions that benefit the manager's or his affiliate's personal financials); then I and likely others would be willing to consider modifying our position on that matter.
EDIT: Another thing that needs to be remedied to sway my opinion, no matter how much or little Snyder had to do with it originally or at any other time:
From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bobbconflict of interest (between Bobb and the public) bolded
result of this conflict of interest italicized
Emergency financial manager
In March 2009, Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Bobb as emergency financial manager for the Detroit Public Schools, which at the time had 172 schools, 85,000 students,[14] and a deficit of $219 million.[15] At the end of Bobb's first year as financial manager, the deficit had increased to $363 million, according to budget documents released by the school district in June 2010.[15]
Bobb said he took on the job because Detroit had the "roughest and the toughest" urban schools and because he understood "the dynamics, the grit, the opportunities that are prevalent in urban America."[2] In addition to his management of the schools' finances, he created master plans for education reforms including standards required to pass to the next grade level, and offered plans for facilities improvement and community involvement.[2][14] He used $500 million in federal stimulus money to improve facilities and led a successful enrollment drive resulting in 900 more students than projected.[14] He called for 2,600 volunteers to donate 180 hours each to help students learn to read.[2]
His tenure as emergency manager was beset with controversies related to school closings, job cuts, and the elimination and outsourcing of school services.[5] During his first ten months on the job he closed 29 schools and hired outside consultants to improve 17 schools.[2] When it appeared that consolidation of high schools and large class sizes could cause tension and violence, he rehired 137 guidance counselors he had laid off, and rehired 20 piano teachers so that music education could continue.[2]
Bobb is paid an annual salary of $280,000 by the government
and $145,000 by the Kellogg Foundation and the Broad Foundation, a national promoter of school choice and privatization.[4] Bobb is also the owner, president and CEO of the LAPA Group, LLC, a private/public sector consulting firm.[5]His appointment was to expire on March 1, 2011.[5] At that time, he was given expanded powers by the state legislature, including the powers to modify contracts, terminate collective bargaining agreements with teachers and fire elected officials.[4][16]
He has said he intends to use these powers,[16] and has issued layoff notices to all of the teachers in the school system,[17] which will give him or other managers the power to call back or reassign teachers without having to consider seniority rights.[18] Bobb is also proposing that as many as 41 Detroit Public Schools that he has scheduled for closure be turned instead into privatized charter schools.[4]
Author
Topic: American Election Megathread - It's Over (Read 764943 times)