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In the Korean Weekly: Will Detroit’s reinvention attract more Asian companies?
As the city’s bankruptcy allows for restructuring and revitalization, the Korean Weekly newspaper found Asian-owned suppliers, logistics firms, engineering offices, medical companies and other businesses are weighing their options: Hedge their bets in the suburbs or ride the waves in Detroit? The Korean Weekly is part of the Detroit Journalism Cooperative through New Michigan Media.
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In The Michigan Citizen: Water shutoffs part of bankruptcy court today
After hearing several mentions of Detroit’s water shut offs during bankruptcy court today, Judge Steven Rhodes asked a city attorney to return to the afternoon sessions with someone who could answer his questions about the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Here’s The Michigan Citizen’s story about the testimony from objectors and the judge’s request.
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In the Michigan Citizen: Groups urge openness in DWSD mediation, talks
Four grass roots, human rights groups have written to the bankruptcy mediators in an open letter, published in our Detroit Journalism Cooperative partner, The Michigan Citizen. The letter begins: “We write to you because the future of the (Detroit Water and Sewerage Department) is currently being determined behind closed doors. Mediation by United States District Court judges and local political leaders will determine the utility’s future in the aftermath of the city’s bankruptcy arrangements. We are writing to urge you to uphold the human right to water and the public trust doctrine in your deliberations regarding water and sewerage services in the city of Detroit.”
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From the Michigan Citizen: Another view of the “grand bargain”
As we’ve reported, the so-called “grand bargain” isn’t considered so grand by many people. Here, our Detroit Journalism Cooperative partner The Michigan Citizen opines about why the deal isn’t so great, calling out city council members and Detroit legislators for their support. “This governor put Orr and Orr’s former law firm Jones Day in place to push Detroit into bankruptcy, strip retirees of health benefits, threaten retirees to vote their way, take a portion of retirees’ pension; and redirect every viable asset of the city so it is under control of some authority — not the people’s duly elected representatives. … But when the people have representatives like Spivey and Sheffield, Stallworth and Durhal —who are happiest doing the governor’s dirty work — the people really haven’t got much.” Read more here.
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Business during Bankruptcy: A look at the Hispanic community
One of the anchors of Detroit’s Hispanic community — and of its success — has been the burgeoning small business economy, reports The Latino Press. “Statewide, Latino-owned businesses in 2013 had sales and receipts of almost $4 billion and employed well over 18,000 people. As Detroit negotiates its way to a better economic future, the Latino investment in that effort will be critical to its success.” The state of Latino small businesses could be considered a barometer not only of the health of the Latino community, but of Detroit as well. The Press, a Detroit Journalism Cooperative partner, explores some of the the experiences in this vibrant community.
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From the Michigan Citizen: “Bad deal v. Worse deal” for Detroit retirees
Detroit pensioners have to decide if they will or will not accept the terms of Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr and his bankruptcy consultants’ plan to cut their pensions. Pensioners have less than a month to vote on Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr’s plan of adjustment to cut the city’s debt and get out of bankruptcy, and our Detroit Journalism Cooperative partner, The Michigan Citizen, explores some of the issues involved with their decisionmaking as they fill out their ballots.
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In The Jewish News: Increasingly 8 Mile = Eminem, not Coleman Young
Oakland County’s younger Jewish population increasingly sees Detroit differently than the older generation, says Arthur Horwitz, publisher of The Jewish News. The newspaper, through the New Michigan Media group, is part of the Detroit Journalism Cooperative and its effort to comprehensively report on the city’s historic bankruptcy. Horwitz says the vast majority of Oakland County’s roughly 72,000 Jewish residents have close ties to the city. Read how in this article published in his newspaper.
