Members of the Detroit City Council (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
"This shows that the council has already, always, standing ready to move forward with this process," said Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh.
He and five of his colleagues have selected their appointments for the Financial Advisory Board. Investment firm president, financial analyst and accountant W. Howard Morris, former emergency manager for Inkster Schools, will serve a three year term.
"He's a Detroiter. He has a long history of finance and complex financial transactions, so I think he'll be a great addition," said council member Saunteel Jenkins.
CFO of the UAW's retiree medical benefits trust Mary Beth Kuderick will serve for one year. She's worked with General Motors and the UAW to turn around their health care plans saving GM millions of dollars.
Three of the council members did not participate in the vote, JoAnn Watson, Brenda Jones and Kwame Kenyatta, because they did not vote in favor of the consent agreement. So, based on principal, they're not participating. However, Kenyatta is questioning the qualifications of the newly appointed program manager.
"What have you turned around? If your ship is sinking and the passengers are drowning, how do you jump to another ship that's in a tailspin and say that you're going to do such a great job?"
Kenyatta talking about Kriss Andrews, chief financial officer for Energy Conversion Devices in Auburn Hills, which filed for bankruptcy in February. He has just been named the program manager director under the consent agreement and will make $220,000 a year.
"It's a red flag. It's not necessarily a huge red flag," said council member Ken Cockrel, Junior.
"We know about the company that has failed. We want to hear what you're success were because ultimately that's what we're looking for," Jenkins said.
City Council is asking that Andrews meet with them. He tells Fox 2 the bankruptcy is the result of events in the worldwide solar market and points to his previous success with global business advisory firm BBK helping automotive suppliers through their restructuring.
"Ultimately it's the mayor's call and the governor's call. They seem to have comfort with him, and I'd be interested in hearing the story behind that, as well," Cockrel said.
Andrews begins work in July. The Financial Advisory Board meets at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Wayne State.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:57:29 GMT
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:55 GMT
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:55:49 GMT
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:40 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:40:28 GMT
Tucker Cipriano, the teenager accused of attacking his family and killing his father, is set to go on trial Monday. However, we've learned his family is stepping up its fight to head off that trial.
Tucker Cipriano, the teenager accused of attacking his family and killing his father, is set to go on trial Monday. However, we've learned his family is stepping up its fight to head off that trial.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
Members of the Detroit City Council (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
