Time for a change
Re: Nolan Finley's March 17 column, "Kevyn Orr might just get the job done": Detroit's failure helps nobody. But only people who live in a fairy tale world don't know what has been going on in Detroit for decades.
Mike Corey, St. Clair Shores
Don't forget Bing
Mayor Bing deserves a lot of credit for his role in turning the city around. Without his exceptional leadership and drive we would not be looking at this with the same feeling of eminent success that he has helped foster.
Jacques LaBranche, Las Vegas
Follow the money
What is troublesome is the fact that Mayor Dave Bing hired Orr's former law firm a few days before Orr was appointed. There is no reason in the world Bing should have hired a firm that is not based in Michigan. It is also troublesome that the governor's office did not do any due diligence on Kevyn Orr and learn about his tax liens before his appointment. I predict that Orr will steer millions of dollars worth of legal work to his old firm and then determine bankruptcy is inevitable.
Ben Gonek, Troy
Bad appointment
This is a joke to appoint a guy who can't even take care of his own business.
Devon L. Smith, Detroit
Wish him well
I hope Orr will succeed because I truly enjoy visiting the city and enjoy its many entertainment and cultural delights.
Richard LaGrow, Caloma
New boss, same as old
If you consider Orr's problem with paying taxes and the good possibility the City Council will retain its salaries and perks, we're off to a fresh, good start. Just refinance some old bonds, take out new bonds and, of course, receive a nice infusion of cash from Lansing and all will be well. Sorry for the cynicism.
John Wilson, Jackson
Archer did well
I think it's unfair and inaccurate to say that Orr is the only competent person to walk through the doors of City Hall. Dennis Archer was a very qualified and intelligent mayor who got more accomplished then he gets credit for. The foundation for all the rebirth taking place in Midtown and downtown was laid by Mayor Archer.
Dalton A. Roberson Jr., Detroit
Orr's big test
In order for him to succeed, I believe he has to make some decisions that show Detroiters he has their best interest in mind. If he is able to convince the unions, political activists and the community at large that he is not here to be an arm-twister and hatchet man for Snyder but instead someone who can protect the city's most valued assets as he maneuvers the city out of its financial problems, he has a chance to succeed.
Ronald Hunt, Detroit
Beware the narrative
How convenient this premise is. If Orr fails miserably, then it must be because Detroit is "too far gone" to save, and for no other reason.
Dale Lewis, Delray Beach, Fla.
Who did the vetting?
This is an embarrassing moment for Snyder and Orr, but it is not disqualifying unless it is but a tip of further problems. I am sure Orr and Snyder have had several come-to-Jesus meetings since this surfaced. I am also sure that another vetting, a more thorough and hard-digging one, is being done at this moment.
James Foster, Mesquite, Texas
System failure
Re: Eric Scorsone's March 14 THINK story, "What you need to know about emergency managers and Detroit": Detroit lacks an enterprise system that has the capability to allow its numerous individual departmental databases to communicate and share data with one another.
This allows for many missteps. To further exacerbate things, the county's Register of Deed's database cannot communicate with the city. Better technology is a significant component of the answer.
Ron Markoe, Detroit
Ministers aren't helping
Re: Darren A. Nichols' March 19 report, "Baptist pastors blast 'anti-democratic' EM, vow lawsuit": These groups spew all their venom towards the people who are trying to solve the problem and none towards the people who caused it.
Douglas Keegstra, Grand Rapids
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