Benson asleep at the wheel

[kenp]

"Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson was arrested Sunday by police in Southfield.

Benson was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, according to published reports.

The city councilman was still in police custody on Monday morning, ABC's Detroit affiliate WXYZ-TV reporter."

http://www.wjr.com/common/more.php?m=58&ts=1404136699&article=8D8363B7005F11 E4B51EFEFDADE6840A&mode=2

[bragaboutme]

Drinking and driving? This is a serious situation. Everyone in city government should've learned their lesson after Mr. Kush. Why is it so hard for people to call a cab!?!

[cla1945]

Same old same old for Detroit. Not much changed yet, Duggan is asleep at the wheel if he doesn't act on this ASAP.

[Detroitnerd]

Same old same old for Detroit. Not much changed yet, Duggan is asleep at the wheel if he doesn't act on this ASAP.

You mean same old metro Detroit, right? How many chances did L. Brooks Patterson get? At the time, the Oakland County sheriffs had said, "The guy’s hit three, four curbs now," and, "He’s taking off like crazy, cutting in between everybody." Guess those cops were asleep at the wheel, not administering a breathalyzer test. [[wink-wink) And I suppose Patterson should have been chased out of office long ago.

[cla1945]

You mean same old metro Detroit, right? How many chances did L. Brooks Patterson get? At the time, the Oakland County sheriffs had said, "The guy’s hit three, four curbs now," and, "He’s taking off like crazy, cutting in between everybody." Guess those cops were asleep at the wheel, not administering a breathalyzer test. [[wink-wink) And I suppose Patterson should have been chased out of office long ago.

Who are we talking about in this particular forum? Not Patterson. Incidentally, he's [[Patterson) not my idea of a pilar of society either, but at least he has taken Oakland County down the right road, in spite of his drunk episodes. Every time I turn around there's something going on in Detroit that certainly makes people lose confidence in their "leaders".

[Detroitnerd]

Who are we talking about in this particular forum? Not Patterson. Incidentally, he's [[Patterson) not my idea of a pilar of society either, but at least he has taken Oakland County down the right road, in spite of his drunk episodes. Every time I turn around there's something going on in Detroit that certainly makes people lose confidence in their "leaders".

I thought we were talking about officials driving drunk, and how we should call for their head when they do it.

Apparently, though, this is just another beat-down session for Detroit. Yawn ... next ...

[jt1]

I thought we were talking about officials driving drunk, and how we should call for their head when they do it.

Apparently, though, this is just another beat-down session for Detroit. Yawn ... next ...

You know the moving goalpost approach. It applies to pretty much everything in the city with people like cla.

[Gistok]

Same old same old for Detroit. Not much changed yet, Duggan is asleep at the wheel if he doesn't act on this ASAP.

And what exactly is Duggan supposed to do when he "awakens"?? This is NOT his responsibility, and also it didn't happen in his jurisdiction. Also... he's not empowered by the City Charter to DO anything if the City Council members misbehave...

[cla1945]

And what exactly is Duggan supposed to do when he "awakens"?? This is NOT his responsibility, and also it didn't happen in his jurisdiction. Also... he's not empowered by the City Charter to DO anything if the City Council members misbehave...

Then Orr should take action since he's in charge now. Someone, anyone, should address Cushingberry and Benson. But, unless the people demand action, I guess not much will be done...this is all accepted behavior from politicians throughout "metro Detroit".

[Lowell]

Then Orr should take action since he's in charge now. Someone, anyone, should address Cushingberry and Benson. But, unless the people demand action, I guess not much will be done...this is all accepted behavior from politicians throughout "metro Detroit".

As others have noted this is an issue for the courts. Orr has no more jurisdiction that Duggan does. I do wish there was an additional level of punishment for public officials. Their misbehavior is more than an individual offense. It damages the public institutions they 'serve', lowers respect for law, and smears others in office who are trying to do the right thing.

And you'll be missing part of your pension check in the not too distant future. Is that better?

Cheap shot jt1. The guy did his job, a dangerous one at that, and earned his pension.

[jt1]

Cheap shot jt1. The guy did his job, a dangerous one at that, and earned his pension.

Cheap shot? yes. Earned the pension? Yes. Now for the tricky thing nobody wants to address: Where does the money come from. The options are:

1. Increase taxes which results in even more lost business and population which eventually results in no money for pensions.
2. Cut current services even more so that even more than 40+ cents on every dollar goes to legacy costs. Same result as [[1).
3. Further reduce pay and strip all benefits of current employees. Good luck keeping any DPD and DFD if they take an even bigger hit. What they are paid and the benefit cuts is criminal but retirees don't seem to want to consider that.

People keep saying that promises should be met however nobody is showing up with the seeds for the magic money trees that will solve it all.

I'm all for hearing solutions. Just saying" A promise must be kept" isn't a solution.

[Honky Tonk]

Here's a bit more about it, but not much.....

http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/detr...-in-southfield

[cla1945]

Asleep at the wheel of a City of Detroit owned automobile?

[Honky Tonk]

Asleep at the wheel of a City of Detroit owned automobile?

Hmmmmmmm... Catchy first line for a song.

[ferndalien]

Asleep at the wheel of a City of Detroit owned automobile?

Same as it ever was.

[Detroitnerd]

Which is not to say that two wrongs make a right, right?

But I find it very interesting that people are calling for a man's head when they [[a) don't know the facts of the case, [[b) the man hasn't had his day in court, [[c) and another, much more prominent politician has had frequent instances of driving in various states of intoxication and he's considered a county hero.

Sounds to me like his driving isn't the issue here ...

[Scottathew]

Which is not to say that two wrongs make a right, right?

But I find it very interesting that people are calling for a man's head when they [[a) don't know the facts of the case, [[b) the man hasn't had his day in court, [[c) and another, much more prominent politician has had frequent instances of driving in various states of intoxication and he's considered a county hero.

Sounds to me like his driving isn't the issue here ...

[[A) We know the preliminary facts, which are rather damning.

[[B) This is not a court of law. Our discussions don't involve someone going to jail. The burden of proof on this forum is not that of a criminal court that can sentence people to fines and jail

[[C) A valid point. It doesn't lessen the stupidity or accountability, but it does raise the issue of our representatives not having the moral character that they ought to have

[kenp]

He will get his day in court and we shall see. Up in Flintown a city councilman was found at around 3:00am, drunk as a skunk, on the shoulder of 4-75 heading the wrong way while trying to fix one of his FOUR flat tires. Weed in the car, incoherent and refused breath test. Arrested with multiple counts. Took it to court, represented himself and found innocent of all but impaired driving.
Local juries can work wonders

[jt1]

And you'll be missing part of your pension check in the not too distant future. Is that better?

[cla1945]

And you'll be missing part of your pension check in the not too distant future. Is that better?

Yes, you are right about that jt, and you take great pleasure in saying that don't you?

I wonder if during my years of running into fires to search for victims, I may have done some good for you or your family? Or maybe you were the one who ran past me with the flames licking your behind while your kids were still asleep. No, maybe you were the one shooting at me and my brothers when we were fighting a fire that left children without a home. Hummm, I wonder if you were the one practically licking my boots with gratitude when I gave your dog mouth to mouth...we'll never know the answers to those questions will we jt.

I never expected thank yous for doing the job I loved, the only thing I expected was for Detroit to live up to its end of the bargain it struck up with me and thousands of others who worked as firefighters, police officers, and DPW sanitation workers. Gloat all you want jt, it doesn't phase me in the least...I know what I did for Detroit...what have you done?

[FlyOnTheWall]

Yes, you are right about that jt, and you take great pleasure in saying that don't you?

I wonder if during my years of running into fires to search for victims, I may have done some good for you or your family? Or maybe you were the one who ran past me with the flames licking your behind while your kids were still asleep. No, maybe you were the one shooting at me and my brothers when we were fighting a fire that left children without a home. Hummm, I wonder if you were the one practically licking my boots with gratitude when I gave your dog mouth to mouth...we'll never know the answers to those questions will we jt.

I never expected thank yous for doing the job I loved, the only thing I expected was for Detroit to live up to its end of the bargain it struck up with me and thousands of others who worked as firefighters, police officers, and DPW sanitation workers. Gloat all you want jt, it doesn't phase me in the least...I know what I did for Detroit...what have you done?

Kudos on being a Firefighter. Thanks for your service. I know of what you are talking about though I never had shots fired at me.

[cla1945]

Kudos on being a Firefighter. Thanks for your service. I know of what you are talking about though I never had shots fired at me.

i hope you never do either. Stay safe.

[FlyOnTheWall]

i hope you never do either. Stay safe.

I think I'm past that these days. Retired 20 years ago.

[Honky Tonk]

Yes, you are right about that jt, and you take great pleasure in saying that don't you?

I wonder if during my years of running into fires to search for victims, I may have done some good for you or your family? Or maybe you were the one who ran past me with the flames licking your behind while your kids were still asleep. No, maybe you were the one shooting at me and my brothers when we were fighting a fire that left children without a home. Hummm, I wonder if you were the one practically licking my boots with gratitude when I gave your dog mouth to mouth...we'll never know the answers to those questions will we jt.

I never expected thank yous for doing the job I loved, the only thing I expected was for Detroit to live up to its end of the bargain it struck up with me and thousands of others who worked as firefighters, police officers, and DPW sanitation workers. Gloat all you want jt, it doesn't phase me in the least...I know what I did for Detroit...what have you done?

Thanx cla for your years of dedicated service. I hope the powers that be sign the agreement quickly so that you take the smallest hit possible.

[cla1945]

Thanx cla for your years of dedicated service. I hope the powers that be sign the agreement quickly so that you take the smallest hit possible.

Thanks Honky Tonk, that means a lot to me.