Monday, August 13 2012 7:52 PM EDT2012-08-13 23:52:57 GMT
The Detroit Financial Advisory Board meeting Monday and is figuring out how to fix the financial mess in the city. That means pay cuts for all city employees are just days away.
The Detroit Financial Advisory Board meeting Monday and is figuring out how to fix the financial mess in the city. That means pay cuts for all city employees are just days away.
DETROIT (WJBK) -
$32,000. That's the starting salary to protect and serve in Detroit, one of the highest crime rates in the nation with one of the lowest starting salaries for a city its size. Now that number goes down again. 10 percent pay cuts for many city employees start on Wednesday.
For police officers, "We were already scraping to get by in the first place," said Scott Pellerito.
They will see cuts in their paychecks starting August 24.
"We have a lot of people that are probably not going to be able to make their mortgage. They may go into bankruptcy," Pellerito said.
He is an officer and on the board for the Detroit Police Officers Association. How does it hit home? Pellerito says it hits hard.
"I know of an officer that is collecting bottles to put food on his table, and that's previous to these cuts. It's not just 10 percent. It's the other benefits, as well, which amount to basically a 20 percent pay cut."
Rising healthcare costs makes the pay cut even worse, then there are the hours.
"A single family on a twelve hour shift that they're forcing us to do, where do you find a daycare center that's going to take your child on midnights for twelve hours," Pellerito remarked.
The mayor's office is imposing the cuts. Members of the Financial Advisory Board appointed by the state, mayor and members of the council insist they realize these are tough decisions, but these are tough times.
"Nobody's running for office. Nobody's getting big money. Everybody's doing it only because they want to help Detroit be better," board member Ron Whipple said Monday.
"We're moving forward with all the initiatives, imposing the contacts," City Council President Pro-tem Gary Brown also said Monday.
All the protests and anger isn't likely to go anywhere anytime soon, nor is the pay cut, which takes effect soon.
The mayor's office on several occasions and the Financial Advisory Board have maintained that they need to take these steps in order to balance the books and get the city out of the red. In the meantime, the DPOA says they'll be doing a little homework themselves. They plan to take legal action against the city.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:21:52 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:34:36 GMT
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:54:08 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:06:29 GMT
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:54:49 GMT
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:31:37 GMT
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:52:39 GMT
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Friday, May 24 2013 1:29 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:29:01 GMT
School officials say an earlier lockdown at three schools in Allen Park Friday has been lifted.
School officials say an earlier lockdown at three schools in Allen Park Friday has been lifted. Officials say police gave the all-clear at Allen Park Middle School, Lindemann Elementary and Riley Education Center around 12:40 p.m. Friday.
DPOA board member Scott Pellerito shares his thoughts on 10 percent pay cuts for Detroit police officers. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
