Petition to recall Bing approved

Jul 31, 2010 — Detroit Free Press

Cecil Angel

Jul. 31, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The Wayne County Election Commission approved on Friday language for a recall petition to remove Detroit Mayor Dave Bing from office.

But commissioners did not approve petitions submitted against City Council President Charles Pugh and Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins.

Cheryl Guines, who filed the petition against Bing on July 16, said in her filing that she was acting because "Mayor Dave Bing reduced public bus service, thus creating problems for city residents getting to work, doctor appointments and students getting to and from school."

On Friday, Guines said, "I'm pleased, and now it's up to the people."

Theo Broughton, cofounder of Hood Research, a Detroit neighborhood-improvement organization and think tank, said the group Community for Equal Funding for Our Schools was behind the recall. She said the group has six months to gather about 57,000 signatures to put the recall question on the ballot.

"We're not going to comment on it," said Karen Dumas, a Bing spokeswoman.

Bing was first elected in a May 2009 special election to serve the remainder of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's term. He then was elected to a four-year term in November.

Shortly after the special election, Bing made cuts to the Detroit Department of Transportation, eliminating bus routes and laying off drivers. The cuts came as Bing and the City Council struggled with a $300-million deficit.

He has had other controversies, as well.

He has faced down unions, forcing them to accept concessions that included pay cuts in the way of furloughs while hiring appointees at higher salaries than under interim Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr.

He also has removed two police chiefs -- most recently Warren Evans, who was forced to resign July 21.

Bing also has been praised for successes. The city was able to sell $250 million in bonds hours after the debt was offered on the market.

The commissioners also reviewed 10 recall petitions filed by people besides Guines -- one for Bing and the rest against Pugh and Jenkins. The second Bing petition was declared moot because of approval of the first.

Contact CECIL ANGEL: 313-223-4531 or angel@freepress.com

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