Who wants to be the emergency manager for Detroit? A letter to Governor Rick Snyder suggests Charlie Beckham is the best selection.
Beckham started working in the Detroit mayor's office for Coleman Young, and nearly four decades later he resigned his position with Dave Bing's administration in 2010.
No one has signed the letter drafted by the Detroit Coalition of Community Leaders. It includes 36 names of prominent Detroiters who, according to the letter, are endorsing Beckham as emergency manager, including Detroit police officer John Bennett.
"Of the names that I've heard mentioned, I think, by far, he's the most qualified person," Bennett remarked.
He said he is in favor of Beckham as emergency manager, but other people listed as endorsing Beckham say hold the phone.
Mike Duggan, who is exploring a run for mayor himself, said he had no knowledge of his name being included and had no involvement in the drafting of the letter.
Dan McNamara, Detroit fire union boss, and Mark Diaz, police union boss, both said they never endorsed Beckham for emergency manager.
What is Bennett's reaction to his name being included in the letter?
"I don't have a problem with that. I know there's a big uproar over that, but I've talked to Charlie. He seems like a capable person. I think he's qualified. He can do the job. I don't have a problem with my name being added to that list," he said. "Let me say again I'm not in favor of an emergency manager, but faced with the prospects I want somebody who knows what to do."
I tried to reach Beckham for comment on this story, but was unsuccessful.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:41:47 GMT
FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
For at least the third time in a decade, FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:28 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:28:39 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:32 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:32:27 GMT
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
Friday, January 18 2013 10:59 PM EST2013-01-19 03:59:24 GMT
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Friday, June 14 2013 11:42 PM EDT2013-06-15 03:42:43 GMT
Police say a man entered a Rochester Hills apartment through an unlocked door wall early Thursday morning and then sexually assaulted the woman inside.
Police say a man entered a Rochester Hills apartment through an unlocked door wall early Thursday morning and then sexually assaulted the woman inside.
Friday, June 7 2013 10:33 PM EDT2013-06-08 02:33:06 GMT
Golf is supposed to be a relaxing sport, but in Oakland Township, police say the game turned violent. A club was broken and then the shaft used to stab a man in the arm.
Golf is supposed to be a relaxing sport, but in Oakland Township, police say the game turned violent. A club was broken and then the shaft used to stab a man in the arm.
Monday, May 27 2013 7:01 AM EDT2013-05-27 11:01:40 GMT
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
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.
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Charlie Beckham (Credit: Fox 2 News)
