Fear and lack of confidence in the ethics of the run high in property owners:
“It makes me think that they purposely want to kill off citizens of Detroit . In Detroit, the government can't
manipulate structural protectors, like levees, to wipe out the schools and neighborhoods. So they want to take
advantage of old boilers, when left unattended by skilled engineers on site, will become dangerous bombs. God
has a purpose for each person on Earth. We deserve to live our life to the fullest and not feel threatened by a
possible explosion!”6
A complainant writes:
Says former School Board President LaMar Lemmons:
In defiance and above the strong objections of the policies, practices and procedures and instruction of the
elected board and the community they are putting Detroit’s children, teachers and neighborhoods in further
jeopardy. Whatever the cost, it’s not worth it, and frankly, we didn’t have these problems before State
Management.
ADVERSE IMPACT
Risk of death of classrooms of children.
DISPARATE TREATMENT
This variance was requested of the Detroit City Council for Detroit Public Schools only. These students are
overwhelmingly minority children. The neighborhoods the schools are contained in are minority.
ALTERNATIVES
School Board LaMar Lemmons states:
“The community, already traumatized by so many other actions over and above their dignity, is nothing short of
aghast that this would be considered, as an experiment, never done before in the nation, and not even
recommended by the manufacturer of the remote technology to aid managing a system of boilers. The
technology is meant to enhance safety. The proposal puts the public at risk. For certain, authorities can
ALWAYS find ways to cut money if they can put the public at risk. The FAA can cut airplane inspections, and
cruise ships can sail without being seaworthy. There is a reason we do not do these things. A better idea to
save a million dollars would be to cut 10 unnecessary administrators which serve as the Emergency Manager’s
entourage. While these are good jobs, considering the alternative, of putting children at risk, or closing schools,
it is by far a better choice. We think.”
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