Court Issues Restraining Order Against Flint, MI Emergency Manager

DETROIT, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lawrence A. Roehrig, Secretary-Treasurer of Michigan Council 25 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, issued the following statement:

"Judge Rosemarie E. Aquilina of the Ingham County Circuit Court has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) enjoining Flint Emergency Manager Michael Brown from 'taking any action with regard to the City of Flint or acting on behalf of the City of Flint in any manner,'" stated Roehrig.

"This decision parallels the orders by Judge William E. Collette, also of the Ingham County Circuit Court, regarding the Highland Park Schools Emergency Manager, and regarding the City of Detroit Financial Review Team.  In each case, these proceedings were conducted in secret, without notice to the public and without keeping minutes," continued Roehrig.  "Such proceedings by a public body are in flagrant violation of the Open Meetings Act.

"Because these proceedings were conducted illegally, including the appointment of Michael Brown as Emergency Manager, the court has quite properly enjoined Mr. Brown from acting on behalf of the City of Flint.  As Emergency Manager, he has announced he will privatize various city assets and services, including the city jail, waste collection, water services, and golf course maintenance," Roehrig pointed out.  "Because of the shroud of secrecy these public bodies have utilized in their deliberations, it is uncertain how far Mr. Brown may have gone with his plans.

"Judge Aquilina has ordered a show cause hearing on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at 4:00 PM," concluded Roehrig.

Lawrence A. Roehrig is also Michigan Vice President for AFSCME International.  Michigan AFSCME Council 25 represents more than 60,000 public workers across Michigan.  AFSCME International represents 1.6 million public workers nationwide.

SOURCE Michigan AFSCME Council 25, AFL-CIO

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