Obama Administration Officials To Visit Detroit, Karmanos Says They Should Bring Checkbook
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Officials from the administration of President Barack Obama are expected to visit Detroit next week to meet with community leaders, elected officials and others.
The Sept. 27 meetings are part of ongoing discussions involving the White House amid Detroit's financial troubles. The city this summer made the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in U.S. history.
While a federal bailout isn't on the table, the White House wants Detroit to take advantage of existing programs to rebuild and right itself financially.
Obama economic adviser Gene Sperling is among those expected to visit. He says officials plan to "continue to support the efforts underway in Detroit and ensure the federal government is an active partner in supporting the revitalization of the city."
Word of the planned visit was welcomed by the offices of Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and the city's state-appointed emergency manager Kevyn Orr.
And it's apparently welcome news for well-known local businessman Peter Karmanos Jr., Compuware co-founder, who at the Goofellows' Tribute Breakfast Friday said the White House should bring a checkbook when they visit. Karmanos was accepting the Goodfellow of the Year Award.
"Bring the money, bring the well-wishes and then let Detroit do what it needs to do," Karmanos said, according to the Detroit News. "From what I can tell, (Washington) still prints money over there."
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