by Mike Hall, Apr 29, 2011
The sponsor of Michigan’s “financial martial law” bill that Gov. Rick Snyder (R) pushed and then signed last month is facing a recall because the first city—Benton Harbor—to be placed under the law that virtually abolishes local government is in his district and local officials and residents want their government back.
In addition, news reports have uncovered his ties to a major developer that wants to take over the city’s crown jewel—a lakeshore park deeded to the city in 1917.
Today, Benton Harbor City Commissioner Dennis Knowles, filed a document that is the first step to recalling State Rep. Al Pscholka (R). The document is proposed language for a recall petition and if approved by the Berrien County Commission, activists can begin collecting signatures for recall. The county commission is expected to rule on the recall move May 9.
The document says Pscholka should be recalled “for sponsoring and supporting Public Act 4 that has robbed the citizens in District 79, namely the city of Benton Harbor, of their democratic rights…empowering a nonelected emergency financial manager…(and) striking local municipal government representation for, of and by the people.”
Meanwhile MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow has traced the connections between Pscholka, the Whirlpool Corp.’s development of a luxury golf course and estate home community and a Benton Harbor lakeshore city park it’s drooling over to add to the Golf Club at Harbor Shores.
In a nutshell, Pscholka is a former aide to Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) heir to the Whirlpool fortune. Its corporate headquarters is in Benton Harbor and Whirlpool is using some of its land in Benton Harbor for the project. But it is eyeing Jean Klock Park along Lake Michigan’s shores for even more McMansions. After leasing a small portion of the park to Harbor Shores when the project began, Benton Harbor residents and city officials have opposed any expansion.
Pscholka is the former vice-president of a development company involved in the Harbor Shores project and was on the Board of Directors of a non-profit also involved in the Harbor Shores project.
Under the financial martial law bill, the city officials who have opposed Harbor Shores don’t have much power anymore. Here’s what they can do, according to the recently appointed “Emergency Financial Manager” Joseph Harris. They can an only call meetings to order, adjourn them and approve minutes of meetings. All other decision–making powers rest with Harris.
Click here for Maddow’s segment on Pscholka, here to visit Save Jean Klock Park and here, and here.
