My news story today about county Executive Mark Hackel’s choice to run the Department of Senior Services, Rhonda Powell, has apparently stirred up a hornet’s nest.
If you missed the story: Some leaders of the black community are concerned that Powell may get railroaded by the county board, which must confirm the appointment.
I’m hearing that several Republicans are ready to reject her because her background is in caring for the homeless, not assisting seniors. I was also corrected on one small matter — a master’s degree is preferred for the position, but not required. Powell is in the middle of an online master’s program.
I’m also told that Karen Bisdorf, the former assistant director and interim director of the department who was previously passed up for the permanent post, is upset that she applied for the job but was never called for an interview. Bisdorf, who was laid off during a prior round of budget cuts, has more education and pertinent experience than Powell.
Another thing I’ve been told is that Greg Murray, one of the leaders raising questions about the hiring process, is not the official chairman of the Macomb County Democratic Black Caucus, as he claims. That designation is granted by the state party, and Murray doesn’t have it. County party chairman Ed Bruley is establishing a black caucus, with the state party’s blessing, and Jackie Kelly is serving as interim chair.
Finally, there’s the claim by Murray and the Rev. D.L. Bradley that Powell would be the first African-American department head in Macomb County history.
Critics raise several issues regarding that claim.
First, Thomas Alford, an African-American, served as director of the county library and the library consortium for 10 years beginning in the early 1970s. Second, John Eddings, an African-American, served briefly as the county ombudsman in 2004-05 — essentially as a one-man department. And, third, Gil Chang served as the finance director throughout much of 2010. Chang is Jamaican and Chinese. I’ll leave it those who know much more about the history of the Jamaican slave trade than I to determine whether that qualifies him as an African-American.
All I know is that Thursday’s county board meeting, where Hackel’s appointees will face approval, could prove to be very interesting.
Chad, Chad, Chad…
As you are fully aware, the Macomb County Democratic Black Caucus was formed in 2006. The paperwork is on file with the Macomb County Clerk's office for anyone and everyone to see. Seems like you would have checked that out and included that in your blog, but what was I expecting…fairness….?
There is no requirement that a caucus be affiliated with a political party and you know that.
You have no corroboration, and probably did not ask for any, that a Democratic political caucus can only be formed by the Michigan Democratic Party or that a caucus legally formed cannot elect its own chairman.
Chad…where is the word "party" in our name….it is not there, is it?
You have been suckered, Chad, and I find it hard to believe that you don't know you are being played like an old Remington typewriter.
The Michigan Democratic Party is free to form a Macomb County Democratic PARTY Black Caucus.
I don't need Bruley's permission to be a political activist nor do I need him to "validate" my politics…something you seem to suggest is necessary in Macomb County.
I noticed that you did not bother to contact me regarding this blog, but oh, well.
You also leave a lot of detail out, Chad, that you know you should include.
Ed Bruley did not protest the formation of the caucus in 2006. He did not protest it until 2010, after he lost his bid to become a Wayne State regent and after the slate we endorsed won (with the exception of Fred Miller, whom we did not endorse won in the November 2010 election.
You should have asked him why did he wait four years…but I understand why you did not.
Ed Bruley is a good source for inaccurate information, but if you, as a reporter, are hell bent on given him a platform for one-sided and uncorroborated information, there is nothing I can do about that.