  News08 Member Username: News08 Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2008 |
Dave Bing's campaign manager Charles Beckham, a former city of Detroit Public Lighting Director, owes $147,773.95 in state and federal taxes, records show. www.detnews.com/taxwatchdog | ||
Lefty2 Member Username: Lefty2 Post Number: 2907 Registered: 07-2007 |
he must of made a hell of a lot of money as a city servant to owe that much. Ah, a former Coleman Young water and sewer sludge crook. | ||
Mama_jackson Member Username: Mama_jackson Post Number: 510 Registered: 06-2006 |
I kind of got to wonder about Dave Bing's ability to make solid decisions based on this one. If you're going to have a campaign manager to represent you, wouldn't you want to know if they are people who would make you proud and if they have a shady background? I think that would be the first thing I would check. EGADS! What was (is) he thinking? | ||
Rjlj Member Username: Rjlj Post Number: 748 Registered: 11-2003 |
The guy is on a payment plan and Bing knew about it. "Bing, who is running in a crowded Feb. 24 primary to complete Kilpatrick's term, was aware of Beckham's tax issues, spokesman Cliff Russell said. "Charlie Beckham remains a valued member of the Bing campaign team," Russell said." | ||
Gianni Member Username: Gianni Post Number: 406 Registered: 05-2004 |
If this is the same guy, he did time in prison for his involvement in the Vista sludge disposal scandal in the 80's. I know he's now paid his debt to society, but it does make one question Bing's judgment. | ||
Dannyv Member Username: Dannyv Post Number: 480 Registered: 08-2007 |
What sort of example does Mr. Beckham set for the Bing campaign? That if you are high enough up the hierarchy, you can ignore paying your taxes. Isn't that just what we're trying to get away from. Bing's campaign is dead in the water if he thinks he can go on with a tax derelict running it. | ||
Eastsideal Member Username: Eastsideal Post Number: 52 Registered: 10-2007 |
The Beckham name is an important one in the city's political and business circles, which is why Bing wants him on staff. Charlie has been president of the Black Chamber of Commerce, and a founder of the African American Association of Businesses & Contractors, so he's been involved in the money that comes into businesses like Bing's. He's been the head of several city departments in the Young, Archer, Kilpatrick, and Cockrel administrations. He also did 2 years in federal lockup for his role in the Young-era sewage sludge scandal. His late brother Bill was at the center of politics in Michigan for several decades, having worked on Sen. Hart's staff, served in cabinet departments under Pres. Carter, worked in the Young and Archer administrations, been on the Detroit school board, and headed New Detroit. The William Beckham Academy school on the east side is named for him. | ||
Higgs1634 Member Username: Higgs1634 Post Number: 772 Registered: 10-2005 |
quote: That alone should disqualify him. However, this being Detroit, it's probably a badge of honor. | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 1455 Registered: 01-2005 |
I knew Charlie Beckham years ago and worked with him on a deal or two. The consensus at the time he went to jail was that he was taking the fall for CAY; if true, that doesn't say a lot about his judgment other than that he was loyal to a fault. He's a very hard working guy and committed to the City. I applaud Bing for sticking by him and considering the big picture. It's to Bing's credit he hooked up with the brightest most committed guy around to assist him, even if the guy has a couple of warts. Bing's running, not Beckham. My experience with Beckham was that he's very honest, a hard worker, very smart, and is respected by most business people in the City. | ||
Dannyv Member Username: Dannyv Post Number: 481 Registered: 08-2007 |
As a DWSD employee, I worked with Charles Beckham too. He was head of DWSD for a short time. I met him personally when he came out to my job site and I thought highly of him for doing so. That being said, I was disappointed that he was part of the Feds case against CAY. Like someone else said, it was a matter of poor judgment on his part. I believe it's a mistake to have Mr. Beckham heading the Bing Mayoral campaign. It sends the wrong message. He did the crime and he did the time but it doesn't seem to matter that much to him to take care of his business with the Feds. If Bing is elected, he might find a spot for him in his administration. But to have him head the Bing campaign is wrong and an error in judgment on Bing's part. | ||
Swingline Member Username: Swingline Post Number: 1224 Registered: 11-2003 |
Mr. Beckham is respected, and rightly so, in government circles in this region. He is highly knowledgeable when it comes to municipal operations. He has capably run several different departments under the last three mayoral administrations. The Vista sludge stuff is ancient history. That said, $147K is a lot of dough when it comes to back taxes. Lots of people get into an occasional beef with the IRS over disputed tax bills. The filed liens are not conclusive of anything. But Mr. Beckham's liens seem more indicative of chronic taxpaying problems as opposed to an isolated dispute. Perhaps Mr. Beckham has a judgment problem that Mr. Bing should have avoided. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 6421 Registered: 10-2003 |
We're supposed to hold politicians and their teams to higher standards. Regardless of how amiable Mr. Beckham may be, even the appearance of impropriety should be avoided. Let's just put it this way, in a city as big as Detroit, I'm sure Bing could have found (or can find) someone more appropriate to lead his campaign. Campaign management is neither a small nor inconsequential job. This does speak to Bing judgement, just as Cockrel's fines relate to him, and should be taken note of. Detroit has near zero room for error, anymore. If the Kilpatrick fiasco taught us nothing, it is that we should be much more critical of political candidates for local office. So, instead of offering apologisms for Bing, let him take his lumps like everyone else is forced to and see where he ends up. | ||
Homer Member Username: Homer Post Number: 381 Registered: 08-2004 |
Bing's credibility now much in doubt in this house. KC's on his way......... (Message edited by homer on November 18, 2008) |
