  Rotation_slim Member Username: Rotation_slim Post Number: 54 Registered: 10-2005 |
Just announced -- Kwame cancels his trip to Hawaii for a pension convention. Apparently the white hot glare of media looking at how he is spending slush fund money. KK and the lovely Carlita certainly not happy about this! | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 905 Registered: 07-2004 |
How are Detroit's pension experts going to remain competitive? | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2216 Registered: 11-2003 |
Not have a pension plan, they cannot afford it | ||
Conman Member Username: Conman Post Number: 14 Registered: 06-2006 |
KK caught wind that a certain tv station planned on going along. | ||
Bpjeff Member Username: Bpjeff Post Number: 77 Registered: 01-2006 |
Maybe they can hound Monica Conyers. | ||
Pinewood73 Member Username: Pinewood73 Post Number: 40 Registered: 07-2006 |
Its funny how Michigan sent the largest delegation to Hawaii, even with the budget deficit. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 866 Registered: 12-2005 |
quote: It just goes to show that it's still business as usual for those who feed off the public trough: "Budget deficit? - What budget deficit? Not my problem!" | ||
Rjk Member Username: Rjk Post Number: 713 Registered: 11-2003 |
"KK caught wind that a certain tv station planned on going along." Nothing cuts down on the beach time like a TV camera. Hopefully the TV station still plans on going to Hawaii. It would be nice to have the rest of the Michigan delegation have to avoid the beach like the plague also. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4336 Registered: 08-2004 |
Steve Wilson with a microphone in a skimpy bathing suit.... unthinkable....  | ||
Mcp001 Member Username: Mcp001 Post Number: 2655 Registered: 11-2003 |
Thank you for that image, Gistok. | ||
Quinn Member Username: Quinn Post Number: 1319 Registered: 01-2005 |
Oh... My god... Steve Wilson in a speedo. Running along the beach asking, "Mr. Mayor...don't you love Detroit?" Nice image Gistok. I cant get the image out of my head now. ;P | ||
Conman Member Username: Conman Post Number: 17 Registered: 06-2006 |
Please, I just had breakfast. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 5157 Registered: 11-2004 |
I just lost mine thanks to Gistok. | ||
Crash_nyc Member Username: Crash_nyc Post Number: 882 Registered: 08-2004 |
Bad move on Kwame's part -- IF this was a legitimate trip. He should have gone & welcomed the TV escort. If everything about his trip was on the up & up, Steve Wilson would have had little to cover than Kwame working his ass off for the citizens of Detroit. If his itinerary was mainly work-related, then he could have easily used this as an opportunity to turn the tables on the media and show everyone that he really is "fighting the good fight" for his constituents. So either his trip wasn't completely legit, or he chose to shun the media -- to the detriment of any accomplishments he could have made for Detroit at the convention. Kwame = Steve Wilson's bitch? Hmmm. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 5158 Registered: 11-2004 |
I agree with Crash_nyc. By not going on this trip KK looks even worse in the public perception. Why run in fear of Steve Wilson if he's really got nothing to hide? I'm sure Steve Wilson's bulldog journalism tactics aren't exactly the most well liked but why not diffuse the situation by attending the convention and show everyone how he's being a leader. Now I'm sure Wilson will also try to barrage him with other questions that aren't pension or convention related but why give him more ammunition for his broadcasts? C'mon Kwame..stop running from the fat man (skimpy bathing suit or not). | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 7526 Registered: 09-2005 |
"If everything about his trip was on the up & up, Steve Wilson would have had little to cover than Kwame working his ass off for the citizens of Detroit." Does anyone really think these folks are WTAO on a trip attending meetings that they could easily attend at their desks - or play on a DVD? Ask a busy CPA where he gets his IRS updates and trains/prepares each year for the upcoming tax season. It ain't Hawaii. The only folks who still fool themselves and others that these types of trips are legitimate and necessary are the ones who don't pay for it themselves - and those who fall for these explanations the most are taxpayers. Give the folks attending these meetings an option, assuming they "need to get away once in awhile": attend at your desk, or attend for a week at the Holiday Inn in Gary, Indiana. See how many sign up. And save the taxpayers a bundle in the process. | ||
Mthouston Member Username: Mthouston Post Number: 934 Registered: 01-2006 |
Karl's right, It's called distance learning. Maybe there is a web cast of the seminars, we could all watch.....  | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 7532 Registered: 09-2005 |
Uh, I think what Kwame was worried about is a webcast of his "working hard for you in Hawaii" exploits. Now make the rest of the attendees worry too. | ||
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 430 Registered: 05-2006 |
Here's the information on the event. It seems every afternoon is for "networking and information sharing". http://www.ncpers.org//artman/ publish2/article_231.asp | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 7533 Registered: 09-2005 |
"It seems every afternoon is for "networking and information sharing". The restaurant/bar at the hotel in Gary, IN is a perfect venue for that, with fewer outside distractions. The taxpayers will surely get more value for their hard-earned dollars. If attending via webcast, attendees can use what the rest of us use for such sharing: Email, reading and telephones. | ||
Mcp001 Member Username: Mcp001 Post Number: 2665 Registered: 11-2003 |
According to a friend of mine drives back and forth from Chicago several times a week (semi), he said that Gary is the adult entertainment capitol of the midwest. You might want to pick another locale, Karl. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 867 Registered: 12-2005 |
From the NCPERS conference web site: TOP 5 REASONS NCPERS HOSTS ITS ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN HAWAII: Left unsaid is the top reason: It's held in a tropical tourist destination that is about as far away as you can get while still meeting any "domestic travel" limitations that you may be burdened with. BTW, when they say that Hawaii is "competitive with what it would cost for attendance at conferences in other top tier cities in the U.S.", their own charts show that it costs attendees about $230 per person more than if it were held in Orlando. If these fiscal managers think that is "competitive", I would be worried about how well they are looking after my pension benefits. | ||
Mcp001 Member Username: Mcp001 Post Number: 2670 Registered: 11-2003 |
I think that the VFW hall in Sparta, IL is open this week. Centrally located. Can easily handle large crowds of "professionals". But I think that their CofC isn't as effective as the State of Hawaii's | ||
Ohudson Member Username: Ohudson Post Number: 230 Registered: 09-2004 |
Mayor Kilpatrick is coming across as a genius! Channel 4 is hounding any and everyone who went to Hawaii from the Metro Detroit area, from Wendell Anthony saying he deserves to be able to be there to Monica Conyers ignoring the camera. Classic TV! | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5901 Registered: 02-2004 |
That's the media dogs for you. They BARK BARK and WOOF WOOF at any crooked person like a pack of Rottweilers and pit bulls. | ||
Brandon48202 Member Username: Brandon48202 Post Number: 174 Registered: 12-2004 |
Wow, I can't believe they flew first class, that must have been really expensive. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4361 Registered: 08-2004 |
I know why Kwame didn't go... he wanted to spend a quiet week without Steve Wilson around! Yes Channel 4 and Channel 7 News both have their bloodhounds going after all the Michigan attendees at the meeting. | ||
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 433 Registered: 05-2006 |
May (sweeps month) is almost over. Steve Wilson will be heading back to Florida soon. | ||
Rocket_city Member Username: Rocket_city Post Number: 266 Registered: 04-2006 |
7 reported all the cancellations cost about $5,500. That would have taken a nice chunk out of my student loans. Good to see this is just chump change at the top of Detroit. | ||
Mcp001 Member Username: Mcp001 Post Number: 2695 Registered: 11-2003 |
Monica Conyers was featured in last night's report. Apparently "networking and information sharing" including hitting several of the stores and shops along the main drag in Honolulu with an aide in tow (between trying to flag down a local cop, while claiming harassment when the camera was spotted). Supposedly, there's going to be some interesting footage shown tonight regarding this trip | ||
Granmontrules Member Username: Granmontrules Post Number: 79 Registered: 01-2007 |
Uhhh unless I am missing something here...but aren't there 1,200 people from OTHER states and cities there? It is a convention - what is wrong with going to that? My wife works for the city finance department and she said that everyone they showed on TV is on the city pension board - including Monica Conyers. As said above - can't wait till sweeps week is over so they quit tearing Detroit down. This is just something to get the suburbanites worked up over. | ||
Mcp001 Member Username: Mcp001 Post Number: 2698 Registered: 11-2003 |
For a person who is suppossedly there on "official" business, Mrs. Conyers acted like a scared rabbit once she found out that the local news crews were following her "networking and information sharing" excursions. Maybe if she spent more time speaking with other attendees, and less time shopping, she wouldn't be making herself look bad (again). | ||
Keystone Member Username: Keystone Post Number: 247 Registered: 10-2003 |
Guess what.. KK IS in Hawaii, rumor has it jumped onto a private plane and is now on Maui. Steve W in hot pursuit no doubt. Not a bad gig for a reporter. | ||
L_b_patterson Member Username: L_b_patterson Post Number: 320 Registered: 10-2003 |
What? No one said it already? Alright, guess I will. "Aloha Motherfuckers" | ||
Rocket_city Member Username: Rocket_city Post Number: 268 Registered: 04-2006 |
I wonder if Monica Conyers is becoming the new JoAnn Watson? I see today she was barking at the council like the misconception of her job entitles her to. Oh yes, and her proclaimed favorite place to shop is New York City. Or was that one of the other sillies? Remember, no bus security for yous citizens if our money is spent outside of the city. | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 7604 Registered: 09-2005 |
Thank you, Mcp001 - And travel to Hawaii via First Class on the taxpayer's back is absolutely inexcusable under any circumstances unless you are a US Senator. Even then, ya oughta pay the difference personally. Insist that these public servants stay in their offices and attend these things via computer. Unbelievable - but rampant until the folks insist otherwise - you only have yourselves to blame. But don't feel bad, most of the country is asleep just like you. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4390 Registered: 08-2004 |
... and then there's Britney Spears who this week stopped a loaded commercial jet from taking off for an hour, until she could get her luggage off with her... all because they didn't have leather seats in first class!! Geeze, the complex trials and tribulations of public officials and Hollywood Hoi Poloi!! | ||
Gplimpton Member Username: Gplimpton Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2007 |
hey, I bet they all had a real nice time. | ||
Ffdfd Member Username: Ffdfd Post Number: 83 Registered: 09-2006 |
Look out Wall Street, our local pension systems are gonna start settin' records. |
