Bankruptcy Judge to Detroit Citizens: Stay on It
Judge Steven Rhodes calls on Detroiters to be a part of the city’s recovery from bankruptcy.
The judge who oversaw Detroit’s bankruptcy case says the city’s recovery depends, in part, on its residents.
Speaking at the Mackinac Policy Conference, Judge Steven Rhodes analyzes the message he included at the end of his opinion confirming the city’s post-bankruptcy plan. He calls on the city’s residents to participate in democracy.
“I wanted to focus the people of the city of Detroit on their responsibilities as members of our democratic society that ultimately the success of our democracy depends on them,” Rhodes says. “Sure, the leaders are responsible but it’s up to the people to hold the leaders responsible and accountable, and more than that, it’s also their responsibility to assist their leaders in the revitalization of the city.”
Rhodes spoke at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual event as part of a panel with key players in Detroit’s bankruptcy Thursday. He was joined on stage by former Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr, Chief U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen and Ford Foundation President Darren Walker.
Since retiring in February, Rhodes has been speaking around the country about the bankruptcy case. He says the nation is rooting for Detroit.
