The state-appointed emergency financial manager of Highland Park, Robert Mason, aims to return control of the city to local leaders within his three-month term ending in July. However, Mason has uncovered several financial problems that could complicate this process, including over $3 million owed in overdue lighting bills, $4.4 million in sewerage costs, and over $1 million to the county sheriff's office. While acknowledging these challenges, Mason remains cautiously optimistic that the city can regain local control by July. Some local officials insist the city's financial emergency is over and that they are ready to take over.

1. May 11, 2009
New leader in Highland Park plans his exit
Emergency manager's goal: Return power to the people
BY ERIC D. LAWRENCE
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Highland Park's state-appointed leader said his main objective is to help the city return to local control.
But Robert Mason, the city's new emergency financial manager, has uncovered a few financial problems that
appear to complicate the process. The city owes $3.2 million in overdue lighting bills to DTE Energy, $4.4 million
in sewerage costs to Detroit and more than $1 million to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, which previously
provided law enforcement to the city, Mason said.
While acknowledging that those expenses present a challenge, Mason said he remains "cautiously optimistic"
that the city will be ready for a return to local control by the time his three-month term ends in July. "That's my
driving factor," he said.
Mason, a former Chrysler executive for strategic planning who served on the Farmington Hills City Council last
year, was named April 17 to replace Arthur Blackwell II, who state officials said improperly paid himself
$264,000. Blackwell, who has denied wrongdoing, is being investigated by the Wayne County Prosecutor's
Office.
State and local officials agree that the city is in better shape than when Gov. John Engler appointed Ramona
Henderson Pearson the emergency financial manager in 2001. The 2.9-square-mile city was struggling with
declining population, an underfunded pension system and a debt that was more than twice as high as the $6.5
million estimate at the time.
Caleb Buhs, a spokesman for the state Department of Treasury, said the city's financial picture has improved
enough that the three-month term given to Mason was appropriate. The state, however, can opt to extend the
term if need be.
Highland Park officials have been eager to regain control of the city, and Mason has tried to put them at ease.
"I do not believe you can have an eight-year emergency," Mason said during the April 20 City Council meeting
that served as his introduction to most of the city.
Local officials insist they are ready to take over and had expected to do so beginning this month. "Our financial
emergency is over," said Councilwoman Isabella Thompson, citing progress made during Blackwell's 4-year
tenure.
Thompson credited Blackwell with shoring up the city's pension system and helping to clean up blight.
"We accomplished a great deal with him," she said.
Contact ERIC D. LAWRENCE: 313-223-4272 or elawrence@freepress.com