Extensive filings in Case No. 13-53846 at U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit consist mainly of affidavits, legal motions by creditors, hearing transcripts and judicial orders. The online archive of documents in the city's historic Chapter 9 case also now has documents that are less formal and more personal -- handwritten notes and printouts from more than 100 pensioners.


Portion of letter from Robert Cox, Jr., filed this week.

"I struggle to pay my monthly and medical bills," retired Water and Sewerage Department worker Robert Cox, Jr. writes on notebook paper, shown at right. "I cannot afford to repair my car or get auto insurance for it."

Appeals from Cox and more than eight dozen other pension recipients, addressed to Judge Steven Rhodes, object to the emergency manager's proposed 34% cut in retirement benefits for former city workers. Scans of the letters, placed into the record this month, are posted publicly, as the Detroit Journalism Cooperative reports with six excerpts. Deadline Detroit sampled others posted by the court March 6 and 11.  

While some writers adapt template language suggested by AFSCME or another union, such as "we had nothing to do with the financial crisis that the city finds itself in," many letters have personal details that poignantly convey a sense of betrayal, hardship and fear.

"Dear Judge Rhodes, I had perfect attendance when I worked, so please accept my plea for leniency regarding my pension," former 911 emergency call-taker Jacqueline M. Anderson-Hutchings of West Bloomfield writes March 4. "I worked 100s of double shifts in order to build up my pension amount for my old age. Please do not throw me into poverty. . . . Now I'm 70 years old and no one will hire me." 

Some messages are on lined paper or in handwriting that suggests advanced age. Others are computer-printed and formatted with bullets. Three are posted without names because of illegible signatures. All are a reminder of the people and impact behind the high-stakes drama in Rhodes' courtroom


Part of David Draft's appeal to Judge Rhodes.

Here are excerpts from a sampling:

• "How can I possibly live?" I am an 88-year-old senior, having worked for the City of Detroit for over 30 years. My penion is less than 800.00 dollars monthly. I paid all those years -- how can I possibly live with a cut in my pension? . . . Please consider our plight and save us from this proposed cut. Yours in Christ, Mattie Johnson [Detroit]

• "I am a cancer patient:" The extreme cuts in my pension that are proposed would be devastating to myself and my wife. My pension is on 36,000 dollars a year. It these cuts take place, it would leave my income below 26,000 dollars. I am a cancer patient in mid-treatment and under 60 years age, therefore our insurance with the city has been eliminated. . . . It's easy to say this is what it takes to save the city. But to save the city and destroy its people in the process leaves nothing. -- Otha D. White, Warren

• "Consider our plight:" We are the people who have taken concessions for the last 20 years, trying  to help the city survive, and as we move into our twilight years we should be able at the very least to "eat.: We cannot do that if the bankruptcy as it's presented is finalized. Please consider our plight. -- Peggy A. Heade, Southfield

• "Traumatic and devastating:" The proposed 34% cut in our retiree benefits would be traumatic and devastating. Due to our age, starting over would be impossible. We had nothing to do with the financial crisis that the city finds itself in.  -- David Draft

• "Be fair, understanding and merciful:" I can barely pay my rent and my bills now. I would not be able to survive this pay cut. . . So please hear my request and don't let the retirees of the City of Detroit down by making cuts to our pension. Be fair, understanding and merciful across the board for our livelihood is in your hands. -- Joyce Johnson-Jones

Above: David Sole, a retired Detroit water department worker, protests outside Federal Court in December. 


"To save the city and destroy its people in the process leaves nothing," writes Otha D. White of Warren.