In the city of Detroit, "it is tough being leader in these times."
It's not me saying that. It is Chief of Police Ralph Godbee, who wrote that self-serving line in an otherwise compassionate teletype message Wednesday to members of the Detroit Police Department.
That was the day Mayor Dave Bing imposed sweeping cuts to the contracts of cops and most other city employees. The cuts include a 10-percent wage reduction, increased co-pays on health care and various work-rule changes.
"These times" include the Alice-in-Wonderland scene Tuesday as city council voted, 5-4, against the imposed cuts. But its vote did not matter, under the rules of the consent agreement between the city and the state that is designed to stabilize Detroit's finances. Overall, the reductions are expected to save the city $102 million.
"These times" include these inconvenient facts: Detroit is the city that leads the nation in many measurements of serious crime. It has been a violent summer, featuring even VIP muggings and carjackings. There aren't cops to go around. Their ragtag vehicles and other equipment often look like they belong to the Syrian rebels. And police stations close to the public at 4 p.m.
On top of all that, the city has just told the cops that they will be losing a few hundred dollars each month from now on. No bargaining, please, we have a consent agreement.
Angry cops crowded an East Side union hall Wednesday night to learn more about the new work rules. There was some murmurs about striking, which is illegal for police, and Joseph Duncan, president of the Detroit Police Officers Association, discouraged such talk.
Earlier in the day, though, Duncan took time out from reading the small print in the imposed contracts to talk about his reaction.
"I'm upset. I'm bewildered. It's a disgrace," he said in a phone interview.
He said DPOA members are "demoralized" and "scared," and worried sick about the effect the new contract will have on their families.
Duncan argued that, given the state of public safety in Detroit, the city should be strengthening the police department. He said what many people know to be true, that crime is forcing more and more Detroiters, who can afford to move, to relocate to the well-policed suburbs.
"This city is not going to survive," Duncan said.
I'm sure Chief Godbee sympathizes with Duncan, a fellow leader in "these times."
This is Godbee's entire message from the teletype:
"To all of my D.P.D. family, I am sorry that the prospect of any kind of reduction in compensation is on the brink of happening. You all are not only under compensated but sometimes under appreciated; no reasonable person would contradict that.
As Chief, I not only appreciate but applaud your work during some of the city's darkest times. I know there is going to be a lot of anger and disappointment in the days, weeks and months to come. As disappointed as we all are, the city's financial crisis is severe and very real. My goal through this entire process, however, was to avoid anybody receiving a "pink slip." Working closely with the mayor, so far no lay offs have occurred, and I will continue to keep that as priority number one.
"It is tough being leader in these times. But with God's help WE will get through this. Stay vigilant, watch each others back and continue to help those that can't help themselves. Pray for me as I will pray for you and THANK YOU for your continued excellent service."
"In these times," services diminish and workers get dinged as the city tries get its finances in order. You can't help but wonder if Mayor Bing and Gov. Rick Snyder are going to win the battle but lose the war.
Another way of saying it: Are they going to destroy the city to save it?