One thing is certain from Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff's follow up report Wednesday night on the rising costs of demolitions in Detroit: No one seems very happy to see LeDuff show up at their office.
It's a little reminiscent of filmmaker Michael Moore's 1989 movie, "Roger & Me," where Moore tries to hunt down then-GM President Roger Smith for an interview. Smith is not anxious to talk to Moore.
In this case, LeDuff says he's looking for answers for what he describes as cost overruns on demolitions of homes in Detroit. He reports that contractors agreed to one price, then came back to the city and asked for a lot more, which the city granted.
He says in the report that he can't get answers from city hall.
"If city government in the NEW Detroit is an open book, then why is everybody running for cover?" LeDuff asks.
He refers to the Mayor Mike Duggan's top staff "as overpaid minions." He drops in to see Dave Menardo and Jim Wright, two top Duggan aides involved in the demolitions, but is told they are not there.
"So now the mayor and his mouth pieces won't come out from behind closed doors to answer our new questions," he says in the report.
He even goes to see one of the contractors involved in demolitions. First, a worker says the contractor will be out shortly to meet LeDuff. Then she asks him to come back tomorrow. While outside, he sees the contractor drive off, making for good TV.
