The Local Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board (ELB) today, named Joyce A. Parker Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) for the City of Ecorse, effective immediately. Parker is President of The Municipal Group, L.L.C., based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Municipal Group provides organization assessments, recruitment and training, community and economic development, personnel, and interim staff services to cities, townships, and counties nationwide. Parker has also served as City Manager in several local units of government in Michigan and Illinois.

Today's ELB appointment follows Governor Jennifer M. Granholm's confirmation that a financial emergency exists in the City of Ecorse, pursuant to the Local Government Fiscal Responsibility Act (PA 72 of 1990). The governor reached that conclusion based on a recommendation by a Financial Review Team, appointed to review Ecorse's finances in June.

A preliminary review of the city's finances began in March, following a written request for review from the Ecorse Board of Education. The preliminary review found that a serious financial problem existed in the city and a seven-member Financial Review Team was appointed to conduct a more extensive examination of the city's finances. The Financial Review Team, which included financial management experts from the public and private sectors, determined that a financial emergency existed in Ecorse.

Following a hearing, requested by Ecorse Mayor Herbert Worthy, Governor Granholm confirmed her determination that a financial emergency exists in the City of Ecorse and assigned the responsibility of managing the financial emergency to the ELB, which today named Parker as Emergency Financial Manager.

"While there certainly will be challenges and difficult decisions ahead, I look forward to the opportunity to work with elected officials and residents of Ecorse and the Emergency Loan Board, to address the financial emergency in Ecorse," Parker said.

For more information on the Local Government Fiscal Responsibility Act, including an explanation of the PA 72 process, visit Treasury's Web site at www.michigan.gov/treasury and select the Local Government Services button.

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