Harris To Lay Out Benton Harbor's Future Today

Benton Harbor Emergeny Financial Manager Joseph Harris will lay out what he feels is the best way forward for the city this afternoon, and he's already catching heat from the city commission. Harris told WSJM News after the November 6 election he had been planning a press conference, but the defeat of two millage renewals forced him to hold it earlier than he had considered. The loss of that tax revenue represents 50% of the city's overall revenue and 20% of the budget according to Harris and Mayor James Hightower. Harris says without the tax revenues of over $1 million, the city's public safety department will be eliminated. Over the weekend, City Commissioner Marcus Muhammad sent out emails listing his ten reasons why Harris should be removed, calling on the state Treasury Department to replace him with someone else. Commissioner Dennis Knowles praised Muhammad's email, but at the same time accused him of not writing it himself. Commissioner Trenton Bowens sent out an email linking to an article warning that the city declaring bankruptcy would be worse than having an emergency manager.