LeDuff: Mr. Program Manager, there's a lot of work to be done - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Well, Detroit's got a new project manager.  What's that?  That's the $220,000 man who will oversee the remaking of Detroit.  His name is Kriss Andrews.  And his qualifications?  He's the chief financial officer of a bankrupt solar panel company.

But let's not get negative. This is still a honeymoon.  Mr. Andrews, welcome to Detroit.  I don't know the last time you've been here since you're way out there in Novi, but there's a lot of work to do.

The bus service is abysmal, but we hired a new company to fix them, so you should keep your eye on them.

Half the city's dark because the streetlights don't work.

"He should focus on getting these abandoned buildings down," said resident Gilbert Davis.

And sir, try not to get robbed after 4:00 because they cut the police to such a bone, the stations are locked after 4:00 to better serve you.

And Kriss, the garbage pickup is late all the time.  One person complained to us that they don't cut the grass anymore.

And then you got to fix it all with a cut budget.  And guess what? The media's surly.

What kind of future are we leaving the kids? I even went to the law department and asked for inspection reports on the fire trucks and ambulances.  I'm still waiting.  And I waited so long, I fell asleep.

So, Mr. Project Manager, like I said, there's a lot of work to be done, but the people have faith in you.  They have a little message for you.  Get the job done.

We tried to speak on camera with Mr. Andrews.  We were told he's holding off doing any television interviews until he can work out his media strategy with the mayor's people.