Joseph Harris defends charter changes

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Big changes are on the ballot in Benton Harbor.

The city's emergency manager told ABC57 if they're voted for, the city likely won't get in another financial emergency.

Charter changes are in the works for Benton Harbor.  Emergency Manager Joseph Harris put them on the ballot. They would limit the number of elected commissioners and put a hired city manager in charge of all the city departments.

Harris told ABC57 without a city manager, the finance director doesn't have anybody to report to, which is why Benton Harbor got in a financial emergency.

"Nobody knew for 10 years that we kept digging a deeper hole,” said Harris. “All I'm trying to do is give the people an opportunity to make the changes that are required."

Numerous 'vote no' campaigns are going around in Benton Harbor.