Meet The 9 People Chosen To Speak For Detroit's Retirees

Members of a committee to represent pensioners in pension negotiations were named Thursday by US Trustee Daniel McDermott.

US Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes requested the committee be made so that pensioners who are not in a union have representation in negotiations over pension funding. The nine members were chosen from a pool of 90 applicants and are able to hire lawyers and accountants to work alongside them, which the city will pay for.

According to the Free Press, the members of the Official Committee Of Retirees are:

• Donald Taylor, a retired police officer and president of the Retired Detroit Police & Fire Fighters Association.
• Shirley Lightsey of Southfield, the retired head of human resources for the city and president of the Detroit Retired City Employees Association.
• Michael Karowski of Harrison Township, a retired lawyer for the city.
• Edward McNeil of the Detroit Retiree Sub-Chapter 98 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
• Wendy Fields-Jacobs of the UAW.
• Lawyer Terri Renshaw of Onsted.
• Gail Wilson Turner, who has experience as deputy police chief.
• Gail Wilson, an attorney with human resources experience, including Southfield Public Schools and the Legal Aid and Defender Association.
• Robert Shinske, of Dearborn, treasurer for the Detroit Fire Fighters Association.