DETROIT – Detroit Mayor Dave Bing was readmitted to Henry Ford Hospital on Wednesday afternoon and is being treated for an acute pulmonary embolism in each lung. According to his spokesman, Bing is now on blood thinners, and is recuperating.
“After arriving at Henry Ford Hospital, his condition was promptly diagnosed and treated,” said Henry Ford Hospital president and CEO Dr. John Popovich in a news release, “A pulmonary embolism is often caused by a blood clot that forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the lungs. The mayor is alert, in good spirits, and expected to make a full recovery with discharge anticipated in a few days.”
Bing, 68, a star with the Detroit Pistons during the 1960s and 70s and later a successful business executive, is midway through his first term as mayor. He had been recovering at home from a previous surgery on March 24th to repair a perforated colon before was rushed to the hospital yesterday after experiencing what was called “discomfort.”
“He was kept overnight for observation,” Deputy Mayor Kirk Lewis said, “It may be serious, but it’s been treated, and that’s the important piece. We expect him to have a full recovery and we expect him to be at work at the end of the month.”
Lewis has been acting as mayor during Bing’s absence, which came at critical point for the city. Detroit was in the midst of feverish negotiation with Gov. Rick Snyder to avert the appointment of an emergency financial manager.
The Detroit City Council narrowly approved a consent agreement on Wednesday night to stave off the appointment for the emergency manager ahead of Snyder’s Thursday deadline. Rumors had started to swirl that Bing’s health would lead to his resignation, but the mayor’s office insists that this is far from the truth.
Lewis said that he’d spoken with Bing and that he was “doing fine.” He added that Bing would continue to be mayor throughout the process of implementing the consent agreement.
“He gave me several assignments, so I know he’s doing all right,” Lewis said, “Anytime you’ve been off your feet for a few days, it causes you to become real weak. However, his mind is sharp; he’s laughing and calling me during the day. He’s fully there to help and support the process we’re going through in the city.”
Under the consent agreement, the mayor and council would retain power, but in a lessened capacity. Snyder woul appoint a nine-member financial advisory board while the mayor and the city council wdould advise and review all fiscal matters.
Snyder would appoint three members, state treasurer Andy Dillon would appoint one, the mayor would appoint two, and the City Council would appoint two. If the city does not meet the terms of the agreement, Snyder could, under Public Act 4 (Michigan’s Emergency Manager law), appoint an emergency financial manager to take control.
“The Detroit City Council’s vote tonight represents a pivotal moment in Detroit’s history,” Lewis said on Wednesday night, “It is time now to begin the monumental task of stabilizing Detroit’s financial operations, which is and has always been the mission of Mayor Bing and his administration.”
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