DETROIT (WJBK) -- Detroit has been through a lot over the past decade from a failing economy to series of political and sex scandals. It's enough to make you want to pull a George Bailey.
Bedford Falls has a lot in common with Detroit. We have a river. They have a river.
They have a leading citizen who felt his life didn't quite reach its full potential and we have Kwame Kilpatrick.
The difference, the good people of Bedford Falls know what life would have been like if George Bailey had never been born. Not so for the people of Detroit... until now.
The Fox 2 Problem Solvers proudly present "It's a Kwonderful Life".
There's no question Kwame Kilpatrick has left his mark on Detroit and a few satin sheets, but what would our fair city be like if he had never been born and how would the lives of some of our leading citizens be different?
Without Kwame Kilpatrick we'd still have a foul-mouthed guy helping run the city, but it would be Gil Hill, who ran against Kilpatrick in 2001, and not Bobby Ferguson, who got his key to city hall after his pal became mayor.
Without Kilpatrick, Ferguson would still be in business knocking down houses and digging holes. He might not have done as well, but the feds wouldn't have seized all of his equipment, either.
Kilpatrick's father, Bernard, might still be working for Wayne County or even working as a greeter at the Greektown Casino where we've heard he spends a lot of time -- a whole lotta time.
Life would be a lot simpler for Christine Beatty, too. For starters, no one would know who she is.
And strawberries, well they'd still be known mainly for their work on shortcakes.
But some of us might not be better off at all. Without Kilpatrick, I might still be selling newspapers.
Most folks would have never heard of Judge David Groner. He sent the mayor to jail -- and then to prison.
Fox 2 Legal Analyst Charlie Langton might still be hosting "Meet the Mayor" on Macomb County public access.
And defense attorney Mike Rataj, well he'd probably be at home yelling at squirrels and telling kids to stay off the lawn.
Then there are the things that would have happened regardless of whether Kilpatrick was born like the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and Super Bowl. Kilpatrick sure likes to take credit for them, but it was really Mayor Dennis Archer and the team owners that brought them to town.
But Detroit isn't Hollywood, despite Governor Granholm's best effort, and we can't turn back the clock, so in the spirit of Detroit we'll pick up the pieces and rebuild. And, remember, whenever a government witness sings, a defense attorney gets his wings.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:43:35 GMT
Brian Woehlke and his family
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:30 GMT
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:46 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:46:25 GMT
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:48 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:48:42 GMT
Trained Salvation Army counselors are being mobilized to head down to the tornado disaster area in Oklahoma to not only help with the victims, but the first responders, as well.
Trained Salvation Army counselors are being mobilized to head down to the tornado disaster area in Oklahoma to not only help with the victims, but the first responders, as well.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:25:11 GMT
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:22:57 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:21:52 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:38 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:38:20 GMT
Crews across the river in Windsor are battling a raging fire that's burning at a warehouse in the 700 block of Sprucewood Avenue.
Crews across the river in Windsor are battling a raging fire that's burning at a warehouse in the 700 block of Sprucewood Avenue. Thick black smoke and flames can be seen for miles. The Windsor Star is
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