It Begins: Detroit Neighboring City Of Hamtramck Asks For Permission To File For Bankruptcy

" The city of Hamtramck, desperate for cash, has asked the state for permission to take an unprecedented step: filing for bankruptcy. City Manager Bill Cooper said the city of roughly 20,000 people is staring at a $3 million deficit, fueled by a dispute with Detroit. Unless Hamtramck files for bankruptcy, it won't be able to pay its nearly 100 employees or 153 retirees, he said. The city sent a letter to the state Department of Treasury last week asking for approval to seek bankruptcy protection. It has not received a reply, Cooper said."