In an emergency situation people react differently. That was certainly the case in Benton Harbor as the city addressed their financial emergency.

A financial review team sent a ten-page report to the governor last week with the dwindling numbers.

Mayor Wilce Cooke is confident the city can take care of their own business, while some of the commissioners feel the problem is too dramatic at this point.

One even pointed out the state has a one billion dollar deficit of its own and "Michigan’s economy is worse than the swine flu because it's killing everybody."

City Manager Ronald Carter says, “Maybe they should start by helping themselves and once they correct their problem, they can come down here and give us more advice.”

Those words spoken at a time when the city has been labeled in a financial emergency is not what some wanted to hear.

City Commissioner Bryan Joseph says, “We're going to sit here and act like nothing's wrong? Mr. Mayor? Mr. Carter? I think it's a tragedy this community is in the situation it's in.”

A financial review team found Benton Harbor's pooled cash had dwindled from 1.7 million dollars in 2006 to just over $300,000 in 2009. Also, the specially appointed seven member board found the city wasted between $80,000 and $100,000 in bank overdraft fees annually.

Mayor Cooke says, “If they come we're going to work with them.”

Cooke says many are misreading the state's recommendations that the city could be taken over by the state.

Cooke says, “You really don't want anyone to come into your home and straighten it out your home. It said we didn't have a plan but we do. The city manager formed a plan. We're working on it and eliminating a lot of the concerns they have.”

Several people in the community showed up to listen, hoping that their leaders will come up with the best solution.

Rod Jennings says, “I'm kind of neutral. I'm just asking questions, taking it all in, and analyzing stuff. I'm as realistic as the majority of them but we're going to have to get out of this we're going to work together.”

It's now up to Governor Granholm to decide what the state should do. If the city doesn’t like the decision, they can appeal.