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Detroit City councilman Kenyatta quitting on Friday

Some council members say Mayor Bing, a former NBA star, is not "playing ball" the way he needs to in budget negotiations with the city council. Councilman Kwame Kenyatta, center, brought a basketball to the press conference.
Sarah Hulett
/
MIchigan Radio
Some council members say Mayor Bing, a former NBA star, is not "playing ball" the way he needs to in budget negotiations with the city council. Councilman Kwame Kenyatta, center, brought a basketball to the press conference.

DETROIT (AP) - Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday.

Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager. 

Kenyatta also has been dealing with health problems that he hasn't publicly discussed in detail. After two terms, he didn't plan to run for re-election this year.

Kenyatta has been critical of Mayor Dave Bing and the state's intervention in Detroit's poor finances. He made headlines in 2008 when he gave up on his foreclosed home, one of a handful of council members who had financial problems. 

Detroit council members make about $74,000 a year.