Ypsilanti Township resident Bill Riney, climbed upon the Washtenaw County Administration Building on September 6, 2010, Labor Day, in a protest stance, that lasted more than 12 hours. Riney recently made an unsuccessful run for the state's 54th District seat in the August primary.
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Director of Community Engagement-Derrick Jackson, reported to the Ann Arbor News that it appeared Riney used the assistance of a ladder, to reach the top of the building. Mr. Riney then pulled the ladder up with him in an effort to remain, in the area.
Riney Came Prepared to Protest Unemployment within the County and State
Around 5:50 a.m. Tuesday September 7, officers climbed onto the building to talk to Riney face-to-face and search his belongings to make sure he did not have any weapons, Jackson stated to IAFF Local 693 of Ann Arbor, Michigan. After about 90 minutes of discussion, Riney agreed to come down on his own and was arrested without incident.
Mr. Riney came prepared for the protest as he brought a tent, sleeping bag, computer, water and other items onto the roof with him. On Monday, Riney told WDIV that he was taking a stand to help the unemployed.
"I care and love other people. I want to help them find jobs. I want them to have a better life," he told the TV station.
During the protest, officers from the Sheriff's Department, Ann Arbor Police, Ann Arbor Fire Department, Huron Valley Ambulance, crisis negotiation team and SWAT responded to the scene.
Riney complained of chest pain and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. He was then expected to be transferred into the custody of the Sheriff's Department.
Criminal Charges Against Bill Riney Likely to Occur
Prosecutors will review the case to determine possible criminal charges. Jackson said police are seeking trespassing charges, at a minimum. Any decision on repaying the county for the resources used during the incident would be made during the court process.
Bill Riney Previous One Man Protests and 54th District State House Candidate Background
Riney, 56, has staged a one-man protest, in the past of various causes.
In June 2009 and again last November, he climbed into trees on his property roughly 30 feet off the ground to prevent utility company employees from chopping down white pine trees in his Edison Avenue yard. Company officials said the trees interfered with power lines.
Ultimately, Riney and the company came to an agreement that would allow the company to cut the trees in the easement. Riney received roughly $10,000, and the company was required to reseed the turf and repair damage to the grounds.
Riney, known by many as the "The Free Hot Dog Man" earned a reputation two years ago as "The Obama Hot Dog Man" for taking his mobile hot dog operation into neighborhoods across Southeast Michigan during the Obama campaign.
In the August primary, Riney was one of six candidates vying for the Democratic nomination to replace Alma Wheeler Smith in the state House of Representatives. David Rutledge won with 38 percent of the vote, while Riney came in third with 13 percent.
Washtenaw County Unemployed Job Seeker Rates Increase, Despite A Highly Educated Workforce
On August 27, the Detroit Job Search Examiner reported that the Washtenaw County unemployment rate jobless rate rose from 9.3 percent in June to 10 percent in July, based on statistics released, by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. This marks the highest unemployment rate for the county since it stood at 10 percent in June 2009.
Residents of the county account for the high percentages of college-educated adults within the state.
Sperling Best Places to Live cites 24.54 percent of the county's resident hold 4-year degrees, in comparison with an average of 15.74 percent of the entire United States population. Another 23.3 percent of the population hold a graduate degree or higher, 6.09 percent hold a 2-year degree and 91.60 percent obtained at least a high school diploma.
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Comments
Bill Riney is the man! This is a great stand for the unemployed of America, as a whole!
WOW! Look what one guy can do. This is awesome!
I meet Mr. Riney in July. He is a man that stands for his principals. Go "Free Hot Dog Man"!!!
Wow. This guy really likes to climb!
Maybe he should do something useful instead of climbing buildings to help unemployment though - like, I don't know - looking for jobs?
I give Mr. Riney credit. At least he stands up for his principles. Unfortunately, a lot of that is lacking in today's society.
To the "Other" anonymous, he HAS a job....he owns a business. RIney took this action for others that are unemployed (rolls eyes). Thanks, Mr. Riney for thinking about us!
It is amazing what one person can accomplish. Good reporting.
Winona Cooking Examiner / Winona Home and Living Examiner
Kudos to Bill Riney for his one-man stand in the best spirit of American protest. I didn't know about his reputation as the Free Hot Dog Man, but I like his willingness to keep attention drawn to the continuing unemployment crisis.
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