The financial situation in Detroit is inching toward critical mass and the governor is not standing idly by waiting for it to get there.

File this story under “Just in Case.”

Just in case the governor decides to send in an Emergency Manager to do what the

Mayor and City Council have been struggling to do, the Snyder administration has directed Andy Dillon to float some names as possible EM's.

The state treasurer is looking for what they call “buy in” from community leaders because if and when the governor goes this route, he wants those leaders on his side. He won’t get all of them, but he wants somebody to have his back when the firestorm of EM protests erupt, which is likely to happen. Appointing an EM with local ties, knowledge and trust with the citizens is a must.

Hence one of the names out there is Freeman Hendrix, a former candidate for mayor and the deputy guy in charge for former Mayor Dennis Archer. Word has it that he has not been asked but if he is, he would not rule it out, even though he refuses to confirm any of that.

Charles Williams and Charles Beckham are also reportedly on the circulation list. Both

bring a wealth of hands-on government experience in Motown via their insider work with former Mayors Kilpatrick and Young and in Mr. Beckham's case, with current Mayor Dave Bing. Mr. Beckham left that post in 2010.

Other names under consideration include the former Mayor of Washington D.C. Anthony Williams, current Allen Park EM Joyce Parker and Price Waterhouse consultant Daryl Berk, who is described as not interested in the post. The one potential challenge on Mayor Williams may be his lack of a long-term relationship with Detroiters.

It’s important to underscore here that the governor has not decided to do this, but he promises that he will do what he needs to do to keep that important city from going under.

This drama has been growing for years and is certainly not unique to the current Bing administration. One gets the feeling the current governor wants this thing resolved once and for all, but he can’t do it alone - especially given the history of the state trying to impose its will on the city.

Think former Gov. John Engler, who tried that by abolishing the local school board. It did not exactly work wonders but it deeply poisoned the waters that the current governor is delicately trying to navigate right now.

On Friday a financial review team sends the governor its analysis, which will not be pretty. Meanwhile the city leaders are scrambling to avoid the EM.

It may be a question of too little, too late as this drama inches toward the final act. It will impact everyone in this state one way or the other.

Watch "Off the Record with Tim Skubick" online anytime at video.wkar.org