July 25, 2013 at 8:50 am Our recommendations for City Council Detroit voters will face a major change when they go to the polls Aug. 6. The new charter replaces the familiar old system of electing all nine council members in a citywide vote with seven districts and two at-large council members. In the primary, voters can select one candidate in their district and two of the at-large candidates. The top two vote-getters in each district will advance to the Nov. 5 general election, along with the top four at-large candidates. The council members elected this year will be the one in place when the state’s oversight of the city and the bankruptcy proceedings end. Here are our recommendations: At-large: Incumbent Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins is by far the best of the at-large contenders. Jenkins has consistently been on the right side of votes during her first term on the council. She brings a common-sense style to governing, and has been an advocate for fiscal responsibility and a leaner government. She ultimately voted to support the consent agreement with the state. Her colleagues recently made Jenkins council president to replace the missing Charles Pugh, who is not seeking re-election. That’s a reflection of the leadership she’s shown. After Jenkins, the quality of the at-large field drops off sharply. The best of the bunch is Roy McCalister Jr., a retired Detroit police lieutenant and former homicide section commander who could bring to the council expertise on improving public safety. District 1 Incumbent James Tate is one of the more reasonable members of the current City Council and deserves a second term. He is familiar with the difficulties in his district in the far northwest corner of Detroit, which include vacant properties and blight. Tate also understands the need for increased public safety within the neighborhoods and has introduced several initiatives to tackle residents’ concerns. Prior to being elected to council, Tate worked in the Detroit Police Department’s office of public information for five years. District 2 Richard Bowers Jr. is no stranger to his district in north central Detroit. He’s lived there for more than a decade and is keenly aware of the problems facing fellow residents. In addition, Bowers has a strong record of working with the city. The attorney has been a regular presence at City Hall, advising council members Kenneth Cockrel Jr., James Tate and Brenda Jones. Bowers has sound views on reducing the tax burden for residents and businesses, as well as spurring economic development and promoting safer neighborhoods. District 3 Scott Benson brings a mix of experience and energy and credibility that the Detroit City Council could use right now. A property manager and entrepreneur, Benson says he has identified a number of “pain points” businesspeople face when dealing with Detroit, and would work to eliminate them. Benson supports a 2 percent Value Added Tax on the downtown area. Its funds would be used to pay to police the area, allowing more of the police department’s budget to go into the neighborhoods. This would require approval from Lansing, which Detroit, with its low credibility in the state capitol, could have a tough time securing. We have seen many social workers and union-backed candidates on City Council. We haven’t seen nearly enough businessmen. District 4 Incumbent councilman Andre L. Spivey is finishing up his first term and has shown not only a desire to serve his constituents but also do what is right for the city. Pastor of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church for the past nine years, Spivey says he will work with Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr. He also says he would favor leasing Belle Isle to the state if a plan was in the best interest of the city. District 5 Adam Hollier, currently the liaison for Mayor Dave Bing to the City Council, has never won a political election but that doesn’t make him a political novice. Before joining Bing’s office, Hollier was chief of staff for State Sen. Bert Johnson from 2009-12. As a councilman, he would bring youth and enthusiasm to the position. Hollier favors leasing Belle Isle to the state because “it allows the city to spend those dollars in neighborhood parks.” He says he would work with Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr but would not extend Orr’s contract. District 6 We recommend Vince Keenan, an entrepreneur and veteran civic activist. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Keenan was a key player in the petition process to establish Detroit’s council-by-district system. Keenan’s understanding of business that will be most crucial to city that desperately needs growth. “Detroit needs to become the hottest location to start a new business,” he says. “We need to become a laboratory of innovation and the home of thinkers and doers.” District 7 We recommend Gabe Leland, a graduate of Central Michigan University and currently a retirement consultant for public school employees. Leland served from 2005-10 as Detroit’s 10th District representative in Michigan’s House where he served as chair of the Committee on Urban Policy. From his years of public service, Leland brings both experience and a knowledge of the limitations of government to council. Leland advocates reform of city services that would put citizens — not special interests — first. This refreshing approach carries over to police reform, where Leland says Detroit must get sworn officers on the street, rather than working desk jobs that should be outsourced.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 00:45:13 +0000