What Does it Take to Make a Great City: Investment in Water Maintenance

By Richard C. Clement


Detroit’s Water and Sewage Department Master Plan for Detroit. 

Cheryl Porter
COO/DSWD

On February 20^th, the Detroit Water and Sewage Department’s (DSWD/ www.dswd.org ) Retail Steering Committee presented an update on their Master Plan at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church.   DSWD serves 3.6 million people in the City of Detroit and 129 communities in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. This is a 2 year project that will direct recommendations on the 20 year plan for capital improvements and associated costs. The plan will help provide guidance in the areas of water rates, maintenance and a conceptual design for identified priority improvements for the first 5 years. Water rates are determined by a formula calculating the median income of the city/township it serves times %2. 



Chief Operating Officer Cheryl Porter gave a 45 minute presentation on the plan that included progress on:

1.       Signing 12 out of 17 consent agreements with the various Unions
2.       Describing the differential between the fixed assets and the maintenance costs
3.       Making a plan on maintaining the integrity of the  infrastructure

DSWD Master Plan

The department is responsible for maintenance and replacement of aging water mains.  The material used to upgrade the water system must be of a durable nature and designed to last more than 20-30 years.  Different compounds made from natural products that are combined with concrete to make it last longer must be considered because the water system is a vital part of the quality of life for everyone. 




Managing the water through metering and leak detection will play a crucial role in sustaining revenue and paying for system.  With the new technology, DSWD will be able to determine if a property is using water at an abnormal rate such as, someone having a leaking toilet or pipe in their home and giving reports on water usage at a daily rate.  This technology would help a home or property owner to manage their water use so much that you will be able to determine the cost of getting a plumber to fix a leak to save long term cost to the consumer.  As it stands now, the water system was losing money up until 2011 when the rates were increased. There was a small profit for 2011 until the projected maintenance costs of 2012 through 2014 were included.


 






Edna Bell
SERCH Consultants

The responsibility of managing the water is determined by a seven member board.  Currently there is no plan to have an elected water board similar to the district/at large model in the City of Detroit. There would be legitimate reasons to have an elected water board because they would be more accountable to the people. This would be much better than a Federal Court managing the water system because an elected board will lead to better transparency,  prompt disclosure of technical data and,  discussion of project ideas and recommendations with an emphasis on group problem solving to promote levels of trust between the public and DSWD.
 



Charlie Fleetham
Project Innovations Inc.

The actions above will create better Customer Service for DSWD and their customers. For the residents of Detroit, this is crucial information that will help our community grow and prosper. To help Detroit prosper we recommend that you get involved with your government by participating in the decision making process with, your writings on paper, email and, by your presence at steering committee meetings.

 

Restoring the Revenue: Seminar on How Medical Marijuana Provisioning Centers and Certification Test Facilities can benefit municipalities

 The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

and

The Exploratory Committee to Elect George Cushingberry Jr.

as Detroit City Council President

Presents

 

The Seminar Agenda for Sat. December 21st

 

Hosted By

The Exploratory Committee to Elect George Cushingberry Jr. as

President of Detroit City Council in 2014

How the Medical Marijuana Provisioning Centers and/or Certification Test Facilities in Michigan can benefit municipalities with the adaption of HB4271 – Provisioning Centers Act in Lansing.  How the new leadership in Detroit City Government can maximize the full potential of an agribusiness revolution that Industrial Hemp and Cannabis can provide.  Also defeating Senate Bill 660 that will outsource caregiver operations to the Canadian based firm of Prairie Systems for exclusive growing rights in Michigan. This bill will effectively remove the caregiver function from the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act of 2008.  

Links  (HB4271)  (SB660)

Meet some of Michigan’s premiere activists and, get one on one consultation with Attorneys and leaders in Government.

Donation: $100.00  

Location:  Marijuana Ranch Café, 2627 John R. Detroit MI    48201

Tickets:   313 422-5281/ PayPal / Maximum Capacity of 30 people.

Sounds of Music Provided by DJ Skojak / Licensed Security Guard on site

Emcee for the Evening:   The Weed Warrior

Buffet style Dinner served for guests. Waitress/Hostess Service

 

Doors Open @ 4pm

4:00 – 6:00   Social Networking Hour with activists and friends.

                Medication Station will be located on the terrace for level.

6:00 – 6:45   Speakers List:

Atty. Michael Kormorn, Atty. Matt Abel (Michigan NORML), Activist Adam Brook, Activist Tim Beck, and City Councilman George Cushingberry Jr.     

6:45 – 10:00 Buffet Served with Question and Answering Session/Basic Networking

Your Food Menu for the Evening...

 Shrimp Cocktail Bowl

 Sausage Cheese Trays

 Deviled Eggs

 Hummus & Pita Chips

 Crudities'

 Smoked Salmon Tray

 Tossed Salad

 Smoked Brisket Sliders

 Ranch Baked Beans

 Mac and Cheese

 Christmas Cookies

 And a fine selection of Beverages

Restoring the Revenue: Getting out of Bankruptcy with City Authorized Medical Marijuana Provisioning Centers and Safety Compliance Facilities

Sponsored by the Exploratory Committee to Elect George Cushingberry Jr. to Detroit City Council President.

Seminar/Fundraiser  December 21st @4pm  2627 John R, Detroit MI  48201.
Ticket/Donation $100.00  
For Tickets  Call (313) 422-5281

 

What will be the impact of  implementing into law House Bill 4271 allowing Marijuana Provisioning Centers & Safety Compliance Facilities in Detroit?

The Provisioning Centers Act, introduced by Rep. Michael Callton, (R-Nashville), empowers local communities within the state to license and regulate provisioning centers while enjoying protections from interference.  All provisioning centers will be associated with licensed Safety Compliance Facility that will test the quality of Medical Marijuana for: mold, mildew, fungi or, pesticides, before it is approved to be consumed by a registered patient.

(Click Here to read the full legislation HB4271)

The City of Detroit will have wide ranging responsibilities and, rights regarding the operation of these businesses. 

People with felonies gets no love or respect from the Michigan Legislature on this bill. Restrictions placed upon felons are an unnecessary form of discrimination and flies in the face of giving people a second chance.  

While this bill has some serious shortcomings, it is a step to fill in some of the holes of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act of 2008.

The Implementation of this law will be a plus to the City of Detroit and, may help shorten the time that Detroit is in Bankruptcy. The City of Detroit will be able to issue licenses for these businesses to serve their customers without fear of prosecution or reprisal by City, County and State officials. Fees from the permits and, revenue from sales will go to support City Retirees and City Services. On December 12^th the bill (HB4271) has passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 496 Yeas, 95 Nays and, 14 No Votes.  The bill goes to the Michigan Senate that can add, change, or delete parts of the bill.  Supporters are urged to contact Senator Virgil Smith and friends to demand immediate passage with removing some of the restrictions on felons.  If felons can serve in the Michigan Senate then, there is no reason that a felon would not make a good provisioning center owner or caregiver.

 

Support Detroit Retirees

The new City Council leadership needs to be keenly aware of new revenue sources that will show a balanced budget by 2014, cure the bankruptcy issues and, protect the quality of life for all citizens of Detroit, especially retirees and employees of the City of Detroit.

The new City Council leadership may have to consider the inclusion of these businesses as a revenue generator and, a great opportunity for Detroit residents to create jobs and opportunities in the booming Medical Marijuana industry. According to Forbes, the Marijuana trade will generate over 10 million dollars in revenue

On December 21 @ 4pm EDT, we are asking you to come to 2627 John R in Detroit Michigan 48201, and participate in a seminar on these Provisioning Centers and Safety Compliance Centers with the Exploratory Committee to Elect George Cushingberry Jr. for Detroit City Council in 2014.  You will have one on one access to Attorneys, Civic Leaders, Activists, and Cana-businesses. 

Per City Charter (Sec. 4-103. Selection of Council President and President Pro-Tempore), The City Council shall select its President and President Pro-Tempore from among its members by majority vote of the members serving at its first regular session in 2014. The term for City Council President and President Pro-Tempore shall be four (4) years. Selection of the President and President Pro-Tempore shall be every four years.

George Cushingberry needs to have himself and 4 more of his Council-mates to support him with their vote. If elected, George Cushingberry and Mayor Duggan will come up with solutions to issues in the City of Detroit regarding Provisioning Centers and Safety Compliance Facilities.  Asking your district council member to vote for George Cushingberry Jr. as Council President just takes you contacting your district representatives and Mayor Duggan to demand that their votes be cast in favor of George Cushingberry for President of City Council in 2014.

Elect George Cushingberry to City Council President, because when it comes down to the people, he will truly represent.

Sincerely,
The Exploratory Committee to Elect George Cushingberry Jr. to President of Detroit City Council.

 



Matt Abel and Tim Beck

Scheduled List of Attendees:

Attorney Michael Kormorn of  Kormorn Law www.komornlaw.com

Attorney Matthew Abel   Cannabis Counsel PLLC. www.cannabiscounsel.com

Activist Tim Beck

Activist Adam Brook
Attorney & Detroit City Councilman George Cushingbery Jr. District #2

Cush's Solutions to the City of Detroit's Probems with Love

By George Cushingberry Jr. 

 

 

BJ Jones, a successful Detroit Black businessman and I were talking about his long time mentee Eddie Hall. One of America’s most successful auto dealers started from humble beginnings and worked his way through to where he is now. He valeted for the late Dick Harris, pioneer Black auto dealer and then for Mrs. Porterfield Wilson also heir to auto dealerships. BJ was talking how he had been successful in Saline, Ann Arbor and Royal Oak. He was not as successful in the City of Detroit. In fact we couldn’t think of any auto dealer today in Detroit city proper.  (B.J. wasn’t letting me use my academic research.) "What we need today is more Blacks serious about business. Find a need and fill it." He's right. Instead of focusing on jobs we need to focus on providing service, widgets, and useful products and innovative art for the market place.

 

When I become a councilman I will focus on the following:

1. Helping individuals with employment and entrepreneurship. That’s one person at a time
2. Expand drug treatment and insure immediate assistance to those in crisis addiction.
3. Lower the homeless population by making mental health treatment a priority. This will reduce the desperation actions and lower the homeless population.
4. Focus on Community Policing. If you know the neighbors personally and take the kids to parents first we can strengthen the community. Too many people are focused on retribution, retaliation, recriminations as opposed to rehabilitative prevention and treatment..

Earlier they retired the honorable Jackie Robinson's # 42 as an honor for all he accomplished for our nation and people.

 

WHY HASN'T OUR NAACP REALLY HONORED HIM?

 

WE SHOULD. HE WAS A TRUE BRIDGE BUILDER WHO CARRIED HIMSELF WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

 

JAMES BROWN WAS RIGHT....."I don't want nobody to give me nothing, open up the door and I'll get it myself."

 

That’s the spirit to propel our City to greater heights.

 

STRAIGHT AHEAD

AND BACK TO THE ROOTS

With Love,
George Cushingberry Jr.  esq.
Your Candidate for Detroit City Council District #2

Re-energizing a new Detroit on the land that was known as the Michigan State Fair.

By Hardcore Detroit,

               A coalition of community groups and developers have different visions on what should be put on the land that once occupied the Michigan State Fair.  At the time of this writing, there are two groups that are vying for the rights to redevelop the land. The first group Magic Plus LLC, led by Magic Johnson and Marvin Beatty would include a shopping mall and a new Amtrak station among other things. The second group Michigan Energy Technology Agriculture (META) Group wants to place more homes and office buildings on the same land.

               These are the issues being discussed with the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority and developers to revitalize the land between 7 and 8 Mile road, between Woodward and John R. Currently, this area is a tragic outgrowth of what happened during the foreclosure crisis with streets full of abandoned homes. Some of the homes were absolutely gorgeous and structurally sound, only to be turned into slums by the banks that let them get looted for pipes, water tanks, and other home fixtures.

               Omni-directional transportation is a must in the city.  While focusing on north and south issues in Detroit, there is an east and west issue too.  The mile roads in Detroit deserve the same respect as Woodward Avenue in regards to transportation.  If there is going to be a light rail system, let it run up and down Gratiot and Grand River.  This would also include east and west rail from places like Fairlane all the way east to the Eastland Mall property for instance.  Everyone does not live close to 8 mile and this would be a solution for getting to destinations from the east and west. 

Both plans include a new AMTRAK Train station. The current AMTRAK station on Woodward and Milwaukee is too small and lacks the parking needed to serve customers. People are currently going to Dearborn to get on the train because of the condition of the station, parking, and not having to climb the stairs to get to a train.  By putting an AMTRAK Station at the fairgrounds, this would be a complete transportation hub for busses and, a people mover type of light rail system in the City of Detroit and surrounding areas. AMTRAK connections to  Chicago, Flint, Pontiac and beyond will be greatly enhanced with the new Amtrak station.

META Technology Group has a YouTube video presentation regarding their plan to re-develop the area(click here to view video). As of this writing, Magic Plus LLC does not have a video presentation available to view to show their plan.  Otherwise the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track authority is taking public and written comment on the State Fair property. You can contact them at landbank@michigan.gov or by calling (517) 335-8212. Either way you choose, the future of Detroit is looking very promising.