Michigan Attorney Discipline Board Dismisses Charges against Attorney George Cushingberry Jr.

by The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

    In a unanimous ruling on June 15, the Michigan Attorney Discipline board has administratively dismissed the charges against Attorney George Cushingberry Jr. for practicing law without a license. The hearing date was arbitrarily cancelled by the board. The panel ruled that the charges brought by M.L. Elrick lacked merit, was frivolous and not worthy of further discipline or discussion. This ruling dismisses the allegations made by Fox 2 Detroit reporter M.L. Elrick and Michigan Chronicle Editor Bankole Thompson.

Quoting University of Detroit Law Professor Larry Durbin and the Michigan Chronicle's Bankole Thompson:

LARRY DUBIN: You can't put yourself in a position where you can meet potential clients, which means have a telephone that lists you as a lawyer where people can call you; be on a website where people can fill out a form and indicate that they want your services as a lawyer; all of that is prohibited completely. Anything on a computer that would hold that suspended lawyer as a lawyer, or as a practicing lawyer or invite potential clients to contact that suspended lawyer would be improper. 'Michigan Chronicle' Editor Bankole Thompson says Cushingberry's apparent disregard for the rules sends the wrong message.

( Watch The full Fox 2 Detroit News Story)

Larry Dubin’s statement of fact was ruled irrelevant and did not fit the case by the Attorney Grievance Commission because Mr. Cushingberry had evidence that he never practiced law during the suspension.  The panel also found that Attorney Cushingberry did not own the domain name and was not responsible for its content. It is a given fact that 98% of legal professionals are not tech savvy and, rely on assistance from Technology experts who are highly skilled in the tools of the trade. C-systems Technology Group www.csystemstechgroup.com is solely responsible for the maintenance, development and content of the site.

The owner of the domain www.cushingberrylaw.com was able to demonstrate that Attorney Cushingberry is not taking any clients during the suspension and, his databases cannot produce any evidence of ANY client or potential client interaction requesting his legal services. As far as the Michigan Chronicle goes, the last thing we need is an African American newspaper supporting and reporting news events that are later proven to be intentionally false and misleading bits of information.

It is also a fact that this is a troubling pattern by media outlets to usurp the will of the voters by attempting to remove elected African American officials from office by promoting false and misleading news stories. The Councilman is demanding that ML Elrick and Bankole Thompson issue an immediate retraction of this “story”. The councilman suggest that these two would be better off investigating the contractors who poured the concrete on the Highways and Roads in Michigan for the past 10 years with shoddy concrete and construction materials.  

Until this happens, the No Elrick-Thompson zone will remain in full effect until further notice.

Art on the Walls of the Lodge Freeway? Detroit based artist Sintex has a plan to bring life onto the drab white wall.

by Friends of Cushingberry

Between Wyoming to 8 mile and the City Limits, the M10 Lodge Freeway wall is stark and boring to look at while you are driving north or southbound. The Office of Council Pro Tem Cushingberry’s people driven task force is researching on using portions of the freeway wall to be covered with artwork from local area artists and advertising from local businesses like JP Morgan Chase, etc. With the cooperation of the State of Michigan, selling advertising space at a fixed rate can generate revenue and improve the view while you drive home.

This proposal would bring additional revenue to the city of Detroit and the State of Michigan in road maintenance and advertising sales.  Local and extremely talented artist like Sintex would enhance the beauty of the City with their elite talent.  Mr. Sintex is the PERFECT candidate to be awarded the job to Paint the Lodge Beautiful and this is an example of his work. www.sintexart.com.

The talent in the City of Detroit needs to be put on display proudly instead of being forced to hide in the closet. To make this happen we need the people to come and express their thoughts about the project to City, County, and State leadership. Many artists and businesses in the Detroit Metropolitan Area would benefit from the sale of space to display their wares.

If you support this proposal, please call or email our office with your concerns and suggestions.

Click Here to contact Mr.Sintex 

Carnival Barking and Paperwork Issues while in Office #DetroitLivesMatter

By Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

Since taking office, these old laptops
have been removed from all
DFD Units and replaced with
hand held units

Since being a council member, Mr. Cushingberry does not have the time to put into law while serving the citizens of our great city making things happen. An example is: since taking office, the Detroit Fire Departments technology has been massively upgraded with a WORKING mapping system that helps firefighters get to emergencies much faster and accurately. This move saved the department lots of money by redirecting funds from a non-working CODE RED computer system, to a hand held working Google Mapping App for each firehouse.  This app has a future so that the app can fit on every firefighter’s cell phone if needed.

Councilman Cushingberry and colleagues have awarded over $55,000 in grants to the DFD for equipment and spurring a hiring frenzy of new Firefighters, EMTs, and Detroit Police Officers to protect the people. These young men and women help carry on the legacy of the Motor City by protecting it as a good place to work, live and party. As we speak, City of Detroit computer systems are being upgraded from Win 3.1, Win 2000, Win XP,  to the latest MS Windows software and HP hardware to bring the City's technology into the 21 Century.

Councilman Cushingberry and his colleagues are working to get City of Detroit uniformed employees (Police and Fire) the same 2.5 percent adjustment awarded to all non-uniformed employees including the Council by the Compensation Commission in July 2016.  Detroit retirees are encouraged to investigate the use of the Voluntary Employee Benefit Agreement to their advantage. When manipulated properly by the members, retirees will re-gain the losses by re-negotiating deductibles and co-pays using the Affordable Care Act.

Please be reminded that Mr. Cushingberry has more credibility as a suspended lawyer than some journalists on Fox 2 and, the Michigan Chronicle have as employees.  As a lawyer Mr. Cushingberry has processed over 1000 cases in his career.  To our count Elrick has found four of them.  We know he had to get through all of them to find these four anomalies.  Regarding the widow issue with the car, Mr. Cushingberry, Swanson Funeral Home, and another agency were successful in dismissing the lawsuit filed by the widow for $20 million dollars a piece in damages.   On Elrick’s star witness Debra Goodner, she still has not produced a receipt for a retainer fee and, we are not holding our breath waiting.

Currently there are 87 people on the same list that ML Elrick accessed from the State of Michigan website. (click here to read the list of "sinners") The list includes Peter Hokesra for Governor and the late Rev. Michael Murphy.  Since most of them did not win or died, they just quit filing.  Mr. Cushingberry has since filed his report and this list will be amended to show that he had less than $50.00 owed for the 2010 Senate campaign.

While serving as a State Representative, Mr. Cushingberry was accused of the same thing in 2008 by then Attorney General Mike Cox when he was appointed the appropriations chairman of the House of Representatives. This case went to trial and, the councilman was victorious in proving that the charges were nothing but harassment and a backhanded attempt to remove him from the appropriations chairmanship.  In that position, Mr. Cushingberry was responsible for the budget of 21 State Departments and left it balanced when his term was limited.

We also want to remind the Nolan Finleys and the Bankole Thompsons of the world that our young people are carrying cell phones that have more computing power than all of the NASA spacecraft that went to the moon and back in the 60’s. They are very talented and with training can do ANY job that is offered to them. If these companies don’t want to hire them they will get the training elsewhere, come back and do a better job than the company that did not want to hire them in the first place. All we ask is that they use those smartphones for doing their research and homework in the process of getting their education. 

Finally we want to salute the young men and women of the Detroit Public School system who recently won a prize for building solar heating and electrical panels.  We know that this is our future and ticket to prosperity in the City of Detroit and, if you are in a business that uses a lot of electricity, then you may want to consider hiring one or many of them.  That’s if they don’t become entrepreneurs and open their own business.   Some of them may study journalism and learn how to report facts instead of, creating fiction from fact to sustain a theater act.

Transportation Magic on 8 Mile and Woodward creating a new neighborhood in Detroit

by Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

The Magic Johnson LLC Plus Group Plan for the Fairgrounds (Click Here First, Then Right Click and Rotate Clockwise)

By clicking on this link, you will have a documented plan for the old Michigan State Fairgrounds from the Land Bank Authority.  This presentation will give you the actual 411 for the 157 acre location in Northwest Detroit. I along with the rest of my council members want you to have the actual plan for your records. The Magic Plus LLC group is strongly committed to hiring, training, and educating Detroit residents and like-minded citizens to improve the quality of life in our city. Councilmember Cushingberry is working with State and Federal agencies to construct a new AMTRAK station as an addition to the Magic Plus effort to redevelop the land.  

Future plans include the extension of the M1 rail line to 8 mile road and, construction of an east and west connection with the development of a M102 rail line going all the way from Lake St. Clair and points west to Livonia, Novi, and Wixom. It is high time for a regional rail system and places like the State Fair property and the old Northland Shopping center will make great hubs for regional transportation. This project will create 3 to 4 times more jobs than the current Meijer/Gateway project and, bring untold revenue to the County and City. Whereas we do not support the META group’s plan for the fairgrounds because it is rife with duplication of the Magic Plus group and does not serve the best interest of the City. 

Mayor Coleman Young always felt that the best thing for the City is working at a well-paying job with the City Services to match. Now that City employees and retirees can purchase property at %50 less than others, we want to encourage the re-investment by carrying it forward. Group purchase of homes on a block and people in them working in our Schools, Firehouses, and Police Precincts will contribute to the renaissance of Detroit.

Rapid Transit on Grand River and Gratiot will enhance the region’s growth and two bridges on the Detroit River will only add to the mix. Suggesting that a passenger light rail track be built on the old or new Ambassador Bridge may be a peace offering to settle the dispute with Mr. Maroun and everyone. Connection with DDOT and, VIA is a strong possibility if the details can be worked out. In the end it is time to stop bickering and start putting shovels in the ground to create jobs and prosperity for everyone to get the job done.

State Fair Property Blight Removal Project in District 2 Magic Plus LLC/REDICO and the Land Bank Authority

By Richard C. Clement

Meet the Developers of the old Michigan State Fairgrounds Land and the Detroit Land Bank Authority to view the plans to turn the area into a retail and transportation hub for rail and bus transportation. The plans also call for a new residential neighborhood and, educational complex that will serve the entire region. Make sure to get there so that you can be a witness to progress.

Magic Plus LLC/Redico group is committed to hiring and training people who live in the community to achieve a better quality of life. Council member Pro Tem Cushingberry supports this project as it will be a major job and revenue creating enhancement for District 2, the City of Detroit and, the Tri-County region of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. The plans call for an Amtrak station with service to Ann Arbor all the way to Chicago.  The completion of this project will eventually spread development all the way between 8 Mile Road to Mc Nichols, between Woodward Avenue and John R. For more information please attend this meeting:

Wed. March 18th 6-8:30 pm

Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority / Fairgrounds

Cadillac Place (old GM HQ)

3022 West Grand Blvd (room 150)

Detroit, MI  48202

The team of Redico, Beatty, Ferguson and Johnson are fully committed to the future of Detroit’s growth. Between Dan Gilbert and Roger Penske, these gentlemen will work together to make a great city. To stay updated with the progress of this project please click here. Otherwise If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call  Councilmember Pro Tem at his office (313) 224-4535 or cushingberryg@detroitmi.gov

Interview with Judge Paula Humphries - Candidate for Detroit City Council

By.  Richard Clement

On a stop by the office, I had time for a short interview with Judge Humpries candidate for City Council seat vacated by Saunteel Jenkins.  I asked her what makes you stand out as a candidate for the job, she responded and I summarized it as follows:

She is passionate for the neighborhoods and the need for the same compassion that Downtown/Midtown is getting in their redevelopment. She is also willing to work as a team member with other council members for the good of the community.  Understands the inner workings of City Government with her training and legal background. Can look at situations with an open mind regardless of the status of who is bringing the message. Her word is her bond and that people elected her 5 times as a Wayne County District Court Judge is evidence of her character. With 27 years of military experience in the United States Army her background, passion, and dedication to the residents in the City will make her a true asset to the City Council as a member.

I said thank you for your time, good luck to you, and thanks for stopping by District 2. In order to be selected, a candidate must get 5 votes from an existing council member. Good luck to all of them and the person selected will get the office between Council-members Cushingberry and Spivey.

Pushing with Pro-Tem Cush to upgrade Detroit Fire Department’s Technology.

By Richard C. Clement

"When it comes to old technology, friends don't let friends run junk"
   - Words from a retired computer systems pro in District 2

Detroit City Council President
Brenda Jones

                The Detroit City Council has approved a two year budget for the Detroit Fire Department that includes adding additional Emergency Medical Technician personnel and use of Global Positioning Software and Google Earth. DFD/EMS units will also have the ability to closely monitor runs to spot abusers or frequent flyers who use the EMS services for non-emergencies.  Calls are already being ranked by priority codes when someone calls in.  When the EMS unit arrives, the run is given a code and, a priority ranking system will determine if this caller’s address is in fact a frequent flyer.  Repeat offenders can be identified fairly quickly so that other agencies can provide the long term help these people need.

To cut down response time, the department has hired 66 new Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) in 2014 with another 34 graduating on January 23^rd, 11:30am at the Detroit Public Safety Building.   DFD/EMS has acquired 15 new ambulances and have up to 12 Private Ambulance Providers that provide additional service during peak times of 1:00pm to 1:00am on call. An additional communications channel has been added to allow dispatch to communicate much better than before.

New ROMEO Non-Transport Units

DFD/EMS Rapid Response (ROMEO) Units

This two year budget allows for new ROMEO non-transport Rapid Response Units that are staffed by EMT’s. These units provide onsite medical service to someone until a transport unit arrives.  The color of these units are RED and they look like a small pickup truck. These units are so versatile that some of them are based at Detroit Police Precincts.  The last item of importance is the cross training of Firefighters as Medical First Responders that can give First Aid until an EMS transport unit arrives to take the person to a hospital.

With the new changes and funding the Detroit Fire Department EMS Units will be able to reduce response times and provide better services to the citizens of the City of Detroit.

 

Protecting the Retired after Bankruptcy with the Membership

By Richard C. Clement


Question:

What should Members do to protect their pensions from being exploited?

Answer:

Be sure to monitor board proceedings and monthly statements regarding money management, and health care regarding the clawback feature of your benefits. As a part of the bankruptcy settlement, all that was taken from the retirees will be restored once the balance sheet shows a profit. All Americans must have health care as required by law. Therefore with the clawback feature of the Voluntary Employee Benefits Agreement (VEBA), retirees can ask for things like lower monthly premiums on their Affordable Care Act health insurance, $5.00 flat rate co-pay or, other incentives decided upon by the membership. 

To make this work, you must also go to meetings and participate. If you are not able to attend, you may want to consider having an advocate group or someone who has the time to monitor the accounting on the behalf of the groups. This would fully protect the Police and Fire Fighters who do not pay into Social Security and, General Retirees who do pay into Social Security and got screwed also. Therefore we must think outside the box and, in some cases just totally forget a box and think like a ball.

What is clawback?

One proposal is to use the clawback feature of the VEBA to look at alternative funding for City retirees health care and cost of living changes beyond their control.  With the language of Michigan Senate Bills 4271, 5104, 5439, and 5440, revenue from Provisioning Centers, Safe Testing Facilities and Industrial Hemp development (click here to see a hempcrete home) can be approved to fund retiree health care costs.  States like Colorado and Washington have generated over $300+ million dollars in revenue from Marijuana sales and agricultural Industrial Hemp development.

Products like concrete for bricks and drywall will help build homes and business from Industrial Hemp or the Male Cannabis plant. An investment into new construction projects like redesigning and reopening City Airport for Commercial air traffic is a proposal that will help generate revenue in the form of new business and blight elimination.  Trade schools encouraging public service jobs for youth and people in general who want a trade, job, or career is a sound investment in the future with pension funds. Why? because you need new business and skilled people to pay into the fund and, that requires knowledge and a well-paying job.  The late Mayor Coleman Young once said that solution to progress in Detroit is a well-paying job with a living wage.  This business plan worked for Henry Ford and, now we have to work a new plan for the City of Detroit.

With the recent federal convictions of prior pension board managers, we feel that the eyes of pension participants is of the utmost importance. Councilmember Pro-Tem Cushingberry Jr. welcomes the FBI, GAO, M.L. Elrick, Sharon Epperson, and anyone else who want to inspect the books of the City of Detroit regarding investments and money management. The retirees will never ever have to put up with this again without their knowledge. In other words the City of Detroit is welcoming you to look at the books and, one day it will be online in real time. With liberty and financial justice for all.

Stay tuned.

Marijuana Provisioning Centers and Industrial Hemp progress for 2015 in the 2014 Lame Duck Session.

By Richard C. Clement


"Will the Weed truly be Freed?"  -
A Detroit Resident with a vision at the Northwest Activities Center

The possible adoption into law of House Bills 4271, 5104, 5439, and 5440 will create green jobs in the State of Michigan with Medical Marijuana and Industrial Hemp. House Bills 4271 and 5104 to authorize Provisioning Centers and Safe Testing Facilities for Medical Marijuana in the State of Michigan will create jobs and revenue for cash starved cities.  These bills have sparked an effort by the Detroit City Council led by Council member James Tate, Detroit Legislative Policy Division and, Building Safety and Engineering to develop a city ordinance to address the growth and management of these places of business.   

We are hoping that fees are reasonable for these licenses and that people are safe in these places of business.  Just like any other business, code compliance with the Detroit Fire Marshall regarding exits and extinguishers are a must.  For places that have growing operations the city wants the electricity to be code compliant, meaning that there will be opportunities for electricians to keep places safe from burning down because of an electrical fire.

Concerns for law enforcement are a valid government id and keeping the peace therefore, the long delayed picture on the Medical Marijuana card must be addressed in Lansing. People who have Facebook and Twitter accounts and; have a Michigan Drivers License cannot use the excuse that a picture on a card gives Government too much information.

Saying No to Jim and Jane Crow!

We also would appreciate that opportunities will be diverse and include people of all racial, ethnic, gender, and other backgrounds to have an equal chance to participate in the business end instead of being a statistic in the legal system. 

Educational Opportunities: 

Schools that participate in agriculture education would be encouraged to thrive in Michigan. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are skills that can be developed by investing in growing and manufacturing projects.

Grow in Detroit!

House Bills 5439 and 5440 will authorize agriculture resources to grow and manufacture products from Industrial Hemp which is the male cannabis plant. The male plant is a non-intoxicant version of the Marijuana plant. Michigan farmers and agriculture concerns will be able to grow this plant for products like paper, fuel, auto body parts and many other things. When prosperity from green jobs takes effect, it will be because of people like Everett Swift of the Michigan Industrial Hemp Education and Marketing Project, www.mihemp.org, and Stephen Sharpe, esteemed board member of the Michigan Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana laws www.minorml.org. These two men are responsible for working with Michigan’s agricultural community to make Industrial Hemp use a reality in Michigan.

In order to get these bills enacted we must pass our differences across party lines. From now until next Friday, you must call and email bomb the Michigan Legislature at www.house.mi.gov about passing these bills to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature into law. 

In your email please copy and paste this line into the Subject of your email:

HB4271, 5104, 5439, 5440 (Support)

Send your concerns about the situation, then Fire up a Republican in Lansing by phone 

Contact information Republican Representatives --House  

John Bumstead (R-Newaygo)                 517-373-7317

Hugh D Crawford(R-Novi)                     517-373-0827

Anthony G. Forlini (R-Harrison Twp.)           517-373-0113

Frank Foster (R-Pellston)                     517-373-2629

Bob Genetski (R-Saugatuck)                 517-373-0836

Ken Goike (R-Ray Township)                 517-373-0820

Gail Haines (R-Waterford)                     517-373-0615

Martin Howrylak (R-Troy)                     517-373-1783

Bradford C. Jacobsen (R-Oxford)                 517-373-1798

Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Twp.)                 517-373-1799

Matt Lori (R-Constantine)                     517-373-0832

Michael D. McCready (R-Birmingham)            517-373-8670

Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills)            517-373-1773

Paul Muxlow (R-Brown City)                517-373-0835

Dave Pagel (R-Berrien Springs)                517-373-1796

Peter Pettalia (R-Presque Isle)                517-373-0833

Amanda Price (R-Holland)                517-373-0838

Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville)                517-373-1403

Bruce R. Rendon (R-Lake City)                517-373-3817

Wayne A. Schmidt (R-Traverse City)            517-373-1766

Robert Verheulen (R-Walker)                517-373-8900

Ken Yonker (R-Caledonia)                    517-373-0840

Time is of the essence!

Light up Lyndon by 2015! From the Dark into the Light - Adams/Butzel Skating is alright

by The Friends of Cushingberry

Young skaters lace them up.

Jack Adams Ice Complex at Adams/Butzel Operating Hours:

Open Skating from 1p-9pm Tuesdays through Friday, Saturdays open 10a-6pm 

Friday Night Party on Skates 7pm-9pm

Skating Lessons given on Tuesday from 6p-8p and Saturday 11a-1p

For more information on recreation activities (click here)

In 2015 our goal is to light up the entire street of Lyndon from Livernois and points west.  Please call the Public Lighting Department at (313) 267-8140 or email them at lightsout@detroitmi.gov.

People who would like to use the Adams/Butzel complex shall not be in the dark driving to and from the facility.



We are working for you in District 2

URGENT! 12/14 12/15 Deadlines for Health Care, FEMA and SBA Help coming quick!

By Richard C. Clement

You have until Sunday December 14th, 2014 to sign up for FEMA and SBA help and,  Monday December 15^th to sign up for health insurance as required by the Affordable Care Act. 

Don’t delay, act today!  Sign up Now at www.healthcare.gov

If you have an emergency condition, no hospital can turn you away. Any medical facility that denies you emergency health care because you don’t have the “right” insurance may be prosecuted for civil and criminal penalties. Your monthly premium may be as low as .08 a month based on your income.

You may shop around for a better plan than what you have now if you are an existing participant.

Greater Christ Baptist Church will be giving assistance in enrolling people for health care coverage

For more information please contact

GBC (313)924-6900 or Jamie 3138203285

www.healthcare.gov

Urgent Message from SBA Office of Disaster Assistance

The SBA Office of Disaster Assistance stands ready to assist those Southeast Michigan residents and business owners that have sustained damage from the severe storms and flooding that occurred between August 11 and 13 of this year. Although many business have indicated a need for assistance, very few have returned their applications.

At the close of business on October 22, 2014 the SBA has approved $23,084,800 for homeowners, renters and businesses in the State of Michigan with $5,537,600 approved in the City of Detroit. However there is much more that we can do.

Please join us in urging those with damage to submit their SBA Disaster Loan Applications as soon as possible and before the deadline of December 14th, 2014.

Click Here to Apply

For questions please contact

Michael B. Peacock

Public Affairs Specialist

US Small Business Administration

101 Marietta Street NW Suite 700

Atlanta, GA 30303-2725

Phone: 404-606-1988

Federal Disaster Loans for Homeowners Renters, and Business of All Sizes

Flood Victim News

The deadline for applying for disaster relief from FEMA is

Sunday, December 14th, 2014 @  5:00pm

The Governor’s office has declared

Detroit a disaster area on Sept 25th

Click Here for FEMA Flood Disaster Help 

www.DisasterAssistance.gov

Property Owners may qualify for loans up to $200,000

Renters and Landlords for loans up to $40,000

Citizens may qualify for Small Business loan or $32,400 in financial assistance

Open Ice Skating 7 days a Week and Learn the game of Hockey in Detroit

By Richard C. Clement

Coach Cynthia Wardlaw (far right)

Instead of waiting in line at Campus Martius to Ice Skate, you can do the same thing on a much larger rink at the Jack Adams Butzel Ice Complex located at 10500 Lyndon Detroit MI 48238.  There is open skating from 1 to 9pm Tuesday through Friday and, 11am to 6pm on Saturday. The rink is a regulation National Hockey League size surface.  Every Tuesday from 6p-9pm and Saturdays from 11a-3pm, come and learn how to skate and, play the game of Ice Hockey. Boys and Girls ages 4 to 17, will get the opportunity to learn the game of Hockey from Jason Mc Crimmon and Cynthia Wardlaw. 

Jason McCrimmon

Jason is a retired professional hockey player that played nine seasons of professional hockey and just loves to teach the game. He is a native Detroiter and one of many African Americans that played the game. (Click Here for Jason’s stats). Born and raised in Detroit, McCrimmon played youth hockey for the Detroit Rockies out of the Jack Adams Ice Arena. He then played Junior A hockey for Belle Tire Lightning of the Continental Elite Hockey League before going on to play NCAA Division III hockey at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. While there, McCrimmon was awarded ECAC East player of the week honors on one occasion, while majoring in business administration and minoring in sports marketing.  After college, McCrimmon played two years of professional hockey inEurope and was named captain of Hela-Kiekko in Finland. He also skated in the Central Hockey League and International Hockey League, ending his career last season after a stint with the Danbury Whalers of the Federal Hockey League.

Richard Clement and Jason McCrimmon

Stay tuned for the "Hockey in the Hood” tournament coming in February 2015 to be held at the complex. Teams of Boys and Girls from Washington DC, Buffalo NY, and Harlem NY will come to play in a tournament that will be a lot of fun to watch and support. This is a partnership between the Detroit Recreation Department, Ice Dreams Hockey Association and, USA Hockey 

For more information, contact, Butzel Complex at (313) 628-0990, Cynthia Wardlaw at (313) 727-7330 or Jason Mc Crimmon at (313) 506-0132.

Cush Creates Commerce on Woodward Ave and Detroit City Airport

By Richard C. Clement

Air Force 3 - US Secretary of State 

On October 21^st, 2014 Councilman Cushingberry implemented a resolution authorizing an application for a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Certificate for Lofts of Merchants Row. This structure is located at 1413 Woodward Avenue.  The structure is to be rehabilitated at an estimated cost of $188,095 per unit, creating 42 units of rental housing.This resolution is another example of giving back to the community and bringing in new residents to our city. 

In other action from City Council, the Councilman has introduced a resolution authorizing a contract (#2896481 / 2014) to provide auditing services for Preparation of the City and Airport 2014 CAFR to Plante & Moran PLLP for $675,000(USD). This action is in line with an overall goal of reopening Detroit City Airport for commercial and private air service in the near future. 

To bring Detroit back from the brink we must invest into the assets of the City like the Airport, instead of selling it off to a private company.  Working with Council member Scott Benson, there is enough room for an additional 2 runways of over 9000 feet long that will enable larger planes to land within the City of Detroit. 

Driving to Flint to fly out of Bishop Airport to save money will be a thing of the past because, Detroit City Airport will be able to provide the same services and fly to more destinations than ever before.

Please stay tuned to City Council for additional good news from Detroit.

Rain Water Management will Save our Detroit Sewer System from being Overloaded

By Richard Clement

"Rain Water and Solar Power will create a lot of green jobs"
  - A District 2 resident daydreaming in Science Class at Mumford High School

Water Use is Critical 

In the not too distant future, City of Detroit homeowners will be required to remove the downspout that connects gutters to the sewer line by law.  Failure to comply may result in a fine as a last resort measure. However there will be opportunity to come into compliance with a one-time credit of $100 on a residential water bill.  All of this is very preliminary and will be based on public input on how to help residents to comply with these necessary changes to their home.

Currently when a large amount of rain falls on the Southeastern Region (Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties) the rain water from homes combines with sewage and overflows the system. To reduce the volume of water going into the Sewer, citizens are encouraged disconnect their downspouts and redirect the water into rain barrels, and gardens.  For every square foot of your roof, equals 1 gallon of water. Doing this separates the rain water from the raw sewage system easing the load on the system.

As a part of Greening the Detroit neighborhoods, the Detroit Chapter of the Sierra Club(click here) is selling 55 gallon rain barrel kits made from bio-degradable plastic.  The water captured from a homeowner’s roof is collected into the barrels until filled. Some setups have TWO barrels because of their purpose for the water that is being collected.  An additional barrel can be connected by a 2 ft hose for overflow purposes.   Reports have it that these barrels fill quickly and people have used the water to wash their cars with.

Fire Up Detroit

When an ordinance is developed to compel change, great care and deference will be given to the citizens first. If you would like to have some input on how to compel residents to make the necessary changes, please share them with City Council and the Mayor’s office.

Obama Impeachment Hearings and Electorial College Changes are on the table in 2015. Vote Early!

by Friends of Cushingberry

"You must remember in November what a Lame Duck did in December - Vote Straight Democratic" 

      - District 2 resident at the 1917 Bistro on Livernois Avenue of Fashion -

Mayor Duggan says:
Give Schauer the Power and,
Vote Straight "D" for prosperity!

Impeachment hearings for President Obama?  Changing the Electoral College in 2016 for the purpose of awarding a state to a candidate by US congressional districts instead of a statewide popular vote?  Under this plan, it would have been Presdent's McCain and Romney. This is in the plan when everyone stays home and does not vote.  If the GOP remains in charge of State Executive Offices, Water Authorities, Pension Boards, US House of Representatives, and US Senate, etc, the process of Government will come to a grinding halt.  Instead of allocating money for fixing and upgrading infrastructure assets like Roads, the Electrical Grid, Water and Sewers, money will be diverted for countless impeachment hearings. If the current leadership in Lansing is successful, the tax credit for healthcare will be eliminated. This means that your monthly premium will increase from $0.08 to over $400 per month.

By voting straight for Democratic, you will allow President Obama to continue to lower gas prices in the middle of the conflict with ISIL to defund their ability to pay for their weapons of mass destruction. You will allow the President to create jobs through investment into public projects to fix and build new transportation assets like bridges and regional rail. You will allow funding for projects like commercial air service at City Airport.  These and many other benefits are in jeopardy before the President leaves office on Friday, January 20^th 2017 at 12:00pm. 

If you don’t vote, come December the lame duck will get pumped up on Viagra and Steroids, and become a Mighty Duck. By changing the laws on a December morning in 2012 at 4:20am, additional right to work laws, emergency managers, and the elimination of early voting will become law. Prisoners will continue to be fed Maggots by private prison companies with no accountability and protection from prosecution. Roads like the Davidson Freeway Service Drive will continue to be a shining example of how not to maintain one. This road is very close to being un-drivable because of the large craters in the road.

Your vote counts and by being a registered voter, a citizen has the ability to change the law through a ballot initiative. When the Governor and the Legislature refuse to act in the interest of the people, registered voters can get enough valid signatures on an initiative petition to force a vote in the next upcoming election. If the voters approve in the majority, the petition becomes a law. Laws like a statewide flat rate insurance, 30 year road construction standards, and other initiatives can be successful through a ballot initiative.  

To protect the law you must start voting from the bottom and get to the top. Judges to protect the law are very important, State Supreme Court candidates like Debra Thomas, Richard Bernstine, and Wayne County Probate Court Candidate Rohn Mitchell will make decisions that will protect the basic human dignity and rights of individuals who deserve fairness. Therefore it is your obligation and duty to register AND vote in this and every election early by absentee. Early voting starts on October 6^th, 2014 and ends on Nov 3rd 4:30pm from 8am to 4pm at the Detroit Elections Bureau 2978 W. Grand Boulevard Detroit MI 48202 for a new direction, and protection for the people.

Taking Back Detroit One Law and Vote at a time. Removing the Mgr. of the Emergency Mgr.

by The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

Go Wings!

September 25, 2014 was a historic day for the City of Detroit.Starting with the ground breaking ceremonies for the new Detroit District, the news regarding the new Red Wings neighborhood development hosted by the Illich family will bring nothing but positive results for the entire tri-county region. Our friend George gave a positive and informative speech on the history of the Detroit District. He paid homage to pioneers like John Sinclair who helped revitalize historic structures like the Fox Theater and, how the once idle land will be transformed into a new business district with a user friendly, handicap accesible Hockey arena.
 

Vote to remove EM Kevyn Orr Result
9 Yes  0 No 

Later that evening the leadership of the City of Detroit redesigned the contract of Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr to a special attorney in charge of bankruptcy. This will be his only responsibility as a contract employee of the City of Detroit. All management of City business is now in the hands of City Council and the Mayor’s office. The Police Department will be under an elected board of review as the Federal oversight has ended for the Detroit Police Department. This seven member board is composed of a representative from each district. This board will be responsible for all Detroit Police hiring, budgeting and, discipline issues.

Council President Jones and
Mayor Duggan sign Detroit's
Declaration of Independence

There is a saying that you should not hate the player but hate the game. Mr. Orr took the money and ran like the Road Runner saying beep, beep. He has indicated that he wants to return home to Washington DC with the family and that is awesome.  He will have the ability to work from home and move out of the Book Cadillac Hotel, saving the City a few dollars. Instead of hating on Mr. Orr, you want to give HIS boss Governor Rick Snyder an employee evaluation with your vote at the ballot box this October until November 4^th.   

Before you mark your ballot ask yourself these questions:

• Did you approve the working instructions given to Mr. Orr to cut healthcare cost to retirees
• Did you approve the working instructions given to Mr. Orr to tax pensions?
• Did you approve of the position of the Emergency Manager being appointed AFTER you told the State of Michigan NO the first time?
• Did you approve the Right to Work law?

You have the power and privilege to terminate the contract of the contractors who created this mess with your Vote.  This would be the current occupants of the Governors, Attorney General’s and, Secretary of States offices. With this change at the top, the people will have the ability to appoint sound leadership in all of the boards and authorities. Boards like Water Authorities and Belle Isle will be under new management with Mark Schauer, Mark Totten, and Godfrey Dillard as your Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State leading the way.

Therefore, please take the time to register and VOTE.  You have until October 4^th to register to vote in the November 4^th election. That means the following:

• If you will be 18 years of age or older by November 4^th, 2014 11:59pm
• If you are NOT incarcerated at a jail or prison
• If you have a Felony Record

You have the legal right to cast your vote on November 4th or, October if you vote early at Wayne County Community College East or West campus.

M8 is The Worst Road in the State! MDOT Automobile Damage Claim Form Download

by Friends of Cushingberry

Pastor Winans prays for
Road Repair on Davidson

Citizens in Detroit deserve better roads. There are no good excuses for this type of shoddy cement work on our streets. During a recent inspection of streets in Detroit, I drove by the location of the DavidsonFreeway and Oakland Boulevard and found massive benign neglect. The service drive is the ultimate horror story of roads of Michigan.  There are holes so deep that you can see the rods in the street.   Watching the faces of the drivers coming through this stretch is a lesson on lip reading.  Under the sign  with a picture of  esteemed Pastor Marvin Winans, Automobile damage is a foregone conclusion. This is a State of Michigan/City of Detroit road and, if you do have a claim for damage to your automobile, download this form from MDOT(Click Here) and file your claim.

This area is a candidate for the worst streets in Michigan. In addition to that, the sign arrangement at Oakland giving you a choice of going to I-75, Davidson Freeway East(M-8) or, Dequindre Street is an embarrassment and very confusing, after you dodge the potholes. If you want to get this fixed then file your complaint with the Michigan Department of Transportation’s report a pothole program. (ClickHere for MDOT Contact Info).  Then file a complaint with City of DetroitOmbudsman Durene Brown for your records. The people of the City of Detroit deserve better.