A Detroit City Council 90 Day Progress Report, On a Mission of Positive Transition.

By  Richard Clement

 "At the end of the First Quarter 
    City Leadership  10 votes
    Nolan Finley           0 votes"
       - Quote from a Lions Fan -

Mayor Duggan and Council

Detroit City Airport hosting a regional Air Carrier and upgrade of the facility within 2 years is on the agenda of the Detroit City Council.  With Federal Aviation Administration support, City Airport will be upgraded with longer runways and a people friendly terminal. Airport property is located in the 3^rd District and Councilman Scott Benson's Office will be the point office for project.  With the airport’s strategic location near Downtown Detroit and neighboring suburbs, people who live in Gross Pointe will not have to drive so far to Metropolitan Airport.  City airport will serve the people similar to Midway Airport in Downtown Chicago.

Our Friend George

The Council and the Mayor are making plans with the Obama Administration to make this a reality before he leaves office in 2016.  The recent interest in the Tuskegee Airmen and their heroic efforts in the service to their country will honor their memory so that our children never forget their sacrifice.  This is a project that will more that prove the cohesive working relationship by the council-members. When the elected leadership of the City of Detroit gets their full opportunity to govern as voted upon, you will witness a sea change in policy. On October 1^st, the Detroit Police Department will be under control of the Mayor and the Council by law.  Kevin Orr will be flying back to Washington DC and, will only come to visit when the Washington Redskins football team comes to Detroit to play the Lions.

Within 90 days of taking office, the City Council and Mayor have:

1.       Agreed to reopen closed Recreation Centers in Northwest Detroit.

2.       Appointed board members in areas like the Board of Review

3.       Turned on over 500 lights a week

4.       Improved the communication through the use of technology

a.       emailmike@detroitmi.gov  E-Mail Mayor Duggan

5.       An ongoing upgrade of abysmal computer technology.

a.     Within 12 months the City Mainframe will be decommissioned and system units upgraded.

6.       Made plans for upcoming funding for festivals and activities in 2014

7.       Partnered with international film makers to support the Detroit Voices segment of the Cinetopiea Film Festival in Ann Arbor and Detroit on June 4 through 8^th 2014

a.     Contest for young filmmakers in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties.    

b.      Film cannot be longer than 30 minutes

c.       Adult prize $5,000  High School Prize $1000

d.      Winners will get their film shown on the big screen at the June 4-8 film festival

                                                              i.      Topics can include Homes for $1, bankruptcy, empty homes, politics, etc.

e.     Submission Deadline is May 1^st and if you want more information, please click on this link www.cinetopiafestival.org/detroit-voices/  High schoolers and young adult filmmakers are encouraged to apply.

                                    i.    Detroit filmmaker Sultan Sharrief who directed 2010 Bilal’s Stand is based in Los Angles, is encouraged by the enthusiasm for filmmaking that Michigan’s film incentives have spurred in local young people. Detroit Voices will be reaching out to local high schools and film collectives to spread the word on the contest.

8.   Lanquage was submitted by Council President Pro Tempore George Cushingberry Jr.  for a City Ordinance requiring municipal regulation of Medical Marijuana Provisioning Centers and Safe Testing Facilities. This City ordinance is a sister law to the State of Michigan House Bills 4271 and 5103 which are awaiting the Governor’s signature.

Sean Davis and Rev. Oscar King

Citizens who live in the districts now have a district manager who is responsible for their needs. These positions are created by law via City Ordinance. Mayor Duggan and Council President Jones have provided the new leadership and dynamic change that residents demanded.   Jobs are coming back to the City because we are looking for a few good men and women to replace the aging workforce. 

Councilmember Sheffield

Municipal monitoring of provisioning centers and testing facilities for Medical Marijuana patients will put a quick and fast end to the smash and grab raids being performed by law enforcement resources of the City, County and State.  With an election coming up in August and November, the citizens of Detroit will be able to have a legitimate say in the future of our City.  You must show up with your ballot in 2014 or, let others continue enforce the current climate of operation. City Council is always open to listen to their constituents and, do not hesitate to contact your City Government if you need to because there is and, never will be an attempt to hide City Business from the residents. 

Please do not hesitate to call or communicate with us with your concerns

Meet the NEW City of Detroit City Council in District #2 - March 18th, 2014

Where:
 Northwest Activities Center     
 18100 Meyers Rd # 1,
 Detroit, MI 48235

 (313) 578-7500

 Tuesday, March 18th, 2014 - @ 7pm EDT
www.nwac-detroit.org
 

 

 

Agenda:

 

6pm: Meet City Department Officials
 Detroit Water & Sewer, Police, Fire, et al..

7pm: Start of Official City Council Meeting.

  Hosted by Council President Brenda Jones

 

Review of City Business

 

Public Comment  (Limits of 3 minutes are strictly enforced by our fine Detroit Police Dept.)

 

Meeting Adjourned.

 

 

Issues:

City ordinances and Belle Isle as it relates to citizens?

After the Blight, then what happens?

After Orr hits the door in October, then what?
 

 

 

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

Reasons to Elect George Cushingberry Jr. as President of Detroit City Council on January 6th, 2015

By The Friends of George Cushingberry


    If George Cushingberry is fortunate enough to be elected as president of City Council by his peers, the following steps will be taken, upon agreement with fellow Council Members, Mayor Duggan and, the will of the people. 

1.     Will Create a Committee on Appropriations that will be responsible for accountability  and transparency of the City of Detroit Finances.

a.       Development of a real time display of the City’s balance sheet on the website.

b.      Garbage Truck Tracking(GPS) iPhone app for City Residents who stay at home and want to know if the truck has passed their home or not.

2.     Will look into alternative ways to finance the City’s debts using sound fiscal management theory and methods. Mr. Cushingberry was the Chairman for the State of Michigan appropriations committee in the House of Representatives 2008-2010.

3.     Taking the lead in reinvestment into the City and Regional infrastructure with the expansion of the People Mover System to the Tri-County Area.

4.     Blight Removal and land revitalization through the redevelopment of idle land into homes, allowing people to build bigger homes of selected tracts of land

5.      Reaching out to low to moderate income individuals to help correct their low to moderate income status. Education is essential in the areas of carpentry, electricians, electronics, truck driving and, auto repair will give our youth something to do and look up to for a future.

6.      Will propose that by 2016, all City of Detroit vehicles be required to run on fuel grown in Michigan albeit Industrial Hemp, Corn and, other organic plants.

7.      Will work with fellow councilmembers, Mayor Duggan and President Obama to re-invest into the revitalization of the Tuskegee Airmen/Coleman Young International Airport with commercial Air Service to Toronto Canada, Florida, New York, Cleveland,  Chicago and, any other City as needed.

8.     Before President Obama leaves office we will have a revitalized Amtrak system hub in Detroit so that people do not have to drive to Dearborn to catch a train because of the parking situation. The land formally known as the Michigan State Fairgrounds will undergo a magical transition and become a transportation hub for Intermodal Bus, Train and, People Mover traffic.
 

If you support this effort, Mr. Cushingberry is requesting that you contact your district council member and request that they vote in favor of George Cushingberry Jr., for the Presidency of the City Council, representing the great and talented people of the City of Detroit. The Election will be held on January 6th, 8am 2013 in the Chamber of City Hall.

Please plan on attending to help Push for Cush as President of City Council.

 

Sincerely,

The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.   Councilman District #2

 

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

Managing the EFM / How to defend against the damage of un-accounted decision making

By The Friends of Cushingberry



       Some of you out there are wondering why someone would want the job as a City Council member in Detroit. The word from Lansing is that a City Council is not needed because we have been assigned a new leader from the Governor. Now this new leader can finally attack the pension system without impunity or accountability to anyone but two or three people within State Government.


Former Pension board managers have been charged in Federal Court for bribery, and mismanaging the fund for personal gain. Mayor Kilpatrick borrowed funds during the height of the financial fraud and deceit in the housing and financial markets. The result of their tenure in office was damaging the reputation innocent and caring legislators who represented Detroit in Lansing based on lies and mis-truths. Depending on who the accountant of the day is, the City pension is fully funded or close to being insolvent. Being on the city council will be a challenge, but a challenge that George Cushingberry Jr. will handle if elected to the job.

Like a baseball team that have hacked the signs from the catcher to the pitcher, signs from the first base coach to the runner, every move and counter move has been plotted and planned on by the Management of the Emergency Manager. With help from the Michigan Attorney Generals office, the pension board will be replaced by appointees of the Emergency Manager. The massive attempts to alter, or eliminate costs on the backs of the workers by reducing benefits and services will begin.

Mayors in the State of Michigan are going through the same dilemma with their employees regarding pensions. Cities like Lansing, Allen Park, and others are having the same issue regarding pension funding. Pension systems own land and other assets that can be utilized to manufacture products to compliment the funding of the fund by their employees. To resolve the funding issue, new funding sources must be investigated and implemented so that retirees and current employees can live with quality health care without the worry of being put out in the streets. City employees did not come to work for over 30+ years to give their time and lives to make their work meaningless.
 

For instance City retiree funds could be used to fix, upgrade, and maintain Belle Isle with upgraded facilities. Just like a senior discount at the fast food places, City retirees and residents would get a discount on services and events on the island. Investments in City assets like Coleman Young International Airport with regional flights to cites in the US and Canada will enhance the fund with increased business is a possible revenue generator.   Another possiblity is investing in Michigan's farmland for the purpose of growing crops of plants that can be manufactured into useful products for sale.

City residents have the power of the ballot initiative to force change on government when the Mayor and City Council cannot make a decision in a timely manner. This is the perfect counter-attack from the people on a rouge State Legislature and City Leadership. The bottom line is that we have to look at ways to maintain and add value to the employee pension system with innovative thoughts and sound planning. Making sure that city retirees don't become sacrificial lambs at the hands of the wolves is my priority. It's time Push change with Cush on the City Council for the rebirth, revitalization, and re-investment into the land that we know as the City of Detroit