Native Detroit Marijuana Business Owners File Federal Lawsuit For Inclusion

By Richard C. Clement - Marijuana Policy Analyst

The Sons of Hemp, an African American group of Marijuana Business Owners has re-filed a Federal three count lawsuit against the City of Detroit regarding the uneven enforcement of the Detroit Marijuana Zoning Ordinance and the impact upon native Detroiters owning businesses.  

The 3 counts are as follows:  

Count 1 – Racketeering under existing RICO laws

Count 2 – Selective Enforcement with Bias based on Race

Count 3 – Due process 

The larger picture is the structure of the ordinance as written. Bizarre interpretations of rules based on religion for example, are in conflict with the 1st Amendment and given too much leeway in decision making by the Board of Zoning Appeals. There are some religious institutions owned by the Detroit Land Bank that are given preference over Marijuana Care centers even though the church itself has done absolutely nothing for the community.

 

Detroit at Night

For any other business in Detroit, people who live within 300ft of a proposed property have the legal right to file a letter of objection or support. For marijuana businesses testimony is being taken from people who live as far as 10 miles away from the distance of the facility and, their objections are given favor over people who live within the 300ft distance.

There is also empirical evidence showing that there are outside interests from other states and countries paying off elected officials and neighborhood groups to create an artificial cap on the number of facilities they want to see in the Detroit area. 

Another glaring example of racism in the marijuana industry was the drive through service provided by Natures Choice on Grand River Avenue. They were forced to shut down while, Caucasian owned business in Colorado claim to be the first drive through dispensary in the United States of America as reported by NBC News. With US Attorney General Jeff "KKK" Sessions in charge, the days of shooting people for pot may return soon, just like Tom and Rollie at the Rainbow Farms camp in 2001.  The new face of prohibition wants to return to the good old days of mandatory minimums, and filling the jails with non-violent pot users again. 

Website: Rainbow Farms Memorial - Vandalia MI 

Website: 2012 Detroit Proposal M - Marijuana Decrim  Yes 65%   No 35%

Case Informaition

US District Court Judge Avery Cohen 

United States District Court

Eastern District of Michigan

Case# 2:17-CV-11093

Sons of Hemp v City Of Detroit

Commercial Air Service At Detroit City Airport May Be Closer to Becoming A Reality At KDET

By Richard C. Clement
Legislative Aide to Council President Pro Tempore George Cushingberry Jr.

The recent plans advertised to shut down Detroit City Airport has created a world-wide uproar in the aviation industry. Now a grown up, former Johnson Center, 8 Mile Road youth and resident wants to give back to his home town by bringing commercial air service back to Detroit City Airport. Marcus K Channey CEO Metro Airways has a plan to install Commercial Air Service at the Airport by November 2017. As a result of the hearing conducted by the City Council's Budget/Audit and Finance committee, some good things have happened. 

Website: Metro Airways

Website: ARLIT.CO - City Airport Support

He has guaranteed that %2.5 of revenue generated by his airline will be reinvested into the City in the form of improved infrastructure like recreation centers and aviation education. The Benjamin O Davis high school will become a feeder program for the Airline to hire pilots and mechanics for lucrative careers.

Metro Airlines 

The airport has drawn interest from international carriers like Al Qatar, Virgin Atlantic, and Southwest that want to have an alternative choice and provide additional service to the tri-county region. The relocation of 5 professional sports teams in the City Limits will substantially increase the value of this land. Team owners and Very High Ranking Government Officials have already made City Airport the place to be because of the close proximity to the stadiums and downtown. The plan to reconfigure the Airport with an additional runway has the support of many aviation professionals and Team Owner Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans.

Richard Clement and Dan Gilbert Discuss City Airport 

City residents will not have to drive so far to catch a flight, airlines will not have to overbook flights and forcefully drag people off of their aircraft because of their draconian policies. A joint project with developers like Magic/Redico LLC, and Rock Ventures would include assistance in building a new Benjamin O Davis High School.  Less that 2% of all people who participate in sports ever make it to the professional level from high school. Students would have a better chance of getting an S.T.E.M. career job then trying to be the next Beyoncé or LeBron James.

Detroit City Airport Real time Air Traffic Report from FlightAware.com  

New Runway  33L/15R in RED 

People who can afford to fly into Detroit on corporate jets do not need to be run out of town with a shuttered airport.  The new aircraft engines and technology has enabled pilots to fly non-stop from places as far as France on a single tank of gas. The airport’s current configuration will allow for passenger planes that can carry up to 130 people to come and go as they please.  

According to Mr. Cheney Detroit City Airport is a Public Use Airport and a FEMA designated facility in case of an emergency. In addition State and Local law enforcement frequently use the airport because of the public use designation.  The upgrades to the airport will cost the City of Detroit zero dollars because all of the funding is restricted FAA funds.  Finally the biggest beneficiary of the Airport will be the Detroit Public School Community School District and the children who want to study aviation as a career.   

Position Statement On Flint MI Keeping Detroit Water And Sewer Service

By Richard Clement - Legislative Aide

Council President Pro Tem supports the decision of the Executive Leadership of Flint Michigan to continue to receive water from the Detroit Water and Sewage Department. The Karegnondi (KWA)  water project is an example of the result of using construction and financial resources for purposes other than improving the quality of life. The existing water lines from Detroit could have been extended to where the Karegnondi water line is now at a substantially cheaper price.  An examination of the KWA Pipeline Map, a simple one mile extension of the current DWSD water line along Wheeler Road was much shorter  to build.  

The damage to City Of Detroit retirees behind this action of the State Appointed Emergency Managers can be reversed through methods of, but not limited to:

1. Pension Fund Managers file claims for damages in State and Federal Courts 
2. Pension Fund Managers file criminal charges
3. DWSD constructs a connection to existing KWA line and assumes ownership dissolving the KWA
4. Other actions that can be taken to offset damages to City Retirees in a court of law or legislatively to remove state taxes from pensions and adjusted health care co-pays.

By using correct actuarial data, the figures used to create the bankruptcy will be recalculated from the point of the discrepancy. With this move our city will be officially free of State Financial Review Board oversight on December 31, 2017 at 11:59pm.  During this transition the City will be able to pursue complete control of finances and, do something about rising health care costs. Co-pays for retirees and current employees will be reduced.  Therefore I am asking you to support my fellow colleagues on Council in our efforts to right the wrong to City Employees and Retirees

City Airport is an Asset to the City of Detroit As A Working Airport

Position Statement

We have over 17,000 empty buildings in the city and, we do not need to build new ones on the grounds of the facility. The article written by Daniel Howes of the Detroit News (DN Article Link) is totally incorrect and if allowed to proceed will create even more blight in the city.  We are looking into busing students from adjoining districts to Benjamin O. Davis HS to learn how to fly instead of closing more schools.

Detroit City Airport  Live Air Traffic Tracking from FlightAware.com

High Priority Customers of Detroit City Airport
Rayethon Python 1 - Twin Engine Jet 

Commercial Air Service can be started within 3 months from the date on this newsletter with a small effort and minimal money. We will make more money when we lease out our City Information Technology services to Delta Airlines to improve their computing services. If you support Detroit youth to attain aviation careers, then support the Council on Re-Vitalizing Detroit City Airport.

CBS News Detroit City Airport

Cush Creates Commerce at City Airport / Woodward

What Does it Take to Make A Great City?
Re-opening Detroit City Airport to Commercial Air Service

Field Report - Sensible Marijuana Policy Practice for Local Units of Government

By Richard Clement - Marijuana Policy Analyst 

At the 46^th Annual Hash Bash in Ann Arbor, industry leaders, students, and politicians met to share the moment and discuss strategies to manage the re-legalization of Marijuana in Michigan.  On December 20^th, 2017 Gov. Snyder signed into law sweeping legislation to allow local units of government to regulate and tax Marijuana businesses in the State.  Under the new law, Cities and Townships can design local ordinances that can limit the number of facilities within their boundaries. County Governments stand to make the most gains with a 35% cut of all revenues going toward their budgets.

Richard "Free The Weed"  Clement
Joe White - MI NORML,
Former St. Rep Jeff Irwin(D) Ann Arbor

As it stands now, the current Marijuana Ordinance in the City of Detroit has been applied in such a manner as to allow unscrupulous activity such as people starting up Day Care Centers to prevent the opening of a facility. Another example in Northwest Detroit is using a mothballed City Parks and Recreation center as a Drug Free Zone instead of a recreation center for seniors and Children to shut down another facility.  The current Detroit Marijuana Ordinance has allowed this type of behavior to flourish. The current City ordinance must be modified by an agreement with all of the people to stop and control this type of conduct.

Yes there needs to be regulation for Marijuana businesses in Cities and Townships.  This August and November, citizens have an opportunity to enact sensible cannabis laws that reflect the will of all of the people by ballot vote.  Petition Initiatives that will have sensible variance requirements that are in line with any other business in a City.  New ordinance language will keep businesses 1000 feet from a school and removes the strict restrictions on Churches.  

Some congregations do not mind having a business next to them and, resent that their place of worship is aiding and abetting unethical behavior between business owners. Customers are upset that certain pastors who are in front of the line wanting to shut down Marijuana businesses, are in front of the line complaining when they are asked by their government to pay for their impervious water bills. Customers are enraged that people who do not live within 300 feet of the business come to Zoning Board Hearings to object to their business location, take precedent over the people who live there by law.

People’s attitudes are changing toward Marijuana because they have finally realized that the War on Drugs is a stupid war based on racism and mis-information. It is getting close to 100 years since Harry Ainslinger and J Edgar Hoover made arresting people of color for Marijuana a ritual of passage.

The time now for the City of Detroit law department to place an immediate moratorium on shutting down businesses in Detroit until, the citizens can vote on an ordinance on licensing and zoning that is acceptable to a majority of the people.  The collection of 5000 signatures for a ballot initiative will signal to the City Law Departments to cease the closure of these businesses until the people decide the issue with their vote. 

Committee Hearing On City Demolition Program April 12, 2017

Press Release

President Pro Tem Cushingberry has called for a hearing before the Budget/Audit and Finance Committee regarding the Hardest, Hit, Funds and Demolition programs policies and procedures on 

Date:   April 12^th, 2017
Time:  1:00pm (EDT)
Place: Coleman Young Municipal Center 13th Floor 2 Woodward Ave Detroit MI 48226





At this meeting representatives from the following City Department and Agencies are required to attend.

• Detroit Building Authority (DBA)
• Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA)
• Building Safety Engineering and Environmental Dept. (BSEED)

The goal of this hearing is to determine the status of City's Demolition Program and explore the tactical use of unused weatherization funds. When it comes to Weatherization, the City Of Detroit has one of the best asbestos removal programs that has been recognized on a national level. This hearing will be live-streamed on the City of Detroit Government website on Channel 10.  Public comment is welcome and limited to 2 minutes. 

Cushingberry Lectures HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson on ramifications of budget cuts.

The Budget/Audit Finance Committee is composed of the following council members:
Council President Pro Tempore George Cushingberry, Jr., Chairperson District 2
Council Member Janeé L Ayers, Vice Chairperson  At Large
Council Gabe Leland, Member  District 7
Council President Brenda Jones Ex-Officio  At Large

Detroit City Council Standing Committees 2017

Areas of responsibility:

• Budget
• Finance
• Auditor General

Meeting Starts Promptly on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.
If you have any questions on this upcoming hearing, please do not hesitate to contact the office at (313) 224-4535  or CushingberryG@detroitmi.gov 

FREE Refrigerator Replacement Program For Low Or Moderate Income Citizens

Listening to the people

Do you have an old refrigerator that is spiking your energy bill and draining your wallet? You may qualify for FREE replacement with a brand new Energy Star refrigerator through CLEARCorps/Detroit in partnership with DTE Energy! 

To qualify you must:

• Have a refrigerator built in the year 2000 or before.  If unsure go to Appliance 411 at www.appliance411.com/sevice/date-code.php to look up your appliance
• Have a copy of your current DTE Energy bill and be in good standing with your account.
• Have proof of income for all adults living in the home (must be low or moderate income)
• Have the model number, serial number, brand, and measurements of your current refrigerator.

We want to make sure that you can have an affordable energy bill while giving you an upgrade on your appliance. Saving money starts at home – you may be paying more for your energy than you need by keeping an outdated refrigerator! Call for details at (313) 924-4000, go online to CLEARCorps Detroit at www.clearcorpsdetroit.org/our-programs/refrigerator-replacement/ , or stop into our office at 11148 Harper, Detroit MI 48212 to pick up an application.

2017-2018 Hardest Hit Areas Planned Use Of Federal Funds In The City Of Detroit

By Richard C. Clement

The following map shows the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) zones where the city is planning to spend its federal allocation of fund money. The city is constantly pursuing additional federal funds to allow it to further expand these HHF zones to include more neighborhoods. By law funds can only be spent on federally-designated areas of the City.  Under this program, Detroit can demolish publicly-owned residential buildings (four units or fewer) that are in poor or structurally-deficient condition, and are negatively impacting neighborhoods. The City also conducts emergency demolitions of privately-owned residential buildings if Detroit building officials determine they pose an immediate threat to public safety, as well as the demolition of vacant and dangerous commercial structures.  

2017-2018 District 2 HHF  Area Map

Council President Pro Tem George  Cushingberry Jr. is Unbought, Unbossed and believes in accounting oversight to make sure that the job is done correctly at the best price to the benefit of our employers, the Citizens of Detroit. 

If you have any questions or concerns about the HHF demolition, please do not hesitate to call our office at (313) 224-4535 or by email at CushingberryG@detroitmi.gov with HHFunds in the subject line.

Website:  Detroit Demolition Tracking Map

Detroit West

.   

Detroit East

Municipal Golf Courses And Land Use Agreements in the 21st Century On City Budgets

By Richard C. Clement

In 2016, City of Detroit Golf Courses make $57,000 in profits combined, according to testimony by Charles Beckham of the Mayor’s Office at the full session of The Council.  Members were informed by Mr. Beckham of the financial burden municipal courses are to the City.  He cited a national trend that Golf Course use is on the national decline and, that younger people are not picking up the game like their parents did.  To support his statement, Mr. Beckham cited places like Lansing, and Oakland County that are having the same problem with the maintenance costs.

www.cushforcitycouncil.com

Municipalities are restricted by land use agreements that are part of the deed in trust on the property, preventing them from using the land for something else. Recent experiences with Rev. Charles Ellis and Rackham Golf course highlighted the costly endeavor of maintaining a course. He was awarded the property when the City of Detroit was looking to eliminate debit and, wanted to maintain a golf course at the site. When the property that he owned could not be converted to a cemetery because of land use agreements, Bishop Ellis was forced to dump the property. 

A series of one year contracts were approved by the council to maintain the grounds so that 2017 is a great year on the links.. 

To save some of these courses, a public private partnership with the City and Golf Club Contractors was signed The solution is a combination of a few events that include educational institutions and potential land developers. Golf is a great game for students to learn how to play. Therefore there has to be an concerted effort to highlight the benefit of golf while inspiring the young.  For senior citizens who want to chill out on their remaining years, Golf is a game for exercise. For youth and young adults under 40, Golf is a game for scholarships and social meetings mixed with competition.  Golf is a game that is played from the head up. 

To bring back the game, Golfers at all levels must support youth programs and, encourage schools to keep the game alive through inter-school competition.  Maintenance costs have to be contained and controlled through asset management. Like baseball and bowling, a serious awareness movement in our schools are essential to it's survival.

Informational Meeting on Johnson Rec Center and Higginbotham School Complex

Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr. is strongly urging you to attend the following meeting on 

Thursday March 23rd, at 6:30pm

New Prospect Baptist Church 

6330 Pembroke 

Detroit, MI 48221 

Hosted by District 2 Manager Kim Tandy tandyk@detroitmi.gov

This meeting is regarding the status of the Johnson Recreation Center and Higginbotham School in Northwest Detroit. Currently there is an offer from UofD Jesuit High School to invest capital into redeveloping the property.  

When Joe Louis Arena is demolished, there will be one less tribute to the great Brown Bomber in Detroit. Joe Louis Field shall get some dignity by redevelopment with a purpose to the community. Public and Private partnerships are becoming a normal way of business in the revitalization of a city.  ProTem Cushingberry is adamant about the development of the land, the rich history of this property, and keeping it for public use.  Mr. Cushingberry was successful in getting an appropriation inserted the 5 year plan for a new Olympic Size Pool in a new facility on Joe Louis Barrow Field.

Currently, the former Johnson Center and Higginbotham School Complex is for sale at $1.5 million dollars. Therefore, your input is needed on the future of the neighborhood when it comes to quality of life issues of youth engagement and leaving a legacy to our babies who will be here after we are gone. When all of the neighborhood input is received, an ordinance to reflect the will of the people will be developed, agreed upon and, enacted into law.

Johnson Recreation Center 

Click here for the details of the sale 

City of Detroit District Managers Website Link

Press Release - Detroit City Airport Expansion 2017-2020 (KDET)

Legislation introduced to Restore Commercial Air Service and Benjamin O. Davis High School Back to Detroit City Airport Grounds.

At the Budget/Audit/Finance Committee meeting on March 6th, 2017, a major step forward was made by the Council to restore commercial air and, help our children to achieve successful aviation careers.  A motion was introduced by ProTem Cushingberry to move Benjamin O Davis airport back to airport grounds from the Jefferson Street location.  According to aviation experts and, Airport Director Jason Watt, “with an additional 1000 of runway we could land the space shuttle in the middle of the neighborhood”.  This airport currently serves as a major hub for freight, entertainers, executives, and government officials. Notables like Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, and others often “sneak into” the City because of the close proximity to neighborhoods and downtown. Everyone that remembered using Southwest Airlines at KDET always reported a good experience.

Website: Detroit City Airport  (Arrivals and Departures) Flight Tracker 

Council President ProTem Cushingberry
discussing business with Airport Director Jason Watt

The motion was approved 9 to 0 to look at using available funds to construct a new runway that would add 1000 feet so that larger aircraft could land there. This would include a runway for exclusive use by the High School and smaller aircraft.  Currently, City Airport is handling commercial air service on a regular basis.  Arriving nonstop flights from places as far France and, other locations around the world are not uncommon because of new aviation technology.  Additional traffic generating landing fee funds would assist in the construction of the new runway and high school.  We want the community to continue to demand that this City Asset not be removed or destroyed. 

Article: Restoring Commercial Air Service to City Airport (KDET)

Schematic for a 6900ft New Runway

To allow outside interests to turn the last piece of city owned property into an industrial park is unbelievably racist and completely un-acceptable.  While students studying aviation on the west side of the state have a runway and high school on airport grounds, students in Detroit are on Jefferson Avenue miles away. No one had the decency to include a helicopter pilot program to the airport for the students either! This must change for the sake of our future.

 (Website: West Michigan High School Aviation Academy Grand Rapids MI w/School Runway  )

We strongly encourage parents and children and supporters of Detroit Public schools to show their support. The plans and the funding are there now.  Now is the time to move forward to get the job done.

Comparable Size Airport:
Billy Bishop Airport Toronto CA (CYTZ) (Website  Billy Bishop Airport Toronto CA). 
Commercial Airservice provded by Porter Airlines (Website: www.flyporter.com - Commercial Air Service in Toronto CA)

Michigan Freeway Lighting Partners(MFLP) team up with MDOT To Install Lights On Freeways in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

By Richard C. Clement

Entrance to the Ambassador Brige

Michigan Freeway Lighting Partners (MFLP) has maintained their contractual commitment to install new lighting on the freeways in the Tri-County area.  Milestone 1 required that %90 of new luminaries be installed and functioning as design within the first year starting on November 24, 2015.  We are pleased to report that this milestone was finished one month earlier on October 18, 2016 resulting in 11,841 new lights being installed on our freeways. As of January 1, 2017, this number has increased to 12,572. Milestone number 2 is to substantially work towards the completion date of August 2017.  This is a 13 year contract between MFLP and MDOT to maintain the integrity of the lights.  The savings resulted in DTE presenting MDOT a $1 million dollar rebate check as part of their business incentive program for efficient energy usage.

For more information please contact:

Frank Wichtner, PMP

Senior Projects Manager

Michigan Freeway Lighting Partners

313.974.7316 x200

fwichtner@michiganfreeewaylighting.com
Website www.michiganfreewaylighting.com

M1-Rail QLINE Community Project Update Meeting Dates March and April 2017

By Richard C. Clement

QLine Rail Car

Find out what the plan is for Woodward Avenue regarding driving and walking. With the new QLINE rail cars, there will be changes on how to navigate Woodward. Doors open at 5:30 with the presentation and community conversations starting at 6pm.

Date	Time	Place
Thursday, 3/2/2017	5:30 to 7:30pm	Villages of Brush Park Manor 2900 Brush Street Detroit MI 48201
Thursday, 3/9/2017	5:30 to 7:30pm	Triumph Church East Campus 2760 E. Grand Boulevard Detroit, MI 48211
Thursday 4/11/2017	5:30 to 7:30pm	Detroit Public Library 5201 Woodward Ave Detroit, MI 48201
Thursday 4/20/2017	5:30 to 7:30pm	Michigan State University 3408 Woodward Ave Detroit, MI 48201

For more information please contact 
M1 Rail Community Relations Department at info@m1rail.org or 313.483.8077
Website www.m-1rail.com

Repealing and Replacing the Detroit Marijuana Zoning Ordinance in 2017

Richard C. Clement – Marijuana Policy Analyst
ClementR@detroitmi.gov

Winfred Blackmon  MCDA
Weed Jihadist

After further review of public hearings at Board of Zoning Appeals the Detroit Marijuana Zoning ordinance needs to be drastically overhauled. All during the process of drafting the ordinance, public input was ignored. The Board of Zoning Appeals members have no flexibility to grant waivers based on common sense situations.  In some cases denials have been granted even though the religious institution does not exist or, an old liquor license has not been used in years.  For instance on 8 mile Road, the mothballed Johnson Recreation Center was used to shut down a compassion center because it was “too close to a drug free zone”. The back story is that the city is putting the property up for sale even though the neighborhood has been demanding that the center be reopened or reconstructed.

Other examples are some owners purchasing property close enough to a proposed facility so that it does not open.  The opposition from the community groups are sponsored by some marijuana business owners who are using the evangelical community to promote fake outrage even though their numbers are small.  Some of the people who attend the churches are customers of the compassion centers and, if a pastor can sell water at $5.00 a bottle, then Marijuana at $10.00 a gram is good too. After all the Water and Weed come from the same manufacturer. 

A new ordinance drafted and voted on by the people would address working hours and, other issues like drive through service. Another option is that City Attorney Butch Hollowell would choose to opt into the State Law and save the taxpayers major money in legal fees.  Either way, the people have the final say with their vote and that is the way it should go.  The proposed language below would go into effect when a referendum petition is signed by the electors who are registered voters in the City of Detroit.

Example Repeal Ordinance Language:

Initiative to Repeal Detroit Zoning Ordinance Section(s) 24-13-1 through 24-13-30, 61, Articles XIII, 61-3-353 and 61-3-354 Definitions; Licensing, Conditional Uses; Procedures; Waivers and Public Nuisance. We the undersigned electors want these sections of the Detroit Marijuana Zoning Ordinance repealed and redesigned in the Detroit City Charter.  This ordinance gives too much weight to empty churches, non-existent liquor stores and, discriminates on the basis of religion by violating the 1^st Amendment rights regarding the freedom to worship or not to worship. This ordinance encourages shady business practices by competitors to purchase and squat on property for the purpose of preventing a business from opening.  The undersigned electors demand the immediate suspension of this ordinance and, the right to vote YES or NO in the next general election on August 8^th, 2017.

Area 51 - Compassion Center

5000 valid voter signatures are needed by March 21^st, 2017 to place this issue on the ballot. Therefore if you are legal professional interested in pursuing this option, please contact me at the office with a valid petition.  Then ask your elected officials to allow you to vote on a new ordinance that will be reflective of the will of the people, instead of the wishes of a few.