How to Comply with New Voter Photo ID Laws with your Selfie Stick and Cell Phone

by The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

With your cell phone, you can make your vote count if you do not have proper ID. All you need is your Cell Phone, Selfie Stick, and a ballot to cast.  As soon as you are denied the right to vote because of lack of proper id, you then demand to vote with a provisional ballot.  Ask to take a selfie with the precinct captain with your ballot in hand, shoot picture and cast your vote. You may want to shoot a picture of the ballot while you cast it if you feel like it.  When court action is necessary to have your vote counted because of your identity is being challenged, you have video evidence to present to dispute the claim.  Voter fraud must be stopped and, this method will aid in your voting right being protected by law, and your vote being counted.

Detroit Marijuana Ordinance Public Hearing: Monday, October 12th, 2015 @ 10am

by Richard C. Clement

Let the People Decide

The Detroit City Council has set the date of Monday, October 12th, 2015 at 10am for a public hearing on the proposed ordinance to remove drive through service and cap the number of Marijuana Service Centers in the City.   All persons wishing to file an appearance, support, or objection must file their written paperwork with Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey's Office.





Download the new ordinance as presented for public hearing from Council-member Pro-Tem Cushingberry's City of Detroit Webpage  on (www.detroitmi.gov George Cushingberry Jr's Newsletters and Documents Link)


If you would like to speak at this hearing and require more time, then the City Clerk must be notified at least 10 days in advance.  Upon approval a person will be given 4 minutes to speak. Otherwise you will be limited to two minutes.

After this hearing and if you want your facility to be re-zoned, please fill out this Application for Zoning Change form to re-zone your property with the City Planning Commission. If you are successful, you may be able to change the zoning of your property so that it will be in compliance with the new ordinance.

Download an Application for a City of Detroit Zoning Change 

If you have any questions please call the office at (313) 224-4535

What Does it Take to Make a Better City? Careers in Aviation and Rail Transportation with an expanded City Airport

by Richard Clement

Juliet and George at the MGM Grand

The first project is to expand the people mover to places like the Motor City Casino, MGM Casino, and the District Detroit/Red Wings Stadium. While the M1 rail is a great idea that we hope will prosper, the long forgotten Detroit People Mover is something that is already there in place. With a minimal amount of effort and construction, it has the potential of being something of a real mover of people to distant places in Detroit. Additional stops at the MGM Grand and Motor City Casino Hotel will increase the usage and functionality of the rail line. The construction unions will appreciate the work and the people will appreciate the effort to make getting around the city much easier.

The Mt Elliot Employment District is a project will create jobs and return an investment into the City. The project will enhance the business climate by allowing the expansion a business corridor along Van Dyke and Mt Elliot. It will allow Detroit City Airport to grow with new and longer runways that will miss the cemetery's and allow for the re-opening of McNichols to traffic. Another benefit of this effort is the re-establishment of Davis Aerospace High School back at the airport grounds.

By relocating Davis Aerospace High School on the Airport Grounds, the Detroit Public School system will be a national leader providing the nation with certified pilots and mechanics that will be the new Tuskegee Airmen of the future.  This school is extremely vital in the growth of the City because it will train students for careers in aviation and commercial airline service..  Students from Detroit and surrounding areas will be given an opportunity to get a career in Aviation and fly to bigger and better with an education and a skill.

Currently the City of Detroit owns much of the land around the Airport Property. This property can be used to expand the use of the airport by creating two longer runways so that passenger carrying airlines can use it. Major airline companies like Delta (www.delta.com) and Qatar (www.qatarairways.com) can provide a regional hub that will compliment Metro Airport with their high volume operation.  Detroit City Airport will rival Chicago’s Midway Airport and Bishop Airport in Flint with direct flights to  places like Havana Cuba, Dallas, New York, Chicago, Toronto CA, Vancouver CA, or any City within a 3000 nautical mile radius of the runways.

The Mt Elliot Employment District project will increase the value of property on Detroit’s east side and create satellite business in and around the expanded airport.  Parts suppliers, Cargo and Car rental places are example of some of the supplier business types that will be created with this public works project. If you would like to see this happen then business and community leaders must agree to pursue this endeavor.  People need jobs and this is one way to create them by doing a project that is for the good of the people instead of letting land stay idle and non-income producing.  

To make a better city you have to make something happen by organizing with leaders in Washington, Lansing, Wayne County, and  Detroit to support this public works project that will create jobs and opportunity for Detroit residents who want to work, earn, and learn.

The Future of Cannabis in The Future of Detroit. Where are You?

by Richard C. Clement

In order for true Marijuana Reform in Detroit, the failed policy of the late Harry Anslinger must be put to rest. Marijuana is improperly classified as a Schedule 1 drug with no medical value because people like Mr. Anslinger were paid off by an industry who wanted to use wood for paper instead of a durable product of Industrial Hemp.  Mr. Anslinger was a bigot who hated African Americans so much that he was spreading false and misleading information that Marijuana made White Women desire sex with Black Men, made Black people think they are superior to Whites and, influenced religious leaders to say that Marijuana was created by the Devil.

It is this group think mentality that is the primary driving force behind the current policy that we are following today of incarceration for Marijuana crimes and the arrested development of the numerous potential benefits of using the Cannabis plant.

The following ordinance proposed by Council-member James Tate will remove 90% of all Medical Marijuana businesses from the City of Detroit through the bizarre use of zoning regulations.  If this becomes law, Medical Marijuana Businesses will be subjected to following restrictions in the City of Detroit.

• Be at least 2000 feet away from each other “Controlled Uses Stores”
• Be at least 1000 feet away from a School, Public Park, Church, or Religious Institution
• Located only in Detroit Business Zones B4-B5 and M1-M5

Additionally, all drive through businesses that dispense Medical Marijuana will be eliminated.

This proposed ordinance is contrary to the will of the majority of the citizens who vote and patronize these places of business.  Yet these same patrons can drive up to places like CVS and Walgreens to get some of the most dangerous drugs that cause, heart attacks, suicides, and impotence. The numerous examples of Liquor Stores and Churches that are much closer than 2000 feet from each highlights the glaring contradictions of this proposed ordinance.

The singling out of drive through businesses as a public nuisance is troubling because if a drive through is good for Chase Bank then Pot should not pose any additional problems.  Will this extend to Marijuana Vending Machines in a private place? This proposed ordinance will force some MMJ owners to re-define their businesses as a place of sacramental worship as a religious institution to protect their investment into the re-construction of their property.  The religious argument to rezone Marijuana businesses may be against the tennants Religious Freedom Restoration Act that can be argued in a court of law.

Citizens who support these businesses are strongly urged to contact all of the elected leadership of the City of Detroit to voice your concerns and propose changes.  If the leadership does not listen then you the people have every right to initiate a people driven petition to create a NEW ordinance that will meet the people’s needs.

The real question is how is the City of Detroit and the residents going to benefit from the emerging Marijuana Industry?

• First the proposed ordinance must demand that these businesses remain open and protected from prosecution by law. 
• The Ordinance will create a City Department of Marijuana Management that will manage business needs with a nominal application fee of $1000.
• The Department will be responsible for managing the needs of the business owners with services including but not limited to the following: 
• The hiring and training of Certification Testers to evaluate and grade Marijuana being sold or transferred in the City of Detroit. 
• Providing a directory of Marijuana Businesses providing Faith Based Services and resources to Military Veterans, Retired City and Wayne County Employees with PTSD and other symptoms treatable with Cannabis.
• If some businesses are performing faith based services to clients and customers you may be eligible for a religious exemption as a faith based institution performing services under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Examples of providing faith based services are:

• Using Cannabis to treat Veterans and Public Servants with PTSD symptoms from serving in Government.
• Examples of (but not limited to) military service, working as a teacher, firefighter, Police Officer, or Civil Service appointee.
• Providing Rick Simpson Oil to Cancer and Autism patients or any condition treatable with cannabis.

If you feel that the propose ordinance does not fit your needs, the people have opportunity to enact a ballot initiative to allow the people to decide on the issue of Marijuana Policy in the City Of Detroit and, its direction in the future of our City.

If you are a patron of any Marijuana Business and, want to see the revenue from Marijuana sales and manufacturing benefit the people. Then we are urging you to do the following:  

1. Supporters of Marijuana must call and have meetings with your City of Detroit Elected Leadership to voice your support or opposition.
2. Propose fair and equitable guidelines for building reuse as not to discriminate or deny opportunities to improve the quality of life through, entrepenuership, apprenticeships and higher education.
3. Be prepared to sign a proposed ordinance to clarify the existence and direction of Manufacturing, Medical and Recreational Marijuana in the City of Detroit.
4. Register to Vote, Sign the MI legalize petition, and actually Vote.

The future of Detroit includes the benefits of using the byproducts of the Cannabis plant. Don’t let others who do not have the best interest of the people in mind determine the Detroit Future. Education grow academies and curriculum policy change in public education will expand the importance to the youth to pay attention in class instead of harassing the teacher and dogging the “guest” teachers. To protect all of the children, some students need to really quit clowning around and get serious in the classroom.  Especially in subjects of Biology, Science, Math,  Hortoculture , Electronics, Solar Panel Engineering, Manufacturing, Algebra, and Technology.  As far as music skills, learning how to play an instrument will carry youth a long way in the educational journey of life. For some it might lead to a nice career and pay your way through school at the same time.

The tactical use of Marijuana will create better quality of life with the creation of jobs in manufacturing of concrete for roads, drywall products for home constructions, create bio-fuel for City vehicles, more money for education, and a revenue stream for Wayne County and the City of Detroit. 

We are one 2016 Presidential Election away from continuing the change or, going back to the failed policies of Harry Ainslinger that creates a thriving system asset forfeiture, incarceration for small amounts of Marijuana, building more jails to create more felons than fellowships, putting Canadian Citizens like Marc Emery back in a US Jail in Mississippi at the same time allowing Irving Rosenfeld to legally use Marijuana in all 50 states that is not grown at Alcorn State University in Lorimar MS but somewhere else, and so on.

Therefore it is imperative that you be a good citizen and peacefully petition our government to change the policy on Cannabis to improve the quality of life for the Citizens of the City of Detroit.

If not, then in 2017 President Chris Christie will open a drive through incarceration facility at the “newly completed” Wayne County Jail for Marijuana, while charging increased user fees at the local drive through, fast food restaurants.

Richard C. Clement – Legislative Aide & Marijuana Policy Consultant

"Free The Weed for the Jobs We Need"

A Historic August Weekend in Detroit on 8 Mile Road

By Richard C. Clement

Like a fine bottle of Wine
Getting better with Age

The Office of District 2 Councilmember Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr. wants to commend all of the participants of People for Palmer Park, The Annual 8 Mile Gathering Fellowship, Crusin in the D, and all the people at Peterson Park who partied in the Spirit of Detroit this August. I want to give a special shout out to the 40^th year reunion of the Mumford Class of 1975.

Some of the Class of 1975

WMUM Radio Personalities
Gerald Mc Bride and Richard Clement

It was an extreme pleasure to see old friends, classmates, neighbors, and the reason that all of us became who we are now. It was good to know that some of us are still alive and well.  To those of my Mustang classmates who are resting in heaven, I was honored to be your friend, teammate and drinking partner.  It has been 40 years graduated from Mumford High School and, to all of you all may the Spirit of Detroit inside you live on.

More class of the Class of 1975

Clement and Lake

The Annual 8 Mile reunion on the grounds of an old civil war camp was an extremely awesome event of unity. Old and new neighbors get together and fellowship in the most awesome manner at this location. There are never any acts violence here and it is nothing but love and respect for each other.

Pasteur School in the House

It was an extreme pleasure to introduce some of my friends to current Detroit Fire Department employees of Engine 44, with a brand new door. We were glad to see the support from Wayne County Sheriff, Detroit Fire and Police Departments.  They should feel good about covering a District with a strong history and a great future for the children that live there. Everyone knows the Neighborhood Police Officer but very few know the Neighborhood Fire Fighter. Want to give a big shout out to Sheriff Benny Napolean for his support and he is a proud product of Pasteur School.

Stop The Violence

The Gathering at Peterson Park was a true blessing of the neighborhood again in the Spirit of Detroit. This large city park accommodated three different groups who all played together in harmony.  A Winship Junior High School reunion, a Stop the Violence Rally, and a church group all used the park to fellowship together.  A deputy sheriff from Wayne County came to Stop the Violence and speak about the importance of education and reading. 

Wayne County Sheriff & Cush

Most of the prisoners in Wayne County Jails have the same trait in common regarding their reading skills. They are the most repeat offenders and the deputy sheriff did a wonderful job in communicating with the audience about police and community relations. This is another shout out to Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napolean and the employees that work under his command.

Cush and the Church
Working Together in District 2

Cruisn the D at Palmer Park

The effort to make Woodward South of 8 Mile road a part of a Cruise weekend was a smashing success. The span of Woodward between 8 and Mc Nichols (6 Mile for Native Detroiters) was populated with by the Crusin the “D” event that went around Palmer Park, 7 Mile, Woodward, 8 Mile and back.  This area has its own uniqueness because there are few restaurants and a park with a lot of trees where people parked their cars, stayed cool and watched the other cars go by.  It was a pleasure to welcome cruisers to the area.  

Crusin at Palmer Park

Participants at Woodward and Golden Gate drank cool vegan lemonade at the Golden Gate Café and watched the cars go by. Our office wants to send a thank you to Jerry White, Ms. Litita White and LG Graphics for participating in the inaugural classic car show held on the parking lot at Woodward and Golden Gate.  This location is a prime property for watching cruisers, especially the motor bikers go up and down Woodward.

Thank you Mejiers 

In 2016 a cruise from Campus Martius and Back is very doable. In collaboration with bikers, cruisers, and track clubs, this annual event will morph into an international celebration of the automobile.  Is a Cruise weekend marathon with runners running from 26 miles out to a finish line located at Campus Martius possible? This would have to be done before the Saturday of the event maybe on a Friday morning. Otherwise, the bikers and automobile group can do the cruise from Campus Martius to Pontiac in 2016 with proper time, planning and, support.

Cruiser(Left) with Organizer/CEO
Gregory Reed(Right)

Detroit is coming back and we are helping to keep it on track to progress.

We thank you all for your participation in these events in the Spirit of Detroit.

Keep up the good work in Detroit!

2015 Woodward Cruise Success has Inspired Bigger Plans for 2016 from Campus Martius to Pontiac

by Richard C. Clement

A Corvette Cruiser(L) with
Gregory Reed (R)

The Office of Council Member Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr. wants to send out a big thank you to the shop owners on Woodward and, Mr. Gregory Reed of Crusin the D for organizing and implementing the events in the City of Detroit.  The people of District 2 and, the City very much appreciate Mr. Reed's effort uplift the People in The Spirit of Detroit.  We also want to thank McDonald's in Highland Park and, Mejier’s who’s sponsorship and Super Stores on Grand River Avenue and  8 Mile that have become a smashing success.

Thank You Mejiers

Woodward and Goldengate
Crusin the "D"

We want to thank Businesses like; Vendors LT Graphics & Consulting and, Vegan Golden Gate Café at the intersection of Woodward and Golden Gate that fully participated in the event by having educational sessions on Urban Gardening and what specific plants do for ailments of the body. Cilantro, and Mint Tea that can be grown in your backyard are things that people need to know about. Plants like Industrial Hemp can make products better than  E-85 fuel at a much cheaper price. 

Cruisn in Detroit Supporters

Cruise Weekend gave Automobile enthusiasts and Motor Cycle riders a chance to ride up and down Woodward Avenue from Downtown to Pontiac to pay homage and respect to the City and Region that carried the World for a long time.  It was an honor to meet Biker Bob and his Motor Cycle friends who will be teaching me how to ride a Harley Davidson Bike before Fall 2015.  There were a lot of bikers out there also showing the love for Woodward and I may be one of them in 2016. I also want to give my condolences to the people who got their cars stolen north of 8 mile. This would be a time to advocate for review of uniform Statewide Auto Insurance rates for every Michigan resident.

1964 Mustang and Owner 

In 2016 we believe that the Cruise should go from Campus Martius to Pontiac, and back.  This Cruise will highlight the progress of the City along Woodward on the M1 rail line,  People driving Automobiles, riding Motor Bikes will ride by places like;  The District Detroit,  Detroit Historical Museum, Ford Model T plant in Highland Park, Palmer Park, Golden Gate Vegan Foods, The NEW Perfecting Church, State Fair Parking lot, and beyond.

Side View

In 2016 we want a collaboration of people to use the Old State Fairgrounds Parking Lot on Woodward to view classic cars, party, or even sell used cars on the property. The bottom line is that this event is in the true Spirit of Detroit and, this issue will be brought before the full body of the City Council before the end of the year.  All permits, leases, and other essentials to have Woodward Avenue ready for the 2016 cruise will be put on the table for review.

Good News in Detroit, Come and Cruise in Detroit! Classic Car Cruise Weekend / Aug 13-15th

by Friends of Cushingberry

The cruise action is on Woodward Avenue and W. GoldenGate Detroit MI 48203.

Vendor Space Available

                The 1^st annual Classic Car Park and Cruise Detroit event will be held on August 13,14 and 15^th 2015 at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and W. Goldengate Street.   This is a prime location on Woodward Avenue because as a Cruiser, you can participate in the Dream Cruise north of 8 mile and Cruisn the “D” South of 8 mile.

Cars can park for free and Vendor space is being made available by the lot owners.   

Exhibit rates are as follows:

10x10 @ $125 per day or 10x10 @ $300 for ALL THREE DAYS

Set up time starts at 8am (Tents and Tables welcome)

For more information please contact:

Ms. Litita White - Director

Classic Car Park and Cruise Detroit

18461 W. McNichols

Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 255-4300 or (313) 930-0318

Fax:  (313) 255-4301

Crusin the "D"  Cruise

Attorney Gregory Reed is sponsoring www.cruisinthed.com in District 2

Good Food While you Cruise:

While you are there, come and patronize one of Detroit’s best Vegan Restaurants the Golden Gate Café. This gem is serves some of the best holistic food on Woodward. The owner Dr. Bob is very friendly and a great chiropractor.  Wednesday night Drum Circles at the intersection brings the Woodward/Goldengate community together in peace and sacrament.

Sign a Petition to Legalize Marijuana in Michigan

While you are looking at cars and dining at the Golden Gate Café, please take the time to sign a petition to allow voters to decide in November 2016 to legalize the use of profits from Marijuana. Legal retail sales from the plant will fix the roads, fund the Schools, and finance public pensions at a local level.  People who are currently incarcerated for small amounts of Marijuana will be thrown out of jail, kicked off probation, and have their criminal records expunged if this becomes the law.

Signature gatherers will be at Golden Gate Café to collect signatures.  

This effort is sponsored by the MI Legalize, Activists and Democrats.  This law if passed will keep the current Marijuana Law intact and, allow for the sale of cannabis in the State of Michigan.  This is the only Marijuana petition that will truly benefit the people in regards to funding, revenue and fair treatment.  This petition DOES NOT allow use of Marijuana by under-age youth.  People who are promoting the Marijuana Responsibility Council request are telling this lie to get you to sign their petition.

Review Petition language at www.milegalize.com

Whereas the petition by the MRC is sponsored by a GOP based group in Oakland County with ties to New Jersey Gov. Chris Chrstie. Their petition attacks felons and removes growing rights of patients and caregivers. Their petition will fill the jails of Michigan with people and property being seized by law enforcement officials. On giving second chances to felons, if it is good for Martha Stewart, if it is good for elected leaders in Michigan, then any felon in Michigan deserves a second chance. 

It is time to curtail the felony hater aide laws in Lansing and get some common sense. The cement used for the jails belong in the roads filling potholes and fixing bridges in Wayne County instead of sitting at an uncompleted jail.   So stop by and make it your mission, to sign the petition.

Happy Cruise Weekend to all of you from District 2 in Detroit,
 and we hope to see you on the Avenue.

Be There!