City Charter Bug Fix Review: Barrow's Ballot is in Good Hands - Press Release

Dear Tom,

The next general election is August 2016 and at that time the Barrow plan would be in full effect.  The plan requires that two paper voting receipts be printed at every voting location when the polls close after 8pm.  One with a signature that is taped on the wall at the voting location. The other receipt is sent with the votes to the Elections Bureau for total vote counting.  Both receipts require a signature on them.  If there is a close election then a recount would be required by law otherwise the votes are certified by the clerk.

The question is, how hard is it for a printer to print two sheets of paper?

This concept is very workable before the 2016 August Primary Election. The next question is WHY you want to print the paper in the first place. What is wrong with a voting scoreboard with real time results that you can access on your phone, tablet, laptop, google glass, wristwatch, etc? How about voting online one day? If you must print two tally sheets at the end of the night, then do what you have to do.

It is the position of Councilmember Cushingberry to review this legislation with the Elections Commission and, personnel versed in Information Technology skills like network management, data security, and system design.  Tom Barrow’s work will not be in vain and the initiative to have fair and accurate accounting of votes will be implemented by the next general election. 

The real fix is to the bug in the charter that is forcing Councilmember Janee Ayers to run for office in 2016 and 2017 because of the departure of Saunteel Jenkins. The wording in the charter says that a vacancy has to be filled  by voting in the next general election.  It should read that a vacancy has to be filled when the vacant position is up for election at the end of  it's 4 year term. 

Fact: Candidate Jenkins was elected for a 4 year job. She left early for a new job so Janee Ayers was appointed to fill out the remaining time. 

Fixing this bug in the charter would save a lot of time and money in the elections bureau and, address both issues at the same time. If Mr. Barrow is interested in taking on this task please set up a meeting, call, or do what you do to get something started. 

Thank you for your service to our community Tom.

Sincerely,

Richard Clement - Legislative Aide to Councilmember Pro Tem Cushingberry

What Does It Take to Make a Great City? 3D Home Printing

by Richard C. Clement

Currently, there are large tracts of land in the City that can support the development of neighborhoods ranging from moderate homes for homeless veterans, all the way to exclusive homes that would rival the ones in Palmer Woods in District 2. 

To help with re-purposing the land, 3D Printer technology may have to be implemented. Using a computer, all someone needs to do is to draw the house on the computer, and once everything is looking good on paper clicks on the OK button. The technology uses basic math with the X, Y, and Z coordinates, connected to a machine with a nozzle at the end.  The pumping mechanism pours the dimensions of the home in layers until completed.  To pour the plumbing, the mixing compound would be changed to make pipe and other parts.

Mixing materials composed from Industrial Hemp byproducts like concrete and other material will be able to create parts for a home like a plastic tube for water and hemp-Crete for sewer pipes. Entire tracts of land would be “reprinted” or, a custom made home printed to specification on a single lot in a neighborhood. Click Here to see a machine in China that can print up to 10 homes a day using 3D Technology.

We have the talent right here in the City as demonstrated by the 3D Musical Artists Onyx Ashanti (onyx-ashanti.com) who is rooted in the heart of Detroit. Mr. Ashanti is a prime example of the talent in our City of Detroit. An artist that prints his own musical instruments using 3D technology, he has soundly rejected the ideology of some in Corporate America that cannot find the talent in the urban cities, especially the Detroit Public Schools.

 

As long as you are outside the walls of a correctional institution and, have no intentions of going back if you have been there, opportunity is available to learn how to do something to add to the overall quality of life in the city. As long as you have an Android or IPhone and can figure out how to use 50% or more of the features on it, you can be trained to do any job in technology.

All it takes is a mentor and opportunity to contribute to the quality of life, entrepreneurship may be the way to go. You may have to work a few jobs to sustain yourself in the beginning, but when you reach your goal of success (as defined by you) your mind will be at peace.

So if you like to draw, a 3D home design may be a career for you to pursue. Work from anywhere at any time as long as you put in your hours at the agreed rate of pay, you will do fine.

Statement on the Flint Michigan Water Crisis

by Friends of  Councilmember Pro-Tem George Cushingberry Jr.

We strongly encouraging US Attorney General Loretta Lynch, US Attorney Barbara McQuade, and Attorney General Bill Schuette to intervene on behalf of the Citizens of Flint Michigan with, a court order to immediately switch the water supply back to the Detroit Water and Sewer Department (DWSD). 

This conduct is an extreme threat to the health and quality of life for the citizens, especially the children.  

The switch to pump water from the Flint River is an act of negligence and, will cost the State of Michigan millions in lawsuit settlements for health reasons. Therefore we are strongly encouraging State and Federal officials to investigate, repair the water quality, and prosecute possible wrongdoing on the people of Flint Michigan.

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"