Detroit Recreation Department Swimmers fight Breast Cancer by doing laps around Belle Isle July 9th, 2014

Councilman Cushingberry Supports the Detroit Recreation Department Swim Team in the 15th Annual Motor City Mile race around Belle Isle to fight Breast Cancer

A swimming team based at the Coleman Young Recreation Center will participate in the 15th Annual Motor City Mile sponsored by the Different Strokes Swim Shop in Livonia Michigan. This is a 3.5 mile swim around Belle Isle for the purpose of help fighting Breast Cancer.

The July  9th, 2014 event will feature 6-10 swimmers from the Coleman Young Recreation  Center swim program representing the City of Detroit neighborhoods.  Current City of Detroit lifeguards are strongly urged to participate in this event.  Upon presentation of your credentials (Red Cross Lifeguard Card), all entry fees will be waived.

Registration starts at 7:15am.

The entry fee is $25 to swim and $15 for dinner at the Detroit Yacht Club.

Proceeds will go to fight Breast Cancer.  

If you can donate any monetary support to the team please contact:

Ms. Carolyn Green at (313) 891-3652, (313)450-3650, or Coach Peterson at the Coleman Young Rec Center.

Female team members stated that they could swim across the width of the Detroit River to Canada and back. All of these swimmers are from Detroit and, this is a moment to be proud of them. Team Members have competed against schools like Cass Tech and come in first place without a lot of effort. These students will be able to pursue careers that require water skills like underwater rescue and research.

Your support is greatly appreciated and thank the Detroit Recreation Department  for their good work.

Councilman Cushingberry Supports The Affordable Care Act Tax Credit that lowers monthly rates by as much as %800

Health Care in Detroit 

By Richard C. Clement

Did you know the tax credit is still available under the Affordable Care Act?  If your income falls below the limit based on family size, you may qualify for a significant tax credit for health insurance. This credit may have the ability to lower your monthly payment to under $1.00 per month. 

You still have time to sign up for the plan because having health insurance is now the law.  A lot of insurance companies are offering their own version of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to compete with other insurance companies.  Organizations like Blue Cross, Humana and others offer similar plans because they all will have to comply with the law and, competition is a part of  being in business. 

The Following table is from Health Care Marketplace literature.

Household Size	Income Limit	Alaska
1	$45,960	$57,400
2	$62,040	$77,520
3	$78,120	$97,640
4	$94,200	$117,760
5	$110,000	$137,880
6	$126,360	$158,000

Unfortunately, Michigan Attorney General, Bill Schuette has decided to fight this benefit by joining in on a law suit to eliminate it altogether (Detroit Free Press Article – Click Here). If they are successful, your ACA monthly insurance rate will increase over %800 percent.  For a household of one person, your Bronze Insurance plan will go from $0.38 cents to $312 per month. You can still register for ACA coverage by logging onto www.healthcare.gov and sign up.

Finally, if you support this benefit, you must Vote in August and November for a change in U.S. Congress, State Legislature and, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.

Councilman Cushingberry Supports The Re-Development of the Old Michigan State Fairgrounds.

By Richard C. Clement

Conceptual Design from the Magic Plus Group

Councilman Cushingberry supports the efforts of Mr. Beatty, Mr. Ferguson and, Mr. Johnson to create jobs and revitalize Detroit through the development of the State Fair Property.  Community Input Regarding the State Fair Project by the Magic Plus Group was taken on June 26^th, 2014 at the Northwest Activities Center.  Suggestions from the community were collected on cards for review by everyone involved to be incorporated into the final plan.  The Magic plus group has an Amtrak station in the plans that will be a vast improvement over the current AMTRAK station in Midtown Detroit. Currently, the AMTRAK station in Midtown has NO parking available and is a total embarrassment to the City of Detroit.

Preliminary Design Plan

The meeting gave everyone time to present their ideas, like preserving something that was the old State Fair like the Band Shell.  The meeting allowed the leadership to decide what type of housing will be placed there.  The City of Detroit has lots of land and empty homes right now that need to be redeveloped and rehabilitated.  The REDICO/Magic Plus Group is responsible for only 157 acres of the City.

There is no monetary commitment from Michigan Department of Transportation and, the Regional Transportation Authority to enhance the current Transportation situation. This attitude will change when the AMTRAK part of the property is re-designed. This will force the enhancement and upgrade of the current bus and rail situation at the Fairgrounds.

A monetary commitment from the US Department of Transportation will foster the development of a regional transportation hub.  A rail system similar to the City of Miami Florida would tie in Amtrak, DDOT, SMART,  M1, M2, M8, M102, M3, and M5 on a regional rail system funded with Transportation revenue from creating and growing alternative fuel energy.  Solar Panels, Wind Turbines and, growing fuel like Industrial Hemp and other plants will redefine the energy needs for a region and a nation. 

The Obama Administration has two years left to serve and can leave a lasting legacy at the old State Fair property with a construction project to assist in the re-development.  This is possible if the people vote at the ballot box to re-direct the leadership this August and November 2014 in Lansing, Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. The RTA is an organization with NO funding or public financial support.  The alternate proposal by the META Tech Expo Group is based on the area being bigger than the size of Downtown Royal Oak Michigan.  Detroit is much larger than Royal Oak and, the size issue is a totally insignificant fact. The need for regional rail is clearly demonstrated when you drive the Lodge Northbound at 5:30pm Monday through Friday.  This is an issue that has to be addressed at a State and Federal level.

The next meeting regarding the State Fair Project will be posted in the near future. 

M-1 Rail Line

300 Jobs Available at UAW/Ford. Apply by June 26th 2014. Ex-Felons are strongly encouraged to apply.

By Richard Clement

The United Auto Workers and Ford Motor Company has 300 jobs available and, being an ex-felon will not be a factor to be used against you.

Please send in your application by June 26th,2014 to uawjobs@ford.com.

Tests will be given on July 22,23,24.  If you have a conviction, please state on the application as it will not count toward disqualification for employment.





U, All, are Working = UAW = Jobs and Worker Respect

UAW Website www.uaw.com

Solar Detroit: Student Design Contest

Do you believe in clean renewable solar energy?
Do you believe in the revitalization of Detroit?
If you answered "Yes" to these questions this is the contest for you! Use your creativity to design and present your solution for solar in the D- and be eligible for college scholarship and other prizes!


Rules:
The Solar Detroit Student Design Contest is a partnership between The City of Detroit and the Detroit Public Schools Go Green Challenge. It is open to all students who attend Detroit Public Schools.

The Contest challenges you to imagine how solar energy can be a part of the revitalization of Detroit. All ideas will be considered, from solar backpacks for charging computers and cell phones to solar LED street lights and even large-scale projects like turning an open field into a solar power plant for the neighborhood, or urban farming applications.

Submissions:
To enter, you must complete and Entry Form.
Your final submission should include the following:
1 page written summary that tells the judges about your project and how it helps in revitalizing the city.
A picture of how your project will look - this could be a drawing, collage, or other graphic representation.
Other information you think is important to share - maximum 3 additional pages.

Deadline:
Submissions must be received by 3pm July 11, 2014 at:
DPS.GoGreen@DetroitK12.org
1601 Farnsworth, Building C
Detroit, MI 48211
313.578.7135

Judges:
Mike Duggan, Mayor City of Detroit (or designee)
George Cushingberry, Council President Pro Tempe
Jack Martin, Emergency Manager, Detroit Public Schools (or designee)


Solar PV Energy Lab: Hands-On Design Build:
Put your brain and hands to work while working with solar panels.
Saturday, June 28th- Ben Carson High School, 571 Mack Ave.
**RSVP to: DPS.GoGreen@DetroitK12.org

JPMorgan Chase Bank Invests in the City

JPMorgan Chase & Co recently unveiled a $100 million, five year commitment to support and accelerate Detroit's economic recovery and strengthen its communities. This investment is the JPMorgan's largest commitment to a city, as well as being one of the largest corporate commitments to Detroit.
Jamie Dimon, Chase Chairman and CEO, said, "We believe in Detroit's future, and we want to see the city recover its economic strength." Their commitment includes: Investing in Detroit's community development tackling blight, strengthening workforce readiness, growing small businesses, and seeding future economic growth.

Detroit Recreation Facilities Map

Senior Citizens Can Apply for Solid Waste Discount

City of Detroit homeowners who are at least 65 years old and have a household gross income below $40,000 may be eligible for a sold waste discount of $120.

The application period is July 1st through September 15th. Interested individuals can get applications in person at the Coleman Young Municipal Center, Suite 136, or online at Solid Waste Fee Information.

Eligible seniors must submit a new application every year during the filing period.

Detroit Senior Olympics

Senior citizens ages 50 and older are invited to participate in the 2014 Detroit Senior Olympics. The City of Detroit Recreation Department has scheduled the event to take place June 17th and 18th. This year's Olympis will feature arts & crafts, baking, billiards, horseshoes, bowling, swimming, basketball, tennis, track, table tennis, Frisbee toss and softball hit & throw.

For more information, please call (313) 224-1129

Eat Healthy This Summer

The Detroit Community Markets Program, DCM, is a coalition of of seventeen Detroit based farmers markets, farm stands, and mobile trucks that provide fresh, affordable, and healthy produce to the Detroit area. The majority of the markets accept Bridge Card and also participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program.

Call (313)833-9300 or you can visit Detroit Community Markets or Community Markets Facebook page

New Service Available for Detroit Residents

Optional Curbside Recycling Program

Curbside recycling will be available this fall for those without recycling now. To take part, residents will need to opt-in and request a 64-gal recycling container. There is a one-time fee of $25 for the container. Residents will receive additional recycling information in the mail. For those households that currently have curbside recycling, collection will continue.

Recycling Rewards:

Recycling service is only provided to customers who have registered for the recycling program. In addition, all recycling participants have the option to register online for the Reward$ for Recycling. The program offers discounts and coupons from local businesses.

How to Sign-up:

If you live east of Woodward Ave call Rizzo Environmental Services at 866-772-8900 and get details on signing up for Reward$ for Recycling.
Rizzo Environmental PDF

If you live west of Woodward Ave call Advanced Disposal at 844-233-8764 to request a 64-gal recycling container.
Advanced Disposal PDF

District 2 Job Fair

Community Help and Job Fair
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Northwest Activities Center
18100 Meyers Detroit, MI 48235
2-7 p.m.
Bring a résumé and a friend.

Follow the link below for more information.
District 2 Job Fair

District 2 Clean Up

Local business man and District 2 resident Greg Pawlowski has organized a city cleanup in the Ralston-Woodward-State Fair. As the head of 501c 3, Earth Community, Greg along with community supporters cleaned up a neighborhood lot.

Another cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, May 31st with a rain make up day for Sunday June 1st. This will help clean up the area for the neighborhood Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 14th.
The clean up starts at 2 p.m. on the corner of Woodward and Ralson to Lantz Street and will continue down Woodward to State Fair from Ralston Street.

Contact Greg at palowski.gregory@gmail.com for more information.

Reopening Riverside Park in Detroit for the People in 2014

by  Richard Clement

During a recent inspection of City assets, we went to Riverside Park in Detroit Michigan located next to the Ambassador Bridge(click here).  This park was shut down on the allegation of contaminated land.  After further review, the park has been shut down long enough.  Our plan to reopen the park is to remove layers of dirt and restore the land with natural compost and mulch.  Neighborhood experts in growing (mostly Senior Citizens) and consultants in the form of students majoring in agriculture will be tapped to lead the way in restoring this park.  Detroit residents attending schools with agriculture programs (example: Michigan State, Tuskegee, Tenn. St, Florida A&M, et al) will get preferences to work on this program for College Credit. In other words, this will be on of the greatest Brownfield Projects ever undertaken by the City of Detroit.

For too long this park has been a victim of politics, neglect and, used like a Knight on a Chess Board.  Benches are in disrepair, the garbage is not picked up at all and, the Boat Launch was shut down also.  Community participation and financial investment from grants will be considered to help restore this park into a place for the people to relax, fish and, play baseball on.    Meanwhile, the area that the mail boat occupies is very clean and properly maintained.  This park needs some help from the Federal Government along with City of Detroit citizens working as one to make this park viable again.

If we are going to come back as a City, Parks and Recreation must be fully funded to sponsor programs and activities like a fishing derby or, something similar to it for Senior Citizens and youth.   We are encouraging you all to show up in person every Thursday at 1pm on the 13^th floor of City Council and address your concerns to Councilwoman Mary Sheffield (click here), chair of the Neighborhoods and Community Services Committee (click here).   Emails and phone calls work well too and, your voice will be respected, evaluated and, heard.  Citizens are allowed to speak during public comment for 2 minutes.     The famed two minute drill is a standard procedure for public speakers, unless you write a request to Council President Brenda Jones(Click Here) to speak.  If approved you will be granted 4 minutes to speak.

Otherwise it’s time to re-store and repair one of Detroit’s hidden assets for the good of the Citizens of Detroit. Especially the ones on the riverfront who live there.




Otherwise, please show up to Vote in 2014 to keep Detroit moving!

Resolution

Resolved: The Detroit City Council supports the renewal of the operational millage to fund the Detroit Public Library. They also approved the proposed ballot language submitted by the Detroit Library Commission for forwarding to the Detroit Election Commission for placement on the August 5,2014 primary ballot.

PNC Branch Scheduled to Close

The PNC bank branch office located at Livernois and Margareta is scheduled to close on Friday, June 6, 2014. A new branch will open in the Gateway shopping area. In the 48221 zip code, there are no PNC locations within a five mile radius in the city of Detroit. At this time, PNC has no plans to have a freestanding ATM in or near the area.

Residents who are unhappy about this decision and wish to lend their voice can contact:
Josephine Henyard, PNC Regioanl Manager, josephine.henyard@pnc.com
Jason Paulateer, PNC Community Banker, jason.paulateer@pnc.com

Delinquent Water Bills

The Detroit Water & Sewerage Department has a policy of shutting off water service when bills are 45 days past due, but the majority of residential balances are over six months old.

Roughly $1 million of the biggest delinquent water bills belong to:

City of Detroit Public Fold Course at Palmer Park (owes $422,295)
VA Hospital (owes $131,096.28)
Joe Louis Arena(owes $80,255.25)
Apartment Building on W.Chicago (owes $71,621.87)
Eastern Market (owes $60,911)
Ford Field (owes $55,803)
Abandoned Homes (owes $47,075.09)
Properties on Coyle (owes $41,200.10)

In addition to these delinquencies, more than $20 million is past due on commercial and industrial accounts. Detroit Public Schools is responsible for about 20% of that figure; they owe $3.8 million.
According to the emergency manger, Kevyn Orr, Detroit was losing an average of 24,000 residents a year between 2000 and 2010. Consequently, many of these previously lived in homes are now vacant. Abandoned properties account for nearly 20% of houses in the city of Detroit, so it is very possible that thousands of accounts represent tenant free homes.

As a resident of the City of Detroit if you cannot afford to pay your water and sewer bill, the Detroit Residential Water Assistance Program (DRWAP)may be of service. To qualify for financial assistance, customers need to:
be a Detroit resident
be faced with shut off or pending shut off of their water or sewer service
be at or below 200-percent of current Federal Government Poverty Levels
need to be living in a single-family dwelling and responsible for paying their water bill on a monthly basis

Please contact the DHS Community Service Center in your area for more information on this program.

Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.: Economic Development Contracts Up for Bid

Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.: Economic Development Contracts Up for Bid

Economic Development Contracts Up for Bid

The purpose of the Economic Development Corporation is to maintain landscape services at various vacant lots located on the east side of the City of Detroit.
The Site Areas are as follows:

1) Vacant lots in the East Riverfront (Riopelle Park & Atwater Sites) area, generally bounded by Woodbridge on the north, Jos Campu on the east, Atwater on the south, Riopelle on the west.

2) Several lots in the Jefferson Village Subdivision, generally bounded by Marquette Drive on the west, St. Jean on the east, Freud on the south, East Jefferson on the north.

3) St. Jean Berm, which is located on St. Jean (west side of St. Jean only) from East Jefferson (south) to Mack Avenue (north).

The scope of services for this bid package includes, but is not limited to, all necessary and incidental labor, equipment, tools, material, supplies, and supervision to properly perform and complete all work required for keeping the landscape features in a well maintained and groomed condition.

There will be a Pre-Proposal Meeting planned for Monday, May 5, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the corner Riopelle & Atwater Streets. The next meeting for the Jefferson Village Project, located at Harding and Lysette Streets at 10:30 AM.

Complete Proposals shall be received by the EDC no later than 4:00 PM, Monday, May 12, 2014.

All Bidders shall comply with the prevailing Equal Opportunity and Labor Standard Provisions of the City of Detroit. Each Bidder must demonstrate its ability to obtain Human Rights, Tax Clearances from the City of Detroit, W-9 and a Certificate of Liability Insurance as a condition of award ability.
If additional information is needed regarding this Request for Proposal, please contact Ms. Colona, Project Manager at (313) 237-4624, Cell: (313) 850-7338 or e-mail @ dlcolona@degc.org

District 2 May Happenings

Stay informed on important city news and events with our monthly newsletter.

May 2014 Newsletter

"Prospector Reveals" has been moved to a different time. It is now every Saturday 2-3 p.m. on 1440 AM WDRJ Detroit.

What Does it Take to Make a Great City: Olympia Entertainment and the City Of Detroit Rebuilding the Neighborhoods

By Richard Clement

"The Red Wings Paying it Forward to the City of Detroit - Go Wings"

The Red Wings are giving back to Detroit citizens in the form of General Contractors supporting On The Job apprentice trade program opportunities for people who want professional credentials. Opportunities for certifications and licenses in areas such as plumbing,  carpentry, electricians, are being discussed by project leaders and City officials.

A vital part of rebuilding the city is to train people to do the job. The Olympia Project and Motown Museum project is a long-term investment into Detroit. The goal is to hire %51 Detroit based contractors. This project is anticipated to have many Sub Contractors working on the project under the General Contractor.  Being a bonded sub-contractor is a plus however, if you company is not bonded, a participating General Contractor will purchase insurance for a non-bonded sub contractor.

The main benefit of this arrangement is that once the project is finished, these people can be hired to do other construction jobs in the neighborhoods. Fixing savable property and building new property will be a re-investment into the neighborhoods by the Olympia Group. This arrangement with Olympia Entertainment and the City of Detroit will help to eradicate the blight that is in our City now.

In other job news, there will be an immediate need for Landscapers for the I-94 project.  The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) is committed to hiring %51 Detroit based businesses. If you interested and a licensed landscaper, please do not hesitate to apply. The Project is $35,585 per year for two years and, you will need to put %10 down if you’re interested in doing the job.  If your company is not bonded, opportunities will be made for you to get one.

If you need assistance, please contact Christopher T. Jackson at 313 625 7225 (cjackson@jacksoncgrp.com) or call Councilman Cushingberry's office at 313 224-4535

"No Detroiter left behind without a job!"