Progress in Detroit: Mike and Ike, Brenda and George. Leadership working for a Dynamic Detroit!

By Richard C. Clement

 

In just under 25 days the City of Detroit has already identified attainable goals for 2014 and beyond. The most prominent goal is the plan to streamline is the way the City tracks and monitors the money. Transparency is in the process of being implemented within 12 months by upgrading the software to allow citizens to see the balance sheets in real and, allow department managers to manage costs.  The financial leadership of Detroit has pledged to implement an online budgetary management system in real time by the end of 2014. This is called a popular method of information reporting, allowing a citizen to inspect a budget from their tablet or android phone and, get detailed information on how their money is spent.  A citizen will get an appreciation for how much it costs to maintain things in a government too. 

Revamping Transportation in Detroit: DDOT and Technology.

With financial support from Private, State and, Federal Grants, the Detroit Department of Transportation will be able to perform an upgrade to its technology.  GPS tracking of assets and busses online will enhance the transportation experience for customers.  The improvement in communication will lead to better bus service through the use of interactive tablet, smartphone and, desktop applications. Internal operations such as the intranet and the internet will be brought up to post 2012 technology standard.  The Department will be able to add a 25 person transit police department to monitor bus safety.

Detroit After the Blight: What next?

We would like public input on what to do after all of the blighted houses are torn down.  Choices like building a new home or creating new subdivisions are some of many choices Detroiters have to make.  Maintaining current structures is a matter of bringing homes into 21^st century compliance in the areas of electric wiring, heating, plumbing and,  construction.

District 2 Specific:  Light up District 2 / Johnson Center

Regarding the closed Johnson Center:  If the public is interested, an inspection of the closed facility by the public is being reviewed.  If you are interested in going in the building, please call the office at 313 224 4535 and let it be known. Light up District 2 by reporting malfunctioning streetlights to the Public Lighting Department at 313 267 8140. Please give the address of the house or lot where the defective light is located.  (ex. 17000 block of Santa Barbara if you don’t have the exact address).  Finally look for our District office located in the Northwest Activities Center on Curtis and Meyers.  Currently it is under construction and the open house will be coming soon. 

This does not sound like a dysfunctional and obstructionist government but, a productive and proactive one.  In less than 30 days, the accomplishments  of Detroit leadership under Mayor Duggan and Council President Jones has been like a waltz through City Government.  Or more like a well written score of music by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Music Artist Kem. 

Or more like computer programing code written by a DPS student studying technology.

Maybe as smooth as the live jazz at the Locker Room Lounge every Sunday night @ 8pm

 

Stay Tuned.