By Richard Clement
"At the end of the First Quarter
City Leadership 10 votes
Nolan Finley 0 votes"
- Quote from a Lions Fan -
 |
| Mayor Duggan and Council |
Detroit City Airport hosting a regional Air Carrier and
upgrade of the facility within 2 years is on the agenda of the Detroit City
Council. With Federal Aviation
Administration support, City Airport will be upgraded with longer runways and a
people friendly terminal. Airport property is located in the 3rd
District and Councilman Scott Benson's Office will be the point office for
project. With the airport’s strategic
location near Downtown Detroit and neighboring suburbs, people who live in
Gross Pointe will not have to drive so far to Metropolitan Airport. City airport will serve the people similar to
Midway Airport in Downtown Chicago.
 |
| Our Friend George |
The Council and the Mayor are making plans with the Obama Administration
to make this a reality before he leaves office in 2016. The recent interest in the Tuskegee Airmen and
their heroic efforts in the service to their country will honor their memory so
that our children never forget their sacrifice.
This is a project that will more that prove the cohesive working
relationship by the council-members. When the elected leadership of the City of
Detroit gets their full opportunity to govern as voted upon, you will witness a
sea change in policy. On October 1st, the Detroit Police Department
will be under control of the Mayor and the Council by law. Kevin Orr will be flying back to Washington
DC and, will only come to visit when the Washington Redskins football team comes to Detroit to play
the Lions.
Within 90 days of taking office, the City Council and Mayor
have:
1.
Agreed to reopen closed Recreation Centers in
Northwest Detroit.
2.
Appointed board members in areas like the Board
of Review
3.
Turned on over 500 lights a week
4.
Improved the communication through the use of
technology
5.
An ongoing upgrade of abysmal computer
technology.
a.
Within 12 months the City Mainframe will be decommissioned
and system units upgraded.
6.
Made plans for upcoming funding for festivals and
activities in 2014
7.
Partnered with international film makers to
support the Detroit Voices segment of the Cinetopiea Film Festival in Ann Arbor
and Detroit on June 4 through 8th 2014
a. Contest for young filmmakers in Macomb, Oakland,
Washtenaw and Wayne Counties.
b.
Film cannot be longer than 30 minutes
c.
Adult prize $5,000 High School Prize $1000
d.
Winners will get their film shown on the big screen
at the June 4-8 film festival
i.
Topics can include Homes for $1, bankruptcy,
empty homes, politics, etc.
i. Detroit
filmmaker Sultan Sharrief who directed 2010 Bilal’s Stand is based in Los
Angles, is encouraged by the enthusiasm for filmmaking that Michigan’s film
incentives have spurred in local young people. Detroit Voices will be reaching
out to local high schools and film collectives to spread the word on the
contest.
8. Lanquage
was submitted by Council President Pro Tempore George Cushingberry Jr. for a City Ordinance requiring municipal
regulation of Medical Marijuana Provisioning Centers and Safe Testing
Facilities. This City ordinance is a sister law to the State of Michigan House
Bills 4271 and 5103 which are awaiting the Governor’s signature.
 |
| Sean Davis and Rev. Oscar King |
Citizens who live in the districts now have a district
manager who is responsible for their needs. These positions are created by law
via City Ordinance. Mayor Duggan and Council President Jones have provided the
new leadership and dynamic change that residents demanded. Jobs are coming back to the City because we
are looking for a few good men and women to replace the aging workforce.
 |
| Councilmember Sheffield |
Municipal monitoring of provisioning centers and testing facilities
for Medical Marijuana patients will put a quick and fast end to the smash and
grab raids being performed by law enforcement resources of the City, County and
State. With an election coming up in
August and November, the citizens of Detroit will be able to have a legitimate
say in the future of our City. You must
show up with your ballot in 2014 or, let others continue enforce the current
climate of operation. City Council is always open to listen to their constituents
and, do not hesitate to contact your City Government if you need to because
there is and, never will be an attempt to hide City Business from the
residents.
Please do not hesitate to call or communicate
with us with your concerns
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.