On My Last Day Of Working for You In Detroit City Council District 2 - A Summary

By Richard C. Clement

I knew this day would come.  Turn in your badge, keys, and parking passes. It was a real blast!   I met a lot of wonderful people and got some things done for the City. Starting with the Detroit Fire Department in 2014, they were paying for software that did not work. In 2017 they are using the latest technology and it works for a change. 

Firefighter health care will be subsidized by the Marijuana Excise Tax Fund that will pay into the First Responders Presumptive Care Fund managed by the Michigan Department of Treasury. We also helped to fix a few drain issues for constituents during the flood 2015 and, got the garbage picked up when the Advanced Disposal trucks would miss a house or two.

I truly enjoyed correcting Detroit News Editor Nolan Finley regarding the selection of Council President Jones and, Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry in 2014. I told him that he was wrong, where he could go, and how he could go. Four years later, I proved to be right by saying that “Jones and Cush will lead a new push for a better and brighter Detroit”. 

One of my proudest moments was on August 12^th, 2014, when I went to Windsor Canada on behalf of American Cannabis supporters to give my deepest apologies to Marc Emery and his wife Jodie, for the cruel treatment that the United States of America inflicted upon him for selling Marijuana seeds. He is a Canadian Citizen who lived in Vancouver British Colombia and was arrested on behalf of the DEA in 1999.  

Richard Clement and Marc Scott Emery 2014

He was held in a Federal prison in Mississippi for 5 years and unlike other international prisoners who are flown directly home, he was being humiliated by being forced out of the country through the Detroit/Windsor Tunnel 3000 miles away from his home.  He arrived in Windsor CA from Mississippi in shackles and chains with $170.00 US dollars and a brand new pair of Nikes. This cruel and un-usual punishment inspired Mr. Emery to embark on the largest voter registration drive to elect Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to office in 2015.

Website:  Commercial Air Service Detroit City Airport in 2018

Website: Metropolitan Airways Detroit Destinations

We were proud to stimulate the further development of Detroit City Airport as an Airport. We hope that hometown investors like Marcus Channey of Metropolitan Airways are allowed to invest millions into the property so that he can operate his airline from the location creating jobs. We also hope that the new Council does not foul up the progress being made for Benjamin O. Davis Aerospace High School to be relocated to the Airport grounds. When this happens, the school can restore their FAA/FCC certification program that was stolen by the mismanagement of the Emergency Managers.

We are glad that we helped Tindal Center reopen in Northwest Detroit.  We also feel that Johnson Center will be open one day. We wish Councilmember Roy McCalister the best to get this job done, along with the AMTRAK train station at State Fairgrounds.  This land is long overdue for development and it is time to quit screwing around with it.

As I leave this 13^th floor office for the final time, I can say that we did “Free The Weed for the jobs we need”.   All naysayers, doubters, and talk about-ers were wrong. Despite a few in the neighborhoods who come to hearings presenting falsified data and forged documents in opposition, both Marijuana ballot proposals passed by 60%. In every precinct in District 2, voters overwhelming chose to opt-into State Marijuana laws and decide where businesses will be located and, how they are operated.  The additional revenue from this industry can help Detroit City Retirees restore some of the damage inflicted upon them by State of Michigan financial mismanagement.

Finally the experience was real and thank you all for the memories:

Sincerely,

Richard C. Clement

Legislative Aide to Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr. 2014-2017

Homegoing Celebration for Mrs. Edna Cushingbery Mother of George Cushingberry Jr

By Richard C. Clement - Legislative Aide to Council President Pro Tempore George Cushingberry Jr.

A revered and much respected Matriarch of the community has acquired her wings.

Mrs. Edna Cushingberry, mother of Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr. made her transition on Dec 15^th, 2017.  A mentor and mother to many us children who attended Pasteur Elementary School, she will be truly missed by all of us. We thank her for her oversight growing up and after all of that, we did not turn out too bad at all..

Mrs. Edna Cushinberry and Son George

Services and arrangements are as follows:

Public Viewing

Friday from 4-8 pm

Swanson Funeral Home - Obituary Link

14751 W.McNichols  - Map Link

Detroit, MI 48235

Going Home Celebration:

Saturday, December 16th.

New Mt Vernon Missionary Baptist Church 
www.newmtvernonbaptistchurch.net

21009 Ithaca Ave - Map Link

Royal Oak Township MI 48220
(248) 541-3870

Family hour @ 10:00am
Funeral @ 11:00am

Mayor Mike Duggan Says Hell NO to Voter Fraud Attempts / Supports the Will and Vote of The People on Marijuana

By Richard C. Clement - Marijuana Policy Analyst and Legislative Aide to Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr.


Two new lawsuits have been filed in Wayne County Circuit Court by special interest groups to stop the implementation and enforcement of the November 7^th ballot initiatives on Medical Marijuana.  The ordinances were approved by a 2 to 1 margin (60% to 40%) by the voters in the City of Detroit. Now a Marijuana business owner and two community group members want to order a Circuit Court Judge to ignore the election results based on a vague interpretation of the State Zoning Enabling Act. This matter was decided before November 7^th when Judge Robert Colombo ordered that the question be placed on the ballot for the people to decide over the objections of the Detroit Election Commission.

The Voters Have Spoken, that they want to keep tokin!
#RespectTheVoteOfThePeople

The most egregious case was filed on December 7^th, by VK Real Estate Holdings and the owners at 12800 E. Eight Mile Road Detroit MI (Case# 17-017221-AW) for $215.00. They are requesting that a judge issue a temporary restraining order against the City of Detroit to prevent the enforcement of the law. The next case was filed by our old friends Marcus Cummings and Deborah Omokehinde who filed their complaint on the same day for $175.00(Case#17-017320-CZ). They are a part of the Winfred Blackmon coalition of neighborhood groups that want to stop a potential billion dollar industry because of empty or non-existent Churches and, bogus day care centers set up by unscrupulous business owners to prevent competition instead sharing revenue to improve the quality of life for Detroit citizens including all Michiganders.

Mayor Mike Duggan and Corporation Counsel Attorney Melvin “Butch” Hollowell have clearly stated that they will not be pursue or support any legal action to throw out the votes of the people. Mayor Duggan does not want to be a co-conspirator in legislative Voter Fraud against the Citizens. Both of these gentlemen have strongly advised the Detroit City Council to cease and desist all attempts to disrespect and nullify the election results on November 7^th.  The status of the current Marijuana is that it was fully repealed, rejected, and cannot be re-implemented by leadership for 365 after being certified by the Wayne County Clerk because the Detroit City Charter will not allow it.

The Mayor and Corporation Council leadership respects the choice of the people with their vote.  Detroit Voters continually display their knowledge, skill, and ability to comprehend and cast their vote on an issue of their choice. The people spoke loudly and clearly that they wanted to Opt Into the State of Michigan Medical Marijuana law and, address the issue of Zoning. This decision means that Detroit Police officers will not stop or arrest you for possessing Marijuana and, the re-installation of Drive Through service for patients in need. Finally there is no rule preventing Drive Through Service for example because the vote repealed all of the old Zoning requirements.  

After all, Marijuana is safer than some of the big pharmaceutical  junk being given out at the drive through businesses of Wallgreens and #CVS drive through pharmacies. 

Thank you Mayor Mike Duggan for respecting the vote of the Detroit Electorate!.

Votes DO count! Especially in 2018.

Detroit Votes YES to Opt Into Marijuana Industry Growth and NO to Voter Fraud Attempt by City Planning Commission

Richard C. Clement - Marijuana Policy Analyst and Legislative Aide to Council President ProTem George Cushingberry Jr.

The citizens of Detroit are very grateful to Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr, Corporate Counsel Butch Hollowell, and Mayor Mike Duggan for choosing NOT to pursue a legal challenge to the voters on Medical Marijuana Proposals A and B. This move will save the taxpayers of Detroit millions in legal fees and create additional revenue that can help defray health care costs for City Retirees. The request to invalidate the election results from the City Planning Commission amounted to blatant voter fraud and, was a slap in the face of the electorate whom 60% of them voted in favor of opting into State Marijuana Laws.  The language cannot be changed for at least 365 days after being certified by the Wayne County Clerk's office which was on November 21st, 2017.

Yes, we can all get along because the people have spoken that they enjoy tokin..

Councilmember James Tate's argument to invalidate the vote was deemed invalid because "the process" was decided by Judge Robert Colombo, who ordered that the issue be placed on the November ballot. That WAS the City of Detroit Elections Bureau's opportunity for a legal challenge and, it was clearly answered by the Judge. Furthermore, the 8 to 1 decision by the Detroit City Council to invalidate the results of the voters in Detroit stresses the need for the return of teaching Civics in K-12 education. We have way too many people saying that votes do not count and, this is a prime example of bad behavior by the City Planning Commission, reinforcing negative stereotypes to children about government.

Website: Council President Pro Tempore George Cushingberry Jr explains his objection to the Planning Commission's attempt to cancel out the votes of Detroit residents on Marijuana management in the City.

We must continue to tell our citizens that your votes DO count when you show up at the polls. We already have examples of the work by Emergency Managers that were selected, not elected by the majority of the people.

On your 2018 ballot decriminalization of Marijuana in 2018 is a strong possibility if you show up at the ballot box. You will have the choice of Voting on regulating Marijuana like Alcohol. With regulation comes the oversight needed to prevent unfair business practices. The process must be inclusive of all Michigan citizens regardless of who you are and your background like any other business. 

Detroit City Airport/Tuskegee Airman Project Leaders

Going forward, we want to know where are all of those Marijuana hating pastors are when the children of Davis Aerospace needed their runway paved with new asphalt to help them in their aviation careers? Better yet, where are all them when people like Creflo Dollar and his $65 million dollar jet when he comes to Detroit to visit?  When an African American investor wanted to bring his airline to Detroit and invest his own money into the facility, the noise from this group in support sounded like crickets. There are real battles to be fought for in the growth of Detroit, and commercial Air Service at City Airport is one of them that will create jobs and opportunity for everyone.  We must refocus the energy of the clergy to remove the head in the sand attitude on change and, fight along with elected leaders to eliminate the outrageous insurance rates that are detrimental to the growth of our City.  

This policy must be changed in Lansing MI and, George Cushingberry Jr has the knowledge, experience, and demonstrated ability to get the job done, especially in Senate District 2 in 2018. Some of the things he has already accomplished are, improving the City finances with 4 straight years of balanced budgets, raising reading literacy in Detroit Public Schools by reading to Children, streamlining City of Detroit technology and, promoting job opportunities at the Northwest Activities Center for anyone who is in need of a job.

Detroit City Council Being Requested To Commit Voter Fraud on Tuesday Nov 21st

By Richard C. Clement - Marijuana Policy Analyst and Legislative Aide to Councilmember ProTem George Cushingberry Jr. - City of Detroit 

    Your presence is requested at the Coleman Young Municipal Center 13th floor on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 10am for public comment and protest of the Detroit City Planning Commission. They are asking the Detroit City Council to partner with Attorney General Bill Schuette to throw out of the votes of Detroiters on Marijuana reform because of an assumed technicality of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. 


         Website: Michigan Zoning Enabling Act  www.michiganrelaw.com

Website: The Murder in Vandalia Michigan at the Rainbow Farms Camp by the FBI and the State of MI for Marijuana

These same forces are forcing business owners out of the market by applying exorbitant fees driving small business owners out of the market. We want a Community Benefits Agreement for Marijuana in the City of Detroit stating how the new businesses will help contribute to the betterment of the quality of life for the community.  Detroit residents are more than consumers of Marijuana, they are also business owners of every race, sex, marital status, and choice of a significant other.

The 2:00 Minute Drill is in Full Effect -  Written Comments Welcome Also

The current Detroit City Council will be asked by the City Planning Commission to invalidate the results of the vote in the Nov. 7^th General Election regarding Medical Marijuana Zoning. They will be asked to present a legal challenge to prevent the enforcement of the will of the people with the help of Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. After years of Emergency Management and, the damage that it has done to everyone, this request by the planning commission offends the tenants of the United States and State of Michigan constitution by asking the City Council to commit an act of Voter Fraud.   

This action is very detrimental to our democracy, especially the children who we are teaching about respecting the law and the importance of participating in your government. We talk about how people gave their lives so that people can get the opportunity to address their government and redress their grievances.  The children will be able to use their smart phones to look up voter suppression and see what is going on. Children in Detroit will be able to tell everyone that voting doesn’t matter and, that’s why my parents don’t vote.  

Oral Public comment is limited to two minutes.  Written comments are always welcome and accepted for the record.  Contact your Detroit City Council Today!

Website: Detroit City Council Members

Please be advised that the Detroit City Charter prevents the Council and Mayor from re-implementing any provisions of the old law for a minimum of 360 days after a vote is certified.

Congratulations To Roy McCalister - Councilmember Elect District 2 - On to the Michigan State Senate

By Richard C. Clement - Legislative Aide to Council President Pro Tempore George Cushingberry Jr. - City of Detroit MI

After all of the results have been counted, we congratulate Roy McCallister for running an effective campaign to become the next City Council member for District 2.  Although our campaign fell short, we made a point of running as a Write In because of how the judicial system fumbled the ball and, rewrote new rules allowing Virgil Smith to run as a candidate. However, we have to deal with what was dealt to us by the courts and other things that happened during the campaign. On our way out the door, we can say that the City is in a much better financial condition than when we started.  

George Cushingberry Jr. thanks everyone who voted for him in the Primary and then took the time to write his name down as a write-in candidate in the General Election. 

He is and always will be supporter of the Medical Marijuana movement and is extremely glad that the voters had an opportunity to tell their City Council members and Mayor what THEY wanted with their vote.  The 60% vote by the people in favor of opting into the State of Michigan Medical Marijuana law should send a strong and direct message to anyone and anybody who wants to differ from the will of the people. 

He is also proud of the work he did for the Fire and Police department regarding upgrading system technology, being a champion for people in Sherwood Forest requesting a Special Assessment for additional services and increasing the value of their property at the same time. In the Detroit Public Schools, the commitment to raise the literacy level of small children by reading to them is a mission for the Councilman.

We appreciated everyone who worked on our staff for the last 4 years. We hope they will do well in their future endeavors and learned something the experience.

Michigan State Senate District 2

Finally, George Cushingberry Jr. is not done with politics or District 2 as he will be running as a candidate for 2^nd Senatorial District in the Michigan State Senate in the August 7^th, 2018 primary. He is planning to replace Senator Bert Johnson as he is term limited and cannot run again.   

Vote YES on Marijuana Nov 7th, 2017 Why the Detroit Free Press Got It Wrong

By Richard C. Clement - Marijuana Policy Analyst

   The following language is Public Act 281 a new State Law regulating the Marijuana Industry in the State.  After reading the language, Council President Pro-Tem George Cushingberry Jr. is recommending a YES vote on both proposals. The Marijuana excize fund will be maintained by the Department of Treasury. The main beneficiaries are the County Executives, County Sheriffs, and Michigan Firefighter professionals. County Executive Warren Evans will get 30% of all revenue from sales. Another 30% goes to the first responder presumptive coverage fund and, is exclusively for firefighters with 5 years of service to address cancer concerns. In Wayne County, it will be Bucks for Bennie as the Wayne County Sheriffs Office will prosper from 5% of all sales and, the county will be in better shape financially.

Free The Weed for the Money I Need - Sheriff Benny Napolean  -lol

With Roy McCalister and Virgil Smith, you will get two NO votes, allowing the practice of Green on Green crime to continue between potential Marijuana business owners. A businessperson opening up a Church to prevent the opening of another facility is un-godly and insults the real meaning of religion. In the current ordinance, there is no provision for religions like Rastafarians and that has to change also. Finally there are outside interests who want a NO vote so that Detroiter's have to drive to Macomb County for their medicine.

However, there are many pastors in Detroit that support the YES vote but feel intimidated by others even though it is discussed in Genesis 1:19..

Read the language for yourself, Vote YES twice and, Write In George Cushingberry Jr. the man for you in District 2.  (State and City)

Website: Full Language of Public Act 281 (PDF)

Webiste: State Of Michigan Dept of LARA First Resp. Presumptive Coverage Fund 

PUBLIC ACT 281 -  EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

PART 6. TAXES AND FEES

Sec. 601. (1) A tax is imposed on each provisioning center at the rate of 3% of the provisioning center’s gross retail receipts. By 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter, a provisioning center shall remit the tax for the preceding calendar quarter to the department of treasury accompanied by a form prescribed by the department of treasury that shows the gross quarterly retail income of the provisioning center and the amount of tax due, and shall submit a copy of the form to the department. If a law authorizing the recreational or nonmedical use of marihuana in this state is enacted, this section does not apply beginning 90 days after the effective date of that law.

(2) The taxes imposed under this section shall be administered by the department of treasury in accordance with 1941 PA 122, MCL 205.1 to 205.31, and this act. In case of conflict between the provisions of 1941 PA 122, MCL 205.1 to 205.31, and this act, the provisions of this act prevail.

Sec. 602. (1) The medical marihuana excise fund is created in the state treasury.

(2) Except for the application fee under section 401, the regulatory assessment under section 603, and any local licensing fees, all money collected under section 601 and all other fees, fines, and charges, imposed under this act shall be deposited in the medical marihuana excise fund. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the fund interest and earnings from fund investments.

(3) Money in the medical marihuana excise fund at the close of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund and shall not lapse to the general fund.

(4) The state treasurer shall be the administrator of the medical marihuana excise fund for auditing purposes.

(5) The money in the medical marihuana excise fund shall be allocated, upon appropriation, as follows:

(a) 25% to municipalities in which a marihuana facility is located, allocated in proportion to the number of marihuana facilities within the municipality.

(b) 30% to counties in which a marihuana facility is located, allocated in proportion to the number of marihuana facilities within the county.

(c) 5% to counties in which a marihuana facility is located, allocated in proportion to the number of marihuana facilities within the county. Money allocated under this subdivision shall be used exclusively to support the county sheriffs and shall be in addition to and not in replacement of any other funding received by the county sheriffs.

(d) 30% to this state for the following:

(i) Until September 30, 2017, for deposit in the general fund of the state treasury.

(ii) Beginning October 1, 2017, for deposit in the first responder presumed coverage fund created in section 405 of the worker’s disability compensation act of 1969, 1969 PA 317, MCL 418.405.

(e) 5% to the Michigan commission on law enforcement standards for training local law enforcement officers.

(f) 5% to the department of state police.

Sec. 603. (1) A regulatory assessment is imposed on certain licensees as provided in this section. All of the following shall be included in establishing the total amount of the regulatory assessment established under this section:

(a) The department’s costs to implement, administer, and enforce this act, except for the costs to process and investigate applications for licenses supported with the application fee described in section 401.

(b) Expenses of medical-marihuana-related legal services provided to the department by the department of attorney general.

(c) Expenses of medical-marihuana-related services provided to the department by the department of state police.

(d) Expenses of medical-marihuana-related services provided by the department of treasury.

(e) $500,000.00 to be allocated to the department for expenditures of the department for licensing substance use disorder programs.

(f) An amount equal to 5% of the sum of the amounts provided for under subdivisions (a) to (d) to be allocated to the department of health and human services for substance-abuse-related expenditures including, but not limited to, substance use disorder prevention, education, and treatment programs.

(g) Expenses related to the standardized field sobriety tests administered in enforcing the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923.

(h) An amount sufficient to provide for the administrative costs of the Michigan commission on law enforcement standards.

(2) The regulatory assessment is in addition to the application fee described in section 401, the tax described in section 601, and any local licensing fees.

(3) The regulatory assessment shall be collected annually from licensed growers, processors, provisioning centers, and secure transporters. The regulatory assessment for a class A grower license shall not exceed $10,000.00.

(4) Beginning in the first year marihuana facilities are authorized to operate in this state, and annually thereafter, the department, in consultation with the board, shall establish the total regulatory assessment at an amount that is estimated to be sufficient to cover the actual costs and support the expenditures listed in subsection (1).

(5) On or before the date the licensee begins operating and annually thereafter, each grower, processor, provisioning center, and secure transporter shall pay to the state treasurer an amount determined by the department to reasonably reflect the licensee’s share of the total regulatory assessment established under subsection (4).

Sec. 604. (1) The marihuana regulatory fund is created in the state treasury.

(2) The application fee collected under section 401 and the regulatory assessment collected under section 603 shall be deposited in the marihuana regulatory fund. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the fund interest and earnings from fund investments.

(3) Money in the marihuana regulatory fund at the close of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund and shall not lapse to the general fund.

(4) The department shall be the administrator of the marihuana regulatory fund for auditing purposes.

(5) Except as provided in section 603(1)(d) and (e), the department shall expend money from the marihuana regulatory fund, upon appropriation, only for implementing, administering, and enforcing this act.

Sec. 605. The department may use any money appropriated to it from the marihuana registry fund created in section 6 of the Michigan medical marihuana act, 2008 IL 1, MCL 333.26426, for the purpose of funding the operations of the department and the board in the initial implementation and subsequent administration and enforcement of this act.