Should George Cushingberry Jr. run for Detroit City Council President?

Dear friends, supporters, and detractors,


  A poll is being commissioned to determine if Councilman-Elect George Cushingbery Jr. should run for Detroit City Council President.  Voting is now open until December 15th, 2013 @ 12:00pm. Your opinion counts and I appreciate your feedback.  The poll can be found on the top of this blog.


Sincerely,
Councilman Elect  George Cushingberry Jr. 
District 2.

"City of Detroit based auto insurance is an attainable goal with the City Charter.  Within the language of the charter, the City of Detroit is able to establish our own coverage with much lower rates.  For too long City residents have been bullied by high rates for their auto insurance. As Council President I will work with Mayor Duggan to make this a reality."   – George Cushingberry Jr.

A Thank You Message from the Committee of Councilman-Elect George Cushingberry Jr. City Council - District #2

The Committee to Elect George Cushingberry Jr.
Nov. 15, 2013

The Committee to Elect George Cushingberry Jr. for City Council wants to thank the 13,259 people of District 2 who elected  him represent you.  This election campaign was a mission to save our city and neighborhoods. We pledge to represent you well and to provide a voice for change in the future of our City.   My opponent ran an interesting campaign and we want to salute Richard Bowers for his effort on his first run for office.  The 11,642 who voted for Mr. Bowers will not be disappointed. 

 

This is no time to get our heads down in despair because we will rise from the ashes again just like we did in 1967.  There has always been and will be talented individuals who live in Detroit and, we hope to help people develop those talents to their maximum potential.  In the coming weeks, a district office location will be announced. We want the people in our district to have open communication and access to city information and services via internet, TV and, Radio. 

 

Blight removal through removing or enhancement of existing structures in the District will be accomplished through teamwork with stakeholders in the neighborhoods.  Gun violence is a sad epidemic that is turning our citizens into objects to be used for training doctors in the Armed Forces of the United States. Gun responsibility and education is essential to stop the urge to shoot someone. Life is a video game with no reset button.  When we increase jobs and mental health treatment for people who need help for their condition, the violence will subside.
 

We need more Teamsters driving Trucks instead of people out of work. In order to be a truck driver you have to test clean of any Schedule I drug.  If you want to increase the number of Truckers we need to ask your United States House of Representative member to remove Marijuana from the Controlled Substances List or, get replaced by another person who will in 2015.  Voting is power and We hope to get people of all ages to register and, vote by absentee in August and November of 2014.   

 

Mayor Duggan, Sherriff Napolean and, Myself will work together to create a safer and viable neighborhood again by re-utilizing Recreation Centers that were once closed to save money at the expense of the people.  We pledge to work together to remake Detroit to be a place to live, work, play and, move about with: Improved Transportation via Bus, Train, and Airplanes. The regional hub at the State Fairgrounds will be developed in a partnership with the vision of Earvin Johnson and the technical mind of Marvin Beatty.   Citywide WI-FI is more than just a possibility and, entire neighborhoods will be able to access the internet and maintain property using the latest technology.

We hope to spread the message of each one, reach one, the value of getting an education and,  pledging to do something to do uplift the quality of life. We hope to meet you soon in your neighborhood churches, mosques, businesses, and homes.  Enjoy some BBQ in District #2 and we will stay in touch with each other and, make good things happen in the City of Detroit.

 

Sincerely,

The Committee of Councilman-Elect George Cushingberry Jr.  District #2

 

What does it take to make a great City? Revitalization and Restoration of Belle Isle (With Input from the Citizens)

By Richard C. Clement - Csystems Technology Group
Consultant to the Friends of George Cushingberry

Nov. 3rd  2013

View from the Point of Belle Isle

What do we want for Belle Isle? Open access for citizens with a voice in the management of City Property. If an annual $11 fee per car is imposed, this fee would be placed in a restricted fund account that would only go to the upkeep and maintenance of the island.  There must be support and agreement from the Citizens of Detroit to allow a fee to be charged.  We want to see what are we getting for our money?  Will Detroit Police officers get laid off to make this happen? Will City employees lose their jobs?  We want to know a budget before ANYTHING gets started by anyone.
 

We want Our Island to be open to the people without needless restrictions imposed by the State of Michigan. Meaning that Detroiters want the island to be revitalized, cleaned up, and maintained as a jewel that it is.  Given the "gangster" nature of the current Emergency Manager and Governor agreement, Detroiters must stand their ground to get the changes we need, while protecting us from abuses from legislators in Lansing who do not have our best interests at heart.



Rowing Practice on Belle Isle

We want the Grass cut and the old DYC club re-energized to be something more than just a dock for the rowing teams.  Something like an educational swimming center that can be used as a training facility for Detroiters who want to learn how to scuba dive, race boats, and other water related activities.  The Island must always be a place to relax, fish, party, 18 hours a day.  A revitalized swimming facility on the island with an in-ground pool next to the beach will bring lots of people to the island.  Car parking will be a concern, therefore we will have to have an intermodal rail system on the island to get people around without a car.  Combined with a rail line stop at the island, Detroit will be well on it's way to making Belle Isle the jewel that it has always been.




Luther Keith on Jam

Concession stands on the island must be kept to a bare minimum because we don’t want the island to be over commercialized.  Using existing structures like the Casino and one other place will do just fine.  Given the barb-b-ques and other B.Y.O.B. arrangements,  food will be a moot point. Canoe rental again?  That will depend on what the people want.  If George Cushingberry is elected, a want list for citizens will be made available so that REAL public input can be captured.

Roger Penske and friends are welcome to use and upgrade the roads around Belle Isle for an agreement to run the auto race on the Island for 30 years.  If we are going to have racing in the City, then we better have good concrete because Detroiters demand quality.

If Detroiters want to flex their muscle a bit, we can demand that the Island be a cannabis free zone meaning that there will be no civil or criminal penalties for the use of cannabis on the grounds of the island for one ounce or less without a card and 2.5 ounces with a card.   This will insure that Michigan residents (especially Detroit Residents) will not be used as capital assets for the for profit prison industry.  Let people come to Belle Isle to meditate and medicate from the stressful days and nights of trying to make ends meet.

 

If we can build a water pipeline from Detroit to Port Huron, then we can build a sewer system on Belle Isle without an issue.  The Detroit Water and Sewer Department will oversee the construction of any infrastructure in a partnership for anyone who wants to get training and experience on construction. There are plenty messed up streets in the city that need immediate attention.  Bio concrete mixed with Industrial Hemp will create jobs and opportunity for the city to lower property taxes for residents.


These are some of the ideas that can help our city maintain, without the pain of a few dictators in the Statehouse in Lansing who, do not have the TRUE best interests of Detroit residents in their heart.



Rick Bower's Lawn Jockey
Courtesy of Steve Hood

State control of anything comes with strings and other restrictions that are not in Detroit's best interests. We have a choice to make on November 5th, 2013 between a proven leader in George Cushingberry Jr. or,  electing a newcomer in Rick Bowers who has the gall and audacity to have a Black lawn jockey "guarding" on his property.  This figure is very offensive to the neighborhood, especially African Americans who fought to end discrimination for over 40 years.  This symbol of black servitude is what many people fought against during the Civil Rights struggle of the 1960's including people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Coleman Young, et al.  To be this insensitive to the community is an inexcusable  oversight. If you care about Detroit, then cast your vote for George Cushingberry Jr.  Detroit City Council District #2.



Sincerely, The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

www.cushforcouncil.com

Push Cush on November 5th, 2013 

 

 

What it takes to make a great City?: Honoring Legendary Bassist William "Will" Austin

By The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

With help from Edward "T-Money" Green -  A Tribute from a loving Son to his Dad October 23, 2013 @ 12:00am




Bassist Will Austin

On Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, 20501 Livernois Ave., Detroit, MI, there will be a tribute to William “Will” Austin, extraordinary bass player. That name may be unfamiliar to some but his professionalism and musicianship are known worldwide.

Austin, a self-taught Bassist performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Lil’ Esther Phillips, drummer Gene Krupa, Terry Pollard, Ysef Lateef, Sammy Davis Jr., Sonny Stitt, Johnny Hartman, Diane Carroll and list goes on and on. Austin a native of Saint Louis, Missouri moved to Detroit in the mid 50’s and worked in Automotive Sales by day and jammed at jazz and blues clubs by night; along with raising a family. A regular performer at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, it would be an injustice to refer to Austin as a sideman, because his music kept the rhythm, provided the bottom and supported the vocalist.

 

Always mindful of giving back to his community, Austin received the “Legends of Jazz Award” from the Detroit Instituted of Arts.  He and the late Alma Smith and Bert Myrick often performed for the late Father Cunningham’s Focus Hope Christmas Party.

A loving husband and father of four Austin’s sons are also musicians. Tony Green plays the bass, Will Austin III plays guitar and Steve Austin plays keys.  Daughter, Oriana does not play an instrument.

Edward "T-Money" Green

This tribute to Will Austin is sure to be a star studded event.   Tony Green, a celebrated writer, producer and bassist said, “I wanted to honor my dad.  To tell him how much I love and appreciate him as a father and musician.  This event will include performances by musicians my dad performed with and mentored.  The doors at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge open at 5pm. My dad doesn’t know all the details of the night so help us keep it quiet.   Tickets are $10 and are available at the door”.

 

The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.  totally supports the event, and will make it a point to highlight the talent and the legacy of some of Detroit's own. We are glad that we can honor someone who is alive to appreciate it instead of honoring them after they have passed away. Detroit has produced so many musicians that have went on to professional stardom, and musicians who learned how to play from some of Mr. Austin's students that went on to college and played in bands to pay for school.  So when you hear a thumping bass coming from a car or sitting at a concert, you can be rest assured that the sprit of Will Austin is in full effect.

 

 

For the Future of Detroit

www.cushforcouncil.com

 

 

 

 

 

Restoring the Revenue: Fixing Detroit’s lighting issues through educational training, the Wind and the Sun.

by The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.
Sept. 11, 2013

Why should we accept failure?  Accepting mediocre work as a solution is unacceptable for Detroit.  Replacing streetlights in the city powered by DTE with solar powered streetlights made in Detroit will create jobs and opportunity for everyone. Recently the City of Highland Park tore out their streetlights and converted to Solar Power because they cost too much to operate. Why not Detroit, Hamtramck and any other city in Michigan doing the same thing? (click here to read about the City of Highland Park Lighting effort)

 

Our Future is NOW

We have solar powered everything else and we call ourselves technically savvy but, we are operating City Government like the 1940’s when it comes to technology innovation. We have done well as a city and we can do much better.  An electrician by the name of Roland Cornish in Lansing Michigan once told a group of students that "there is a big difference in electronics and being an electrician".  We have people that are very good at hot rigging home for illegal electric service.    Why can’t we train them to work FOR the people by paying them a living wage to maintain the electrical infrastructure for the city?    By training them and hiring them we are creating a circular revenue stream of working people in the City and neighborhoods. Unions like the  International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (www.Ibew.com) and public school programs will address the shortage by finding and training kids and adults who want to work.
 

Solar Power and Wind is our friend

December in Michigan is a cloud covered mess sometimes. When that happens, we have a backup through the use of wind generated energy.   Using a combination of strategically located wind turbines and solar power, the City of Detroit will cut energy costs in half. Our city is being challenged to be great again through innovation and creation of positive ideas. The adversity that has found us will soon be converted to positive energy.  The new district structure will give neighborhoods a voice they have never had before.   If City Council members have to live in the District they represent, this should also hold true for City Workers to live in the City.  Although not required, we can provide more incentives to build homes in Detroit where the jobs are.  

 

Johnson Recreation Center

If we are all talking about running government like a business, then City employees living within the city limits would have a %50 reduction in property tax and, other incentives like (discounted air fare and tickets to sporting events for example) that are given to private company employees.  The re-opening of Johnson Recreation Center for the neighborhood is essential to revitalize the neighborhood. Recreation Centers are a vital part of the life of the City and they must be revisited.  Paying high priced consultants to fix a low price problem is an economic imbalance that can be corrected.
 

George Cushingberry Jr. and
A young man registering to vote for the 1st time

Getting on I-75, I-94, I-96, and the Lodge northbound at 5pm is a testament to the need for a regional light rail system.  The energy saved in lighting costs can be re-invested into City-Wide and regional transportation systems with the passenger cars built in Michigan inside a converted Packer plant for instance. All of the plant’s power needs are generated through bio-diesel engines, wind and solar power. If we are using the retirees pension program to fund joint business ventures and real estate, we can divert that funding to rebuild the city by purchasing entire tracts of land for development into things like, affordable housing and entrepreneur zones with City Wide Wi-Fi as an example.  A good business always re-invests their profit into their primary assets like the people and where they live. The Friends of George Cushingberry are always open to ideas that will revitalize and re-energize the city. If you have other ideas please use our comment section at the end of this article to share your ideas with us.

The Boundaries of District #2

 

These are the type of changes that our City needs to prosper and, you will get it if you Elect George Cushingberry to the Detroit City Council. He is the man for YOU in District #2. 

#PushCUSH for Detroit

www.cushforcouncil.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restoring the Revenue: Green Jobs and Justice for our City / Vote by November 5th 2013 @ 8pm

By The Friends of George Cushingberry

If you are living in the City and looking for your garbage to be picked up in a timely manner, help is on the way!  Green jobs IS the way to re-invent and re-vitalize the land mass we call the City of Detroit.   Opportunities in manufacturing products from the land are abundant.   Green jobs in energy will spur development of domestically produced fuel that will cut costs for truckers and city owned vehicles. The increased costs of development will be reinvested into the community because of the increase in people needed to do work. 

Someone has to fix the numerous pot holes, keep the water running, and process the information because one or two people cant do it alone.

Bio Fuel Trucks and Teamsters

We already have the services of Michigan State University's agriculture extension that can work in a partnership to foster research and development of alternative energy sources.  In a partnership with the Teamsters, Union truck drivers will be encouraged to use alternative fuel made from Industrial Grade Hemp grown in Michigan.  Converting all city vehicles to run on bio fuels will stimulate and invigorate activity, ideas and positive thinking that the world can use to make a better place.  We want to  have the second coming of Berry Gordy with a green thumb. (click here for information on Hemp Fuel)

Air Force 4 - US Secretary of State's
Personal Aircraft/Mid Range

I want to give another big shout out to the Green and White with the impending land development project for the old State Fairgrounds.  Let by MSU Alumnus Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Marvin Beatty, jobs will be created with the addition of one of Magic's signature theatre complex with a new Amtrak rail station. The complex will also serve as one of the central hubs for the City Wide/Regional light rail system.  Debating over 3.3 miles for a light rail track is an insult to City Residents who can walk that distance when we really need a city wide system that will include transportation to and from Metro Airport and, the renovated Tuskegee Airman International Airport with commercial air service. The upgraded airport will handle aircraft from Southwest, Delta, Magic Johnson Enterprises, Jay-Z, John Travolta, and anybody else who wants to come here and do business. These are the projects that will create jobs and not debate jobs. This will be a benefit to the community and create job opportunities for City residents along with creating a new revenue stream for the City.

One Home at a Time
We need to create jobs!

Regional recycling centers located in strategic areas of the city by district will create job opportunities for Detroit citizens to get jobs. Senior Citizen positions will be available for people who want to work up to 20 hours a week just to keep busy.  In the northwest corner of District 2, there are tracts of land that needs to be revitalized through the construction of homes using concrete made from Industrial Hemp. Hemp-Crete is a cross between Concrete and the male Cannabis plant.  It is mixed together to make things like drywall so that you can use it to rebuild a  home.  Detroit will have it's own version of HGTV ( www.hgtv.com )where people will have the opportunity to "pimp their home" with construction and home modernization ideas. (click here for information about Hemp Crete)

Sen. Virgil Smith & Rick Bowers

Our opponent in District 2 does not support Magic Johnson's plan for Detroit and, has vowed to defeat the entire process in favor of upscale homes at prices that are not affordable to anyone making under $100,000 a year.  There are many other land areas in Detroit including District 2 that have open tracts of land to build a gated community.  If elected, I would prefer more public employees providing timely garbage pickup, lights, road maintenance, City Wide Wi-Fi zones, Police, and Firefighters.

#PushCUSH for Detroit

A vote for Rick Bowers is a vote for Rick Snyder and the GOP.  If you care about this City then I am empathically asking you to vote early for me at WC3!  Wayne County Community College's East and West Campus locations will be open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm to allow you to vote early by absentee.  You have to check a box saying that you need to vote early because you will not be available to vote in person on election day of November 5th.  In other words, you can go to work on Nov. 5th and don't have to rush  from work or home to vote. With this length of time to vote, you have NO excuse to not vote and participate in your government.

Hopefully our City Clerk's office will have a web page online saying that your application has been processed and your vote will be counted.

#PushCUSHingberry for Detroit City Council!

Vote early for me at these locations:

• Wayne County Community College Campus  
• 8200 W. Outer Drive or 5901 Conner 9a-5p Mon-Sat
• Detroit Department of Elections 
• 2978 W. Grand Blvd.  9am to 5pm  Mon-Fri.

Together we can change and maintain Detroit for a better quality of life.

Sincerely,
The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.  Candidate for Detroit City Council
The Man for YOU, in District #2

www.cushforcouncil.com

Restoring the Revenue: City of Detroit Bankrupcy Filing Timeline

By:  Friends of George Cushingberry Jr. 

       This is the schedule of proceedings from the US Bankruptcy court regarding the bankruptcy filing by the appointed leadership of the City of Detroit.  The City of Detroit is not Gateway Computer Company and our Police and Fire Department employees do not deserve to be paid Wal-Mart wages for a difficult and dangerous job. 





If you have an objection to the filing of the bankruptcy you need to use this form from the court.  (Click Here to download and print the objection form)        

"The Bankruptcy Code permits objections to the petition. 11 U.S.C. § 921(c). Typically, objections concern issues like whether negotiations have been conducted in good faith, whether the state has authorized the municipality to file, and whether the petition was filed in good faith. If an objection to the petition is filed, the court must hold a hearing on the objection. Id. The court may dismiss a petition if it determines that the debtor did not file the petition in good faith or that the petition does not meet the requirements of title 11. Id."

If the petition is not dismissed upon an objection, the Bankruptcy Code requires the court to order relief, allowing the case to proceed under chapter 9. 11 U.S.C. § 921(d).

        Gateway employment under Snyder went from a 20,000 employees down to 7,000 with over 19,000 jobs shipped to Mexico and China.  We do not want the same for the City of Detroit. Just imagine that you will have privatized public safety officers and fire fighters working for profit on the number of arrests, prosecutions, and putting out fires.   There is too much room for manipulation and fraud to boots profits if this is allowed to continue.       

             This bankruptcy filing has created few extremely high paying jobs for small venture capital firms that specialize in selling off property, cutting wages and benefits for WORKING people, and skimming off the profit leaving behind a tornado of low wage jobs and empty homes. 100 hours work of work at $495.00 an hour adds up for Conway MacKenzie's Charles Moore and others on the gravy train. It has allowed a bunch of video game nerds and bean counters to tell retired and current Police and Fire Department personnel that they don't work hard enough, and they can train anyone to do the job for much cheaper.    

    Detroit workers must stand up, file an objection and let your voice be heard.  We want timely garbage pickup,  streets to be repaired with quality concrete or asphalt, and city employees to be paid a fair and living wage. We want our retirees and current employees to have quality health care because health is a moral issue not financial. 

 

 

Bankruptcy Timetable as Defined by the US Bankruptcy Court of Eastern Michigan
Case Number:  13-5384

1. August 19, 2013 Deadline to file Eligibility Objections. (Click Here for Form)

2. August 23, 2013 Deadline to serve written discovery requests.

3. September 6, 2013 Deadline for the City to file responses to the Eligibility Objections.

4. September 13, 2013 Deadline to comply with written discovery requests.

5. September 23, 2013 Deadline to complete non-expert depositions.

6. September 23, 2013 Deadline to designate expert witnesses and submit expert reports.

7. October 3, 2013 Deadline to counter-designate experts and submit reports.

8. October 10, 2013 Deadline to complete expert depositions.

9. October 17, 2013 Deadline to submit proposed joint final pretrial order.

10. October 17, 2013 Deadline to file pretrial briefs.

11. October 21, 2013 Pretrial conference (10:00 a.m.).

12. October 23, 2013 Trial on the Eligibility Objections.

       Additional dates as necessary - October 24-25, 28-29, November 4-8, 2013.

       (Mondays and Tuesdays- 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; other days- 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

13. Motion hearing dates (all at 10:00 a.m.):

        August 21, 28, 2013      December 11, 2013

        September 18, 2013       January 8, 22, 2014

        October 2,16, 2013        February 5, 19, 2014

        November 13,27, 2013  March 5 & 19, 2014

14. March 1, 2014 Deadline for the City of Detroit to file a plan

Let your voice be heard loud and clear.  The time may be short to file but the time is now to get the job done.  Even more important is that you participate and vote for your ELECTED City Council because all of the EFM positions will be gone by the end of 2014.  If we re-elect the  current leadership in November we will get more of these Emergency Financial Managers for the next 4 years. 

When you cast your vote for George Cushingberry Jr., the City of Detroit will have their own insurance company that can set competitive and lower rates for property and car owners. The charter that was voted upon by the people of Detroit has this provision clearly written in the language.


Let us take back Detroit one home at a time because the only direction to go is UP!

Please remember to register to vote by October 5th to vote for me in District 2 by November 5th.

Your city's future depends on it.


#PushCUSHingberry for Detroit City Council 2013
www.cushforcouncil.com
 The Committee to Elect George Cushingberry Jr.  to Detroit City Council District #2