Jones to host Infinite Scholars Fair in Detroit

Council President Brenda Jones at a Warrendale meeting - Photo by Frank Nemecek

On Thursday, October 10, City Council President Brenda Jones will host the 3rd annual Infinite Scholars Fair in Detroit. This event will happen from 4 - 8 p.m. in Shed 3 at Eastern Market (2934 Russell St.) and will feature representatives from more than 40 colleges. Some of these schools will offer on-site acceptance for students as well as an onsite scholarship awards.

At the event last year, Detroit students were awarded more than $11 million is scholarships onsite.

The Infinite Scholars Fair is focused on students who are currently in the 12th grade. Those in the 9th through 11th grades, however, will still be welcomed. Students should bring up to 20 packets with them containing a copy of the transcript, ACT/SAT scores, recommendation letters, an essay on why they want to attend college, and a resume.

There is no cost to attend this event in Detroit. Regardless, interested students are still asked to RSVP online.

Update @ 5:17 p.m.
On the subject of preparing for college, I believe students should consider the question of safety when selecting a collee or university.

It was fortuidous, therefore, that a representative from SafeHome.org reached out to me today. They released a study on the Safest Cities for College Students to determine the safest colleges nationally and in each state. The rankings were determined using the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, and U.S. Department of Education from colleges with at least 10,000 students in nearly 150 U.S. cities through 2017.

Western Michigan University was ranked as the least safe college or university in the Great Lakes State. In contrast, Lansing Community College was shown to be the safest. The full report is available online here.

Water deal on the line

The deal to create a regional water authority for southeastern Michigan is in trouble, according to published news reports. The City of Detroit's bankruptcy plan called for such an authority to be created no later than June 14. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel doesn't appear inclined to go along with it.

If Hackel doesn't like the deal, that's between him and the people of Macomb County. I'm okay with this deal falling apart.

If there is no deal on a regional water authority then there is nothing to prevent the City of Detroit to retain ownership of that portion of water system that is within its city limits but sell the suburban portion of it. Such a sale would not only remove the water system's debt from the City's books, it would likely also leave us with more than $1 billion in cash.

The cash from such a sale could then be used to pay down some of the other debt that Detroiters carry - either debt from the City of Detroit itself or from the Detroit Public Schools. Either way, paying down our debts would enable us to lower our property taxes.

And lower property taxes - either as reduction in debt service levied by the City of Detroit or a reduction in what the Detroit Public Schools levy - would be welcome in a city like Detroit which has the highest taxes in Michigan.

If Hackel isn't happy with the regional water deal, that's between him and the people of Macomb County. I simply hope that Mayor Mike Duggan, Councilman Gabe Leland, and the other members of the City Council use this opening as a chance to advance the interests of our residents.

Let the deal fall through, if Hackel continues to object.

Sell the portion of our water system that is in the suburbs to any number of private investors.

Use the proceeds from such a sale to pay down debts - for either the City of Detroit or the Detroit Public Schools.

Once the debt is paid down, lower the debt service levy on Detroiter's property taxes.

The choice is clear. The only question that remains is: what will Detroit's leadership do?

Vacancy on the Detroit City Council

City Council meeting - Photo by Frank Nemecek

There is a vacancy on the Detroit City Council due to Saunteel Jenkins's recent resignation; one which any resident is allowed to apply to fill. Yesterday afternoon, I submitted my application to fill that vacancy.

For years now, I've screamed into the proverbial wind - both on this blog and elsewhere - about ways that things could be done better in this town. I know it's a long shot that I'll be selected to fill that slot. However, I feel like if I don't throw my hat into the ring, I'll spend years wondering what would have happened if I had done so.

The Detroit City Council will schedule a series of interviews with applicants in January. The Council as a whole will then decide who will fill Jenkins's seat until the next election. I will keep everyone updated as this develops.

Detroit examines creating its own auto insurance for residents

Auto insurance has long been the bane of many Detroiters. The rates that city residents pay is dramatically higher than those paid by our suburban neighbors and this has been one of the many impediments to bother attracting new residents as well as retaining current ones. All of this may change, though, thanks to a plan approved by the City Council today.

The City of Detroit has hired Pinnacle Actuarial Services of Bloomington, Illinois to examine the feasibility of creating a city-owned insurance program. This program, tentatively called D Insurance, would provide city residents with auto insurance rate that much cheaper than what is currently available.

This idea has been proposed several times over the years, most notably by former City Council Member Kwame Kenyatta. However, prior to today, no action has ever been taken on making it a reality.

I believe this is an important first step in either creating such a program or in scaring the crap out insurance companies so that they make changes to their rates. I commend Mayor Mike Duggan as well as Council Member Gabe Leland who represents the Warrendale and its surrounding neighborhoods on the Detroit City Council and each of the other council members for taking this important first step.

Brenda Jones becomes President of the Detroit City Council

Councilwoman Brenda Jones at a WCO Meeting
Photo by Frank Nemecek

Earlier this week, Councilwoman Brenda Jones was elected President of the Detroit City Council in an internal election. She defeated Councilwoman Shanteel Jenkins, who previously served as President.

The internet and newspaper columns promptly exploded with criticism of Jones and the Council Members who voted for her. Included in that mix was Councilman Gabe Leland from the 7th District, which includes the Warrendale neighborhood, who backed Jones.

I love Councilwoman Shanteel Jenkins. I think she did a fine job as President and would have continued to do a fine job if the vote had gone in her favor.

I also love Councilwoman Jones and believe she will also do a fine job as President. When I was President of the Warrendale Community Organization, she attended our meeting more often than the other eight members combined. If we needed something, she not only helped us but asked if there was anything else that she could do.

Much of the criticism of Jones stems from the fact that she has opposed almost every change in Detroit that Governor Rick Snyder and Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr have proposed. Her opposition to those proposals, though, doesn't bother me.

The fact of the matter is that - more than a year after the consent decree and 10 months after Orr's appointment - these reforms have produced very little benefit to Detroit residents. One official after another has promised that results are right around the corner. I, however, am reminded of the old adage, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," and, when it comes to the reforms pushed by Lansing, there simply hasn't been a lot to eat.

The question one then has to ask is: how upset should over someone objecting to reforms that never produced any real results for residents?

The answer, I'm afraid, is not very.

Councilwoman Shanteel Jenkins is an outstanding member of the Detroit City Council. However, let's stop pretending that everything is going to be horrible just because someone else is President.

Recount begins today in City Council race

The Wayne County Board of Canvassers recently approved a request for an election recount from John K. Bennett, one of the three candidates who sought sought to represent Detroit's seventh district on the City Council. Former State Representative Gabe Leland was originally declared the winner of that race, but
Bennett is contesting those results.

The recount will begin at 9:30 a.m. this morning in Cadillac Place (3044 W. Grand Blvd.), which is in the New Center area of Detroit. I will have updates on the results of this recount throughout the day.

City Council Candidates Appear at WACO Meeting

The Five City Council Candidates for the 7th District Appear  at a Meeting of the Warren Avenue Community Organization
Photo by Frank Nemecek

The Warren Avenue Community Organization, which represents that portion of the Warrendale neighborhood that is east of the Southfield Freeway, hosted each of the candidates for City Council. These candidates seek to represent the 7th district, which includes all of Warrendale as well as some of the surrounding neighborhoods.

John Bennett began his introduction by talking about his family, his experience as a Detroit police officer, and trying to grow Detroit. He argued that the City of Detroit cannot cut it's way out of budget problems. He also proposed entering into an intergovernmental agreement with other law enforcement agencies so that they could supplement what the Detroit Police Department does.

Rob Bennett, who isn't related to John Bennett, talked about his experience as a D-DOT bus driver and an Inkster police officer. Both he and John Bennett talked about how they would like to see a dedicated source of revenue for public safety.

As a related note, I should point out that the City of Detroit once had a dedicated source of revenue for public safety. It was the utility tax, which later went into the general fund and will soon be the primary source of revenue for public lighting. My personal belief is that, rather that pursuing another dedicated revenue stream that may or may not get sucked into the morass of abysmal accounting that is the City of Detroit, it would be much better if we instead tried any of the dozens of suggestions I've offered on this blog to save money without cutting services. Examples of those suggestions are available here, here, and here.

But I digress.

Dustin Campbell talked about his experience at many different levels, having worked at the city, county, and state levels. He also talked about the importance of keeping the lines of communication open with resident and came out against privatization of city devices.

Gabe Leland talked about experience as a state legislator, representing a district with boundaries that are almost identical to our current City Council district. His top priorities, if elected, would be to better deal with crime in Detroit, fighting blight in our neighborhoods, upgrading out street lights, and improving our parks.

Interestingly, Gabe Leland also talked about cutting the City Council's staff. He said that when he was a state legislator, he represented roughly the same population, but did so with less than half the staff that the City Council currently has. I've been following Detroit politics for a couple of decades now and I don't think I've heard a City Council candidate propose cutting their own staff.

Regina Ross talked about her history in Detroit and working together as a community. One of the things that she proposed was bringing the Michigan National Guard into Detroit to help demolish some of the blighted properties in the neighborhoods.

5 Books Every Candidate for Mayor or City Council in Detroit Should Read

Stock Photo by Peter Mazurek

The race for Detroit's mayoral and city council elections are still almost a year away. However, it is already starting to heat up as more than a few people who have already declared their intention to run.

Since politics can be an ugly but incredibly important affair, I thought I would try to start things off on a positive note. With a little help from my friends on Facebook, I created my list of 5 books that every candidate for mayor or city council ought to read.

For anyone who hasn't read each of them of books, I strongly encourage them to do so. I have even included links to listing for each on Amazon.com to make it easier for people to find a copy.

Without further ado, I present my picks for 5 books that every candidate for mayor or city council in Detroit ought to read. My list includes, in no particular order:

• The Death and Life of Great American Cities by the incomparable Jane Jacobs. It does a wonderful job of illustrating how cities are supposed to work and the ways in which they can go wrong all to often;
• The Economy of Cities also by Ms. Jacobs, which makes the case for a strong urban core being vital to the an entire region's economic health;
• The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk by Randy Shilts, which tells the story of a truly great urban leader and should provide lots of inspiration to anyone wishing to serve in Detroit;
• The Origins of the Urban Crisis by Thomas J. Sugrue, which talks about race and its implications in post-World War II Detroit; and
• American Metropolitics: The New Suburban Reality by Myron Orfield.

For those wishing a little extra credit, I also recommend that those wishing to be the best possible leaders also read Comeback Cities: A Blueprint For Urban Neighborhood Revival by Paul Grogan, The Geography of Nowhere by James Kunstler, and The Great Good Place by Ray Oldenburg. Last, but certainly not least, I also recommend reading Leadership by Rudy Guiliani, if only for his chapter "Underpromise and Overdeliver."

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Can We Compromise on Mayor Bing's Tax Proposal?

Mayor Dave Bing and the Detroit Police Commission proposed raising our property taxes in an effort to generate more money for the Detroit Police and Fire Departments. The Bing Administration argues that it is absolutely essential given the current budget condition.

Many critics, however - and this includes some on the City Council - believe that the Mayor hasn't done enough to manage his current budget effectively. Recent new reports of the Police Department wasting $4 million on expired car leases only reinforce that contention.

With that in mind, I'd like to propose a compromise. Mayor Bing can have his tax increase. I'll pay it. In return, I believe certain conditions should be written into this increase.

In return for the additional tax revenue, the Detroit Police Department should be required to:

• Eliminate the rank of deputy chief. Anyone who currently holds it should have a choice between retirement or reduction in rank and a return to patrol duty.
• Reduce the number of assistant chiefs to no more than four. The Police Commission can determine the exact areas of responsibility for each of them.
• Reduce the number of aides and secretaries the chief and assistant chiefs have. This is one of the most persistently bloated parts of DPD's budget. Each assistant chief should one civilian secretary and one sworn officer as an aide. The chief of police should only get one civilian secretary and two aides.
• All police officers hired with this new tax revenue must be assigned to either patrol, investigative, or special operations duty. In other words, every one of them should be in the field in one capacity or another. We really don't need more police officers doing desk jobs.

As for the Detroit Fire Department, they should be required to phase out the rank of sergeant. Anyone who currently holds it should be allowed to hold onto it, but no one else should be promoted into it.

By doing this, Mayor Bing gets the extra tax revenue that he wants. In return, Detroiters will get progress towards improving our public safety.

7 Things That Should Be Changed in the Proposed Consent Agreement

Governor Rick Snyder unveiled his proposed consent agreement last Tuesday. Since then, there has been almost unending amount of howling from certain quarters within our community. Those complaints, by the way, came from many of those who were also opposed to the various reforms that we written into the new City Charter that was overwhelmingly enacted last year. Regardless of how much those individuals might protest, the fact of the matter is that consent agreement is likely coming very soon and it's probably the best thing for Detroiters.

With that in mind, I would like to offer seven specific suggestions that I believe Mayor Dave Bing as well as everyone on the City Council and Lansing should carefully consider.

#1. Guarantee Public Involvement in the Process

No matter what someone somewhere might plug into a spreadsheet, the fact remains is that it is our tax dollars that are being spent here and our futures that are at stake. While Governor Snyder was busy building his fortune, thousands of middle class families were fighting to make Detroit a place worth living in. Their efforts, quite frankly, are the main reason why this town is still standing.

If those families are going to be asked to continue the fight, and if new ones are going to asked to join in, then they must be guaranteed that they will have an opportunity to have their objections heard and their suggestions duly considered. There will unquestionably be a loud outpouring of people that my friend Jeff Wattrick of MLive.com refers to as "grape throwers" in his columns. It could be tempting to shut them out out of the process, but shutting them out also means shutting out the ordinary middle class families who have kept Detroit afloat for this long, which only gives those families yet another reason to leave.

Detroit Finalizes City Council Districts

Map of the New Districts for the Detroit City Council

The Detroit City Council approved a map earlier today for the City Council districts that will go into effect when we elect a new Council next year. They went with what was commonly known as "Option 3."

I was disappointed that they chose not to consider a map that was proposed by Data Driven Detroit, which would have kept neighborhoods together. However, I take comfort in knowing that at least all of the Warrendale neighborhood - both sides of the Southfield Freeway - is together.

None of the current members of the Detroit City Council live in District 7, which includes the Warrendale neighborhood. This means that we will see someone new represent us, beginning January of 2014.

Guest Commentary: Virtual Precincts Don't Address Real Problems

I have to admit that I'm torn in regards to the "virtual police precincts" that Detroit's Police Chief Ralph Godbee announced yesterday. I've advocated cutting administrative jobs within the police department for years. However, what I've advocated for was to cut the jobs at headquarters, rather than the ones in the precincts.

I'm still not sure about these "virtual police precincts." That's why I'm glad to have a retired police sergeant, and longtime resident of the Warrendale neighborhood, David L. Malhalab available to share his thoughts. The comments below are his own, with only minimal editing from me.

Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee has foisted the most outlandish reorganization plan on the residents of Detroit - one that will put the lives of Detroit Police Officers and residents in danger.

He will close precincts - a necessary public building that should be kept open, at all costs. Close City Hall, cut the City Council staff and budget, but keep police precincts open 24/7. Detroit is not Boston or Lansing, it is Detroit - a deeply troubled city with very serious crime problems. Say goodbye to Detroit's false claim of "community relations."

Godbee, the Chief that shouldn't have been, and with the apparent approval of Mayor Dave Bing, will close the precincts between 4 p.m. - 8 a.m. (16 hours) to the public. Precincts have been an essential safe haven, crime reporting, and contact point between the community and the police. It is outrageous and simply, defiantly wrong to close any Detroit Police precinct for any time.

There needs to be some restructuring  within the police department - some inside police duties should be shifted to sworn civilians - but to denigrate and deceive Detroit residents, into believing that police officers don't serve the needs of residents by working inside the precinct stations - is a damnable lie - and Chief Godbee comparing officers who work inside to "Maytag repairman - waiting for a crime to happen" is insulting, and clearly dim witted. Godbee has insulted all police officers in Detroit and throughout the nation, with this clear misrepresentation of what police officers do - while assigned to inside duties.

Detroit needs more police officers on the street patrolling, but officers are needed to take thousands of police reports that citizens make inside the station - that patrolling officers can't take - which frees officers to keep patrolling.

Detroit needs police detectives in the precincts - to investigate the crime that patrolling officers and desk officers take. They need to be the contact point for residents who can't figure out where to go to get follow up information on their reported crime.

Crisnet, the primary crime report system for DPD has been a mistake and a ball and chain around the ankles of police officers since former Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings approved using it - it keeps police officers from properly patrolling the streets - I have complained about it for years - former Assistant Police Chief Ronald Haddad (now Dearborn Police Chief) wrote an infamous memo, confirming my criticism of Crisnet.

Every police chief since Cummings has said that Crisnet would be dropped. It has not been - so police officers continue to be burdended by a slow crime report system.

Councilman Gray Brown has said that he could save the Detroit Police Department $8 million dollars, but has failed to put his suggestions on the table. He continues to try con Detroit residents with his ignorant blather - rather that putting a concrete proposal out so it can be discussed.

Bing put his faith and the lives of Detroit police officers and residents in the hands of Godbee - and we have got nothing good from him.

I have complained about the low hiring standards, lack of training and lack of equipment in the Department, and for years about the nepotism, favoritism, and cronyism that has corrupted and destroyed the Detroit Police Department.

I have said for years that Detroit police officers and residents deserve better from its political leaders and it police executives - Godbee's 'virtual precincts' and his lack of real, solid, and creative solutions to the Departments problems and Mayor Bing's support of him - shows that both Bing and Godbee need to be replaced, and the sooner the better - for the safety of officers and residents.

What do you think ???

DAVID L. MALHALAB
SGT  DPD RETIRED

Council and Mayor to Discuss Budget Plan

The Detroit City Council will meet with Mayor Dave Bing at 2 p.m. this afternoon to discuss his budget reduction plan. Comcast customers in Detroit can watch this meeting live on channel 22. Everyone else can watch it online here.

I will, of course, have much more to say about the City of Detroit's finances after this meeting.

Mayor Bing to Discuss Bus Crisis at 5 p.m.

Mayor Bing to Talk About Bus Service

Mayor Dave Bing will hold a press conference regarding the on-going problems with DDOT bus service at 5 p.m. today. The Mayor has faced harsh criticism from the City Council and others over the fact that many city buses are routinely late, sometimes up to three hours behind schedule.

Needless to say, I will likely have much to say about this issue once his press conference is over.

Density Doesn't Solve Everything

Jane Jacobs

I'm a huge fan of population density. I have lived in and visited other cities with a lot more density than Detroit. I've seen its benefits on a firsthand basis. I've also been known to thrust Jane Jacobs's books in the faces of random people and urge them to read her works.

When Mayor Dave Bing started talking about increasing Detroit's population density, I was pleasantly surprised. There was a moment when I thought that we had an administration that got it; one that was able to move Detroit forward. Unfortunately, a year later, all we have is talk.

The worst part of this is that Detroiters still pay a tax burden that is roughly double national averages and we still suffer through public services that are almost non-existent. There seems to be a general acknowledgement that we need to change these things. However, we as a community have not made any real progress towards improving these matters over the past year.

I have, however, heard several people postulate that once a plan to improve Detroit's density is finalized and implemented things will start to improve. I have even heard people argue, in complete seriousness, that improving Detroit's population density is a prerequisite for improving basic city services.

This argument is, in my opinion, downright terrifying. The fact that I keep hearing this means that a sound urban principle, such as population density, has become nothing more than a corporate buzzword that is thrown around in lieu of actual ideas or actions.

For everyone who believes that Detroit cannot improve its core city services or reduce its tax burden until it improve its population density, I ask you to consider a few things:

Ron Scott Is An Idiot

Ron Scott of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality is, in my opinion, an idiot.

When Police Officer Brian Huff was shot and killed in the line of duty this past Monday, and four other police officers who injured in the same incident, Mr. Scott went to the scene and made a series of remarks to the news media. Several media outlets carried his remarks, in which he spoke about police brutality and police officers violating the constitutional rights of young black men.

Since then, there has been a certain amount of public backlash against Mr. Scott. He has since said that his remarks were taken out of context. Quite frankly, I don't have a lot of sympathy for Ron Scott.

There is always a need to police the police department, whether it's in Detroit or anywhere else. Citizen groups, such as the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, have a legitimate role in addressing allegations of police misconduct and ensuring that it never happens in the first place.

However, when a person - any person - is standing at the scene where a police officer has been killed in the line of duty, the only remark that it is ever appropriate to make is to offer condolences to the officer's family. For anyone to make any other comment, is simply inappropriate.

The Board of Police Commissioners, the City Council, and newspaper editorial pages all exist for a reason. They provide citizens an opportunity to air grievances and present arguments, even ones that might be unpleasant to hear. Mr. Scott should have made his comments there and not at the scene where Officer Huff was murdered, especially while his body was still warm.

Mr. Scott has spent much of this week attempting to backpedal. He has repeatedly argued that his remarks were taken out of context. He has pointed out that the first thing he said was to express sadness about the death of one officer and the wounding of four others. He has insisted that his comments about police brutality where made with the best of intentions.

Quite frankly, I don't care. Mr. Scott is still an idiot.

The only thing he should have said at that instant was to express his condolences to the fallen police officers. Everything else should have waited for a better time and place.

Activist clarifies remarks after cop killing | Detroit Free Press

Update - Saturday, May 8 @ 11:38 a.m.
Ron Scott and Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans were on Fox 2's Let It Rip to discuss the shooting of Officer Huff, Mr. Scott's comments, and the response to said comments. Video from that exchange, as well as video of Mr. Scott's comments, are are all available below.

Best Quote in Weeks

Sonny Eliot from WWJ-AM gave what has to be one of the funniest and most insightful quotes that I've heard in weeks.  As part of his regular weather report, he added:

It's 52 degrees in Three Rivers; that's the highest temperature in the state. Three Rivers--that's where they started a new business, making the front ends of horses. Then they ship them to the Detroit council chambers for final assembly.

I love that quote.  It seems totally appropriate.

Candidate Forum this Wednesday

There will be a candidate forum this Wednesday, October 14, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Edison Branch of the Detroit Public Library (18400 Joy Rd.).  It will feature candidates for the Detroit City Council as well as the School Board and the Charter Commission.  Everyone in the Warrendale neighborhood is invited to attend.

This event is sponsored by the Cody/Rouge block clubs.

Transit Candidates Forum

The TRU Detroit City Council Candidate's Forum is this evening, Thursday, October 1, at the Considine Recreation Center (8904 Woodward Ave.).  This forum will start at 6:30 p.m. and will focus on mass transit.  It is sponsored by Transit Riders United, which is a leading advocate for mass transit in Detroit.

For those not familiar with the Considine Recreation Center, it is on Woodward Ave.; approximately 3/4 of a mile north of W. Grand Blvd.  If anyone is interested in taking bus from the Warrendale neighborhood to this forum, which is oddly appropriate for a forum on mass transit, it will take approximately one hour to complete your trip.  I recommend the Crosstown bus to Woodward and then transferring to the Woodward bus to go north.

City Council Candidate Forum Tonight

All eighteen of the candidates for the Detroit City Council will appear at a forum this evening, starting at 6 p.m. This event will happen at the Greater Grace Temple (23500 W. Seven Mile), which is approximately four miles north of the Warrendale neighborhood.

The moderators for this event are Huel Perkins from Fox 2, Angelo Henderson from WCHB and Stephanie Davis from WWJ.

This forum will be streamed live on MyFoxDetroit.com.