I.  Transparency in Government

A.  Integrity

I will be a council person with a commitment to excellence.  This means that I will represent Detroit at all times with the class, dignity and intelligence that this city deserves.  I am passionate about our city, but I will not be abrasive.  It is time to put the disgraces of some of Detroit’s politicians behind us and elect a public servant, like myself, to represent our city and its potential to the fullest.


B.   Accountability

I have lived in this city for most of my life.  My family lives here. Most people around this city know me and know my commitment to this city.  My commitment will not change if I am elected to the city council.  The era of secretive, pay-for-play, exploitive politics is over and I will be the new kind of public servant this city deserves.  You will be able to talk to me quickly and effectively through our website, text messaging, e-mail and by just picking up the telephone.  I will not misuse city resources.  I will be in the community with my street team who will survey Detroit’s communities day in and day out to find the hot button issues in the neighborhoods and help determine how my office could best affect the outcome. 


II.  City Services

One of the most important things that Detroit must do in order to make itself a place that is responsible to residents is to have reliable and efficient city services that do not cripple the wallets of Detroiters.  The city of Detroit must make sure that trash is picked up on time, street lights are working and water services are available and affordable.  In addition, we must work to continuously create efficiency in how the city operates.


A.   Transportation

Public transportation is an essential component of Detroit’s economic growth.  It affects jobs, the environment and quality of life for all Detroit residents.  Detroit must have real mass transit.  I welcome the stimulus dollars that will be coming into Detroit for the light rail system down Woodward, but I caution that devoting time to small efforts like light rail while not creating any mass transit for southeastern Michigan is a waste.  I will work to bring safe, reliable and efficient mass transit to the city of Detroit working with our neighboring cities and counties.  True regional cooperation is what we need.


B.  Taxes

The amount of taxes Detroit residents pay should reflect the quality of life we receive as residents in the city.  There should be no tax increases in Detroit without an increase in the quality of services. I want to see the city grow and there is little chance for growth if we continue to discourage people from living here by having our already high taxes go even higher.


C.  Neighborhood Cleanliness

I will work with neighborhood block clubs and other community organizations to develop a plan to keep the neighborhoods clean.  This is how you can “Help Change Detroit.”  I would like to work with community organizations and the city to establish a monthly allocation to block clubs that make a commitment to cut and maintain lawns of foreclosed homes and vacant lots in their respective neighborhoods. We have to make Detroit a place where people are proud to live.  When you are proud to live here, you will not disrespect your home by throwing trash on the ground. We must keep people involved and keep our city, our block, our communities clean. 


III.  Crime

Crime is one of the main reasons that so many people have fled the city of Detroit.  When Detroit is safe all the other things that will help Detroit grow will happen.  We will see more businesses invest, we will see our car insurance decrease and our property values increase.  I am committed to increase safety in our city, but I need the help of every Detroiter to make our city safer than it is now.


A.   Community Activism

We can reduce crime when we take back our neighborhoods in an organized and effective manner.  Through community activism, we the people have the true power to make our community better.  We have the power to require more of our community and increase the expectations of what is acceptable.


B.   Police Response

I will lobby the mayor to institute a program with the police department to increase the police response time in the city.  Police response time is a major concern on the minds of all Detroiters and it is an issue that every level of government and community must work to address.


C.   Education

As a council person I have a legislative responsibility to create an environment that will make schools safe for the city’s children.  When safety is no longer an issue, then our children will not be distracted from learning and our Board of Education can focus on the business of curriculum and school development.  I will support efforts from the city’s police department and the Detroit Public School police department to make sure that we create a safe environment for the city’s children.  We will work with groups like the Walking Bus Line, who chaperone our children from their homes to school every day.  We work to make this program city-wide and create an environment where our children can receive a world-class education.  A quality educational environment is paramount to changing Detroit. 



IV.   Jobs/Economy

A.   Job Development

Many of Detroitís issues are inter-related.  Even though we are in a recession there are still businesses that exist and are starting up that do not locate themselves in the city of Detroit for a number of reasons.  One of the reasons is crime (see my position on CRIME).  I will allocate a portion of my budget to visit and work with store chains around the country and encourage them to invest inside the city of Detroit.  I will also legislate to make it easy for our mayor to use the money that the city of Detroit will be given from the economic stimulus plan to help Detroiters see good-paying jobs for Detroiters!


B.   Returning Citizens

Many of Detroit’s unemployed are citizens returning to the general population from jail and prison.  No company awarded a city contract should discriminate against applicants because they are felons and I will work to insure that returning citizens have an equal opportunity for employment on city contracts.


C.   Entertainment

Detroit must be a city that residents and visitors can live, work and PLAY in.  Casinos are not enough.  Detroit should have great restaurants, a variety of safe nightclubs and free and low-cost activities for the entire family year round.  I will lobby companies to invest in creating a recreational atmosphere in Detroit that will rival other major cities around the country.  We must take advantage of our city jewels which include our international riverfront and our incredible parks like Belle Isle, Palmer Park, Rouge Park and Chandler Park.