DETROIT: New council may not be any better...

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I had such hope for the new Detroit City Council. The old council was corrupt and plain stupid but the new council had young, smart people and things would absolutely change but alas, I am no longer optimistic.

Something that has struck me is the fact that three (3) council members, including the president of the council had money woes and face foreclosure. Charles Pugh (president) did work out something with his bank but Kwame Kenyatta walked away from his home and now Saunteel Jenkins will lose her condo and is being sued for unpaid debts.

One immediately thinks that people with money troubles are prime targets for corruption as they need money desperately.

Another thing to think about is if these people cannot manage their own money, how capable are they managing a whole city’s money?

They say that since many in Detroit are in foreclosure, council members in foreclosure know first hand what Detroiters are going through?

I am not buying that as a positive experience but I also question if there is anybody in Detroit that is a suitable candidate for the city council. We finally have a mayor that is a regular, honest guy with a brain after all these years but he basically volunteered to run the city. Should others who are capable and honest volunteer also? I can only think of retired people that would not need the money and would serve because they love the city and would not want anything from the city.

Bing’s plan to downsize the city is a great plan that would work but did you see the popular opposition at the meetings he has held so far? A normal politician (like those on the council) wants to be re-elected so he has to listen to the crazies in Detroit and do what they want or else. A retired person (like Bing) can just do what he thinks is right and not be swayed by those screaming the loudest…

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