Image by Getty Images via @daylifeAs you know, I have always supported Detroit Mayor Dave Bing as the man that can turn the city around.
Just lately, I have been having my doubts about his capabilities especially his leadership capabilities in light of the dismal performance of his staff; his chief of staff resigned and his communications director resigned once the local papers reported that a former employee was suing the city for improper dismissal and mentioned the fact that the mayor was not really in charge but his communications director; Michele Dumas… among many other controversies.
I am disappointed that Bing surrounded himself with former employees of the previous mayor who happened to be corrupt as hell, who in essence, were just propagating the culture of incompetence and corruption that have mired the city for decades; not a good sign.
He is still looking in all the wrong places for new staff. The local papers made some suggestions but it appears that non-blacks are unwelcome to come help the city; a white U of M graduate student doing volunteer work for the city said as much in a letter to the editor.
That is unfortunate since for the city to be revitalized, new blood must be enticed to settle in the city and much of the new blood coming to places like the Mid-Town area is non-black.
I feel bad for the mayor because a successful CEO has a successful staff and he cannot be successful without one and it seems he is just incapable of even finding a good, smart chief of staff who would then help him hire good, smart, productive staff to fill the other positions.
Bing has even asked President Obama to help him and Obama is sending federal help in the form of teams of officials from different federal agencies that will do what Detroit City Detroit
Gary Brown of the City Council, a former police officer and executive that sued the former Mayor for improper dismissal which led to that whole “sexting” scandal that toppled the mayor and his administration, seems like a person that needs to run for mayor. He is not afraid to speak out, has enough of his own money so he is not beholden to anyone and has the drive and energy of a younger man.
The fact that city council members will have to be elected from a specific ward of the city means that they will, for the first time, represent a specific area of the city. Historically, council members always ran as at-large members which means they did not represent any specific area or population. I think that will make a huge difference in city government and bring in that fresh blood the city so desperately needs.
Maybe Dave Bing bit off more than he can chew…maybe he will find that person that can help him do what needs to be done…I hope so.
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