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 |  New York Times -
Nov-04-2009Dave Bing Wins Election to Full Term as Detroit Mayor(topic overview)
CONTENTS:
- 'We had a situation happen at City Hall,' Flowers said, introducing Bing and euphemistically alluding to ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's scandal and resignation. (More...)
- Marvin Morris, a mental health technician, supported Bing and the City Council proposal, as well as backing school and county operation millages. (More...)
- Angels' Night officials reported a little over 30,000 volunteers had registered to help, compared to more than 50,000 last year. (More...)
- After voting with his wife, Bing said he hoped the election finally would put some distance between the city's future and its former leader. (More...)
- Most candidates support eliminating city departments in order to curb the $300 deficit facing the city, and nearly all 18 candidates support regional transit ''' a merger between the city'''s Department of Transportation and the suburban SMART bus line. (More...)
- As expected, City Clerk Janice Winfrey easily won reelection with 83 percent of the vote. (More...)
- Some bargaining units sided with the mayor, others chose to fight and supported Barrow in the election. (More...)
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'We had a situation happen at City Hall,' Flowers said, introducing Bing and euphemistically alluding to ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's scandal and resignation. Flowers told his congregation he would not tell his voters for whom to cast their ballots, but added, 'I'm voting for the mayor, Dave Bing. Bing, a 28-year member of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, told congregation members that he didn't come to the church to campaign but did say he supported Proposal S, and encouraged them to vote for it. He then stayed for the entire service. Niles and Yolanda Harper, both of northwest Detroit, were surprised Bing stayed since most candidates instead speak and then head to the next campaign stop. 'It was beautiful,' Yolanda Harper, 57, said. 'I think he's doing a great job,' said Niles Harper, 76, adding he and his wife already voted for Bing by absentee ballot. It was nearly 1:45 p.m. when the service ended and Bing and his wife, Yvette, left the church. 'No,' he said, without hesitation, when asked if he was concerned about Barrow closing the gap in election polling. He also was unequivocal in explaining his light Sunday campaign schedule. 'If people don't know who I am and what I've done after 43 years and four elections, then they won't know,' he said. [1]
"But I know that it's the right thing," he said. He warned that the city is about to go through some "very, very difficult times," and that he's called on supporters, faith-based leaders and the business people to help him turn around Detroit. "I believe this is a defining moment in Detroit's history," Bing said. "Let me say this: I can't do this alone." For Bing, the former Detroit Pistons star and industrialist who moved into the city last year from Franklin, it was the second time Detroit voters elected him this year to run the city's government. He won a special election in May to complete the term of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Although coming up short again, for Barrow, a two-time mayoral challenger to former Mayor Coleman Young, he said he went down fighting.[2]
Mayor Dave Bing, who beat out challenger Tom Barrow, acknowledged it has been a wearying eight months for Detroit voters, but said today's election was important because it set a slate of officials to help guide the city through what promises to be a tough stretch. Bing spoke of the "cloud" that continues to hang over the city -- the almost weekly revelations about former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and the opposition he has encountered from unions that oppose his efforts to streamline city operations and handle Detroit's budget crisis.[3] Unless voters walk off the dock, Mayor Dave Bing will be confirmed as the man who will hold that post for the next four years. He can finally move beyond the serial elections of the past 10 months and focus all of his energies on solving the city's problems. A victory will give Bing the certainty he needs to force Detroit's employee unions to get serious about bargaining concessions. Right now, the unions are still clinging to hope that their donations and votes might get Bing's opponent, Tom Barrow, elected. After Tuesday, they should understand that Bing is the guy they have to deal with.[4] DETROIT (AP) - Incumbent Detroit Mayor Dave Bing leads challenger Tom Barrow with more than three-quarters of the votes counted today in the election to determine who will lead the troubled city over the next four years.[5] Incumbent Dave Bing is expected to win handily, though challenger Tom Barrow has gained ground in recent weeks. There will also be at least four new faces--and possibly more--on Detroit's nine-member City Council. Incumbents are facing a tougher challenge this year, at least in part because the current Council has been plagued by scandals, including the resignation of former Councilwoman Monica Conyers. She pleaded guilty to bribery this summer.[6]
Bing can't get the job done alone. He needs help from a smart City Council that is able to stand up to the community's sometimes self-destructive tendencies and vote the right way. The four open spots on the nine-member council provide an opportunity to seat such a council. Unfortunately, the campaign has revealed that not all of the newcomers on the ballot would be a significant improvement from the incumbents they'll replace. They've shown too little courage to advocate real change for the city. We have endorsed mostly new faces in this race -- Gary Brown, Saunteel Jenkins, Lisa Howze, Andre Spivey Fred Eliot Hall and David Cross ; and that's the order we prefer them. If those six were seated alongside incumbents Kenneth Cockrel Jr. and Brenda Jones, it promises to be the most effective legislative body Detroit has seen in decades. We withdrew our endorsement of a ninth candidate, Charles Pugh, after his tangled personal finances were made public.[4] The proposal calls for seven council members to be elected by district and two others elected at large. In the City Council race, former TV anchor Charles Pugh will replace Ken Cockrel Jr. as city council president after receiving the most votes in Detroit's nonpartisan general election.[7] Low turnout due to voter fatigue and voter apathy plagued the special election and the regular Aug. 4 primary, with just 17 percent of voters casting a ballot. In this election, there are some important choices to make, not just on who will serve on city council and in the mayor'''s office, but also about who will be in charge of revising the city charter, whether Detroit Public Schools should adopt a $500.5 million bond proposal, and whether city council members should be elected by district.[8] The proposal calls for seven council members to be elected by district and two others elected at large. About 23 percent of Detroit's 572,502 registered voters cast ballots Tuesday, compared with about 17 percent in the primary. Retired corporate librarian Janice Novachcoff, 67, said she voted for Bing but not with great enthusiasm. "People with tax problems make me nervous," she said of Barrow, who was convicted of bank fraud and tax charges in 1994. Bing, she said, "is doing things. He's not saying a whole lot." Bing was the No. 2 overall pick by the Pistons in 1966 out of Syracuse, spending nine of his 12 NBA seasons in Detroit. He went on to open his Bing Steel company in Detroit in 1980.[9]
"I feel for Bing or Barrow, whoever is elected. He's going to have some hard issues." Two voters at Mae C. Jemison Academy on the city's west side said they voted for Bing. "I think he can bring more jobs," said Luevirnia Thurman, a 63-year-old homemaker. "He seems to be more professional than the people in office before him." Thurman, who said she didn't know who Barrow was, said she voted for three city council incumbents as well as Charles Pugh, a former local television personality. "I liked him when he was on TV," she said. "He really wants to do what's best for the people of Detroit.[10] Barrow is against hiring outside companies to do city work while Bing is pushing to privatize collections, payroll and energy services. Barrow said he would freeze all non-emergency private contracts once elected and look at ways to use city resources to create revenue. This year, Detroit City Council candidates have enjoyed more time in the spotlight than mayoral candidates have.[8] Detroit -- The final campaign sprint for the city's elected positions included stops Saturday by the candidates at a health fair, visits to Eastern Market, radio interviews and greeting parents and players at local football playoff games. Mayor Dave Bing spent the day crisscrossing Detroit visiting families and their children who were playing in a number of playoff football teams for Think-PAL Detroit and other leagues, Bing campaign spokesman Cliff Russell said. Tom Barrow, who is challenging Bing for mayor, was opting to spend some of day at his campaign headquarters.[11] Many of the city's candidates were seen at the Eastern Market in Detroit, broadcasting radio interviews and going to local football playoff games. The two mayoral candidates, Mayor Dave Bing and mayor hopeful Tom Barrow spent the weekend as differently as their viewpoints. Bing was seen crisscrossing Detroit visiting families and their children who were in football playoff games. Barrow was said to have spent some of his day at his campaign headquarters, a pastor's home and a theater to see a play, "People are ready for something news."[12]
The poll shows Mayor Dave Bing leading challenger Tom Barrow 46-24 percent, but 25 percent of voters still undecided. The poll, released Sunday, also shows a tight race for Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr., who's tied for the lead with former broadcaster Charles Pugh, with both at 10 percent, and former Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown at 9 percent. "Any of those three could be council president," Porn said.[13] Even if all five incumbents are re-elected, the council will necessarily have new faces after Monica Conyers resigned, Martha Reeves lost in primary and two others decided not to run. Mayor Dave Bing led Tom Barrow in the poll by 22 percentage points, although 25 percent of voters said they were undecided and another 4 percent said they were leaning towards Barrow.[14]
Incumbent Mayor Dave Bing, who won the primary by a landslide, is pitted against accountant Tom Barrow. Bing has refused to debate Barrow in this election and has not been hesitant to propose unpopular pay cuts or institute layoffs for city workers just weeks prior to the election. Although these moves have prompted many local unions to back Barrow, nearly everyone still expects Bing to win.[8]
Detroit voters will cast ballots Tuesday for a record fourth time in eight months, a reflection of the city's troubles and lingering controversy connected to former Democratic Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Incumbent Dave Bing, a Democrat and Hall of Fame basketball player who took office in a special election this spring, is widely expected to win.[15] Barrow spokeswoman Colleen Robar said the Barrow campaign, which had warned that it would not tolerate voter fraud at the polls, seemed to believe that things went smoothly today. Bing arrived with his wife, Yvette, seven minutes after the polls opened at 7 a.m. at St. John's Presbyterian Church on East Jefferson. It took the mayor only four minutes to finish his ballot and affix an "I voted" sticker to his brown leather jacket. He acknowledged it has been a wearying eight months for Detroit voters, but said today's election was important because it set a slate of officials to help guide the city through what promises to be a tough stretch. Bing spoke of the "cloud" that continues to hang over the city -- the almost weekly revelations about Kilpatrick, and the opposition he has encountered from unions that oppose his efforts to streamline city operations and handle Detroit's budget crisis.[2] Bing supporters took turns speaking as election results rolled in. "It's been a long haul, and as the mayor has stated this is the fourth quarter," said Emmett Moten, an owner of the Doubletree Hotel where Bing's party was held. "As of 8 o'clock tonight the ball crossed the goal line, and it's in for the next four years." Moten said the Bing administration is business friendly because Bing, a longtime Detroit business owner himself, understands the needs of those willing to invest in the city. At a party in a loft in Corktown, challenger Tom Barrow entered with his family shortly after 11 p.m. He shook hands with supporters as he made his way through the building to the stage. As he neared the stage, he paused and cheers broke out. He continued shaking hands, then began his concession speech.[16] Mr. Bing, who founded a group of auto-supply companies after playing for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association, wants to reduce spending at a time when the city's tax base is shrinking rapidly. He is staring down a $300 million budget deficit and hoping to balance the budget, in part, by gaining concessions from the city's unions. The challenger is Democrat Tom Barrow, an accountant who lost an August runoff election to Mr. Bing by a big margin and has a 1994 conviction for bank fraud and filing false tax returns on his record. Mr. Barrow has the support of the city's unions, which largely abandoned Mr. Bing after his attempts to get savings from them.[15]
DETROIT (AP) - A recent poll shows Detroit Mayor Dave Bing still holding a wide lead over challenger Tom Barrow heading into the general election.[17] Detroit -- Mayor Dave Bing easily won re-election tonight over challenger Tom Barrow.[2]
DETROIT -- Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said Monday at a press conference that the total number of fires for Angels' Night weekend were down 12 percent. Bing credited the efforts of the Detroit Fire Department, area police departments and the thousands of volunteers who spent their time on the streets to patrol the city during the three-day campaign.[18] Detroit (WWJ) -- Detroit's Mayor Dave Bing Monday said the city's annual Angels' Night anti-arson campaign was a success. WWJ Newsradio 950's Florence Walton reports Mayor Bing said there were 17 fewer fires this year compared to last year.[19]
Detroit -- The city saw a 12 percent drop in fires over the three-day period around Halloween compared to a year ago, Mayor Dave Bing announced Monday. "This shows a small number of people can have a big impact," said Bing, explaining that an unknown number of city employees who generally help patrol the city did not participate this year because of battles over wage concessions.[20]
Bing's NBA career lasted 12 seasons, nine with the Detroit Pistons. As mayor, he has laid off workers and demanded a 10 percent wage cut to help address the city's ongoing budget deficit. It was the fourth time Detroit voters cast ballots this year for mayor.[21]
DETROIT, MI (Michigan Radio) - Detroit voters are choosing the city's Mayor and a new City Council today. Tuesday is the fourth time Detroiters will vote for Mayor just this year, following former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's resignation last year.[6] Bing received the most votes in a special mayoral primary in February and defeated incumbent Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. in a May runoff to complete Kwame Kilpatrick's second term in office. Cockrel moved up from his seat as City Council president to mayor in September 2008 after Kilpatrick resigned as part of pleas in two criminal cases. The once-popular Kilpatrick found himself caught up early in 2008 in a text-messaging sex scandal involving his ex-chief of staff. That led to perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice charges stemming from Kilpatrick's testimony in a police whistle-blowers' trial.[9] Mayor Bing received the most votes in a special mayoral primary in February and defeated incumbent Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. in a May runoff to complete Kwame Kilpatrick's second term in office. The once-popular Kilpatrick found himself caught up early in 2008 in a text-messaging sex scandal involving his ex-chief of staff. "I believe this is a defining moment in Detroit's history," Bing told cheering supporters Tuesday night.[22]
"The image can change, but we're going to have to roll up our sleeves." Police Chief Warren Evans, who ran against Bing in a special election in February to complete ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's term, said he's "elated." "He needs it, and I think he deserves it," Evans said. "And I think four years will give him time to show that he has the business skills to manage through the crisis the city is in." Bing, who took 74 percent of the vote in the August primary, refused to debate Barrow, saying his priority was running the city.[2] There are several explanations. Voters here are simply fatigued after four costly elections this year to resolve who will ultimately succeed Kilpatrick. The race between Bing and Tom Barrow, a businessman who has repeatedly failed to gain political traction, has hardly excited Detroit's electorate.[23] The former Detroit Pistons star beat challenger Tom Barrow in the city's fourth mayoral election of the year.[7]
City voters will choose between incumbent Dave Bing and Tom Barrow for mayor.[24] Mayor Dave Bing is expected to easily win re-election in Tuesday's nonpartisan race, but five incumbents are being challenged by 13 newcomers for the nine open seats on the council. The nine-member board has been the subject for more than a year of a federal corruption probe that nabbed Councilwoman Monica Conyers for taking money for her vote on a waste hauling deal. Council members have been criticized for public outbursts — such as Conyers twice referring to the council president as "Shrek," a reference to the green cartoon ogre — and flip-flopping on critical city issues. It voted against — then for — a state plan to turn the city's civic center over to a regional authority.[25] With a terrible history of current mayors and a worthless city council, Dave Bing is the best hope for Detroit. If you can, cast your vote for him.[26]
The Dave Bing era as Detroit mayor will continue for at least four years, giving the former steel supplier and NBA great more time to pull the city from financial hardship.[27] The city of Detroit's comprehensive annual financial report for fiscal 2008 will be filed Nov. 15, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing told Crain's. A CAFR is due six months after the close of the fiscal year; this report was due Dec. 31, 2008.[28]
Detroit (WWJ/AP) -- Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will be in office for another four years.[7]
"The citizens are our first line of defense," Mack says. "We need them out there with their eyes and ears open, and call 911 if they see suspicious activity. Because firsthand information is how we catch these people." Mayor Dave Bing says about 30-thousand volunteers pitched in for this year's Angels' Night. That's a smaller number than in years past. Bing says fewer city workers participated in the effort, possibly because his administration and city unions are involved in contentious contract negotiations.[29] Angels' Night officials reported a little more than 30,000 volunteers had registered to help, compared with more than 50,000 last year. Mayor Dave Bing said the number of city worker volunteers was down, but he did not know by how many. "It shows when a small group comes together and works together as a team, great things can happen," Bing said. Flames were so intense that a cause may never be found for the fire that killed an Ann Arbor couple and their son early Sunday. Jim and Joanne Alexandropoulos, who were in their 80s, and their son, John, in his 40s, died in the 3:03 a.m. blaze at 1701 Waverly, according to Ann Arbor police.[30]
Mr. Barrow has gained some traction by painting Mr. Bing as an outsider who is overwhelmed by the myriad of issues the city faces. Mr. Bing lived in the suburbs until he ran for mayor. Mr. Barrow is promising to increase police presence across the city, though he hasn't said exactly how he would pay for it. A third of Detroiters live at or near the poverty level, and the city's crime rate is annually among the worst in the nation. Mr. Bing trumpeted a 12% drop in fires on the traditionally mischief-making night before Halloween this year. He has had less luck reducing the city's unemployment rate, which hovers just under 30%, the highest of any major city in the nation. The city's schools face a $259 million budget deficit which Robert Bobb, the state-appointed emergency financial manager, hasn't yet been able to eliminate since taking over the district's finances this spring.[15]
I don't want to play politics." He's been playing hardball and restructuring how Detroit operates. Bing, a Democrat, has said the city was "broke" and could run out of money later this year. With a $300 million budget deficit hounding Detroit, Bing took on city labor unions, giving them an ultimatum of widespread layoffs if 10 percent wage cuts and other concessions were not met.[31] Detroit is facing a $300 million deficit. Bing has instituted some layoffs and is seeking a 10 percent pay cut from city workers.[32]
Detroiters also will be asked to approve a $500 million bond issue to rebuild deteriorating schools. We understand their hesitance on this request; we had reservations as well, until Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb agreed to stick around to guide how the money is spent. In many ways, this vote is a referendum on the work Bobb is doing to rid the district of corruption and improve its academic performance. Nothing is more important to Detroit's future than providing a quality education to the 80 percent of the children in the public schools who either drop out or graduate unprepared for college. Bobb is trying to make the schools better; voters should support him with a yes vote. Tuesday is a day Detroiters can put some of the city's failures behind them. They should use their ballot to bring real change to Detroit.[4] The council has been the subject of a federal corruption probe for more than a year that led to the conviction of Councilwoman Monica Conyers for taking bribes. City elections officials estimated about 20 percent of Detroit's approximately 572,000 registered voters cast ballots.[10] The top vote-getter also will serve as council president. City elections officials estimate about 25 percent of Detroit's 572,502 registered voters will cast ballots.[33]
"We're going to run our operation between today and the end of (Tuesday) pushing people to the polls. It's about revenue, job creation and the least of these. That's our message we're pushing." Detroit City Council candidates are making their final push to reach voters before Tuesday's general election.[24] Detroit --On the eve of Tuesday's election, a new poll is giving hope to two Detroit City Council incumbents who have consistently polled outside the top nine candidates.[13] A recent poll put Pugh and Cockrel neck and neck for the top spot on council. Since the primary, leading candidate Charles Pugh made headlines when news broke that his downtown condominium was going into foreclosure due to nonpayment on a $400,000 mortgage. The controversy lost Pugh an endorsement from the Detroit Free Press and may tighten his chances of becoming city council president.[8] Journalist Charles Pugh, City Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr, and former police chief Gary Brown have consistently been the top three candidates in polls even before the primary.[8] Current City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr. gained ground and was tied with challenger Charles Pugh atop the EPIC-MRA poll of 400 likely voters conducted for WXYZ.[14]
During that time period, the city was led by disgraced former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Detroit City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr., who served as mayor after Kilpatrick stepped down last fall.[28] AP File Photo Ken Cockrel Jr. In an election cycle dominated by talk of change, a recent poll suggests all five Detroit City Council incumbents running for re-election could be back on the job.[14] DETROIT — The look of the Detroit City Council could change drastically when voters go to the polls in the city's fourth election in just over eight months.[25]
DETROIT (AP) - Voters in Detroit have begun going to the polls to decide who will lead the city as mayor over the next four years and make picks for City Council.[33] Voters will be asked to pick nine City Council members, nine charter commission members and a mayor. It will also be a big day for Detroit Public Schools.[12] Tate, who was also planning to campaign at local football games and church services, said with Saturday being Halloween, it was a good opportunity to find people out and about in the city. "This is giving me a chance to connect," he said. "It's going to be a very busy few days." Voters will be asked to pick nine City Council members, nine charter commission members, a mayor as well as whether they want to start choosing council members by district instead of the at-large system as in place now. Charter commission candidate Jonathan Kinloch said he plans to visit three churches on Sunday.[11] '''Why have one council member when you can have nine?''' Charter Revision Commission candidate Robinson, asked at community forum in September. Those who support the measure say it will make city council candidates more accountable to citizens. If council members are in a small district they can respond better to issues unique to that area of the city. Come election time, candidates will only campaign in the district they plan to run in so that voters can get to know their council candidates better.[8]
There are two highly controversial issues Detroiters will consider. Proposal D: One is the city council by districts issue, a measure that election lawyers fought to get on the ballot when legal questions arose just as the ballot was to go to print. The measure prevailed, and now voters can decide how they would like their city council to be elected. The measure asks voters if they favor electing city council members to represent separate parts of the city that would be divided into districts. It calls for seven members to be elected to districts and two members to serve at large.[8] The 129,701 voters who cast ballots elected political newcomers for the Detroit City Council's top spots.[22]
Pugh had been to barbershops and had been knocking on doors in the Palmer Woods neighborhood. "Everyone seems real supportive," he said. Entrepreneur Jai-Lee Dearing said his strategy was "to get the oldest and the youngest voters I can." He, too, had gone door-to-door -- "I've probably walked two and a half miles," he said -- and planned to canvas Eastern Market, stop by night clubs and even go to parking decks looking for voters. Both former deputy chief Gary Brown, one of the front-runners for City Council, and former second deputy chief James Tate attended a health fair at St. Andrew & Benedict Church in Southwest Detroit. "I'm ready to be council president," said Brown, noting the position that would come if he receives the most votes.[11] In the city council vote, it looks as though Charles Pugh is going to be elected president of the council.[34]
Bing faces several challenges. He arrived in city hall promising significant change. He has retained several key officials from Kilpatrick's administration. '''Should he be elected,''' says Mildred Gaddis, a popular radio host here, '''He needs to clean house and bring in people with integrity. That will give people something to believe in.''' Some polls expected Bing to win as much as 80% of Detroit's votes today. Bill Ballenger, a pollster and publisher of the newsletter Inside Michigan Politics, says, '''That's not going to happen.'''[23] "The change is coming and residents of the city are going to benefit." Former Mayor Dennis Archer touted Bing's relationship with elected officials in Washington, D.C. Archer said those alliances are key to helping Detroit rebuild. "We've got some real challenges out there,"Archer said, "But they can be met." The Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of the Detroit Branch NAACP just proclaimed that Detroit's best days are now in front of it with Bing as the captain.[16] Initially, Bing had the endorsements of the city's unions. As the mayor pushed for concessions from the city's work force, the city's largest labor union, AFSCME, withdrew its support and backed Barrow with money and campaign workers. Bing said the "culture" of City Hall needed to change and that his administration sought to implement tough ethics policies and seek counsel from the "region's best and brightest." "We must come together and work to move our city forward," he said. Kirk Lewis, who succeeded Bing as president of his company The Bing Group, said Bing is upbeat. "The mayor has always said that he's going to be true to his word about dealing with the difficult situations not being very political," Lewis said.[2] Mayor Dave Bing, who had been out working on Angels' Night patrol until 3 a.m. Sunday, made one campaign stop. The contrast reflected what pundits say are their chances: Barrow widely is rated the underdog. Barrow had seven churches on his schedule and made it to six of them, according to his aides. He sandwiched that between radio and TV appearances in the morning and an outdoor rally at his campaign headquarters in the late afternoon. On his way into the 11 a.m. service at Metropolitan AME Zion Church on Woodward Avenue, Barrow said he's counting on support from a groundswell of former Bing supporters who want to "take back their city from outsiders."[35] In a last-minute flurry of campaign appearances, Detroit mayoral underdog Tom Barrow stood at a church pulpit today to repeat the theme that he's a Detroiter while incumbent Dave Bing is not.[36] Incumbent Dave Bing is opposed by Tom Barrow for a full, 4-year term as mayor.[33] The poll had Mayor Dave Bing leading accountant Tom Barrow 46-24 percent with 25 percent still undecided.[37]
With 93 percent of precincts reporting, Bing leads 58 percent to 42 percent. This is considerably smaller than the margin by which Bing beat challenger Tom Barrow in the primary.[34]
About 17 percent voted in an August primary. Retired corporate librarian Janice Novachcoff, 67, said she voted for Bing but not with great enthusiasm. "People with tax problems make me nervous," she said of Barrow, who was convicted of bank fraud and tax charges in 1994. Bing, she said, "is doing things. He's not saying a whole lot." "I don't like either candidate very much," said Detroit firefighter Otis Holt, 42, who said he objected to Bing's support of privatizing services.[10] 'He's an outsider, not a Detroiter, not one of us,' Barrow told a small crowd at Metropolitan AME Zion Church on Woodward Avenue near Palmer Park. Barrow's day included stops at six churches and ended with a rally of about 60 supporters at his campaign headquarters on Gratiot near Chene, said campaign aide Colleen Robar. Barrow, 60, finished second in Detroit's August primary with 10,302 votes to Bing's 68,623. At Metropolitan AME Zion Church, people waited eagerly for him and many said he had their votes. Maiki Chamblis, 34, a nursing assistant at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, had her camera out and her four children ready to meet Barrow.[36]
The quiet time was a respite for Bing after a campaign that covered four elections in eight months. He defeated his challenger 58% to 42%. He now moves on to try to steer the city through its most difficult financial crisis since the Great Depression. "Together we can now put Detroit back on the right path," Bing said Tuesday night in his victory speech at the Ft. Shelby Doubletree Hotel downtown.[16] Cockrel owed $42,000 in fines related to late campaign finance disclosures in previous city elections. Another council member running for re-election, Kwame Kenyatta, walked away from his Detroit house last spring after failing to reach a deal with his mortgage company.[25] Bill Paxton, a 71-year-old Detroiter, voted at River House Apartments and was among the first to vote there in the morning. The mayor's race and a ballot measure to elect council members by district had him at the polls early. "Voting by district is one of the most important issues," said Paxton, who gave his mayoral vote to Bing. "It would be more representative of the city.[3] Detroiters will also vote on ballot initiatives to elect a majority of Council members by district, and whether to approve a 500-million dollar infrastructure bond for the Detroit Public Schools.[6]
Robert Bobb, emergency financial manager for the Detroit Public Schools, was given a chance to speak about Proposal S, a $500 million bond for construction and renovation projects for the district that is on the ballot.[24] Proposal S, the $500.5 million bond to build new schools and renovate old schools in the city of Detroit, is also passing easily, 65-35.[34]
Few people have the temperament and business acumen to seriously attempt to pull Detroit from the brink of financial collapse. His turnaround strategy is built on a single argument: The size of Detroit's government must be sharply reduced to be proportionate with a city that has shrinking tax coffers, and whose population has been more than halved from a 1950s peak of 2 million. Already, Bing has moved to resolve a budget deficit of at least $275 million, partly by trimming the city's workforce by thousands ''' a move that has angered Detroit's historically strong unions. His efforts to reduce bus service has been politically risky, since many Motor City residents cannot even afford to own cars to get to work (and, importantly, church). In many ways, Bing's efforts so far stimulate the debate on what fundamental services a municipal government should provide its citizens.[23] Mr. Bing, who founded a group of auto-supply companies after playing for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association, wants to reduce spending at a time when the city's tax base is shrinking rapidly. He is staring down a $300 million budget deficit and.[15]
Dave Bing is a Democrat. He has time and time again taken on the unions and corruption (not necessarily mutually exclusive). He has fought hard to turn Detroit around through deregulation and by going toe-to-toe with the city's hierarchy. I personally believe Detroit in it's current state is beyond saving, but if it can happen, Dave Bing is the man to do it. Once a successful businessman, he is also a former NBA star. This combination (as well as the "D" after his name) gives him the unique ability to govern how he believes, without giving in to union and bureaucratic forces.[26] Former NBA basketball player (and Hall of Famer) Dave Bing has had many challenges before. Today he is confronted with a new one; winning his first open election. I can't vote in Detroit, but if I could, it would be for this man.[26] Today's general election in Detroit can be seen as an exercise to affirm the legitimacy of Dave Bing.[23]
DETROIT (AP) - Detroit failed to turn in its annual financial report to the state last month, something Mayor Dave Bing promised would be done. Treasury spokesman Terry Stanton tells The Associated Press Monday there is no record of Detroit's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report being submitted to Lansing.[38] The schools''' emergency financial manager Robert Bobb and Mayor Dave Bing support the proposal, while Detroit Board of Education members say it is wasteful and will keep taxes high.[8] Detroit Mayor Dave Bing speaks to the congregation while attending services at Greater Mt.[39] DETROIT — Professional basketball Hall of Famer Dave Bing has been re-elected Detroit mayor.[21]
There was no last-minute, get-out-the-vote church-hopping across Detroit for Mayor Dave Bing.[1]
As mayor, Bing has been effective. Saying Detroit is "broke," he laid off workers and demanded a 10 percent wage cut to help address the city's ongoing budget deficit. "It's important that our voters stay educated and stay engaged," he said.[25] Detroit --Candidates for mayor and City Council barnstormed the city Monday before today's election that is guaranteed to bring new faces to an oft-troubled City Hall.[37] "The Sunday before the election is the last day in Detroit for people to really meet the candidates," said Kinloch, who added that the fall race has been dominated by concerns over the city's fiscal woes and who will be on the new City Council.[11]
Robert Smith Jr.: A poll taken by Inside Michigan shows the good people of the Detroit City Council are falling from grace.[11]
Detroit City Council candidate Charles Pugh, left, chats with fellow council hopeful Gary Brown and his granddaughter Kimora.[24] The top vote-getter in the primary, Charles Pugh, left a position at the local Fox TV affiliate to run for the council. He has been criticized for poor money management after his condo went into foreclosure. Wayne State University Law School professor Robert Sedler said candidates' abilities to manage their personal bills matter little to Detroit voters, who have seen elected officials do far worse.[25]
"But you can be confident about our future, Detroit, and the new city council that we have elected tonight.[22] Detroit -- This time around, candidate Jai-Lee Dearing is taking no chances in his final push to win a seat on the Detroit City Council.[24] Eighteen candidates also are vying for nine slots on the Detroit City Council and the chance to restructure the city charter.[24]
Tuesday's election brings some stability to the mayor's office and promises a new direction for the City Council, which has been the subject of a federal corruption probe that led to the conviction of Councilwoman Monica Conyers for taking bribes. Conyers, wife of Democratic U.S. Rep. John Conyers, is awaiting a Dec. 1 sentencing after admitting to accepting money for her vote on a controversial sludge-hauling contract.[9] In part, due to the fact that the mayoral election is not expected to be a close race and that former city council members, namely convicted felon Monica Conyers, stirred public efforts to elect new council leaders.[8]
"I believe that we can once again come together, rise to the challenge and make Detroit the city we all want it to be." It was a bad night for the city's incumbent council members.[22] Some of the hot button issues that have surfaced repeatedly at candidate forums are whether the charter should mandate council members be elected by district, whether to give punitive powers to the city'''s ethics board and whether to eliminate the mayor-strong system to empower individual council members should a '''council by districts''' format be enacted.[8] Bing has been open to other regional support and to selling assets to reverse the growing $300 million budget deficit. While Barrow'''s vision for eliminating the city'''s debt is in some ways different than Bing's, in many ways they are similar. Barrow has not promised that he wouldn'''t make the same cuts to union and non-union city workers if elected but he said he would do so as a '''last resort.'''[8] Barrow frequently calls Bing a '''Republican,''' which is a dirty word to many in a city where elections are non-partisan because nearly every politician who is elected in the city is a Democrat.[8]
The real issues that separate Bing and Barrow concern regionalism and privatization. Barrow has an '''us against them''' outlook when it comes to regional leaders such as Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. Barrow is vehemently against the deal to transfer Detroit's Cobo convention center to a regional authority and thinks Detroiters need to '''take the city back''' from those who he thinks are taking advantage of Detroit'''s vulnerable finances by buying up city-owned assets.[8] "I'm going to talk from the heart." He thanked God for the election and told his supporters he knelt down to pray this morning. "Now is the time we can leave our mark on this city in a positive way," Barrow said. He said: "We offered Detroit hope.[16] Barrow, who also failed in two previous mayoral runs, had 42 percent, or 50,757 votes. Detroit voters have favored the former Detroit Pistons guard and professional basketball Hall of Famer in each of his first four elections.[27] The EPIC-MRA poll for WXYZ-TV shows Bing with 46 percent of the vote compared to Barrow's 24 percent. It also said 25 percent of voters still were undecided heading into Tuesday's election and 5 percent were listed as "other."[17] The survey of 400 likely voters was conducted from Oct. 26 to Thursday. An poll conducted Oct. 18-20 showed 47 percent said they would vote for Bing or were leaning toward him, while 26 percent said they backed Barrow. The results of both polls have a margin of sampling error of 4.9 percentage points.[17]
Bing captured 70% of the vote in the primary election last August. Barely 17% of Detroit's nearly half-million registered voters bothered to show up at the polls.[23] Tuesday's election won't fix all that ails Detroit. It could help set the city on a healthier course Voters should be mindful of both the significance of this election and the opportunity it presents as they go the polls.[4]
DETROIT ''' After a nearly yearlong election spree spurred by ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick '''s resignation, city residents have reached the grand election finale.[8] The former NBA star and steel magnate became mayor in a special election last May to fulfill the second-term of Kwame Kilpatrick, who left office in disgrace. Bing's election will be an important step in restoring Detroit's credibility in the eyes of the world.[23] "My physical health is good, but some may question my mental health," joked Bing, who was elected to complete former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's term in May.[37] Bing was elected in a May runoff to complete the second term of Kwame Kilpatrick.[7]
Bing received the most votes in a February primary and defeated incumbent Ken Cockrel Jr. in a May runoff to complete Kwame Kilpatrick's second term.[21] Council President Ken Cockrel Jr., the one Conyers derided as "Shrek," finished second to Pugh in primary votes.[25] We'll get a good core on there." He added that whoever gets the post -- the other front-runners are current Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr. and Pugh -- will be ready to lead the city in the right direction.[11] "I've had very little rejection unless people are blowing smoke. It really has restored my faith because going through a storm like that you assume people would react negatively." A poll released Sunday by EPIC-MRA of Lansing reinforced their optimism, showing Pugh tied with Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr. for the top spot, barely ahead of Brown.[37]
Former TV anchor Charles Pugh received the most votes and will replace Cockrel as council president.[9] Former television personality Charles Pugh was the top vote-getter, with 88,704 votes, and will serve as the council's president.[22]
The top vote-getter in Tuesday's election will serve as Council President. Pugh received the most votes in the August primary, and while he still is polling strongly, he's facing criticism for the pending foreclosure of his Brush Park condominium.[14]
"You're going to have a reform-minded City Council, for sure." Conyers resigned this summer and awaits a Dec. 1 sentencing for bribery. Councilwoman Martha Reeves, a former Motown recording star and lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, failed to make it past the August primary in which she received less than 1 percent of the vote.[25] Today, voters weighed in on a mayor for the next four years as well as a new-look City Council.[3] This year the race for city clerk is one with a predicatble. After the primary put incumbent Janice Winfrey ahead of her challenger Joyce Moore by more than 82 percent, there has not been much publicly around the city clerks race. For details on each individual candidate and his or her visions for the city, visit Publius.org for a comprehensive voter guide.[8] According to the city's election Web site, turnout was about 22.5 percent with about 129,701 ballots cast. That is far less than the 39 percent of voters who cast ballots in the 2005 mayoral campaign.[3] Freman Hendrix was the top vote-getter in the race for the city's charter revision commission. He received 75,869 votes, with all 629 precincts reporting. He was followed by Teola Hunter with 56,390 votes, Ken Coleman with 50,092, Jenice Mitchell Ford with 46,700, Reggie Davis with 43,220, and Rose Robinson with 41,807, Ken Harris with 40,091, John Johnson with 37,165 and Cara Blount with 33,837. Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey will keep her seat. She won 82 percent of the vote, or 98,789 ballots. The Associated Press contributed to this report.[22] The overdue report is costing the cash-strapped city $54.4 million in revenue sharing being withheld by the state. An audit of Detroit's finances is due to the state Treasury Department each Dec. 31 -- six months from the June 30 end of the previous fiscal year, Treasury spokesman Terry Stanton said.[32] The city faces a $300 million budget deficit, and Holt said the next mayor will have a tough job making painful cuts and scrambling for revenue. "Detroit's going to have some hard times," he said.[10]
Despite the "naysayers," Anthony said, "we have a captain" who is going to lead Detroit to better times. Former Mayor Dennis Archer said the city needs to come behind its mayor and help him turn Detroit around. "We've got some real challenges out there, but they can be met," Archer said.[2] "The way the county looks at Detroit now is the way people used to look at Cleveland -- our economy, our crime, our dysfunction," Morris said. "We are the new armpit of America, and it's time to change that." Garvey Wilson, a 43-year-old who works as a vendor at Ford Field, said he believes the city has been through so much scandal and strife for a reason. "I believe bad times are designed and sent to prepare us for the good times to come," he said.[3] We need to heal, no doubt about it." After casting his vote, Barrow told The Detroit News that "Detroit voters know we need change."[10] "We had an opportunity to change and we decided not to and I accept that," Barrow said. He addressed part of his speech to Bing, urging him to be sensitive to the residents. "This is not a business. It's not a steel business. It's a municipality," he said. Barrow ended his speech by saying: "For those in Detroit who didn't vote for me, I accept your will." He went on to say, "I thank all 50,000 of you who left a good name for my son."[16]
Bing spent the day crisscrossing Detroit visiting families and children who were playing in a number of playoff football teams for Think-PAL Detroit and other leagues, Bing campaign spokesman Cliff Russell said. Barrow spent some of day at his campaign headquarters.[24] I grew up in Black Bottom" -- the former African-American area on the near-east side of Detroit, razed by urban renewal in the 1960s. "There's a difference between somebody who doesn't know us and somebody who knows what it's like to call the police and wait five, six hours." Barrow repeatedly has promised he would put more officers on the streets, although how they would be paid is unclear. Barrow warned listeners that Bing has given away control of Cobo Hall to suburbanites and now would do the same with Detroit's regional water system, "sending our jobs" outside Detroit.[35]
Union clout wasn't enough as Bing cruised to victory. With 100 percent of Detroit's 629 precincts reporting Tuesday night, Bing had 58 percent, or 70,060 votes.[9] 'The statistics show that when our community comes together for a common cause we can take back the streets,' Bing said. Citing numbers from the Detroit Fire Department, Bing said there were a total of 119 fires this year, down from 136 in 2008.[18] Mayor Dave Bing says Monday that 91 of the 119 fires from Thursday through Saturday were suspicious. There were 136 fires over the Halloween period last year, and 94 of those were suspicious in nature.[40] "I hope it will continue the rest of the year to make Angels' Night every night," Mayor Dave Bing said while reporting the figures at noon today. He and his family stayed out each night until about 3 a.m., he added.[39] Mayor Dave Bing's office is expected to announce the outcome of Angels' Night efforts today.[41]
Mayor Dave Bing had said it would be completed in October, but city officials wanted to look more closely at assets and operating costs in the Water Department.[32] The number of fires over the period from Thursday to Sunday morning fell 12% from 2008, according to figures released by Mayor Dave Bing earlier today.[42] As results poured in Tuesday evening giving Mayor Dave Bing a full 4-year term, the basketball Hall of Famer sat on a couch with his wife watching the HBO documentary about President Barack Obama's ascension to the White House.[16]
Bing also has been criticized. The founder and owner of the Bing Group steel supply companies moved into Detroit from his suburban home to run for mayor. He falsely claimed on an education video that he had a master's degree in business administration.[25] Bing's visit surprised hundreds of churchgoers, as did the visit from Detroit Public Schools emergency financial manager Robert Bobb, who pitched Proposal S, the $500.5-million bond also on the ballot Tuesday. Flowers robustly introduced the men, allowing both to speak.[1] In an at-large system no one council person is responsible or accountable to the electorate," Charter Revision Commission candidate and attorney Tonya Meyers-Phillips said in an interview. Proposal S: The second controversial proposal is Proposal S ''' a measure that seeks to tap $500.5 billion in stimulus bonds to reconstruct 18 Detroit Public School buildings.[8]
Marvin Morris, a mental health technician, supported Bing and the City Council proposal, as well as backing school and county operation millages. Such measures may be necessary for the city to come out of its current rut. [3] Proposal D, which mandates the election of the city council by districts, is passing by a wide 72-28 margin.[34] Five incumbents and 13 challengers were competing for nine city council seats.[10] The main thing is, I'm happy to be back on City Council," Cockrel told WJBK-TV. In addition to Cockrel, Brenda Jones, Kwame Kenyatta and JoAnn Watson also won re-election, but Alberta Tinsley-Talabi lost her seat.[27] Gail Carr, who helped organize hundreds of volunteers, said Sunday that the effort was a huge success. "It was like never before," she said. The leader of an animal rescue group said she expects supporters to show up at the City Council meeting tonight to complain about an incident involving the city's animal control officer. Courtney Protz-Sanders, who heads Troy-based Paws for Life Rescue, said officer Gail Briggs, who also patrols Royal Oak, violated state law by rushing one of the group's dogs to be euthanized last week -- a day after it broke away from its foster owner and attacked a smaller dog and bit a man in Royal Oak.[41] The candidates in the running for Charter Revision commission, like City council candidates, come from diverse professional backgrounds.[8] Council candidates Gary Brown and Charles Pugh pressed the flesh at supermarkets, gas stations and neighborhoods, while accountant Lisa Howze rode a bus throughout the city and supporters of Councilwoman Brenda Jones rallied at a union hall.[37]
Eighteen candidates are vying for election to draft a new City Charter. It's essential that former Deputy Mayor Freman Hendrix and former Ombudsman John Eddings are among the nine selected. Their experience is needed in the task of revising the document.[4] Detroit -- With all the votes counted, turnout in the city was lower than in past four-year mayoral elections.[3] Tom Barrow spent the last Sunday before Tuesday's election in a nonstop dash of campaigning for Detroit's top job.[35] Bing, 65, defeated accountant Tom Barrow in Tuesday's nonpartisan general election, a race in which the incumbent refused to even debate the challenger.[9] Bing defeated challenger Tom Barrow by roughly 20,000 votes, earning 70,060 votes to Barrow's 50,757.[22]
Facing Bing is accountant Tom Barrow, who lost in two previous runs for mayor and has a criminal past.[25]
"Tom Barrow, from my vantage point, was not worthy of a debate," Bing said last week.[9]
With 63 percent of precincts reporting, Bing had 56.9 percent, or 36,255 votes, to 43.1 percent, or 27,481 votes, for Barrow.[10] With all precincts reporting, Bing garnered 56.2 percent (70,060 votes) to Barrow's 40.7 percent (50,757 votes).[2]
Angels' Night officials reported a little over 30,000 volunteers had registered to help, compared to more than 50,000 last year. Bing said the number of city worker volunteers was down, but he did not know by how many. "This was a smaller crowd than in years past, but they were dedicated and need to be thanked," Bing said. "It shows when a small group comes together and works together as a team, great things can happen." [39] The city reported 119 total fires during the three-night Angels' Night period 91 of which were considered "suspicious." That's down from 136 total fires last year.[29] The number of fires during this year's Angels' Night patrol dropped 12% from last year, despite about 20,000 fewer volunteers patrolling the streets, the mayor's office reported.[30]
The Detroit Fire Department reported 119 fires over the three night period, compared to 136 fires last year.[42] Detroit Fire Commissioner James Mack says the combined efforts of the police and fire departments and citizen patrols kept Devil's Night arson to a minimum.[29] Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans said investigators also made a pre-Angels' Night sweep to help deter crime. They visited more than 100 people on probation for various crimes, and took 137 juveniles into custody -- 77 of those on the east side, Evans said. They also arrested 22 people on warrants for criminal sexual conduct as well as eight people on arson-related warrants.[39]
Former Detroit Police Department deputy police chief Gary Brown, who took 80,698 votes, will serve as council president pro tem.[22] Saunteel Jenkins was third, with 74,918 votes, and Ken Cockrel, who served as council president during the last four-year term, finished fourth, with 74,686 votes.[22]
Cockrel lost to Bing in a May runoff and returned to the council, leaving Bing to complete Kilpatrick's second term in office.[25] Cockrel and now Bing were left to clean up the fiscal mess left by the Kilpatrick administration.[27]
Bing, who has been mayor since May, was elected to complete the second term of Kilpatrick, who resigned in September 2008 before entering jail as part of pleas in two criminal cases.[10]
On Tuesday's ballot: Nine charter commission members will be elected to revise the city charter, which will be presented to city voters for approval within three years.[25] Eric Brown: Once again, the voters in Detroit showed themselves to be pathetic when it comes to going to the polls to cast a ballot. Della Cassia: There she sat, tears welling in her eyes and a big smile on her face. I looked at her, thankful she could be part of my daughter's special day.[3] In 2005, Dearing sat in the same position and slept it away. He woke up on Election Day already behind at the polls and finished 10th. Now, Dearing is so serious about the final days of the campaign that he doesn't plan to sleep and has a doctor monitoring his health. "This is your last opportunity to let voters touch you and feel your compassion and heart," said Dearing, who has targeted 49,000 voters through his phone banking, done a targeted mailing to them and has spent $20,000 on radio ads that went up over the weekend.[24] Elections, President Obama Many voters are going to the polls on this election day, and a couple of key races could signal how much political star-power President Obama still has.[7]
The two have struggled to crack the top nine in other polls since the August primary, and pollster Bernie Porn says the election remains a toss-up. "When you have indecision, when you get to the seventh, eighth and ninth choices, voters are going with those that are more well-known than some of the newcomers," Porn said. "That's assuming that they are going to vote for all nine choices. It should be interesting."[13] Bing, who received close to 74% of the votes in the August primary election, attended the nearly three-hour service at Greater New Mt.[35] Pugh also received the most votes in an August primary. "This election season has taught me a lot of myself," said Pugh at his victory speech. "At times, this experience has been trying.[9] Pugh also received the most votes in an August primary. Another incumbent, Alberta Tinsley Talabi, was voted off council. She finished 11th.[7]
A proposal to decide whether to vote for council members by district instead of citywide is also on the ballot. "It is a battle, and it's been a long battle," said Bennett, who also attended services at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ.[24]
Critics of the measure say that Detroit need not divide power at a time when the city is already largely divided on so many other issues. They argue that districts will only encourage pay-to-play deals and will not solve the major problems facing the city.[8] "While it wasn't my time, and I accept it wasn't my time, I want my city of Detroit to know that I will continue to care." He added: "I'm hopeful that our city will be able to grow and to prosper." "Now it's time to get down to the business of our city," Anthony said.[2]
DETROIT (AP) - A financial report Detroit was expected to submit to the state last December is nearing completion. The city has given its comprehensive annual financial report to external auditors, Chief Financial Officer Norm White told The Associated Press on Monday.[32] Bing's office said Monday it planned to comment later. Detroit's 2009 report is due Dec. 31.[38] "Voters are understandably frustrated by the overall economy and the sense of direction in Detroit," said Mr. Foster. Mr. Bing is leading the pack but "not as much as we would have thought," he said.[15] We are pretty confident in you." The vast majority of Detroit's 576,000 registered voters is expected to stay home, as they have in recent mayoral elections. Elections Director Daniel Baxter said he's expecting voter turnout to be between 20 to 25 percent, a prediction some political consultants say is optimistic.[24] Detroit voters have favored the former Detroit Pistons guard and professional basketball Hall of Famer in each of his first four elections.[9]
In addition to voting for candidates, voters will also consider one millage renewal and three ballot measures, two of which are highly controversial in Detroit communities.[8] Everyone is asking '''What do you think? Who do you think will win?''' Others say they just don'''t know enough and wish that they knew a bit more about the candidates. In response to those questions, TV20 Detroit is airing a special one hour program call Inside the Mayoral Race that will give you a candid look at those top contenders before you head off to the polls.[43] The poll, commissioned by The Detroit News reporting partner WXYZ-TV (Channel 7), had all five incumbents among the top nine, with Councilwoman Alberta Tinsley-Talabi in seventh and JoAnn Watson in ninth. Earlier polls showed them lagging in the 18-candidate race.[37] The poll, commissioned by Detroit News reporting partner WXYZ-TV (Channel 7), has a margin of error rate of 4.9 percentage points.[13]
It'''s almost here ''' the election that will determine a lot of things for the citizens of Detroit and for those who work, play and do business here ''' it'''s the 2009 general election. November 3rd is the rally and November 4th will be the new steps in the journey for those chosen as Detroit'''s leaders.[43] Not like the 2005 race between Kilpatrick and Freeman Hendrix, which presented a dynamic clash of age and class. Driving through the streets of Detroit in recent days, it's been hard to tell an election of such importance was approaching.[23]
After voting with his wife, Bing said he hoped the election finally would put some distance between the city's future and its former leader. "It just keeps a cloud over the city here, and it's unfortunate for our citizens and the city," Bing told WJBK-TV. "But we've got to get it behind us and move on. [10] Bing says over the weekend 7,500 volunteers went through the neighborhood city halls and helped out. "It would've been great if we had more volunteers, or more city workers working, but once again these people who are committed got the job done and I once again want to thank all of you," Bing said at a news conference in his office.[19] ' I am surely not a newcomer to the community. 'I know we can bring this city back,' said Bing, who has spent the last six months in office working to cut the city's $300-million-plus deficit.[1] Bing has campaigned as a change agent, the hard-nosed businessman who could make the tough choices required to fix the struggling city's finances.[22] Moriah Missionary Baptist Church on the city's north end. As Bing entered the church, he said he would be "in the office working all day" today and Tuesday.[35] Arsons steadily declined since 1995, when the city rechristened the day Angels' Night, launched organized patrols usually consisting of about 50,000 volunteers and began temporary curfews for youths.[20] About 30,000 volunteers were on the streets during Angels' Night, which gained infamy in the 1980s as Devil's Night when the city landscape was ablaze with hundreds of arsons.[20]
DETROIT (AP) -- The number of fires and possible arsons in Detroit dropped again over the three-day Angels' Night period.[44] DETROIT, MI (Michigan Radio) - Detroit officials are calling this year's "Angels' Night" effort to combat Halloween arson a success.[29]
Cash-strapped Detroit is facing a $300 million deficit but had been sinking millions of dollars each year into basic maintenance at the convention center.[25] The campaign season has also been clouded by Mr. Kilpatrick's actions. He owes the city almost $1 million in restitution but recently tried to lower his monthly payments to $6 from the current $6,000, saying he couldn't afford to pay.[15] Mr. Kilpatrick resigned in September 2008 after pleading guilty to two felony charges for lying on the stand about an extramarital affair and spending millions of city dollars in part to cover it up. Last week, Mr. Kilpatrick acknowledged in court that he has received $240,000 in loans and $50,000 in gifts from some of Michigan's most prominent businessmen after he left office.[15]
Most candidates support eliminating city departments in order to curb the $300 deficit facing the city, and nearly all 18 candidates support regional transit ''' a merger between the city'''s Department of Transportation and the suburban SMART bus line. Those in the running come from a wide range of professional backgrounds from attorneys to school teachers. [8] Of the 18 candidates running, the top nine vote getters will serve on a board that will rewrite the city charter. Charter revision commissioners have the power to make any changes to the charter they see fit before presenting their revisions to the public for a vote.[8] "Whether you live in the city or not, you ought to be concerned about the city being whole and healthy. We want to see change in our city," Vann told his congregants before introducing several candidates. "All of these folks represent change, and we're excited we have some capable candidates. There are good people in this city, and you are a representative of them.[24]
"I believe the political system can suffer and rebound and repair itself because the people will be more careful now." Among those optimistic notes were others that spoke or frustration and anger. "I can't afford not to vote if I live in this city," said Veronica Wright, who cast her vote for Barrow.[3] The people of Detroit said that's OK," Barrow said. He told his supporters he didn't want them to second guess anything they'd done.[16] "Detroit, we have a lot of work to do and a lot of tough decisions to make. I understand that we need some committed people," Pugh said during his victory speech.[22]
Now I'm looking for a different change,' Chamblis said. Although the election is nonpartisan, church custodian Darryl Jackson, 44, said he was sure Bing is a Republican. 'That means he's more into business than the people.[36] Last week, the 65-year-old Bing told TIME, '''I don't worry about the election so much.''' Mainly, it's because he doesn't have to.[23] Bing, who took office after a May special election, had said that the report would be filed by the end of October.[28]
Partly due to the controversy and voter fatigue, Mr. Bing's camp is expecting only about a third of eligible voters to come to the polls, according to Eric Foster, Mr. Bing's deputy campaign manager.[15] Bing said more than 30,000 people volunteered in car patrols and other related campaign tasks.[18]
Bing has questioned Barrow'''s intelligence and claimed that the third-time mayoral candidate does not know what he'''s talking about.[8] Bing within three month in office brokered a deal with neighboring county executives and the state to create an regional authority run by a board that would control operations of the home of the North American International Auto Show and pay for a $200 million expansion of the facility in return.[8]
As expected, City Clerk Janice Winfrey easily won reelection with 83 percent of the vote. [34] Fewer city workers took part in the campaign because of ongoing contract negotiations that involve the city asking workers for a ten percent pay cut to help solve the city's budget deficit.[19] There are few campaign signs. Few ordinary Detroiters talk about what's at stake in this election. Maybe it's because so many are consumed with the realities of surviving in a city that has an unemployment rate of nearly 30%.[23]
The city's financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30 is due Dec. 31, 2009.[32] Robert Smith Jr.: The city that gave the world Motown and all the big hits in gospel and R&B is once again in for big changes. Della Cassia: There she sat, tears welling in her eyes and a big smile on her face. I looked at her, thankful she could be part of my daughter's special day.[13] Proposal D, which would change the way council members are elected, won easy approval.[7] The top vote-getter in the election assumes the council presidency. Cockrel blasted Pugh for his financial troubles.[25] Cockrel succeeded ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who resigned in September 2008 as part of pleas in two criminal cases. Kilpatrick had been embroiled in a text-messaging sex scandal with his former chief of staff. The messages contradicted testimony he gave during a police whistle-blowers' trial, leading to perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice charges.[25]
A retired Detroit police officer was shot several times and his house firebombed early Wednesday morning.[9] WWJ Newsradio 950 is an award winning radio station and you can listen online and podcast on demand Detroit news, Detroit Construction Alerts, Detroit School Closings, Winter Survival Guide and learn more about our Business Breakfasts. .[7]
Some bargaining units sided with the mayor, others chose to fight and supported Barrow in the election. [9] The 65-year-old Democrat defeated accountant Tom Barrow in Tuesday's nonpartisan general election.[21]
Barrow, who also failed in two previous mayoral runs, had 41.95 percent, or 46,557 votes.[31] The six remaining spots seem pretty well locked in as well, with Saunteel Jenkins, Brenda Jones, Andre Spivey, James Tate and Kenyatta Walker all likely securing seats on the council with more than 6 percent of the votes.[34] In the race for seats on the charter review commission, former Deputy Mayor Freman Hendrix leads the way with 11 percent of the vote, followed by Teola Hunter, Ken Coleman, Janice Mitchell Ford, Reggie Davis, Rose Mary Robinson, Ken Harris, John Johnson and Cara Blount.[34]
SOURCES
1. Bing: We can bring this city back | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
2. Detroit Mayor Bing after re-election: 'I can't do this alone' | detnews.com | The Detroit News
3. Detroit sees 22.5 percent turnout at polls | detnews.com | The Detroit News
4. Vote for change | detnews.com | The Detroit News
5. Dave Bing leads Tom Barrow in Detroit mayor's race - WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM |
6. MICHIGAN: Detroit Chooses New Mayor, Council (2009-11-03)
7. WWJ Newsradio 950 - Bing Wins Four Year Term, Props D And S Approved
8. Detroit's ballot calls for major decisions « Michigan Messenger
9. Bing Re-Elected; Pugh Council Pres. - Detroit Local News Story - WDIV Detroit
10. Dave Bing leads Tom Barrow in Detroit mayor's race - Examiner.com
11. Detroit candidates pound the pavement in final weekend | detnews.com | The Detroit News
12. Detroit candidates final sprint before Tueday Nov. 3 election
13. Poll: Council incumbents looking good; Bing still leads | detnews.com | The Detroit News
14. Poll: All five incumbents holding strong in Detroit City Council race; Mayor Bing with large lead | Detroit News - - MLive.com
15. Detroit Incumbent Is a Heavy Favorite - WSJ.com
16. Dave Bing wins Detroit mayoral race | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
17. Poll shows Bing still holding big lead over Barrow - WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM |
18. Mayor: Angels' Night Fires Down 12 % - Detroit Local News Story - WDIV Detroit
19. WWJ Newsradio 950 - Detroit Angels' Night Campaign A Success
20. Angels' Night fires decline from last year | detnews.com | The Detroit News
21. The Associated Press: Dave Bing elected to full term as Detroit mayor
22. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing wins re-election; Cockrel ousted as council president - Detroit News and Information - Crain's Detroit Business
23. Detroit's Election: What's at Stake - The Detroit Blog - TIME.com
24. Detroit candidates press on | detnews.com | The Detroit News
25. The Associated Press: Detroit seeks political stability with election
26. Bing deserves to win
27. Detroit election results: Dave Bing defeats Tom Barrow in Detroit mayor's race | Detroit News - - MLive.com
28. Detroit to file 2008 fiscal report in two weeks - Detroit News and Information - Crain's Detroit Business
29. MICHIGAN: Fewer Fires, Volunteers This Angels' Night (2009-11-02)
30. Metro Detroit news: Bing cheers drop in Angels' Night blazes | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
31. Bing given four more years as Detroit's mayor - The Oakland Press News > Politics: The best place for news in and around Oakland County
32. Detroit's Late Financial Report Nearing Completion
33. Detroit voters make picks for mayor, City Council - WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM |
34. Detroit: Bing wins reelection, Pugh to lead council « Michigan Messenger
35. Last Sunday on the campaign trail | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
36. Barrow repeats theme: Bing is outsider | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
37. Poll: Bing leading Barrow, with 25% still undecided | detnews.com | The Detroit News
38. Detroit fails to submit late 2008 audit to state - Fox 28: South Bend, Elkhart IN News, Weather, Sports
39. Bing: Angels' Night, Halloween fires down 12% | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
40. Detroit fires drop over 3-day Halloween period - Fox 28: South Bend, Elkhart IN News, Weather, Sports
41. Metro Detroit news: Angels' Night efforts show good results in Detroit | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
42. Angels night fires down despite increase in vacant properties and fewer volunteers
43. Election 2009 ~ Mayor's Race Special | My TV20 Detroit: News, Weather, Sports Detroit, MI | Local News
44. Detroit fires drop over 3-day Halloween period - Daily Tribune: Breaking news coverage for southeastern Oakland County, Michigan
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