Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit

COUNCIL BY DISTRICTS COALITION SPEAKS OUT:
MOBILIZES VOLUNTEERS TO COLLECT SIGNATURES

DETROIT—Detroiters for City Council by Districts is aggressively ramping up its efforts to collect 31,420 signatures by August 4, 2009 in order to put the district system proposal on the November ballot. To date more than 10,000 signatures have been collected and there are more than 100 days left to collect the rest of them.

“We have thoroughly studied the access Detroiters are being given to city government and our findings indicate its current form is less than adequate,” said Mildred Madison of the League of Women Voters of Detroit. “City Council through the years has promised proper representation and attention to community issues, however when you have to take a bus or drive downtown, pay for parking and only get two minutes at the table to express yourself this form of access leaves a lot to be desired. Enough is enough. It’s time for Districts.”

Detroiters for City Council by Districts was founded by The League of Women Voters of Detroit and they are working with the support of ACORN, Black Slate, Inc., Unifying Detroit Coalition, Our Detroit, the Council of Baptist Pastors, a group of Wayne State University Law School students and a diverse group of concerned Detroit citizens.

“One very important reason we support the amendment to have City Council by districts is the provision that a Council member must actually live in the district he or she is elected to serve,” said Ron “Karamo” Hewitt of the Unifying Detroit Coalition. “The vast majority of Detroit citizens would much rather see their Council member up close and personal, working in the community, bringing the attention and the aid of city departments and city services to bear on the serious problems faced by each and every neighborhood-some more than others.”

The coalition’s effort to change how City Council members are elected to represent the people living within the 139 square miles of Detroit has received a favorable response from most citizens they have encountered thus far.

“It has not been hard to find a resident that does not agree that Detroiters deserve more effective representation in the neighborhoods and that the current council system isn’t getting the job done,” said Jamesie Morgan of ACORN. “Citizens want to know who they are voting for. They are tired of 150 person primary elections because you never really get to know the candidates. Detroiters deserve representation that has strong leadership qualities instead of strong name recognition.”

Detroiters for City Council by Districts say their effort is not an indictment on any particular member of City Council. They believe there are some very solid leaders on Council, but they also think the current council system is broken and is in need of an overhaul.

“For the people we talk to on a daily basis at the grocery store, the barber and beauty parlors, and in church it’s more a matter of accountability and accessibility,” said Baye Landy of the Black Slate, Inc. “Additionally, many who seek to run for City Council agree that the expenses of running a district race would be a fraction of what it costs to run city-wide.”

The coalition understands that reforming the current council system into a district system will not cure all of the ills of city government however they do believe change must begin soon and this effort is the strongest first step possible.

“Detroiters deserve the opportunity to choose whether they want to keep the current council system or have a system with which their neighborhood will be better represented,” said Madison. “Signing the petition to put the district proposal on the ballot in November preserves Detroiters right to have a voice in how they want their government to work for them.”

Support Detroiters for City Council by Districts by Getting Involved
The coalition has a growing network. They have earned the respect and support of community organizations, grass roots organizers, religious leaders and ordinary city residents that want improved access to their City Council members.

There are several ways for people to become involved in the Detroiters for City Council by District campaign however leaders say the most important thing a person can do right now is help get Detroiters to sign the petition.

“Getting enough signatures to get the proposal on the November ballot is our number one priority,” said Steve Tobocman of Our Detroit. “Expect to see representatives from Detroiters for City Council by Districts in your neighborhood. We will be visiting churches; beauty and barber shops; grocery and convenience stores; bars and restaurants; gas stations; and any place else where Detroiters may gather.”

The next volunteer training session for those interested in helping collect signatures takes place on Tuesday, April 14. Check out www.councilbydistricts.org for more details.

Petitions can be picked up or dropped off Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at The League of Women Voters Office located at 1420 Washington Blvd. Detroit 48226.

Monetary contributions can be made to the City Council by Districts cause by sending a check of money order to “Detroiters for City Council by Districts” PO Box 442284 Detroit, MI 48244-2284. Donations of over $100 must include information about the donor’s occupation, employer and business address. No corporate check can be accepted.

For more information about Detroiters for City Council by Districts visit call 313-962-0905 or visit www.councilbydistricts.org.

Council by Districts Proposal
If the proposal were to be put on the November 2009 ballot and approved by the voters in Detroit, a combination district and at-large City Council system would be implemented for 2013. Seven Council members would be elected by districts and two would be elected at large.