Detroit Love 2006 Inaugural




By H.D. Shaw
Feature Writer



Building on a theme of �Detroit Love is�Ordinary people doing extraordinary things�, the 2006 swearing-in ceremony at the Fox Theatre on Thursday January 6th, was about reconciliation, unity and standing strong for what is best for our beloved city.

Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick, along with nine City Council members including Council President Kenneth Cockrel, Jr. and new City Clerk Janice Winfrey were sworn in to serve the citizens of Detroit for their four-year terms.

Kilpatrick, who stunned the pollsters by winning the hotly contested Detroit mayoral race in November, presented his acceptance speech before a packed house at the Fox, the grandest venue in metropolitan Detroit.

�It�s time to stop knocking Detroit. It�s time for transformation and a time for change,� the Mayor declared.

Frankie Darcell, MIX 92.3 of the Frankie Darcell Show was the Moderator. A special video tribute honored the career of longtime Detroit City Councilwoman Maryann Mahaffey, who retired after 31 years. Mahaffey was greeted with a standing ovation from the capacity crowd.

Often referred to as a shining example of what Detroit is all about, Mahaffey worked tirelessly for the homeless, low-income residents and Detroit neighborhoods. She dedicated her career to making Detroit, the city she loves, a better place. �This is my city and I will always be your friend,� Mahaffey stated.

The packed house was enraptured by the eloquent words of Kenneth Cockrel III, eldest of the five Cockrel children, who described his famed political family as a �walking political storybook�. He told the audience that his grandfather, the late Kenneth Cockrel, told his father to, �Always be true to yourself and never be anyone�s puppet.�

This year�s inaugural was low-key and community-focused. Three neighborhood celebrations were held on Thursday January 5, 2006 at the Butzel Family Center, the Northwest Activities Center and the Kemeny Recreation Center.

On Sunday January 8, 2006 the 2006 Detroit Inaugural Interfaith Service will be held at 6:00 pm at Straight Gate International, with Bishop Andrew Merritt, Chief Celebrant and Reverend Marvin L. Winans with Reverend Edgar L. Vann Jr., Assisting.

The program was as follows:
Musical Prelude - The Mosaic Singers, presented by the Ford Motor Company
Presentation of Colors � Detroit Police Explorers
Pledge of Allegiance � Detroit Police Junior Cadets
Star Spangled Banner � First Baptist World Changes International Ministries
Choir
�Lift Every Voice and Sing� � Linda Boston, Vocalist
Remarks � Secretary Alfonso Jackson, U.S. Department of H.U.D.
Remarks � Governor Jennifer Granholm
Oath of Office of the City Clerk � Honorable Cathy Garrett, Wayne County Clerk
Detroit City Council Meeting (called to order) � Honorable Janice Winfrey, City Clerk

Invocation � Minister Dawud Muhammad, Mosque No. 1, Reverend J. Drew, Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ
Introduction of City Council Members � Frankie Darcell
Oath of Office to the City Council Members � Judge David Allen, Circuit Court
Roll Call of City Council Members - Honorable Janice Winfrey, City Clerk
Acknowledgements of City Council members� Families � Frankie Darcell
Introduction of City Council President Kenneth Cockrel, Jr.
- Kenneth Cockrel III
Message by President of the City Council � Honorable Kenneth Cockrel, Jr.
Video Tribute to Maryanne Mahaffey � Video\Musical Selection � Karen Clark Sheard
Introduction of the Mayor � Arthur Blackwell and David Baker Lewis
Introduction of the First Family � Jelani and Jalil Kilpatrick
Address by the Mayor � Honorable Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick
Musical Selection � The Winans
Benediction � Reverend Wendell Anthony of Fellowship Chapel