By Chuck Waters

Since my last article a lot has happened in Detroit. Since we last spoke, the city’s most outspoken and vocal council member, Monica Conyers, plead guilty to accepting $6,000 in bribes in exchange for her vote on a billion dollar contract for the city. The current police chief was fired in the wake of a shooting at a school bus stop, where 7 kids attending summer school were standing. The news media was ‘outraged’ but the county prosecutor put it in perspective by saying “we have a child shot here regularly and most of you just go on with your day’. Sadly, she is right. Detroit Public School Emergency Financial Manager, Robert Bobb, announced that the school system will possibly file for bankruptcy after operating at a loss for 8 years.

Folks, I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.

I spent a good bit of my last article discussing what was wrong with Detroit and believe me, and there is quite a bit wrong. But this time around I want to talk about solutions.

Problem: Detroit has no cohesive plan for the future.

Solution: Design a vision for the city of Detroit. Define what we want to be.

Everyone loves sports analogies so let’s use one here. Detroit needs a new identity. When you think of Detroit, folks tend to only think “Motor City.” That page needs to be turned. Detroit needs a new identity and new path; a new vision that tells where we are going and projects our intentions. A vision would give the city something to rally behind, and a goal to push towards. If anyone is under the impression the automotive boom will return again, let me be the first to advise you that you are sadly uninformed.

Detroit has excellent resources. It is one of the most uniquely positioned cities in America. It is the only city in the continental US that is north of Canada. It sits on a riverfront as well, not sure why this has not been capitalized on. The right investment could provide a huge tourist attraction; a Coney Island-type of experience is one option. Another is to move the Eastern Market from its current location and down to the river and set up dock there. You can get people that take cruises along the water ways to dock and shop. The city also has an excellent skyline as many unique buildings and structures are still intact. The only problem is that they have not been maintained. Maintaining and refurbishing old buildings are very costly and a nightmare to for a city budget.

Problem: $300M deficit in a city with 3 of the largest and oldest corporations inside its walls

Solution: Full audit of all city-funded departments

We need a full audit of government on all levels. That may sound like an insurmountable task, but it’s a necessary one. While we can’t audit the Federal government and all it touches, we can audit a city and its expenditures. Every now and then you see a questionable expense item that makes the 5’oclock news (ex Mayor spends $100 on cup of coffee, city official using city transportation after hours).

We need serious benchmarking and cost analysis. Are we paying too many people to maintain too many assets that could easily be replaced for a cheaper price? Local government must provide necessary services to its citizens. I don’t believe people mind paying for those services, but I do believe they expect government to use common sense. Keeping assets past their useful life or buying from a local merchant in the name of ‘employment’ is not a sustainable model. I believe those practices can play a part, but they cannot be the sole practice in play.

Problem: Detroit is known for its aging, corrupt leadership.

Solution: A complete overhaul of the Office of Mayor and City Council

While Detroit did elect a new mayor to take over for the ousted Kwame Kilpatrick, it is not the type of change that is needed. Dave Bing is not much of a politician. He is a savvy businessman that has accumulated millions in the manufacturing sector, and that financial discipline will serve him well.

Barack Obama showed us that the younger generation is ready to lead. ‘We’ are the ‘we’ that we’ve been waiting for. We need young blood that can not only articulate the needs of the people but also tell the truth of the city’s current situation; people that have a vested interest in Detroit succeeding. What worries me most about our young folks is that they feel as if the bad choices our leaders do not affect them. Folks, the struggle will find you. It is naive to envision a successful America without cities like Detroit and the value they bring.

It is time that many of our young, college educated, successful people give back to the environment that bred them. Sure millions can be made in the private sector and we all have that right. The problem is as we move up and around in this world, our political landscape is being driven by people that do not care about the ‘old neighborhood’ as we do. Maybe you do not live there anymore, but you have a vested interest in seeing that place succeed. Maybe it is old and run-down with an aged population. You should still be motivated enough to go back and show them how to set up their computers, use a cell phone, and use direct deposit.

Detroiters have to be willing to accept outside help and lots of it. Every politician touts that they are a ‘lifelong’ resident of Detroit. While that may seem like a great statement, it really isn’t. I would ask them what their role was in the eight-years-and-running recession currently plaguing the city. What were you doing to change the landscape here? Not to pick on them, but for them to understand that their presence does not give you some inside track into getting things fixed. More likely, it means you are satisfied with the status quo.

A fresh set of eyes is what Detroit needs. The city needs someone that will question every dollar spent, every process in place, and vet every idea so they can fully understand how tax dollars are being spent. Things are not working here and a complete overhaul is in order.

Closing Comments

Detroit has to help itself. Many problems are a direct result of the present economic climate. That aside, there are many that have nothing to do with it. You can’t legislate values. Sure, values propel our society but if a person does not value how they live, can a city ordinance change that? Fines and a tax liens just upset people and push them to the point of no return.

Detroit has developed a culture of the defeated, lost, and hopeless. I am not convinced government is the answer to that. People need to have a certain level of concern for their neighbors and their well being. Immediately 30 miles north of Detroit is the city of Troy, where many people moved to after leaving Detroit. The city is clean and listed as one of the ‘safest’ places in America to live. Many will point to the financial means of each city as the difference but not so fast. Does a recession affect whether you mow your lawn, call the police when you witness crime, or simply ensure that your children are accounted for at all times?

I do not hate Detroit. I want Detroit to be successful. I want Detroit to be a great city, greater than it was before. I believe many want the same thing. It has a great history of African-American greatness, and not just Motown. It is arguably one of the cornerstones of the Black Middle Class. But a few crabs are profiting from seeing the city down and out.

I can’t just point the finger and question what is going on, either. I have a responsibility to ensure that Detroit is successful. If all I do is type from behind this screen and point out issues than I am no better than the crooks, criminals, and con-artists disguised as politicians and businessmen that drain this city of its resources. I think sometimes we all forget this is a MAJOR city. It just hasn’t been MAJOR in anything relevant in a long time.

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