Detroit City Council Candidate interviews

Taped interviews of over 100 city council candidates is viewable online at MiVote.org and on Detroit Public Television.

 

LWV members from the metro area, including Toni Tront, Mary Bugeia, Kathy Gapa and Judy Carty from our own Dbn/Dbn Hts group, participated, as well as League members from Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grosse Pointe,  Northwestern Wayne and Oakland Area.

 

The Institute for Local Government at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, League of Women Voters Detroit Metro Area (LWVDMA), ARISE Detroit!,  WWJ Radio and Detroit Public TV worked together to complete this video project.

The candidates were asked the following:

 

1.    What specific experience qualifies you to play a leading role in determining the budget, ordinances and other public policies that will guide the city for the next four years?

2.    Tight budgets inevitably require sacrifice.  As a city council member, what programs or services would you be willing to cut in order for the city to focus on core services?

 

You can browse through the list of profiles and select which candidates to watch by clicking on their image, or search by name for a particular candidate. 

 

 

Climate Change and the Midwest

A day full of engaging speakers inspired summit participants Thursday at the Midwest Fair Climate Summit. Topics related to energy, weather, food, justice, jobs and more sparked a sense of purpose among all to continue beyond this day of discussion.

Participants from Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana shared stories and information, looking forward to the opportunity to address climate change and other environmental concerns, locally and globally.

A few who shared personally, such as LaDonna Redmond (Graffiti and Grub) and Elisa Young (MeigsCAN) helped us understand the way environmental injustice affects our fellow Americans. Others had a global view (WEDO, NWF) with economic and scientific data that supported the concerns about Climate Change, while offering hope that the green wave can lift all boats.

LWVDDH leader recognition

Betsy Cushman and Mary Bugeia were recently given awards by LWV of Michigan. Mary Bugeia, received the 2009 Maryann Mahhafey Community Service Award for demonstrating outstanding commitment to her community and its citizens. Betsy Cushman, received the 2009 Leadership in Civic Emplowerment award, which recognizes outstanding leadership efforts in providing citizens with information and encouraging informed voters through League work at the state and/or local levels.

Voter Guide for Dearborn City Council

Our Voter Service Committee has completed the Non-partisan Voter Guide for the August 4th Primary in Dearborn. There are 25 candidates running for 7 seats on Dearborn City Council. On August 4th, vote for up to 7 candidates to proceed to the General Election.

It's available online at www.lwvddh.org/voterguide.pdf and will be distributed throughout the city.

A note on why you are voting for 7, though 14 will be on the November ballot:

"Primaries can also be used in nonpartisan elections to reduce the set of candidates that go on to the general election (qualifying primary). (In the U.S., many city, county and school board elections are non-partisan.) Generally twice as many candidates pass the primary as can win in the general election, so a single seat election primary would allow the top two primary candidates to participate in the general election following."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_election

TRANSPORTATION.CALL TO ACTION

Now is the time to contact your state representative. (see elected officials contact info: 'Who's Who')
Ask them to support the transportation package.
 
BACKGROUND
 
Key legislation will be introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives to increase funding for transportation needs.  The 13-bill pack, led by Rep. Pam Burns would:
 
a.     Replace Michigan's 19 cent per gallon tax
with tax on fluctuating wholesale prices, with a cap.
 
b.      Almost double the annual registration fees for cars and trucks over  a period of five years; owners of older, less expensive cars would receive a break on registration fees.
 
c.       Increase funding for rapid transit.
 
Dollars generated through this transportation funding package can be used for local road improvements, stimulus dollars could not.  Supporters of this legislation include the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
 
These bills will not move unless legislators hear from local officials about the dire condition of our transportation system.