If Detroit is consistent about anything, it’s the city’s failure to find good leadership. From the segregationist mayors and city councils of the first half of the 20th century to the ineffective leaders of today, Detroit is a stark example of a city damaged by its own leadership. So as the 2013 mayoral election nears […]
Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee was facing the biggest crisis in his career. Earlier in the day a year ago this week, the Detroit Free Press had revealed the city’s crime lab was open to trespassers. Thousands of rounds of live ammunition, sealed evidence kits and case files – some containing Social Security numbers of […]
The abandoned, ramshackle houses and businesses in Detroit can be sad reminders of the city’s drastic population loss over the past half century. But with a little bit of paint and sweat, the blocks of ruin can be transformed into a portrait of love and hope. From the vibrant extravagance of graffiti art to simple […]
Dear Detroit Council President Charles Pugh, When your constituents feel under siege by the state takeover and the rapid loss of services, it’s time to stop locking the door on Detroiters. As president of the Detroit City Council, you were elected to hear from your constituents, no matter how much you dislike their message. Once […]