Detroit Historic Neighborhoods Coalition

2001 Mayoral Candidates Questionnaires

Questionaire Responses

MAYORAL CANDIDATES


Ranking of City Departments

BROOKS

BROWNER

HARRIS

HOOD

LILE

MARTIN
BECKHAM
HILL
KILPATRICK
WILLIAMS
Fire Dept. Poor Poor Fair Adequate Poor Fair Beckham, Kilpatrick,
DPW Adequate Not rated Fair Fair Fair Fair and Williams did not
Public Lighting Poor Poor Fair Poor Fair Fair complete the
Water Dept. Good Not Rated Fair Good Poor Fair questionnaire. Hill
Public Transportation Poor Poor Poor Fair Poor Fair chose not to
Parks & Recreation Poor Poor Poor- Underfunded, poorly managed Fair Poor Fair participate.
Planning Development Poor- A major impediment to City development Poor Poor-Poor responsiveness; archaic processes Poor Poor Fair
Buildings & Safety Poor Poor Poor - Poorly managed, low goals Fair Poor Fair
Detroit Public Schools Fair Poor Fair Poor Illegible Poor
Police Dept. Poor Poor Fair Adequate Fair Poor
Two worst departments and plan for improvement 1) Public Lighting-Form alliances with alternative service providers to reduce City Subsidy;

2) Public Transportation- I would outsource inventory management and control to allow mechanics to keep buses rolling.

 Implement training; providing employees with tools they need to be successful in their duties to tax payers 1) Public Transportation - Would contract with professionals to replace archaic systems; establish minimum professional education standards for key personnel;

2) Recreation Dept.- Establish budget priorities, eliminate waste; improve personnel accountability

 1) Planning & Development - Allow private realtors to assist in residential sales; Develop separate policies for developers of small parcels;

2) Schools- After-school tutorial & mentoring; collaborate with non-profits to develop enrichment programs; identify programs; identify public safety problems

1) Transportation - Put the right worker on the right job; customer skills are required;

2) Parks - Do not skip over the little things to get to the big ones

MAYORAL CANDIDATES (CONTINUED)


Questions for Candidates

BROOKS

BROWNER

HARRIS

HOOD

LILE

MARTIN
BECKHAM
HILL
KILPATRICK
WILLIAMS
How would you improve City Budget process? Budget process is fixed by Charter. Provide budget information on line - Hold public forums to educate There is estimated budget and actual budget. I would work with departments to see what they need List and qualify needs by Department; Departments should have goals, targets and accountability by Department heads As a two-term Councilman, I understand the budget process People in office are not making sure money is spent right. I will put the right people in the right positions. Make the budget results oriented
SEE ABOVE
Explanation of Revenues Primary revenue sources are: income tax, property tax & revenue sharing. Casino revenue goes into General Fund. General fund is unrestricted revenues Income tax, real estate tax, Casino revenue & revenue sharing account for 2/3 of General Fund revenue. No restrictions on use of General Fund. Revenue sharing is fixed for next 2 years; City?’s General Fund is impacted by Casino revenue; Property tax revenue has increased Poor - Unacceptable for the welfare of the City. Restrictions on use of revenues are often appropriated to other areas
Opinion on Regional Mass Transit and Funding Important but not a primary focus of my administration. Improve Detroit?’s system first. No new city tax to fund. First improve Detroit bus service and provide operable equipment Favors it. Detroit spends $40 million more than average peer city. Detroit should reallocate savings from its inefficient DDot operations. Support. Identify dedicated source of funding which may include increase in state sales tax or property millage. Detroit needs transit to other regions if they have people from the City Businesses that employ City people should have in-put. Support - paid for by the State from federal monies
Opinion of City Planning Redefine planning for City of under one million. Focus on "creating functional areas and clearly defined neighborhoods for good quality of life" Good planning enhances the quality of life. Attract more visitors. Need overall strategic plan. Wire City with fiber optic cable. Work with non-profits to restore abandoned housing & not demolish. Develop rapid transit system within 10 yrs. Mayor is visionary and rarinmaker. Focus on neighborhood revitalization; give property to non-profits Partner with private realtors; attract national chains. Make the right decisions with needs of City and citizens first before personal gain. Must have a clear vision and concentrate on Neighborhoods
Value of Historic Neighborhoods to City Re-Development Provide quality since these areas pay higher taxes. Preserve and maintain; they add to marketability of City. Priceless An asset suburbs don?’t have. They are as important as new construction. Give people choices between old and new. Stabilize surrounding blighted areas; Catalyst for development; consistent, valuable tax base. City should help owners to remodel for viewing that will give tourists a place to visit to see beautiful homes in the inner City. They are the "pinnacle foundation and infrastructure:" the "Cream of the Crop."
Build links between City Hall & Community Provide more services from Neighborhood City Halls; More coordination with neighborhood associations. I would have more interaction between City Hall and community Town hall meetings. Provide annual service, efforts and accomplishments reports to citizens. Use technology to transmit information to Neighborhood City Halls; Fund non-profits to work with schools and improve neighborhoods. Develop a program to build communication skills for City Hall workers. "Customer service skills" need to be enhanced. Must have "collaboration of understanding the importance of making this city the top in the nation."
Three of my successful projects 1) Assisted in Clark Street Technology Park

2) Raised $60 million as chairman United Way

3) Raised money as chairman of NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner

1) Works on program to feed elderly and encourage nutrition

2) Tutored

3) I am a productive member of society

 1) 1999 Fire Department Audit brought major changes

2) Public Lighting Department report resulted in 77 count indictment

3) DDOT report showed $40 million excess cost.

 1) Supported downtown development but opposed casinos on river

2) Supported neighborhood development

3) Established budget priorities for quality of life.

 1) After drug rehab, became productive citizen

2) Joined Navy Reserves

3) Pursued 10 year dream to run for Mayor

 1) Train bus drivers and others

2) Trained parking enforcement

3) Observing process of purchasing Women?’s Shelter
Three things I will accomplish as a public leader 1) Restructure Police Dept. - less administration & more community policing

2) Revamp DOT inventory management

3) Reduce Mayor?’s Executive Staff and more to Neighborhood City Halls

 1) Renovate homes for working class and buildings for small business owners

2) Have block clubs provide K-12 tutoring

3) Provide City departments with tools to be effective

 1) Strategic Plan for City Services

2) Establish integrity and accountability in government

3) Develop City?’s infrastructure

 1) Improve PDD development process, & streamline BSE

2) Attract national retail and restaurants

3) Encourage beautification projects

 1) Be honest and succeed by example

2) Identify with the Community and work hard

3) Keep my word. I will succeed because I am Detroit and Detroit is me.

 1) Restore & rebuild neighborhoods

2) Senior Citizen improvements

3) Renovate parks
One thing I have done to promote historic preservation Work with neighborhood to provide historic lighting



I purchased a home in East English Village No answer In 2001-02 budget I proposed money for underground wiring as pilot project in an historic neighborhood. Remind the younger generation of what I had then and carry the elders?’ message of what they have had. Worked with Sister-in-law to make sure roof conformed to historic guidelines
Opinion on historic light poles & fixtures and funding Support - Assess residents the difference between historic re-lamping and ordinary re-lamping Yes - Lighting deters crime - Fund through grants, tax write-offs, donations, City funds Support - Citizens should not have to accept inferior replacement. Reduce waste to fund. Should be a General Fund expenditure. Support - Fund from General Fund. I oppose taxing residents for historic re-lamping. Support - The funds are already available if the community is involved and City Council watches the budget. No Response
Opinion on and funding of underground wiring Support - Assess residents the cost difference (See Above) Support - Should be a General Fund expenditure like street paving and replacements of City infrastructure Support - Fund from General Fund . Encase wiring in plastic. Replace in historic neighborhoods first, then expand to City. I do not support underground wiring because it is costly and dangerous. No Response
Opinion on using eminent domain to eliminate blight in neighborhoods Opposes Use. "Eyesores" in historic neighborhood should be rehabilitated. Houses that cannot be restored should be demolished. Support - As Mayor I can rehabilitate City-owned homes. Support - Budget annual NOF funds to housing rehabilitation. Partner with non-profits and communities. Use eminent domain to improve neighborhoods. Support - In "Extreme Circumstances." Enforce zoning codes, hire more inspectors to prevent blight. I do not support because most of the houses that are being demolished can be rehabilitated. "One man?’s trash is another man?’s treasure." No Response

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