Vote Yes
OUR NEXT STEPS & THANK YOU
On November 8, 2011, Detroiters voted to adopt a new city Charter. By doing so, we literally turned the page toward's Detroit future. A future with transparent, accountable and efficient leadership. And if not, clear enforceable rules to deal with breaches of those trusts.
I count it an absolute privilege to have been at the table during the historic undertaking of revising our city's governing document. It was historic because we've only revised our city Charter two times in Detroit's history. This is the 3rd revision.
Thank you for entrusting me with the task. I sincerely hope that I met your expectations and represented you well in the process.
NEXT STEPS
The new Charter will take effect on January 1, 2012. The Charter Commission's term expires May 5, 2012. However, we plan to shut down operations by February 1, 2012 and return budgeted funds to the City. I'm sure such funds can be used to fix a few buses or streetlights.
Over the next two months, we will archive our materials for preservation at the Burton Collection of the Detroit Public Library and in the City of Detroit's archives managed by the City Clerk. Also, we will transmit the "non-charterable" proposals we received to the Mayor and City Council. Such proposals, for a host of different reasons were not included in the new Charter, but, speak to genuine community concerns that our city officials should seriously consider.
THANK YOU
I will advise when the Charter Commission officially discontinues but wanted to now simply say Thank You.
Thank you for traveling this road to a better Detroit with me over the last 2 years.
Thank you for
GETTING ON BOARD WITH FORD!
New Charter Endorsements
YES TO PROPOSAL C
Hello. I am Jenice Mitchell Ford, Chair of the City of Detroit 2009-2012 Charter Revission Commission.
Thank you for
GETTING ON BOARD WITH FORD
and following the charter revision process over the last 2 years.
I voted Yes to Proposal C.
The new charter, – Proposal C, – was passed by you and endorsed by the following:
• Detroit NAACP
• Retired Detroit Police & Fire Fighters Assoc.
• Rev. Joseph R. Jordan
• Rev. Jim Holley
• Rev. Horace Sheffield
• State Representative Fred Durhal
• State Representative Thomas Stallworth III
• Former State Representative Lamar Lemmons
• Michigan Spanish Speaking Democrats
• Michigan Chronicle
• Detroit Free Press
• Stephen Henderson Detroit Free Press
• Rochelle Riley Detroit Free Press
VOTE NOV. 8TH COMMERCIAL
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Your New Charter!
Reflections
REFLECTIONS ON CHARTER REVISION PROCESS
On May 5, 2009, Detroiters voted to revise the City of Detroit Charter (“Charter”).
On November 3rd of that same year, nine members were elected to the City of Detroit Charter Revision Commission (“Commission”). A few weeks later on November 17, 2009, the same nine were sworn-in office. Almost one year later, in September 2010, we bid farewell to our then Chairperson Freman Hendrix and welcomed new member Commissioner Tonya Myers-Phillips. On September 14, 2010, by unanimous vote, I was elected Chair of this Commission.
Over the last two (2) years on hundreds of occasions I’ve been found saying that the Charter is to the City of Detroit what the U.S. Constitution is to the federal government. It is the document that: (i) identifies our elected officials - Mayor, City Council and Clerk; (ii) establishes their duties; and (iii) determines how we elect and remove those persons.
And yes, the Charter is that.
But along the way, I’ve learned that the Charter can be much more than just that. It also gives expression to who we are and more importantly who we want to be. Maybe that’s why we’ve seen so much passion from the public and at this table.
Upon reflection, I realize that this Commission (as with any Charter Commission) was tasked with the seemingly impossible.
The very task of crafting a document that speaks both to the practical needs and lofty goals/aspirations of the masses. Crafting a document that speaks to the notions, proclivities, peculiarities and downright strange requests of politicians, their constituents and lobby. Crafting a document under these conditions and all the while doing so by a committee of nine (9) persons. Nine (9) individuals who all have different ideas and approaches, different experiences and backgrounds by which they filter information and their votes. And yes, nine persons with different goals and for some agendas.
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Reflections Continued
REFLECTIONS ON CHARTER REVISION PROCESS CONTINUED
How does one lead a group in a task like this? How do you lead a group of individuals who because of their background, experiences and beliefs want something and say “I have to have it just because I have to have it” -- and then couch that demand in terms of a policy debate. How do you lead a process like that?
In preparing for this work, even before I became Chair, I found myself studying Ralph Bunche. We all know who he is, the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Detroit native born in Detroit in 1904 who from 1947-49 served as the United Nations mediator on Palestine and brokered a peace deal between Israel and Arab States in 1949. His work goes largely ignored in both American and African American history. I was fascinated at how he was able to lead a process that involved so many issues and passions on both sides of the argument.
I mean people believed that things should be a certain way just because they believed it. You had one group saying “this land is mine because God told me it was mine.” Then you had the other group saying – “no, this land belongs to me because my God told me it was mine.” Both sides couched their arguments in policy. Often times Mr. Bunche had to negotiate with his fellow UN representatives to convince them that although they couldn’t get everything they wanted – there had to be some middle ground.
And didn’t we go through the same thing at this table?
I am looking in the faces of Charter Commissioners whose proposals weren’t supported by majority vote and didn’t make their way into the new charter – if I had a mirror I’d be looking at another one. But this isn’t about us getting everything we wanted because as our apt General Counsel says it’s not about what is in your individual mind because we live in a community of minds.
An idea only works if you expose it to the fire of debate so that it can be refined and then make its way into the final document.
So, like Ralph Bunche and the UN were faced with the question in 1949 – we too were faced with the question in 2009 of how do you create a document that speaks to both the needs and the goals of the masses.
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Reflections Part 3
REFLECTIONS ON CHARTER REVISION PROCESS CONTINUED
I am proud to say that on November 8th, the citizens answered the question by saying YES – 58% to 42% – YES to the New Charter and affirming that we accomplished the seemingly impossible task before us.
I don’t want this moment in time to be lost in modesty – so let me say to this Charter Commission that you have done some unprecedented things.
• Televised charter meetings
• Held 80+ public meetings in the community
• Held Charter Conventions
• Provided the city with tools to create efficient government
• Created ethics provisions that can change the very culture of corruption that we’ve seen in local and national politics
• Forced the city to turn the page into the 21st century by addressing issues such as using technology to keep citizens informed and embracing green initiatives and recycling
• Provided a real structure for citizens to be engaged in their own government
I could go on.
From the day in April 2009 when I decided to pull petitions to run for this office until today – I count it an absolute privilege to have been part of this process and to have been at this table for such a time as this.
Through it all – the good, the bad and the public cheering and jeering (the jeering which included the keying of my car and personal threats which led to police reports) – I still count it a joy to have been at this table with the 8 commissioners and 3 staff members who were committed to this process.
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Reflections Part 4
REFLECTIONS ON CHARTER REVISION PROCESS CONTINUED
To Gail Partee-Williams, our Administrative Assistant, who completed tasks that we didn’t even know about to make sure things went smoothly and always resolved problems before they were even brought to our attention. Thank you.
To Gregory Hicks, our Executive Director, who ran our operations with the utmost fiscal discipline, provided sound policy advice and brought his considerable experience and expertise to bear in every facet of our operations. Thank you.
To Lamont Satchel, our General Counsel, the architect of the New Charter. His role by its very nature was a subdued and one which required him to be in background. But, I want everyone to know that we couldn’t have crafted this document without his legal acumen, writing skills and ability to get things done. He is the draftsman of our new City Charter. Kudos to you Lamont.
To Mike Hudson and Low Budget Video, LLC for helping us deliver information to the public via tapings of our meetings and activities.
To Cara Blount – who always kept us on task by coming to every meeting prepared and engaged and reminding us to keep the language simple and not lawyerly.
To Ken Coleman – our Historian – who always kept before us what the charter could/should and couldn’t/shouldn’t do. He was also the architect of the aggressive two year plan we adopted allowing us to complete our task in two years and present the ballot question on a regular election ballot thereby saving the City of Detroit $1.5M in special election fees. Further, many don’t know this but before staff came on board – it was Ken Coleman and I who put together the agendas, and more specifically Ken Coleman who procured the speakers and meeting locations, etc. The work of the Charter Commission could not have been accomplished without Ken Coleman.
To Commissioner Davis for bringing passion to the table.
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Charter Revision Process
THE CHARTER REVISION PROCESS
PHASE I – Education Phase.
• Jan. to Oct. 2010, the Commission held over 25 meetings across the city to educate the public about critical issues in the existing Charter.
• Since Jan. 2010 – held every full commission meeting in neighborhood venues
• 70/73 Commission didn’t do so until Sept. 1971 (10 months in)
• 93/96 Commission didn’t do so until April 27, 1994 (5 months in)
• Held meetings in social service agencies, homes of worship, recreation facilities on north end, southwest, east and west Detroit, such as:
• Detroit Rescue Mission
• Muslim Center of Detroit
• Roberto Clemente Recreation Center
• Chapel Hill Baptist Church
PHASE II – Charter Conventions.
• In November and December 2010, the Commission solicited over 570+ recommendations from Detroiters to help shape the Charter.
• Held 3 Charter Conventions over 3 weekends
READ ON
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Archived Newsletters!
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Testimonials
HOW THE CHARTER WILL IMPACT YOUR DAILY LIFE
Ethics, Vision For Future & Better Government
ETHICS & CORRUPTION – WHAT DO WE BELIEVE
• Sec. 2.106. Ethical Standards of Conduct.
Adopted aggressive ethics ordinance which includes clear rules and penalties for breaking those rules. If you break ethics rules – you can be disciplined or lose your job if an employee, be removed from office if elected or appointed and in both case you may have to pay a fine and face jail time. See Sec. 2-106.11 – Violations and Penalties.
Require lobbyist to register and disclose their relationships with elected officials and require businesses to report any solicitation of funds by elected officials in exchange of political favors. See Section 2.106.3 – Lobbying Registration and Reporting).
• Sec. 6.308. Debarment.
A company can be barred (or prohibited) from doing business with the city if found to be involved in bribery and corruption. For example, if this were in place — the city would be able to cancel the Synagro contract and Synagro couldn’t seek to do business again with us for 20 years.
• Sec. 4-122. Approval of Contracts and Disclosure.
Require that contractors report any political contributions and expenditures made to city elected official within four (4) years as a condition in their contract. Section 4-122.
READ ON
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VISION FOR FUTURE - GROWTH
You can only cut so far, and once you cut to the bone – you can’t cut any more. You have to grow yourself out of a depressed economy.
•
Sec. 6-201. Planning and Development Department.
As a means to stimulate job growth and development for city residents, identified duties of this department as focusing on: (1) Recruiting and supporting local business; (2) Recruiting and supporting emerging industries; and (3) Focusing on international trade as a means to stimulate job growth and development for city residents.
• Sec. 6-509. Green Initiatives and Technologies.
Calls for a “Green Initiatives and Sustainable Technologies Plan” or GIST Plan for the establishment, use and support of green initiatives, technologies and businesses, utilizing public and private partners. What are green initiatives -- solar, wind, thermal and other forms of alternative and renewable energy production and uses, alternative fuels, or other sustainable technologies and endeavors.
• Sec. 7-403. Recycling.
Require city wide Recycling Plan that provides for the capture of the City’s waste stream
prior to disposal.
Unlike the waste management industry, recycling adds value to materials, contributing to a growing labor force including: (1) Materials Sorters; (2) Dispatchers; (3) Truck Drivers; (4) Brokers; (5) Sales Representatives; (6) Process Engineers; and (7) Chemists. These jobs also generally pay above the average national wage, and many are in inner city urban areas where job creation is vital.
Economic Development
The recycling and reuse industry consists of approximately 56,000 establishments that employ over 1.1 million people, generate an annual payroll of nearly $37 billion, and gross over $236 billion in annual revenues.
Tax Revenues
The recycling and reuse industry generates billions in federal, state, and local tax revenues (estimated at $12.9 billion in 2001).
Better Government I
BETTER GOVERNMENT EFFICIENT USE OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS
Changed The Rules On How Government Handles Its Finances
• Sec. 8-213. Revenue Estimating Conference
Often the Mayor and City Council argue at budget time about how much money the city has or doesn’t have. To avoid this type of argument, we are requiring conferences twice a year where the Mayor, City Council and Auditor General come together to discuss the city’s revenue and collecting money owed to the city. The hope is to go after money owed to the city but more importantly, if everyone has the same figures as to revenue, the budget process could be less adversarial.
The persons who must attend this meeting include: (1) Director of Finance Department; (2) Director of Budget Department; (3) Auditor General; and (4) City Council Fiscal Analysis Division shall hold a revenue estimating conference twice annually. Revenues would include general fund, solid waste fund, risk management fund revenues and revenues from enterprise agencies that require a general fund subsidy. They shall consider any delinquent receivables and recommend the most efficient means to collect such revenue which could include collection by Law Department.
•
Sec. 8-212. Report of Budget Deficit.
Directors must notify Mayor and Budget Director of a deficit. Within 10 business days of notification, the Budget Director shall request a hearing with the City Council to apprise it of the deficit and outline actions to remedy same.
•
Sec. 7.5.105. Auditor General (Powers and Duties).
Allow the Auditor General (AG) to determine which agencies require the most attention – those that present the highest risk to the city. Focus on high risk agencies identified in audit plan versus requiring an annual audit of each department. This change will allow the AG to focus on the departments that present the most risk and room for fiscal improvement (i.e., police department with $30 million plus budget) instead of having to each year look at every department even those departments that don’t present that much risk (i.e., ombudsperson’s office with $1 million budget).
READ ON
Better Government II
BETTER GOVERNMENT - BRINGING GOVERNMENT CLOSER TO YOU
You Now Can Be More Involved In Government
• Sec. 7.802. Board of Police Commissioners.
Elected Police Commission (7 elected from districts; 4 appointees city wide).
• Sec. 9.101. Community Advisory Councils
Re-instituted Citizens Advisory Councils. They will be in each non-at large district; all but 2 members would be elected within the district. The remaining members would be a high school aged student and a person focusing on senior citizen issues.
• Sec. 5.110 Community Meetings (Mayor).
• Sec. 4.102. Meetings (City Council).
Mayor and City Council required to hold evening Community meetings in each district.
• Sec. 4.301. City Planning Commission & Sec. 7.1002.
Advisory Commission (Recreation Department).
Required that certain Boards and Commissions have members selected from each city council non-at large district.
• Sec. 3.111.
Residency Requirement for Elective Officers.
Require elected officials to reside in City for one (1) year prior to running for office. Require City Council members, Community Advisory Council and Board of Police Commissioners running for district seats to reside in that district for 1 year.
OTHER THINGS YOU WILL FIND IN CHARTER
Media
Jenice's Candidacy Endorsed By
The Michigan Chronicle
Detroit News
Detroit Free Press
Crain's Detroit Business
Fannie Lou Hamer PAC
13th Congressional District
14th Congressional District
Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity
Making Detroit Better
UAW Region 1A
Detroit Regional Chamber PAC
The Black Slate
Eastside Community Slate
Community Coalition
Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO
Wayne County Black Democratic Caucus
AFSCME Council 25
Detroit Emergency Medical Services Association
Police Officers Association of Michigan
Wayne County Deputy Sheriff's Association
Command Officers Association of Michigan
Detroit Retired City Employees Association (DRCEA)
Click Above To Play Personal Testimonial Video
Click Here To Read Personal Testimonials
About Jenice
Jenice Mitchell Ford is a native Detroiter and a graduate of Martin Luther King High School. She earned a degree in English Literature from Georgetown University in 1996. She served as President of the Gospel Choir and the Black Student Association. In 1999, she earned a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University School of Law. She served as Articles Editor of the Northwestern Law Review and Vice Chair of the Christian Legal Fellowship.
As Senior Counsel in the Detroit office of Foley & Lardner LLP, one of the country’s largest law firms, Mitchell Ford specializes in Commercial Litigation. She is admitted to practice law in Michigan, Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Prior to joining Foley, she was judicial clerk to the Honorable Anna Diggs Taylor, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Mitchell Ford is civic minded and community oriented. She was elected to the 2009-2012 Detroit Charter Revision Commission where she serves as Chairperson. Under her leadership, the City of Detroit Charter was successfully revised by a 58 to 42% vote of the people based on an aggressive voter educational campaign. This was a historic undertaking as the city’s charter had only been revised twice before in the city’s history.
She was named to Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 Class of 2010. Also, she is a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit program (Class XXIV). She volunteers as member of the Board of Directors of the Sphinx Organization, which is dedicated to the training and exposure of Black and Latino classical musicians. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan and is former Vice Chair of the City of Detroit Board of Ethics. She received the Wolverine Bar Association’s Margrette A. Taylor Distinguished Young Lawyer Award. For five years (2001-2006), Mitchell Ford coordinated the Wolverine Bar’s Minority Bar Passage Program and helped nearly 100 law students prepare to pass the Michigan bar examination.
Mitchell Ford was a steering committee member for Michigan Lawyers for Obama, coordinating voter protection efforts during the historic 2008 election. She has served on transition teams for elected officials and worked on presidential, gubernatorial and mayoral elections. A lifelong member and past trustee of Corinthian Baptist Church of Hamtramck, Mitchell Ford is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a trustee of the Minerva Education and Development Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc.
She lives and works in the Detroit with her husband Harry J. Ford III and has a vested interest in the future of the City.
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CONTACT US
Jenice Mitchell Ford, Chair
City of Detroit Charter Revision Commission
65 Cadillac Square, Suite 3210
Detroit, Michigan 48226
(313) 628-2517
jenicemitchellford_gmail.com
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THE CHARTER REVISION PROCESS CONTINUED
PHASE III – Writing Phase.
January 8 – April 30, 2011, met 32 times as a committee of the whole to analyze the 570+ recommendations and draft the revisions to the Detroit Charter.
• Meetings were held at the Northwest Activities Center, Butzel Family Center and Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.
• May 7 and May 14, 2011, held public hearings.
• May 31, 2011 forwarded proposed charter to Michigan Governor and Attorney General for review and approval.
• On August 16, 2011, received Adopt final version after public hearings (which would include changes, if any, after hearing public comment.
• On August 30, 2011, provided ballot question to City of Detroit Clerk Janice Winfrey.
PHASE IV – Promotion Phase.
• Aug – Nov. 8, 2011 – provide educational information on the contents of proposed charter.
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Page 14
ETHICS CONTINUED
Art. 7.5, Chapter 3. Office of Inspector General.
Created the Office of the Inspector General, an office designed to identify and investigate, waste, abuse and fraud/corruption in city government.
Person appointed for 6 year term by city council, can only serve one term and must have bachelors degree and 10 years of experience in one or combination of being: (1) law enforcement officer; (2) a judge; (3) experience in investigating fraud and conspiracy; and (4) ability to work with law enforcement agencies.
Must report illegal activity to prosecutor.
• Sec. 2.107. Dismissal Proceedings.
Clearly spells out 6 reasons why an official must be removed (mandatory forfeiture of office).
It also provides 4 reasons why an official may be removed (permissive forfeiture of office). Before one could only be removed if found guilty of a felony. Now an official can be removed if they plead guilty to a felony.
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Personal Testimonials
"Most teachers have students that they remember for a lifetime and Jenice was one of those students."
- Delores Davis, retired Detroit Public School System
English teacher & Speech coach.
"Jenice Mitchell Ford is one of the most talented lawyers I have ever worked with. At Foley and Lardner, I was able to witness first hand her excellent work. She will make an outstanding Charter Commissioner."
- Jeffrey Collins, former U.S. Attorney and Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP
"I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with Jenice Mitchell Ford over the years. In addition to her strong leadership demonstrated through her role on non-profit boards, I have admired and relied on her guidance and expertise not only in areas of legal issues but also in community engagement and organizational management. I could not think of a better person with the experience and commitment to serve Detroit."
- Aaron P. Dworkin, Founder & President, The Sphinx Organization
"Jenice Mitchell Ford is one of Detroit's most promising young leaders. She is bright, dedicated and concerned for her fellow citizens."
- Reginald M. Turner, Partner, Clark Hill PLC.
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ARCHIVED POLITICAL ADS
MORE ARCHIVED COMMERCIALS
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BETTER GOVERNMENT CONTINUED
• Sec. 9.405. Elimination of Redundancy in Government.
To the extent you have departments doing the same things, we can no longer afford to have this type of repeat of action or redundancy. The charter seeks to get rid of this by requiring the mayor, city council and clerk to evaluate its programs noting which departments cover the same functions. They have to report their findings and publish same for the Auditor General and public.
• Sec. 9-701. Risk Management Council
This group has been expanded to include: (1) Corporation Counsel; (2) Chief of Police; (3) Finance Director, (4) Human Resources Director; (5) Inspector General; (6) Transportation Director; (7) City Council Designee; and (8) Chairperson appointed by Mayor. It now has the power to implement measures to minimize risk presented by high risk departments which expose us to high cost lawsuits. Highest risk departments include police, transportation and public works.
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Other Things
OTHER THINGS YOU WILL FIND IN CHARTER
• Sec. 3-108. Geographical Basis for Electing Council Members.
City Council elected by hybrid district/at-large system (7 districts; 2 at-large).
• Atlanta: 420,003 pop; 15 members; 12 districts, 3 at large; 35K to 1.
• Chicago 2,896,016 pop; 50 alderman; 57,920.52 to 1
• Detroit 714,000 pop; 9 members; 7 districts, 2 at large; 102,000 to 1
• Best practice is normally 60-70K – that would have required 11 (but no appetite to increase).
• We’ve had 9 council persons since 1918. The No. 9 has never been based on population
1900: 285,704 (13th Largest City) 1960: 1,670,144 (5th Largest City)
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