JENICE MITCHELL FORD
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CHARTER COMMISSIONER
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Hello. I am Jenice Mitchell Ford, Vice Chair of the City of Detroit 2009-2012 Charter Commission. Thank you for GETTING ON BOARD WITH FORD and electing me, along with eight other fine Detroiters, to propose revisions to the Charter.
We meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month in your community. We are keeping our promise to involve and engage the public at every step of this Charter revision process. See the "Events" tab of this website for a list of our meetings. Also see the Charter Commission webpage to download minutes and presentations from our meetings. See http://www.detroitmi.gov/DepartmentsandAgencies/CityCharterCommission/tabid/2936/Default.aspx.
Thank you for visiting JeniceMitchellFord.com, your destination for information about the Charter. Here you can learn how an effective charter revision will impact you as a Detroit resident and how you can be involved in the Charter revision process.
Please contact me regarding the changes you'd like to see in the Charter.
I welcome you to attend meetings, volunteer to assist in the revision process and stay engaged in this process.
I am excited about the future of this City. Now that we are all “ON BOARD WITH FORD” together we can bring effective change to the Charter and City.
I look forward to serving you over the next 3 years as your Charter Commissioner. Thank You Again!
CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO VIEW MY RECENT APPEARANCES ON
ABC-7'S SPOTLIGHT ON THE NEWS PROGRAM
AND AMERICAN BLACK JOURNAL!
Spotlight On the News: A Mandate For Change
American Black Journal: Fixing What's Broken
CLICK ON ICONS ABOVE TO VIEW MORE VIDEOS!
THE CHARTER REVISION PROCESS: WHERE ARE WE GOING & HOW DO WE GET THERE?
THE PROCESS
The Charter Revision Process entails 6 basic steps.
Step 1: Amass Information. Hold public meetings to determine which changes the public wants to see in the Charter.
Step 2: Assessment & Due Diligence. Once we hear from you as to what changes you want, we will then conduct an analysis of proposed changes to determine if such changes can and will work in Detroit. This step will involve, among other things, research and analysis, consultation with subject matter experts, discussion with city officials and workers and others who can assist in this very important step.
Step 3: raft Proposed Revisions. This is when we put pen to paper and draft proposed revisions.
Step 4: Public Input On Proposed Revisions. Hold another round of public meetings to determine if we've gotten it right and drafted the revisions that speak to the public's concerns.
Step 5: Secure State Approval of Proposed Revisions: The Attorney General must certifiy that the proposed Charter revisions are not violative of, or counter to, either the constitutions of the State of Michigan or United States of America.
Step 6: Submit Proposed Changes To Voters On A Ballot: Once we've drafted the changes you've requested, we will submit same on a ballot for the voters to vote up or vote down.
WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS
On January 12, 2010, we began 'Step 1' of the charter revision process and started a discussion with the public on the Charter, its current contents and whether it should be changed in certain areas. To date, we've met in southwest, east, downtown, northeast and west Detroit -- and will continue to meet in your neighborhoods every 2nd and 4th Tuesday. I hope to connect with you at one of our meetings. Also, please visit the Charter Commission website to download minutes and presentations from our meetings - http://www.detroitmi.gov/DepartmentsandAgencies/CityCharterCommission/tabid/2936/Default.aspx.
Jenice Mitchell Ford is a native Detroiter and a graduate of Martin Luther King High School. She earned an English Literature degree from Georgetown University in 1996 where she served as President of the Gospel Choir and the Black Student Association. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1999 where she served as an articles editor of the Northwestern Law Review and Vice Chair of the Christian Legal Fellowship.
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, Ford 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. A member of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit 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. She is former Vice Chair of the City of Detroit Board of Ethics. She was awarded the Wolverine Bar Association’s Margrette A. Taylor Distinguished Young Lawyer Award and from 2001-2006 coordinated the Wolverine Bar’s Minority Bar Passage Program, helping 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 City of Detroit with her husband Harry J. Ford III and has a vested interest in the future of the City.
An effective charter revision will require the election of skilled, deliberative and uncompromised persons who are singly focused on ensuring that the Charter:
To assist you in making an informed decision on what you'd like to see in a charter revison, I've attached a link to our Charter.
Please review and feel free to e-mail me your thoughts below. I look forward to hearing from you!
Name
Email
Subject
Comment
CLICK ON THE PHOTO ABOVE TO REVIEW CHARTER
WHAT IS THE CHARTER?
The charter is to the City of Detroit, what the Constitution is to the federal government.It establishes the form of government, its officers, how the officers are elected, their term of office and duties and powers of officers.
WHAT IS A CHARTER REVISION?
An opportunity to review the strengths and weaknesses of the current charter.
WHAT ARE DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CHARTER COMMISSIONER?
A charter commissioner has four (4) main duties. First, ask the residents what changes they want in the Charter. Two, determine if such changes can work in Detroit – assess the viability of proposed revisions. Third, draft clear provisions regarding such changes. Fourth, present the proposed changes to the residents for a vote on a public ballot.
Simply stated, Detroit citizens determine which revisions will result from the work of the Charter Commission. As such, I want to be the People’s Charter Commissioner and put my skills to work for you.
As a lifelong Detroit resident, I, like you, welcome revisions that will positively impact how the City of Detroit is structured and provides services.
WITH FORD ON BOARD, A CHARTER REVISION COULD IMPACT YOU AS FOLLOWS:
Save Your Hard Earned Tax Payer Dollars: Include clear language that will keep city officials out of courts over interpretation of unclear charter language.
Better City Services. Council by districts, along with all the necessary changes, could lead to better city services.
Change How We Elect Officials. Review how we elect officials and how often special elections must be held.
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ENDORSEMENTS
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
TELEVISION
What is the Charter? Why is it important to you? Click on the link below and view a recent American Black Journal interview to learn more about the charter revision process.
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American Black Journal Interview - Fixing What's Broken
Good Day, Everyone.
Below please click on the links to view the videos of me so graciously donated by MiVote wherein I share my views about revising the charter and why I am highly skilled/qualified to be the people's Charter Commissioner.
http://mivote.org/play.php?vid=747
http://mivote.org/play.php?vid=857
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Detroit Free Press Transcript of live chat with Detroit city charter commission candidate Jenice Mitchell Ford
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Politics & Life Talk Radio Show Interview
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MEETING SCHEDULE
(June - August 2010)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010 _ 6:00 p.m.
Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
1 Woodward Avenue, 19th Floor Conference Room
Detroit, Michigan 48226 (Downtown Detroit)
TOPIC: Corporation Counsel - Does S/he Represent Mayor, Council or You?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 _ 6:00 p.m.
Butzel Family Center
7707 Kercheval, Detroit, Michigan 48234 (Eastside Detroit)
TOPIC: Removal of Elected & Appointed Officials From Office
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 _ 6:00 p.m.
Delta Sigma Theta Detroit Foundation, Inc.
24760 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit, Michigan 48219 (Westside Detroit)
TOPIC: Police & Fire Commissions
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 _ 6:00 p.m.
Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ
7301 Curtis Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48221 (Northwest Detroit)
TOPIC: Economic Development & Planning
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 _ 6:00pm
Kemeny Center
2260 South Fort Street, Detroit, Michigan 48217 (Southwest Detroit)
TOPIC: Privatization
CONTACT US
Jenice Mitchell Ford, Vice Chair
City of Detroit Charter Revision Commission
65 Cadillac Square, Suite 3210
Detroit, Michigan 48226
(313) 628-2517
mitchellfordj_detroitmi.gov
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Question: Should the Charter commission include all attorneys or people of varying backgrounds?
Question: What should the Charter say?
Question: What sets you apart from the
other candidates?
Question: Would the Charter work that much more effectively if the language was just a little tighter?
Question: How strong should the language in the Charter be in regards to potential punishment for ethical violations ?
Question: What are your thoughts on the number of public hearings that should be held?
Question: Do you start from scratch and re-do the entire charter? Or do just tweak some of the areas that need to be addressed?
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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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DATE: Thursday, October 29, 2009
TIME: 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.
EVENT(S): Candidate Mixer
SPONSOR(S): United Nations Association Young Professionals For International Cooperation Greater Detroit (UNA-YPIC)
LOCATION: Signature Grill, Riverfront Towers, 250 Riverfront Drive, Detroit MI
DATE: Sunday, November 1, 2009
TIME: 7:30 a.m.
EVENT(S): Church Service
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TIME: 10:30 a.m.
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Jenice Mitchell Ford , Vice Chair of City of Detroit Charter Commission 65 Cadillac Square, Suite 3210 Detroit, MI 48226
