Detroit's Charter Commission candidates in their own words

Detroit Free Press

Detroit's City's Charter provides the framework for how city government is organized. In the Nov. 6 election, voters will choose nine charter commissioners to serve on a Charter Revision Commission authorized in the August primary to consider changes to that document.

The last charter revision was adopted by voters in 2012. Significant changes included instituting districts for Detroit City Council, requiring the council to approve mayoral appointments, and strengthening some accountability and oversight provisions. Because fewer than 18 candidates filed to run for the charter commission, there was no primary; all 15 advanced to the fall ballot. The Free Press asked candidates what, if any, changes they believe should be made to the charter. The comments below were excerpted from their responses, which appear in full in the online Detroit Free Press Voter Guide.

Chase L. Cantrell

2-105(A)(22): Strengthen definition to avoid ambiguity 2-106.1 & 4-108: Define financial and pecuniary interests 4-121: Require minimization of cost 4-122: Provide time threshold for posting information on city’s website 4-301: Require professional standards for a subset of the commission 5-101: Implement mayoral term limit of three terms 7-301 & 9-201: Clarify the role of cultural affairs Art. 9, Ch.1: Reinforce powers of Advisory Councils

I would propose a provision in Art. 9 requiring electronic dissemination of information on the city’s website when the Charter requires public disclosure.

More: DECISION 2018: Where Michigan's key races stand

Emily Dabish

Any changes should involve consideration of core function of City Departments as they relate to enhancing City services.

Take into account the way in which those recommendations will affect quality of life for Detroiters.

Make decisions that are not reactive to one administration but choices that will see through the changes Detroit is facing.

I have seen the public and private sides of the equation and understand the implications of public policy as it relates specifically to the Charter.

Graham Davis

I believe the most important role of the charter commission is to facilitate a process where Detroiters can weigh in on what's most important to them, instead of going into the process with a rigid agenda. Through in-person and online forums, I would help the commission reach out to as many Detroiters as we can to find out what changes residents want to see in our city charter going forward.

Michael R. Griffie

I believe changes should be made to clarify any and all ambiguities that exist in the current Charter as well as changes that create a more transparent and efficient city-government. Moreover, I firmly believe that any changes to the Charter require a high level of community input.

Taylor Harrell

There are a handful of changes that can be made to the city charter. One change in particular that I am focused on is changing the residency requirement to run for elected office in Detroit from one year to four years.

Often times we see legislators, not just in Detroit, but everywhere, creating policies and implementing ideas that do not reflect on their communities as whole, but instead feed their own self-interests. If the residency requirement is changed, it will give our elected leaders a chance to understand and empathize with their constituency prior to their run for office.

Denzel Anton McCampbell

Provisions in the charter that give residents access to our city government and tools to hold city officials accountable should be kept. We have to make sure that there are various avenues for Detroiters to tap into their government. I would work to make the Citizen Advisory Councils automatically available in each district, add participatory budgeting, and add strong community benefits language. I’m opposed to any attempt to consolidate power. We should work to have a city that is accessible, understandable, and accountable to every resident in the city, especially the most vulnerable.

Karissa Holmes

no response

Laura A. Hughes

It is critical that the full document be reviewed. As currently written, Detroiters have the opportunity to vote yes or no to revising the Charter at the same time that they determine which candidates go onto to the general election. This eliminates the ability for residents to properly vet candidates before the general election. This needs to be changed. Secondly, there is need for additional clarity/tightening of language to ensure we are focusing our city resources to ensure our efforts to train and employ Detroiters match the current supply and demand.

Quincy Jones

Residents only have two dates to make property payments: Summer and Winter. Please review Section 8-403 #3 in the Charter. Residents that own their homes, that do not have a mortgage; just have two options. We have a tax foreclosure issues in our city. i.e 2900 homes are in danger of being foreclosed in Osborn community. Many residents are asking can I make monthly payments on property taxes? This will help with cash flow, manage money and paying property taxes on time? We need to create support/ varies options for residents to pay property taxes.

Richard Mack

The confusion of the process of having the Charter opened. I am open to discussing other alternatives.

Byron Osbern

I would like to see more protection of our retirees pensions, address the rights of our physically and mentally handicapped neighbors, a commitment to our Detroit based businesses and contractors, and revisit the residency requirement for elective officers.

Tracy Peters

I voted no on Proposal R in the August 2018 primary election because I believed that no general revision need occur at this time. Through the upcoming revision process, I do support strengthening the Peoples' expressed will that the City require application of the one person — one vote principle to taxing bodies or service providers for city residents. I also support open discussion and voting in lieu of City Council's current 30 day window to "not disapprove" Executive Branch appointments including but not limited to Board of Police Commissioners, Police Chief and Corporation Counsel

Nicole Small

no response

JoAnna Underwood

no response

Carol Weaver

I have no changes without having input from the citizens of Detroit.

Barbara Anne Wynder

I think the question of a Charter Revision should be voted on every 8 years, I think the prohibition of gifts of all types to public officials with the exception of paper honorarium acknowledging their service should be absolute. I think the commission should be receptive to public input for other changes.