The memo

It is our intention to change the way campaigns are conducted in our city, and change the way Detroit is looked upon from the outside. We are preparing to run a modern campaign, focusing on field — that is rooted in research and polling. Our city has unique issues and different challenges that the "soccer mom’s" from Oakland County and we are poised to address those differences in a manner that will produce a higher turnout percentage.

In the 2000 presidential election, voters in the City of Detroit made up close to 13% of the total electorate, casing 282,111 for then Vice President Gore. It has been said that there are 650,000 registered voters in the City of Detroit. We all understand that this is a false number. It is our intention to use various opportunities to purge our voter file to produce a more accurate list. I believe that the number will fall somewhere around 450,000 registered voters.

Early estimates for a state wide coordinated campaign budget have been in the neighborhood of 12-14 million dollars. With that in mind, we are presenting a responsible program costing 2,000,000 dollars — 14% of your overall estimate. I am confident that this program, if funded and implemented, will allow for us to reach presidential levels of turnout of 275,000-280,00 — which will benefit the entire democratic [sic] ticket, as well as the straight party ticket ballot proposal.

This is a commitment that we as leaders from the city of Detroit are making to the democratic ticket — but we expect the same in return. A commitment to us from the future leaders for this state to make good on the promises of inclusion, a government that leave no one behind and one that is reflective of the state. We expect a strong voice in the appointment process:

Based on the policies of the last 12 years, the next administration must address the issues that face the African-American community. In order to achieve this, I propose:

• 20% of the new appointees should be African-American.

• Directors of MSHDA, MEDC, FIA, Corrections, Community Health and the Insurance Commission should be Detroiters. There is a wealth of talent and experience within Detroit who can help craft the policies that are laid out by the next administration.

• The past policy of marginalizing Detroit has to stop. A commitment to the city from the state in the form of government facilities located in the city, any new construction of government buildings need to happen in Detroit and more staye contracts need to be granted to Detroit based, minority owned businesses.

There is a new focus in the City of Detroit, one that challenges our elected officials and those who would lead to address the culture of our city, and the character of our people.

This November we are faced with many great challenges, none greater than to renew the hope our people have for their leadership in Lansing. For the first time in a decade, there will be a new governor faced with repealing the harm tone to our city by the current administrations harmful policies.

Let's work to get this done in November, I am eager to hear your thoughts and get this done.