Written by Karen D. Swim

As we close one chapter of the Kwame Kilpatrick scandal, it is clear that many Detoiters are still fiercely loyal to the soon to be ex Mayor. The ride or die mentality is alive and well in the D and that is part of the region’s problem.

I was surprised when Kilpatrick won his last term in office.  Detroiters seemed all too willing to overlook the scandal plagued Mayor’s shortcomings and ushered him back into the office which he used as his personal playground. They stood by him through unchecked spending, the party that wasn’t, shady firings, bully tactics and the murder of Tamara Green. Supporters argued it was the media and Kwame haters seeking to take him down.

While the media certainly dogged the story, they only did so because the Mayor provided the ammunition.  The poor decisions he made while in office were his own and for that he should take accountability. As ordinary citizens watched their property values decline and neighborhoods grow more desperate, their Mayor traveled in first class style and enjoyed the perks of the rich and famous on the city’s dime. As unemployment rates climbed and people strugged to pay utility bills, the Mayor and his family bought a nice vacation home in Florida.

Ride or die citizens lived with streets piled with snow, and no or slow responses from an overburdened police force. Yet, in every speech they were told the city was in great shape. Out of town investors were treated to vacant buildings filled with dead dogs from illegal dog fights and stripped bare of appliances and any trace of copper but hey Detroit was on the comeback trail. Crime continued to rise, the graduation rate for schools diminished and criminal became bolder and more aggressive but Downtown Detroit was flourishing.

We must begin to hold our leaders accountable for the actions. Public servants have become enamored with the perks and power of the job and could care less about those that they have been elected to serve. We can no longer support their bad decisions or bad behavior.  It is their job to serve the needs of the people.  If leaders want to live like Diddy then let them become rappers. We need leaders who will have a single minded focus on the greater good and not the greater gain.

Kwame Kilpatrick may be a good man, but he was not a good mayor.  Detroiters you have an opportunity to start a brand new chapter, choose your leaders wisely.

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Written by Karen D. Swim

Today marks the beginning of the end of Mayor Kilpatrick’s reign in the city of Detroit. A plea deal was reached today and the Mayor proffered his resignation, effective September 18, 2008.  As many Michiganders watched or listened to the live court proceedings, we did so with a mixture of relief and sadness.

In these troubling economic times, Michigan has been further embattled by the Mayor’s legal struggles.  Economic revitalization came to a crashing halt in the past several months. Today we saw the retirement of the Chief of Police, and the end to the Kilpatrick reign. Now we must pull together to move Detroit forward.

However, before we can move forward we must create a strong foundation on which we can build. It is likely that we will see more resignations from the Kilpatrick administration. We also have the ongoing Synagro scandal and the still unsolved Tamara Green murder. All of these issues must be swiftly dealt with before we can truly move forward.

We must heal our fractured communities and mend the rifts that have polarized the region. We must cross the lines of disagreement and link arms as citizens of this state.  We must diversify our economic base and get our citizens back to work. Let us take our collective energies and work together for change that benefits us all.

Written by Karen D. Swim

I have spent the greater part of the day tuned in to the removal hearings which began today. It is a shameful but historical moment. As I watched, I could not help but think that this boat has capsized and Team Kilpatrick is bailing water but not fast enough to save the sinking ship.

The Mayor invoked his right not to appear.  It almost certain that he and other members are working on his exit strategy and negotiations with the prosecutor. After all, everyone has accepted that the Mayor will leave office.  The ony remaining questions are how and when it will take place.

While the media has covered the Governor’s hearing, former Chief of Staff, Christine Beatty was also in court today.  It was reported that she invoked the fifth amendment 61 times in less than 2 hours. Bottom line, Beatty truly is proving to be a ride or die chick through and through.  My advice, save yourself sister girl because Kwame does not have your back!

If the Mayor successfully cuts a deal with the Prosecutor, where does this leave Beatty? Her attorney publicly floated the possibility of testimony against the Mayor for immunity. However,  if the Mayor cuts a deal first, Beatty will lose her bargaining chip. The Mayor will face some jail time, whether it is 90 days, 6 months.  This is significantly less than what he would face if tried and convicted on the felony counts. How much time will Beatty receive if convicted? I suppose we will have to wait and see.

I am glad that this mess is finally coming to an end, but Beatty will not be the only body left in the aftermath of this smackdown. Sharon McPhail, Ella Bully-Cummings and others on the Kilpatrick Friends and Family plan cannot be sleeping well at night.  Who else will fall when this dynasty finally comes tumbling down?

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Written by Karen D. Swim

Well, it appears that Mayor Kilpatrick’s reign will soon come to an end. Even as he seems resigned to relinquish the keys to his kingdom, his arrogance seems to be firmly intact.  It is reported that the Mayor plans to lie low for a couple of years and then run for office again (and win on the votes of forgiving Detroiters).  In fact so strong is his belief that his proposed deal makes provision for this scenario to take place.

We live in an interesting time.  As Detroit’s image continues to take a beating on the national stage, our nation may be on the precipice of electing its very first African American President.  Mayor Kilpatrick was a bright, rising star who had the potential to go on to a higher office.  While Obama seems to represent fairness, justice and change, the Mayor seems to represent the worst that politics have to offfer.  As I look past this particular ugly period in our state’s history, I am left wondering who is Detroit’s Obama? Who will usher in change and truly seek to serve the people? Who will lead us boldly and justly into the future?

Written by Karen D. Swim

Late last week, news reports leaked that city business leaders had arranged a series of meetings with prosector Kym Worthy and Team Kilpatrick. Tiring of the ongoing battle, it was hoped that the two sides could compromise bringing an end to this protracted nightmare.  With waning support from the business and religious communities and increasing calls for his resignation, Mayor Kilpatrick seemed ready to finally discuss an exit strategy.

Christine Beatty’s attorney hinted at his client’s willingness to testify in exchange for immunity. Sharon McPhail asked Governor Granholm if a pardon was possible.  It was the first crack we’d seen in the armor of Team Kilpatrick’s arrogance. But would the prosecutor’s office acquiesce?

Days later, the city remains in a holding pattern.  The prosecution and defense seemingly entrenched in their positions.   City Council is firm in seeking to oust the Mayor in spite of a Judge’s ruling that they have no legal authority to do so. The prosecutor is intent on pressing forward with her case, with no sign of willingness to take a deal. The Governor appears intent on doing nothing while the state’s image takes a beating. And Kilpatrick? Well he is intent on keeping a tight grasp on the “kingdom” until they pry from his hands.

Should the Prosector make a deal and put an end to this mess or is she right to seek justice? Will citizens be happy to put the mess behind them and move on or do they want the Mayor to “pay” for his wrongdoing? I can make a case for both sides but only time will tell how this battle will play out. I can say that if it were you or I, we would not be able to secure our financial future, and escape prosecution but then again the Mayor has proven that he is not like us.

Written by Karen D. Swim

City of Detroit Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick is truly living up to his image as the hip hop mayor. Like the villains in gangsta rap, Mayor Kilpatrick has now done time. In reality his time in jail is equivalent to the celebubrats like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.  After spending one night in jail, the Mayor received a revised bond and will be tethered.

There was no time for a release party, as the Mayor returned to court for new felony assault charges. It is becoming increasingly difficut to keep up with the Mayor’s mounting legal woes. No wonder he needs a team of high powered defense attorneys! In case you’re trying to keep up here’s the recap of Kwamegate:

• Perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice charges. Circuit court arraignment on Aug. 14.
• Bond violation. Emergency hearing today. Bond revised to $50,000 cash bond, no travel and ordered to wear a tether.
• Felony charges. AG Mike Cox filed two charges of felony assault relating to the incident of officers attempting to serve a subpoeana to Kilpatrick friend, Bobby Ferguson. Arraigned today, $25,000 bond (10%), no travel and no contact with defendants in the case.
• Forfeiture Hearing. City Council is moving forward with their process to attempt to remove the Mayor from office. Governor Jennifer Granholm will preside over the hearings which begin on August 18th.

Perhaps its time for the Mayor to step to the left, to the left and allow someone not fighting multiple cases to run the city?

Written by Karen D. Swim

I have resisted writing posts that portray the city in a negative light. In fact I have not updated here for quite some time because even I grew tired of the air of negativity. There are many positive things happening in Michigan but unfortunately they are being overshadowed by the ongoing Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick scandal.

Today, the mayor of Detroit has been ordered to jail for violating the condiitions of his parole. Although, he will not remain in jail (he will be bonded out), it is yet another sad day in Detroit’s recent history.  I have listened as many citizens have continued to defend the mayor’s actions. I have heard the litany of excuses- the media has targeted him, he is human, he has not been proven guilty, the coverage is not fair and on and on. However, all that I have seen is a man who simply believes he is above the rules – all of them.

I applaud Judge Giles for treating the mayor like any other citizen.  How difficult would it have been for the Mayor to arrange a meeting in Detroit, or simply notify the court of his “emergency” need to go to Windsor? He traveled without notifying the court and only apologized when he was caught.

Dear citizens of Detroit, are you happy with the way your city is being potrayed? Do you still believe that the Mayor is “moving the city forward?” I see a city that is falling apart. The downtown area may be undergoing revitalization but that does not extend to the urban neighorhoods beyond its borders.  I see vacant homes, deteroriating properties, crack houses, strip clubs and liquor stores in “regular neighborhoods” where most foks are simply trying to live a decent life. What do you see?

Detroiters, have you had enough of the mayor yet or are you still willing to defend his actions?  How many other cities have mayors that are fighting a multitude of court cases and lawsuits?  I believe Detroiters deserve better. Am I alone in my opinion?

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Today marks the 38th anniversary of Earth Day.  Earth Day, according to the US government “is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet.”

I am all for Earth Day, in fact I have been quite conscious of my impact on the environment for a long time.  However, I wonder how can we care about the planet if we don’t care about people? Crime, war, and poverty are all things that contribute to pollution of the mind and soul. What are we doing to rid our world of this unfriendly impact on the environment?

We are worried about landfills (and we should be) and how this will affect future generations, but what about the impact of our faulty education system and lack of opportunities for urban youth?

I would love to see plastic bags banned and bicycle sharing catch on in the U.S. I welcome renewable energy sources and green practices.  However, as I plant trees, carry my own bags to the grocer and reduce my energy consumption I am even more conscious of the people that populate the planet.

I dream of a day when our streets are not littered with trash, drugs and hopelessness; a day when our graveyards are not overflowing with bodies of our young people; and our minds and souls are not polluted with despair and negativity.

With this in mind, I ask, are we really ready to go green?

Photo Credit: Flickr.com | Daylily18

I will always be there for you
I will always say a little prayer for you
I will always care for you
Hello Detroit

Lyrics from “Hello Detroit,” Sammy Davis Jr.

As the long funeral procession wound its way from my Mother and Aunt’s church, I dutifully fell in with the other mourners. As we proceeded through lights and turned on to unfamiliar streets, I occasionally stole a glance out of the window to take in the neighborhoods. Were we on the East Side or West Side? Somehow this question always seems important to Detroiters. I have learned that Macomb is considered East even though it is not even in Detroit.

As we drove and I fought back tears, I recognized names of streets from childhood stories about the city. I had not grown up here but these streets held the secrets to my history, my past and I desired to discover them and form a connection.

Driving around for my nephew’s funeral was the not the best way to see Detroit. It did however, awaken a longing to know the city of my heritage. It also confirmed that no matter where I had grown up, Detroit is my home. These unfamiliar streets are as much a part of me as the sunshine and palm trees of my beloved California. With vague memories from the first two years of my life, I had a sudden longing to fill in the gaps.

The sights and sounds were a dizzying kaleidoscope in my state of grief but I am determined to renew my relationship with my Detroit. She has always been with me and now I am ready to pay attention.

Mayor Kilpatrick was to deliver his budget address to City Council this morning but the council had other plans. The Mayor took his seat only to be told by Council President Ken Cockrel that council had decided over the weekend not to hear from him. Talk about being dismissed.

Mayor Kilpatrick delivered the address to the media and three council members, Monica Conyers, Martha Reeves and tiara wearing Barbara Rose Collins.   The Mayor as is typical lost none of his usual swagger.  How many rounds will this bout go?  Both sides appear ready to go the distance.

There are many who will disagree with Council’s decision.  Cockrel, in defense of their actions offered the following: “A number of the Council members who feel very strongly that what we’re dealing with at this point (is) the equivalent of the CEO of a corporation that’s facing eight felony counts – that we as the board of directors of that corporation, the City of Detroit, shouldn’t hear from him.”

I disagree with Cockrel.  If this were a corporation, the Mayor would have been given a golden parachute and the chance to have his firing be labeled as a “resignation.”

So where does that leave Detroiters?  We are left with shiny new businesses in Downtown Detroit and a city in turmoil all around it.  Public safety, grocery stores and good schools are the hallmarks of a healthy city.  Detroit is sorely lacking in all these areas.  There are casinos and restaurants which are lovely, but the core problems of the city remain unchanged.

Until we fix the problems of everyday citizens, this fight will have no winners.