Filling Detroit City Council’s vacancy

Analysis By T. Kelly The Michigan Citizen Saunteel Jenkins will resign from Detroit City Council, effective Nov. 7, to take a private-sector position, leaving a vacancy at the council table. The vacancy will be filled by Council vote, creating a scramble for power and a display of political gamesmanship that hasn’t been seen in this city for some time. Key influencers include the mayor and elected officials, labor, outside interests and Detroit’s corporate community, which will undoubtedly do heavy lobbying for their candidate to win the two-thirds support — five votes — necessary to fill the spot. Council President Brenda Jones says, next week, the Council will meet to discuss the process for filling the vacancy. This is the first major display of power shown by a council neutered by emergency management. The person who wins the seat will absolutely change the climate of the table, which, until now, has been difficult to define. [caption id="attachment_14921" align="alignleft" width="475"] Among those lobbying for the soon-to-be vacant Detroit City Council seat are Monica Lewis Patrick and Rev. D. Alexander Bullock. Bullock was the third highest vote-getter in the 2013 at-large race.[/caption] A progressive force at the table could help anchor Brenda Jones from her recent right-wing meanderings, provide support for Raquel Castañeda-López who has seemed unafraid to take on the administration or issues such as community benefit agreements and Mary Sheffield, whose votes are often aligned with the wishes of her constituents. A conservative force would solidify the power of Mayor Mike Duggan and his friendly alignment with Gov. Rick Snyder and former Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr. Duggan, a machine politician, understands the need to influence Council. Council, after all, is the city’s legislative body and should be a check on the administration’s power. A Council that bucks state oversight and checks the mayor could be a representative force for the citizens of Detroit. A number of people are interested in the spot, some have openly lobbied Council, and a few have been willing to go public with their wishes. Rev. D. Alexander Bullock says he would like to serve the citizens of Detroit. Bullock ran for the at-large city council spot in 2013 and lost to Jenkins. He was the third highest-vote getter. Bullock describes himself as someone who has the background for the position. A graduate of Morehouse, he is embedded in the community and has the community organizing and public policy background necessary. “It is an important time. Detroit is being re-imagined,” says Bullock. “I would be a good addition to Council because, emerging from bankruptcy, there is going to be an opportunity to reshape the city. City Council will play a major role in who will be left out and who will be included in the Detroit recovery.” A progressive voice could also help strengthen a team “that can get things done without being anti-business but can include people,” according to Bullock. Monica Lewis-Patrick, a community activist and a voice in the campaign to end water shutoffs is also lobbying for the position and has the support of community organizers such as Russ Bellant. Ken Harris, President and CEO of the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, and a former City Charter commissioner says, to de-politicize the selection of a new council member, Council should look at the next highest vote-getter. “In 2009, when Commissioner Freman Hendrix, chairman of the Detroit Charter Revision Commission vacated his seat, the commission voted (to appoint) Attorney Tonya-Myers Phillips who was the next highest vote recipient to fill the vacancy. She finished in 10th place. The vote validated the will of the people, helping to ensure their vote counted and their voices were heard,” says Harris, who believes Bullock should get the spot. “This is an opportunity to not politicize the at-large Detroit City Council vacancy by going with the next highest vote recipient during the 2013 general election cycle.” Other possible candidates were contacted. None were willing to comment publicly.