The First Detroit Mayoral Debate

Detroit had its first Mayoral Debate on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 on WADL Channel 38. Three of fourteen candidates discussed issues from public safety to the massive deficit and took hard blows from their opponents as each expressed their views as to who would be the best leader for the job.

The 90-minute session featured businessman and former basketball pro, Dave Bing; former Detroit City Council President and current Interim Mayor, Ken Cockrel Jr., and former deputy mayor - under the former Mayor Dennis Archer, Freman Hendrix.

Although two of the three candidates have held political positions in public office, I am still concerned with just how much business experience the two can contribute to such a large enterprise as the City of Detroit. For example, take Dave Bing, 64 - he is the owner of a very successful manufacturing company - The Bing Group, which employs over 500 employees. His intellect in building such a large conglomerate has proven that he has the business expertise to get our city out of such a financial strain by building partnerships with other businesses in order to bring jobs back to the City. He can also use our established resources; such as, our access to exporting and importing products globally - to implement free trade marketing, which will increase revenue for the City of Detroit. Dave Bing can also utilize his business expertise in attracting entertainment venues - giving citizens a reason to retain their residence; as well as, give those that left - a reason to return back to the City of Detroit.

Now, this is just a few of many issues that needs to be considered in order to revitalize our City, not to mention; public safety, education and the deficit. I don't want to speak too far in advance because we still have eleven other mayoral candidates to preview before making our final selection at the primary - slated for February 25, 2009.

WADL Channel 38 will broadcast three more debates in randomly selected groups of four beginning Jan. 6, Jan. 27 and Feb 17, 2009. Please tune in and listen to all 14 candidates before making your final selection at the polls of whom you will select to be your next Mayor for the City of Detroit.

We would love to hear from you; your feedback is very important.

My Regards,
Gwen Gonzalez
Proposed Candidate
for Detroit City Council