Essay: Starting Over - 9/18/2008

Here’s something I can’t figure out. Is Ken Cockrel Jr. the luckiest -- or the most unfortunate -- politician in the entire state?

I suspect that’s something that none of us, including acting Mayor Cockrel himself, will know for awhile.  First of all - the good news is that it will be really hard for him  not to look good, coming in following the criminal nightmare of the Kilpatrick administration.

All Mayor Cockrel will have to do to be an improvement is to remember to avoid strippers and  outrageous parties that involve limousines idling in the street for hours. Avoid committing felonies, stealing the people’s money and lying under oath.

Then, tap into the huge reservoir of good will that’s there statewide for someone who wants to make Detroit respected again.

On the other hand, Cockrel is taking the helm of a desperately poor city that has been in a state of economic and political paralysis since the text message scandal broke in January.

He has to try to jump-start Detroit, even as the nation teeters on the edge of what could be the most terrifying financial crisis since the 1930s.  However, that may not be the hardest thing the new mayor has to face. Detroit City Council decided to spend $3 million to hold  special primary and general elections to fill Mayor Kilpatrick’s unexpired term. Yes, the deeply flawed city charter says they are supposed to do that. But this makes no sense.

What it means is that Detroit will have city-wide, mayoral elections in February, May, September and November. Oh yes - and before that, we have the national presidential election in November.

That means that pretty much nothing will happen in Detroit all year long except non-stop campaigning.

Since nobody in the business community, or the wider political community, can be sure who the next mayor will be, nobody is going to be in the mood to make any major commitments.

That is, even if this week’s Wall Street follies leaves any money for anyone to invest anywhere. As for Ken Cockrel. He is now City Council president, the highest vote-getter in Detroit in 2005,

It is entirely possible, if he loses the primary, that he will be a lame duck five months from now, and without any job at all in May.

Those who are betting on who the eventual next mayor of Detroit will be are leaning to former basketball star and businessman Dave Bing. You can be assured that there will lots of candidates, one of whom is likely to be former deputy mayor Freman Hendrix.

Actually, I would like to see a race next fall between Cockrel and Hendrix. Neither is flashy, flamboyant or a spellbinding speaker. But they are both decent, intelligent, middle-class family men.

Hendrix, for example, was the main force in reviving Little League baseball in Detroit.  Both men put themselves through school and had other careers before turning to politics. They are low-key guys who want the best for their community and their city.

Wouldn’t that be a pleasant change?

Hear Audio Story   

Comments

[Thrasher]

I was one of the very first public activists to seek Kwame Kilpatrick
's resignation.. I am pleased this region is moving on, I was of course very unsettled by the media frenzy and tabloid fetish with the saga given our state's meltdown into a 3rd world venue..I intend to continue to assist Detroit as I have as an activist, mentor and suburban asset for those in the city who do not have a forum.

I am presently evaluating the merits of returning to the city and running for mayor. None of the candidates offered up by the MSM really make one salivate..

Hendrix and Cockrel are both decent fellows but they lack the verve and essence to take the city and this region to new elevated heights, I do not share their shortcomings of course..

One man cannot destroy a city it takes a city to do that..I can take the city where the usual suspects cannot because they do not have the verve or essence that I have...

Please feel free to share your ideas, thoughts, with me as I evaluate this life altering decision..I will will of course let this site be the first to know of my decision....

My email is [email protected]

[fishtoes2000]

Note that if Mr. Cockrel loses the mayoral election, he would resume his seat as Council President. That's what was explained by attorneys at a recent City Council meeting.

[amused]

Would the prudent thing for city be for all of these potential candidates for Mayor actually pledge to NOT run for the special election? If these people want to save some money, save the city some money, and get the focus on fixing the multitude of serious challenges our city faces, they would do just that.

Let Cockrel do the job until the term expires. Don't get the attention on the feeding frenzy that an election will create. Keep the focus on fixing Detroit's problems, not on bickering on who could do better... at least for now.

If you care about Detroit, you won't run for the special election now. Just let Cockrel run unopposed, and wait until his term is up. Detroit can't afford the distraction now.

[Jose Santiago]

You heard it here first-Thrasher(The Imbecile) may run for mayor. Call the New York Times and Chicago Tribune!

As a suburbanite(and ex-Detroiter), The Imbecile is hardly a suburban "asset". Meglomaniac self-promoter that blames the cracker at all turns is more accurate. Read his previous posts and you'll begin to see the stupidity, shocking ignorance, race-baiting and hypocrisy. He will have to lighten his attacks and calm down to attract financial assistance from dare I say-those bleached buffoons he is so fond of skewering. If he moves back to the hood(I highly doubt it), Detroiters will discern his lack of credentials, integrity and intellectual prowess. Stick to the think tank up here in B'Ham.

[Dave Brubeck]

Earlier today I stumbled upon some of Thrashers writings on other blogs and was shocked at his racial bigotry. He is what is commonly known as an internet troll and cannot be taken seriously. He floats around the web insulting people and pounding his chest.
His overly inflated ego has no equal.
When he fails at his weak attempt to run for mayor he most likely will blame his failure on the white man that has been holding him down for four hundred years. I feel sorry for him.

[thrasher]

I don't think Jose or Dave will be voting for me...I can't imagine why not given I am this region's most published essayist past 20 years , cum laude graduate, family man, CYO youth speaker, k-8 school president,mentor,TV host, radio host, parent of college and law school graduates, activist and as always continue to make a difference...
,

[helzapoppn]

And you aaaaare...?

Sorry, drawing a blank here.

[Jose Santiago]

Jeez Greg-I am still looking for those "publications"? Can you provide citations?

"Cum laude" graduate of MSU in "communications"? The world is impressed. Perhaps those two tries at a juris doctorate was another honky conspiracy. Those academic credentials are beyond words.

"K-8 School President" where and when and were they aware of these posts here and elsewhere? Had to be in "third world" school district. Or did you downshift to the accomodative conformist? Anything to make a buck-right?

"Family Man" remains to be confirmed and if it is the truth-congratulations because that is an accomplishment in the hood community.

"CYO Speaker"-as a practicing Catholic, pragmatist and ex-CYO participant-I can see you hoodwinking a local parish or two. You just turn on that charm, but beneath it all is seething rage. Do you tell them about your "white" problem or do you lie about it?

"Mentor, radio host and TV host" Please tell me you don't mentor children-dear Lord. I'm quite certain you bully, embarass and strongarm those guilt-ridden suburbanites with little experience in the hood. I missed those ABC, WCHB and WJR timeslots.

Congratulations-you are a good parent. Not quite an objective appraisal coming from you but I'll accept that.

You have until October 14 or 15th to file for your "big run". Then you can compare your gold standard credentials with Bing, Hood and others. I can't wait. After your announcement, your name goes from "imbecile" to "lightweight". People know what you are. You have no idea about the damage you cause.

[Thrasher]

Jose,
Your need to evaluate every detail and aspect of all of my posts I will admit is a bit freaky and strange...Do you have any other interests in your life??.. Do you work for homeland security?? Are you the husband of a woman who has a fetish about me and told you??..

I mean your eating every bit of my posts and providing twisted commentary is really strange.. BTW you can goggle me any time for some of my body of work..Understand that I have created a new paradigm an 'alternative think tank' we are not the usual suspects in our range of services and body of work....I have left my email here many times for you to request materials and my commentaries but for some reason you fear me.. Is your envy that acute?? Should I get a bodyguard...

BTW I m still considering running for mayor of course as usual you are wrong about Oct 14 deadline that applies if one has an interest in completing KK's term but you knew that right???

I love being a personality, a person who has verve and of interest to so many....lol,lol,lol