you ask a very good question: why would TWDC host a debate? I also ask who would come? The ones with the self interest who very much need the $$$ flowing to TWDC? You bet. Last night I was talking to a disabled woman on SSI in Old Tremont, Ward 14, who needed some home repair assistance. The closest CDC was TWDC and she said she was going to call them. I am interested in what they tell her.

Cummins has said that he will bring in Detroit Shoreway. That is not a solution, be it Detroit Shoreway or another. The needs of the entire Ward 14 is so big, and the problems so deep, that this is an insult to the residents. It shows how out of touch Cummins is with the ward.

I was wondering that myself.  I think lmcshane suggested the debate be held at Lincoln West High School.  What happened to that idea? 

I agree that Ward 14 has been overlooked for far too many years...probably more than 4.  But, I don't think it is based on ethnicity, race, creed, gender, age, or sexual orientation.  It is probably all based on income level and also the lack of political clout.  How many people in this ward actually get out and vote?  How can anyone who does not take the time to learn about the issues and the candidates and vote have the right to complain when things don't happen that will benefit their neighborhood?

If you want to see things get better in Ward 14 you will have to help your neighbors learn about the candidates and the issues and get out and vote for the candidate that will best meet the needs of the majority of residents, not the minority. 

Please, please, please vote!  Don't let apathy ruin your neighborhood. 

  Candidates---what do you know and how do you propose to make Lincoln West the incubator for a new economy in Ward 14? 

Do I hear crickets??

And, yes, Devil--can we stop with the carpetbaggers? 

Well, I think until the people that reside in Ward 14 can get past the prejudices that divide us there will be nothing but more of the same in this area.  As long as we continue to divide ourselves into 'groups' we will have no power to bring prosperity into this area.  It is an age old trick...divide and conquer.  We have to realize that ALL residents of ward 14 live here and are impacted by the decisions or lack of decisions made by our leaders.  As long as they, the powers that be, can keep us fighting amongst each other they will be able to do whatever they please because we will not show a united opposition to their proposals.  We all lose when we divide ourselves into 'groups' instead of uniting for the benefit of the community. 

 That is what it all comes down to is a united community no matter who your elected representative becomes. 2 people can start it on their street, and it takes a lot of work. It is hard for people to believe that they can make a difference, and sometimes people lose interest. It is even harder when you don't have a community organizer to help (and hard to find a decent organizer). We used to have organizers. Powers to be don't like community organizers cause those worth their salt bring all sorts of people together and then we cause problems for the powers to be. When we all get in a room together, wow. we find that we have some common concerns and we want action!

Exactly right! At least we have realneo now.  This didn't exist when I was young and raising my family here.  This is a good start, it gets us communicating and interacting and voicing our concerns. 

 We have to do more then just speak up on realneo. It is a good starting point but we need to figure out how to use it to mobilize. There, I used a dirty word.

I like that word.  If we can rally 'round a common cause we would wield some power. 

That is a tall order.  I don't mind meetings, like in meeting people, but when there is too many agendas at the meetings and too many pulling in all different directions I find it a waste of time and energy.  I would rather speak my mind here in the comfort of my home, and voice my choices of representatives and other issues by the 'secret ballot'.  No need to have get in your face discussions now that we have the internet to use as a communication tool.  Just my opinion. 

I think that this is why people remain divided, it is a lot of effort to unite, work through the crap and the agendas. I like to do this stuff, but have to take breaks to regroup or my brain implodes. You can always just start with coffee with a couple of neighbors and see where it goes. Remember 2+ people can make a difference.

I don't have the stomach for planned meetings.  I think I do better with informal meetings and discussions on the run, rather than with planned meetings.  Maybe I am an undiagnosed ADHD person.  I like improptu discussions about issues while talking with a neighbor that happens to be taking her trash to the tree lawn, or a neighbor that is outside planting flowers in the Spring.  I am not a meeting type of person.  I find it to be counterproductive.  Maybe I can learn to overcome my dislike of meetings.  I might be willing to try since the stakes seem to be so high.  But, I truly understand the reluctance that many people have about meetings. 

My son and his wife attended a meeting on their street not too long ago and he said it went well but he was concerned that not all the neighbors were invited to attend.  If you saw the most recent Nagin flyer their pictures were on it.

I really admire people that organize and put themselves out there for criticism. 

are hard when you are putting people that don't know each in a room and they have to get to know each other and that is always tense the first couple of time , then it gets easier. But it sounds like you are doing some organizing in your own way and that is important work. When you talking to a neighbor who is taking out the trash or the one gardening, you are building the blocks, and that is a good first step. Getting to know people is good.

Of corsue I am not your son, I would have asked why other people weren't there, and if it was because they have different views, I would have challenged that decision to exclude them. If they would not change the viewpoint, I would leave but tell them why I thought that this is wrong.

My son did mention it to the person who was organizing the meeting but I am thinking that since he did not organize the meeting that it was not up to him to invite the attendees.  Maybe the next time he will invite people to his home and then he can invite everyone on his street.  I don't like exclusion either.  I like to hear what people have to say even if their viewpoint differs from mine.  Sometimes I even change my own viewpoint after listening to someone else's point of view.  I sometimes realize that what I thought to be true may in fact be false when I am presented with enough facts that prove me wrong.  Discussion is good.  Information is essential to making good decisions. 

 I'm reading the above comments and what is coming through to me is we need a strong leader (disjointed meetings, too many issues, etc.)

SO - traditionally that is what a council person is paid to do (which Santiago obviously failed miserably at, but that horse is so dead it hurts my foot when i kick it).

WHO - is best to lead in Ward 14?

Cummins, who has a demonstrated propensity to cater to powers that be

or

Nagin, who has a long history of standing up for people without and making them stronger (its a union thing, folks).

it aint high math to me.....

I agree dbra. 

Ladies, I just have a minute before I trudge up to join the Hitler Brigade and listen to the autocrats tell everybody wtf is going to happen over the next few weeks with regard to the by-law mail out process, etc.

But just as my two cents since I don't live in Ward 14, I've been reading and listening and I don't think that Brian Cummings has the brass to handle TWDC.  I think that he will either knuckle under or take the money to Detroit Shoreway and either way, people in the Ward 14 and Clark Metro area will get short changed once again.  I truly believe that Rick Nagin is the only one with enough backbone to say enough is enough. 

Amen and hallelujah!  Thanks for your post Jerleen.  And your honest opinion.  It is worth more than a pound of gold.