Candidates for Detroit City Council turning up the volume as the Aug. 4 election approaches. Some candidates are running just to have a voice, but 43 others are running for the chance to revise Detroit’s constitution.

The City Charter is the governing document for Detroit, much like a constitution. It provides the checks and balances, and rules and regulations
of the City Council. Detroit’s City Charter has not been revised since 1997, birthing Proposal C, which was presented to voters during the May election of 2009.

Detroiters voted in favor of Proposal C, which would create a commission to review, revise and update the city’s charter. There are 43 candidates
running for the Detroit City Charter Revision Commission on Aug. 4. Eighteen will be elected from the primary election, and nine will compete to
become the chosen ones for the Charter Revision Commission.

Detroit is in desperate need of a revised charter in order to provide a better code of ethics in the City Council. A new, revised charter would handle
some of the present issues, such as council members using politics for personal gain. The new charter would probably change how members
are elected with voting by districts instead of an at-large representative structure.

Out of the ranks rise four extremely different male candidates looking for your vote on Aug 4.

Ken L. Harris, president and CEO of Detroit Black Expo, plans to bring an economic agenda to the city of Detroit. He is director of business development and strategic initiatives for the Michigan Minority Business Development Council Inc.

Harris believes his businessman mind-set makes him a unique candidate. He believes he has demonstrated outstanding leadership, integrity and great communication skills. He believes a revision of the charter will bring profound economic change for Detroit.

“The entire city charter needs to be under review,” said Harris. “In order to do that, we need the best and most credible people to carry out the amendments.”

Harris’s platform includes:
• Investigation of term limits
• Examination conformation of appointees and city contracts
• Review checks and balances between mayor and City Council
• Strengthening ethical guidelines in city council

Harris also has a plan to teach workers who have depended on an auto-industry how to fend for themselves. He wants a more diverse economy for Detroit, and desires to help African-Americans develop
new ideas of success.

Ken Coleman, former legislative assistant to then-State Sen. Irma Clark-Coleman and former radio talk show host, is also running. Coleman, also
a journalist, takes on an analytical point of view towards the revision for the charter. He believes he knows the charter, and understands the need for
deep analysis of the new doctrine.

“The charter hasn’t been reviewed in more than 12 years,” said Coleman. “It’s certainly time to revise the city’s constitution.”

Coleman is a jogger and frequent marathon runner and has adopted his platform from his everyday hobby. R.U.N has become his game plan for his candidacy. It is an acronym for:
• Revise entire charter
• Urge accountability and more ethics provision
• Neighborhood meetings throughout the city

Coleman would like to see City Council meetings in the neighborhoods of Detroit. As a candidate, he believes his ability to listen, help form consensus, and governmental experience at the city and state level give him an advantage.

“Though there are many qualified candidates,” said Coleman. “I believe I have a unique set of skills and experiences that will give me the ability to help make Detroit run better for you.”

Former mayoral candidate and deputy mayor Freman Hendrix is well-known amongst Detroiters. He resigned his position at Eastern Michigan University to work for Mayor Dave Bing with the crisis
management team. He, too, is vying for a seat on the charter commission.

Hendrix wants to see major changes to the City Charter, most importantly changing the at-large representation to election by district.

“I am a firm supporter of council by districts with two of the nine council members serving at large.”

Twenty-seven year radio personality and community action leader Reggie Reg Davis, another charter comission candidate, is a proud Detroiter and believes the city needs new representation and leadership.

“If we continue to hire the same type of people who only want personal gain and don’t believe in creating change for Detroit, we will continue to
see the same things, (including) bad schools and violence in the streets,” he said.

Davis, who lost his brother to gun violence, created the Cease Fire Youth Initiative to stop teen violence. The radio veteran has been using the
microphone to get important issues across to the citizens of Detroit. Since the death of his brother, Davis has pledged to become a leader in his community.

His main goal is too eradicate corruption in Detroit City Council. He wants stronger consequences for unprofessional and criminal activity.

“If someone is charged with a felony, they should be impeached immediately,” said Davis. “Detroit needs stronger ethics and consequences for actions not ethical.”

Davis has been a public servant for the past 27 years, and wants to create monumental change for the community.

For more information on these candidates, you can visit these websites:

• www.Harrisforcharter.com

• www.Colemanforchartercommission.com

• www.ReggieRegDavis.com