State-appointed emergency manager Roy Roberts has announced that a new plan for Detroit Public Schools will include longer academic years and the expansion  of preschool programs. 

As part of the "Neighborhood-Centered, Quality Schools" initiative, far fewer schools of the district will be closed. During a press conference on Thursday, Apr. 11, Roberts said the new strategy will include closing less buildings than initially announced; 4 as opposed to 28. The decision has been made to only close schools where moving students will place them in a better "academic" or "physical" setting. Officials also want the changes to affect as few people as possible.

The schools that will close include Wilkins Elementary-Middle School, Oakman Elementary-Orthopedic School, Northwestern High School and the Harris professional development building. The Detroit Collegiate Preparatory program will move from a wing to the main part of Northwestern’s building. The Duke Ellington Elementary-Middle School program will move to the building that currently houses the William J. Beckham Academy program. 

The district will employ a "community schools" model to keep programs at some schools available 12 hours each day, seven days a week. Preschool programs will also be expanded to include all 4-year-old children in the district. The new initiative follows a 5-week planning process involving students, parents, teachers, principals, clergy and community leaders.

“Our strategic plan will be the roadmap we follow to create a stronger, more sustainable district that will not only maintain the students we have, but help us grow and prosper by regaining market share,” said Roberts. “Long gone are the days when anyone had a monopoly on the education of our children. I am certain that the competition created by the increase in education options in our community is a good thing because it forces us to be the best, not just academically but across the board.”

Robert suggested the plan is set on the premise of growing the student body. He wants DPS to be the district of choice for the city's residents, and gain those who have left as well as earning new members. Roberts also said employees will receive training on how to treat parents better. He believes filling the district's 28,000 empty seats will involve improving moral, bettering relationships throughout the school system and fostering a "friendly" environment. 

"If we can really go after being friendly to people- and we do it right- we’ll get three more percentage points of market share.”

To find out more about the new plan for DPS, and school closings: click here. 

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As a native Chicagoan, first lady Michelle Obama says violence in the city is "personal". 

On Wed., Apr 10 Obama returned home to give an emotional plea to civic leaders. Standing alongside Mayor Rahm Emanuel, she urged them to help raise $50 million to fund anti-violence youth programs throughout the city.

“I am here today to join the call to all of you, Chicago’s most distinguished business and community leaders, to take up this challenge with fervor,” Obama told a crowd of about 800 community and business leaders at a hotel in downtown Chicago. “I hope that communities across America will follow Chicago’s lead to get our young people off the streets and back on track to successful lives.”

Mayor Emanuel officially announced the $50 million fundraising goal to create and maintain programs for at-risk youth in the city. He believes the purpose of his newly-created Public Safety Action Committee is not necessarily about tackling youth violence, but instead the gap of opportunity that exists between inner city youth today. 

Click here to find out more. 

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A Wayne County judge has requested that the Michigan Supreme Court reject a six-month suspension recommended by a watchdog agency.

According to the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, Judge Deborah Ross Adams of the 3rd Circuit Court forced her attorney’s signature on documents in her divorce case. The agency also claims that she lied under oath to the commission.

Adams says her attorney was coerced during the investigation to turn over confidential documents. She also claims she never intended to mislead the judge who was handling her divorce.

On Thursday, Apr. 11, the Michigan Supreme Court will hear arguments. 

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A car that drives itself? We might be closer to such technology than you think.

The possibility of semi-autonomous automobiles is no longer a distant ambition. It's a solution that might aid drivers when they lose attention at the wheel. Just imagine, a time when it's nearly impossible to get in an accident. Auto makers are currently working on making such innovation an affordable reality for drivers, and look to have it in new cars as soon as 2018. 

Recently, companies like TRW and its Israeli partner MobilEye have demonstrated the technology to media outlets. Systems currently in development will be able to detect pedestrians and differentiate between humans and large animals. They will be able to move around an individual in the street or stop in cases of possible hazard. Cameras will be able to read road signs, and detect stop lights, construction zones as well as no entry/ dead ends. 

Combine such innovation with GPS and you'll be able to maintain speed, stay in the correct lane, remain alert to various driving conditions and stop as needed. Drivers will also be able to let go of lateral control for a limited amount of time, allowing the car to drive itself. Will 'texting while driving' become a normality as opposed to a liability?

Given the current low cost of this technology, developers see it as an opportunity that will extend from luxury brands to the mass markets.

What do you think of 'smart cars'? Would you buy one?

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Michigan’s First Adult Pinewood Derby Comes to the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix

Boy Scouts Celebrate 60 Years of Racing Tradition

Southfield, Michigan (April 9, 2013) - Fifth Third Bank is proud to be the title sponsor for Michigan’s first adult pinewood derby competition to be held at the site of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix on Tuesday, May 28th from 1-6pm. The Boy Scouts of America Michigan Crossroads Council is embracing the excitement of world-class auto racing as they bring this time-honored scout tradition to Detroit’s premiere racing venue.. The Fifth Third Corporate Pinewood Grand Prix will be the first official event to kick off Grand Prix Week.

Teams will take an actual pinewood derby kit still used today by the Boy Scouts and build their race cars. The strict rules that all pinewood derby races abide by will be applied to this event as well. Car specifications for weight, length, width and building materials will follow the Boy Scout tradition. These race vehicles will compete in racing heats on Pit Lane at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park circuit to see if their team has what it takes to win! Awards will be given to the fastest three teams as well as the top car designs. All participants will be treated to a post-race reception at the Grand Prix Club Chalet located next to the Scott Fountain.

Whether the focus is on speed or on style, the Fifth Third Corporate Pinewood Grand Prix gives team members a chance to be a kid again and be a part of the Grand Prix Week celebration.

Detroit and the surrounding region are full of creative and technical thinkers from automotive companies, design firms and parts suppliers as well as strong engineering colleges. The competitive spirit and innovative ideas from these men and women will be combined not only with the racing tradition rooted in the Motor City, but also with the classic 60 year-old racing tradition of the Boy Scouts. You won’t want to miss this inaugural event to cheer on your favorite car and “driver”!

“We are very excited to host the very first Fifth Third Corporate Pinewood Grand Prix on Belle Isle,” said Charles Burns, Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix General Manager. “This event is a great way to wave the green flag on race week activities and we look forward to working with Fifth Third Bank and the Boy Scouts of America Michigan Crossroads Council to create a unique and memorable experience.”

A portion of the entry fees will go towards funding valuable Scouting programs throughout the metro Detroit area.

“Since 1953, millions of Cub Scouts and their families have participated in pinewood derby races. The Pinewood Derby is now a premier annual event of the Cub Scouts. Over 50 million kids and their parents have built and participated in pinewood derby races,” stated Gary Gilger, Chief Development Officer, Michigan Crossroads Council. “This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Pinewood Derby; the adult pinewood derby competition that is taking place is a fundraiser for the Michigan Crossroads Council, Boy Scouts of America. We are excited about this partnership with Fifth Third Bank and the ability to bring this tradition to the Detroit Grand Prix week celebration.”

“As a sponsor of the Chevrolet Belle Isle Detroit Grand Prix I could not be more pleased than to have the Fifth Third Corporate Pinewood Grand Prix serve as the kickoff event to Grand Prix Week in the Motor City,” stated Jack Riley, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Fifth Third Bank. “This fundraiser is the springboard for Fifth Third’s sponsorship of the Boys Scouts of America Michigan Crossroads Council.”

The Fifth Third Corporate Pinewood Grand Prix is a chance for teams from across the region to challenge their skills, satisfy their need for speed or break the rules and create a concept car they’ve always dreamed of. Wait for that green flag to fly and be a part of a new Michigan tradition.

For more information on the Fifth Third Corporate Pinewood Grand Prix and to register for the race, please visit www.michiganscouting.org.

Detroit building director Nate Ford on making department more efficient

Nate Ford, director of the city’s Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department, says the biggest challenge has been in dealing with antiquated processes, procedures and technology.

“We have not, up to this point, really taken a good look at how we’re doing,” Ford said. “How can we make it more efficient? How can we make it seamless?”

He also said the “culture” of “it’s always been done this way” has been a challenge, but emphasized that the department is making great strides.

To this end, employees are encouraged to think outside of their traditional parameters.

Helen Broughton, business advocate II with the department, added that it’s the difference between employees doing what they’re told and being empowered to think, ‘Is this the best way to do this?’”

Ford acknowledged that morale is not what it should be, but said employees are still going that “extra mile.”

He also said customer service — a huge component of what his department does — is starting to improve.

“That goes along the lines of that culture change,” he said.

With respect to antiquated technology, Ford said the department has an outdated billing system.

“We have to literally manually input and get the output for bills,” he said. “That needs to change.”

Until recently his department didn’t have online permits.

As part of its efforts to update its technology, the building department is piloting having tough-built, hand-held computers for inspectors in the field. Ford wishes he could purchase those computers for all inspectors. However, because of the lack of resources, the department needs to use a phased-in approach.

Ford said his department interacts with everybody from residents seeking a permit to add a porch to business owners looking to expand, alter or enlarge their establishments.

“We like to say we deal with the universe,” he said.

Ford wishes more people knew that his department’s number one job is public health and safety.

“We’re here to improve, in a direct and indirect way, the quality of life for our citizens,” he said, adding that his employees work hard every day to do that, under very difficult circumstances, given that the department doesn’t have the resources it once had.

“I wish they knew that we’re not the bogeyman,” he added. “We want to work with them. We want, obviously, the businesses to boom in the city of Detroit.

“We just want to make sure that it’s done in way that’s safe and healthy for the citizens of Detroit, and for those business owners.”

Ford explained that his department has a mission to provide services that ensure public health and safety are being held to the highest standards.

Despite the reduction in employees, his department is still outputting a quality product and a quality service.

Ford said there’s been a significant reduction in the time frame for getting permits, and that they will be reducing it even more. Hearings have been reduced from 60 days to almost 15 or 21 days.

The department will be educating its customers as to what they would need before coming down to the department.

If a homeowner wanted to add a back porch, Ford said his people would want to see a set of drawings, information on the kind of material to be used, and the cost.

“You can walk in and out in a couple of hours, if you have everything you need,” he said.

In the next 60 to 90 days, the building department will be doing things to revolutionize how it does business.

Ford doesn’t expect the appointment of Kevyn Orr as emergency financial manager to impact his department because it is healthy.

“We are back to generating revenue, if you will,” he said. “We’re looking at our expenditures and seeing where we can cut. I think that is important in terms of lending to a healthy business/department.”

Department officials are also asking themselves how they can do better.

Broughton said the building department is responding to feedback, adding that she understands the frustration of working with the city. She said the department is doing everything it can to make active changes.

She also said Ford, Deputy Director Ray Scott and others in the department have worked with the chiefs of the various divisions to document all of the procedures and determine if A) something makes sense; and B) if not, how they would do it differently.

She came on board last November to assist with communications and PR. She said Ford is eager to let people know that this is not same old building department, and acknowledged that it has been frustrating to work with the department in the past.

“We have heard from customers that it’s getting better, and we want people to know that it will improve even more,” she said.

She added that government should be permeable, and said she’s done things as simple as making sure the department’s website has accurate phone numbers.

A graduate of Cass Technical High School and Morehouse College, where he was marketing major, Ford said he has always wanted to be in public service, a commitment promoted in his household. At 17, he was an intern for then-councilman Nicholas Hood, Sr.

Over the years, Ford has also been executive director of the Booker T. Washington Business Association, a Detroit NAACP board member, and a member of the city’s Board of Zoning and Appeals.

He described being the director of the Building Department as his dream job.

“Because I think you touch everybody here in this department,” he said. “It’s a very results-oriented department, where we have a product and a service.

“Businesses depend on us. And having been in both the business arena and government, I think I’m sensitive enough to understand the importance of good customer service and getting our product and our services out quickly.”

Ford said he enjoys working with his employees, whom he described as some of the hardest-working people in the city.

“We have a saying in the building department, ‘Make it happen,’” he said. “And they strive for that.”

He enjoys the interaction with everyday citizens and developers, and said his department is the ground floor for the new Detroit.

“We’re open for business,” Ford said. “We’re here and we’re working hard to make it easier, make it more efficient, make it faster.”

The Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department is located in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave., Ste. 401. Call (313) 224-2733 for any information needed.

Last week I received a lot of feedback on the article I wrote on the need for bold and visionary leadership for Detroit.

One thing that stuck out in most of the responses that flooded my e-mail is the bureaucracy that has long hindered the smooth and efficient operation of small businesses and businesses of color in Detroit.

That the ability to obtain the necessary paperwork for doing business in Detroit was always greeted with a culture of incompetence at city holding small businesses hostage for too long is unacceptable.

That small businesses often find themselves in a position where they seemed to be subjected to often rigorous and unnecessary and incomprehensible vetting before acquiring licenses or accessing funding from the city is something that should now be a thing of the past. And ending such practices would be a bright light for a Detroit of the future.

If we are seeking a new Detroit that represents the aspirations of those who have long struggled for their businesses to flourish, along with all the other inadequate services they’ve been receiving despite paying heavy taxes, this is the time to mark the red tape down for elimination.

This is not an impossible task because in a new dispensation, where optimism about the city is increasing due to a vibrant private sector that is no longer confining its work to the four walls of the boardroom, but also stepping out in unprecedented ways to be prominently and civically engaged in the life of the community, Detroit can make government work for all.

It is time to channel the frustrations, angst and outcries of bureacracy at city hall into carefully crafted policy agendas that should be in the hands of every candidate running for mayor and city council.

Since most candidates running for political office in this town hardly do their homework because they rely either on name recognition, political heritage or don’t have any inkling of what they are about to face, it is better that those seeking a more robust and effective Detroit government actually give them a mandate.

Those who seek to govern should always derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed. And giving these candidates a mandate on ending a practice that has handicapped the growth of small businesses in the city is one way of making city hall more functional to the needs of everyone.

That is something Detroit’s emergency financial manager, Kevyn Orr, who is charged with reducing the burden of the city’s debt, cannot do.

That responsibility rightly belongs to the civic leaders and the political leadership in Detroit, even though ending the red tape has not been high on the political agenda. Yet it gets mentioned almost like a cliché as a critical factor in how government should operate in the city.

The fact is, red tape hurts economic growth and if small businesses are the engine of the economy, it would make sense to spare them of excessive and mindless bureaucracy that is non-productive to the growth of these businesses who hire locals to work for them.

And today the biggest threat to small business growth in the city and booster of red tape is Detroit’s aged data system. The fact that the city is still utilizing paper rather than fully operating on up-to-date technology makes it extremely difficult to not only make records easier to trace, but also reconciling these records for small businesses.

Detroit’s slow march into the technological age is the biggest known secret and to cut down on bureaucracy would mean making city government hi-tech like Oakland County.

In Oakland County, you can walk in, request information, an attendant will refer you to a computer and you can easily access the information you are seeking.

In Detroit walking into city hall to access information means you must be ready to take the day off from work because you will spend the whole day in your quest for that information. And chances are you will asked to come back another day or week.

A case in point is the 36th District Court on Madison Avenue which is a decade behind in the technological transformation era.

If city government is going to make any meaningful headway providing guidance to burgeoning businesses, city officials will have to move beyond just verbally condemning red tape, but actually implementing reforms that are needed to help these businesses succeed.

That means getting up to speed on technology.

What is needed are reforms that will create economic transformation with city government as a willing partner in providing an atmosphere where small businesses can thrive and find a sense of achievement and growth.

Recently, the city went on a raid of businesses that exist without the proper paperwork. It was important to get those businesses operating in the shadows to meet the compliance demands of local government.

But those compliance demands should be free of anything that impedes the growth of local businesses. Innovators and local business owners should not have to sit and wait for months before getting a clearance certificate.

The longer they wait the more they will lose interest and will be inclined to move elsewhere, where the factors involved in doing business are more conducive and public safety is not a nightmare as we currently see in the city.

It is in the city’s best interest to move quickly to help business owners and young innovators returning to the city start their ventures in the Motor City, and do so with deliberate speed.

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, under the leadership of George Jackson, has been instrumental in private sector growth in the city.

But much more remains to be done and, according to many of the responses I’ve received so far from business owners, one key complaint is the long lines at city hall, one more hindrance, one more thing to dampen hopes for running a thriving business in Detroit.

Something must change, and that begins by inculcating the need for change in the minds of candidates running for office this summer.

Bankole Thompson is editor of the Michigan Chronicle and the author of the forthcoming book “Rising From the Ashes: Engaging Detroit’s Future With Courage.” His book “Obama and Black Loyalty,” published in 2010, follows his recent book, “Obama and Christian Loyalty” with an epilogue by Bob Weiner, former White House spokesman. Thompson is a political news analyst at WDET-101.9FM (NPR affiliate) and a member of the weekly “Obama Watch” Sunday evening roundtable on WLIB-1190AM New York and simulcast in New Jersey and Connecticut. E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit his personal page at www.bankolethompson.com.

Detroit is the place to be! At least, according to one travel writer.

David Landsel has compiled a list of over-rated destinations and suggested alternatives. He chose Detroit over Chicago as one of the best places to travel to.

It's nothing new for Michiganders to talk about the many choices in our area for fun, exciting things to do. However, getting recognized by outsiders is always a plus. 

Landsel recommends that travelers try the Motor City over the Windy City, citing such reasons as world-class architecture, a great music scene, and cheaper and better beer. It's surely a much needed boost of self-esteem for Detroit. Given Forbes' recent rating of the city as "Most Miserable", local residents will be happy to see it is in the national spotlight for a good reason.

Click here to find out more about over-rated travel destinations.

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Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital has a new patient gown that aims to offer a little more style, comfort and rear coverage.

The new design, which resembles a wrap-around robe, closes in the back and front. It's also made of a thicker, cotton and polyester blend than a typical gown so that it keeps patients warmer. Three snaps, as opposed to ties, make it slightly more secure that previous cover-ups. It’s also more accessible for IVs and other medical lines.

The new gown was developed by the Henry Ford Innovation Institute in collaboration with the College for Creative Studies. After about two years of work on its design, it's currently being tested on several inpatient floors at the hospital. Tailored to fit two patient populations, the new gown can adjust from a size large to an extra-large with the snap of a button. There's no cost change to replace the old gowns, and the new designs meets national hospital cleaning standards. 

It's sure to put a smile on patient's faces, and save them a little bit of dignity during their hospital stay. 

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On Wednesday, Apr. 10 dozens of metro Detroiters will be in Washington D.C. for what’s being called a historic national immigration march on the Capital.

Residents from southwest Detroit plan to gather with the expected masses for a rally they hope puts more pressure on Congress to create a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants.

Michiganders are riding buses to D.C. to be a part of the rally. It's expected that at least 500 of the state's residents will be in attendance.

Click here to find out more about the 'All in for Immigration' rally.

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