The people of Detroit demand change, in leadership, in the way we work with our neighbors, and in the way we carry out doing the public’s business. Unfortunately, the last two elections have brought about neither change nor confidence in the direction the City will be taking. Indeed, there is little or no confidence in our leadership. The destiny of Detroit is at hand at this pivotal moment, this is a unique moment in time, and it demands unique skills and leadership to steer it out of these stormy waters.

We are in the midst of an historic economic and financial crisis at City Hall that threads itself throughout our local, regional and national economies. We need a Mayor that is a fighter and who understands how to fix the City and the school’s finances; that will strengthen Detroit; protect its valuable assets and raise the hopes of its citizens.

The people of Detroit demand more choices in the kind of skills and leadership to lead this great city at this pivotal moment in it history.

Having fought for my good name for the past 15 years, I know what Detroit is going through, and I know we have the strength to rebuild our reputation, our assets and our spirits.

I know what it is to be treated wrongly; to be driven into debt by the government; to be called out of my name; to serve penalties for wrongs which I knew I did not commit and to face my children in the hours before being forced to leave them or to try to make a living after falsely serving time. I know this pain. In spite of these challenges, for the past 19 years since running for Mayor against Coleman Young, I have been raising my family, helping to run my family’s businesses and in the courts fighting to restore my good name and reputation.

Finally, in November, 2008, the United States Tax Court ruled against the government and declared that it found no fraud. During the trial, IRS agents admitted to falsely inserting figures into their analysis of my accounting firm’s books which created a false tax and to calculating a false tax debt, all causing me to be unjustly convicted and imprisoned. Currently, I now await final vindication by the District Court.

In the meantime, Detroit is in crisis and I believe strongly that I no longer need sit quiescent when I have the skills to contribute to our City’s success at this critical moment in time.

On May 5, 2009, a minority of stead fast Detroit voters (fewer than 8%) decided who would be our Mayor for the rest of this year. In August, we need a majority of voters to participate in determining a new destiny for Detroit. Will it be more of the same, or change for the better? There is a clear consensus for change, and I place myself in the arena of advocacy to help to bring that change to my town… my city.


      Warmest regards,