Mayor Dave Bing’s reelection signals a willingness on the part of voters to keep him in this most powerful position as this city’s problems increase.
Bing, in turn, has a tremendous responsibility to give back to voters their civic investment. That means he as mayor must show that he is in touch with the average Detroiters and their concerns.
The attempt to paint him as an outsider because of his previous residence apparently did not work on those who wanted a different kind of leadership.
Bing must show that he can be trusted on the question of good judgment in the next four years, on decisions that are at the heart of this city’s future.
These are troubling times and the economic recession has made things that much worse for residents and businesses.
But Detroit has always survived hard times, and thrived, because of the tenacity of its people who refuse to give up on the city.
Tuesday’s vote showed that.
And the city at this time needs its leaders both, in the executive and legislative branch, to work together in close collaboration. That is not calling for a rubber stamp council because it must perform its civic duty in checking the excesses of the executive office.
Yet we cannot afford a gridlock on issues that are dictating the survival of hard-pressed taxpayers.
The mayor’s office and the city council, come January, must enhance their communication links to ensure the smooth running of government.
The old ways of doing things cannot be tolerated in a new era that calls for change, accountability and probity.
Detroit has been afforded this opportunity to right the wrongs of the past. The mayor can and must play a key role in that. The city council has the ability to be a major factor in turning things around. The charter commission has the power to give us something tangible that would not mortgage the future of Detroit’s children.
All hands must be on deck.
It is a new
day. Let us wake up to that reality.
Watch senior editor Bankole Thompson’s weekly show, “Center Stage,” on WADL-TV38, Saturdays at 1 p.m. This Saturday, Nov. 7, the discussion will center on the new Detroit City Council, including an interview with newly elected president Charles Pugh. E-mail Thompson at bthompson@michronicle.com.
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