Detroit Charter To Include Interests Of Children

If everyone claims to include the best interests of children in everything that is done, then why not include it, formally, in Charter language.


I look forward to publicizing the arguments against including the interests of children in formal Charter language.

City of Detroit Charter Preamble and Declaration of Rights Recommendations

of the

Detroit Charter Commission Youth Caucus

December 15, 2010

The City of Detroit Charter Preamble and Declaration of Rights recommendations of the Detroit Charter Commission Youth Caucus provide opportunity to adopt inclusive vision to reflect the overall needs of the entire population of the City.

The issues of children and youth have been neglected by government for decades. There are national funding initiatives that shall require certain language and policy to maximize the revenues of the citizens and businesses of the city. Here we present the opportunity to reinvest in the most precious treasures of the city, the children.

This will be the first in the history of this nation to adopt the specific language of children and youth, which is all that is needed, as these are broadly sweeping concepts to further economic development for the benefit of all stakeholders of Detroit.

City of Detroit Preamble Proposal

We the people of Detroit, do ordain and establish this Charter for the governance of our city, to invest in the interests of our citizens and children, the most precious treasures of the City, fostering a healthy environment and accountable governance, to fulfill the intent of this Charter; acknowledging our blessing from God, we pray our efforts will be accepted.

COMMENTS: More attention is placed on children. The term “interests” can to be defined in public policy but also in the design of the goals of services and programs, addressing the needs and concerns of the people.

The concept of “fostering a healthy environment” is broadly termed to be a quality of life focus, inclusive of a green, technological, political, economic and social environments.

City of Detroit Declaration of Rights Proposal

1. Detroit city government is a service institution that recognizes its subordination to the people of Detroit.

The city shall provide for the public peace, health and safety of persons and property within its jurisdictional limits.

The people have a right to expect aggressive action by the city's officers in seeking to advance, conserve, maintain and protect the integrity of the human, physical and natural resources of this city from encroachment and or dismantlement.

The people have a right to expect city government to provide for its residents, CHILDREN AND YOUTH, decent housing; excellence in education; job opportunities; reliable, convenient and comfortable transportation; recreational facilities; organized programs of recreational activities; cultural enrichment, including libraries, and art and historical museums; clean air and waterways, safe drinking water and a sanitary, environmentally sound city.

2. The city has an affirmative duty to secure the equal protection of the law for each person and to insure equality of opportunity for all persons. No person shall be denied the enjoyment of civil or political rights or be discriminated against in the exercise thereof because of race, color, creed, national origin, age, handicap, sex, or sexual orientation.

3. A person shall have reasonable access to all files and records of the city which relate to his or her rights and duties.

4. The people have a right to know the rules and regulations governing dealings between the city and the public and to a means for the review of administrative decisions.

5. The police forces of the city are in all cases and at all times in strict subordination to the civil power.
6. The city shall endeavor to require application of the principle of one person-one vote to the policy-making body of any regional or other multi-jurisdictional organization which taxes or provides any service to city residents or takes any action affecting the city's interests.
7. The enumeration of certain rights in this Charter shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
8. The city may enforce this declaration of rights and other rights retained by the people.

COMMENTS: There is nothing written in stone that the scope of the City Charter must be kept within the confines of traditional format. Detroit is unique. With a global eye on the City, there must be a balance of interests. Much of the proposals from Council and Administration have targeted economic the goal of economic recovery in transfer of powers and business empowerment. These goals may only be met with a balance of powers.

The proposed balance of powers comes from reinvestment in the social infrastructure, necessary to foster and maintain business and government.

Simply put, workers will demand a quality of life comparable or better than what they have now to provide for opportunities for their children and families.

/s/Commissioner Reggie Davis

/s/Elon-Eloni Wilks, Ph.D

/s/Mildred Madison

/s/Beverly Tran