Connect with us

Detroit, MI

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan not seeking fourth term: 'An honor of a lifetime'

Published

on

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan not seeking fourth term: 'An honor of a lifetime'


After 12 years of leading the city of Detroit, Mayor Mike Duggan says he is not seeking reelection in 2025.

Duggan made the announcement on Wednesday but di not specify what his plans are after completing his term in 2025. Politicos believe the outgoing mayor could run for governor of Michigan with Gretchen Whitmer’s term ending in 2026.

Advertisement

“Detroit’s story of resurgence is one of Detroiters who never gave up on their city,” said Mayor Duggan. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as mayor over the past 12 years and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together-from emerging out of bankruptcy to becoming a vibrant, healthy city that is a model of resilience and transformation. This last year is about continuing the work we started and ensuring Detroit’s success remains rooted in opportunity for everyone.”

Duggan will speak during a press conference at noon on Wednesday. You can watch his announcement live in the player above.

A write-in candidate leads Detroit

Advertisement

Duggan was first elected in 2013 after winning the vote through a write-in campaign. 

After working as the president and CEO of the Detroit Medical Center, Duggan moved to the city in 2012 with intentions of running for mayor. However, he hadn’t lived in the city for a full year and subsequently filed his paperwork two weeks before he should have.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JUNE 06: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (L) and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan speak onstage before the Michigan Central Station Opening Celebration concert at Michigan Central Station on June 06, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo

Advertisement

Even with the early hurdle, Duggan won the mayoral race with 52% of the vote in the August Primary and then 55% of the vote in the general election. 

He would win reelection two more times: in 2017 he was re-elected with 72% of the vote over Coleman Young II. Then in 2021, he was re-elected with 75% of the vote.

Advertisement

Duggan’s accomplishments as mayor

In the statement announcing his intentions not to run, Duggan highlighted improved EMS times, historic reduction in violent crimes, and the rebuilding of city’s neighborhoods. When Duggan was first elected, there were 47,000 vacant and abandoned home. Today that number is 3,000.

Over his first four years in office, Duggan focused on improving emergency services response times, getting the city’s streetlights back on, increasing park maintenance, and decreasing blight through the Detroit Land Bank Authority. 

Advertisement

Duggan’s administration also spearheaded Motor City Match, a program that provides grants to entrepreneurs in the city. Since MCM started in 2014, it has provided more than $19 million in grant money to nearly 2,100 small businesses. 

In the spring of 2018, Detroit was released from state oversight, marking the first time in four decades that the city was fully in control of its own future. 

Advertisement

However, his second term wasn’t as smooth sailing. In 2019, Duggan was caught up in a scandal involving the non-profit Make Your Date after he was accused of giving the organization preferential treatment. His relationship with the director of the organization came under scrutiny with accusations that Duggan had asked the staff to raise money for the nonprofit. 

Additionally, chief of staff Alexis Wiley ordered some employees to delete hundreds of emails related to the Make Your Date program as news surfaced about a potential conflict of interest.  

Duggan was ultimately cleared by the attorney general’s office of any wrong-doing. A few years later, Duggan and the director of the organization, Dr. Sonia Hassan, were married.

Advertisement

In 2020 and 2021, Duggan navigated the city through the COVID-19 pandemic including testing and the eventual implementation of the vaccine ahead of his third re-eleciton.

Even with the health crisis, the city continued to grow and in 2023 it experienced its first year of population growth in nearly 70 years – a goal that Duggan had set when he first ran for mayor.

Advertisement

“Today, Detroit is offering a roadmap to cities across the nation as an example of what can be accomplished when leaders put people over politics and build bridges instead of sewing division,” the statement from the city read.

Detroit’s future leader

With Duggan’s plans not to run, the city will look to its next leader. 

Advertisement

Names considered for the role are former Detroit City Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins, current City Council President Mary Sheffield, City Councilman Fred Durhal, and former Detroit Police Chief James Craig are among the possible candidates.



Source link

Detroit, MI

Romulus residents welcome opening of Sheetz convenience store

Published

on

Romulus residents welcome opening of Sheetz convenience store


Romulus residents share views on opening of Sheetz

Advertisement


Romulus residents share views on opening of Sheetz

02:28

Advertisement

(CBS DETROIT) — Neighbors near the only Michigan Sheetz store welcome the addition to their community and believe expansion is good for state.

“It makes my life a whole lot easier and I love it,” said Wendy Drew, who lives half a mile from the first Michigan Sheetz store. “I use a lot of gas and it’s always cheaper there than the two other gas stations we have.”

However, every community isn’t keen on the proposed expansion of up to 80 new locations of the Pennsylvania-based chain of convenience stores.

Earlier this week, the Middle East and Northern African Chamber of Commerce (MENA) held a panel for independent gas station owners who are concerned about the large chains ability to undercut their prices.

“Sometimes you need competition like that,” said Robert White, who lives near the Romulus location. “You have to play the game.”

Advertisement

“The other two gas stations near me are ridiculous,” said Drew. “And my truck takes a lot of gas. I like Sheetz.” 



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Detroit, MI

How to Watch Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons on Saturday, November 23

Published

on

How to Watch Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons on Saturday, November 23


ORLANDO, Fla. – After a three-game west coast trip, the Orlando Magic have returned home. They’re set to square off with the Detroit Pistons Saturday night for a one-off home game before again hitting the road. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET inside the Kia Center.

The Magic went 2-1 out west, with wins over Phoenix and the LA Lakers sandwiching a loss to the Clippers Wednesday night. Franz Wagner’s game-winner sealed a signature 119-118 win over the Lakers last time out, bringing a Hollywood ending to his 37-point, 11-assist night.

Detroit is no stranger to a thriller either. Their last time out, the Charlotte Hornets took them to overtime and, with the help of Brandon Miller’s 38 and LaMelo Ball’s 35, defeated the Pistons 123-121.

Who: Orlando Magic (10-7) vs. Detroit Pistons (7-10)
What: NBA regular season game
When: Saturday, November 23, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, NBA League Pass
Radio: 104.5 The Beat, Magic Audio Network, SiriusXM
Point Spread: Orlando -10.5
Last Meeting: Orlando 113, Detroit 91 on March 3, 2024

Advertisement

Orlando Magic

Detroit Pistons

Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic: Mosley tipped off his fourth NBA season as a head coach this season, all of which having come with the Magic. He’s 113-150 in the regular season all-time, and 3-4 in the playoffs. Before Mosley was named the head coach of the Magic, he was an assistant with Dallas, Cleveland, and Denver. He’s a Colorado alum, and played four years of professional basketball in Mexico, Australia, Finland and South Korea.

J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons: Bickerstaff is in his first season as the Pistons head coach after being let go by the Cavaliers at the end of the 2023-24 season. He got four full seasons with the Cavaliers and led Cleveland to two consecutive playoff appearances in his final two. He also had part of a fifth season after taking over as interim coach during the 2019-2020 season. Throughout his coaching career, he’s been a head coach in Houston and Memphis, as well as an assistant in Cleveland, Memphis, Houston, Minnesota and Charlotte. He;s won 262 games as a head coach in the NBA.

Follow ‘Orlando Magic on SI‘ on Facebook and like our page. Follow Magic beat reporter Mason Williams on Twitter/X @mvsonwilliams. Also, bookmark our homepage so you never miss a story.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Detroit, MI

Detroit Tigers Ace Breaks Down Unconventional Path to Postseason

Published

on

Detroit Tigers Ace Breaks Down Unconventional Path to Postseason


The Detroit Tigers were able to have an incredible season in 2024, and arguably the most impressive feat for them was the performance of their ace all season long. 

It was an incredible 2024 campaign for the Tigers, as they snapped a lengthy playoff drought and won the American League Wild Card Series against the Houston Astros. 

In the middle of the summer, it didn’t look like either of those things were going to happen. At the trade deadline, Detroit traded away most of their talented impending free agents as most teams who are out of contention generally do. 

However, the Tigers went on to be one of the best teams in baseball in the second half of the season, and rode that momentum right into the playoffs. 

Advertisement

One of the main reasons for the success down the stretch was the performance of Tarik Skubal. The American League Cy Young award winner was simply phenomenal every time he got the ball to start a game, and he was the clear choice for the award. 

Recently, the southpaw spoke about how the team playing better in the second half of the year helped him win the award. Also, he spoke the unconventional way Detroit went about managing their pitching staff around him.

“That was a blessing. When I was given the ball every fifth day, I think everyone expected to win,” Skubal said to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. “and that’s something I take a ton of pride in. I’m trying to be the same guy and put my team in a position to win every fifth day, and we’ll figure out the other three, four days in between. I think it speaks to what we did. We were able to do those things and probably gave A.J. (Hinch, manager) some long nights, but he was good for it.”

Skubal finished up the season with a 18-4 record, 2.36 ERA, and 228 strikeouts, which led the league. 

From start to finish, it was a great campaign, as in his worst month of the season, he only posted a 3.05 ERA. 

Advertisement

The southpaw is very much a team player and really passes all the credit along to those around him. Now, after a great run into the playoffs, the Tigers will be hoping to do that again and get even further in 2025. 

With their talented lefty leading the way, they know that they will be a favorite to win against pretty much anyone when he is on the mound. 



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending