Detroit, MI

John Eddings, City of Detroit ombudsman for 10 years, dies at 79

Published

3 years ago

April 22, 2022

John Eddings, City of Detroit ombudsman for 10 years, dies at 79

John Eddings was a champion of people that was recognized for having a listening ear and looking for options for individuals who had been handled unfairly.

Eddings died April 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 79.

Eddings labored at Chrysler earlier than being employed by the Metropolis of Detroit and labored in varied govt positions earlier than he served a 10-year appointment as Detroit ombudsman below three mayors: Coleman A. Younger, Dennis Archer and Kwame Kilpatrick. After retiring from Detroit, Eddings grew to become Macomb County’s first ombudsman and labored there for a couple of yr.

Born in Corinth, Mississippi, Eddings was the youngest of three siblings. He moved to the west aspect of Detroit as a baby along with his household after his father discovered a job in an auto elements plant. Eddings graduated from Northwestern Excessive Faculty and acquired a bachelor’s diploma from Hampton College. He later undertook varied skilled growth research at Wayne State College.

He moved to Las Vegas from Detroit final November.

John Eddings with his daughter Carla and wife Patricia.

“After my mother handed, he wished to go away, and so he got here out right here in November of final yr,” mentioned his daughter Carla Eddings Williams, who lives in Las Vegas.

“I knew that my dad did loads. He was really a person of service,” she mentioned. “Daddy helped so many individuals.”

John Eddings and Jeff Woods at a 2019 luncheon hosted by the Detroit Retired City Employees Association.

He was a strong voice for the underrepresented, in line with retired deputy metropolis ombudsman and longtime good friend Raymond Schultz. “He believed in equity, accountability and fairness for everybody. … Folks got here to him for assist once they ran right into a brick wall.”

Longtime good friend Charlie Williams mentioned: “His persona was treating individuals with respect however being agency when he needed to be agency. That’s why he was affective as an ombudsman.”

Eddings was the primary Black president of america Ombudsman Affiliation.

In a 2016 interview with the Detroit Historic Society, Eddings described dwelling close to twelfth Road in Detroit in the course of the 1967 riot.

“John was at all times a straight shooter,” mentioned Jeff Woods, a former union president and member of the Detroit Retired Metropolis Workers Affiliation. “He taught me a number of issues about metropolis authorities. … I thought of him my mentor.”

Eddings was a faithful household man who was married to his spouse, Patricia, for 52 years earlier than she died in 2020.

“He additionally spent a number of time along with his daughter Carla, who was the apple of his eyes,” Shultz mentioned.

Eddings loved politics, jazz music and assembly with buddies for breakfast or lunch.

He had fun that may knock your socks off,” recalled Cal Cortright, a longtime good friend who met with Eddings and a gaggle of retired buddies for breakfast or lunch just a few instances a yr.

Eddings was a member of {many professional} and civic organizations that included the Worldwide Ombudsman Institute, Nationwide Discussion board for Black Public Directors, Worldwide Personnel Administration Affiliation, American Society for Public Administration, Society for Human Useful resource Administration, Nationwide Hampton Alumni Affiliation, Nationwide Affiliation for the Development of Coloured Folks and Detroit Retired Metropolis Workers Affiliation.

John Eddings with granddaughter and wife Patricia.

He was the nuts-and-bolts man, in line with Trienere Steinberg, who used to work with Eddings. “He knew every thing and was a taskmaster. Folks went to John once they wished to get issues accomplished appropriately and on time. John was a take-care-of-business type of dude. The type you’d at all times need in your crew.”

A memorial service in Detroit is being deliberate for June.

Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor on the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com.

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Detroit, MI

Toledo vs Pitt bowl game in Detroit today: GameAbove Time, TV, channel, streaming info

Published

2 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Toledo vs Pitt bowl game in Detroit today: GameAbove Time, TV, channel, streaming info

College football’s annual bowl game visit to Detroit has a new name. This year, the Pittsburgh Panthers (7-5) meet the Toledo Rockets (7-5) in the 2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field, home to the Detroit Lions.

The Panthers lost five in a row in the ACC to close the regular season after beginning 7-0.

The Rockets were a MAC contender before losing their final two games of the regular season.

The GameAbove Bowl takes the name from what used to be the Quick Lane Bowl, won last year by Minnesota, 30-24, over Bowling Green.

Here’s the game info on Pitt vs. Toledo in the bowl game in Detroit:

Pittsburgh vs Toledo GameAbove Sports Bowl TV channel, start time

TV channel: ESPN.
Date: Thursday, Dec 26.
Start time: 2 p.m. ET.
Where: Ford Field, Detroit.
Streaming: ESPN+ or Fubo (free trial).

What are the bowl games today?

There are three bowl games today, Thursday, Dec. 26.

Pitt vs Toledo (GameAbove Sports Bowl): 2 p.m., ESPN
Rutgers vs Kansas State (Rate Sports Bowl): 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Arkansas State vs Bowling Green (68 Ventures Bowl): 9 p.m., ESPN

Watch today’s bowl games on Fubo (free trial)

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

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Detroit, MI

Next Weather Forecast 12-25-24

Published

12 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Next Weather Forecast 12-25-24 – CBS Detroit

Watch CBS News

Warmer air builds through the weekend ahead.

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Detroit, MI

Why Ben Johnson Coaching Chicago Bears Could Be Disaster

Published

22 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Why Ben Johnson Coaching Chicago Bears Could Be Disaster

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s name is being floated around as a top candidate for a head coaching vacancy within the NFC North.

Johnson is reportedly intrigued by the Chicago Bears’ head coaching job, which opened after the Bears fired Matt Eberflus on the day after Thanksgiving. Some analysts viewed the Lions’ 34-17 win over the Bears on Sunday, which featured one of the most unique trick plays of the season, as an audition from Johnson for the vacancy.

It’s worth noting that Johnson turned down interest from teams across the league to remain with the Lions after last season, and could be in position to do so again depending on how the team’s season finishes.

The Bears job is one of several expected to be open, but it’s the one that Johnson has been associated closest to at this point. With the success that Johnson’s offenses have had over his three years as coordinator, and the proximity that the Bears have to Detroit as members of the NFC North, it is a natural pairing.

However, there’s more elements to a potential pairing that could be cause for concern. For starters, the Bears have struggled mightily as of late. They haven’t finished with a winning record since their 12-4 season in 2018, and have made just one other playoff appearance (2020) in that time span.

There has been disfunction throughout the organization this season, as they’ve lost nine games in a row dating back to a Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 8.

Additionally, there’s concern about the longevity of general manager Ryan Poles, and the team’s ownership, the McCaskey family, has drawn criticism from the fan base for its decision-making.

Because the Bears have struggled, and looked hapless at points, Johnson likely wouldn’t be easily enticed to inherit this situation.

MORE: Ben Johnson Expected to Interview With Bears, ‘Intrigued’ by Job

However, the Bears also do have some elements working for them. Most notably, Johnson would get the opportunity to work with 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. The USC product has shown some promise throughout a rookie season that has lacked significant wins, but one filled with promise.

Johnson had high praise for Williams when asked about him by Lions OnSI leading up to the Week 16 game. He has thrown for 3,271 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions over the course of his first NFL campaign.

It’s easy to see why the Bears would be interested in Johnson. He’s the creative architect of one of the league’s best offenses and has played a vital role in Jared Goff’s career revival over the last several seasons.

What the 38-year-old coach has done with Goff has been well-documented. If he were to strike up a relationship of this nature with Williams, he could make the young passer into one of the league’s best talents at the position.

Williams has good weapons around him that could allow him to succeed in the right scheme. Chicago could also have another high draft pick depending on where they finish, which will allow whomever takes over as coach to add another highly touted piece to the roster.

Additionally, it’s expected that the Bears will break ground on a new stadium next year with hopes of finishing construction in 2028.

Ultimately, it’s been reported that Johnson won’t interview for jobs simply to say he did it. Rather, he is expected to be selective and interview for positions that he would want to take. If he does take a meeting with Chicago, which he is reportedly expected to do, it would be a sign that he would want the job.

Johnson’s focus in the current future remains on bringing a Super Bowl to Detroit this season. If he were to do that, it would make the potential pill of him taking over in Chicago much easier to swallow. However, the Bears’ interest will make the offseason very intriguing as Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn both navigate their futures.

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