Detroit Mayor Dave Bing made a political gamble and it paid off on Election Night. Instead of playing it safe in his quest to win a four year term, he made tough decisions related to the city's budget deficit, employees, and services. A majority of Detroit voters rewarded him for his "no nonsense" leadership with a full term as mayor.
A big part of Bing's success will depend on how much he is in harmony with the new incoming Detroit City Council. Voters wanted to turn the council upside down and that's exactly what they did by electing five newcomers, including a brand new council president (Charles Pugh) and president pro tem (Gary Brown). The message to incumbents was loud and clear: No more business and theatrics as usual! A change is coming to the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.
Two other places voters in Southeast Michigan cast their votes convincingly was in Macomb and Oakland Counties. Macomb residents are sick and tired of being treated like political step-children. They wisely want a county executive who can interact with Wayne County Executive Bob Ficano and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson on equal turf. Who they pick for the top political job in Macomb will be fascinating to watch.
And in Southfield, incumbent Mayor Brenda Lawrence easily won another term because of her quiet but effective leadership. Maybe we're entering a new era will voters don't want sizzle with their politicians. A change is coming!
