When Deirdre sent out an e-mail letting the Fellows know that the Eight Mile Boulevard Association (8MBA) needed volunteers for their 14th Annual Leadership Luncheon, I, Brittany Sanders, was super excited. I grew up off 8 Mile (cue Eminem reference) and Livernois in the Green Acres area and have many fond memories. I remember riding my bike all through the neighborhood, frolicking across 8 Mile with my best friend to grab a slice of pizza from a now-closed Little Caesar’s and walking with a group of at least 7 gal pals to the State Fair every year. With 8MBA being an integral player in the new development plans for the State Fairgrounds, I really wanted to attend the Luncheon and get the inside scoop on what was going on with 8 Mile, that long stretch of road that spans Macomb County, Oakland County and Wayne County.
The luncheon was held at the Detroit Marriott inside of the Renaissance Center. Upon arrival, Maryann and I met the energetic and friendly Jordan Twardy, Director of Programs for 8MBA, and were assigned to the registration table. I scanned over the name tags and saw there would be a lot of heavy hitters attending this luncheon – mayors, executives, and Governor Rick Snyder was going to give the closing remarks. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing as well as County Executives Robert Ficano and L. Brooks Patterson were the scheduled panelists.
After registration concluded, we scooted into the dining hall for the panel and luncheon. We had the standard – yet tasty! – Marriott meal: salad with bread, chicken with vegetables and a dessert, while listening to Mayor Bing, L. Brooks Patterson and Robert Ficano discuss (in a quite politically-charged fashion!) everything from education to transportation to whether Mayor Bing would run for re-election (mum was the word then, but now we know differently!)
The moderator Charlie Langton, Attorney and TV/Radio Legal Analyst for WJBK Fox 2 and WWJ News Radio 950, asked his questions of the panelists, then he hopped around the audience and took some of our questions. There wasn’t much talk about the State Fairgrounds, which I was really hoping to hear more about, but I enjoyed the conversation and Charlie Langton was quite an entertaining moderator. With 8 Mile being the region’s divider between the city and the suburbs, the conversations that took place in this Luncheon were of great importance and I’m excited to see the action that is and will continue to take place.
I’m Mary Ann Palazzolo, and I am thrilled that the 8MBA holds this annual Leadership Luncheon bringing together key decision makers for the Detroit region. Contrary to Brittany, I grew up in a suburb of Detroit, Rochester Hills. Nonetheless, Detroit played an important role in my youth; it elicits feelings of pride and grit. It was my memories of Detroit’s spirit that influenced me to move here after college. I think the history and culture of Detroit is valuable to the region, because it affects the perceptions and politics of the citizens living within and around the city. Furthermore, Detroit was a starting point for many of the families that moved to the suburbs, so in a way there are pieces of Detroit in every surrounding neighborhood.
That’s why it is crucial for events like 8MBA to bring together decision makers of Detroit and its surrounding counties in a public setting. Detroit’s challenges are unique but not necessarily separate. Hearing Ficano, Patterson, and Bing banter in an open panel discussion drove home the sentiment of connectedness throughout Southeast Michigan. I was actually surprised at how little rancor and dissent occurred among the three decision makers considering their political territory. The candid and hilarious moderator, Charlie Langton, had no problem asking topical, hard-hitting questions touching on the emergency manager, public transit, the potential lease of Detroit’s water system and education. While Bing himself stated that he is “not a politician” (rather a businessman), the dialogue was undoubtedly politically heavy, but I’d say there was a propitious outlook on all fronts. The mere fact that these men are willing to answer questions in a public setting about the region’s biggest public policy issues shows a display of transparency and gives a sense of community. And I am a big supporter of both of those things. I hope to see concrete collaboration among the counties in the near future.
Governor Snyder’s closing speech was equally hopeful, especially considering that he gave his speech no more than five minutes after Patterson called him a nerd. Snyder challenged the audience to take matters into our own hands by buying locally and encouraging entrepreneurialism (two other things I am a big supporter of). Buying locally keeps currency flowing in the local arena, which is one more way we are all connected here in Southeast Michigan. It was a great note to end on. Politics aside, it’s important to remember that sometimes the best thing you can do is to purchase Michigan made products (and that includes people). When Bing said he’s “not a politician”, perhaps he was (intentionally or not) saying something larger. When politics are removed from the equation, we all want a prosperous future, and we choose how we invest our resources. Whenever possible, invest in your neighborhoods.
Contributed by fellows Maryann Palazzolo and Brittany Sanders