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With this two-day series, The Detroit News continues an examination of why Detroit has inadequate services, a shrinking population and vast tracts of abandoned or vacant property. The first installment, in June, showed why our neighborhoods struggle while other cities' revive and thrive. This installment examines obstacles to change. A third installment will explore solutions for reviving Detroit.
Sunday:
The Council
A close look at one meeting of Detroit's legislative body shows in stark terms how little it accomplishes.
Monday:
City Bureaucracy
As two-term Mayor Dennis Archer heads out of office, the bureaucracy that he leaves behind is larger than it has been in years, but many citizens complain it still fails to respond to their needs.
Part I: June 17-21 2001
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© Copyright The Detroit News.
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Monday, October 29, 2001
David Coates / The Detroit News
Mayor Dennis Archer was not confrontational enough to change the city’s massive bureaucracy, his critics contend.
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- Bureaucracy chokes Detroit
- Mismanaged departments thwart efficient services
- Poor coordination allows problems to fester
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- City employees fail to find solutions
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- Mismanagement adds to chronic poor service
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- Low priority placed on serving residents
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- Services hurt by low staffing, underfunding
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- Frustrated merchants find red tape daunting
- Businesses pestered into fleeing Detroit
- Like public, ombudsman has few answers
- Office lacks authority to compel city officials to quickly address citizen complaints
- Problems plague city departments
- Bureaucracy obstructed Archer’s initiatives
- Mayor was blocked by lack of funds, stubborn workforce
- Financial crisis faces Detroit's next mayor
- Economic downturn, fallout from Sept. 11 wallop city's budget
- Neighborhood city halls fail to help
- Created to make government responsive, leaders lack power to solve problems
Sunday, October 28, 2001
David Coates / The Detroit News
While debris piled up in front of homes like this one at 4716 Courville St., the City Council last month debated a ladybug invasion. On Sept. 5, the council’s first month back after summer recess, Detroit was facing several real crises, none of which were discussed.
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- Many city blocks lack representation
- Most members of the City Council and many of those running for seats in the Nov. 6 election live in a few upscale neighborhoods, leaving vast swaths of Detroit with no council representative.
- Residents suffer as ills mount
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- Mandated authority not used
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- Members' oversight is not thorough
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- Late arrivals, no shows
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- Power, boredom, and denial
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- Council passes laws that miss key issues
- Ordinances target small problems with unenforceable action
- Citizens call council aloof, aren't sure what it does
- One voter says she'll select 'Whatever name sounds good at the time'
- Members: Charter restricts impact
- 'The buck stops at the mayor's desk,' they say
- Battle for 'good government' spurred early charter reform
- Weak council springs from effort to end corruption
- Critics: Members avoid responsibilities
- Creation of districts could give residents responsive lawmakers
- Largest U.S. cities use ward system
- Representatives elected by districts tend to be more responsive, government experts say
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