Many city blocks lack representation

David Coates / The Detroit News “They don’t seem to be involved in the neighborhoods,” said Constance Smith, 45, who lives on the east side. “When somebody requests something, no matter how small it is or large it is, they should look into it right away.”

By Darren A. Nichols / The Detroit News

    DETROIT — 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.

    Detroit elects all nine of its City Council members at-large, unlike most other major U.S. cities. Generally cities are divided into wards or political districts, each of which elects one or more of its own representatives to the municipal legislative body.

    Critics say that although members of the Detroit City Council may experience some of the same poor city services as other residents, they aren’t answerable to neighbors in most parts of the city. And clustering in the more affluent sections may insulate them from the high crime rates of some of the poorer areas.

    Council members Kay Everett and Clyde Cleveland live within blocks of each other in the prestigious, middle-class University District. Not far from them are candidates Avery James Bradley, Sharon McPhail, Sandra Pace Campbell and the Rev. David Murray.

    Council President Pro Tem Maryann Mahaffey, also on the west side, lives in Rosedale Park, one of the most affluent sections. Council President Gil Hill lives in a more working-class area on the west side.

    Nearer downtown is Kenneth Cockrel Jr., who lives in Corktown, a relatively poor neighborhood. It isn’t far from southwest Detroit, one of the city’s most poverty- and crime-ridden sections.

    Councilwomen Sheila Cockrel and Brenda Scott live in apartments near downtown. On the east side is Alberta Tinsley-Talabi and the Rev. Nicholas Hood III, who live in an upper-middle class neighborhood not far from the mayor’s residence, Manoogian Mansion.

Where Council resides

Gil Hill: Northwest side

Maryann Mahaffey: Rosedale Park

Clyde Cleveland: University District

Ken Cockrel: Corktown

Brenda Scott: Riverfront downtown

Sheila Cockrel: East Jefferson

Nicholas Hood III: East side

Kay Everett: University District

Alberta Tinsley-Talabi: East side