Meet the District 4 City Council Candidates
Detroit City Council candidates for District 4. From left to right: Latisha Johnson, Toson Knight, ML Elrick, Daivon Reeder, Ken Snapp, Virgil Smith Sr, and Ane Bomani.
On August 3, MorningSiders will have the opportunity to vote in the non-partisan primary for the person we want to serve as our District 4 representative on City Council. The top two winners will face off again in the November general election. Absentee voting has already begun.
We reached out to each candidate through their campaign websites, asking them to answer four questions. All the candidates sent us their responses, which you can read here. History and our current political climate have shown us that we cannot and should not take this right and responsibility lightly. We encourage you to find out as much as you can about each candidate so that you can make an informed decision about who would best represent our interests.
Here is the list of candidates, along with links to their websites:
Ane Bomani – https://electanebomani.com/
Daivon Reeder – https://www.daivonreeder.com
Kenneth Snapp – https://www.ksnapp.com
Latisha Johnson – https://latishajohnson.com
ML Elrick – https://www.ml4detroit.com
Toson Knight – https://www.electtosonknight.com
Virgil Smith, Sr. – https://www.virgilsmith4detroit.com
If you could change one thing about how Detroit's government operates, what would that be, and how would that change benefit MorningSide residents?
Ane Bomani: The state representatives need to push legislation that would require police officers live in the city, reinstate the citizen patrols which would reduce crime and benefits the MorningSide residents.
Daivon Reeder: One thing I would change about how Detroit's government operates, I would put more power in the residents hands. For far too long important political decisions have been made behind closed doors. I would work to change this to ensure that residents are included in the decisions that impact them. This impacts MorningSide residents because they will be able to have input on the decisions that impact them most, resulting in higher chances of more benefits for them.
Kenneth Snapp: If I could change one thing about how Detroit’s government operates it would be how as a city tackle community engagement. I believe that we lack proper communication with our citizens. The way I envision fixing this dilemma, is by creating an interactive tool for resident input and feedback. The tool would push the city and communities like MorningSide, towards a more progressive stance with community outreach. We have to engage the surrounding communities in various levels of government. Too often folks don’t know what recent laws have been passed or are up for discussion.
Latisha Johnson: Create greater transparencies so residents thoroughly understand who is responsible for different areas of government and departments. It will help MorningSide residents hold elected officials and department heads accountable for their respective areas.
ML Elrick: Government, and the council office in particular, needs to be more responsive to the needs of residents. Even if our council member can’t solve all of our problems, we all deserve an answer. I am committed to being a councilman who listens to residents and works collaboratively to solve problems. My knowledge of how government works -- and reputation as a bulldog reporter who demands accountability -- means I will be able to navigate the bureaucracy to get you the answers you need and deserve.
Toson Knight: The one thing I would change is the city’s infrastructure. The recent flood and sewer backup we had just proved that our infrastructure is weak and it’s the residents who pay for it in the long run. I talked with many community members and was devastated to learn that not only did they lose valuables and keepsakes, but they must also replace and repair their furnace, furniture, and more. As a council member I will advocate for more money to be allocated for infrastructure needs.
Virgil Smith: Safety is the highest priority, I believe the Detroit Police Department has to become more of a community policing unit based on positive interactions, partnerships with community neighborhood organizations, and develop a more shared problem solving system, such as the Green Light Program. At the end of the day residents want/need to feel safe in their environment. Our Police Department has the Neighborhood Police Officer’s Unit. Their stated goal is to “bring officers and residents together to create safer communities”. My goal is to work with our Police Department to grow, expand, and incorporate this philosophy into the social mission of our Police Department. MorningSide residents will know their Neighborhood Police Officer.
What are your feelings overall about the proposed revisions to the city charter (Proposal P)? Do you have any thoughts about how particular elements of the proposed new charter would help or harm MorningSiders?
Ane Bomani: In 2019, I attended most of the in-person meetings and recently on zoom, submitting ideas to improve the city charter. As a member of the Detroit Affordable Housing Task Force, we submitted wording for an AMI (Area median Income) to decrease the cost of housing in Detroit. I think that all the proposals are P for Positive to help the residents of MorningSiders. The negative TV ads has not influenced my opinion of proposal P.
Daivon Reeder: I feel like Proposal P is an important change that has taken place and is being pushed throughout the city of Detroit. The elements that I am particularly in support of are the elements about the program for overassessed residents and the element that covers water affordability. Both of these elements would help not only MorningSide residents, but all residents of Detroit.
Kenneth Snapp: My feelings overall about Proposal P are that we desperately need to address the issues that the revisions are designed to fix. We need to develop free public broadband internet. We need to change police practices, policies, and training requirements; but invest into the officers who have cried out for help in regards to mental health. Give residents amnesty for water and sewer fees; and grant tax credit for residents who show proof of overassessed property taxes. If the proposed revisions are truly to help the people in those areas, it would help MorningSiders.
Latisha Johnson: Although very intense discussions took place to develop the revisions, residents were given the opportunity to be involved throughout the process. It's admirable that the proposed charter revisions are looking to address the needs of residents throughout the city, as is the responsibility of elected officials. It is City Council's responsibility to implement the charter in a fiscal manner. The Bill of Rights essentially ensures everyone has access to the basic necessities of life. It supports neighborhood stability, affordability and enforcement of basic quality of life issues that support physical, mental and emotional security of its residents. Responsible contracting supports hiring Detroiters and paying contractors for their skills when contracting services for the city. It will provide a livable wage to more Detroit residents. Additional boards and commissions will give more residents the ability to be involved in local government and represent the voice of the community.
ML Elrick: I believe Detroiters should be able to vote on proposals to our charter without asking the governor for permission. I think some of the best elements of Proposal P include holding contractors accountable for their work and ensuring that all Detroiters have access to clean water. I have proposed creating a non-profit similar to The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) to keep the water flowing for our neighbors facing economic hardship. I am frustrated that city council did not adopt many of the measures in Proposal P and that good ideas may be defeated at the polls. Regardless of what happens with Proposal P, I will work as a council member to help enact the best parts of the plan.
Toson Knight: I do not support the Charter revisions in full. There are some great ideas in the proposed charter that I believe should be addressed by the city council; such as broadband access and water affordability. The city has stated this would cost 2 billion dollars to implement the changes in this charter. I believe voters would be hesitant to support a proposal that would voluntarily put the city into bankruptcy. Even more concerning is the fact that residents could face another blow to their pensions. I do support certain aspects of the revisions, but I cannot support the proposed revisions to the city charter as it is written.
Virgil Smith: The State of Michigan allows municipalities to govern themselves through the Michigan Home Rule City Act. The voters, in the City of Detroit, decided in 2017 that the City Charter needed to be revised. My feelings or thoughts are, first and foremost, the people, not the courts, need to be the ultimate and final decision makers. There are numerous changes and additions to the document that are being proposed. I encourage everyone to read the proposed charter revisions. As to would the proposed changes and additions help or harm “MorningSiders”, my answer is, I don’t believe the proposed changes would hurt the MorningSide neighborhood or any neighborhood in Detroit. This document has the potential to be the governing document over our City. It’s a fascinating read. It will add new layers and in my opinion gives voters more oversite over various City functions. Again, I would encourage everyone to read the document for themselves.
If you are elected, how can MorningSide residents best work with your office to get action on everyday issues in our neighborhood?
Ane Bomani: I will have an open door policy for all MorningSide Residents and we all work together to develop the right action plan to improve the quality of life for Morningside. My Community Liaison and I will assist the District Managers, working closely with MorningSide residents to resolve their everyday issues.
Daivon Reeder: I plan on having weekly conversations with communities across District 4 to be able to solve and hear all of the issues residents are having. My office will have an open door policy for all residents to connect. I am the candidate residents can reach and will remain that way to strengthen our community.
Kenneth Snapp: Once elected, MorningSide residents will have access to our office through new and improved tools. I will ensure to create a new community engagement tool that engages residents and escalates issues to top priority. Also neighborhood coalitions will be established to help with all community benefit agreements. We have input from our residents in order to implement effective change.
Latisha Johnson: We will have three community liaisons to stay connected within the community to know about areas of concern to be able to address and hold the departments accountable to address issues within a timely manner. Residents will be able to communicate via online, call, text or visit the office to express their concerns. Residents can also expect to share their concerns with our office at their neighborhood meeting or the District 4 Community Advisory Council meetings.
ML Elrick: I am a collaborative, creative problem solver who believes in forming strategic partnerships to get things done. I expect to create a roundtable for neighborhood association and block club officials to meet regularly with me to address the most urgent concerns of our neighbors. I also hope to create volunteer task forces that bring city officials and residents together to tackle some of the biggest challenges to quality of life in the district. And, of course, my staff and I will respond on a daily basis to the concerns of Eastsiders.
Toson Knight: When working as a Deputy District manager, I always made myself available to residents via meetings, emails, phone calls and more. I will continue to meet with block clubs, neighborhood associations and have community ambassadors work in my office. My team and I will respond to complaints in a timely manner. I believe in getting things done and making sure residents' voices are heard.
Virgil Smith: The legislative branch is the 1st branch of government. It is the duty of the legislative branch to ensure that government operates with effectiveness. I will have a community liaison dedicated to working for and with the MorningSide Community. Unresponsiveness will not be tolerated.
What do you see as the proper balance between development of Detroit’s downtown and the revitalization of our neighborhoods?
Ane Bomani: As you know MorningSide residents have been ignored, because of the wrong city councilperson. This current administration has put more emphasis and development in downtown, while neglecting the revitalization of the neighborhoods. As your councilperson, I will make sure we will have the proper balance between the neighborhoods first and downtown development second. The MorningSide community deserves the right city councilmember that will be their voice at the table. Ane Bomani is the Right Candidate for City Council that will work for YOU!
Daivon Reeder: In order to create a proper balance between development of downtown Detroit and our neighborhoods, we need to ensure that we prioritize the neighborhoods that have been neglected for years. Before we can begin to balance the development we first need to take care of Detroiters before revitalizing downtown for those who do not invest in our communities. In order to build up all of Detroit, we need to ensure that we build up Detroit for the residents that have been here for generations.
Kenneth Snapp: Money, time, resources, and attention is the proper balance between downtown and the revitalization of our neighborhoods. As our district councilman, I will advocate for allocations of dollars to be spent in our area. I will advocate for the construction of a state of the art recreational center. I will propose a new blight removal plan that can be adopted by the city and help beautify our area. We have to have a progressive leader who will reach out to businesses and investors. We have to come up with new ideas and a new approach for the district.
Latisha Johnson: Considering majority of the attention has been focused on revitalizing downtown, it's time for the neighborhoods to receive that same level of attention to rebuild robust neighborhoods. Downtown is at a point where the interest in opening a business no longer requires tax abatements to attract businesses. We can now focus 80% of our attention on investing within the neighborhoods along with the commercial corridors.
ML Elrick: There is no balance right now. Most of the incentives and benefits are going to developers and billionaires working on projects many miles from our homes. In the early 1980s, I worked at Johnson’s Milk Depot on Mack and Sherwin Williams at Kensington and Warren. I got my stereo at Pecar’s and glasses at Normandy Optical on Morang. All of those storefronts are now vacant. Working with city officials, banks, credit unions, non-profits, foundations, corporations, churches and charities, I want to help entrepreneurs and small businesses get the help and resources they need to fill the vacant storefronts on our main streets. This way, we will help our neighbors find jobs and create places where we can work, shop, dine and play within walking distance of our homes.
Toson Knight: I am excited to see the development in Downtown Detroit and enjoy visiting. As council member I will work to make sure our business corridors are developed in District 4. Our residents should have access to safe, clean businesses right in their neighborhoods. It is also imperative that we deal with issues in our neighborhood; such as blight, crime, and more. In order to balance the two, there must be an equal investment of time, money, and effort.
Virgil Smith: A thriving city has to have a prospering Central Business District (CBD) but flourishing neighborhoods should not come at the expense of a successful CBD. A thriving city has to have both. But as your elected legislative representative at the City’s Council Table, it’s my job to deliver for MorningSide. The 4th Council District does not include the CBD.
Good luck to all the candidates vying the Detroit City Council District 4 seat. Remember, the primary election is as important as the general election in November. We encourage all registered voters to exercise their right to vote on Tuesday, August 3rd.
