DETROIT – This week's episode of Flashpoint began with a discussion about what's going on around Detroit for the City Council.
Four members of the City Council, James Tate, Andre Spivey, Raquel Castaneda-Lopez and George Cushingberry, joined Devin Scillian to talk about some of the biggest issues.
Castaneda-Lopez was the only councilmember of the four who voted against the water rate increase. She talked about why she wasn't persuaded to vote for the plan.
Devin also asked the councilmembers about property issues around Detroit and the financial implications for the community.
You can watch the first segment in the video posted above.
After the break, Devin asked Tate if Belle Isle is working out as a state park. Tate said he wasn't totally against the initial plan, though he didn't like the one that was shoved down their throat. He said so far he doesn't have many issues on it's face with what is taking place.
Spivey was asked to touch on the proposed new Red Wings arena. He said he thinks the stadium and everything downtown that comes with it will have a large impact on the stadium. He wants more folks hired on the construction end and more careers available after the project is finished.
The councilmembers touched on a few other issues surrounding Detroit, including public safety and crime. The entire second half of the conversation is posted in the video below.
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In the final segment, Devin was joined by the President and CEO of Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce Ken Harris to talk about black-owned businesses.
Many black business owners believe they are being pushed aside, and they were outside rallying in Detroit this past week. Harris said in a city that is majority African American, people feel like they have a stake in the turnaround that's occurring in the city.
He said people want to participate in the renaissance and feel like they play a part in it.
Harris talked about the deployment of resources to white and black business owners and where there are systematic problems that need to be addressed.
You can watch the conversation with Harris in the video posted below.
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