I will take substance

Dave Bing, um, Mayor Dave Bing (it'll take me a minute to get used to saying that), stopped by the United Way national convention in Detroit this week to say "hello."

His appearance was huge. It was his first on a national stage, less than 48 hours after being sworn in, and he didn't disappoint. He didn't inspire or motivate, but he didn't send people running either. He showed leadership, and that is what we need right now.

It would have been nice to see him wow the crowd, I'll admit. However, I'm pleased with what he did, and what he represented. Kwame Kilpatick, our disgraced former mayor, is one of the best public speakers in America. The problem with him is that he is also one of the most nefarious. He ran the city like it was his own kingdom, and crashed hard as a result.

Bing displayed an air of competence and integrity, both sorely needed. I believe that he will work hard, think smart and not do anything to embarrass the city. Yeah, I know one of his advisers was indicted, but I think that can be overlooked. The person in question wasn't destined to lead any city department, from what I hear. Now I'm ready to see Bing get down to business.

The fact that Ken Cockrel is going back to the City Council, and says he's content to stay there means Bing can concentrate on running the city and need not be overly concerned with the two elections we still have to get through this year. I can't wait until the dust finally settles and we can begin to watch Bing demonstrate substance, and I don't care whatever style he chooses to use to do so.

Spring cleaning

It started out as a harmless exercise in community service and turned into a rather interesting morning in MorningSide.

Today was officially the annual spring cleanup in our east side Detroit neighborhood and I participated along with many neighbors, business owners, and youth volunteers. Some painted buildings along East Warren Avenue, others picked up trash along the busy thoroughfare and a group of us targeted one of the most blighted blocks in the area, a section of Three Mile Drive that has been an eyesore since I moved into the neighborhood. A little progress was made there.

We picked up tires and carpet and trash. Much of the debris was illegally dumped, and the rest discarded by people either living or hanging out on the block. Most of the houses are vacant, and by mostly, I mean all but about five. Three of those look vacant. In fact, I was cleaning up leaves and trash from a yard for about 20 minutes at one run-down property, then same two people walk up, knock on the door and then go inside. I couldn't believe that people actually lived there, not to mention that others walked past me, saw me cleaning up and didn't even break pace. It was as if someone was supposed to be there cleaning up after them.

I understand that the block's condition is due in no small part to the high percentage of renters there. The responsible, I assume, homeowners have long left.

This was the third time I worked to clean up the block. Twice previously I found myself so sickened by the condition I grabbed equipment and bags and went down the street with some neighbors and cleaned up. Residents of the block sat on their porches as we cleaned, not bothering to help. Eventually, the trash built back up and our work proved for naught.

But today we engaged residents to participate. One of my neighbors and I walked up to a group of residents standing in front of a home and to ask if they wanted to help. As we approached I noticed that one of the young men in the group was smoking a blunt. Mind you, this was at 10 a.m. At that point I was about to reconsider my decision, when my neighbor forged ahead and made the ask. I was surprised to hear that they would join us later, and even more shocked when they actually did. And once they did, I noticed that their friends, as they trickled through to hang out, decided to help. Finally, progress, I think.

It was sort of like a scene from a Friday movie. People getting high in the morning and deciding to do some community service with the neighbors. I expected Ice Cube or Dave Chappelle to show up at some point. But it didn't happen. Instead we filled up a huge dumpster full of debris, and we made a dent. The properties are still vacant and boarded up, or left standing and decaying. But there is less trash.

I am left wondering whether instead of rallying the city around cleaning up trash we should instead be investing in generating a greater level of personal responsibility. This exercise seems to be as much about (if not more) getting volunteers out to do work that leaves them feeling good about themselves. This clearly is not working.

What we need is a get off your ass and act like you give a damn about your city -- or leave it campaign. That is the only one I'm signing up for in the future.