Running a Losing Race

Yesterday businessman Dave Bing was elected as Mayor of the City of Detroit. Bing is a Hall of Fame NBA player who played for the Detroit Pistons through the late 60's and mid 70's. He is the founder of the steel manufacturer, The Bing Group.

I have no gripe on him winning the election, but i have a gripe that there was even an election to have. Bing overcame interim mayor Cockerell to hold the position after it was vacated by Kilpatrick, who was jettisoned by the city of Detroit. Bing however still has to run in the August 4 primary to be placed on the November ballot, then if he wins that then he may hold the seat for four years. This can essentially turn out to be a disaster. The election cost the city roughly $2.5 million, which can be fused into the current deficit of $250 million. Perhaps Bing serves for six months, how much can he get turned around? And if he doesn't begin to turn things around and flows with the current, then you have wasted your time again. I haven't received my copy of the law or statute that states an election must be held but i honestly think there needed to be an executive decision made and someone should have vetoed that.

For a city that is struggling in the capital and equity department there have to be smarter steps taken. And for those that are still advocates of KK, this is also a part of his egregious vestige. One bad step only leads to another. To give you a pulse of what the city thought of the election, only 15% of the registered voters turned up for the election. I do not know specifically what that indicates, whether they were opposed to it taking place or they just don't care. However this certainly does not evoke positive perceptions. In an attempt to make things right, i feel Detroit has erred on this one. If you know more than i do feel free to educate me, but until someone does this seems to be a losing proposition.