If you were a 2020 U.S. Census renumerator working in Detroit, Mayor Mike Duggan and U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib want to hear from you regarding your experience. The request was made during the Mayor’s news briefing Oct. 28.

Mayor Duggan said he is disturbed about the Census effort in Detroit based on reports of disorganization and the lack of door-to-door canvassing.

“I am not trying to assign blame,” the Mayor said. “We just want to know if the count was done as thoroughly and professionally in Detroit as it was done in other parts of the state. We’re just trying to find out the facts.

“We are going to follow the law and if the count comes in inaccurately then we will follow the administrative appeal process, but we will have the facts we need already.”

Individuals who worked for the U.S. Census Bureau in Detroit are encouraged to call (866) 20-COUNT (26868) or send an email to info@20count.com within the next week or so. Individuals may share their information confidentially.

Representative Tlaib, a member of the House Oversight Committee, said: “We really want to know what were you tasked to do. The information gathering won’t focus on individuals, but on the process that was employed by the U.S. Census Bureau in Detroit. The focus is on making sure that the city wasn’t short changed.”

Mayor Mike Duggan, working with five City Council members, announced a comprehensive plan to recognize and prioritize Detroit homeowners negatively impacted by property tax over-assessments from 2010-2013. A City Council resolution proposing these benefits was introduced this week.

The four-year program establishes a priority designation in eight programs, effectively placing these Detroiters first-in-line for job consideration, senior home repair grants, affordable housing units and ownership of rehabilitated homes.

The program offers Detroiters a way to restore some of what was lost by the legacy of over-assessment and builds on efforts designed to offset the expense of these assessments.

“For many residents across Detroit home ownership is the first step in building generational wealth and economic stability, said Mayor Duggan. “Years of over assessment took that from families, and this is an effort to ensure some of what was lost is restored.

Preference for affected homeowners

To help offset losses suffered by anyone who owned houses that served as their primary residence between 2010 and 2013, residents will receive preference in eight City programs, with preference remaining in place through December 31, 2024.

1. A 50% discount on any auction house or side lot purchased from the Detroit Land Bank Authority
2. Preference in hiring for City employment
3. Children and grandchildren of eligible applicants will receive priority access and placement to summer jobs through Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT)
4. Preferential access to Detroit at Work job search and career services
5. Preferential enrollment in the city’s Rehab Academy
6. Preferential enrollment in senior home retrofit program
7. Preference for the occupancy of affordable units
8. Preferential access to financial counseling through Detroit at Work

For additional details and to determine eligibility, go to detroitmi.gov.

Councilman James Tate was joined this week by Mayor Mike Duggan and members of the community as Tate announced his proposed amendment to the Detroit City Code to allow adult-use recreational marijuana licensing in Detroit.

The ordinance gives significant preference to longtime Detroit residents in terms of the number of licenses issued, discounts on land and other incentives. The ordinance will allow 10 types of licenses: Medical Marihuana provisioning center, adult use retailer establishment, grower, processor, safety compliance facility, temporary marihuana event, microbusiness, designated consumption lounge and secure transporter.

Councilman Tate’s landmark legislation includes a social equity program (SEP), which guarantees that no less than 50% of all license types will be awarded to Detroit Legacy applicants.

To ensure that Detroiters remain in the forefront of this historic legislation, Councilman Tate enlisted assistance of industry professionals, as well as grassroot advocates to help craft the SEP section of the ordinance. The SEP allows the City of Detroit to provide significant reductions in application fees for Legacy Detroiters who have lived in the city for an extended period of time, including those residents who have been convicted of past marijuana related offenses as well as Detroiters federally identified as low income. There are also discounts on certain City-owned properties that will be available for residents certified as Legacy Detroiters.

To view the entire news release go to detroitmi.gov/news.

For more information about the adult-use marijuana ordinance or the social equity program component, reach out to councilmembertate@detroitmi.gov or visit detroitmi.gov/2020-marihuana-ordinance.