Voter Guide: District 1 City Council Candidates and Voter Voices [VIDEO]
Learn about who’s running for office in District 1 and what voters have to say about how Detroit’s doing.
The Incumbent: James Tate
The Challenger: Tamara Smith
JAMES TATE
- Age: 42
- Experience: Current Detroit City Councilman
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications from Wayne State University
- Campaign Website: Tate Detroit.com (archived)
- Twitter: @CouncilmanTate
- Facebook: Councilman James Tate
Citizen Detroit Video:
TAMARA SMITH
- Age: 43
- Experience: Community Activist
- Education: Associate’s degree in liberal arts from Wayne County Community College
- Campaign Website: VoteTamaraSmith.com
- Twitter: @The_RealTLSmith
- Facebook: Tamara Liberty Smith
Citizen Detroit Video:
Voter Voices from District 1:
WDET reporters have been talking to residents around the city. Click here to see them all. Here are some from District 1:
Dion Williams, 44
What would you like to see from your candidates?
“I would like to see a lot more transparency from our candidates. A lot of our city council, mayoral candidates, as well as some of our state legislators need to be more transparent and more productive in what they’re doing in the community, and bringing more resources back to the city and to the region.”
“I would like to see a lot more transparency from our candidates. A lot of our city council, mayoral candidates, as well as some of our state legislators need to be more transparent and more productive in what they’re doing in the community, and bringing more resources back to the city and to the region.”
Ernestine Perkins
Overall, how’s Detroit doing? Why do you say that?
“I think Detroit is doing great. There are different things that are going on in the communities that are building up our communities.”
“I think Detroit is doing great. There are different things that are going on in the communities that are building up our communities.”
Ora Williams, 67
What would you like to see your elected officials do for you?
“Lower insurance rates for Detroit residents. My insurance rates are very high even though I’m a senior and I have a very good driving record. I think they need to evaluate each case individually and not lump everyone together.”
“Lower insurance rates for Detroit residents. My insurance rates are very high even though I’m a senior and I have a very good driving record. I think they need to evaluate each case individually and not lump everyone together.”
Alonzo Horne, 52
Overall, how’s Detroit doing? Why do you say that?
“Actually, I think it’s doing good. They got the lights, they’re redoing a lot of roads. Doing a lot of building, I see building everywhere. I know they can’t do everything at one time, you know, but it’s getting there.”
“Actually, I think it’s doing good. They got the lights, they’re redoing a lot of roads. Doing a lot of building, I see building everywhere. I know they can’t do everything at one time, you know, but it’s getting there.”
Kenneth Gibson, 59
Have you felt any effect of Detroit having a council-by-district system?
“No. They need to be held more accountable to the public. They get down there and fight amongst themselves and we’re on the back burner. Sometimes it seems like they forget what they’re there to do, to tell you the truth. That’s the way I see it.”
“No. They need to be held more accountable to the public. They get down there and fight amongst themselves and we’re on the back burner. Sometimes it seems like they forget what they’re there to do, to tell you the truth. That’s the way I see it.”
Siltritia Durham
What improvements have you seen in the city?
“The Q-Line, how we just got that built and everything. So that’s bringing more people to the city. And the building of the Little Caesars Arena, how we’re bring the Pistons back to the city as well. But I also feel like they need to do something with the Joe Louis Arena as well. Don’t just close it down. Maybe keep it as an entertainment facility.”
“The Q-Line, how we just got that built and everything. So that’s bringing more people to the city. And the building of the Little Caesars Arena, how we’re bring the Pistons back to the city as well. But I also feel like they need to do something with the Joe Louis Arena as well. Don’t just close it down. Maybe keep it as an entertainment facility.”
Naja Tyner, 18
Overall, how’s Detroit doing? Why do you say that?
“I feel like Detroit is doing good. It’s nice to see how downtown developed. I feel like it’s becoming pretty gentrified. I can tell that new opportunities are coming to downtown. I would like to see more lower-income families getting more opportunities in downtown.”
“I feel like Detroit is doing good. It’s nice to see how downtown developed. I feel like it’s becoming pretty gentrified. I can tell that new opportunities are coming to downtown. I would like to see more lower-income families getting more opportunities in downtown.”
