'Detroit: A Tale Of Two Cities' At Mackinac Conference
MACKINAC ISLAND (WWJ) - One discussion at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island focused on Detroit being a tale of two cities.
As WWJ's Vickie Thomas reports, the session focused on the businesses that are helping to drive a comeback in the city, like Whole Foods Market which just broke ground on its first Detroit store. This, as city leaders sign a consent agreement with the state to avoid a financial disaster.
Former Mayor of Washington D.C., Anthony Williams, was blunt about the current state of affairs in Detroit.
"It's ridiculous. I think you can't sign a consent agreement and at the same time have someone who is an ally, supposedly are working for you saying it's problematic and defective," said Williams. "Then how did you sign it? It gets to the public trust part of this realm I'm talking about. How is that going to work? How do people have confidence in working with you?"
Dennis Archer, former mayor of Detroit, opened the session, which was moderated by Stephen Henderson, Editorial Director of The Detroit Free Press. Red Elk Banks, Executive Operations Coordinator of Whole Foods Market, and Sandy K. Baruah, President and CEO of Detroit Regional Chamber, were also on hand for the discussion.
Listen to a portion of what was discussed during "Detroit: A Tale of Two Cities."
