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iversity wi n a cornmu-
ity makes us stronger.
Currently, less than 20 percent of
residents in Birmingham have
children. That should be an
alarming statistic to any resident
with children utilizing our public
school system. As a community,
we have relied upon our predomi-
nantly senior population to
approve millage for our school
system and library. There are land
issues on the city agenda that, if
passed, will make it harder for
young families to stay in
Birmingham. I want to make sure
that these families are not lost to
surrounding communities that
offer homes with more square
footage and more family-friendly
amenities for less money.
BROWN on page 20
Ethnic diversity does exist in
Birmingham. I have seen
much of it walking "door to door"
the past two months. Our city has
economic diversity in its neighbor-
hoods that allows for much diversity
to live here. As a commissioner, I
would like any neighborhood
preservation legislation work to
maintain the economic diversity
within our city 'the work of the
race-relations task force is intense
and should continue to be promot-
ed along with that of the Princi
Shopping District board, chamber
of commerce and
the school board,
which work to pro-
mote our city and
its business opportu-
nities to all people.
CHAFETZ on page 20
It is true that Birmingham
has become more diverse
over the past several years.
However, it is also true that the
ethnic makeup does not match
that of the metropolitan area As a
commissioner, I would agree that
diversity is a goal worth pursuing
because of its positive impact on
our culture. One way we can help
promote diversity is to seek out
programs in need of assistance that
we can help with
The city has
Q2 played an
important role in
partnership with
the school board
on issues of drug
DAMIviAN on page 20
While this question is best
answered by the next census,
Birmingham seems to be becoming
increasingly diverse. The city has a
long history of being welcoming to
all peoples. Partictilnrly important
is when in 1967, the city passed an
open housing ordinance. In addi
tion, chapter 66 of the city code,
human relations, aggressively pro-
hibits disaimination. Society bene
fits when we all know and under-
stand as much as possible about
others. Diversity is best achieved in
a free and natural
fashion but educa-
tional programs
that share knowl-
edge and encour-
age respect can
promote it.
DIXON on page 20
For decades, the city of Birmingham has been seen largely as having a homogenous population with little ethnic
diversity. Is this still true? As a council member, would you promote or encourage diversity? If so, how? If not, why not?
What specific projects or areas of discontent should the city be addressing in partnership with the school board?
0' 0
:ATNITE LikINZETTA:
CITY COUNCIL
Perceptions aside,
Birmingham has become
increasingly diverse over the years.
After 14 years as a city commission-
er, I will stand on my record. I initi-
ated settlement of the divisive
Baldwin House issue. I was part of
the solid majority that stiffened
Birmingham's open housing ordi-
nance (incidentally already the first
in Michigan and one of the first in
the nation) and broadened its cover-
age. I was instrumental in bringing
the first person of
color onto our
boards and have per-
sonally taken part as
mayor in programs
and activities of the
diversity council,
LAN7FTTA on page 20
10/29
1999
18 Detroit Jewish News
Vtft. ` ,Ns i
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As a builder and Realtor, I
am familiar with the many
federal and state laws that ban
housing discrimination. I believe
these laws are a sufficient guaran-
tee that anyone who wished to
live in Birmingham will have the
right to do so. More importantly,
I believe that our community is
very accepting of all people. I
believe that the most effective way
to fight discrimination in the
future is to continue to provide a
great education in
our schools.
Q2 Birmingham
Public
Schools must
remain superior. We
LEWISTON on page 20
It is obvious to any long-term
Birmingham resident that
there is considerably more diversity
than there was 10 or 20 years ago.
There is a slightly less obvious effort
to seek and invite more diversity
On a periodic basis, a race-relations
task force, an organization made up
of community and business leaders,
real estate interests, newspapers,
etc., meets with the express purpose
of creating a better understanding
of our diverse element& The group
conducts awareness
forums and group
discussions to meet
defined objectives.
It will be a personal
goal to heighten
the communities'
McKE0N on page 20
The racial, ethnic and
national origin diversity of
residential Birmingham is cer-
tainly much greater in terms of
sheer numbers. However,
Birmingham as a city center for
surrounding communities attracts
much more diversity among both
those who enjoy our downtown
and city resources, and those who
choose to work or open a busi-
ness here. As a commissioner, I
have encouraged diversity by
public and private
example, by a wel-
coming and open
attitude, by par-
ticipating in orga-
nizations that
affirm diversity,
MOORE on page 20