SAMIR SHOUKRI
Age and Birth Place:
42, Baghdad, Iraq.
Occupation: Business owner;
software systems engineer,
EDS; assistant professor, University of
Detroit Mercy.
Family: Married, three children.
Resident: 14 years
Education: Master's in computer sci-
ence, University of Detroit Mercy, 1983;
bachelor's in systems and control,
University of Baghdad, Iraq, 1980.
Appointed or elected positions:
Chairman, public relations committee,
and member, immigration and refugee
committee, Chaldean Federation of
America.
Top issue facing Southfield: Although
our city has experienced significant
growth, I believe there is room for fur-
ther improvement in managing our city's
welfare. Our city has matured and I
believe that continued financial manage-
ment is crucial to the long term vitality
of our city. We need to continue to
reduce the tax burden on the citizens by
making the best of what is left of new
development while planning redevelop-
ment that meets our community's need.
We can not lose sight of the older
communities and make sure they get the
same attention newer communities get.
Also, we need to focus some of the city's
resources on the development of neigh-
borhood parks, community ball fields
and athletic programs for our youth.
Jewish community's future impact:
Throughout the history of our city, the
Jewish community has played an impor-
tant role in our city's political, social, edu-
cational and economic interest. The
Jewish community has always been an
integral part of our city and I believe their
presence will continue to create a com-
munity richly textured by their unique
cultural heritage and family values.

KENSON SfVER
Age and Birth Place: 55,
Hackensack, N.J.
Occupation: Director of infor-
mation services, Southfield
Public Schools.
Family: Single, no children.
Resident: 33 years
Education: BA., Oakland University
(Rochester), 1967; M.A., 1970, Ed.D.,
1986, Wayne State University (Detroit).
Appointed or elected positions: none.
Top issue facing Southfield: As an
inner-ring suburb in an ever sprawling
metropolitan area, Southfield
faces the keen challenge of maintain-
ing itself as an attractive and viable com-
munity in which to live, work, attend
school, shop, socialize, etc.

While Southfield's central location in
southeastern Michigan is a plus, the
city must maintain and upgrade its res-
idential and commercial areas. Any
sign of neighborhood blight should be
aggressively addressed and not allowed
to spread. Further, the city should be
vigilant about code enforcement.
Redevelopment of aging office and
shopping centers is another priority. At
the same time, the city must continue
to upgrade its aging infrastructure.
Jewish community's future impact: As
a lona-time resident, I have witnessed
first-hand the positive impact the Jewish
community has had on Southfield in
many facets of daily living. Over the
years, the Jewish community has nur-
tured excellence in government, educa-
tion, business, the arts and more.
While the community's presence has
lessened in the past decade, it is my
hope that there will always be a Jewish
presence in Southfield. We talk of diver-
sity as a strength of this city, but diversi-
ty doesn't maintain itself. Our various
peoples must work to keep communica-
tion, understanding and tolerance at the
forefront of community interaction.

DEMETRIA TAYLOR
Age and Birth Place:
34, Detroit
Occupation: Financial ana-
lyst, MotorCity Casino,

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Family: Married, 2 children in
Southfield Schools.
Resident: 1 year
Education: Detroit Renaissance High
School, 1984; Michigan State
University, E. Lansing, 1984-86;
University of Phoenix (Southfield),
BSB/IS, 2000, MBA candidate.
Elected or appointed positions: none.
Top issue facing Southfield: Growth
and change. The population change in
the past 30 years has been an increase
of 12 percent, or 9,011 residents. I
would manage growth by focusing on
managing communities, safety, educa-
tional needs, emergency services, etc.
Managing growth also means promot-
ing spin-off economic uses and activi-
ties for existing community resources.
Jewish community's future impact: To
experience true growth, personally and
professionally, it is vital to explore and
be exposed to many different cultures,
races and religions. The Jewish com-
munity provides valuable resources to
the city of Southfield.
In addition, the Jewish presence con-
tributes to the diversity of the commu-
nity. The richness of diversity spills over
into business relationships, education
and the quality of life in Southfield.

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2001

37

