Brenda Lawrence
Southfield's diverse community and his observa-
tions on race and religion. "I wish more of the
Jewish community would have stayed in the city,"
he said. "Not that it makes any differenCe what the
percentages are, but I think the Jewish community
brought more parental involvement and stability
into the schools.
"When the community moved to West
Bloomfield, those schools were built up to their
level of expectations. "
The mayor is particularly concerned about edu-
cation because he wants to continue attracting
businesses and promoting residential growth in the
city and believes that the key to a strong commu-
nity is good schools.
Bernie Cohen, a Southfield resident and long-
time supporter of Fracassi, first became acquainted
with the mayor 15 years ago when he and other
members of Young Israel of Southfield wanted to
expand the synagogue. The mayor helped them cut
through the governmental red tape and proceed
with construction.
"The mayor is extremely supportive of the
Jewish community," said Cohen, a local attorney.
"He attends Jewish community functions and is
supportive of Jewish community causes."
Since helping Young Israel with expansion plans,
the mayor has also played a key role in building
sidewalks and putting in a crossing light along
Lasher Road, allowing Young Israel members a
safer way to walk to services, according to Cohen.
Samuel P. Havis, a long-time Southfield resident,
believes that because the demographics of the city
continue to change, this election could be a diffi-
cult one for the mayor. However, Havis maintains
that the incumbent is a good choice because he is
open to all races and religions and "has the experi-
ence to do the job."
Fracassi adamantly maintains that race will not
be a factor in this election. "I have to lead, no mat-
ter who I'm leading. Everyone wants the same
things from their city, regardless of what color or
religion they are. They want their garbage picked
up, they want safe neighborhoods and they want
good schools." ❑
be informed and empowered to take
part in any action or development
affecting our community early in the
planning process.
Jewish community impact: The
Jewish community has a rich history
in metro Detroit. This leadership
began with the arrival of Chapman
Abraham and continues today.
In 2001, the issues of racial harmony,
religious tolerance and equal treatment
for all are still prevalent. The Jewish
community touted the value of diversity
long before it was a corporate buzzword.
As people question the viability of
success in a diverse city such as
Southfield, the Jewish community will
continue to be a driving force to prove
the naysayers wrong. Jewish leadership
has and will continue to be needed for a
successful, diverse Southfield.
hese days, just one
business card is
not nearly enough
for Brenda
Lawrence. Ask for her card
and she pulls out three —
one identifying her as a man-
ager with the U.S. Postal
Service, one indicating her
position as Southfield city
councilwoman and, most
important, one identifying
her as a candidate for mayor of Southfield.
Lawrence is one of two candidates challenging
long-time incumbent Donald F. Fracassi, who was
first elected mayor in 1973. County commissioner
Eric Coleman is also vying for the four-year position.
"The existing mayor is not showing the leadership
skills this community needs," Lawrence said. "He
stayed too long and now it's time for him to go."
Her goals for Southfield are to maintain a safe
community with good schools and to make the city
a desirable place to live.
Eunice Rose, a Southfield resident and volunteer on
Lawrence's campaign, is trying very hard to get the
Jewish community behind her candidate "She is
refreshing and she cares," said Rose, the wife of Cantor
Norman Rose of Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park. "I
trust her," said Rose. "I trust her to do what's best for
all of us in Southfield." Lawrence began in public office
eight years ago when she was elected to the Southfield
Board of Education. Following the expiration of her
term, she successfully ran for a seat on city council.
During a recent interview, the candidate spoke at
length about the diversity of Southfield's population.
Lawrence, who is African American, lives within
walking distance of Young Israel of Southfield.
Although most of her neighbors were Jewish, many
have since moved. Lawrence, a 14-year resident of the
city, says she still sees a strong Jewish presence there.
Given Southfield's significant, albeit diminishing,
Jewish population, Lawrence, said she has been
involved in what some could term Jewish issues —
such as busing students to Jewish day schools.
Other issues brought to her attention during her
PAUL CONDINO, incumbent
Age and Birth Place: 45, Detroit
Occupation: Attorney,
Mooney & Condino, P.C.,
Southfield.
Family: Married, 2 children, ages 14
and 10
Resident 16 years
Education: Juris doctorate, Detroit
College of Law, 1986; BA, sociology,
Wayne State University (Detroit), 1979.
Appointed or elected, positions:
City Council, elected 1997.
Top issue facing Southfield:
Maintaining its place as the welcoming
home to many different people. City
government can help by providing the
highest level of services — our new
library is one example — and under-
standing the differing needs of its com-
munities.
T
tenure on the school board and then as a city council
member included increasing security at synagogues and
religious institutions following a shooting at a
California Jewish community center and addressing
traffic and safety concerns for those walking to syna-
gogue along Bell Road. "The mayor's role with diversity
issues is to see that each ethnic group is protected and
able to celebrate its heritage without intimidation."
Lawrence estimates the city's demographics at 50 per-
cent white and 50 percent African American. "Some
people think this is OK and some think it's the begin-
ning of the end," she said. "Those who leave because
they don't like their neighbors, I say it's no loss."
Rose said her candidate is open to the diversity of
Southfield and is comfortable with the ethnic and
racial mix. Further, to become better acquainted
with the city's diverse population, Lawrence spends
a significant amount of time visiting churches, syna-
gogues and other religious institutions.
In addition to diversity and race relations,
Lawrence believes the mayor's office needs to
address the diminishing amount of undeveloped
land in Southfield. She estimates that 10 percent of
the land in the city is not developed.
Lawrence would not indicate a preference for
building versus maintaining the land in its natural
state, instead indicating that each parcel of land
should be looked at separately. However, she said she
is "pro residential development in Southfield"
because people tend to want new homes. At the
same time, Lawrence wants to see more retail and
restaurant development because both are indicators
that a community is strong and vibrant.
She also feels strongly about the lack of national chain
restaurants and stores in Southfield. She questions why,
for example, there is not a Coach store at Northland if
Marshall Field's at Northland sells more Coach products
than any other Marshall Field's in the state.
Some other issues: "There is no doubt that we live
in an aging community," she said. "As elected offi-
cials, we have to stay on top of this by encouraging
the residents to maintain their -property. This is done
through education, energizing the neighborhood
associations and informing homeowners of federal
block grants and other assistance." ❑
We've increased police patrols where
worshipers walk to synagogue, recogniz-
ing a growing Orthodox community
I'm proud to have helped cut red tape to
allow a new kosher market to open,
meeting the essential need for conven-
ient kosher food.
Southfield's appeal is to its people and
city government's challenge is to pro-
vide services to help make it safe and
stable.
Jewish community impact: The Jewish
community sustained the great growth
of Southfield, and Jewish leadership
will help guide our city into the future.
As the community has changed, it has
become an essential stabilizing element
— smaller, but more likely to own
homes or condominiums and less likely
to be renters, more Orthodox and com-
mitted to local institutions.
With tens of thousands of Jews who
work or pray in Southfield but live near-
by, the Jewish community?s impact in
Southfield is very great and continuing
-- the cornerstone of what we value
most in our city -- Michigan's most
diverse and interesting mosaic of people
and places.
BRIAN FIFEISKI
Age and Birth Place:
37, Allegan
Occupation: Designer,
CAD manager, MWA
Architects, Birmingham.
Family: Married, 4 children ages 15, 13,
5, 4; oldest are home-schooled.
Resident 10 years
Education Lawrenence Technological
University (Southfield), B.S. in architec-
ture, 1986, bachelor of architecmre, 1993.
,,,