Sheila Cockrel has served the citizens of Detroit by being a champion of better laws to help clean the city, improve recreation opportunities, spur economic development and work to end police brutality.

She shows up, does her homework and acts with integrity. Her accomplishments while on council are a direct reflection of that leadership.

Neighborhood Improvement

Secured in the 2003-04 fiscal budget $800,000 in funding for signs around 74 schools that cause drivers to slow down around children.

Helped to increase funding by $2.8 million for the recreation deparment, which allowed for improvements at 28 recreation centers. The money, which came after discussions with residents through the recreation task force, paid for security systems, new signs, new paint and equipment.

Supported ordinances that created tougher penalties for people who trash the city through illegal dumping, unkempt property and placing trash out too early.

Was part of a council effort that increased the number of vacant buildings approved each week for demolition.

Called for stiffer fines, more inspectors and better enforcement to address lead clean-up.

Was part of a City Council demand for an affordable housing strategy by the city.

Supported resolution calling for an outside review of auto and insurance underwriting policies that create higher premiums for Detroiters.

Works with the budget monitoring task force, which hosts annual meetings to allow residents to have a better understanding of the city's budget.

Underwrote for the last two years an annual gathering of the Million Man Marchers.


Civil Rights/Proper Policing

Was the first to call for federal oversight of the Detroit Police Department following media reports of detention of witnesses and excessive shootings by police.

Sponsored and got passed a resolution that calls for the immediate dismissal of a police officer convicted of domestic violence.

Created recommended standards for members of the city's Executive Protection Unit.

Opposed and fought against the use of expansion bullets by the Detroit Police Department.
 

Sponsored and got passed a resolution that disallows mandatory salutes of the mayor by police officers.

She continues to champion a risk management system and to implement a risk management council that would track troubled cops.

Was appointed last fall to the Monitoring Committee overseeing the city's compliance with a federal consent decree for the Detroit Police Department.

Was the first to call for an outside inquiry into the firing of former Detroit Police Lt. Gary Brown.

Business Development

Led the effort to create a stronger casino development agreement, which restored $40 million for minority business development, added between $400 and $600 million for recreation improvements and protected the city from lawsuits from casino developers.

Supports targeted tax and growth programs that help spur development.

Supports the concept of a land bank authority, which would allow for quicker redevelopment of the city's vacant properties.

Is part of the "Vehicle for Hire" task force which called for DPD to root out illegitimate taxicabs and sedan services.

Supported resolution encouraging the development of a legally-compliant business district celebrating African Americans.

Good government

Supported the sale of pension obligation certificates, which saved 1,000 city jobs.

Called for a line-by-line review of the City Council's budget.

Worked with the administration to help create the Strategic Management Office, which creates better efficiency in the delivery of city services.
 


Proposed reducing to $10,000 the contract amount requiring City Council approval, to allow for better oversight of city spending.

Supported a resolution calling for the Governor to o a financial audit of the Detroit Public Schools.

To help with the city's budget crisis, cut her pay, along with that of her staff's, by 10 percent; returned her city-issued car and phone and cut out travel on the city's dime.

Opposed attempts by the City Council to hire outside counsel and the use of subpeonas at taxpayers' expense.

Serves on the Southeast Michigan Consortium for Water Quality, which was convened in 2001 to find solutions to water quality and infrastructure challenges.

Served as the city's representative on the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees, 2003-04.