The People and The Neighborhoods Are The Heart of Detroit. As mayor of Detroit, I intend to oversee a resurgence that brings order, dignity, and prosperity back to the heart of Detroit. The heart of Detroit is not Downtown; it's the communities where people live and grow. That means the mayor must figure out a way, even in tough economic times, to improve quality of life in Detroit. To improve quality of life, the mayor must oversee efforts that improve the educational, financial, and social standing of Detroit residents. Any plan that does not focus on making the individual lives of Detroiters better—is a plan that has no possibility of bringing about real change. As mayor of Detroit, I (JERROLL Sanders) will focus on strengthening Detroit, neighborhood by neighborhood, citizen by citizen:

• Implement Total Quality Program. Establish a city-wide Total Quality Management program that focuses on providing high-quality services to Detroiters. Establish standards and monitor performance against standards, i.e., police, medical, and fire maximum response times, service standards within City departments, etc. Also insist all Detroit City offices answer their phones by no later than the third ring, with the first or second ring preferred.  

• Implement targeted strategies to help Detroit's diverse communities thrive. Detroit is composed of diverse communities.  Work with the various ethnic groups (Hispanics, African-Americans, Arabics, Asians, etc.) and the population at large to devise strategies that enable all Detroiters to thrive and succeed.

• Increase expenditures with Detroit residents. Implement a program that equips more citizens to provide services to the City.

• Create a business-friendly environment to retain existing businesses and attract new ones. In addition to targeting specific industries, Detroit must create a business friendly environment that is appealing to small and large business. To that end, we must completely examine all city processes that affect businesses, including fee structures, taxes, ordinances, certifications, codes, etc.

• Help small businesses in Detroit improve their business practices and ability to service customers.

• Increase opportunities for small businesses. Help local companies secure a substantially greater number of local, state, and federal contracts.  

• Implement marketing program that celebrates Detroit's strengths on both a local and national level.

• Enlist Detroiters in a commitment to improve quality of life in Detroit, i.e., remove debris, promote cleanliness and safety, abate crime, illegal dumping, etc.

• Adopt ordinances to discourage a "do anything" culture within the City of Detroit. Adopt ordinances to manage quality of life in Detroit, i.e., to slow the increase in liquor stores, prohibit "tacky" signage, etc.

• Ensure the presence of high-quality recreational facilities. Make sure every neighborhood has a high-quality recreational facility that jointly functions as a wealth-building center, educational hub for youth and adults, a City service center, and a police mini station.

• Improve Detroit's Educational System. Ensure an educated workforce that is equipped to fulfill needs resulting from emerging technologies. 

• Restore Belle Isle and other parks and recreational facilities. There are many examples in other Cities where citizens have taken responsibility for maintaining and restoring City parks to their glory. I will establish a Friends of Belle Isle Committee and a Friends of Detroit Parks Committee that are charged with raising funds to  manage the restoration of Belle Isle and other City parks.

• Help launch a major, high-end development that capitalizes on Detroit's rich music history. The development will serve as a major tourist attraction and will bring jobs and joy to the residents of Detroit.