On Tuesday evening, February 21, Mayor Mike Duggan will deliver his fourth State of the City Address. Expect an upbeat speech with the CEO of Michigan’s largest municipality ticking off his administration’s accomplishments over the past 12 months.
Each year, Mayor Duggan has delivered his remarks from a different place in the city. This year, the backdrop will be Focus: Hope on Oakman Boulevard. The location may in itself be a clue of what Duggan will focus on. It will also be an easier place to control anyone who is thinking about heckling the mayor during his speech like a few people did last year at Detroit’s Second Ebenezer Church. Focus: Hope is well known for its longstanding programs to “overcome racism and poverty by providing education and training for underrepresented minorities and others.”
Recently, Lisa Howze, the Mayor's Chief Government Affairs Officer, talked to me and WXYZ.com about Duggan's upcoming speech and Detroit-related legislation of importance before Republican controlled legislatures in Lansing and Washington, D.C. Howze, a one-time candidate for mayor, has been a key part of Duggan’s administration over the three years. Without giving away any surprises, she gave me a little peek into what Mr. Duggan may tell people tomorrow night. His speech will be broadcast live beginning at 7:00 p.m. on WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 or going to WXYZ.com.
You’ll be able to hear more from Howze on this Sunday’s Spotlight on the News program (10:00 a.m. on Channel 7) talking about Detroit’s effort to get residents to take advantage of the earned income tax program.
