Business & Tech

Detroit Councilman Offers Olive Branch to Huntington Woods

Gary Brown tells City Commission he aims to open communication over issues such as Rackham, transportation and water rates.

Updated: The Huntington Woods City Commission expressed optimism Tuesday night that a visit by Detroit City Council President Pro-Tem Gary Brown marked the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the cities.

Brown discussed the future of , as well as light rail along Woodward Avenue and controversy over the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department during the commission's meeting at .

"Let me first say, on behalf of our president Charles Pugh and the other members of the council, it's an honor to be asked (to visit)," Brown said. "In these difficult economic times, it's important to reach out and work together.

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"I know there was a very contentious relationship with the city of Detroit regarding Rackham, but I hope that is in the past."

Rackham, which is located in Huntington Woods, was donated to the city of Detroit in 1924 on the condition that it remain a golf course. Detroit officials touched off a firestorm several years ago when they proposed selling the property to a developer, a move that was blocked after a costly legal fight.

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Brown said the Detroit City Council was set to vote on a new management contract for the 18-hole public course Wednesday, but a staff member said he was mistaken.

The contract is still in committee, Brown's director of policy Debra Pospiech said Wednesday, and won't come to a vote until at least next week.

"What exactly is going to happen, I don't know yet," she said.

On  Tuesday, Brown said he held up the contract in December to address a protest that was filed by another bidder, but he expects the deal with Vargo Golf Co. to be approved.

Vargo has operated golf clubs in southeast Michigan for the past 14 years, including facilities in Hampton Golf Club in Rochester Hills, Beaver Creek in Oakland Township and Bruce Hills in Romeo, according to literature distributed Tuesday by Brown's chief of staff, Sidney Bogan.

"As far as our selfish interests go," Huntington Woods City Manager Alex Allie said, "we think there's going to be continuity. Vargo has maintained many of American Golf's (the previous management company) employees."

Light rail will take cooperation

Brown also stressed the importance of cooperation to establish a light rail system along Woodward Avenue.

"The message (from the feds) is just crystal clear," he said. "... Until we find a regional solution, Detroit will only get crumbs."

The current plan only calls for a light rail line to go as far north from the city as Eight Mile Road, but Commissioner Jeffrey Jenks, a member of the Woodward Avenue Action Association, said the group is considering options to take it farther.

Detroit control of water system defended

Brown, who said he spent the day in Lansing lobbying against efforts to wrest control of the region's water and sewerage system from the city, struck a firmer note on that issue.

"People are making a leap that the recent indictments (of ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and four co-defendants) are driving rate increases, but that is not the case," he said.

The men are charged in a 38-count indictment from a years-long investigation into corruption – much of it centered on the Water and Sewerage Department. Among Kilpatrick’s co-defendants are Victor Mercado, former head of DWSD, and Kilpatrick’s longtime friend Bobby Ferguson, a contractor whom the government alleges got tens of millions of dollars in rigged contracts for city work – including sewers. Mercado is charged with forcing legitimate contractors to pay Ferguson as if Ferguson had done work.

Tensions between the city and suburbs on the issue have increased recently. When new rates go into effect July 1, local residents who get Detroit’s water will pay, on average, a rate of 7.5 percent more than they did in 2010-11. Those who are customers of the Detroit sewer system will see an average 11.5 percent rate increase.

"The Constitution says we have the right to run the system," Brown said. "That doesn't mean we're not open to dialogue or compromise. We're willing to compromise, but we're not willing to give up the system."

'A good first step'

Brown finished his comments by saying he seeks to open communication on issues that affect Huntington Woods and inviting the commissioners to a Detroit City Council meeting.

"I think this is the first time a Detroit City Council member has come to a Huntington Woods City Commission meeting ... for a free exchange of ideas," an appreciative Commissioner Jules Olsman said.

"It's a good first step" toward better relations, he said.

Huntington Woods resident Steve Aiello was impressed with Brown's visit Tuesday. "Just listening to him speak, he's energetic, enthusiastic," Aiello said.

Patch freelancer Kim Crawford contributed to this article.


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