Platform
Our Vision for a Thriving City
Mo Baydoun for Mayor
At the heart of Mo Baydoun’s campaign is a profound commitment to fostering a city where every single resident feels genuinely supported, actively heard, and truly empowered. We fundamentally believe that a truly great city, a place we are all proud to call home, stands firmly on two foundational pillars: city services that are not just available, but genuinely work for you, and public safety initiatives that truly and effectively protect all its residents. Our platform extends far beyond a simple list of promises; it represents a meticulously researched and thoughtfully crafted plan designed to directly address our most pressing urban challenges and, in doing so, fully unlock our city’s remarkable potential.
CITY SERVICES THAT WORK FOR YOU
We understand that the efficiency and accessibility of our city’s operations can influence the daily rhythm of our lives. From navigating permits to disputing water bill charges, seamless city services are the bedrock of our collective quality of life and can directly impact our overall well-being.
Our Plan: A Smarter, More Helpful City
We are focused on completely changing how our city serves its people. Our plan uses clear, practical steps to make things much better in terms of speed, openness, and access for everyone:
- Easy Online Permits & Licenses: We will create a modern, easy-to-use online system for permits. This means people and business owners can apply, pay, and get updates for all permits and licenses online from their computers or phones. No more unnecessary trips to city hall, and things will get done much faster.
- Helpful Digital Tools for Everyone: We will create mobile-friendly online tools made with you in mind. These tools will let you easily pay bills, report neighborhood problems (like potholes or graffiti), get real-time city service information, and find answers to your questions, all from your phone.
- Public Tracking Board for Transparency: We promise to be completely open. Our team will launch an online “Open Data Portal” that shows live updates on city spending, how big public projects are doing, and how well key services are performing. This holds us accountable and lets everyone see how their tax money is being used.
- Smart Water Management for Correct Bills and Efficiency: Because correct water bills and smart water use are so important, we will finish installing smart water meters. These advanced meters are already being put in and are vital for greatly reducing billing mistakes, giving exact water use data, and helping us quickly find and fix expensive leaks across the city.
The Challenge: Facing Our Current Realities
We’ve listened closely to your experiences and recognize the significant areas where our current city services fall short. These aren’t just minor inconveniences; they represent systemic issues that demand immediate and thoughtful solutions:
- Rising Water Bills with Hidden Costs: People are worried about water bills that keep going up, often without clear reasons or correct usage numbers. This lack of clarity makes people distrustful and makes it hard for families to understand or control their water use.
- Outdated Systems Leading to Frustrating Delays: Many of our vital city processes, particularly for permits and licenses, are trapped in outdated systems. This leads to unnecessarily long waiting periods, cumbersome paperwork, and a frustrating lack of clarity for residents and businesses simply trying to navigate essential procedures.
- Limited Digital Access and Confusing Processes: In today’s digital world, our city isn’t keeping up with easy-to-use online tools. This means long lines in person, not enough online options for common tasks, and complicated steps to get help or information.
These problems waste your time, cost you money, and make people lose faith in local government. It’s time for a change.
The Impact: A City That Works Better for You – Every Day
When city services run smoothly, clearly, and quickly, it has a huge and real positive effect on our lives. Our plans will directly lead to:
- Less Wasted Time, More Accountability, and Accessible Government: You will spend much less time dealing with city paperwork. Our promise of openness and online access means your local government will be more directly responsible, creating a system that finally feels truly helpful and responsive to your needs, not just a few.
- Less Frustration and More Efficiency: The days of endless waits and confusing forms will be over. By simplifying processes and offering online tools, we aim to greatly reduce frustration when dealing with the city, making every interaction easy and clear.
- Fair and Clear Water Bills: With smart water management, you’ll get accurate bills and better understand your water use. This means fairer costs and helps you manage your resources more effectively.
PUBLIC SAFETY THAT PUTS RESIDENTS FIRST
The fundamental right to feel safe and secure in our homes, on our streets, and in our public spaces is non-negotiable. Mo Baydoun’s commitment to public safety means fostering an environment where every resident feels protected and where trust between the community and law enforcement is paramount.
The Challenge: Feeling Safe in Every Corner of the City
Our dedicated officers work hard, but our community still faces challenges that affect how safe we feel:
These issues demand a smart, caring, and full approach to make sure our city is truly safe for everyone.
Speeding and Dangerous Driving Risk Lives
Too much speeding and reckless driving on our roads is a serious danger to people walking, biking, and driving. These dangerous habits cause accidents, create noise, and make neighborhoods feel uneasy.
Police Morale Has Dropped
Our police department, like many others, has struggled with officer morale, hiring, and keeping officers. A stressed police force can mean slower response times, less community involvement, and less effective public safety overall.
Property Crime and Daily Problems Continue
From break-ins and theft to ongoing annoying behaviors, property crimes and other everyday problems wear down our communities. They lower home values and make people feel less safe where they live.
Our Plan: Safer Streets, Stronger Trust
Mo Baydoun’s public safety plan focuses on two main goals: making our streets safe and rebuilding trust between our police department and the communities they serve:
- Hire & Keep Good Officers: We will make it a top priority to fully staff our police department. We will work hard to hire and keep highly qualified officers under the Police & Fire Act 78, focusing on experienced hires who bring valuable knowledge and a commitment to working with the community.
- Boost Morale and Support Our Police: A strong department starts with supported officers. We will invest a lot in better training, give our police modern tools and technology, and put in place strong wellness programs to support our officers’ mental and physical health. This ensures they are ready and able to serve effectively.
- Stop Speeding and Dangerous Driving: To take back our streets, we will use several methods to fight speeding. This includes putting speed bumps in neighborhoods, increasing radar checks, and strictly enforcing traffic laws in high-risk areas known for violations.
- Deal with Loud Mufflers & Noise Complaints: We understand that problems like too much vehicle noise disturb peace and quiet. We will give our police the power to use better community policing methods and targeted enforcement to handle loud mufflers and other ongoing noise complaints, keeping our neighborhoods peaceful.
The Impact: A Safer, More Responsive Community
Putting these plans into action will lead to clear improvements that help everyone:
- Safer Roads and Quieter Neighborhoods: Our active approach to traffic enforcement will make roads safer for all, reducing accidents and significantly cutting down on disruptive noise from reckless driving and loud vehicles.
- Faster Emergency Response Times: A fully staffed and well-supported police department will be better able to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, providing crucial help when every second counts.
- A Community-Police Relationship Built on Trust: By investing in our officers, improving their training, and focusing on community-based solutions, we will build a stronger, more trusting relationship between our police department and the diverse communities they protect.
True prosperity isn’t solely measured by numbers; it’s about creating equitable opportunities that benefit everyone, ensuring that economic growth genuinely reflects the unique values and diverse needs of our neighborhoods. True success isn’t just about money; it’s about creating fair chances for everyone. It means making sure that as our economy grows, it truly reflects the values and needs of our diverse neighborhoods.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT LISTENS TO THE COMMUNITY
The Problem: Building Success for Everyone
We know that not everyone in our community has felt the benefits of economic growth, and many still face tough challenges:
- Too Much Red Tape for Small Businesses: Many of our dedicated local businesses face too much paperwork and complicated rules. This makes it hard for them to start, grow, and succeed, stopping new ideas and job creation.
- Job Growth Hasn’t Reached All Parts of the City: While some areas might see economic gains, job growth and chances haven’t spread evenly across all neighborhoods. This creates unfairness, leaving some communities feeling left behind.
- Development Often Ignored Community Ideas: In the past, building projects sometimes went ahead without enough input from the community. This led to worries about people being forced out, losing neighborhood character, and feeling like their voices weren’t truly heard in decisions that directly affected them.
Fixing these problems is vital to building a city economy that includes everyone, is strong, and fair.
Mo Baydoun’s plan for economic growth is designed to create many jobs, encourage new ideas, and build lasting success for everyone, always with the community’s voice guiding the way:
- Community-Led Planning for Big Projects: We will make sure there is real and ongoing public involvement in all major development plans, including important projects like the future of the Warren Valley Golf Course and the cleaning up of Ecorse Creek. This means residents will have a true say in shaping these projects from start to finish.
- Strong Support for Small Businesses: We are committed to helping our local businesses thrive. Our team will simplify complex rules, offer easy-to-get technical help, provide mentor programs, and actively encourage local hiring to help our business owners succeed and add to our local economy.
- Working with Colleges for Future Growth: We will form strong partnerships with top schools like the University of Michigan and others. This teamwork will be key for smart city planning based on research, finding new ways to solve city problems, and creating clear paths for people to get the skills needed for future jobs.
- Smart Funding Plan for Lasting Growth: We will actively use state and federal programs, including important funds like the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) grants and money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This smart approach will ensure steady economic growth that helps all parts of our community.
Our economic plans are designed to create a vibrant future where everyone has the chance to succeed. You can expect:
- More Opportunities and Better-Paying Jobs for Everyone: Our smart investments and support will create a more active job market, helping new businesses and industries that offer higher-paying, stable jobs in all neighborhoods.
- Thriving Local Businesses and a Stronger Economy: By cutting down on red tape and giving specific help, our local small businesses will do well, adding a lot to our city’s economic health and creating more local wealth.
- Development That Respects Neighborhood Character, Not Destroys It: Through planning truly led by the community, future development will improve, rather than harm, the unique identity and loved character of our diverse neighborhoods. This ensures growth that puts our residents first.
PARKS, RECREATION & SUSTAINABILITY
Our parks and recreation areas are like the lungs and heart of our community. They offer important green spaces, ways to stay healthy, and places to connect with others. We promise to care for these important areas and help our city become more sustainable for future generations.
The Problem: Old Spaces, Missed Chances
For too long, our city’s much-loved green spaces and recreation spots have faced big problems:
These problems mean we’re missing chances to make our residents happier and our community stronger.
Run-Down Parks and Few Fun Options
Many of our parks and recreation spots are neglected, with old play equipment, messy areas, and not enough modern facilities. This limits how good and varied the fun activities are for people of all ages.
More Demand for Green, Inclusive Spaces
As our city grows, there's a strong and urgent need from people for more green areas, environmentally friendly practices, and public spaces that truly include and are easy to use for everyone, no matter their age or ability.
Our Plan: More Green, More Access, More Community
Mo Baydoun’s team is dedicated to bringing new life to our parks and facilities, offering more fun activities, and adding sustainable practices across our city:
- Modernize Parks & Facilities Based on Your Ideas: We will start a big program to update our parks and recreation spots. This means new playgrounds, cleaner restrooms, and better recreation centers. All of this will be based on what the public tells us they need and want, so these places truly serve our community.
- More Inclusive Programs for All Ages: We will greatly increase the number of fun activities we offer so there’s something for everyone. This includes lots of family-friendly events, engaging activities just for our seniors, different youth sports leagues, and full wellness programs that help everyone live healthy lives.
- Focus on Sustainability Upgrades: We are committed to making our public spaces more eco-friendly. Our plan includes putting in energy-saving LED lights in parks and public buildings, using native plants that save water and help local wildlife, and making other water-saving improvements across city facilities.
- Easy Access for Everyone: Our public spaces should be for everyone. We will carefully improve ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) access in all parks and recreation areas. This ensures that every resident, no matter their physical ability, can easily get to and fully enjoy our city’s beautiful public spaces.
The Impact: Healthier Neighborhoods, Stronger Connections, and Shared Pride
These investments will bring big benefits, creating a city that is more lively and connected:
- Healthier Neighborhoods and Active Lives: Modern parks and more programs will encourage outdoor activity, providing ways to exercise and helping our residents stay healthy and well.
- Stronger Community Bonds and More Involvement: Easy-to-reach, well-kept public spaces and many fun activities will become central gathering places. They will build stronger community ties, encourage people to connect, and make neighbors feel more like they belong.
- Parks That Show Our Shared Pride: By changing our old spaces into lively, inclusive, and sustainable areas, our parks will truly show our community’s pride. They will be a source of enjoyment and a gift for future generations.
CLEANER NEIGHBORHOODS & ACCOUNTABLE LANDLORDS
Every resident deserves to live in a neighborhood that is clean, safe, and well-maintained. Neglected properties not only make things look bad but also lower home values and create safety concerns. We are committed to real solutions and making property owners responsible.
The Problem: Blight and Negligent Property Owners
Our community faces ongoing problems that take away from how nice and safe our neighborhoods are:
- Visible Blight Lowers Home Values and Causes Safety Worries: Neglected properties, like those with long, uncut grass, trashy lots, and empty or abandoned buildings, are more than just ugly. They actually lower the value of nearby homes, invite crime, and create big safety concerns for residents.
- Careless Landlords Put Tenants and Neighborhoods at Risk: Some landlords consistently fail to keep their rental properties in good condition. This carelessness not only puts tenants in danger with unsafe or dirty living spaces but also makes our neighborhoods look worse and feel less stable overall.
- Uneven Enforcement Leads to Frustration and Nothing Getting Done: People often feel frustrated because city rules about property upkeep aren’t always enforced consistently or quickly. This lack of reliable follow-through can make people feel helpless and stop them from even reporting problems in the first place.
These problems demand a strong and consistent response from our city government.
Our Plan: Stronger Enforcement, Cleaner Streets
Mo Baydoun’s team will put in place a full plan to fight blight, make sure property owners are responsible, and actively help residents keep their neighborhoods beautiful and safe:
- Proactive Inspections and More Staff: We will improve our code enforcement by hiring more dedicated ordinance officers. This extra staff will allow for more regular and active checks of properties across the city, making sure problems are found and fixed before they get worse.
- Increased Responsibility for Landlords: We will make rental property licensing rules stronger and put in clear, increasing fines for landlords who repeatedly break city rules about property maintenance. Our goal is to make sure all rental properties are safe, well-kept, and don’t harm neighborhood quality.
- Easy Resident Support and Tracking: We will make it much simpler for residents to report property problems and worries. An easy-to-use system will let people submit complaints without trouble and, importantly, track how the enforcement is going, ensuring things are clear and followed through.
- Grants to Help Neighborhoods Look Better: To support community-led efforts, we will create easy-to-get beautification grants. These grants will help with neighborhood cleanups, planting trees, and other projects that encourage property owners and residents to improve the look of their surroundings.
The Impact: Safer, Cleaner Neighborhoods, Showing Our Pride
These plans will change our city, leading to clear improvements and a renewed sense of community pride:
- Safer, More Welcoming Neighborhoods: By actively dealing with neglected properties and making sure properties are kept up, our neighborhoods will become noticeably cleaner, nicer to look at, and naturally safer for families and individuals.
- Higher Property Values and Stable Communities: Getting rid of blight and consistent enforcement will help increase property values across the city, creating more stability and investment in our residential areas.
- Neighborhoods That Truly Show Resident Pride: Our efforts will empower residents and make sure our neighborhoods truly show the care, hard work, and pride of the people who live there, making our entire city a better place to call home.