Candidate Profile: Mary Waters, Detroit City Council

DETROIT — There are four candidates running for two open Detroit City Council Member at-large seats in November's general elections.

To help readers make informed choices, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Mary Waters is running for Detroit City Council Member At-Large.

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Age (as of Election Day)

66

Position Sought

Detroit City Council Member at-Large

Party Affiliation

NA

Family

NA

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BA University of Michigan

Occupation

Virtual Instructor

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

State Representative and Minority floor leader

Campaign website

marywatersfordetroit.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

My priority is serving Detroiters, making sure that we support all our residents and make our community stronger. Detroiters are facing many issues, and I am running to be the people’s voice by.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The "turnaround" has not happened for most Detroiters. Over the last decade, our community's wealth has been taken away, starting with our homes in the Great Recession, then our water, and then our property in Belle Isle. This dispossession of the Black community must end. I will work to keep our money in our community to build wealth by fighting against tax giveaways to wealthy developers who take money from our community while giving nothing back.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a proven track record of Service. I served as a State Representative and a Charter Commissioner. I understand how the city should work. My vast experience will prove to be an asset to the citizens of Detroit.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The current City Council has not used the powers that the our charter provides. Too often the majority serve as a rubber stamp. There must be checks and balances. The City Council is the first line of defense for the people.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I believe we must be better prepared in the future. We must make sure that we have a water affordability plan in place. Water is a human right.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My priority is serving Detroiters, making sure that we support all our residents and make our community stronger. Detroiters are facing many issues, and I am running to be the people’s voice by:

• Fighting to strengthen our neighborhoods by bringing American Rescue Plan dollars to homeowners and restructuring the home repair loan program into a grant-based program.
• Reallocating Community Development Block Grant funding directly to community-based organizations and block clubs, putting the people’s money into the people’s hands.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a State Representative, I served as the first African American female floor leader. I traveled this state and our leadership efforts left the democrats in the majority. I fought and save our community college and some local businesses. I stopped the school takeover by the mayor. I brought home millions of dollars to my district. I was the floor leader for the current governor.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always respond to your constituents.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Public service is the highest honor the people can bestow upon you. We must take that serious and serve with honor and integrity.