The Detroit City Council is busy with an agenda that runs back to back to address a series of issues, the first of which will find them behind closed doors with their attorney to review the articles of the charter with regard to forfeiture of the Mayors seat.

This is the day that members of the council will again take a look at removing the mayor from office – via official lines but they will examine every line in the charter to make sure that all I’s are dotted and all T’s are crossed. There can be no errors when traveling down this road.

Last week added additional fuel to the fire when the mayor made news yet again for his comments following the additional charges raised against Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff; protests by a community organization and the crowning event – the alleged shoving by the mayor of a court officer who was trying to serve his friend Bobby Ferguson.

That particular incident lead the judge to admonish the mayor, cut off his travel, with the exception of that which has already been approved, submit to random drug screenings and pay a $75,000:10% bond.

Members of Detroit’s City Council already felt that Mayor Kilpatrick should be removed from office because of the $8-1/2 million dollar whistle blower lawsuit that had a secret deal included as part of the package – a deal that council members weren’t aware of prior to voting to conclude the suit with a cash award.

The chamber closed doors closed for a time this morning results will be made public at a later time.

b>Don't Punish My Roll - Bike License Issue
The law has been on the books for years - if you ride a bike - you have to purchase a license for it. The law has sat dormant for years with no one looking at or even thinking about this law. Here’s the why of if all.

It was once just the vehicle to have fun on – a bike. Other than professional races, bikes are generally associated with kids darting around with their friends and having a good time. In other cases it’s a health tool to help get adults into shape.

With the advent of soaring gas prices – the bike has in some cases, become the vehicle of choice to save the budget, and more and more people are using this mode of transportation.

Bikes are also one of the hottest items thieves are lifting so police want you to get a license which will help them if/when your bike is recovered.

Bikers met with council to protest the reinstatement of this law. Bikers keep on peddling .

Also on the Agenda…Tiger Stadium
For years the old stadium has stood empty and fallow on the corner of Michigan and Trumbull – no waving flags, no cheering crowds, no players, but a lot of fans who are devastated by the decision to raze the historic ball field.

Mr. Ernie Harwell, the legendary voice of the Tigers for many decades will stand before the council with his attorney today to try and forestall the total annihilation of this treasured edifice.

Harwell and the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy are working hard to preserve the ball diamond and a corner of the stadium. They have until August 1st to raise $400,000 needed to make that happen. Heretofore the group hasn’t solicited funds because they hadn’t received their 501c3 not for profit status.

Just last week, Harwell put out the call and received half of the funds that they need - $200,000 - to conserve this historic Detroit landmark.

The conservancy has received encouragement from Senator Carl Levin’s office that federal funds could be earmarked for the preservation project. Spicer said that the first donations will go to preserving the playing field and starting a $2.4 million fund to build a 20,000-square-foot museum for Harwell’s memorabilia collection, now housed at the Detroit Public Library. “That’s Phase One and that’s what we want to explain to the city council before they act on further approval for demolition,” Spicer said.

The August 1st deadline was an extension that was approved by the mayor and council. If you are interested in keeping hope alive for the old ball park you can make your donations to:

S. Gary Spicer
16845 Kercheval
Suite 5
Grosse Pointe, MI, 48230

Checks are to be made payable to the Ernie Harwell Foundation, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization.