Sheffield kicks off mayoral transition with Rise Higher plan
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Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield speaks at her MGM Grand victory party Tuesday night. Photo: Monica Morgan/Getty Images
There is little time to waste for Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, who launched her transition effort just hours after her landslide victory Tuesday night.
Why it matters: How the transition goes and who is involved will provide an early peek into the workings of a Sheffield administration.
State of play: Melvin Butch Hollowell, a former head lawyer for the city, praised by current Mayor Mike Duggan, will chair Sheffield's transition dubbed Rise Higher Detroit. He's a Miller Law firm managing partner.
- Sheffield wants the effort to be bold and inclusive, centering community needs in a way no previous Detroit mayoral transition has.
- "This transition is about listening, learning, and building together," she said in a press release. "We're giving every Detroiter a seat at the table as we shape the future of this city."
Catch up quick: Sheffield bested the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. 77% to 22% in this week's election.
- She'll take office in January as the city's first woman mayor, after 12 years on city council including the current term as its president.
Rise Higher's plans include:
🗣️ Surveying residents online and through canvassing to hear their priorities.
- "We are taking what we heard on the campaign trail, and refining it into the governing agenda: the actual and actionable four-year plan for her administration," Hollowell wrote in an emailed statement to Axios.
🤝 Setting up transition committees with policy experts, civic leaders, community advocates and young people. Expect more details soon.
- These groups will turn the survey findings into recommendations for the new administration's actions. They'll coordinate with city departments to vet them.
- They'll work to establish first-100-day priorities.
🗓️ Hosting in-person events to show residents the priorities and allow them to share stories and ideas.
Between the lines: Sheffield is putting together her administration, which could include new faces as well as current leaders. The website is accepting resumes.
Follow the money: Rise Higher is funded philanthropically, not with public or campaign money, according to the release.
- Sheffield worked with several unidentified foundations and civic institutions to create the fund, which is established under the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
- Agreements are still being finalized, so financial details aren't available yet, per Hollowell.