Detroit Seeks Political Stability With Election

COREY WILLIAMS

DETROIT (AP) — The look of the Detroit City Council could change drastically when voters go to the polls in the city's fourth election in just over eight months.

Mayor Dave Bing is expected to easily win re-election in Tuesday's nonpartisan race, but five incumbents are being challenged by 13 newcomers for the nine open seats on the council.

The nine-member board has been the subject for more than a year of a federal corruption probe that nabbed Councilwoman Monica Conyers for taking money for her vote on a waste hauling deal.

Council members have been criticized for public outbursts — such as Conyers twice referring to the council president as "Shrek," a reference to the green cartoon ogre — and flip-flopping on critical city issues.

It voted against — then for — a state plan to turn the city's civic center over to a regional authority. Cash-strapped Detroit is facing a $300 million deficit but had been sinking millions of dollars each year into basic maintenance at the convention center.