Doc Bradley’s competence, fresh ideas, and practical credibility are the right choice for rebuilding Detroit in the Executive Office.
As the Mayor of Detroit, he is committed to addressing the critical issues affecting the daily life of our residents including:

Economy
The national economic crisis has critically wounded Detroit due to the decline in the automotive industry and escalating home foreclosures. Thousands of residents are exiting the city in search of gainful employment and we need programs to attract new business and stop the erosion of our tax base. Investigating the details of President-elect Obama’s economic stimulus and the automotive bailout plans is high on my agenda to search for the urgent help our city needs.

Our city budget is in desperate need of an overhaul. Raising taxes is not an option for already overburdened citizens. Instead, an examination of every source of expenditure would identify ineffective programs and pet projects. Getting back to basics means focusing on what really matters – safety, security, jobs, and family.

Regionalization does not mean relinquishing our city assets, but rather is a way to cooperate with our adjoining communities, sharing resources and creating an atmosphere of a broader community. We are stronger together and able to tackle the tough issues holding back the healing of our city.

City Services
Budget cuts have resulted in dangerously low levels of city services such as our police force leading to a corresponding increase in crime. Public safety is a vital component for attracting and retaining a healthy middle class. As mayor, I pledge to pursue all sources of funding including federal grants to boost our sources of revenue and provide a safe environment for Detroit families

Jobs
Unemployment is at an all time high in Detroit, reaching double digit percentages in some areas. Loss of jobs is a catalyst for the decline of business, revenue, and the status of our communities. I intend to make it one of my highest priorities to take advantage of regional and national initiatives to assist with job training and development – such as the Wayne County Aerotropolis - to bring back the vibrancy and stability of the Detroit economy.

Seniors
In a struggling economy, our senior citizens on fixed incomes often suffer the most. As a mature resident, I feel the pain of those who worked hard to build our city. As mayor, I won’t forget our seniors and their important contribution and I will give my attention to fighting senior poverty and lack of access to proper healthcare.

I support activities to relocate and centralize elderly citizens to communities with easy access to healthcare and city services. Our inner city continues to shrink and retirees on fixed incomes are left to deal with the wreckage of abandoned houses, high crime, and a lack of police protection. My vision is for blended communities where seniors interact with many daily activities. They have access to free transportation, convenient healthcare, and emergency services.

Community programs can create an environment of respect for these valued originators of our city. When teens spend time supporting the needs of seniors, they are less likely to see them as easy prey.

Many older citizens suffer from serious, but treatable, conditions. Because they often lack the resources to purchase medications and the transportation to visit a physician, their illness becomes life-threatening. As a medical professional, I know there are opportunities to partner with pharmaceutical companies to gain access to lower-cost prescription drugs.

Education
Violence, failing test scores, declining enrollment, and corruption in the administration are just a few of the problems facing our Detroit schools. As the largest state district, we need programs to diagnose and treat illiteracy, drop-out rates, and apathy. Investigating opportunities to attract the brightest and best students to our fine city through programs such as “Kalamazoo’s Promise”, will lead to
an educated workforce and a productive economy.

Education is just one component of an investment in our youth. I believe we must start with the youngest children and promote inclusion in programs like Headstart.

A complete restructure of the Detroit Public School system is inevitable to prevent the continual decline in producing educated youth.
A 20% graduation rate is deplorable and we must address chronic neglect of our inner city schools.

Parent involvement is critical to the growth and success of our Detroit Public Schools. Parent-teacher associations need a new face to bring our community together in fighting ignorance, illiteracy, and the increased crime that results from kids on the street rather than in the classroom.

After-school programs are an integral component to keeping youthful energy focused on productive activities. Libraries, parks, and sports are all options requiring the support of local business and government through donations and public funding.

Every child should be motivated to complete their high school education and have opportunity to attend college. Donors are waiting to implement programs similar to ‘Kalamazoo’s Promise’ to offer youth a challenge to apply themselves and receive assistance for higher education.

CRIME
Our current city leadership celebrates a 14% reduction in murders, but this of little consolation to the hundreds who have lost lives and feel unsafe in our communities. Zero tolerance enforcement, networking with adjoining communities and neighborhood safety programs are just a few of the initiatives I plan to give my attention to.

Ethics and Integrity
Given the events leading to this mid-term election, now is the time to choose a leader with the principles and values to heal Detroit. As a physician and hospital administrator, I have earned the respect and trust of my patients and colleagues and plan to apply my experience in governing in the hospital environment to the exciting task of restoring health and hope to our city.

We are all aware of the many problems plaguing our city and the short-sighted, reactionary solutions of the past will only result in more wreckage to our communities. My medical background confirms the success of using an evidence-based approach to evaluate decisions and eliminate poor outcomes.

Although the issues facing our city are many including housing, unemployment, city services, education, and much more, my focus will be – People First. And I will pursue Rapid Design methods to identify areas for quick results while empowering every citizen with the tools to make a difference for the better.