Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield launched her transition process less than 24 hours after claiming a historic victory on Election Day as the city’s soon-to-be first woman mayor.
The current Detroit City Council president, at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, announced that she launched Rise Higher Detroit, chaired by Melvin “Butch” Hollowell, managing partner of The Miller Law Firm in Detroit and the city’s former corporation counsel. The transition effort is expected to help Sheffield build out her future administration. Sheffield defeated her opponent, Triumph Church Pastor Rev. Solomon Kinloch, Jr., 77% to 22%, telling a crowd of supporters at her victory party she is ready to “fight for all Detroiters.”
Hollowell served as the city’s top attorney for four years before leaving in 2017 to become managing partner at the law firm. Mayor Mike Duggan told the Free Press that Hollowell is volunteering as the chair and that he spoke to “a number of people who are part of the transition team” which Sheffield is expected to announce.
“Butch will do a great job,” Duggan said, adding that Sheffield “is building a broad team that’s going to hit the ground running. I’m really impressed. It’s a mix of people who have been around like Butch, and it’s a mix of the new people who helped elect her. I think it’s going to serve the city well.”
In the past, Duggan said Hollowell saved the city millions in lawsuit settlements and helped address commercial blight, illegal graffiti and illegal dumping in the city’s neighborhoods. The organization expects to deliver Sheffield’s policy vision when she takes office in January.
Sheffield has not revealed other names of people on her transition team, yet, but said in a statement: “This transition is about listening, learning, and building together. We’re giving every Detroiter a seat at the table as we shape the future of this city. This is about partnership and ensuring Detroit’s progress is shared by everyone who calls this city home.”
As Sheffield prepares to leave council and step into the city’s top job, Rise Higher Detroit and Hollowell will spearhead several tasks, including:
Rise Higher is collecting resumes online, but specific positions will be posted on the website periodically, according to a news release.
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan established a fund, in collaboration with Sheffield and Detroit’s philanthropic community, to finance transition efforts.
Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield names former city attorney to lead transition effort
Reporting by Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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