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Shark wrote:Maybe we need a Hot Fudge Cush thread?

Detroit Council candidate Cushingberry takes his pro-marijuana stance to the streets

Councilman George Cushingberry Jr. Detroit City Council District #2
In order to be a great city, we must think and act like a great city. This means protecting our employees from financial abuse and, upgrading city services. Regional and City Wide transportation through the expansion of the People Mover is one thing we will act on very soon. Mayor Duggan and the Council are on the same page when it comes to our city. Green Jobs are a must have for our citizens and this will happen very soon.

January 7, 2014 at 11:43 pm
Detroit council rejects Cushingberry proposal to bypass committees

Christine Ferretti
The Detroit News

Detroit — City Council got caught up in a procedural debate Tuesday and rejected a proposal by its new second in command that the panel take action on agenda line items instead of sending them to committees for review.

The request by Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr., a former state legislator, seemed to catch most council members by surprise.

“I’m trying to act and to act quickly,” said Cushingberry, who on Monday remarked the council has been “dysfunctional” during the past four years.

“Some contracts can be approved pronto. I’d like to get to the meat of it,” Cushingberry explained to his new colleagues. “Those (items) we can act on, we should act on.”

After nearly 40 minutes of discussion, the council voted 7-2 against his proposal. Cushingberry and new member Gabe Leland voted yes, while Council President Brenda Jones — who forged a deal with Cushingberry to gain council leadership positions — voted against.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2014 ... z2pmS6vWLM
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2014 ... z2pmRcTjkD

WXYZ) - Sources have confirmed for 7 Action News that Detroit City Council President Pro-Tem George Cushingberry, Jr. was pulled over by Detroit Police Wednesday and what followed has sparked an Internal Affairs Investigation.

According to sources, the councilman refused to get out of the vehicle after an officer suspected he had been drinking and smelled alcohol. A patrol supervisor was called. We're told the supervisor then allowed the councilman to leave the scene.

Detroit Police are not commenting except to acknowledge an Internal Affairs Investigation has been launched.

7 Action News left messages seeking comment with the Councilman and is awaiting a response.

The Fickle Finger wrote:This is interesting...

WXYZ) - Sources have confirmed for 7 Action News that Detroit City Council President Pro-Tem George Cushingberry, Jr. was pulled over by Detroit Police Wednesday and what followed has sparked an Internal Affairs Investigation.

According to sources, the councilman refused to get out of the vehicle after an officer suspected he had been drinking and smelled alcohol. A patrol supervisor was called. We're told the supervisor then allowed the councilman to leave the scene.

Detroit Police are not commenting except to acknowledge an Internal Affairs Investigation has been launched.

7 Action News left messages seeking comment with the Councilman and is awaiting a response.

Detroit Police officials have launched an investigation into why a police supervisor decided not to arrest newly-elected City Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr. after officers stopped him Tuesday night outside a northwest-side strip bar with an open intoxicant and marijuana in his car.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig told The Detroit News the incident happened about 10 p.m. as Cushingberry drove near Livernois and Northfield.

Two sources familiar with the investigation said the councilman was leaving Starvin Marvin’s and almost hit police officers.

January 9, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Cushingberry ticketed after sources say pot, intoxicants found in car

George Hunter
and Christine Ferretti

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2014 ... z2pxpVK3RQ
Detroit— Detroit Police officials have launched an investigation into why a police supervisor decided not to arrest newly elected City Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr. after officers stopped him Tuesday night outside a northwest-side strip bar with, sources say, an open intoxicant and marijuana in his car.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig told The Detroit News the incident happened about 10 p.m. as Cushingberry drove near Livernois and Northfield.

A police source familiar with the investigation said the councilman was leaving Starvin Marvin’s and almost hit police officers. Two sources confirmed that marjiuana and an open intoxicant were found in Cushingberry’s car.

“There was a legal stop made by a Detroit police officer, and a supervisor was contacted,” Craig said. “A decision was made that warranted a review by this administration, and an internal complaint was opened against the supervisor. There was no arrest made; the decision was made by the supervisor to only issue a citation.”

Cushingberry did not respond to a phone call seeking comment Thursday night.

Council member Saunteel Jenkins said if the allegations are true, they are unfortunate.

“After all that this city has gone through at this time in our history, it’s more important than ever to have elected officials to serve with the utmost integrity,” she said.

Because Cushingberry hasn’t been arrested or charged with a crime, Craig would not comment on what officers found.

According to sources, the officers gave chase after almost being hit, but the councilman did not stop. Another squad car was called in to help with the chase.

The source said officers finally stopped Cushingberry’s car and spotted the open alcohol container and smelled marijuana.

“When they finally stopped him, he took off again,” the source said. “Then, he was stopped a second time and (Cushingberry) flashed his City Council ID card. There was another guy in the car who had a medical marijuana card, but it doesn’t matter; you’re not allowed to smoke in the car. A supervisor came over and put the kibosh on it, and issued a ticket for failure to signal. The officers did exactly what they were supposed to do.”

Craig declined to go into details about the incident. The department released a statement late Thursday confirming the stop but did not add details.

“Because there was no arrest, I don’t want to get into the nature of the stop,” Craig said. “But because (Cushingberry) wasn’t arrested, we’re looking into all aspects of the investigation.”

Craig said the officers who pulled over the councilman acted properly by legally stopping Cushingberry, and that they followed department protocol by immediately telling their supervisor about the incident.

“Whenever officers initiate an investigation involving a public official, they’re required to notify a supervisor,” Craig said. “The notification is also supposed to go to the chief’s office, and we’re also looking into why we weren’t notified.”

Detroit-based political analyst Steve Hood said “it’ll be bad,” if the allegations are true, but they won’t end Cushingberry’s career.

“It’s always damaging,” Hood said. “Is it career ending? No.”

On Monday, Detroit’s council elected Cushingberry to act as its second in command. Cushingberry, a former state legislator and Wayne County Commissioner, already made waves this week for responding online to an unfavorable Detroit News editorial about him by typing “go to hell.”

Shortly after being elected the council’s pro tem on Monday, Cushingberry told the media that he and Council President Brenda Jones “made a deal” and were able to “put together a coalition” that secured his rank on the panel.

Cushingberry has also said Detroit has been “dysfunctional” over the last four years and touted plans to balance its budget and improve the quality of life.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2014 ... z2pxpcIjXB