FeedsDecision 2006
Reeves stresses ground-level advocacy for District 5
Serving in public office is a bare-knuckles, grassroots effort for Triette Reeves.
“I believe that you have to be there to understand the issues people face,” she said. “That means knocking on doors, being present at city council meetings, working regularly with city officials in your district at a local level. That’s how things get done in Lansing.”
Reeves would know – she represented Detroit voters living in District 13 on the Michigan House. Now, she’s seeking election to the District 5 State Senate seat, which includes Inkster, Garden City and part of Detroit. Reeves, who was term-limited in that seat and says she enjoyed a brief hiatus in public service, said she’s anxious to get back in the game.
“I’ve never represented Inkster before because of the way the senate district is drawn, but there are aspects of serving that are the same,” she said. “Whether it’s Inkster, or Detroit, or Garden City, all residents deserve to have a voice in their government.”
Reeves, a native of Detroit, said her candidacy is built around three concepts that must be addressed in the next session: schools, jobs, and transportation.
“I believe in a strong public schools system,” she said. “One of the things we need to do is find ways to better fund schools and raise standards. We have too many schools that are falling through the cracks – and that doesn’t serve students.”
One way to accomplish that would be to fund all schools equally, she said. “There’s no reason for these funding levels to be different,” she said. “All students are entitled to a good education.”
Jobs are linked to development in vital areas, Reeves said. District 5 is a vital area that has many pluses that need to be explored – and pitched – to businesses that might build in less populous areas, Reeves said.
“We have a lot of things going for us – we’re close to freeways, and we have an educated workforce that wants to work,” she said. “I would work for the jobs to be where they are. Once we can do that, many other (statewide) problems will disappear.”
Transportation is another issue that needs to be addressed. “I would like to work with officials to advocate a stop on a light rail line to be located in the district,” she said. There are currently ongoing talks about the establishment of a light rail from Detroit to Ann Arbor, which would allow residents to get to work easily from the district is they do not own a vehicle, Reeves said.
Reeves makes no bones about her philosophy on government: if you believe something is right – or wrong – you must fight.
“I believe in shaming people into doing the right thing,” she said.
Having spent more than 20 years in Michigan politics, Reeve said she’s patterned her career after former State Rep. Teola Hunter, for whom she worked as an aide and communications specialist. She is also an ordained minister.
Reeves is one of five candidates seeking the District 5 Senate Seat. The winner of the election will replace outgoing State Sen. Burton Leland, who is term-limited.
