MichiganRadio

Detroit City Council Looks For Fresh Start DETROIT, MI (Michigan Radio) - The new Detroit City Council held its inaugural session Tuesday.

The new Council has worked hard to establish a tone of cooperation and civility, after its last term was marred by corruption scandals and embarrassing public confrontations.

New Council President Charles Pugh says it's a matter of the whole Council working together. he says in addition to a new professionalism, the Council also wants to change the way it does business.

"Right now you can walk on and talk on any item [on the Council agenda]," Pugh says. "We're going to refer those items to the proper committees, so the proper amount of due diligence and transparency can be done."

Pugh admits the Council will inevitably disagree on some issues, as it confronts Detroit's serious problems--including its looming debt.

Pugh says one of the most pressing challenges will be tackling Mayor Dave Bing's $250 million bond proposal to cover part of the city's deficit.

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