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Mayor Bing Addresses MAB And City's Lighting Problems

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit mayor Dave Bing addressed the Michigan Association of Broadcasters at their annual meeting at the MotorCity Casino on Monday.

Bing spoke about his vision for the city of Detroit, including safer streets and better lighting. Bing was asked if the court injunction putting a stop to longer hours for police officers is costing the city money.

"I think some of the initiatives that we were putting forward was for two different reasons," said Bing. "Once again to make sure we stayed within our budget but also to keep as many police officers on the street as we possibly could and getting as many into the neighborhoods as we could - so this doesn't help."

The mayor said during the address that Lansing is mired in politics and moving way to slowly on the proposed lighting plan.

"We've had both a June and July that have passed were we thought they would have at least put it up for a vote - that hasn't happened either month - so now we move into the month of September before they meet again," said Bing.

Bing said he hopes the issue will be voted on in September and that the lighting proposal is passed so the city can move forward.

Residents and business owners have complained for years about streetlights that don't work. 

On a lighter note, WWJ's Marie Osborne asked Bing if he will get a chance to meet with Vice President Joe Biden when he comes to town this week: "He's a Syracuse man, as I am, I'm sure we're going to talk, but at this moment, I'm not sure what the content of that conversation is going to be," said Bing.

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