Mayor Dobies Appoints New LGBTQ Liaison; Authors County Policies in Rainbow-Themed, Open Letter
Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies today celebrated the final day of Pride Month by appointing Jackson Pride Center’s Karyl Baker as the new LGBTQ Liaison to the Mayor’s office. Dobies also penned a rainbow-themed, open letter instructing the County to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” in protected classes for county employment, and authored a draft, county anti-discrimination policy to protect the LGBTQ community. The letter follows the County’s creation of an ad hoc committee to consider an anti-discrimination policy.
Read More
Mayor Dobies petitions city administration to make Juneteenth official city holiday
Mayor Derek Dobies today signed a proclamation declaring June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth Celebration Day, and called on the city administration to make Juneteenth an official city holiday in the City of Jackson. The move would likely make Jackson the first city in the State of Michigan to declare Juneteenth an official, paid city holiday.
Read More
Jackson City Council Resolution: Racism is a Public Health Crisis
Mayor Derek Dobies and Vice Mayor Arlene Robinson today announced plans to introduce to the City Council a resolution to declare racism a public health crisis and to put forth measures to combat racism and build equity in the City of Jackson. They also called on the Board of Commissioners to back a similar measure put forth by Commissioner Daniel Mahoney, that was quietly removed from Tuesday’s County Board of Commissioners agenda.
Read More
Mayor, Vice Mayor Introduce Resolution to Declare Racism Public Health Crisis, Encourage County to Back Commissioner Mahoney in Following Suit
Mayor Derek Dobies and Vice Mayor Arlene Robinson today announced plans to introduce to the City Council a resolution to declare racism a public health crisis and to put forth measures to combat racism and build equity in the City of Jackson. They also called on the Board of Commissioners to back a similar measure put forth by Commissioner Daniel Mahoney, that was quietly removed from Tuesday’s County Board of Commissioners agenda.
Read More
2020 Jackson State of the City: Mayor Dobies Remarks
SPEECH TRANSCRIPT: Thank you Ken for sharing a vision of what an equitable city looks like — one that helps to create opportunity for all. I am so excited to work with you and your team in this space. I look forward to working with you and other nonprofit leaders through the Poverty Council to make good on some of the proposals you have challenged us with here tonight.
Read More
Mayor Dobies forms city Poverty Council, enlists nonprofit leaders
JACKSON, MI — In advance of Jackson’s 2020 State of the City address, Mayor Derek Dobies today announced the formation of a Poverty Council tasked with working with city administration to develop and help implement policies, programs, and projects that will reduce poverty and support others that are asset limited, income constrained within Jackson.
Read More
Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency Hearing: Mayor Dobies Testimony
TESTIMONY: I’m Mayor of the City of Jackson, a city that has 38% of the city under the federal poverty level. We have been hit hard by the consequences and disparate impact of the criminalization of marijuana. We have opted into medical marijuana and were, I believe (and likely because of the proximity of our meeting to the election), the first community to opt into adult use marijuana.
Read More
2020 MLK Medal of Service Address: Mayor Derek Dobies
TRANSCRIPT: But if you look at the context of his entire sermon, Dr. King expresses quite the opposite: He is exposing those who have succumbed to the seeming inevitability of the hand they’ve been dealt. He was reproaching his congregation — and all those listening to his words — for not being more proactive in the fight for civil rights — for change.
Read More
Mayor Dobies and Councilwoman Sullivan Announce Proposal for Bagless, Curbside Leaf Pickup
JACKSON — Mayor Derek Dobies and 6th Ward Councilwoman ColleenSullivan today announced a new proposal to purchase new collection equipment and provide bagless, curbside leaf pickup services to residents. On Friday afternoon, Mayor Dobies called for a special meeting of the City Council on Monday at 6:30pm to discuss the proposal.
Read More
Mayor Dobies Proposes New Programming, Ordinances To Combat Neighborhood Gun Violence Epidemic
JACKSON, MI — Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies today announced a package of proposals aimed at curbing gun violence ahead of the October 15th City Council meeting. The package includes an ordinance requiring certain businesses to install exterior cameras to enhance investigations, an ordinance to curb the illegal transport of weapons in vehicles, resolutions to discourage domestic violence and cyberbullying, a training program to provide access to opportunity in underserved communities, and a proposal to fund community-based violence intervention programming to deter ask-risk individuals from engaging in violent activity.
Read More
Mayor Dobies Announces Endorsements from City, County Leaders
JACKSON -- Today Jackson MAYOR DEREK DOBIES announced the endorsements of various community leaders in his campaign for re-election. Dobies is continuing to build a strong campaign with a broad coalition of local people and city leaders. These endorsements demonstrate Derek’s enthusiasm and ability to get things done in Jackson, and that he has the strong, broad support across Jackson to accomplish this.
Read More
Mayor Dobies Announces Labor Endorsements
JACKSON — Today Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies announced seven endorsements from local and state labor organizations in his campaign for re-election. Dobies, who works as Chief of Staff for the Michigan AFL-CIO, has dedicated his career to fighting for working families across the state of Michigan.
Read More
Mayor to Host “Meet the Mayor” Beer Hours In Coming Weeks
“Speaking with constituents has always been a key part of my philosophy as Mayor. Besides, having a good conversation over a great IPA is one of the best ways to get to know people,” said Mayor Dobies. “That’s what this is all about. I want residents to come out, ask questions, and share their ideas with me about how we can create good jobs and great roads for Jackson. First beer’s on me.”
Read More
Mayor Dobies’ Speech on Gun Violence: UUC East Liberty
TRANSCRIPT: Good morning, and thank you for inviting me here today. It is nice to be surrounded by friends and, more specifically, by those whose faith allows them to dream of a brighter future for our community and those in it.
For years, I worked with members of this congregation to pass the non-discrimination ordinance and protect the LGBT community from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.
Read More
Mayor Dobies Joins Nearly 100 Mayors and Cities Filing Brief to U.S. Supreme Court In Support of LGBT Rights
Today Mayor Derek Dobies announced he has signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief in three key LGBT cases that will be heard at the Supreme Court next term. The brief includes nearly 100 mayors and municipalities around the U.S. encouraging the Supreme Court to rule in support of LGBT nondiscrimination protections in the workplace.
Read More
Mayor Dobies’ comments on Virginia Beach shooting, city observance
TRANSCRIPT: Last Friday morning, municipal employees prepared themselves to serve the public as they normally do in the City of Virginia Beach at the Virginia Beach Municipal Building #2. Much like our city employees here in the City of Jackson, the clerks, office administrators, inspectors, supervisors, administrators, and other workers collaborated and worked together to serve the citizens of Virginia Beach.
Read More
Mayor Dobies joins Governor Whitmer, State Leaders In Calling For LGBTQ Protections to Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act
JACKSON, MI — Coinciding with the beginning of Pride Month, Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies today joined with Governor Whitmer and state legislators in supporting bills that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) as protected classes. These additions would prohibit discrimination in the LGBTQ community when it comes to being considered for housing, public accommodations, employment and more.
Read More
