Jackson, MI — Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies today called on Congressman Tim Walberg and State Representative Julie Alexander to refuse to take their oaths and refuse to take office on January 1, 2021, in response to their support of a Texas suit to nullify the popular vote.

Mayor Dobies has joined thousands of other Americans and more than 60 other mayors who represent more than 21 million constituents in submitting a public comment and letter opposing a proposed federal rule attempting to undermine the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Equal Access Rule, which ensures protections for LGBTQ people seeking federal housing and safe shelter.

Jackson, MI — Today Mayor Dobies joined more than 160 other mayors, cities, and local governments, as well as the U.S. Conference of Mayors, in asking the Supreme Court to rule in favor of upholding nondiscrimination requirements regulating government contractors and taxpayer-funded agencies. The friend-of-the-court brief supports the city of Philadelphia in the case Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, which will be heard by the Court on November 4.

Jackson, MI — Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies was joined by City Councilman Freddie Dancy in announcing the introduction of a package of ordinances aimed at building racial equity in the City of Jackson. The ordinances will create a Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, codify the position of a Chief Equity Officer, and create a Racial Equity Commission.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

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.