INTERVIEW W/ YPSILANTI TWP TRUSTEE CANDIDATE TYRONE BRIDGES BY JEFF BROWN

Tyrone Bridges.

I have recently had the pleasure of getting to know Tyrone Bridges, and am proud to have him as a friend. Tyrone is genuine and truly speaks straight from the heart. I'm thankful to have had the opportunity interview Tyrone in PWP.

1. What inspired you to run for elected office in Ypsilanti Township?

In February of this year, my daughter was shot at a hookah bar in Ypsilanti Township and the lack of township trustee representation towards Juvenile Delinquents and Senior Citizens. No voice for the voiceless!

2. Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township schools have faced some difficult challenges over the past few years. The Ypsilanti/Willow Run school merger was a little dicey. What is your take in regard to the local public school districts?

Leadership has always been an issue for the both Ypsilanti and Willow Run Schools. I believe that the merger was deemed to fail without a strong unified management team and a serious mutual understanding between both school districts that “providing education is there top priority.”

3. Gang violence has been an issue in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township recently, particularly last summer. There is a citizen group called Ypsilanti Community Interrupters. They were formed with intent to educate citizens in regard to how to help stem violence in the community. What is your opinion on the Ypsilanti Interrupters and local gang violence?

I do not have an opinion about the Ypsilanti Community Interrupters, although I feel that any proactive approach towards stemming violence in the Ypsilanti/Ypsilanti Township community is much better that reactionary. We seem to have way too many organizations trying to stem violence without networking together in a unified effort to make the most powerful impact on the community.

Local gang violence in the Ypsilanti/Ypsilanti Township stem from many at-risk youth have too much idle time without as access to a Community Center or Boys and Girls Club which would give them an outlet to extort their youthful energy.

4. What is your opinion on the surveillance camera program in West Willow? Do you feel that the program has been effective in stemming violence in the community?

Surveillance cameras can be on effective tool if placed in good strategic areas with proper monitoring also community involvement is necessary to stem violence and crime in the community.

5. What is your vision as far as economic development in Ypsilanti Township?

Encourage investors through the small business sector and empowering local residents into becoming entrepreneurs through education from the assistance of local community colleges and universities.

I would also try to create a partnership with Ypsilanti Community Schools for empty building space to become new Ypsilanti Township business growth and development center including networking with non-profit organizations to bring jobs for Ypsilanti Township residents.

Now on a much lighter note!

6. Who's your favorite band or musician?  Earth Wind & Fire

7. Do you have a favorite album?  The Best of Earth Wind & Fire Volume 1

8. Have you read any good books lately? The Holy Bible

9. What is your favorite movie? The Green Mile

10. Did you have a favorite TV show when you were growing up? My favorite TV show when I was growing up was the Good Times

Thank you Tyrone.

Jeff Brown
Editor/Publisher
Purple Walrus Press.