Michigan Matters Focus: Of Politics And Other Sports!
(CBS Detroit) - Charlie Beckham, group executive in charge of neighborhoods at the city of Detroit, talked about fallout of the Tuesday's Michigan primary where Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence won in a heated congressional race over Rudy Hobbs and other Democrats.
The congressional seat is being vacated by Gary Peters, who is running for U.S.. Senate against former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. It was one of the hardest fought races in the primary.
Beckham, and his boss, Mayor Mike Duggan, both supported Hobbs.
"I'm sure Mike will extend an olive branch ," Beckham said during taping of "Michigan Matters" in talking about Lawrence. "Brenda understands politics. I know she also wants Detroit to do well."
Also appearing on the show was Denise Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Enterprises, Bankole Thompson senior editor of the Michigan Chronicle, and Suzy Avery, former chair of the Michigan Republican Party and executive director of the Michigan's Women's Commission.
The roundtable dissected the Wayne County executive race which pitted incumbent Robert Ficano against 10 challengers on the Democratic side. Ficano came in fifth place while Sheriff Warren Evans and Westland Mayor Bill Wild finished in the top two spot and will move on to November's election.
Beckham, who ran the city's recreation department under former Mayor Dave Bing, saw revenue for sports being cut back. So, he started Tennis for Kids, a not-for-profit organization a few years ago to help gifted young tennis places in Detroit.
Beckham is also an avid tennis player.
He is holding the Metro Detroit Excellence Tennis Camp on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16, at the Barcus Tennis Facility, Farwell Field, 2655 E. Outer Drive, Detroit.
It is free and open to the public.
"This camp has been a vision of mine," said Beckham. "This two day camp will provide a showcase for your young tennis players who represent the top USTA nationally and locally ranked junior in metro Detroit. "
Watch Michigan Matters Sunday at 11:30 a.m. only on CBS 62.