It's game on for apparent mayoral contender Benny Napoleon, who lobs a sharp shot at Mike Duggan and then tries to recalibrate it Wednesday afternoon.
"It's our Detroit, and we're going to keep it for Detroiters," Napoleon said Tuesday, according to Mike Wikinson of The Detroit News. That comment contrasts Napoleon's lifelong city residency with Duggan's recent move from Livonia into the city. Napoleon currently is Wayne County sheriff.
After delivering remarks at a New Bethel Baptist Church service honoring the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, according to The News, Napoleon questioned whether Duggan's new residence in Palmer Woods could provide a true perspective of Detroiters' struggles.
"Hell, no," he said. "Palmer Woods is not Detroit." . . .
Napoleon said he has lived next to abandoned homes, dealt with high car insurance rates and felt the fear both for himself and his mother stemming from the city's high crime rate. And Duggan, he said, has not.
"He's never had to experience those things," Napoleon said. "He (Duggan) cannot say he has the common experiences that Detroiters have."
Each man has an exploratory committee as the first step toward a possible 2013 campaign for mayor. The election is in November.
The sheriff, tweeting from @BennyNapoleon, worked to clarify his most controversial remark around 1 p.m. Wednesday:
Palmer Woods experience far different than average Detroiter’s. But, Palmer Woods is Detroit and what we want all neighborhoods to aspire to.
@samriddle, posts an open message to Napoleon:
R U Really Running 4 #Detroit Mayor? Let Us Know Just What Is 'Our' Detroit? We Need 2 Know. Now.
