No, the recession isn’t over – although some are looking at it optimistically – and the motor city is still in trouble. 

The city is among the nation’s leaders in unemployment and home foreclosures.  Continued restructuring by the area’s three automakers likely will mean more jobs cuts and hits to the local economy.

As far as I know, crime in Detroit – one of the most crime-riddled cities in America – hasn’t been reduced to a level where it is safe to leave the front door opened.  But Detroit is better off today and let’s hope they learn their lesson from the people in our nation’s capitol (cough, cough…don’t re-elect a bad mayor).

In early February, Kwame Kilpatrick, the former mayor of Detroit, told Dallas-Fort Worth television station WFAA his 99-day jail stay was “an incredibly purifying process” and the most time he’s had to be with himself and God.

Standing next to wife Carlita, Kilpatrick it was hard to be separated from her and his three young sons. “You caught me crying. This is something I don’t usually … don’t do,” he said. “My guys look so much older.”

It’s been more than a year since a text-messaging sex scandal started the long process that ended in Kilpatrick’s arrest, plea, jailing and release.  He lied to cover his tracks – an affair recorded via 6000 text messages.

But things are looking up Detroit!  Basketball legend Dave Bing, elected as Detroit‘s third mayor in less than a year, promises swift and decisive action once he officially assumes the Motor City’s top post.  Well he can’t make the city any worse off than it currently is now can he?

Detroit, I have two words of wisdom for you: Marion Barry!