just amazed:
Okay this is about the 50int time I have tried to post this, the Martha Reeve's story from the freep, which I am sure many of you have either read or heard about was hilarious, and had I not been laughing so hard I would think it was sad (sad to the fact that she actually did an interview in London and stated the same things the reporter was asking her about. Really, majority vote with 8 people.
Freep article I had to copy and paste into a word document (1st time this has happened)
Which job is Reeves' top performance?
BY BILL McGRAW • FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • July 1, 2009
She's back, so it seemed fair to call Detroit City Councilwoman Martha Reeves on Tuesday and ask about her singing trip to England last week.
How was London? What did fans in Liverpool tell you? What did you mean when you told the BBC interviewer that being a councilwoman is "a second job I have" -- after being a performer?
But Reeves was not buying into the idea that she might have done anything questionable, like missing six days of work at an $81,000-a-year job that comes with a staff and a Ford Crown Victoria.
And she refused to say which of her jobs is more important -- representing Detroiters at a traumatic time of the city's history or performing abroad as "Motown's ultimate soul diva," as the British press called her.
"Elected officials have lives, too," she said, explaining that it is no secret that she travels as a singer. She said her council colleagues miss a lot of work, too, though she didn't name names.
"Council is in session every day," said Reeves. "The whole majority is not there every day."
Reeves, who is seeking re-election to the council, toured England as leader of Martha and the Vandellas. They joined other acts for a Motown 50th anniversary tour in a land where the classic Detroit sound remains extremely popular.
Reeves missed critical council votes on water and sewerage rates and a discussion of legislation concerning the vital issue of regionalizing the operation of Cobo Center.
On Monday, in a historic moment, six council members called for their disgraced colleague, Monica Conyers, to resign. Reeves missed that, too.
Reeves said she shows up at the council table "more than most" of her colleagues. While figures were not available Tuesday, observers said Reeves does appear to have a good overall attendance record. She also said that with nine council members -- now eight -- her absence isn't crucial, because "all we need is a majority" to pass legislation.
Reeves said her staff includes policy analysts who keep her up-to-date on council issues. She is always reachable while away, she noted, and she takes work on the road.
Yet after returning to Detroit on Monday, Reeves had no clue about one of the biggest council issues of the year -- the resignation of Conyers -- until a reporter told her about 6 p.m.
So which of her two high-profile jobs comes first? When talking to the BBC during her trip, Reeves seemed clear that her political job back in Detroit was an avocation that helps keep her active and sharp.
During our conversation, Reeves, 67, said she has been a councilwoman for only four years and a performer for more than 40.
OK, chronologically, singing came first. But what is her primary job these days? What is her priority? Which job is she moonlighting at?
She wouldn't say.
We went back and forth a few times. Nothing.
"It's up to you to say," she said. "I don't think I have to."
She said "waking up and breathing every morning is my priority," and "I do whatever is presented to me."
She seemed to be saying she takes instructions from above.
"It's a God thing," Reeves confirmed. "I can do all things through Christ."
Martha and the Vandellas have some tour dates coming up, and I asked Reeves if she would have to miss council to travel.
She sang "no."
That's right, she sang the word rather than spoke it, and her voice was both startling and melodious as it came across the phone.
"You're singing," I said.
Reeves responded: "I'm always singing."
