Letter sent to Detroit News and Detroit Free Press on Jan 28, 2011
Dear Editor:
Once again, this Detroiter is embarrassed by the puerile ramblings of City Council members about "control" of the City's Water Department. Only this time, they are joined by by State Senator Johnson and State Rep. Jackson. Thankfully, Mayor Bing, along with Macomb County public works commissioner Anthony Marrocco, are the adults in the room. First-term Mayor Bing has appropriately requested time to work on correcting the historic (under federal oversight since 1977) mis-management and corruption in the Department. Commissioner Marrocco reversed course, and now publicly states that Mayor Bing deserves time to address the many issues. Refreshingly adult positions.
All parties seem to agree that the ownership of the Water Department should stay with the City of Detroit. Ownership by the City of Detroit isn't the issue. But, maintaining a monopolistic system, in which most of your customers have no representation, is not the way to deal with a $200 million deficit, nor the way to update an aging infrastructure.
Thomas E. Page
Friday, January 28, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Here's my latest letter to the Detroit News regarding the Detroit Police Department. This letter is in reference to the arrest of an attempted auto theft suspect by 3 ladies. They pulled the person from the car and held him while repeatedly calling 911. The police did not respond, although the police station is literally less than 2 short blocks away. So, the ladies started walking their arrestee to the police station. They encountered a uniformed Detroit Officer in a bank, and he refused to help, telling them to continue walking the person to the station. Finally, Wayne State Police stopped and took the person into custody.
Dear editor:
If you need police assistance, and you live in Midtown or the New Center area as I do, you hope that the Wayne State University Police are in your area. Because experience has taught us that the Detroit Police are unlikely to even respond, even when you are detaining a criminal who committed a crime in your presence; even when you are holding the suspect less than two blocks from the Central District Station. And to insult to injury, a uniformed officer instructs you to walk the person to the police station!
The typical Detroit Police Department three-part blame game response to crime is this: (1) Blame the victims for parking, driving, walking, shopping in the area; (2) Blame the number of 911 calls; and (3) Blame the lack of response on short-staffing. Here's what the Department should do: Blame the criminals, seek them out, and arrest them. Screen 911 calls and only dispatch officers when an on-scene response is actually needed - not "24 minutes" from the time of the call, but now. Finally, cut the command staff, and better deploy your officers. Detroit has more officers per capita than many cities, including Los Angeles. Use uniformed civilians to tow vehicles, direct traffic at sporting events, and lift fingerprints.
Chief Godbee publicly discourages citizens from making arrests, telling us to leave police work to the professionals. If the police don't even respond to repeated 911 calls, then making citizens' arrests is what we will do. I applaud my neighbors for stopping a crime in progress by a making a citizen's arrest.
The joke in my neighborhood is that the difference between the TV Detroit Police Officers on "Detroit 187" and real officers is that the "Detroit 187" officers actually seek out criminals to arrest them. In spite of many dedicated, hard-working, and innovative officers, I have little confidence in the willingness and ability of the Detroit Police Department to have an impact on crime.
I also offer kudos and a sincere thank you to Chief Holt and the Wayne State Police Department for assisting my neighbors in their citizen's arrest.
Thomas E. Page
Dear editor:
If you need police assistance, and you live in Midtown or the New Center area as I do, you hope that the Wayne State University Police are in your area. Because experience has taught us that the Detroit Police are unlikely to even respond, even when you are detaining a criminal who committed a crime in your presence; even when you are holding the suspect less than two blocks from the Central District Station. And to insult to injury, a uniformed officer instructs you to walk the person to the police station!
The typical Detroit Police Department three-part blame game response to crime is this: (1) Blame the victims for parking, driving, walking, shopping in the area; (2) Blame the number of 911 calls; and (3) Blame the lack of response on short-staffing. Here's what the Department should do: Blame the criminals, seek them out, and arrest them. Screen 911 calls and only dispatch officers when an on-scene response is actually needed - not "24 minutes" from the time of the call, but now. Finally, cut the command staff, and better deploy your officers. Detroit has more officers per capita than many cities, including Los Angeles. Use uniformed civilians to tow vehicles, direct traffic at sporting events, and lift fingerprints.
Chief Godbee publicly discourages citizens from making arrests, telling us to leave police work to the professionals. If the police don't even respond to repeated 911 calls, then making citizens' arrests is what we will do. I applaud my neighbors for stopping a crime in progress by a making a citizen's arrest.
The joke in my neighborhood is that the difference between the TV Detroit Police Officers on "Detroit 187" and real officers is that the "Detroit 187" officers actually seek out criminals to arrest them. In spite of many dedicated, hard-working, and innovative officers, I have little confidence in the willingness and ability of the Detroit Police Department to have an impact on crime.
I also offer kudos and a sincere thank you to Chief Holt and the Wayne State Police Department for assisting my neighbors in their citizen's arrest.
Thomas E. Page
Friday, January 21, 2011
The reporter got my address wrong, but the point is the same!
Feds grant $25M for downtown light rail
Tom Greenwood / The Detroit News
Federal officials on Thursday announced a grant agreement has been signed for $25 million toward a proposed light rail project in downtown Detroit.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the deal was signed by the Federal Transit Administration, city of Detroit and Michigan Department of Transportation for the first phase of the M-1 rail, a 3.4-mile, 12-station line from Hart Plaza to the New Center area.
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The $25 million, which was applied for in 2010, comes from a $1.5 billion fund under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is known as TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) funds.
The funds are to be used for road rehabilitation, landscaping and the purchase of light rail cars for the project.
"Building this light rail system will create jobs for this great American city, and it will stimulate long-term economic growth by attracting investment to downtown Detroit and the New Center area," LaHood said in prepared remarks.
Proponents of the system plan to break ground in late 2011 once the findings of an environmental impact study are complete this spring.
Both public and private funds would be used to pay for the $450 million trolley-type system, which in total would run 9.3 miles from Hart Plaza to Eight Mile.
The first section of the rail project — running from Hart Plaza to the New Center area at a price of $125 million — is being underwritten by members of M-1 Rail, a consortium of deep-pocket investors including Mike Ilitch, Roger Penske, Peter Karmanos, Dan Gilbert and the Kresge Foundation.
Construction of the section from the New Center area to Eight Mile would be paid for by the City of Detroit and federal funds on a 20/80 percent basis.
The cash-strapped city received a major break last year when U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick added an amendment to the 2010 federal transportation bill that would allow Detroit to use the $125 million in private funds as its 20 percent portion of the project.
"That really made the federal government take notice," said M-1 Rail CEO Matt Cullen, who credited Mayor Dave Bing for his strong leadership for the project.
Tim Hoeffner, administrator of high speed rail for the Michigan Department of Transportation, said the use of private sector money for matching funds is extremely important.
Backers are betting the rail system will create new businesses and residences along the route and also will bring visitors in to enjoy the city's restaurants, cultural institutions, sports arenas and riverfront.
Detroiter Thomas Page uses mass transit whenever possible and is a big supporter of the light rail project.
"We have to have this if we want to be even a mediocre city, let alone a world class city," said Page, who lives on Woodward near Grand River.
"Real cities have rail systems. Even people who don't use them want to live near transportation systems. If we don't build this now, I don't see much hope for Detroit or the state of Michigan."
Hoeffner said the impact study should be submitted by spring, approved sometime this summer and the signing of construction contracts by Sept. 30.
Initial stops on the system include: Michigan State Fairgrounds at Eight Mile, Seven Mile, McNichols, Manchester, Glendale, Calvert and Hazelwood/Holbrook.
More include: Grand Boulevard, Piquette, Warren, Mack, Foxtown and Hart Plaza.
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110121/METRO05/101210386/Feds-grant-$25M-for-downtown-light-rail#ixzz1BgWblveC
Feds grant $25M for downtown light rail
Tom Greenwood / The Detroit News
Federal officials on Thursday announced a grant agreement has been signed for $25 million toward a proposed light rail project in downtown Detroit.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the deal was signed by the Federal Transit Administration, city of Detroit and Michigan Department of Transportation for the first phase of the M-1 rail, a 3.4-mile, 12-station line from Hart Plaza to the New Center area.
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The $25 million, which was applied for in 2010, comes from a $1.5 billion fund under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is known as TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) funds.
The funds are to be used for road rehabilitation, landscaping and the purchase of light rail cars for the project.
"Building this light rail system will create jobs for this great American city, and it will stimulate long-term economic growth by attracting investment to downtown Detroit and the New Center area," LaHood said in prepared remarks.
Proponents of the system plan to break ground in late 2011 once the findings of an environmental impact study are complete this spring.
Both public and private funds would be used to pay for the $450 million trolley-type system, which in total would run 9.3 miles from Hart Plaza to Eight Mile.
The first section of the rail project — running from Hart Plaza to the New Center area at a price of $125 million — is being underwritten by members of M-1 Rail, a consortium of deep-pocket investors including Mike Ilitch, Roger Penske, Peter Karmanos, Dan Gilbert and the Kresge Foundation.
Construction of the section from the New Center area to Eight Mile would be paid for by the City of Detroit and federal funds on a 20/80 percent basis.
The cash-strapped city received a major break last year when U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick added an amendment to the 2010 federal transportation bill that would allow Detroit to use the $125 million in private funds as its 20 percent portion of the project.
"That really made the federal government take notice," said M-1 Rail CEO Matt Cullen, who credited Mayor Dave Bing for his strong leadership for the project.
Tim Hoeffner, administrator of high speed rail for the Michigan Department of Transportation, said the use of private sector money for matching funds is extremely important.
Backers are betting the rail system will create new businesses and residences along the route and also will bring visitors in to enjoy the city's restaurants, cultural institutions, sports arenas and riverfront.
Detroiter Thomas Page uses mass transit whenever possible and is a big supporter of the light rail project.
"We have to have this if we want to be even a mediocre city, let alone a world class city," said Page, who lives on Woodward near Grand River.
"Real cities have rail systems. Even people who don't use them want to live near transportation systems. If we don't build this now, I don't see much hope for Detroit or the state of Michigan."
Hoeffner said the impact study should be submitted by spring, approved sometime this summer and the signing of construction contracts by Sept. 30.
Initial stops on the system include: Michigan State Fairgrounds at Eight Mile, Seven Mile, McNichols, Manchester, Glendale, Calvert and Hazelwood/Holbrook.
More include: Grand Boulevard, Piquette, Warren, Mack, Foxtown and Hart Plaza.
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110121/METRO05/101210386/Feds-grant-$25M-for-downtown-light-rail#ixzz1BgWblveC
A Satirical post I made on January 18th, 2011. One reader believed it!!
Going to the Auto Show? After all, if you're a Detroiter, it is pretty much a civic obligation!
FCC regulations in Detroit prohibit the local media from suggesting non-auto forms of transportation. So, when the weather is bad, the talking heads will instruct you to leave early, drive slowly, take alternate routes, allow yourself plenty of time, blah blah blah. But they will NEVER suggest taking the bus.
So here's a tip. Given the crummy weather, snow, possibly icy roads, consider taking the bus (DDOT if you're on the fun side of 8 mile, and SMART if you're not) to Cobo. It's a convenient, cheap way to get to/from the show. You can also connect with the DPM (People Mover) for the best 50 cent tour around. And that's what I did yesterday. Enjoy. Tom
Going to the Auto Show? After all, if you're a Detroiter, it is pretty much a civic obligation!
FCC regulations in Detroit prohibit the local media from suggesting non-auto forms of transportation. So, when the weather is bad, the talking heads will instruct you to leave early, drive slowly, take alternate routes, allow yourself plenty of time, blah blah blah. But they will NEVER suggest taking the bus.
So here's a tip. Given the crummy weather, snow, possibly icy roads, consider taking the bus (DDOT if you're on the fun side of 8 mile, and SMART if you're not) to Cobo. It's a convenient, cheap way to get to/from the show. You can also connect with the DPM (People Mover) for the best 50 cent tour around. And that's what I did yesterday. Enjoy. Tom
Detroit Free Press, January 19, 2011
Require police and firefighters to live in the city?
In the late 1970s, a time when city residency was required, I was a Detroit police officer. In 1980, after being laid off from the department, I joined the Los Angeles Police Department. In California, residency requirements are forbidden. I served the LAPD until my retirement. I now live, by choice, in the heart of Detroit.
From my personal experience, forced residency breeds resentment. It also hinders recruiting and retention. Precious resources get wasted on officers spying on other officers to make certain they actually live in the city.
Residency requirements divert attention from what our city leaders should be doing: making Detroit an attractive place to live. And a major component of making Detroit an attractive place to live should be a responsive, professional, efficient, aggressive and accountable police department. In spite of the efforts of many fine, dedicated officers, we don't have that kind of police department.
In spite of inferior, often nonexistent city services, I moved back to Detroit to participate in what I believe will be an urban renaissance without peer. Forced residency for police officers would be a return to the old ways that didn't work.
Thomas E. Page, Detroit
Require police and firefighters to live in the city?
In the late 1970s, a time when city residency was required, I was a Detroit police officer. In 1980, after being laid off from the department, I joined the Los Angeles Police Department. In California, residency requirements are forbidden. I served the LAPD until my retirement. I now live, by choice, in the heart of Detroit.
From my personal experience, forced residency breeds resentment. It also hinders recruiting and retention. Precious resources get wasted on officers spying on other officers to make certain they actually live in the city.
Residency requirements divert attention from what our city leaders should be doing: making Detroit an attractive place to live. And a major component of making Detroit an attractive place to live should be a responsive, professional, efficient, aggressive and accountable police department. In spite of the efforts of many fine, dedicated officers, we don't have that kind of police department.
In spite of inferior, often nonexistent city services, I moved back to Detroit to participate in what I believe will be an urban renaissance without peer. Forced residency for police officers would be a return to the old ways that didn't work.
Thomas E. Page, Detroit
Letter sent to Detroit News on January 21, 2011 regarding the mandatory stickers on grocery items, and the Governor's plan to repeal it.
Dear Editor:
Just as the Luddites were threatened by the mechanization of knitting mills, Michigan's neo-Luddites are fighting to maintain the anachronistic and expensive jobs of grocery store sticker placers. Apparently, Michigan consumers (along with similar folks in Massachusetts) are too stupid to read the posted price above the items. Perhaps we should prohibit people from pumping their own gasoline - as is the case in New Jersey. Maybe we should dispense with automated traffic lights, and return to the old days of officers standing in the middle of intersections. Think of all the great jobs that would create!
On the other hand, if the individual pricing sticker law was repealed, prices could go down. Profits could go up. More people could be hired. Unemployment would go down! Sounds like a Win, Win, Win, Win situation to me.
Thomas E. Page
Dear Editor:
Just as the Luddites were threatened by the mechanization of knitting mills, Michigan's neo-Luddites are fighting to maintain the anachronistic and expensive jobs of grocery store sticker placers. Apparently, Michigan consumers (along with similar folks in Massachusetts) are too stupid to read the posted price above the items. Perhaps we should prohibit people from pumping their own gasoline - as is the case in New Jersey. Maybe we should dispense with automated traffic lights, and return to the old days of officers standing in the middle of intersections. Think of all the great jobs that would create!
On the other hand, if the individual pricing sticker law was repealed, prices could go down. Profits could go up. More people could be hired. Unemployment would go down! Sounds like a Win, Win, Win, Win situation to me.
Thomas E. Page
Sunday, January 16, 2011
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