The following letter to the Detroit News is in response to Wendell Anthony's comment in the linked article.  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130227/METRO/302270350/

Dear Editor:

Wendell Anthony knows exactly what he's suggesting by asking the rhetorical question "Has Michigan become the new Mississippi?" He is implying that the appointment of an Emergency Manager for the City of Detroit by a white governor is akin to instituting Jim Crow laws, poll taxes, and literacy tests to deprive black people of voting rights. It's incendiary statements like Anthony's, that are a pure figment of his imagination, that cause many Michiganders of good will to want to say "to heck with Detroit; let it die." Apparently, Mr. Anthony would prefer that Detroit become the new Enron, the new Hostess, or the new Greece. And that's where municipal bankruptcy will lead us.  An Emergency Manager is our best and maybe last chance to avoid the consequences of municipal bankruptcy. I applaud Governor Snyder and his team for looking out for the best interests of all Michiganders, including Detroiters.

Thomas E. Page

Letter to the Detroit Free Press, February 15, 2013

Re: February 13, 2013 article, "New panel to explore options for
improving Belle Isle"

Dear Editor:

Detroit City Council President Pugh wants to form a "new panel" to
explore options to improve Belle Isle.  Not surprisingly, Councilwoman
Joann Watson endorses this idea, and in fact wants to be on this
panel. The only three duties of this panel should be, in order:
1) Profusely apologize to the Governor, the people of Michigan, and
Detroiters for the Council's collective stupidity in failing to
approve a lease with the State;
2) Plead with the Governor to rescind his withdrawal of the proposed lease; and
3) Approve the lease without delay.

Thomas E. Page

Re: Detroit council's Pugh seeks study group to tackle Belle Isle,
February 13, 2013

From The Detroit News:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130213/METRO01/302130331#ixzz2KmIa0tl8

Dear Editor:

Rather than form a "working group" to look at options for Belle Isle
as proposed by Council President Pugh, the City Council should
collectively get down on their hands and knees and beg Governor Snyder
and the State to resubmit the withdrawn lease agreement. The Council's
refusal to even vote on the proposed lease with the State destroyed
any remaining credibility of the Council. I will not support any Belle
Isle plan that gives the City of Detroit any control over Belle Isle.
I hope that one of the first steps of any Emergency Manager will be to
turn Belle Isle over to the State.

Thomas E. Page
New Center, Detroit

Re: Detroit City Council's rejection of the Belle Isle lease
Letters sent to the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News

Dear Editor:

The legendary baseball manager Casey Stengel famously said in
frustration over the ineptitude of the NY Mets, "Can't anyone here
play this game?" In a decision worthy of the 1962 NY Mets, the Detroit
City Council looked a gift-horse in the mouth and rejected a win-win
Belle Isle lease agreement with the State. The City would have saved
approximately $7 million a year, and Belle Isle would have been
maintained and improved at no cost to the City. Saving $7 million is
the same as earning $7 million.  I hope the City Council is not
surprised when the Governor, after getting sand kicked in his face,
appoints an Emergency Manager for the City. I hope that day comes
soon.

As Casey Stengel rhetorically asked, I too wonder if there's anyone on
the City Council who can "play this game." With the exception of
Council members Brown, Jenkins, and Tate, the answer is a resounding
"NO." We will not forgive nor forget those Council members who
rejected the Belle Isle lease. The November election can't come soon
enough.

Thomas E. Page