  Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2331 Registered: 03-2008 |
From the blog; http://dayinthed.blogspot.com/ There is a show on The National Geographic Channel called Seconds From Disaster. In it, they document and analyze what had cost many large scale disasters, such as building collapses, train wrecks, bridge collapses, and so forth. At the show's intro, they say a major disaster is not caused by one big event. Instead, a major disaster is a series of tiny and minuet events that mix to create much bigger problems. Sometimes they are dozens of mistakes. I think that defines some of our problems to a tee. It wasn't one thing that brought down Detroit. It was several things that brought the grand disasters in our city's history. Moving past that, I wounder if this same concept works in reverse. No, Campus Martius, the Ren Cen, and the other new additions and fixes won't save Detroit on their own. It is a mix of many small and large things that will save Detroit. No task or project doesn't matter. Still, Detroit's problems are very complicated. The root causes are all intertwined with each other, and the process is like trying to untangle a warehouse full of extension cords and Christmas lights. A possible solution may be that there are no well-known solutions. Case in point, the Georgia Street Community Garden. The garden is a grass roots effort that solved several problems in the surrounding community. Such initiatives are key to solving problems and bolstering community pride. Alternative sources of income and options to problems may also be important. The Russell Bazaar, Downtown Welcome Center, and Open City are perfect examples of an entry point for beginner artists or entrepreneurs. Previously, some of these individuals had very few options to make money, should they lose their job. Detroit's problems are being solved, but the process is slow, and the road is long. The more people who participate and put hours into it every day, the faster the mess will get untangled. It is a frustrating process, but one that can be conquered in common years. | ||
Gthomas Member Username: Gthomas Post Number: 171 Registered: 09-2004 |
I agree sean...we just need more support and create tougher laws for citizen and visitor who liter, vandalize, and fail to keep up there property or home. I guaranteed you will see changes slowly but surely. It start with the citizens, show u care. We need the basic things to change Detroit for the best, like strengthing city services- trash pick, lighting infrastructure, more trash receptacle, installation of security camaras throughout the city byways and neighborhoods. Increase police presence either being in a vehicle, bike, or walking 24/7. Increase safety by organizing more security companies, work with DPD. Increase and organize more public cleaning services companies, such as CleanDowntown.org. Increase visibility of directional streets signage. Increase tree-line streets along ALL city streets, plant more spruce and evergreen to improve and decrease sprawl especially for major byways, and freeways. Have more police presence at schools and walking along streets during school hours. Offer more choices for citizen who has tickets or commited a small crime to either serve time in jail or do community services. Everything else will fall into place......the simple things can make a BIG difference. | ||
Buyamerican Member Username: Buyamerican Post Number: 924 Registered: 02-2007 |
The first problem Detroit had was thug KK. He has been removed from office but his deeds will linger for years to come. Also, the players in thug KK's entourage have to be removed as well. The second major problem Detroit has is Monica Conyers. She's a loose cannon who is as narcissistic and paranoid as thug KK is. As long as this mentally challenged woman is allowed to remain in one of the top offices of Detroit, Detroit is doomed. As far as decent services (i.e., trash pickup, public lighting, planting trees, DPD presence, etc.) are concerned, this conversation was taking place 20 years ago. Services were non-existant then, and are non-existant now. I went to public schools in Detroit from Kindergarten through the 12th grade and never once saw a policeman in the school except when they came to teach safety officers about street crossings. It's a damn shame that we need police in schools today. The biggest problem in Detroit today is parents who do not participate in their children's lives; parents who are disinterested in their children and don't care where they are or what or how they learn. Fix that and it won't be long before Detroit makes a turnaround. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9496 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Problem solved. | ||
River_rat Member Username: River_rat Post Number: 357 Registered: 02-2006 |
Buyamerican, did you ever hear of Coleman Young? KK looks good when compared to CY. Detroit has had a 30+ year run of absolutely incompetent and corrupt political leadership. But, that is what happens when you allow the voters to decide. They get what they deserve. | ||
Jjw Member Username: Jjw Post Number: 552 Registered: 10-2005 |
Detroit had corrupt mayors and politicians way before Black people held office. Don't blame the problems on that. The problems continue to linger with a population that just doesn't care about Detroit-both from the vast majority of city residents who once they get some bucks in their pockets: they're gone to the suburbanites who have written it off. I'm afraid the problems of Detroit will continue well into the future. | ||
River_rat Member Username: River_rat Post Number: 359 Registered: 02-2006 |
Who said anything about race? Detroit, as all big cities in America, has had corrupt politicians. The problems with Detroit's corrupt politicians was that they were also incompetent and failed to understand that you had to keep the golden goose alive. | ||
Eastsideal Member Username: Eastsideal Post Number: 359 Registered: 10-2007 |
The first problem Detroit has is a single-industry economy that's been dying a slow death for nearly 40 years, while everyone scurried around fighting over and over again about what color of people did what when to what other color of people, and using up endless time lamenting that the world can't still be like it was 50 years ago. | ||
Buyamerican Member Username: Buyamerican Post Number: 925 Registered: 02-2007 |
River_rat, CAY was my boss for many years so I do remember him very well. He was investigated by the FBI more times than I could count, they just couldn't get him for much. Lots of corruption in his day. Jjw said: "Detroit had corrupt mayors and politicians way before Black people held office. Don't blame the problems on that. The problems continue to linger with a population that just doesn't care about Detroit-both from the vast majority of city residents who once they get some bucks in their pockets: they're gone to the suburbanites who have written it off. I'm afraid the problems of Detroit will continue well into the future." Jjw, your statement is a major part of Detroit's problem as well. Throw out the race card or blame someone else, when nothing else works. I don't recall reading or saying anything about blacks OR whites being to blame...just the administrators in office that run the show. | ||
Jjw Member Username: Jjw Post Number: 553 Registered: 10-2005 |
A poster mentioned KK and another mentioned CAY. If I recall, those two folks happen to be Black. Yet, everyone failed to mention that there were corrupt politicians way before those two came into office. I stick by my post and I was not throwing out a "race card". Good grief--I now see Detroit's issues even more clearly. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2336 Registered: 03-2008 |
Easideal, I agree that is definitely a big root problem. | ||
Lodgedodger Member Username: Lodgedodger Post Number: 1563 Registered: 05-2008 |
Sean, that IS the root problem. | ||
Bragaboutme Member Username: Bragaboutme Post Number: 618 Registered: 02-2008 |
KK and CAY weren't corrupt before they came in office, JjW. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2337 Registered: 03-2008 |
I guess it could be, but are you sure that is the only root problem? I mean, in the past, when Detroiters get good jobs, many of them move it to the suburbs. Likewise, many young professionals Downtown have decent jobs, but still move it to the suburbs either because they meet someone who wont live in the city, or have kids. We can't retain people. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 3943 Registered: 01-2005 |
Two Euro-American Mayors were corrupt enough to end up in the slammer. Richard Reading, back around 1940, and Louie "Fat Louie" Miriani around twenty years later. So, yeah, throwing the race card on that topic is a no-go. Criminality and stupidity are color blind. | ||
English Member Username: English Post Number: 470 Registered: 10-2003 |
To all the CAY and KK haters: Dennis Archer was mayor for 8 years. Was he corrupt? | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 498 Registered: 01-2007 |
Gthomas, how about chain gangs of criminals picking up garbage. Clean up the city and fairly punish the scrappers and thieves. How about caneing for kids who bring guns and knives into schools? In these economic times, punishment for stealing food should be minimal,IMHO. | ||
Lombaowski Member Username: Lombaowski Post Number: 141 Registered: 11-2004 |
English>He wasn't corrupt but he never got the true support he needed to fix the city because he "wasn't black enough." I think that is the only good explanation I've ever gotten on why Archer seemed to always have his feet stuck in cement. City council has done more to damage the city in the past 20 years than any mayor could. | ||
Soomka1 Member Username: Soomka1 Post Number: 155 Registered: 02-2007 |
Damn Ray, why does everyone have to throw the Italianist card? | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 2252 Registered: 04-2006 |
Ha Lambowski, look at what Archer did to the Riverfront. The debacles around Sinbad's (ripping down a neighborhood for a development company comprised of his son and Pulte) and the buying of Rivertown for the casinos fall squarely on his shoulders. The developement director during his reign was his sister-in-law. Everyone is so quick to point fingers at CA Young. He was mayor during a terrible time in Detroit's history. He did not cause de-industrializtion. I never saw him mentioned as part of the riots of the late sixties. Was he cocky? Hell yeah he was, but he also was able to lead the City of almost 30 years of which during that time the garbage got picked up, the police came when called, and there was not as many abandoned buildings as you see now. Detroit's biggest problem was its rise and fall as an industrial powerhouse as well as its inablility to diversify its economy mostly because of the power of its auto companies. Now that the auto companies are losing power maybe Detroit will be forced to look at ways to diversify in ways that were not possible in the days of when Chrysler, GM or Ford would snap their fingers and expect local municipalities to be at their beck and call. | ||
Brg Member Username: Brg Post Number: 29 Registered: 02-2009 |
Detroitplanner, I have to agree with you but I would like to add this: For years the suburbs attempted to insulate themselves from the problems of Detroit. They dug an invisible moat around the city and said your problems are not our problems. Now with the auto industry in chaos, foreclosures affecting every community and businesses either closing up or moving out now the theme is "your problems are now our problems." | ||
Buyamerican Member Username: Buyamerican Post Number: 926 Registered: 02-2007 |
Detroitplanner... "Everyone is so quick to point fingers at CA Young. He was mayor during a terrible time in Detroit's history. He did not cause de-industrializtion. I never saw him mentioned as part of the riots of the late sixties. Was he cocky? Hell yeah he was, but he also was able to lead the City of almost 30 years of which during that time the garbage got picked up, the police came when called, and there was not as many abandoned buildings as you see now. " Did you live in Detroit during CAY's reign? I did, and I don't remember good services at all. The best we got was DFD. Police service was good except that their hands were handcuffed by CAY most of the time and they weren't able to function like they should. | ||
Noodles Member Username: Noodles Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2009 |
quote: quote: Your blind hatred is showing. | ||
Bulletmagnet Member Username: Bulletmagnet Post Number: 1808 Registered: 01-2007 |
KA-Ka-ka-BOOM! | ||
Buyamerican Member Username: Buyamerican Post Number: 927 Registered: 02-2007 |
^^^^You mistake hatred for disgust. | ||
Noodles Member Username: Noodles Post Number: 10 Registered: 02-2009 |
quote: You mistake the point of the post. Again. | ||
Buyamerican Member Username: Buyamerican Post Number: 928 Registered: 02-2007 |
^^^^You are very presumptous. Again. | ||
Canuc_420 Member Username: Canuc_420 Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2009 |
i like turtles | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 4535 Registered: 02-2004 |
Detroit is what it is today. A city with a 82% black population, a downtown that looks the remnants of the Great Depression with over 50,000 vacant lots, 30,000 vacant buildings, corrupt city services, leaders and police force. Detroiters are living this constant FEAR and it effecting the suburbs, too. Even through the suburbanites live from the city borders to 30 miles they FEAR that Detroit would come to them in a negative way. Detroit will not be a cool city compare to Chicago, New York City, Atlanta, Seattle. It would be compared to St.Louis, Gary, New Orleans and Camden. Until our leaders and city services and ecomony turns around. We Detroiters and suburbanites we have to cope with these problems until we could change and think for ourselves. Then and only then we could reform Detroit into a cool city. WORD FROM THE STREET PROPHET Bring on your negative viewpoints about Detroit's image. It would not go away until you all participate of reforming our beloved motor city. | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 4121 Registered: 11-2007 |
I watched a documentary on PBS last night about the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. Apparently, there are 96 distinct neighborhoods around the core of an industrial town who's jobs disappeared, much like ours. But those areas were vibrant, with friendly people, and crime doesn't seem to be a major factor. (From what was shown). What can we learn from the experience of other cities, and can they guide us to do the same ? If you can watch it online, it would be worth the time. | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 1853 Registered: 12-2006 |
Detroit the region is suffering because of how long we tried to hold onto the one-industry economy. Detroit the City, uncoupled from the region, is suffering even more because it has not developed a compelling message to answer, among the regional population, the question "why should we live in Detroit as opposed to this or that suburb". | ||
Jacqueline Member Username: Jacqueline Post Number: 46 Registered: 08-2008 |
In answer to Professorscott's post of 1:31 am: Because when a Detroiter points out the issues affecting Detroit we are told, if you don't like what's happening, leave. That is why people move to the suburbs. |
