  Dcmorrison12 Member Username: Dcmorrison12 Post Number: 41 Registered: 02-2009 |
Well, I've noticed a lot of complaining and disgust with the rejection of the Cobo Hall deal, myself included. Well, we do have the power to change their minds. Please write your council members and let them know, you - Citizens of Detroit - Want THIS Cobo Hall deal to pass. I just sent mine to Monica... please do the same. | ||
Riley484 Member Username: Riley484 Post Number: 21 Registered: 05-2008 |
Kudos DC. I don't live (but do work) in the city so I feel I have at least a minimal stake. You should be commended. If upheld, this decision is devastating. Not only is the bottom line clear what the best option is for the city, but the underlying reasons behind the decision could push relationships between the suburbs and city back decades. This region already has the rest of the country pushing against it. It's a shame that many in the city and suburbs see themselves as separate entities. In the grand scheme, what's good for one is good for the other. | ||
Trstar Member Username: Trstar Post Number: 41 Registered: 05-2007 |
Not so fast cowboy. I think that MC is equivalent to clown shoes, but this Cobo deal needs some examination. Any plan were everyone has a veto, is fundamentally flawed. The lack of a Detroit base business presence is troubling, for me at least. Is there any "opt out" clause for Detroit,if down the road, this is not working as envisioned. There needs to be an OPEN examination of the plan. | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 2446 Registered: 08-2007 |
anybody ever see any plans for the expansion? Sure would like to see what we're buying. Anybody know when Joe Louis will be abondoned by Ilitch? | ||
Andyguard73 Member Username: Andyguard73 Post Number: 300 Registered: 03-2006 |
I was thinking; what if those who post here and don't live in the city write the council members too? Except instead of trying to convince them to change their votes and support the deal, we tell them how much we suburbanites appreciate their vote against the plan. Maybe if we make it sound like we didn't want the deal to happen either, they'll change their vote and support the deal just to spite us. | ||
Detroit313 Member Username: Detroit313 Post Number: 791 Registered: 02-2006 |
I'll sign! Whats the address? Her home address!  <313> | ||
Dcmorrison12 Member Username: Dcmorrison12 Post Number: 43 Registered: 02-2009 |
Agreed, the decision to vote down the Cobo Hall deal was a blow to regionalism, but we can't put the blame all on Detroit. I mean.. look at L. Brooks Patterson, he wont touch the city with an... 8 mile... pole (pun intended). Anywho... write your council members, Detroiters!! | ||
Riley484 Member Username: Riley484 Post Number: 22 Registered: 05-2008 |
As far as I can tell the risk is being assumed 100% by the controlling party. Cobo loses money hand over fist and these loses will be assumed by them. They will need to make Cobo a money maker again. Where Detroit really stands to lose is the avoided additional economic impact that a viable conference center would have attracted to local hotels and businesses. All economic growth will be in the city not the suburbs (which I am all for). Worse than the avoided growth, would be the $500 Million (or what ever the figure is) of lost economic impact should the autoshow leave. Kwame Kenyetta is correct, it may not a perfect plan, but it has to get done. | ||
Riley484 Member Username: Riley484 Post Number: 23 Registered: 05-2008 |
DC, I agree with you again, L. Brooks is the reason this plan took so long to take form. There are short sighted people in the city and in the suburbs. I wonder if MC and L. Brooks have a running bet on who can look the most ignorant. | ||
Daddeeo Member Username: Daddeeo Post Number: 521 Registered: 09-2008 |
Question is, "Can they read?" | ||
Jmil Member Username: Jmil Post Number: 372 Registered: 12-2003 |
Contrary to many who are having a hissy fit at the councils actions. There are many of us who wholeheartedly agree with and support the council on this matter. The deal sucks. Remove emotion and fake dire emergency then get to work and make a deal that is fair and equitable for everyone. That is true regional cooperation. NOT - this you are desperate so take what I give you nonsense. Trust me, many of us are watching to see who will do the RIGHT thing. (What is RIGHT for the city & its citizens. That is what LBP does, and it works for OC) We have already seen what so many of our so called leaders are quite capable of doing the wrong thing, at the wrong time. | ||
Sciencefair Member Username: Sciencefair Post Number: 149 Registered: 10-2007 |
Jmil, please explain why you feel this deal "sucks." | ||
Jmil Member Username: Jmil Post Number: 374 Registered: 12-2003 |
Sciencefair, Nope. If you are intelligent enough to correspond on DYes, Then you are fully aware of the issues, both sides. The issue has been discussed ad nauseam, so no need in me wasting your time or mine. Anyone that is honest and informed knows the deal sucks. I have heard quite a few pols that approved the deal admit it was not a good deal for the city. I find that the pols that think this is a good deal for the city either have an agenda (Cockrel - both, Bing) or are spineless (Granholm/B Thomas) (Message edited by jmil on March 05, 2009) | ||
Novine Member Username: Novine Post Number: 1190 Registered: 07-2007 |
Jmil, I'm interested in what you consider the guidelines for "true regional cooperation". Detroit has collected over $200 million more for Cobo that it has contributed. That money has come from business in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties. For that money, they've had zero representation in how that money is spent. From my seat in the OC, that's not a fair deal. From your seat in Detroit, the current law isn't a fair deal. So tell us, what is a fair deal? | ||
Sciencefair Member Username: Sciencefair Post Number: 150 Registered: 10-2007 |
Jmil, no offense, but I am intelligent enough to correspond on DYes and fully aware of the issues, but I see no reasonable argument on the side of keeping Cobo in the hands of the city. The City and Cobo are operating in perpetual deficit, and this is an opportunity to lessen the deficit while improving one of the city's assests. I am honest, informed and have no hidden agenda to destroy the city, yet I see this deal as being a good decision for the city and the region as a whole. | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 1871 Registered: 12-2006 |
If you are intelligent enough to correspond intelligently on DYes, then you know that for just about any issue there are intelligent and responsible people with disparate opinions. I see the Cobo deal which has been proposed to be the best the City is ever likely to get. Whether it's a "good deal" for the City can be argued endlessly (and is being so argued, right here). But I can't imagine anyone coming up with a new deal which will be more advantageous to Detroit. If the courts throw this deal away, which they might, my guess is that Cobo is doomed. The City can't afford to maintain it in any decent shape, much less improve or expand it. Fewer big shows or meetings will come to Detroit at all, and the ones that do will more and more favor Novi. | ||
Foxyscholar Member Username: Foxyscholar Post Number: 288 Registered: 12-2007 |
Help me out here: On Mildred Gaddis' show this morning (apparently a replay from Wednesday's show), I heard a conversation between Freman Hendrix and L.Brooks Patterson. Their conversation brought insight into my understanding of the Cobo Deal. Yes, it's politics (conflict over values) but it's all financial. I can understand L. Brooks' position of wanting EQUAL votes if his county is putting up so much money. I can understand Freman's position of requesting a decision-making lean in favor of Detroit, but then, who would expect Brooks (or anyone) to GIVE UP their decision-making power? In the end, I'm (still) on the side of rethinking this deal. If for nothing else, to give more TRANSPARENCY to the process of how this deal came to be. It's sad because in between Monica Conyers' regular demeanor of insanity, she has some decent ideas and I can see glimpses of sincerity in her defense/proteciton of the city, but her attitude is too foul and stank for anybody to take her seriously. | ||
Ct_alum Member Username: Ct_alum Post Number: 114 Registered: 10-2008 |
This business about "jobs for Detroiters" is all a smoke screen. What Monica really wants is contracts for "Detroit based businesses" that she and her cohorts can extort from. Hate to burst her bubble, but all of the work at Cobo will be done by the unions in the Greater Detroit Building Trades Coucil, which the majority of the skilled trades members are from the tri-county area. Or is MonCon going to go non-union on the "plantation"? I don't think so...... | ||
Detroitbill Member Username: Detroitbill Post Number: 692 Registered: 09-2006 |
Whether this is a good deal for the city , aside from the specifics , is really relative to the situation we are all in here in Detroit, which, is Dire to say the least. Detroit gets plenty out of this deal, far from sucking thats for sure and yes, the suburbs get input also.. imagine that. Any improvement to Cobo impact the possibility that visitor business will increase downtown now and all the hotels opened cling on to this for survival. Without its passage?? Well , it doesnt take a rocket sciencetist,, less conventions,, less business,, hotel vacancies,, and possible closures, casino losses, decreased property values and the worst item.. Detroit hating itself No, this deal doesn not "suck" by any means compared to the alternative. | ||
Angry_dad Member Username: Angry_dad Post Number: 331 Registered: 02-2006 |
I'm going to write council to see if they can sing one of my favorite tunes. A "long distance dedication" like what Casey Kasem does. I hope they know the words to "They're coming to take me away ha ha". | ||
Leland_palmer Member Username: Leland_palmer Post Number: 542 Registered: 08-2004 |
Write your council members to resign! | ||
Dcmorrison12 Member Username: Dcmorrison12 Post Number: 72 Registered: 02-2009 |
Tuesday (March 17) I am heading down to the Detroit City Council's general meeting. I will be speaking at the open forum at the end, and I am going to ream them a new one for making a mockery of the city. I invite any fellow Detroit Yeser to join me, meeting starts at 10, open forum is afterwards. The more people that come to these meetings and voice their disgust, the better our chances of something GOOD happening! Let's show this region that Detroit Citizens have a mind, and they won't tolerate any more idiocy at the helm of this city! See you there! (Message edited by dcmorrison12 on March 08, 2009) | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4249 Registered: 10-2003 |
Good luck. I do hope that your reaming and criticism will be pointed and clear lest you end up looking as unhinged and unstable as some of them do on television, on occasion. I'd also hope you'd offer something positive to go along with it. Again, good luck. | ||
Dcmorrison12 Member Username: Dcmorrison12 Post Number: 76 Registered: 02-2009 |
bump | ||
Stosh Member Username: Stosh Post Number: 118 Registered: 01-2009 |
Good luck DC, will be looking for your input! | ||
Gotdetroit Member Username: Gotdetroit Post Number: 203 Registered: 12-2005 |
Just to be clear: 1) Detroit gets $20 Million to pay off bonds 2) Detroit gets $15 Million in YEARLY LOSSES off its books (hmmm, $150 Million in savings over ten years...wonder what that money could be used for?) 3) Detroit gets a seat (and veto) on the new board. 4) Detroit doesn't have to shell out one penny in the expansion/rehabilitation (and assuming the building doesn't sprout wings and fly away to, say, Troy, keeps a viable, new and improved, institution) 5) Detroit hotels/local area businesses reap the benefit of a more viable Cobo. Did I miss a class in Common Sense 101? For the record, I live in Detroit. I consider that I have a vested interest here. As much as any other Detroiter. (Message edited by gotdetroit on March 09, 2009) | ||
Bearinabox Member Username: Bearinabox Post Number: 1292 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote:So do I, but given that I don't "look like Monica," I have a feeling that all I'd accomplish by going to a council meeting and debating her would be to reinforce the idea that this is all a bunch of white people trying to take over the city. | ||
Dcmorrison12 Member Username: Dcmorrison12 Post Number: 78 Registered: 02-2009 |
come come come!! either way, you pay their salaries. Come to the meeting on the 17th and voice your opinion to them in person. Let them know how much of a mistake they are making. Tell them how badly they are failing this city and it's residents. | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 2819 Registered: 10-2003 |
What is with the delusions of the suburbs wanting to gobble up Detroit by the insane fools on council? If anything they would rather get further away. Playing devil's advocate here, even if they wanted Detroit wouldn't that be a good thing for the city? I mean with the fools on the council now this would be a tremendous improvement to the city. If I were a resident I would demand resignations (not that they would do it) at the least if not I would stage protests outside the CAY building to start having the councillors act in a more business-like manner and be a bit more mature. As it is these people make the city a laughing stock throughout N. America. The news of BRC singing an making obsecene accusations has made it's way all over the place. I talked with someone from T.O. and they even heard about it. The next thing they said was "Is it any reason Detroit is in the mess they are in with people like that running the city?" This, coming from a business person wh has investments all over N. America. It is a sad statement to the world that Detroit is being used by a few worms for their own ego's and to get attention they obviously did not get at home. | ||
Lodgedodger Member Username: Lodgedodger Post Number: 1641 Registered: 05-2008 |
I thought the Council couldn't vote on the Mayor's veto until the next regular Council meeting--which is Tuesday. Any experts in the house? | ||
Young_detroiter Member Username: Young_detroiter Post Number: 70 Registered: 08-2004 |
I shared the following comment on the Free Press' forum in response to Kenyatta's article and support of the proposal. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20090303/OPI NION05/90303056 ______________________________ _____________________________ As a Detroit resident, taxpayer and voter, I write in support of councilman Kwame Kenyatta and the Cobo Hall proposal/Public Act 554. The difficult to digest truth is that our city, the core of this great region, is no longer the center of financial power and influence, which has shifted to the suburbs, particularly Oakland County. At this time, more than ever, we Detroiters need to swallow our pride and accept the much need for regionalism. With a metropolis of 5 million and a city that bleeds millions of dollars and a thousand residents each month, this city is in dire need of a change. In order for change to manifest, we must accept change within ourselves. Is Cobo Hall really an asset for the City of Detroit? Yes, it generates tax revenue and the City has full control over contractual agreements, etc., but if the expenses continue to surpass any generated income, it is likely not in the best interest to remain under City control. The council should focus on tax revenue from business development in the city, and make room for gentrification. “Gentrification” is that ugly word despised by many that are xenophobic and do not want to be displaced, but we all know that a city cannot support itself without a diverse tax base. More middle- and even upper-class families must be lured and welcomed into the city. This is OUR city – all of us have a place in this city – regardless of race, ethnicity, class, gender, religion, creed, sexuality, or abilities. Suburbanites, support YOUR city, Detroit. This “city vs. suburb” divisive mentality will only exacerbate the potential disintegration of our entire region. | ||
Dcmorrison12 Member Username: Dcmorrison12 Post Number: 79 Registered: 02-2009 |
Young_Detroiter - I agree with your statement - I just feel as if I should correct your on your last point. Detroit often gets all the blame for this "City Vs. Suburbs" mentality, but let's face it, we're all equally guilty of doing it. (for example, L. Brooks Patterson.. biggest boob of them all) hehe |
