One family leaves Michigan every 12 minutes

[Wayne]

From a Detroit News article entitled Leaving Michigan Behind: Eight-year population exodus staggers state

People are leaving Michigan at a staggering rate. About 109,000 more people left Michigan last year than moved in. It is one of the worst rates in the nation, quadruple the loss of just eight years ago. The state loses a family every 12 minutes, and the families who are leaving -- young, well-educated high-income earners -- are the people the state desperately needs to rebuild. Long treated as a symptom of Michigan's economic woes, outmigration has exploded into a massive problem of its own, a slow-motion Katrina splintering families, gutting state coffers and crippling an already hobbled economy, one moving van at a time.

Time has a photo essay entitled Detroit's Beautiful, Horrible Decline. It looks worse in places than the worst communist countries you saw pictures of during the cold war. I read somewhere that 2/3 of the city is deserted.

 

[ilwrath]

The state loses a family every 12 minutes

I hadn't actually heard this figure, but it doesn't surprise me.

Why I actually would want to stay is probably the better question.

Unemployment is at stupid levels, now. (Officially unemployment is 12%. Realistically, you can at least double that.) Of my friends and colleagues, I'd say there is more than 25%. And, of the people that still have jobs, I'm one of only two of us that haven't had our hours significantly cut. (And mine is mostly because as people have left, those positions haven't been backfilled. So my hours haven't been cut because my team is like 1/3rd the size it was.)

Detroit, as shown by the pictures (and those are not even the tip of the iceberg) has been on the decline since the late 50's.

It looks worse in places than the worst communist countries you saw pictures of during the cold war.

Oh, unless you've been through Detroit, you can't fully comprehend how such an area can exist in the United States. It is completely bizarre. Like we talked about earlier, with the houses selling for $1. Sure, you can buy it, but you can't live there...

I read somewhere that 2/3 of the city is deserted.

Depends how it was calculated. Detroit has probably one quarter of the population it had in the mid 50's (nearly 2 million back then, probably around 500,000 now). I'd guesstimate that 1/2 of all houses left standing are vacant. And that is not counting all the houses that get the bulldozer each year. There are complete empty residential blocks in the worst parts of the inner-city, where every single house on that block has been demolished. The decaying roads grid empty green blocks where grass, weeds, wild animals, and the offspring of feral housepets, abandoned generations ago, now roam free.

For a real feel of what it's like to wander a decimated city, read through a few months back stories on DetroitBlog. If you do, it will offend your sensibilities. You'll really wonder how such a city can exist in the US. But, I can assure you, it does. I live next door to it.

 

[metalman]

The Fabulous Ruins of Detroit

Wild Kingdom

Hunt Detroit

 

[metalman]

Detroit does provide comedic entertainment for America ...

Detroit City Council meeting

 

[ilwrath]

Yeah, the Detroit city council is a complete catastrophuck in and of itself. I didn't get to see that video (I'm at work, right now), but a random guess might be that it was the recent "Shrek!" incident... Oddly enough, that is some of the more rational discourse presented by this group.

Anytime anyone tries to do anything to benefit the city, the council is right there to make their lives a living hell. And heaven help the fury they unleash at any attempts to benefit the city that would also benefit the surrounding areas.

For instance, the city council fought against saving the Detroit Zoo because it would entail accepting money and guidance from the surrounding suburbs. For the same reasons, they fought against (and succeeded in closing) the Detroit Aquarium on Belle Isle. And, for the same reasons, they are currently fighting against modernizing and updating Cobo Hall. (Which badly needs the updates to continue being able to host the NAIAS and other international events.) Whenever there is progress to be made, the Detroit City Council is there to stomp on it.

Add to that, the fact that the race card gets played most meetings. It's a complete disaster and disgrace any way you look at it.

 

[cecilia]

Time has a photo essay entitled Detroit's Beautiful, Horrible Decline. It looks worse in places than the worst communist countries you saw pictures of during the cold war. I read somewhere that 2/3 of the city is deserted.

wow, decay is beautiful!!!

 

[ilwrath]

wow, decay is beautiful!!!

Well, it is... From a distance. The problem is, that sight is all too common through the heart of the old residential Detroit. That isn't out in the farmland of a distant suburb. That isn't a shabby old barn left out to the weather. That house is probably less than 3 miles from the last of what could be considered "Downtown Detroit."

How about some complete abandonned skyscrapers for surreal beauty? The Broderick tower is in the middle of downtown. Supposedly the latest plan is to rehabilitate it into upscale lofts, but with the current downturn, I don't think any actual work has been done. All the overly optimistic "pictures" from the Broderick Tower's website are artistic renderings.

Ever wonder what it would be like to run a store in the middle of residential Detroit? Bet you wouldn't have guessed it can involve pheasant hunting!

 

[metalman]

The problem is, that sight is all too common through the heart of the old residential Detroit. That isn't out in the farmland of a distant suburb. That isn't a shabby old barn left out to the weather. That house is probably less than 3 miles from the last of what could be considered "Downtown Detroit."

Monica Conyers and the Detroit City Council have a revitalization plan, they'll start just as soon as they finish the Cobo Center restoration project.

Dysfunctional Detroit politics.

 

[ilwrath]

The scary part is, Conyers isn't even the worst member...

In my opinion, Barbara Rose-Collins takes that title. Apparently Barbara can't work with the largely successful Oakland County* Executive L Brooks Patterson. Because, of course, he is racist for suggesting that the Detroit City Council belonged in the Detroit Zoo instead of making the decisions about it. Of course, this comment was born out of his frustrations in trying to deal with the council, suggesting the entire proceeding had degraded to a zoo or circus attraction. But somehow, that equated to calling her a monkey, even though no such thing was said.

I know the site is titled Republican Ranting, but honestly, this link gives a pretty decent idea of the day-to-day malfunctional disaster within the city council. That's not a Fox style hatchet job. That's pretty much what to expect. It's no wonder why everyone leaves.

I love the Detroit area. I grew up here. My family has ties to the auto industry for almost as long as there has been one. As much as I like traveling and visiting other places, I can't really imagine calling anywhere else home. But, don't get me wrong; I keep getting more and more tempted to try. I can't blame anyone for leaving, that's for sure.

*-A quick note for non-Detroit residents here... Oakland County borders Detroit/Wayne County on the north end at 8 mile road. Yes, THAT 8 mile road... The most distinct unguarded border between success and disaster I've ever seen anywhere in the world.

 

[metalman]

The scary part is, Conyers isn't even the worst member...

But she has the "name recognition"!

In my opinion, Barbara Rose-Collins takes that title.

I believe you!
Dysfunctional Detroit politics.

The current over/under betting line:

Months until the new mayor is indicted.
Months until the Cobo is added to the ruins of Detroit.
Minutes until someone is called a racist at the next Detroit council meeting.

 

[ilwrath]

But she has the "name recognition"!

Naw... That goes to her friend Martha Reeves from Martha and the Vandellas. Another oracle of wisdom helping guide Detroit.

The current over/under betting line:

Sounds fun... Let's try.

Months until the new mayor is indicted.

I'll take the over. Call me naive, I actually think Dave Bing has a bit of integrity. I think he'll probably get frustrated with the struggle and quit. Either that, or he'll start getting some things done, in which case he'll probably end up missing.

Months until the Cobo is added to the ruins of Detroit.

I'll take the under. I was there earlier this year, and I think parts already could be. The Autorama (a local legendary street rod car show) was rained out.

Minutes until someone is called a racist at the next Detroit council meeting.

I'd have to see the agenda. It'll be during the first item that has anything to do with the suburbs.

 

[metalman]

The current over/under betting line:

Sounds fun... Let's try.

Months until the new mayor is indicted.

I'll take the over. Call me naive, I actually think Dave Bing has a bit of integrity. I think he'll probably get frustrated with the struggle and quit. Either that, or he'll start getting some things done, in which case he'll probably end up missing.

Didn't realize Dave Bing is an outsider/reformer.
"I will bring efficiency, transparency, honesty and integrity back to the mayor's office." -- Dave Bing

Unfortunately for Detroit he's only in office until the current term expires Dec 31.

So how long until the city council grid locks as mayoral opponents position for the next election?

July

In what month will Mayor Bing be called an "Uncle Tom" at a city council meeting?

September

Months until the Cobo is added to the ruins of Detroit.

I'll take the under. I was there earlier this year, and I think parts already could be. The Autorama (a local legendary street rod car show) was rained out.

It has to be "abandoned" before its "officially a ruin", which means they are no longer scheduling events there. Therefore, I predict the second blizzard of this winter season will cause a roof collapse, causing the cancellation of all future events.

Minutes until someone is called a racist at the next Detroit council meeting.

I'd have to see the agenda. It'll be during the first item that has anything to do with the suburbs.

You have insider knowledge :roflmao:

 

[Glaucus]

How ironic that the Red Wings are only two games away from their second Stanely Cup in a row.

 

[ilwrath]

How ironic that the Red Wings are only two games away from their second Stanley Cup in a row.

Only one game after the 5-0 masterpiece last night. Detroit has always been a great sports town, and we are ready to rally behind any team that provides us with a break from the day-to-day disaster. (The Wings draw from the blue-collar suburbs much more than Detroit, proper, anyhow. Of the 19,000+ attendance every home game, I'd guess that well less than 1% have an actual Detroit mailing address.)

Hockey has always been special to the area, though. We're an American city, but we share quite a bit in common with Canada. Especially our hockey. An original 6 franchise. Our fanbase is as rabid as Toronto or Montreal. We always had Hockey Night in Canada available on CBC 9 (Windsor), well before cable TV was around.

I don't know if it's really ironic, or not. On one hand, I suppose you could say it is... A city in such decay with a sports team at the top of their game. But on the other hand, is it really surprising that a sports team can do great in a city that loves them and really needs a break from reality?

If the Red Wings get one more win, next week there will be over a million people forgetting about the disaster, and showing their love by pouring into the streets of Detroit for another victory parade. I'll figure out a way to be there.

 

[Glaucus]

Well, good luck. I've always liked the Red Wings, they play a clean, fast paced style of hockey. They're the type of team I really enjoy watching. I plan on watching game 6 and somehow doubt there will be a game 7.

 

[ilwrath]

Well, that didn't work out so well.... :/
No parade this year. :cry:

We can't have nice things.

 

[Glaucus]

I'd imagine people in Detroit are a bit shocked with that last game. It didn't seem like Detroit really showed up to play. The defensive line had a really hard time getting the puck out of their zone, even when they weren't under pressure. Maybe they needed Chelios in the finals.

 

[ilwrath]

I'd imagine people in Detroit are a bit shocked with that last game. It didn't seem like Detroit really showed up to play. The defensive line had a really hard time getting the puck out of their zone, even when they weren't under pressure. Maybe they needed Chelios in the finals.

Yep... We needed to get Cheli out there. Detroit's play around their own net was questionable throughout the season. It picked up in the playoffs, but still...

The truth is, the defensive core was ravaged and exhausted. Any time you have a top 4 defenseman out for the entire playoffs (Lilja) it's trouble. Then add Detroit coming off a harsh series with Chicago that saw 6 time Norris Trophy winning defenseman Nick Lidstrom miss the first two playoff games of his career with a testicular injury that required surgery [!!!] (I cringe just TYPING that!). Throw in the aftermath of Kronwall getting tossed out of a game for landing one of the cleanest and hardest open-ice hits I've seen since Scott Stevens.... Let's not forget about Selke Trophy winner Pavel Datsyuk's foot injury... All those taken together is a LOT of defensive prowess for a single team to be down. Overall, it was a recipe for disaster.

But yeah, even taking all that into account, it was kind of shocking. We're so used to seeing the Red Wings pull the big game out, regardless of the situation. Pittsburgh just had more fresh and uninjured players, though.

 

[ilwrath]

In other great news, we're actually returning some of our paved roads to gravel! Yay! Bring on the paint and windshield chips! (Of course, arguably, this may be better than the busted tie rods, ball joints, suspension arms, and wheel rims that the previously 'paved' roads provided...)

 

[metalman]

At least NOT all news from Detroit is bad.

Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers has yet to accept a plea deal offered by the federal government in connection with a corruption investigation at City Hall, increasing the odds that she could soon face federal indictment.

Now gather the clues and play the game "Guess what Political Party", because Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers party affiliation is apparently unknown.

Find a news story that has "Monica Conyers", "indictment" & "party affiliation" all in the same story.


Well she does have a lot of "friends" praying for her!

In February 2009, Conyers was involved in a confrontation with fellow council member Kwame Kenyatta. After Kenyatta insisted that Conyers submit in writing her request to cut his budget, Conyers insulted Kenyatta about his hearing aid, health, and lack of education. Conyers stated that Kenyatta needed to "learn how to talk a woman", to which Kenyatta replied that when he was with a woman, he will do so. Conyers then had to be restrained by a council staffer and a council security officer as she attempted to approach Kenyatta. Conyers later sent an apology letter, which was rejected by Kenyatta as insincere.

:roflmao: Need to find the youtube video of that incident!