Go to content Go to navigation Go to search
Associated Online

Friday, March 19, 2010 | Archives

JOURNAL BLOGS

Bloggin’ on the Edge

Sometimes, there ain’t enough column space...

16

Mar 2010

Adding insult to injury?

Posted by Scott Spielman at 12:08 PM | Comments | Permanent Link

The letter wasn’t addressed to me, but I got a chuckle out of it, anyway.

“Dear Dave,” it started, “The City of Wayne City Council and other concerned citizens have formed an informational group called; Citizens to Support Our Community…”

Ah, yes, the non-city-sponsored campaign to promote two millage increases that will be on the ballot here in Wayne in May. I guess all the good acronyms were taken. The letter was from that group to our owner and president, David Willett, explaining briefly the issue at hand and asking for a donation.

The issue at hand is two millage increases: one a five-year, one-mill levy to support police and fire services and the other a Headlee Override that would result in a .4635 mill increase.

The donation…wait a minute. They’re asking for money to help promote a campaign to increase our taxes? Well, anyone that has driven past our old building in recent months and noticed the big sign out front there knows that we couldn’t exactly afford them before. I suppose there might have been a chuckle or two exchanged when that particular form letter went out.

I can’t see us supporting that concept—at least financially. I’m still on the fence about whether to support it with an editorial, although I know how I will personally vote and why.

Comments | Permanent Link

15

Mar 2010

"Wayne Pride' moves forward

Posted by Scott Spielman at 5:16 PM | Comments | Permanent Link

One of the items on the Wayne City Council agenda for tomorrow night is a response to the Wayne P3 proposals presented at the last meeting.

That should be an interesting discussion. The Wayne P3 is a group of concerned citizens that initially got together to protest two tax proposals Wayne voters will decide in May. They have since decided to push for positive, long-term changes in the city as well.

I thought the proposals all sounded reasonable when they were presented on March 9. They included common sense items like having the council and administration treat people with respect and answer questions concisely, improve communication, through better posting of city meetings and agendas.

Some of this has already been done, but the concept is that the same technology that allows residents to get an email movie listing every week could also be used to send out meeting notices, water main breaks, road closings, etc.—the same way it is in the City of Plymouth.

Being treated with dignity and respect is easy—just don’t ask a question that nobody can answer or challenge anyone’s views.

The group also wanted the city to solicit bids for all future all contracts with respect to any city services paid for by the taxpayers or the DDA. This seems like a common sense thing, but it’s not. It probably refers to the city website; city officials have not solicited bids for that even though last year when they faced a difficult budget year, they said they would look through each and every line item. Since it falls under a ‘professional service’ they technically don’t have to solicit bids, but that falls under my frequent argument about doing what you should, versus what you can.

They also wanted someone on staff dedicated to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), but I don’t see that happening. The city just laid off five police officers and more layoffs are most likely on the way.

Still, the talk should be interesting enough. I expect to see more of these kinds of grass roots groups sprouting up in other communities. Part of that is due to the economy, itself—municipalities and school districts alike will have to depend more on citizen involvement because they don’t have the funds, themselves—and part of that is because we all tend to hear more rhetoric than solutions from people in office.

Comments | Permanent Link

12

Mar 2010

Help for the 'credit crisis'?

Posted by Scott Spielman at 3:05 PM | Comments | Permanent Link

State Sen. Ray Basham (D-Taylor) is among the legislators proposing an innovative plan to help solve the credit crisis that is further hindering economic development.

The plan would involve developing a Michigan state bank that would do what national banks should be doing: helping business people invest in the community, offering low-interest student loans and so forth. There are people out there who want to buy a car, start or expand their business or purchase a home but cannot because the bailed-out banks won’t offer much, if any, help.

It’s an interesting concept and one that has apparently worked in North Dakota. I like the possibility of it offering low-interest credit cards to consumers that are struggling to get out of debt.

My own fruitless endeavors with Chase bank have me hoping something like this will come to pass. It’d be nice if there were some kind of financial institution out there willing to work with people, instead of perpetuating that endless cycle.

Comments | Permanent Link

10

Mar 2010

Still making the rounds after all these years

Posted by Scott Spielman at 11:41 AM | Comments | Permanent Link

I trudged up the stairs at the Old Village School in Northville Tuesday night, and a familiar figure was at the top, talking on the phone.

“Dude,” I told him as I shook his hand, “you need to get a life.”

It was State Rep. Marc Corriveau (D-Northville), popping in to give an update to the Northville Public School Board. I’ve talked before about how impressed—and surprised—I was that he regularly attended meetings throughout his district and, as his second term in the House winds down, that hasn’t changed.

School Superintendent Leonard Rezmierski hit upon it at the meeting, too.

“Not many districts have their state representative attend board meetings to explain the bad news,” he said.

He’s right. Corriveau was, in fact, there to explain some bad news: the impact of a ‘cuts-only’ budget on school districts across the state. He could have shipped off a form letter or had a staffer send out a mass emailing, but he was there in person and that’s worth noting.

The meeting summed up the challenges facing districts across the state, too. Within a two-hour period, the Northville School Board recognized several teachers who had earned distinction within their profession and later talked about the necessity of cuts that will ultimately make their jobs harder.

Maybe if more legislators made the rounds like Corriveau, this wouldn’t have to be.

Comments | Permanent Link

9

Mar 2010

What would be the 'safe' choice in Van Buren?

Posted by Scott Spielman at 11:45 AM | Comments (1) | Permanent Link

I was looking through the job description for the director of public safety in Van Buren Township, and wondering what type of candidate will apply for the job.

The board approved the description at their last meeting, and notices have since gone out.

Obviously, this will be a well-debated interview and hiring process, given what’s taken place in the community during the past year.

In some ways, the job description sells the township short. It requires only a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in public administration, public safety/emergency management, criminal justice, fire science or a related field. Maybe this was done to favor somebody who has already expressed an interest in the job, or to widen the candidate pool, but many police departments require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level police officers.

I bring this up because I think there will only be two ways the township will be successful in this. They’ll either go the fiscally smart route and put off hiring a director, or they need to find someone whose qualifications can’t be debated.

My big question about this originates in the reputation Van Buren Township earned throughout the past year. I was asked about it wherever I went in western Wayne County. The issue caused traffic to our website to spike up to about 140,000 hits in February. The law enforcement community is relatively close-knit, too, so I wonder what brave soul would be willing to put in for the spot.

In that, the township board has an advantage. They don’t need to hire anyone, and can reject all candidates if they feel they didn’t get enough qualified responses. That’s something for everyone to keep in mind.

Comments (1) | Permanent Link

By Scott Spielman, editor of Journal Newspapers

Recent Posts


March 2010


16
Adding insult to injury?

15
"Wayne Pride' moves forward

12
Help for the 'credit crisis'?

10
Still making the rounds after all these years

9
What would be the 'safe' choice in Van Buren?

5
Gas prices v. Politics

2
Another way to say 'ouch'


February 2010


26
A snapshot of the lifetime health care debate

24
So much for that idea

23
Different team, same goal

22
Vote 'Yes' tomorrow

Good crowds honor fallen Canton marine

19
'Transparency' vs. jobs?

17
'Meeting' expectations

16
Last stop before the recall election

15
Here's a novel thought

12
Too free, or not 'free' enough?

11
I'm sorry, what was that again?

5
A small step

4
It didn't work for Switzerland, either

2
Short on days, long on history

1
Deliberately wrong, but why?


January 2010


29
A few clarifications on the recall process

27
This debate is...debatable

26
Romulus has lessons for Wayne, Van Buren

25
Huh?

22
No win situation in Wayne

21
The fourth link

20
A big picture look at tax increases

15
The new media war

13
What they say, what they do

12
An interesting race

Unfinished business in Van Buren Township

11
Good news for Ford, good news for Wayne

9
All quiet at 'The Flats'

8
Goal season

5
Cherry bows out

4
The most optimistic time of the year


December 2009


31
Thoughts on 2009, Part II

29
Thoughts on 2009, Part I

28
Reflections on the holiday spirit

23
Troubling signs on the horizon

18
The good, the bad and the ironic in the Van Buren budget

17
A note on the double standard

16
Van Buren Meeting Theater

15
'Time constraints?'

14
Decisions, decisions....

11
Back and forth on school funding

9
Another line in the sand

7
Check your anger at the door

4
More revenue for Van Buren Township

2
Two agenda items, three hours

1
Strange things afoot, Pt. II


November 2009


30
Shades of an old argument

25
My son, the hero

24
Strange things afoot?

19
Updates to come...

17
School committees fine-tune recommendations

12
Upside-down thinking

9
Our way or the highway?

6
New elections, new start

4
Few suprises on election day

3
Election Day

2
Ford shows it can be done


October 2009


29
Van Buren's reputation grows

26
Northville gears up for funding fight

22
There goes the neighborhood

21
Sympathy for the candidate

15
Two directors, two different processes

12
“Don’t worry, we’re insured!”

9
The goose and the gander

2
A good idea out of Lansing

1
A busy night in western Wayne


September 2009


29
A familiar budgetary refrain

25
Pure Michigan...

24
Tragedy shows that no community is immune

21
Perfect weather for Pumpkins

14
Lessons from the Fall Festival

11
A few letters on letters

8
Listen, then judge

7
Lay bored Day

4
Alas, Ernie

1
It's safe to talk about it now...


August 2009


31
The letter or the sprirt?

25
An important part of the future

24
Daring to question

19
The art of the non-apology

18
Must've been a good idea....

17
On your mark...

14
Lessons from the latest rumor mill

10
Recall effort gains notice

7
To protect and to serve, still

5
What, no cash for ‘squeakers’?

3
The burden of proof and the lack of space


July 2009


29
A self-fulfilling prophesy?

28
Nobody wins in this debate

24
On the subject of dead horses...

22
I hope apologies are forthcoming

21
Cue the dead horse and let the beatings begin

17
Ethics policy needs review

16
Trustee owes the voters better explanation

13
Nice try, 'Mr. Holdover'

11
History repeats itself

10
The campaign contribution question

9
Thank you for your patience

8
Things we can do without

Common sense has officially left the building

7
"Calling Mr. Spock to the Twilight Zone..."

6
Is this appointment necessary?

2
Okay, now, this is just lunacy

Ostrowski's letter(s)

1
Not so fast there, Mr. Champagne


June 2009


30
Recall petitions filed for Van Buren Township

26
The absence of leadership

25
More thoughts from Van Buren Township

24
Sad days for Van Buren Township

23
A perfect chance to show leadership

22
No bids? No problem!

19
Second appeals hearing set for Jerry Champagne

15
File under 'busy work?'

12
Hospital property is dazzling

8
Changes in store for the Wayne PD

4
We should be down and gone, but we hold on

2
Good money after bad?

Help out The Cruise


May 2009


21
Wayne finds perfect seed in Farmer's Market

19
Good luck, Chuck

18
Cut to the bone

11
Frustration vs. Optimism

8
A JFK moment in Wayne

7
Sorry, Jesus, but you gotta go

5
Old number 15

1
Tough call in Wayne-Westland School Board race


April 2009


28
Romulus approves Aerotropolis agreement

27
"When people don't get, they learn to take..."

24
Keepin' it positive

21
Not so stimulating

20
Stand up, be counted

17
It’s not a party thing

15
You can't win them all

14
Going 'greener' this spring

9
An easy target

6
Let the budget battles begin

2
The spambots win


March 2009


30
Going green and…not so green

24
A good public-private partnership

18
Lighten up, everyone

16
The Late Bill Shuffle

10
Not so fast there, Aerotropolis....

5
Good job, Phil


February 2009


26
They're going to need a bigger truck

25
Taking up the burden

12
Rooting for the 'little guy'

10
It's not OK to cheat

6
Pro’s and Con’s of the Wayne-Westland Teacher’s contract

5
Some thoughts on the next 'bailout'...

4
Viewers want to know....


January 2009


29
Prelude to Groundhog Day…

26
One standard is the way to go

22
OK, economy, you got me this time...

20
On the cusp of history

16
So long, Mr. President

14
A whole lotta plannin’ going on

13
Master Plan process continues tonight

10
Foreclosures are snow fun

9
Township trustees work on communication

6
What to watch for in 2009: Northville


December 2008


31
Goodbye 2008, part III, or rememebring those that inspired

30
Goodbye, 2008 pt. II

29
Goodbye 2008, Part 1

26
Hidden party dangers

23
Winter Vs. Overtime

19
Auto loans approved!

18
Not quite ready for 'the pasture...'

16
"You know the rent is in arrears, the dog has not been fed in years..."

15
A pre-pre budget meeting

12
An unconscionable decision

11
The hidden consequence

9
The three-second ruling...

8
On behalf of an ungrateful nation….

3
A ‘sign’ of trouble

2
Credit where it's due


November 2008


28
The reason for the season

19
More support for the school board

14
Charter school discussion on hold

11
Too big, or not too big?

10
Wayne pride!

A note on straight party voting

4
Results are in

A change, already

The lesser man


October 2008


28
Mural dedication is tonight

24
Another sign of a slow down

14
Trustees, hopefuls stick with issues at forum

10
Reintroducing slideshows

Cruisin' for a bruisin'?

8
Not so free speech

7
Well, that's a fine thank you

6
Teachers want respect? They should show it


September 2008


29
Sorting out the details

26
A candidate for…um...

23
Master Plan process continues tonight

The blame game

19
Three sides of history

16
Return of a couple of class acts

15
Agenda issue, take II

8
Back from the pasture?

5
The passion and the politics

3
No quick link

1
‘Think tank’ is still thinking


August 2008


26
A warm Wayne welcome?

22
Band doesn't skip a beat

20
Festival season is upon us

14
A shot across the bow

11
Another one bites the dust

5
Cats on leashes? Another salary increase? What's next?


July 2008


28
The irony of the annexation issue

22
Taking back the 'Talk'

18
The downside of Annexation

17
Due to circumstances....

10
A note on endorsements

4
Happy Birthday, America

3
Wayne launches new web site


June 2008


30
Livonia mayor endorses annexation

27
Is Mike Bishop getting the message?

25
Join this grass roots effort

23
Annexation fight continues

20
A true professional

18
Now it's come to this....

13
On the cusp of change

12
I want my money back!

11
Fireworks are back!

9
Fumin' and fuelin'

6
Privatization decision postponed

5
More sticker shock

2
Early election trends


May 2008


30
An early candidate

26
Annexation subpeona update

22
Another bullying tactic from REIS

21
Memorial Day reminder

13
Election season update

12
The 'next' budget battle?

9
Budget concerns, Pt. II

6
No recall necessary

1
Dawn of the election season


April 2008


25
Gas troubles

24
Two sides of a tough economy

Agosto, Belbin leave Canton arena

23
One surprise on Hindu Temple decision

22
A good discussion on Oakwood

21
Big meeting week

18
Calling all Euchre players

17
A dry lunch

15
A slow, cautious step

14
Tough decision for Northville Schools

8
Funny press release line of the week

7
Treasurer race picks up in Canton

Subtle signs of hope

4
Still improving after all these years...

3
Grab your Tums, Tigers fans


March 2008


31
The old Foreign vs. Domestic debate

28
An update on the mural plan

24
Perservering for preservation

21
REIS v. Northville Township: A good example of the necessity of freedom of information

18
Annexation petitions filed

17
The bulk store approach to drug sales

14
Reaching out at the schools

10
Help protect our water

7
Perception vs. reality

4
Theater expenses kick in

3
Back from the brink


February 2008


29
Trashin' Republicans

26
Another election announcement

25
Comments are back

22
A warm reception

21
A comment on comments

19
Hindu Temple wins approval

15
The last bastion of optimism

12
Sad school news

7
A town hall in cyberspace

5
What's it all about, Aldi?

4
Another change on the way

1
More questions than answers


January 2008


31
Cap is back!

30
Some upcoming changes

29
Slowly but surely...

25
Due to circumstances beyond our control...

20
Full house for charity tourney

18
LaJoy enters Canton Supervisor race

15
I’ll be the roundabout…

14
The uncommitted voter

11
Another encore for the Historic theater?

7
Gathering more allies

4
Yack won't be back

In case you missed it...


December 2007


28
Get out and help out

21
Security for Tots

20
A strong show of support

17
A community comes together

13
Down, but not out (I hope)

11
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille's

7
Good start for Goodfellows

5
Everything old is new again

3
Winter's first casualty


November 2007


26
For want of cooperation

21
A vote of confidence, a leap of faith

16
An oversight on my part

14
More post-election thoughts

13
Ode to Michigan Avenue or, 'The Tar Splattered Bumper'

12
A chilling tale

9
REIS is suing? Didn’t see that comin’

6
Election Day, part III

First Election night upset

Election Day, part II

Election Day, part 1

5
Eight years, many memories

1
A Devil’s night vigil


October 2007


30
Another countdown? Surprise, surprise...

29
That's Cosmic, part II

25
Bricks and butterflies

22
Historic theater is a long shot, but still the best bet

19
Between a rock and a hard light

17
Fault isn’t form of government

16
Tough questions in hostile territory

12
Budget buffoonery

8
River flows with potential

4
Back where we started

2
The day after pigs fly

1
Politics before progress


September 2007


28
A fond farewell

27
Virginia Presson, 87

25
Snakes in a garage

24
Decision time

20
An entertaining meeting?

17
A disappointing trip

14
"Urgent: it's time to act...."

Good time for a food drive

12
A subtle sign of danger

7
That's Cosmic, man

Another Lansing blunder

4
A sad reaction from the Wayne Council

An easy fact to find


August 2007


29
A spiced up Wheelfest event

28
Dusty but trusty

27
A winner, indeed

24
A chili conspiracy?

23
Patience, please

21
It's all a facade

16
Retail takes another hit

It’s time to take charge

14
A Constant Fight

13
Sunday service set for John Harvey

9
A bit too pedestrian friendly

8
Manager drama shows human side of politics

6
Mears fired

Quite a conundrum

3
Marketing? Now that is a ‘twist!’

2
A little less lip service

1
So wear a touch of gray; it kind of suits you anyway


July 2007


30
The Idea People

27
A hot button issue

26
Third time a charm?

Change of latitude, attitude

24
A ‘chili’ return

23
‘All eyes on the shadow of the wizard’

19
Let’s ‘park’ this deck plan

17
Snubbed again

16
A well-run event

13
Shapes of things to come

12
Just fill in the blanks

11
Good choices in Northville

10
Both sides of the glass

7
Can you hear me now?

5
Now is better than later

And so the season begins

3
The Iron Butterfly lives!

2
In-a-gadda-da-vida, honey…


June 2007


28
Cryptozoologists to the rescue

Don’t let the mob win

26
From a place where time runs slow

25
D-Day for DDA project?

22
The week ahead

21
Time flies, like it or not

No time for waiting game

14
Same old Northville....

Let’s clean up policy, too

11
A good deal—the second time around, at least

8
Putting the 'fun' in fundraisers

7
A good 'act' to follow

Sometimes it’s OK to be yourself

Painting a pretty new picture

5
The robots will never win

1
An old friend and a driving tip


May 2007


31
Some 'solution'

Lesson in leisure living

30
A hot topic

24
A little bit too ‘friendly’

Call me confused in Wayne

23
Lessons from John Wayne

22
An ugly record

18
A busy weekend…

17
A real activist remembered

Let’s be choosy neighbors

16
A river runs through it

15
Houston, we have a cool project

14
A taxing discussion

12
Giants win!

11
Minority rules

10
Will the real winner stand up?

Everyone’s entitled to his opinion

Night of music, summer of potential

9
One Little (and improbable) Victory

8
Ole number 8

7
'Twas the night before elections

4
City raises, part II

3
The Wayne County Cashmission

Once again, I’m the bad guy

Not the time for raises

1
A strange 'thank you'


April 2007


27
Let the people pick

26
The perception problem

Lesson in school literature

Why I’m voting for Proposal 1

25
Pure theatrics

24
Slavens should quit school board

23
They might be Giants

20
The eye in the sky

19
Not quite ‘in the zone’

Getting what you ask for

17
On the track, or off the track?

13
Oh, THAT silly idea....

12
Back and forth

Either save it or invest it

11
Can we legislate courtesy?

9
A 13-sentence salute

6
Watch out for flying sugar cubes

5
Puttin the 'fun' in fundraiser

A ‘dork’ for a good cause

3
Looking through the eyeglass in reverse

2
Take me out to the ballpark (please!)


March 2007


30
Not quite ‘wreckreation’

29
Blink and you’ll miss it

Just say what you think

27
Ambushed!

23
The boggling budget battle

22
The ripple effect

Don’t take it for ‘grant-ed’

20
Suddenly, a rush?

15
Government? Acting quickly?

The devil’s in the details

13
Not so fast there, RoboJerk

12
Subdivisions vs. neighborhoods

11
Wayne's 'SOS'

9
Planning in the short term

8
Patterson attacks news industry

What’s the name of this game

7
You can’t kill Captain America!!!!

6
A walk in the parks? (Part II)

5
Not just a walk in the park….

2
Another copse corpse

1
A good plan, but...


February 2007


28
And in this corner…

27
Again, no

22
The 'Xtreme' question

In the eye of the beholder

21
Plain, but practical

19
As good as their word--for once

A good time for a good cause

16
Artists, not council salvage mural project

15
Let the teeth grinding begin

13
The heart of the community

12
Bad happens suddenly

9
I've got a chicken in the sun

8
A good start

7
Same speech, different year

6
Making up for lost time?

The image problem

2
What's in a name?

1
A scalpel or a bone saw?

Long past time for a change


January 2007


31
Wayne pride!

29
Attack of the winter festivals

26
What a yo-yo...

Ain't nothing personal...

25
Slow and steady will lose this race

Night of a thousand disclaimers

24
Set your Pfizers on 'stun'

22
That 'snow etiquette

19
Ah, the good old days...

18
Passing the bucks....

11
A woman who’ll be missed

Communities All Areas Services & Extras About Us
VR Metro - Website Design, Development, Promotion, Hosting and Consulting Company