Thursday, February 25, 2010

Detroit Shrinks

I’ve said before that Detroit’s biggest problem is that with it’s current tax base it can’t afford to provide services to the vast area that it encompasses.  The only solution seemed to be to shrink the borders, but how can one do that realistically?

It looks like new Mayor Bing has a plan:

In his strongest statements about shrinking the city since taking office, Bing told WJR-760 AM the city is using internal and external data to decide "winners and losers." The city plans to save some neighborhoods and encourage residents to move from others, he said.

"If we don't do it, you know this whole city is going to go down. I'm hopeful people will understand that," Bing said. "If we can incentivize some of those folks that are in those desolate areas, they can get a better situation.

In theory, it’s a good idea.  In practice I have my doubts:

Among the court challenges he sees ahead include the legality of cutting off city services to particular neighborhoods and using eminent domain to relocate residents. In 2006, voters approved a prohibition on government's ability to take property for economic development.

In general, I’m not a big fan of eminent domain takings, but this may be the most justified case I’ve seen.  If the residents are given enough economic incentive to move, perhaps most of them won’t fight too hard. 

The most damning quote is here:

Bing's staff is using its own data and a survey released last weekend by Data Driven Detroit. The block-by-block study of the 139 square-mile city showed that roughly one in three parcels are vacant lots or abandoned homes.

1/3rd of the city is abandoned, but that’s still area you have to police, and plow, and provide lighting to, and water and sewage and all the other things that make life possible in a city.

2/3rd of the population has to finance that, and that doesn’t take into account the number of people who are currently not paying their city taxes. 

Detroit started as a small hunting camp on the shores of the Detroit River.  It grew from there to the industrial powerhouse that helped win World War II.  Perhaps if it shrinks to a manageable size it can begin to grow again.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100225/METRO01/2250391/Detroit-Mayor-Bing-emphasizes-need-to-shrink-city#ixzz0gYxRtbZG

Friday, February 12, 2010

Education makes great progress

I saw the headline below and thought "is that all?" Spend 5 minutes at failbooking.com and you'll know what I mean.

About 1 in 5 students need remedial help in college | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

White House mocks Sarah Palin from podium

Really Gibbs? Don't know if you should be throwing stones from that glass house. How's the TOTUS lately?
White House mocks Sarah Palin from podium
WASHINGTON (AP) - Even the White House's top spokesman is getting in on the act of mocking former Republican vice presidential nomineeSarah Palin for looking to talking points written on her palm during a speech to "tea party" activists.

Robert Gibbs showed the words "hope" and "change" on his hand as he started his daily briefing with reporters on Tuesday.

Faculty, officials protest testing | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Faculty, officials protest testing | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
Some teachers said they were afraid that the test would be used as a political tool to help DPS Financial Manager Robert Bobb lobby the state Legislature for academic control over DPS
Of course it's a political tool. The DPS is a wreck, and every one of them should be afraid for their jobs.


Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Appropriate

I can't help noting that the outrage and surprise at having unlocked the "douchbag" badge is self-evident.

in reference to:

"A week ago, another thread was started raising the same issue: I’m surprised to have unlocked the “douchebag” badge by checking in to a trendy hotel and must admit that I find the badge name rather offensive. What’s the point of it and why use such a crude name?"
- http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/01/31/foursquare-douchebag/ (view on Google Sidewiki)