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DesideriScuri -> RE: Politics as usual in Detroit (2/6/2013 5:00:56 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DarkSteven
I don't understand any of this. Detroit is broke... but isn't the state of Michigan broke as well?
I sure wish the article had cited the City Council's rationale for blocking the deal. One sided article.
The very nature of this bill bothers me. Detroit doesn't really need a focus on its parks. It needs some revitalization projects and programs. And it needed them yesterday. I want to see bills that address that. Stop gentry flight, develop industries and businesses, make the area more livable, stop urban decay, stuff like that. Detroit is focusing on small stuff when it needs big stuff.
Toledo, Ohio, about an hour South of Detroit, has been called Detroit, Jr. by local conservative radio hosts. Yes, it's not exact, but there are many similarities that go past being linked via the auto industry. What jumped out at me most in the article was the claim that keeping the parks open would make neighborhoods safer. Toledo City Council almost yearly wrangles with each other over budget issues for it's City Parks and City-run Swimming Pools. You always hear that they are needed to make the area safer. While giving people something to do will occupy their time and leave less "idle hands" time, is it really the City's duty to provide entertainment in the name of reducing crime? Seriously?
Another thing the area has a tendency to do, is claim increased tracts of land for Park & Rec Dept's. Here, that is more a County thing, not a City thing. But, once the City or County own a tract of land, that tract of land no longer is a source for property taxes. So, the more land the government owns, the less property tax revenues it will get, and the more money it will have to spend on upkeep. In this area, it seems like the process is: 1. Pass a levy to renew or increase taxes for parks and rec, threatening to shut down parks, if necessary.
2. Purchase more land to expand the parks system.
3. Rinse, Repeat.
They tend to be successful, too. My area Metroparks are wonderful. I like them and live near some of the best ones. The Oak Openings Metropark and Preserve is fantastic and my boys enjoy going through the trails and taking part in the system. I don't have a problem with taxes going towards upkeep, but I have to question the continual increase in size of the Parks system, especially when they clamor for more money, more money, more money, on a regular basis (most often shortly after gaining new lands).
I really did like the Clark Park Coalition solution. That is absolutely fantastic and would very much enjoy seeing that sort of thing happen here. It is unlikely, of course, but it would be awesome to see.
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