Basic HTML Version
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
6
February 20, 2014
There are, in fact, superheroes
among us.
No, no, don't make that face at
me, I'm telling you, these creatures
exist, I spent the entire weekend
watching them. It was like
ComiCon but with real super
beings and much better costumes.
There they were, all gathered in
Sochi Russia for the huge convoca-
tion of superheroes, otherwise
known as theOlympicGames.
I became convinced that these
were beings with serious super
powers as I watched them show off
their various skill sets, none of
which can possibly be in the lexi-
con of human physical ability.
Seriously.
There they were, sliding around
an ice rink on one skatewith one of
their legs extended straight up into
the air, touching the back of their
head, spinning around on that
same ice in positions even a crash
dummy has never achieved. Then,
they joined forces and there would
be two of them, one lifting, spinning
and throwing the other around,
twirling them in the air, or just
inches from the ice, at speeds usu-
ally reserved for deserted express-
ways.
They didn't even attempt to
downplay their superhero status,
either, as they were all wearing cos-
tumes confirming their extra chro-
mosomes or genes or whatever it is
that gives them
their super abil-
ities. Just as an
aside, I'd have
known they were superheroes
without the bedazzling or lycra.
Like, for instance, the ones on
the ski slopes and that little sled
thingie that slides down this tiny
ice pipe at speeds in excess of 90
mph. I mean, is there a humanwho
would, or could, accomplish this
stuff? I don't think so. Let me ask
you, do you know anybody who can
Aprime example of the good news-bad news scenario cer-
tainly took place in theCity ofWayne recently.
The good news included notification from the State of
Michigan that the city had been named a participant in the
Main Street program and would receive help in developing
and marketing the community for the next five years from
various experts.
The bad news was that the consultant hired to help pre-
pare the budget said officials needed to contact theMichigan
Office of Fiscal Responsibility because the financial condi-
tion of the city is so perilous.
While the good news means that Wayne will receive a
great deal of technical assistance in professional architectur-
al services for façade renovations in the downtown area and
assistance to help market downtown merchants, the bad
news means that the community may face the dreaded
prospect of a state-appointed financialmanagerwhile all this
business and community promotion is going on.
Which, really, may not be sucha bad situation.
Let's face it, most of the members of the Wayne City
Council realize that the budget deficit the city faces now and
in the next fiscal year are insurmountable without some
drastic action. Some very difficult decisions have to be made
if theCity ofWayne is to survive the current financial crisis.
Some of those drastic efforts, we know, have been imple-
mented already. The city work force is at about half what it
once was, severe cuts in expenses and spending have been
made, and yet the looming crisis has not abated. And it won't.
Wayne, like the City of Inkster, was in the throes of a seri-
ous loss of home values even before the mortgage crisis and
subsequent recession. Put simply, home prices in those com-
munities kept going down, down, down. When homes lose
value, as those in both Wayne and Inkster did, tax revenue
which is a percentage of the value of those properties, also
drops. In these two communities, it dropped like a stone
down a deepwell and the echoes are still being heard.
Wayne tried taking other city funds and transferring them
into the general fund to prop up the budget, which may have
worked short-term, but is no longer an option. Themayor has
suggested going back to the residents for more revenue to
avoid the threat of a state-appointed manager, but we truly
think that is a bad idea.
Putting a higher tax burden on the residents or businesses
in Wayne who have been more than supportive of their com-
munity so far, is simply reaching too far. These citizens
approved a dedicated public safety millage, endured a water
rate hike, paid for the city streetlights and the mayor wants
them to do more? Likewise, asking them to pay higher fees
for services is simply unconscionable. With the failure of the
last millage the city asked for, Wayne residents clearly
demonstrated that their patience and pockets are overex-
tended. Enough is enough.
If the community is less than desirable to home buyers
and new residents now, an even higher tax rate and steeper
service costs will surely mean that even fewer people will
choose to live inWayne.
The Main Street project could certainly be part of the
good news and a part of the solution, enticing businesses to
the city and helping those already established in Wayne to
succeed. Those marketing and downtown promotions could
even attract more tax-paying residents to the city, which
wouldhelp.
But there is no avoiding the unfunded pensions of retired
cityworkers that hover perilously over the city budget. This is
an expense Wayne has to face and solve----with or without a
state-appointed financialmanager.
With the failure of the last millage the city asked
for, Wayne residents clearly demonstrated that
their patience and pockets are overextended.
”
Increased costs or higher tax unfair to Wayne residents
Student
station is
a treasure
Saturday, music lovers of all
types will be found looking
through piles of CDs, vinyl records
and even old tapes at the annual
sale SalemHighSchool cafeteria.
The sale is sponsored by the
The Park, the student radio station
for the Plymouth-Canton
Community Schools and last year,
more than 230 people demonstrat-
ed that there is no lack of interest
in music throughout this area and
certainly no lack of fame for 88.1,
the 42-year-old station operated by
students.
Every year, it seems, we get
news releases about the number of
awards students from the station
have won for their radio perform-
ances and shows. The station itself
has no lack of statewide and
national honors. The Park, 88.1,
has been named Station of the
Yearmany times in its history.
Often, we find, this facility is
somewhat overlooked locally as
the gem it has proven to be.
Through the years, the station has
been the launching pad for many
young people into radio and other
careers in the news and broadcast
business. Working at the station is
a learning experience, we think,
that provides an added opportuni-
ty for students in the Plymouth-
Cantondistrict.
While most of the students do
not go on to become radio person-
alities or work professionally in
themedium, having the opportuni-
ty to work first-hand at the station,
run in a professional and busi-
ness-like way, is a unique opportu-
nity for young people.
The discipline, professional
atmosphere and business like
approach to the radio station
experience offered at 88.1 gives
students lucky enough to be part of
it a serious edge, whether they are
headed to college or the work-
I'd have known they were
superheroes without the bedazzling or lycra.
”
Forget ComicCon, the superheroes are in Sochi
See
Station,
page 7
See
Heroes,
page 7
Calendar of events
Food supplies needed
To the editor;
Northville Civic Concern would
like to thank everyone in the
Northville community for your sup-
port and donations each week.
Whether you donate to us through
your school or your church, or you
donate directly, all is appreciated.
Your donations help feed over 190
clients and their families. We are
always in need of your support in
filling the shelves at our office.
Special thanks to Amerman
Elementary School for their
January Food Drive. Silver
Springs Elementary School will be
having a Food Drive for us this
month. Please check with the
school office formore information.
We are in need of non-expired
food for the biweekly distributions.
We especially need boxed maca-
roni and cheese, canned fruit, side
dishes (instant potatoes, rice or
pasta dishes), breakfast cereals,
canned meat products (tuna, chick-
en and stews), cans of pasta prod-
ucts (Spaghetti O's). We are also in
need of non-food items (toilet
paper, paper towel, personal prod-
ucts). Items can be dropped off at
the Northville Civic Concern
Office, 43261 West Seven Mile
Road in the Highland Lakes Plaza
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1
p.m. Monday, Wednesday and
Friday. During other times, food
may be left at Cassel's Restaurant
or Worldwide Alterations in the
Highland Lakes Plaza, as well as at
The UPS Store or The Great
Harvest Bread Company in down-
town Northville. Donations are
also accepted at Northville City
Hall.
We also accept gas cards, or
monetary donations. Please call
(248) 344-1033 if you have any ques-
tions or concerns. Thank you for
any help you can giveus.
Northville Civic Concern
Send us your letters
The Associated Newspapers
welcomes all letters to the editor.
Letters should be addressed to:
The Editor, Associated Newspapers,
P.O. Box 339 Wayne, MI 48184.
All letters will be considered for publication
and may be edited for content,
space and length.