I called my friend (who I'll not name to protect his innocence) today to see where he was watching the Detroit Pistons game. His response was that he wasn't, but wanted me to call him to give him periodic updates because he was working and expected to be on the job until about 3 a.m.
Too bad, and great, is what I thought. Too bad because he would miss the game, but great because he was making a ton of money in overtime. My friend works for the phone company.
I felt for him, with so much going on in the city today. The Pistons in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals and the Tigers playing to win a game -- we'll take any victory against any team at this point. I left the YMCA downtown today at about 3:30 p.m. and Tigers fans (the stadium's three blocks away from the Y) were already tailgating for the 7 p.m. game. With all that happening, I thought it was too bad he was stuck at work.
Being the great friend that I am, I took him a little portable TV I use to watch ball games out on my deck. I figured he and his co-workers could catch a bit of the game during their break, and of course he took me up on the offer.
When I got to the job site -- I had to know what kind of important gig he was assigned that would keeping he and his crew working through the night -- I discovered it was a strip job. Someone had stolen a boat load (or maybe trunk load) of telephone wire from a neighborhood. It was a pretty huge haul, as my friend explained, leaving hundreds of people without phone service for a couple of days as a result.
Thieves have been stealing phone wire for the copper inside and selling it to scrap yards. I'm told that they can get $20 a foot, and for several hundred feet, make a nice chunk of change for about an hour's worth of work -- or even less for seasoned veterans. And there are plenty of veterans, because this problem has been rampant in the city for a couple of years.
I was amazed. Well, not shocked, more like disgusted. I have been reading about this stuff for years but hadn't actually visited a crime scene and viewed the damage. It was such a waste, and an even sadder commentary about the desperation of so many people in this city. The criminals who risk the loss of their freedom to steal the wire, and the scrap dealers who knowingly accept the stolen wire from them. I'm reminded of the Chris Rock joke, that there would be a lot fewer drive-by shootings if bullets cost $5,000 a piece. There would be a lot fewer cases of criminal vandalism in the way of stripping of vacant homes, utility infrastructure and shuttered businesses if the powers that be could make the cost of doing so a compelling deterrent.
I'm not one for adding to bureaucracy, but the city needs to beef up its oversight of scrap yards and levy heavy penalties for anyone doing anything suspect. Here's an example of how the task force I envision would control suspect transactions --
Scrap Yard Dealer: "Mr. Smith told me he found this 400 feet of wire laying in an alley."
Task Force Investigator "Well, since you have to ask for IDs now, let's see your records.
Dealer: "Okay."
Investigator: "Wow. Mr. Smith seems to have a proclivity for finding wire. He's been here twice a week for the past year."
Dealer: "Looks that way."
Investigator: "Sir, do you smoke crack?"
Dealer: "No."
Investigator: "Do you think I smoke crack?"
Dealer: "No."
Investigator: "That means you do actually have some sense."
Dealer: "Um, thank you?"
Investigator: "You're welcome, sir. I'm fining you $25,000. Have a nice day. And pray that Mr. Smith doesn't find some cable laying in your alley one day."
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Thanks for coming. Now what?
I was driving down the street today and heard a commercial that made me wonder ... why?
It was an ad for the Bank of America, and went something like this:
"The city that brought you ginger ale (Vernor's), and the first freeway (the Davison), Motown (Stevie! Marvin! Smokey!), and the Joe Louis fist, now has Bank of America. And, you're welcome, Detroit."
It's my paraphrasing license and I'll use it as I want to. But that was the gist of it. You've made your mark Detroit, now we're here to make ours with you, is what I heard.
I'm sure Bank of America has the greatest of intentions. Part of my problem is that I'm sick of consolidation, not just in the banking industry, but across the board. I passed Eastland today and the Marshal Field's sign that replaced the Hudson's sign had yet to be replaced by the sign for Macy's which essentially gobbled up both of them two years ago. I wondered if that's because another move is underfoot somewhere to consolidate Macy's with someone else. Hmm?
But back to banking.
In a city which has a ridiculously high poverty rate, where far too many people rely on check cashing outlets, payday advance providers and other non-traditional financial service operators, a new bank coming to town should be welcome news, right? We'll see.
One thing I do know is that as we welcome the new bank there are way more former bank branches that are now laundromats, party stores, dollar stores and hair care products retailers than I can count. I wonder whether the future state of banking in urban Detroit, and urban America will ever truly serve consumers in neighborhoods that need them most.
About five months ago I saw one of my longtime neighbors at a local party store conducting some type of financial transaction at the party store owner's surrogate teller window. I didn't want to seem nosy, as she was obviously embarrassed at having me see her there. Two months ago she walked away from her home, leaving yet another vacant house in the neighborhood. I don't think this is a coincidence.
There are an estimated 28 million un-banked and 44.7 million under-banked people in the U.S. today, representing a potential market of 40 million households with little or no current relationship with a financial institution. Under-served consumers generate more than $1.1 trillion in annual income, of which un-banked consumers represent nearly $510 billion each year. The Center for Financial Services Innovation reports that Americans spend at least $10.9 billion on more than 324 million alternative financial transactions a year. That represents opportunity.
So Detroit, although we've been living the life into which Bank of America has seemingly implanted itself I guess we should say, err, um, "thank you?"
The truth is, our region will never rebound itself unless people have the necessary options and education needed to make sound financial decisions. Also, until we figure out a way to put an end to this foreclosure madness. We need our elected leadership to step up -- now. Politicians in other cities are doing as much.
It was an ad for the Bank of America, and went something like this:
"The city that brought you ginger ale (Vernor's), and the first freeway (the Davison), Motown (Stevie! Marvin! Smokey!), and the Joe Louis fist, now has Bank of America. And, you're welcome, Detroit."
It's my paraphrasing license and I'll use it as I want to. But that was the gist of it. You've made your mark Detroit, now we're here to make ours with you, is what I heard.
I'm sure Bank of America has the greatest of intentions. Part of my problem is that I'm sick of consolidation, not just in the banking industry, but across the board. I passed Eastland today and the Marshal Field's sign that replaced the Hudson's sign had yet to be replaced by the sign for Macy's which essentially gobbled up both of them two years ago. I wondered if that's because another move is underfoot somewhere to consolidate Macy's with someone else. Hmm?
But back to banking.
In a city which has a ridiculously high poverty rate, where far too many people rely on check cashing outlets, payday advance providers and other non-traditional financial service operators, a new bank coming to town should be welcome news, right? We'll see.
One thing I do know is that as we welcome the new bank there are way more former bank branches that are now laundromats, party stores, dollar stores and hair care products retailers than I can count. I wonder whether the future state of banking in urban Detroit, and urban America will ever truly serve consumers in neighborhoods that need them most.
About five months ago I saw one of my longtime neighbors at a local party store conducting some type of financial transaction at the party store owner's surrogate teller window. I didn't want to seem nosy, as she was obviously embarrassed at having me see her there. Two months ago she walked away from her home, leaving yet another vacant house in the neighborhood. I don't think this is a coincidence.
There are an estimated 28 million un-banked and 44.7 million under-banked people in the U.S. today, representing a potential market of 40 million households with little or no current relationship with a financial institution. Under-served consumers generate more than $1.1 trillion in annual income, of which un-banked consumers represent nearly $510 billion each year. The Center for Financial Services Innovation reports that Americans spend at least $10.9 billion on more than 324 million alternative financial transactions a year. That represents opportunity.
So Detroit, although we've been living the life into which Bank of America has seemingly implanted itself I guess we should say, err, um, "thank you?"
The truth is, our region will never rebound itself unless people have the necessary options and education needed to make sound financial decisions. Also, until we figure out a way to put an end to this foreclosure madness. We need our elected leadership to step up -- now. Politicians in other cities are doing as much.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Making it happen on the border
I went on a tour Saturday that was eye-opening for a number of reasons.
The tour was sponsored by the Detroit Grosse Pointe Collaborative, a project supported by a number of community organizations and foundations, and designed to bring residents on both sides of Mack Avenue closer together. Mack separates the city of Detroit from the Grosse Pointes, and relations between the residents on either side haven't always been great. Things were so bad at one point that walls were erected and dead ends created in Grosse Pointe Park (closest of the five cities to Detroit) to keep people out. Residents of Detroit have been upset because, in a city over 80 percent black, the gesture seemed to imply that blacks weren't welcome.
But things are gradually improving, the Pointes are becoming more diverse, and the DGPC and other efforts are helping.
Saturday's tour guide was Nick Sinacori, who is working on a history book that highlights how the area was developed. One of the biggest takeaways was the fact that data from the 1910 U.S. Census showed about 100 black people living in Grosse Pointe. I thought, naturally, that these were servants. After all, my father-in-law's parents were servants in Grosse Pointe mansions who lived in the homes they worked in. But Sinacori suggested otherwise.
He said that most of them were jockeys or employees of the horse racing tracks in the area during the later part of the 19 century. The horse race tracks eventually started hosting car races as the automobile became popular, and as the auto business boomed they disappeared altogether -- replaced by housing and other development.
The 2000 census put the number of blacks in GPP at 362, and the number of minorities at over 1,000. The other, more affluent Grosse Pointe municipalities had about 240 blacks, according to 2000 census figures cited by SEMCOG.
This represents measured progress, I think, and should help race relations in the area. There were a diverse group of people in attendance and everyone seemed incredibly engaged. One older woman on the tour, who happened to be black, even mentioned that her father was a stable hand at one of the race tracks in the area in the early 1900s.
Now the collaborative needs to find more people who aren't in the choir to preach to, which is the perpetual challenge of every diversity effort. But I am hopeful.
I'll be writing more about Nick and his work, as well as the DGPC project in the future. Stay tuned.
The tour was sponsored by the Detroit Grosse Pointe Collaborative, a project supported by a number of community organizations and foundations, and designed to bring residents on both sides of Mack Avenue closer together. Mack separates the city of Detroit from the Grosse Pointes, and relations between the residents on either side haven't always been great. Things were so bad at one point that walls were erected and dead ends created in Grosse Pointe Park (closest of the five cities to Detroit) to keep people out. Residents of Detroit have been upset because, in a city over 80 percent black, the gesture seemed to imply that blacks weren't welcome.
But things are gradually improving, the Pointes are becoming more diverse, and the DGPC and other efforts are helping.
Saturday's tour guide was Nick Sinacori, who is working on a history book that highlights how the area was developed. One of the biggest takeaways was the fact that data from the 1910 U.S. Census showed about 100 black people living in Grosse Pointe. I thought, naturally, that these were servants. After all, my father-in-law's parents were servants in Grosse Pointe mansions who lived in the homes they worked in. But Sinacori suggested otherwise.
He said that most of them were jockeys or employees of the horse racing tracks in the area during the later part of the 19 century. The horse race tracks eventually started hosting car races as the automobile became popular, and as the auto business boomed they disappeared altogether -- replaced by housing and other development.
The 2000 census put the number of blacks in GPP at 362, and the number of minorities at over 1,000. The other, more affluent Grosse Pointe municipalities had about 240 blacks, according to 2000 census figures cited by SEMCOG.
This represents measured progress, I think, and should help race relations in the area. There were a diverse group of people in attendance and everyone seemed incredibly engaged. One older woman on the tour, who happened to be black, even mentioned that her father was a stable hand at one of the race tracks in the area in the early 1900s.
Now the collaborative needs to find more people who aren't in the choir to preach to, which is the perpetual challenge of every diversity effort. But I am hopeful.
I'll be writing more about Nick and his work, as well as the DGPC project in the future. Stay tuned.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Should I stay or should I go?
[Part I of a series]
I was back home in Little Rock a couple of weeks ago talking to one of my uncles about the decision over which my wife and I are pondering relative to our impending move. Okay, "impending" may be optimistic. I should say our much, much hoped for, our anxiously anticipated, our pipe dream of a move -- given the fact that I've spent three years trying to sell our house. Arrgh!
But I digress. I remain hopeful, prayerful and patient. Yeah, I know, I don't have a choice. Because the reality is that I've tried everything to get rid of the house and, at $30k less than I purchased it for eight years ago, I'm practically giving it away Man, it pains me to say that, every time I say it.
My uncle kidded me about the prospect of our family moving to the suburbs.
You see, I'm a native of Little Rock who grew up in Detroit and have been an ardent supporter of the city. I went to grade school, high school and graduate school here. I've worked downtown most of my career. Through Hizzoner, the Nice Guy and now KK, I've defended the city and railed against those who fled for the 'burbs, including my parents who moved to Oakland County back in 1991. I refused to hear their criticism of the city, its leadership, crime or anything else. However, I now face the reality that I might be joining them. That's right, I could become a sell-out. Like all those other people I've bestowed the label upon over the years.
"That's what you called everybody who moved to the suburbs, right," my uncle, Ken, said, laughing. "I never thought I would've heard you even talk about that, man."
Like I wasn't toting enough guilt around with me already.
His words hit like a hammer, because they were on point. More so, his comment resonated so resoundingly because I have a healthy disdain for hypocrites, and always try to keep my word and deliver on my promises. Things have changed a bit now that I finally have an offer. And despite some issues the prospective buyer is trying to clear up with his credit -- mortgage companies are incredibly strict all of a sudden (a few years ago, dead people could qualify for $200,000 mortgage with no money down), this is the best one I've had, period. In nearly three years. Now, I'm up against it.
After being the victims of a burglary (see "Getting robbed") our hesitancy to leave the city has dissipated greatly. I was already skeptical of buying another home in the city given the fact that I can't give mine away. I'm competing with two foreclosed homes right next door.
The irony is that our original plan was to sell and stay in the city, just move a little closer to the Detroit/Grosse Pointe border. But now I have to consider what would happen if I bought another house in Detroit and absolutely had to sell for a job or other opportunity elsewhere? Right, I'd be screwed.
We spent some time today looking at options in other east side enclaves and saw a few prospects. Which brings me to the question -- do I stay or do I go?
Of course if the current deal falls through, the point may be moot. Stay tuned.
I was back home in Little Rock a couple of weeks ago talking to one of my uncles about the decision over which my wife and I are pondering relative to our impending move. Okay, "impending" may be optimistic. I should say our much, much hoped for, our anxiously anticipated, our pipe dream of a move -- given the fact that I've spent three years trying to sell our house. Arrgh!
But I digress. I remain hopeful, prayerful and patient. Yeah, I know, I don't have a choice. Because the reality is that I've tried everything to get rid of the house and, at $30k less than I purchased it for eight years ago, I'm practically giving it away Man, it pains me to say that, every time I say it.
My uncle kidded me about the prospect of our family moving to the suburbs.
You see, I'm a native of Little Rock who grew up in Detroit and have been an ardent supporter of the city. I went to grade school, high school and graduate school here. I've worked downtown most of my career. Through Hizzoner, the Nice Guy and now KK, I've defended the city and railed against those who fled for the 'burbs, including my parents who moved to Oakland County back in 1991. I refused to hear their criticism of the city, its leadership, crime or anything else. However, I now face the reality that I might be joining them. That's right, I could become a sell-out. Like all those other people I've bestowed the label upon over the years.
"That's what you called everybody who moved to the suburbs, right," my uncle, Ken, said, laughing. "I never thought I would've heard you even talk about that, man."
Like I wasn't toting enough guilt around with me already.
His words hit like a hammer, because they were on point. More so, his comment resonated so resoundingly because I have a healthy disdain for hypocrites, and always try to keep my word and deliver on my promises. Things have changed a bit now that I finally have an offer. And despite some issues the prospective buyer is trying to clear up with his credit -- mortgage companies are incredibly strict all of a sudden (a few years ago, dead people could qualify for $200,000 mortgage with no money down), this is the best one I've had, period. In nearly three years. Now, I'm up against it.
After being the victims of a burglary (see "Getting robbed") our hesitancy to leave the city has dissipated greatly. I was already skeptical of buying another home in the city given the fact that I can't give mine away. I'm competing with two foreclosed homes right next door.
The irony is that our original plan was to sell and stay in the city, just move a little closer to the Detroit/Grosse Pointe border. But now I have to consider what would happen if I bought another house in Detroit and absolutely had to sell for a job or other opportunity elsewhere? Right, I'd be screwed.
We spent some time today looking at options in other east side enclaves and saw a few prospects. Which brings me to the question -- do I stay or do I go?
Of course if the current deal falls through, the point may be moot. Stay tuned.
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