  Renfirst Member Username: Renfirst Post Number: 152 Registered: 12-2006 |
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20071229/M ETRO/712290340 GROSSE POINTE SHORES -- After 96 years as a village, leaders of this affluent Lake St. Clair shoreline community are urging residents to become a city and avoid what they claim is a threatened state-mandated takeover by Wayne and Macomb county authorities. Officials in the state's third-richest community say if it became a city it would help efficiency since the village of about 3,000 residents is composed of two townships, straddles two counties and is governed by three separately elected government boards. But critics accuse village officials of using scare tactics to sell the message, since legislative prospects to allow a county takeover are dubious at best. Residents received letters this week from Village President James Cooper advocating a May election. He said few would notice the changes in the quiet community that is a traditional home to sports stars and many Ford Motor Co. heirs. "Tradition is important, but not more important than efficiency," Cooper said. The two-page letter alluded to legislation in Lansing to eliminate duplication in government by abolishing most of the state's 1,242 townships and having counties take over their functions. Status of bill questioned The bill was introduced in May, has gone nowhere and is all but dead, said Bill Ballenger, a former Republican state lawmaker who edits "Inside Michigan Politics" newsletter. "There may be good reasons for Grosse Pointe Shores to become a city, but the specter of the evil ogre of Wayne County taking over isn't one of them," Ballenger said. Wayne County Commissioner Bernard Parker, D-Detroit, said the county has no desire to assume operations of Grosse Pointe Shores. All but 80 residents in the community with a $140,000 median household income live in the Wayne County portion of the village. "I know there's tension there. It would not surprise me that they don't want to be associated with Wayne County because there is a perception that the county is Detroit," Parker said. "It has been used before, the scare tactic that takes advantage of that tension between the city and the suburbs." Despite inaction on the bill, Cooper said the village's advisers have predicted consolidation involving at least the smallest operations -- like his village -- is bound to happen in a state that is struggling financially. Village officials discussed the change for years, but the legislation was the final straw, Cooper said. "I'd rather we got ahead of anything like that and controlled our own destiny," said Cooper. "It only makes sense." Resident OK with move Norman Ahee has lived in Grosse Pointe Shores for 34 years and doesn't care if it's called a village or a city, so long as it isn't run by Wayne County. He said the move could streamline operations and save money. In other communities, votes to become cities have failed because cities in Michigan are allowed to raise an income tax. Village officials said that's not a motivation and Ahee said he's not worried about the prospect. "I have neighbors who have moved out, up into Macomb County, just because they don't like the way Wayne County does business," Ahee said. "I'm not worried one bit about an income tax because the village is getting plenty from their property taxes. The government here isn't hurting for funds." Village Council members are expected to discuss the proposal and set an election date Jan. 16. The May ballot also would include the election of nine residents to serve on the new city's charter commission. Village Manager Michael Kenyon said that because boundaries don't need to be changed, he hopes the governor's office will be able to approve the new city charter in time to allow a final vote by residents on city status to be included on the November presidential general election ballot. The Shores would be the last of the Grosse Pointes to become a city. All five were transformed at the opening of the 20th century from farmland and summer cottages to mansions and estates of the booming auto industry's rich and famous. Eventually, most of the estates were subdivided. There were some perks to being a village almost 100 years ago, like a property tax break from local school districts, but most of those advantages no longer exist. Kenyon said the school tax break was eliminated about 50 years ago. Because villages can't assess property values, collect property taxes or hold national elections, vestiges of Lake and Grosse Pointe townships that once governed the community before the creation of St. Clair Shores and the four other Grosse Pointe cities have continued to operate inside and in cooperation with the village. That's 17 elected officials and volunteer clerks -- or about one for every 175 residents. "It's confusing, but we've been able to make it run so smoothly that nobody really notices," Kenyon said. "We are a community founded for the purpose of delivering outstanding public services. Eliminating some of the layers by becoming a city would result in cost savings, and we will still plow the roads and pick up the trash better than most." | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 4225 Registered: 02-2005 |
Ah they did a nice job of painting a city v. suburb tension, which only exists according to one stupid resident's point of view (and probably a few other stupid residents). So they want to become a city, big deal. And if they ever wanted to become part of Maycomb County (not that this has anything to do with it), then good riddance. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5858 Registered: 11-2003 |
Hire The Rock, he'll sort out this mess. jjaba. | ||
Novine Member Username: Novine Post Number: 320 Registered: 07-2007 |
The arguments for it do seem a bit overstated although there's a good point that an area that small shouldn't require 3 separate layers of local government (2 townships and 1 village). If they did become a city, that would mean the end of two townships, Lake and Grosse Pointe and the total number of townships in the state would go down by 2. The last time that I can recall that Townships actually disappeared were with the incorporations of Rochester Hills (Avon Township) and Auburn Hills and Lake Angelus (Pontiac Township). | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 2061 Registered: 11-2003 |
The Rock's former law partner was a former Mayor of the Shores as was his father before him. I will leave it to my ex partner to separate the wheat from the shaff. Novine presents logical argument for the change, although the fear factor will be played up by the press (and others). Things do operate a little differently in the Shores. Kinda reminds me of Monaco. | ||
Granmontrules Member Username: Granmontrules Post Number: 283 Registered: 01-2007 |
I think Detroit should annex it! | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6009 Registered: 08-2004 |
No I like Mackinaw's idea better... let SCS annex it!  Correct me if I'm wrong, but some items will always have a Wayne/Macomb County split... such as probate. After all there are some matters only handled at the county level. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 1233 Registered: 09-2007 |
Yeah, Detroit needs the extra tax revenue from wealthy residents more than ever. Let the D annex it. It can be something like Palmer Park or Hamtramack. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5859 Registered: 11-2003 |
Rock, gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em, eh. Good response. jjaba suggests East Pointe, Michigan annex 'em. They're already a Pointe and know how to get there since they all clean the houses over there. Combining anything Grosse Pointe with anything more modest, raises all ships. jjaba. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2484 Registered: 01-2005 |
I think the Shores should be annexed by Walpole Island. Aint that far away. Ray1936, devout west-sider. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5862 Registered: 11-2003 |
Isn't that where The Rock ties up The Winsome for his lunch? How would jjaba know? jjaba, Proudly Westside old newsboy. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6013 Registered: 08-2004 |
Unfortunately Ray... Walpole Island is part of Canada, and is a First Nations (Indian) reservation. I think that SCS getting GPS would be better... would add another 2 miles of waterfront (making 8 miles in total) to the SCS waterfront!! (Before any nitpickers say that GPS doesn't have 2 miles of waterfront... remember that the Edsel & Eleanor Ford estate alone (with Ford's cove) has 3,100 feet of water frontage... per Ford House literature.) | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1367 Registered: 11-2003 |
"jjaba suggests East Pointe, Michigan annex 'em. They're already a Pointe and know how to get there since they all clean the houses over there." From a "Yeshiva Bukkor" (I'm assuming you mean the common transliteration Yeshiva Bucher). So, you're living in the past as a student riding the Dexter Bus... or you're being a jerk. Which is it? | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1621 Registered: 11-2003 |
Harper Woods thought about changing their name to "Grosse Pointe Heights." Let them annex GP Shores. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6015 Registered: 08-2004 |
East_detroit... I can't believe that you have over 1300 posts, and need to call Jjaba out on that? Do you ever read any of his posts on other threads? He often ends his posts with a reference to his Jewish background, and/or the bus he took to Cass Tech as a student. How's that being a jerk? | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1369 Registered: 11-2003 |
By constantly insulting the Eastside, while at the same time claiming to be a student of the Torah. So, he is either living in the past as a young kid spouting trashtalk or he is just an old dude being a jerk. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 4233 Registered: 02-2005 |
He/she isn't a newbie either. They know about Jjaba. Perhaps the Eastpointe comment hit home? We all know it's a joke...just like this entire flap about Macomb/Wayne tension in terms of GP Shores. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6016 Registered: 08-2004 |
Hey East_detroit, I understand your sensitivity. But Jjaba and I have both been posting here since at least 2000. We've been "teasingly" bashing each others side of town for as long as I can remember. Jjaba's poo-pooing the Eastside is all in good fun. There's several threads related to the Eastside/Westside rivalry, always in good fun, and rarely taken seriously. I always tease Jjaba that westsiders, who are used to the street grid plan... when they come over to the eastside... they come across streets that are not at 90% angles to each other... they become disoriented... and go screaming back to the westside... And Jjaba's posts about the eastside have always been in jest. Otherwise eastsider The_rock would not be associating with Jjaba! | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6017 Registered: 08-2004 |
Oh, and if Jjaba gets under your skin... watch out for Mackinaw! He thinks everything north of 8 Mile Rd. is a cultural and architectural wasteland.... ah youth is wasted on the young... LOL | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5865 Registered: 11-2003 |
Gistok, give jjaba your email address for being a 6X centurian poster. There's a reward for such quality. Gistok tells it like it tis about the Eastside. All's jjaba knows is that if you are going to the Eastside of Detroit, pack a lunch. It's a long ways over there and getting lost is downright scary. Bring lots of water too. For legal disputes involving jjaba, you are referred to The Rock, of counsel. Call him at 1-800-WINSOME on his yacht. jjaba. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 1245 Registered: 09-2007 |
"Bring lots of water too." There's no need. Just bring a canteen and fill 'er up at the lake! | ||
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw Post Number: 468 Registered: 07-2005 |
I think all of the Grosse Pointes should merge together. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2492 Registered: 01-2005 |
I think four counties should merge together and just make one huge, overpowering city. Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Essex. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 2063 Registered: 11-2003 |
I will vouch for jjaba--a cuddily bear at heart, not a mean bone in his body, a rather knowledgeable chap at that, and he would probably run for mayor of Eastpointe if he knew where it was and how to get over to this side of town. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 1246 Registered: 09-2007 |
"I will vouch for jjaba--a cuddily bear at heart, not a mean bone in his body, a rather knowledgeable chap at that, and he would probably run for mayor of Eastpointe if he knew where it was and how to get over to this side of town." Simple, just take 8 Mile East. You can't miss it. Once you see the only Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins within Detroit city limits, 2 gas stations and a White Castle, you turn left. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5870 Registered: 11-2003 |
Thanks Rock, regular fees. jjaba. | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 1164 Registered: 10-2003 |
Jjaba, as a proud Eastsider and many time chastised poster (oft by my own provocation sadly), I was rather surprised by that reaction by my Eastside neighbor. I say keep up the Eastside -Westside pride and jabbing...it is good. There are plenty of Westside "challenges" to be addressed that I am sure Gistok or Mackinaw will continue to call-out eloquently. In the meantime remember, when you are not underway on The Rock's vessel, it is a lonely and quiet time on those Westside summer nights when the freighters' voices cannot be heard. Cheers. | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1370 Registered: 11-2003 |
Everyone in Eastpointe is a maid in Grosse Pointe. Yeah, thats quite eloquent. I'll have to shed a holiday tear. When was Jjaba last in East or West Detroit to make such "hilarious" and "cuddly" accusations? | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 4408 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'm with Ray1936 - The great international city-state of Detroit-Windsor. I suppose that along with the passing of the village charm will pass ye olde bus stop.  | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 4239 Registered: 02-2005 |
Yeah I hate generalizations, too. That's come out on this forum. But something like this is not meant to be taken seriously. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6020 Registered: 08-2004 |
Lowell, nice pic of the last remaining bus shelter on Lakeshore Dr., this one at Lakeshore and Oxford in Grosse Pointe Shores. | ||
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw Post Number: 469 Registered: 07-2005 |
No, that's just the bus stop's gatehouse. The actual bus stop is further back. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 2066 Registered: 11-2003 |
I used to take the Lakeshore bus to the Guardian Building from that bus/gate house. Ralph Wilson of Buffalo Bills fame,who lived on Oxford,even hopped it a few times. You show me something like this classic structure for your ( beloved) Dexter bus line ,jjaba, and I will waive the next fee. You gotta come to the EAST SIDE for this kind of class. | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1377 Registered: 11-2003 |
Great picture. This bus stop is also where we start our Jefferson bike rides. From there North to Metro Beach and back. Once the Metro Beach to Stony Creek trail is done, it will be an incredible ride. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5873 Registered: 11-2003 |
jjaba is very impressed with that bus stop. If that architecture is anything like the rest of the town, sign jjaba up. Ain't nuthin' quite like it on Dexter Blvd, even when Grunt's pickle barrels hosted mothers pushing baby buggies in the 1940s. jjaba. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5874 Registered: 11-2003 |
Wow, when's the last time The Rock waived a fee? Great to turn over new leaf for 2008. Happy New Year's The Rock and rest of the Eastside, Woods, Village, and Shores. jjaba. | ||
Islandman Member Username: Islandman Post Number: 1283 Registered: 08-2004 |
Jasoncw, Thanks for the laugh. So true out there. Having lived on both sides, love 'em both. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6022 Registered: 08-2004 |
The_rock, didn't Ralph Wilson move (many years ago) to a lakefront home right next to the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club? | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 2068 Registered: 11-2003 |
I may still be behind the times, but I think that Ralph and Ms. Ralph divorced. She remained in the house on Oxford and he went to the Lake. She may have moved now herself. I recall many years back that a motorist rammed into the shelter and really busted it up bigtime, but it was rebuilt and is somewhat a landmark today. And we on the Eastside send New Years wishes to our friends on the Westside. Now had I said that we send good wishes to our "little brothers" on the Westside, I would have started another incident. I guess one Mike Hart comment per year is enough. |
