  Dillpicklesoup Member Username: Dillpicklesoup Post Number: 109 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 64.7.187.178 |
Subdivide Belle Isle- Make it an uppity, yuppity, bridged and gated community- and homestead all of the vacant lots in Detroit- Sell the produce to laid off auto workers and other unemployed Michiganders- Start a TV show starring Kwammee and other Detroit notables- Call it, "Survive Detroit!" Actually,Detroit could become a real vacation spot for people who love ADVENTURE, thrills, and chills- | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 299 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.246.55.51 |
Dill, You scare me. | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 8607 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 70.54.70.136 |
Danny is that you? | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 6286 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 208.27.111.125 |
Dillpickle, you depress the shit out of everyone. I'm going to start taking up a collection and we'll see if we can raise enough money to move you elsewhere. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 2404 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.105.69 |
Dill & Pacy (and a few others) remind me of stuff I did as a kid to piss off my late father.... He was the Archy Bunker type. My buddy and I both knew the exact buttons to push to piss of both our fathers. Either bring up CAY or talk about the People Mover. If my father was yelling at me for something, all I had to do was bring up the People Mover or CAY, and that would send my father off on another tangent, thus sparing me any further turmoil. Seems like both Dill and Pacy (and a few others) know how to push all our buttons.... setting us off into another long thread slugfest. I think the 1970's band The Moody Blues said it correctly.... "It riles them to believe that we perceive the web they weave"..... | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 6288 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 208.27.111.125 |
I don't think Pacy's trying to bait anyone. I think he really is that unpleasant and feels the need to share his bitterness with others. Dillpickle I don't know about. | ||
Sumotect Member Username: Sumotect Post Number: 204 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 64.243.32.9 |
It has been my experience that the people who are the most cynical were ones who at one time were the most idealistic. It is basically a defense mechanism to keep from being hurt again. So when things go bad, which can easily happen as a result of self-fulfilling prophecy, you can have the pleasure in “being right”. Cynicism and sarcasm are the childish, passive aggressive behaviors of ones who feel powerless and like outsiders. You see it a great deal on the net, where people can hide their true identities. | ||
Dillpicklesoup Member Username: Dillpicklesoup Post Number: 111 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 64.7.187.140 |
wow- thanks for the free analysis- I feel better already- what's your analysis of subdividing rackham golf course? y not subdivide belle isle- the d could make a mint off of that- and y not cultivate detroit's vacant lots? that would be helpful to a lot of people- good grief -  | ||
Tndetroiter Member Username: Tndetroiter Post Number: 60 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 149.149.5.31 |
Why not eliminate the city income tax, lower the astronomically high property taxes, and provide tax breaks to companies and entrepreneurs that will create jobs. Also, lobby the legislature to replace the SBT w/ one that isn't based on payroll size. Does that sound like a good start? | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 1171 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 69.130.18.100 |
so, ah, how would the city keep running then? or do you expect the city to rise up overnight? | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 336 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 24.192.25.47 |
MMM armchair quarterbacking/governing Everyone agrees there are problems, it's those that don't consider the consequences to their proposed solutions that crack me up. | ||
Everyman Member Username: Everyman Post Number: 62 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 68.58.41.232 |
i kind of like thesubdividing belle isle idea, why is everyone treating it as troll? | ||
Tndetroiter Member Username: Tndetroiter Post Number: 62 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 149.149.5.31 |
I believe I've heard somewhere that the city is effectively running and employing enough infrastructure and employees for a population of about 1.5 million, not 900,000. Simply cut back (i.e. get the unions under control). Also, sell off the water department (could probably net a quick 2 billion and improve service at the same time) and seek more federal dollars ear marked for urban development. | ||
Tndetroiter Member Username: Tndetroiter Post Number: 63 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 149.149.5.31 |
Why is it that the suburbs can effectively provide services at tax rates much lower than the city. Does fiscal responsibility magically stop at 8 Mile? For my information, does the city have a sales tax? Does the state tax code allow for municipalities to impose their own sales taxes? If so, institute a sales tax of about 1.5% on all non food and clothing items and services. (Message edited by tndetroiter on July 08, 2006) | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 1172 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 69.130.18.100 |
Who says they do? | ||
Ltorivia485 Member Username: Ltorivia485 Post Number: 2731 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 69.17.38.195 |
It's obvious that Tndetroiter is a newbie on this board. The city is BROKE even when they charge ridiculously high property taxes and city income taxes. If we get rid of these, including the water department, where is Detroit supposed to get revenue? It's not as simple as it looks. | ||
Hamtramck_steve Member Username: Hamtramck_steve Post Number: 3066 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.252.125.198 |
You can't bitch about the city's high taxes and immediately call for the creation of a new one. Besides, state law does not allow local sales taxes. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 132 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 64.131.176.232 |
The suburbs can have lower tax rates because they have higher property values. | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 552 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 75.9.255.242 |
Quote: "I believe I've heard somewhere that the city is effectively running and employing enough infrastructure and employees for a population of about 1.5 million, not 900,000. Simply cut back (i.e. get the unions under control). Also, sell off the water department (could probably net a quick 2 billion and improve service at the same time) and seek more federal dollars ear marked for urban development." ______________________________ ___________________ Contrary to LVictoria's note ealier, these are all great ideas by TNDetroiter... the devil is in getting an adminsitration strong enough to make it happen and a population that will allow it to happen. How do you alter the self-destructive actions of a dysfunctional city govt. and the residents who continue to elect this fine crop of politicians? The incremental improvements and movement towards bringing in more educated, financially stable residents seems to be the approach being taken today. Wonder if it will work? | ||
Devolian Member Username: Devolian Post Number: 14 Registered: 01-2006 Posted From: 69.246.43.54 |
Here's my solution- Find a good 2 square-mile radius block of land in Detroit somewhere. Move everyone out of it and force them into surrounding areas. Demolish a good 2 square-mile radius of Detroit and begin digging. Subway, light rail, apartments, small homes, narrow streets, wide sidewalks, tightly packed commercial districts with lofts above, benches, bike racks, trash cans, men saying chip chip cheerio as they walk by. Then we expand outward. Time for a major overhaul. If i was rich and had a couple billion to spare, I would definitely be the investor. | ||
Tndetroiter Member Username: Tndetroiter Post Number: 81 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 149.149.5.16 |
Hamtramck, Read my entire posts. If you eliminate the income taxes and lower the property taxes while adding a 1.5% sales tax that's exempt on food and clothing you're lowering the tax burden. The good thing about the sales tax is that it's a comsumption based tax that doesn't automatically nail you for being alive. I know that it's a bit regressive, but that's why food and clothing should be exempt. If you'll notice above, I was asking if state law allowed municipalities to impose sales taxes because I didn't know. I know they're allowed to down here in Tennessee. Another thing that the region as a whole desperately needs is mass transit. I know that that is something that Kilpatrick is actually promoting. That's good.
There was an article in the Wall Street Journal a couple months back outlining how Kalamazoo had started a program where the city whould pay for 4 years of tution at a Michigan public university if the student had attended all of his/her high school years Kalamazoo schools and had graduated w/ at least a 3.0. The article said that the program had sparked a lot of development and population growth in the city. But I do believe that the program was started with a sizeable endowment given to the city by a mystery donor. Still pretty interesting. | ||
Trainman Member Username: Trainman Post Number: 91 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
quote: Why is it that the suburbs can effectively provide services at tax rates much lower than the city(?) end of quote NO, Don't cross 8 Mile, come to Livonia instead. A city where the city council voted themselves pay raises by shutting down the bus system. I think some bus service is better then no bus service but try and tell our suburban, state and regional leaders this. If you can? (Message edited by Trainman on July 08, 2006) | ||
Hamtramck_steve Member Username: Hamtramck_steve Post Number: 3068 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.252.125.198 |
Tn, here is your entire post...
Please highlight for me where you say abolish all of the other taxes. Even after your editing, I still can't see where you say that. | ||
Tndetroiter Member Username: Tndetroiter Post Number: 89 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 149.149.5.16 |
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Hamtramck_steve Member Username: Hamtramck_steve Post Number: 3070 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.252.125.198 |
My mistake, Tn. I didn't see that earlier post. | ||
Trainman Member Username: Trainman Post Number: 94 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
There is a very strong effort from state representatives to change the state constitution to allow local government to impose sales taxes. This is the key to funding mass transit according to many and is supported by the Transportation Riders United. It is best to utilize multiple tax mechanisms to obtain more industry support and federal transit grants. If we can all work together to improve city services and bring good paying jobs to Detroit and fix government then local sales taxes can work. It has been shown that sales taxes are best kept the same in every Michigan County to retain current jobs but this issue remains unresolved. I’m currently working to keep them the same in every county. I’m not interested in driving to the next city or county to buy my next car. And no, mass transit is not going to replace my car and yes, I do support mass transit. | ||
Tndetroiter Member Username: Tndetroiter Post Number: 90 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 149.149.4.196 |
If they do let municipalities impose local sales taxes they need to put a cap on how much they add on to the state's current rate. | ||
Publicmsu Member Username: Publicmsu Post Number: 657 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 71.65.11.17 |
Sell Kwame by the pound!!! | ||
Detroitteacher Member Username: Detroitteacher Post Number: 101 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
Didn't Kwame want to put a tax on fast food at one point? That seems to have died out. The way my students eat fast food and the amount of fast food chains in the city, you'd think that alone could bring the city out of debt.....(snicker) | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 1688 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 69.220.37.181 |
The last thing that Detroit needs is an increase in the sales tax. On the contrary, Detroit needs its representatives in Lansing to lobby the legislature and the governor to allow Detroit to lower the state sales tax in Detroit for say 10 years. This would definitely spur economic development in the city, and motivate residents to spend money in the city. It's probably illegal and the suburbs would want to sue saying that it's unfair. However, if this could some how happen, Detroit would improve. Just wishful thinking on my part. | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 1690 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 69.220.37.181 |
BTW, I just came back from an indoor/outdoor waterpark in Sandusky, Ohio called Kalahari. I got to thinking about what it would be like to have something like this on Belle Isle. More specifically, my thought was that this place in Ohio is giving patrons the illusion of being in a much warmer place, but this resort in northern Ohio has the same climate as Detroit. Why go slightly south of the border(pun intented)when you can get the same experience(at least weatherize) here in Detroit? Let me also say that there were SUV loads of families coming to this place. Another place just like it, "Great Wolf Lodge" is just down the street from Kalahari. I know there are a few places like these in suburban Detroit, but Detroit should seriously consider jumping on the bandwagon and building one of these indoor/outdoor waterparks for itself. Any thoughts? | ||
Tndetroiter Member Username: Tndetroiter Post Number: 91 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 149.149.5.24 |
Royce, Lowering the current sales tax without touching the city income tax or the high property taxes is Asinine. Given the choice between a low sales tax and high property taxes coupled with an income tax or a slightly higher sales tax w/ no income taxss and low property taxes, the latter scenario lends its self to growth more readily. | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 1648 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.132.87 |
Eliminate the salaries of city council people.They get paid nothing but...........they can create and hoard and gather as much graft and sweetheart deals an whatever else by selling power and influence....... that would be their pay.....no selling Belle isle or anything else. | ||
Hagglerock Member Username: Hagglerock Post Number: 264 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 12.214.243.66 |
Burn that schitt down, burn it all!!! Don't blame me, it's what the motto says. | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 1693 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 69.220.37.181 |
Well, Tndetroiter, you have to start somewhere. Yes, property taxes and city income taxes need to be reduced. However, they don't affect everyone in the city as immediately as the sales tax. The unemployed or underemployed don't pay income taxes but they still buy items from the store that they have to pay sales taxes on. | ||
Tndetroiter Member Username: Tndetroiter Post Number: 103 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 149.149.5.8 |
The sales tax is state mandated. Michigan's sales tax is among the lowest in the country and it's exempt on food and clothing. Visit some other places, like down here in Tennessee where the sales tax is 10% and it's not exempt on anything and then bitch about how high Michigan's sales tax is. You can start by lower the property taxes and eliminating the city income tax. Those two measures will spur growth faster than lowering the sales tax will. | ||
Trainman Member Username: Trainman Post Number: 116 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
Please support my petition drive to protect mass transit funding and to increase bus rider-ship. http://www.ipetitions.com/peti tion/Bus/ Or, publicly challenge this petition to make a better one. Remember on August 8, 2006 the SMART property tax renewal does not mean more state or federal or industry supports for SMART. The choice is up to all of us. We can clog up the roads or we can all work together to help fill the buss by having bus schedules and do our share to make the best use of our transportation system. | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 1714 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 69.209.147.45 |
Get rid of forumers who don't know how to scroll down to see if a topic has already been discussed.  | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 1717 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 69.209.135.5 |
I would think that more people would be chiming in on this thread. What gives? | ||
Frank_c Member Username: Frank_c Post Number: 651 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 207.200.116.139 |
Raise or lower the sales tax, there just aren't the sales rates comparable to an equivelent population in the suburbs ie. poverty and lack sales points. | ||
Paulmcall Member Username: Paulmcall Post Number: 815 Registered: 05-2004 Posted From: 68.40.119.216 |
You know after you fix the tax structure, the crummy schools, the crime situation and lousy city services why not do something about how dumpy the city looks? Except for some downtown development, the rest of the city looks like crap. I'd rather see empty lots than burned out, boarded and abandoned buildings along Grand River and other streets throughout the whole city. | ||
Kiplinger Member Username: Kiplinger Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 69.246.52.24 |
Paul, The entire city doesn't look like crap. There are certainly many areas that do but let's be real here. TN - One of the reasons that the City has had a difficult time trimming the workforce is the unions. They won't concede anything even to help save the city from receivership. Their focus is the short term. I don't know that a city sales tax will provide a base for much. Most residents have to leave the city for most things. There isn't even a place to purchase decent clothing (unless you consider Footlocker of Dots decent clothing). I kinda like the idea about City Council. But, why is it that any time someone wants to rant about blame for the current situation they immediately focus on the mayor? Don't get me wrong, kwame has made his share of mistakes but I am just curious as to how the City Council gets away with their incompetence and complete lack of responsibility for the current situation. In my opinion they have done NOTHING to find solutions to the City's financial problems. Why aren't they culpable? |
