Libraries, Parks and Pools: Unaffordable luxuries?
Libraries, property inspection, parks, swimming pools and recreation, as well as youth and senior programs could become unaffordable luxuries without state help, according to the Detroit Free Press.
In an editorial in Monday’s paper, the Free Press says private citizens can make a difference as evidenced by residents in Romulus. The fund-raising efforts of the Friends of the Romulus Library reopened the local public library after it closed on May 1 due to a millage defeat.
“Everyone should applaud the Friends of the Romulus Library, whose fund-raising efforts reopened the local public library after it closed on May 1 due to a millage defeat,” the Free Press writes. “Their work demonstrates what engaged private citizens can do when cities fail to provide needed public services. Elsewhere in southeast Michigan, other citizens groups have also stepped up and provided money and volunteers to restore programs for seniors and others.”
The editorial also suggested a survey be sent to residents for input on what services to keep. Dearborn did this earlier, sending surveys to 2,000 residents with dozens of questions.
“In the short-term, local governments can help with multiyear budgets that set narrower priorities. Local leaders should talk to — even poll — citizens about what services they consider essential, as SEMCOG has recommended. Many municipalities in southeast Michigan — including the Grosse Pointes, Warren, Wayne, Garden City, Farmington Hills and Ferndale — have already conducted citywide surveys that ask residents to prioritize and rate municipal services.”
For the full editorial, click HERE.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:31 am
When were the surveys sent out? I thought we could access a copy from the city’s website. Please clarify this because I have definite ideas as to what I expect my taxes to pay for and what they should not pay for – like real estate! Does anybody really wonder why West Dearborn looks like it does? Also leaves in the street are not the safest or the best looking situation for any block. Have you seen a car slide on wet leaves? Recreation facilities – city parks in town, and decent libraries are what I expect. Just the items that are being phased out. Wonder why people are leaving town?
July 26th, 2011 at 1:10 am
Okay, I see that the online survey is about updating the city’s Master Plan. But when were the other surveys sent out?
July 26th, 2011 at 5:07 am
As wonderful as it is that the Romulus group kept their library open, I suspect it will be difficult to keep open long-term. The point of the Free Press editorial, which I agree with, is that the entire point of municipal government is to provide these quality-of-life amenities to residents. Maybe the odd philanthropic institution or community group will step in and sponsor this park or that library, but continuing funding is a lot harder to come by.
Speaking of which… how are Save Our Pools doing on taking over the decommissioned pools?
July 26th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
It does say that the surveys were sent out to 2,000 residents – I would assume most were ‘hand picked’ or in certain areas. I certainly haven’t heard of anyone receiving one.
With the number of vacant houses and houses that look like crap in the area why would anyone want to invest in the west end!
July 26th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Bloated bureaucracies and unsustainable public pension debts also are unaffordable luxuries…but somehow they will perservere on the backs of taxpayers.
July 27th, 2011 at 3:03 am
twood appear Judge Sommers is another thing we cannot afford? Wonder how many pools could stay open longer for 2.1 million?
July 27th, 2011 at 3:03 am
twood appear Judge Sommers is another thing we cannot afford? Wonder how many pools could stay open longer for 2.1 million?
July 27th, 2011 at 6:52 pm
My wife received the survey (and she has nothing to do with the city, doesn’t know the mayor or any officials). I felt the questions were poorly phrased and ambiguous. Depending upon who is reading the answers I felt that they could be interpreted in a number of ways.
I don’t recall many of the questions (it was several weeks ago) but I do recall one doozy that asked to rate the six most important city services. Police, fire and ambulance each got it’s own line item – easily chewing up 1/2 of the allotted questions. Then there were about 10 other choices – I recall Libraries, pool, leaf collection, garbage, parks and a bunch of other which I really don’t recall.
I believe there was also an option to rate the mayor, council etc.
August 10th, 2011 at 3:30 am
Everything changes. Dearborn isnt what it used to be. Camp Dearborn isnt what it used to be. It’s still a good town and Camp is still a good park that offers an affordable vacation. The problem, as I see it, is there is no pride left in Dearborn. Many of the employees don’t live in Dearborn, the Mayor spends way too much time trying to assess every decision he makes, the Council is worried about getting reelectedand Judge Sumers just keeps cosing us more and more with his bad decision. A a lot of the residents are new residents who don’t have a family history here or renters who just don’t give a damn. There’s nothing anyone can do about that. Whether the administration at City Hall admits it or not, Dearborn (City and schools) has a bad reputation for catering to the Arabs. Deserved or not, that is the reality. Young people don’t want to move here. Many long-time residents who are here want to move out but can’t affort to short sale their homes. I wonder how many police and fire live in Dearborn? I would guess not many. The people at City Hall aren’t accommodating anymore. With all the cuts I guess they are overworked. The bottom line to all of this mess in Dearborn, Michigan and the United States is we will have to pay more taxes to all three entities. It always falls on the taxpayers to pay for the mess all the electeds make. We should all be more careful who we vote for. If I could sell my house and break even, I would get the hell out of here too. My adult children have moved out of state, my sisters have moved more than 80 miles away and I am stuck here in a city that just keeps slipping farther down the hill.
August 10th, 2011 at 3:36 am
suryveys mean nothing Mary Anne. Just like the Mayor’s “Blue Ribbon Committe” nothing will ever come about as a result of that finding. What a waste of time (I think it was about a year). That committe’s findings were on the city’s website and if you could make heads or tails out of all the charts and BS, more power to you. The city is determined to get the fast rail and a convention center here for what reason I’ll never understand. You can bet a million dollars the new master plan will be centered all around that. I don’t know why the administration doesn’t do something about limiting the number of rentals in the city like other citys have done. I am so sick of seeing our city go down the tubes I avoid Michigan Ave. in west Dearborn just for that reason.