AltWeeklies Wire
Upside Down in Pontiac: How Investors Walk Away from Disasternew
Many Pontiac houses sit and continue to decline in value, blight the community, attract nuisances, cost lenders and the city money in maintenance, and pull down the values of nearby properties. Some have resold for a fraction of their taxable values, further driving down home prices around them. Others will sit vacant for years.
Metro Times |
Sandra Svoboda |
09-15-2009 |
Economy
Michigan Communities Use HUD Dollars for Demolition, Rehab and Ownershipnew
In Michigan, the HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program is funding projects aimed at offsetting some of the harmful effects that foreclosed and vacant properties have on neighborhoods, as well as increasing home ownership and redevelopment.
Metro Times |
Sandra Svoboda |
06-09-2009 |
Economy
Huffing and Puffing, and the New Justicenew
Thirty-seven states have outlawed smoking in bars and restaurants. Some have done so in all public places. Sadly, Michigan lags behind, even though polls show the vast majority of us want a smoking ban.
Metro Times |
Jack Lessenberry |
06-09-2009 |
Policy Issues
Enviros Urge Michigan to Stop New Coal Plantsnew
A coalition of citizens and environmental groups urged Gov. Jennifer Granholm at a press conference this morning to "Stop the Coal Rush" and place a moratorium on the construction of new coal-fired power plants.
City Pulse |
Angela Vasquez-Giroux |
01-07-2009 |
Environment
A Bailout is Needed, but a New New Deal Would be Betternew
Why not create something like the old New Deal, which put millions to work doing everything from building post offices to writing nature guides. Ours would be more limited, however; we could call it the Michigan Infrastructure Corps. We are going to be paying out billions in unemployment insurance anyway. Why shouldn't we get something out if it?
Metro Times |
Jack Lessenberry |
12-09-2008 |
Economy
Escaping Baghdad and Finding Refuge in Metro Detroitnew
Hundreds of Iraqis have resettled in metro Detroit during the last two years as the United States finally opened to these refugees of the war in Iraq. This year, more than 2,000 Iraqis are expected to flock here. These are some of their stories.
Metro Times |
Sandra Svoboda |
12-09-2008 |
Immigration
My Choice to Head the RNC: Saul Anuzisnew
A Harley-riding, blue-collar, first-generation American currently chairs the Michigan Republican Party and is one of the best, most forward-thinking men I have had the pleasure of knowing in my years in politics.
Jackson Free Press |
Amile Wilson |
12-01-2008 |
Commentary
Phys Ed in Michigan Isn't What it Used to Benew
With attention to both the rising rate of childhood obesity and the emphasis on test results, Michigan school districts are revisiting their game plans for gym classes. Their playbooks reduce the focus on competitive sports and increase it on lifestyle fitness activities that will help create healthier kids now and fitter adults in the future.
Metro Times |
Sandra Svoboda |
11-25-2008 |
Education
Why the Feds Must Bail Out General Motorsnew
Massive restructuring is needed, but the patient first has to be stabilized, by any means necessary. Otherwise, we will be looking at something very like the Great Depression.
Metro Times |
Jack Lessenberry |
11-20-2008 |
Economy
Should We Rescue Detroit's Sinking Ship?new
Any bailout for the Big Three must be seriously questioned and come with conditions, because we can't let these companies hold us hostage anymore.
City Pulse |
Lawrence Cosentno, Neal McNamara and Angela Vasquez-Giroux |
11-20-2008 |
Economy
Election '08: Now Comes the Hard Partnew
Finally, at long last, the election is over. Now comes the really, really hard part. Our nation is facing a bad time economically. Detroit and Michigan are facing something much worse. Avoiding something that looks more like a depression than a recession will be tremendously difficult.
Metro Times |
Jack Lessenberry |
11-11-2008 |
Commentary
Brawl in the Sprawl: The Political Future of Oakland County, Michigannew
How will residents of metro Detroit's richest county vote Nov. 4 -- for Illinois Democratic Sen. Barack Obama or Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain? Will the county hold to its Republican roots or continue recent Democratic trends in congressional and countywide elections?
Metro Times |
Sandra Svoboda |
10-28-2008 |
Politics
Democratic Party Suit Aims to Balk Alleged GOP Vote Challenges in Michigannew
Michigan Republicans may be deriding as false a story claiming they planned to use lists of foreclosed homes to keep some from casting their votes on Election Day, but the Barack Obama presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee aren't taking any chances.
Metro Times |
Staff |
09-30-2008 |
Politics
Does the Michigan GOP Plan to Use Foreclosure Data as a Weapon?new
Allegations have surfaced that the head of the Macomb County Republican Party had disclosed plans to use lists of foreclosed homes as a way to keep some voters from casting ballots in the upcoming presidential election. But the Macomb GOP Chairman says his quotes were fabricated. What's really going on?
Metro Times |
Staff |
09-23-2008 |
Politics
Immigrant Poet Zilka Joseph Straddles Two Worldsnew
Joseph lives, works and studies here in Michigan, but her poetry tells the story of a woman who exists in two different places. Born in Bombay and raised in Calcutta, Joseph has been in this country since 1997. In a physical sense, moving here meant leaving everything behind. In her poems, she shows that it isn't where you live that matters, but what lives on in you.
Metro Times |
Norene Cashen |
08-12-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
