Aesop's (Isaac Baar's) Fables: Sour grapes, again, just as in other election results. Who will he accuse of funding this campaign: Rembrandt, Vermeer?

I don't see sour grapes Neal, only the disappointment in our citizen electors. They are so easily manipulated into thinking that they are doing right, when in truth they are braiding the rope which will be used to hang them.

Would you like some cheese with that whine, Doctor?

Ah, thanks Robert but I'm not a idiot, and because we do not all think like you I will not call you one either.

Good old Herb, you’re always on the socialism side of the argument.

Dr. Barr, this legislation was approved in Lansing, by each county government, and then by the popular vote of all three counties. You wrote an op-Ed last week telling people all of the problems with the proposal, and still people voted for the millage. Instead of blaming everyone else for being uninformed, why can't you admit that most people disagree with your position and maybe, just maybe, they are right and you are wrong.

Quite apparent you do not know what you are talking about ----Valet parking is $8.00 and there is no reason to worry about the neighborhood ---totally safe and secure ---multitude of police regularily patrol the area. Price of gas is no where near $4.19 a gallon even with Michigan having the third highest price gas in the nation.

I guess it is just a case of the voice of a loser!

Not a safe neighborhood? I have worked there for over 10 years and have never had an issue. Sorry you don't think the arts are important, but I for one am happy this passed.

@Tom this is typical rhetoric from Westsiders. I'm not saying all but for the most part people in Oakland County and western suburbs do not enjoy downtown as much as us on the East side. They also have little comprehension of which areas are safe or any of the hidden gems Detroit has to offer. Quit being such wimps and get out in the world. Many of the places worth going in Detroit are quite safe.

@Mark, Westsiders don't need cultural institutions like the DIA, they have Somerset. A quick stroll through Somerset would indicate that the West Side is just brimming with culture. Unfortunately that culture seems to be propagated mostly by the likes of the Kim Kardashians of the world.

They probably don't even know how to sail. So sad.

It's about as safe a neighborhood as Pontiac or Flint--
Ever drive from Detroit to the suburbs on Woodward all the way in summer on a Saturday? Stay in the middle lane, doors locked, windows up, and when you stop for a red light and have to stop for a green light because of the people standing and walking in the street yelling and acting agressive--don't look directly at any one--yes,a sense of releif as you are on the fringe area of Ferndale---Detroit is not safe.
Downtown there is barbed wires around parking lots for major insurance carriers, and many moved high volume offices out of Detroit. The hospitals(s) are overloaded with "safe" incidents, and even Pewabic Pottery has security roaming around and fenced parking..Take a look at Jefferson, better still, how about Jos Campau.? Safe?
Lelli's-barbed wire lot and security issues, the Whitney, lots of concerns voiced over surrounding area, what a shame, and the list goes on and on...It's Detroit. If Detroit is so good, why do the people running these large corporations in Detroit not live there? Anyone want to answer? And if Detroit is so safe and great, where is Detroit's money?

Patricia I already answered your other post as to why more people aren't living there (there is a large flux of young people moving there by the way and it is increasingly difficult to find an apartment). As to your other points it is clear that you are just not cut out for Detroit. You probably should move farther away than you already are. Somerset's bland lifestyle should be able satiate your extra curricular needs.

Ms. Kane, where the DIA is located is quite a safe area. I have spent a great deal of time in the area and I can attest to it. Yes, 7 mile to 8 mile on Woodward is a tough area. That said, your comments reek of ignorance.

Somerset? Give me a break--don't make an assumption. Getting to the DIA is not as safe as you think--if it was there would be more people attending. Funny, I don't know of anyone that would allow their 18 year old daughter to drive down alone and go to the DIA-- Detroit is still losing its population--and the crime rate up, and the deterioration evident and the money and budget problems continuing, and the court cases against officials regarding whats happened to what taxpayers paid for speaks for itself. I chose to live in my community and pay taxes for it, not Detroit or an institution in Detroit that overpays a director that can't fund raise. Because the people in his community don't have the money to support the DIA--where is all the taxes from all those large corporations going? Where do all those people with all those jobs down there live? NOT IN DETROIT, and there is a reason.

Patty I would prefer that you give ME a break. As I stated previously it is clear you are not cut out to live in a suburb of Detroit. You better believe that if Detroit dies so will the rest of the suburbs around it. Are you kidding me with your description of driving down Woodward?? It is pathetic. I have driven through far worse areas with no issues. In all likelihood driving down the street you will be completely fine it is the people hanging around looking for drugs or prostitutes that are going to have the issues. Grow a pair and live a little. Driving through Detroit is an adventure and the reason you don't know anyone who would let their 18 year old daughter drive around there is because you are way out in the middle of nowhere Rochester. People who actually neighbor Detroit travel through areas like that on a daily basis with no incident starting at 16 or younger! No doubt vast areas are wastelands but unless you're an idiot you will be fine. You're right GP For Life there is no way these people know how to sail.

Oh Markey, give me a break-take your rose colored glasses off-
I think you should move to Detroit this way your wallet can support the city and its ammenties instead of us supporting both the city we choose to live in and that cities amenties that a few patronize. Really, man up!

Hahahah rose-colored glasses!!! I have lived directly on the border of Detroit practically surrounded for over 20 years. I know exactly how violent, corrupt and insidious the place can be. I'm not speaking from a place of ignorance like yourself I know plenty of people and have experienced first hand being a victim of crime there. None of it occurred from driving down Woodward and none of it occurred from going to the DIA. Detroit is a product of allowing the illiterate, lazy masses self govern because they violently rebuffed the thinking elite. But unlike you I know where there are beacons of light and culture in the city and I know that it is important to protect and help them.

Yeah Markey, man-up, boy!

The said part of this whole abortion of a debate is that I understand Ms. Kane's frustrations. Watching Detroit try and self-govern is like watching a trainwreck. You don't want to watch, you just can't look away. What I don't understand is her militant resitance to reason and culture. While there are certainly stereotypes that are applied to Detroit there are other stereotypes applied to we humble midwestern folk and Ms. Kane is propagating these stereotypes.

Also, Ms. Kane, I don't know to which assumption you're referring. I will say this though; if you stay away from the drug trade and other illicit activities the chances you will find yourself murdered are greatly reduced. Which leads me to the three rules of the D: 1) Mind your own business. 2) Always be polite. 3) Safeties off. Write that down.

Anyone who thinks Detroit is a fantastic city and a great place to live is naive beyond belief. I have worked Downtown for a number of years and sure it is a nice, lively city between the hours of 9-5, but after that it is a complete ghost town. Unless there is a sporting event or concert going on, Detroit is empty after 5 pm. I was at the DAC on a Friday night a few weeks ago and decided to grab a drink at a nearby bar with a few friends. We ended up having to go to Greektown because Cheli's and Hockeytown were closed- at 11 pm on a beautiful July friday night. Also, my fellow GPers who claim Detroit is "safe" only venture there to go to the DAC or to a Tiger game, when 95% of the people downtown at those times are suburbanites. Man up and park your car along Woodward tomorrow night when there is no game going on and the thugs are out.

Chad I can't help you if you don't properly read people's comments. In short nobody said anything that you refer to in your comment.

Where did your credentials come from? "do no harm" is your motto if you are a MD.
Detoit is the most talented city in the world. The DIA is part of it! So heres to the designers, mold makers, artists,musicians, singers, finger painters etc. that make us proud.

Thinking elite....love that one

nicely put!! and it is FREE but we pay for it in taxes so its really not even free for admission

The DIA's priceless collection of world-renowned masterpieces is worth some of my hard-earned tax dollars.

If the DSO reluctantly concluded the only way to offset a dried-up corporate donor base was a regional millage, I could see the arguments on both sides.

Sports stadiums these days are funded on a case-by-case basis, but there's always a strong cost-benefit analysis -- will the revenues generated by professional sports, from ticket sales, parking, tourism, increased patronage of restaurants and bars on game days and the reputation boost a city receives from being home to a professional team -- outweigh the cost being imposed on voters?

It's worth noting that both Comerica Park and Ford Field were funded back in the 1990s with far more private cash (from the Ilitches and Fords) than public. Both have more than paid for themselves from the economic boosts the Tigers and Lions bring to the City of Detroit and the region, from all the fans with the free choice on how to spend the hard-earned dollars.

Health clubs? Now you're just being silly.

I would rather have government control my money than my vagina. I absolutely would trust my money with people I can fire than your money grubbing CEOs and Snyder's overpaid Emergency Manager pals. I have never seen a political party as intolerant, hateful, resentful, ignorant, and angry as the radicals and extremists running today's Republican Party.

The problem is people think government owns all their income and out of The Government's great benevolence, its only charging 0.2 mils for great things like the DIA.

Amen sister!

You should learn about endowments. If you spend them, they aren't much use.

Tom, I’d like an endowment as well. Maybe I can tax my neighbors to pay for my everyday expenses while I take my normal salary and save 100% of it for my retirement. That's about how rational the DIA's intent is.

The DSO nearly exhausted its endowment, and was eventually forced to make painful decisions that sparked a six-month strike by DSO musicians and a lot of changes to once again be self-sustaining. Had the endowment completely disappeared, the DSO might have disbanded as a professional organization altogether, which would have been a tragedy even if you can't stand that "longhair" music.

I think it's a good idea to READ the ballot language before you vote. ( And to understand it.) I also think it's a good idea to put requests for tax dollars on general election ballots in even-year Novembers ONLY!
It is unfortunate that this issue was on the August ballot; a poor decision by our county commission.

Robert, at this point I'm investing heavily in Kimberly-Clark because I suspect your usage of Kleenex will be through the roof for some time, or you could go green and use a cotton handkerchief.

Thanks for the stock tip, Lianne. :)

You are truly blessed to have such a fine animal who can accurately render masterpieces in so many styles, from Expressionism to Cubism to the Romantics of the Baroque Era. If your dog can also sculpt like Rodin and play flamenco music like Sin Hielo, then yes, you were completely justified in voting No.

Hey, John Jay. The millage doesn't cover parking. There is limited street parking around the DIA, but the parking lot off John R that most people use costs $5.

Watch the price of parking increase now. Free parking should have been in the proposal for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb countys.

I don't think the DIA owns the lot that most people use - so they couldn't make it free if they wanted to. It is $5 for a secure gated lot.

I don't live in Detroit and I do not feel comfortable in a great deal of the city, but the area right around the DIA is actually quite nice.

The DIA needed this millage because the state and city no longer provide any funding.

The DIA is not run by the government.

No the DIA is not run by the govt--so why the heck is the govt collecting taxes for it ?

The "arts authority" of each county is charged with FUNDRAISING for the DIA.
The millage approved on Tuesday is seed money for fundraising efforts.
Do you know the names of any people who have been appointed to seats on these "authorities?" I don't.

Then let them fund raise--what they did was pick low fruit--it was easier and guarantees that they can sit on their butts for 10 years while we work to pay them--
so much easier then actually getting out there and doing what they are suppose to--

I wonder how many of these people live in Wayne county and forget that 2.5 mills goes to WC3? .20 mills for the DIA is more than worth it.

And some people don't understand waht taxation is for......

and your score????

You sir are frightening

[Romney]

I'll take that bet. Ten thousand...$10,000 bet? Shake on it?

[/Romney]

As a Republican I can honestly say I did not want medical marijuana, do not support the stimulus packages, and my only debts are my mortgage and student loans.

That said, I am in favor of this millage, as well as the zoo millage. If you are so anti-tax that you don't want to support things which help the community and boost property values, maybe you should try moving someplace like Wyoming... not much to pay for there!

Oakland, IF Detroit were our city, we would have some say in it--we don't. For years it has been run into the ground by the people that live there and elect people that we have nothing to do with. The hospitals are in pitiful shape. Where are the grocery stores for all those people? Look at the burned out and boarded up buildings on Jefferson along the riverfront. Give me a break. Look at the number of corporations in the little teeny tiny hub down there--where do those CEO's live? Where do the employees live? Not in Detroit. They don't want to. It is not MY city. My city allows me to participate in the governing and in a budget process with transparency and integrity. Detroit does not make SE Michigan. Even the Governors and Mayors in this State will not meet in Detroit...they have to go to Mackinaw...why don't you ask them why? Let them stay downtown Detroit next year and enjoy the "free" DIA and walk around and the jewels of that large deteriorating system that can't even manage and pay for upgrades to their own infrastructure.

The DIA is far from deteriorating.

Detroit is run by it's citizens, same as any other city. That said, I agree that they have made terrible choices for several decades now and have run a once-thriving city right into the ground.

R I no

Thank you JH ---just another confirmation that the DIA did not need our taxed contribution, nor did Mr. Beal---obviously his $443,000.00 annually salary was already well budgeted for---

Very much in agreement. Why are people not flocking into Detroit to live if it such a wonderful city.

Many young people are starting to move back into Detroit. No one is saying that the entire city is safe and full of culture but the DIA is. There are still a lot of issues Detroit needs to work out before it makes sense for families to move in. There are limited grocery opens, city services spread too thinly as well as incompetency and corruption within the city government. That doesn't mean major cultural institutions aren't worth protecting or unsafe to visit. I agree with you though that considering taxpayers now support the institution they should be able to require a more reasonable salary for the director.

Totally agree! The DIA fees are nothing more than taxation without representation. I'll go even one step further by saying it is taxation with absolutely no benefit unless you're the Director making $443,000. This taxpayer thievery will stop when one of two things happens; either there is no money left to take from us or citizens revolt. Until then, we all will just keep bending over.

$400k a year is not excessive for a director of a museum that has the stature of the DIA. There are directors of museums that have much smaller and less significant collections that are being paid 2, 3 and 4 times that amount. If we want a top-10 art museum, it has to be run with someone with extensive experience in the arts, not a recent grad making 20k.

Sarah...The DIA and its supporters had to make their case to voters, rather than simply impose the tax. We all were given the chance to vote on it. Your side happened to lose -- for you to spin that as "taxation withour representation" shows that you really have no idea with the term means.

Wow$ 443,000 that is crazy!! Who is this person and what does he/she do for that much $$. I also just wanted to point out that we are not visiting the DIA for free we are paying for it through our taxes.

If you want to worry about bloated salaries, try looking at how much Snyder's cronies are making as appointees and Emergency Managers. Snyder and the right wing extremists in Lansing just raised your taxes to give tax cuts to CEOs making 10x the 433K keeping you awake at night. Then they took money from your schools and kids to give to for-profit charters in urban areas and other communities. $14/mo to the DIA should be the least of your concerns.

The tax break would designate GM’s headquarters a Renaissance Zone, making GM exempt from state and business taxes along with city income and utility taxes. Ficano offered an exemption on Wayne County property taxes. The package would be worth up to $25 million.

What about Detroit city leaders holding the water system hostage to ' THEIR NEIGHBORS'. Belle Isle has been held hostage and has fallen into decay because of Coleman Young and the current Detroit City leaders. Nice neighbors!

Yeah - let's spite our noses to cut off our faces. Who needs a thriving City of Detroit! Let'em go bankrupt and take down the entire economic future of SE Michigan. (Psst - that includes Novi.)

Belle Isle, the DSO, Eastern Market, Fort Wayne, Greenfield Village.....aren't these ALL "gems" that require public funding? Gee, I miss Bob-Lo and the State Fair. Too bad they did not get in on this deal.

The city of Detroit government owns the land, buildings and art collection. They do not control or contribute any money towards the operation or the museum.

Detroit is OUR city. It sets the tone and reputation world-wide for Michigan. If you teabaggers weren't so ignorant, intolerant, and myopic, we'd all be better off as a community, nation, and species.

Carol, please Google Stakeholder. We are not stakeholders; we are tax payers, period. We have no say in the governance of the DIA, no ownership, and no tangible threat if it goes away. You choose to participate in the activities in Detroit, and that's wonderful. But why should I be forced to pay for your entertainment. By the way, I feel the same way regarding cities taxing for stadiums.

We are not stakeholders--we are pawns--if we were stakeholders, we could get a new director, work the entire budget. We would have a say on the art, trade up, trade off, sell some in storage but the art would belong to us and not Detroit.
All we are is the free ride and bail out for yet another Detroit institution that they don't want to pay for. The money is there. They want to reduce their overall budget and let the 'burbs pay for it. So, is the DIA going to bail out my special interests? Are they going to bail out my business? Fair is fair---I just have to figure out how to manipulate a few people to put it on a ballot when most people are not around to vote and I would like Detroit to have to bail me out, my neighborhood because we make Detroit look good and it's better for them and their property values...fat chance of that uh? Detroit has never done one thing for anyone or any city including themselves for many many years. WSU -the campus is ok, all around is a very high and unsafe area- the students and residents talk about it all the time and they don't want to live there.
Unfortunate, there is something called "crossfire" in Detroit and being caught in it..
Let the DIA hang the paintings, don't paint a picture of Detroit that is not true and slanted as so safe--take a look at how it ranks and the statistics and pick up the newspapers...

You need to read the ballot language.......the millage creates three county "arts authorities." The word(s) DIA do not appear in it.
Where will the money go? Who will spend it? On what?

Pittsburgh did not have a decades long corrupt and totally incompetent government that is in complete denial of its incompetency, like Detroit has had. That helps for rebirth.

If you have not been to Pittsburgh as of late, I suggest you go, because I take the same care there as I do in Detroit. If that's your comparison, well so be it.
As far as I'm concerned, I have also had a revelation this evening to never again donate, support or otherwise advance the Paint Creek Center for the Arts, or any cause related to the Rochester area again.
Thank you for you inspirational thoughts.

This is about being taxed for what amounts to another example of Detroit's poor management and corruption that is unable to take care of it's own. It's about more money taken in the form of taxation for a "non essential service" -it's about a bail out -I am sick and tired of every Tom Dick and Beal that makes $443,000.00 a year being part of this taxation on paintings I have no ownership in and management I have no say in. The DIA is "entertainment". It is not nor will it be"free" and the area as a whole is less than desirable. Again, look at the ratings, read the papers and see the stats on it. It means less money for my community. Less money for my essential services and less money for my family. I work for me, NOT the DIA and Not the government. Time for a big change in Michigan and Oakland County. Yup, this isn't about the past-it's about how screwed up and misguided we are heading in to an over taxed future with a boatload of economic problems-supporting people at 443K a year..

Agree, why are you not living in Detroit? home sales are very reasonable there. You can walk to the museum.

Why was the election for this issue held in August?
Because it would not pass in November.

Before you only paid when you went. Now you pay whether you go or not. I hate when I put my hand in my pocket and too many other people's hands are already in there!

You are "right on" in your opinion. Other organizations will follow. I, too, think the DIA is important, but should be self-reliant.

Thomas, the point of this millage is to allow the DIA to be self-reliant in the future. After decades of receiving funding from the city and/or state, they are asking for a one time millage to pay for operating costs so that they can focus fundraising on building up an endowment fund large enough for them to be self sustaining in the future.

Daryl, the clear intent of the millage is that, after ten years, the DIA will have rebuilt its endowment to the point of true self-sufficiency -- and the millage will quietly expire.

If they fail in this, when they try to renew the millage in 2022 I'll join you in voting No.

JH and Herb,

Have you ever seen a tax proposal go away? I have seen them grow and expand and ten years is a long time for people to forget this controversy and promises. It will become normal and they will seek an increase or continuation of the millage in ten years to keep the DIA going. I was not born yesterday; I have seen this played out many times over the years.

The DIA was mismanaged on the building renovations, how about the salary of the Director being over $400 K per year at an institution that is suffering. They rose over $50 million in the past 2 years, so they can do it on their own. All they have to do is mange themselves and pay a reasonable salary for this institution that is supposed to be for all and owned by all.

This tax subsidy will take the pressure off and they will fall back into bad behavior and complacency at our expense. I enjoy the DIA; I have visited it many times over the years and have no problem paying my fair share for my entertainment. Why does this group not want to pay their fair share?

The number of attendees of the DIA is a very small percentage of the taxpayers who are going to pay for it.

$230-million over 10 years is not "free."
Taxpayers PAY that money, but "residents" get the admission.
I'd prefer to pay admission, and send a (tax-free) donation check if requested.

I should have said epiphany,and that's a loaded question. Needless to say, it wasn't good.

And that would be because they don't share the same opinion as you, Alan?

It must be quite a burden being the smartest one in the room.

It's called "advertising" and I've heard it's even good for business!

The tax break would designate GM’s headquarters a Renaissance Zone, making GM exempt from state and business taxes along with city income and utility taxes. Ficano offered an exemption on Wayne County property taxes. The package would be worth up to $25 million.
You wonder why business are leaving the high taxed burbs moveing to Detroit you think Gm is the only one and you want me to pay for that twice. I will move. Suburbs you had better wake up!

Bail them out and they still take money overseas, but I guess that goes along with the jobs here, leaving less and less in Michigan, and then more in taxes to pay by those left working and then other entities coming along for more of the money we privately earn to afford them their salary of 443K (unforgivable Mr. Beal, I am sorry, but what a travesty you helped orchestrate to keep yourself in cash at our expense) and then we have less and they secure their market more overseas that we helped fund and we are without work or decent benefits and then we still have to pay for 10 years to the DIA and Mr. Beal doesn't even consider a pay cut from his 443K salary----how many people earn 443K year? I don't. My husband doesn't. Our tow incomes combined don't. We struggle with health care, retirement, rising taxes......and it just went up again due to DIA , a slick director, and a manipulative political machine that is afraid of being unemployed like a good deal of Michigan is......way to go!!!

JH-advertising is good for business--but it should be your business and for own money--not a taxpayers and not from saving because you got a "bail out".
If not, we should bail out every Main St. in Michigan and every small Mom and Pop or Independent business--heck, we did it for the DIA, we should just continue with the same thought process the govt used when in their infinite stupidity, they even allowed this on the ballot---and lets not stop there--lets get every big business with poor management too--stock holders be damned--lets bail out Sears, Kmart, JC Penny--same thing as the DIA--serves only those who choose it, and does not provide essential services---lets add some others to and continue on this slippery slope until we bankrupt every working person left in Michigan--I can see the RIP now, the Taxpayers, and the two biggest employers in the State of MI, the govt and the DIA
with a Diretor, Mr. Beal taking in over $443,000.00 annually.

you must not make very much per hour if this millage is affecting you so adversely, or you have a property with an inflated taxable value. I suggest you appeal your taxable value asap, or ask your boss for a $0.007 per hour raise to cover the added burden for you.

Mike: ever been inside a garbage truck, with a compacting unit? that is what it is like on a fixed income, here is my monthly stipend, and am being fee'd to deatrh, .07 here .07 there, my city alone has had so many over rides and not taxes, but so called fees, like to make out our water bill. 7.95. to make out our tax statement, why they wanted to charge me .010 per sheet, for the budget, at the budget meeting, I di fitch a ditch, on that, whoa, who paid for the, copier, the ink, the paper .0002 per, electricity , the salary for the person to press the button and stand and drink coffee while waiting, MY tax dollars , city is suppose to be non profit , along with no double taxation...... (fee charge) for what is already paid for.

Mike, I live in the real world-not your "let everyone pay for my personal entertainment and private interests venues world". It's a bailout. Instead of me asking for a raise, why didn't we just tell Beal and Detroit to take a hike and get someone in there to do the job without this bailout? I am tired of idiots that don't understand taxation or the value of the dollar. To some, that $20.00 is food on the table-to others, it's a couple of Starbucks coffee, but regardless, it is our money we worked for. How dare another city and an overpaid Beal $443,000.00 take it. Or is it that we just work now for every mismanaged entity? We all know why it wasn't on the November ballot---it would not have passed. And remember, the DIA is not free-that was a load of BS- we are all forced to pay for it now through taxation, without any say of how the entity is structured, managed, etc. etc and we do not have any vested interest int he art, or the land...stupid move. $20.00 is $20.00 that the DIA did to work for or earn or fundraise-they just took. Shame on Detroit and the DIA--how many people out there who will be forced to pay make $443,000.00 a year ??? Take a look at the medium income.

You really have to give up on the november ballot thing. You have no idea whether or not it would have passed then, although given the initiative's success a few weeks ago, it would likely have passed then as well.

If you have a home in Berkley with with a taxable value of $150,000, then you have either a gigantic house, a house you way over paid for, or a serious error on your property tax statement. The average Berkley homeowner will be paying a lot less than $15 per year. If that small amount of money is likely to put you on the street, then you have problems a lot bigger than an tiny millage increase.

I don't live in Berkley-and it doesn't matter--it is just more taxes shoved on the backs of those who are still working in this State-and only in SE Michigan--not the entire State. It is "selective" taxation, Tax is tax--cripe, how much more do they want us to pay? Nothing is going down. Paychecks may increase, but so has water from Detroit, DTE, cable, food, gas and health insurance. It's the principal and the ethics. There is no extra money for a lot of people. This whole thing was mishandled intentionally so they could grab the bucks and they did to a select group-living in a select area.
And they wonder why people leave Michigan--it's taxation, poor management and jobs.

Patricia are you still talking? The people have spoken and the millage passed. Time to take your ball and go home. You can write on here until you develop carpal tunnel but it won't change the fact that you now pay taxes to support the DIA. I will think of you fondly as I hang out in Kresge Court.

It was not a "grab." They asked the residents of the three counties that provide some 70% of the museums patrons to approve a millage increase. In all three counties, voters approved the measure. How is this undemocratic? How is this a grab? A clear majority of voters decided this incredibly small expense was more than worth it.

If an emergency manager decided that this was the only option to save the DIA and by executive fiat decreed that the three counties would have to increase tax rates by 0.2 mils, well then your argument would make sense, and I would agree with you. But, as you know, 63% of Oakland County residents decided to vote for the increase. The democratic process worked. How you can see this any other way is beyond puzzling.

There is no factual basis for any of your speculations about the DIA in this post.

Oh we can't do that, cause detroit council says we know how to gov. the Island. well ever been down there on a sunday morning> thousands of plastic cups, on the ground... if your afraid to sit on a comforter in a motel room, then don't use a table top on sunday.

I for one would welcome the DNR, State Park system take it over, when is the last time youv been in a bad state park? have you been to the new one, down atwater,st. towards the river walk.......... pretty nice and they have maintained it also...... yep as a long time camper, I don't know why this as not been done already.

The last time a "laundry list" was put before the voters, it was voted down. Give the residents of southeast Michigan some credit for being able to determine what is worth there time and money and what is not. A majority of voters in three counties decided that paying a few more dollars per year for 10 years was worth it in the case of the DIA.

'Fraid not Madame. The last time I posted on here (most recent comment to you excluded) was nine days ago. You have been blathering all over the place ever since.