Good read about Detroit's municipal decline, and effects on sports

[ricosuave]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/24-7/...roit/?shawct=1

[Cowboy89]

One could think of it a different way. In a land without much it seems the city and the state have invested massively in new sports venues (Comerica Park, Ford Field and the proposed new complex for the Red Wings) all the while they were plunging into bankruptcy.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

One could think of it a different way. In a land without much it seems the city and the state have invested massively in new sports venues (Comerica Park, Ford Field and the proposed new complex for the Red Wings) all the while they were plunging into bankruptcy.

From what I've read the bankruptcy was more to get out of crippling pension deals. The unions evidently have tremendous power there... the water department actually has a horseshoer position (paying $56k) despite having no horses:
http://www.examiner.com/article/detr...-but-no-horses

[Flashpoint]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

From what I've read the bankruptcy was more to get out of crippling pension deals. The unions evidently have tremendous power there... the water department actually has a horseshoer position (paying $56k) despite having no horses:
http://www.examiner.com/article/detr...-but-no-horses

Holy cats would I like to see someone explain that one.

[greentree]

Great example of a good story premise ruined by lack of focus and research (sorry, that's the journalism critic in me).

Why not explore the impact the Canadian fan market has on the Detroit sports franchises? It must be significant, and would help explain why the teams thrive--if, indeed, they do, we still don't really know after reading all that.

Windsorites will be thrilled with their city being labelled as "an armpit." I've never seen it described that way before. Weird.

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by greentree

Windsorites will be thrilled with their city being labelled as "an armpit." I've never seen it described that way before. Weird.

Windsor is often called the armpit of Ontario. Heard it many times from people down there.

[bigtmac19]

Windsor has been referred to as the armpit of Canada ever since I can remember. That's no surprise at all.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

From what I've read the bankruptcy was more to get out of crippling pension deals. The unions evidently have tremendous power there... the water department actually has a horseshoer position (paying $56k) despite having no horses:
http://www.examiner.com/article/detr...-but-no-horses

To get out of pension deals. Crippling is a matter of opinion, though. Whether you think unions have a place today or not, it's concerning that deals made by the government, and protected by Michigan's state constitution, are being circumvented in this way.

[Vulcan]

It isn't like the unions are the main or only reason for Detroit's downfall. Economies change and having a mayor like this doesn't help.

Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in prison Thursday, seven months after he was convicted of public corruption in federal court.
It marks the end to another chapter in the saga of Kilpatrick, who was elected mayor of Detroit at the young age of 31. Once mentioned as a possible candidate for president later in life, Detroit's "hip-hop mayor," now 43, is generally credited as one of America's worst mayoral leaders of the past decade.
The former Detroit mayor's sentencing recommendation called for at least 28 years to life for Kilpatrick, who prosecutors say robbed the City of Detroit of millions through criminal enterprises when it was at its most desperate. It's "equal to the longest sentence" for corruption ever handed down to a public official, said U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade after the sentencing was announced.
Judge Nancy Edmunds, who announced the sentence Thursday, said that it was important to look at the entire history of the defendant, noting that Kilpatrick's numerous convictions regarding criminal enterprise were drawn from crimes committed during his entire six-year tenure as Detroit mayor, and possibly even during his time in the Michigan Legislature. It was also important to consider the enormity of the investigation -- Edmunds said 34 other people have been convicted for crimes pertaining to Kilpatrick.
"Kwame Kilpatrick was entrusted by the citizens of Detroit to guide their city through one of its most challenging periods," the prosecution's memo read. "The city desperately needed resolute leadership. Instead it got a mayor looking to cash in on his office through graft, extortion and self-dealing."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/1...n_4066248.html

[PeteMoss]

No doubt there are plenty of reasons... mainly being a city built on one industry (which I suppose could end up being an issue in Alberta as well at some point). But from how it sounds now they have no money and can't pay these things... so despite the screwups that lead here they need some relief somewhere.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

No doubt there are plenty of reasons... mainly being a city built on one industry (which I suppose could end up being an issue in Alberta as well at some point). But from how it sounds now they have no money and can't pay these things... so despite the screwups that lead here they need some relief somewhere.

To be fair to Alberta it is built on 2 industries. Oil/Gas and Agriculture.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

To be fair to Alberta it is built on 2 industries. Oil/Gas and Agriculture.

Tell that to us guys who struggled through the 80s in Calgary.