I recently visited Chicago and was very impressed with the city. Although it is a huge city, it is very clean and well kept. There are beautiful tulips planted everywhere. The streets are alive and full of energy. No matter what time of the day or night you walk down Michigan Avenue, there are people enjoying the shops, food, music, and city attractions. I thought to myself, “Wow! They must have a great mayor. How do they manage to keep this huge city so beautiful and exciting?” From Navy Pier to the Magnificent Mile, the streets are full of tourists spending money.
Our mayor should meet with Chicago’s mayor and get some ideas on how to bring tourists to our city. We have so many beautiful things to see and do in Detroit. The waterfront, Belle Isle, the Renaissance Center, the casinos, and Comerica Park. We need brochures and commercials that advertise our attractions. With all the negative media, people are afraid to come to our city. They see the abandoned houses and burned out buildings. They watch the news and hear about the murders and killing sprees. Who would want to take a vacation in a place like that?
I am quite sure that there is plenty of crime in Chicago but did you know that Chicago is one of the first cities to have surveillance cameras on their streets? Yes! Big Brother is watching. These cameras capture everything from traffic violations to purse snatchings. If you don’t think this type of surveillance deters crime, you’re crazy! How does the city afford this type of surveillance and maintenance? Well, I noticed on several receipts that sales tax in the city is 11%. In my opinion, that 11% is being well spent. Maybe our mayor should raise the sales tax in order to maintain the city a little better.
Every building in Chicago is renovated and functioning. Detroit needs to take all of the abandoned, empty buildings in the city and auction them off to promising new business owners. This will only bring more revenue to the city. The sales tax and stimulation of sales could help in tearing down abandoned houses and cleaning up the streets.
I really believed that the casinos would turn this city around. Instead, our schools continue closing and our children are left without music programs and books. Where is the lottery and casino tax money going? According to the news, the casinos pay millions per week in taxes. When we were kids, there was no lottery or casinos and we did just fine. We had schools and we had books. Heck, we even had band class and instruments. However, back then we didn’t have a mayor that was stealing everything he could from us.
I was upset because I grew up in this city and I love it unconditionally. I love this city like a child loves its mother. Although the Dateline special told the truth, it deterred people from our city. They saved all the positives of Detroit until the very end. The show failed to represent the wonderful people that grew up here. So many great stars and professional, successful people are a product of Detroit.
My dreams for Detroit have not ended. I believe our city will make a comeback and our new mayor will do his best for our hometown. When people ask me where I’m from I am proud to say that I’m from Detroit. I am strong, intelligent, appreciative, unselfish, and resourceful. I am Detroit!
“Detroit turned out to be heaven, but it also turned out to be hell.” Marvin Gaye
Author: Rhonda Gutierrez
very good and very true-great article:)
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Rhonda,
This article gave me goose bumps!! Detroit has so much going for it. We just need somebody in office to see all of it’s potential and fight for it!! Rhonda for mayor!!
I too vote Rhonda for mayor! Kwame is where he belongs. Hopefully this new mayor can really start turning things around for what is still the great city of Detroit.