Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Anti-transit agenda chasing economic development out of Troy

It seems like the present generation of conservative political leadership is against mass transit for no reason other than because most liberals are for it. Certainly it can't be because of the things that conservatives stand for in theory, such as a subsidy-free society, or championing the cause of business, that conservatives would favor car culture over mass transit. Here in Michigan, we have Troy mayor Janice Daniels, elected on a Tea Party platform, and determined to make a name for herself as an incendiary firebrand for whatever causes that implies. Naturally, when it came time for the Troy City Council to vote on a new transit center, it would be charitable to call the objections NIMBY—the rhetoric was bordering on that of social cleansing. For example:

Councilman Wade Fleming said he had "reluctantly" supported the transit center, but now he's unsure. "I'm trying to evaluate the merit of it," he said. Fleming said he worries the 24-hour center could lead to more crime. "It could be a place where people who don't have another place to go hang out," he said. "If that's the case, it's going to require more police."

Mass transit is a key part of future economic development in this area, and the actions of the local government are alienating, among others, major players in the local business community:

Magna International is so disappointed with Troy leaders that manager Frank Ervin stated in the letter he is recommending their company no longer consider the city of for future job creation.

h/t Eric B.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Tea Party hacks are Oil industry agents

Oakland County | New mayor, council members try to halt Troy transit facility | The Detroit News: "Troy— After a decade of planning, a transit center tying together train, bus, taxi and future light rail service in Troy appeared to be near fruition this fall.
The facility is supposed to open by October 2013, but a shakeup at City Hall has put construction in doubt. Mayor Janice Daniels, elected last month on a tea party platform, and several City Council members want Troy to halt the project, forfeiting $8.4 million in federal funds and ownership of the 3-acre site."

'via Blog this'