Scott Walker

[callmeslick]

Fine examples, all, Will. His response shows a lack of the ability to handle easy questions. The questions do get harder, as President.

[woodchip]

Didn't Scott Walker want to implement Rick Snyder's Michigan emergency manager program in Wisconsin too, but he kind of chickened out and never went ahead with it? Maybe he thought that 2 sideways telephone poles shoved up Wisconsin's collective ass was too much for even him to get away with.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2 ... wisconsin/

And maybe you should check to see that because of the emergency mgr, Detroit is now on the comeback. Of course you don't want to hear this as it is contrary to the paint by number picture you have hanging on your mental wall.

[callmeslick]

explain the words: 'making a comeback', and why you characterize Detroit this way. Not a gotcha, Woody, as you live nearer to the place.

[woodchip]

Mayor Duggin gave a speech and some of the highlites:

The auctions of homes and side-lots and new programs to offer no-interest loans for home repairs will mean the city has to spend less tearing down buildings in the future.

Likewise, the assurance that the street light replacement program will be completed this summer, 18 months ahead of schedule, will give neighborhoods a safer feel.

The mayor made a big promise in pledging the city's bus system will service all routes on an on-time schedule by this summer. Reliable transportation is essential to lowering unemployment in the city.

And he rightly touted his efforts to rationalize the city's property assessments, which have led to lower tax bills, and as a result, a higher percentage of citizens paying their taxes.

By the numbers, he told the crowd, 911 response times are nearing the 8-minute national average. The murder rate is at its lowest in years.

In addition, nearly 3,500 blighted structures have been demolished – and another 4,000 are expected to come down by August. More than 200 parks were reopened and maintained last summer.

You can listen to his State of the City speech here:
http://michiganradio.org/term/mike-duggan

[callmeslick]

Mayor Duggin gave a speech and some of the highlites:

The auctions of homes and side-lots and new programs to offer no-interest loans for home repairs will mean the city has to spend less tearing down buildings in the future.

were the auctions successful? You aren't clear here.

Likewise, the assurance that the street light replacement program will be completed this summer, 18 months ahead of schedule, will give neighborhoods a safer feel.

definite positive.......how long had the program been going on?

The mayor made a big promise in pledging the city's bus system will service all routes on an on-time schedule by this summer. Reliable transportation is essential to lowering unemployment in the city.

so far, I'm starting to get the feel that the PROMISES were hopeful, but I've heard a lot of mayors(Philly comes to mind) promise all sorts of stuff. I'm starting to doubt your claim, thus far......


the rest of the stuff, should it continue(tax collections, low numbers of demolition, murder down are DEFINITE positives. I still suspect some local people would provide a more negative narrative, but thanks for the link to his side. He's a positive sounding fellow, I'll give him that much. If it succeeds, good for him, but I never thought the issues around Detroit were mainly due to governance, given the economic hit the region has seen and the defacto segregation of the inner city from a few of the burbs(been to the burbs there once or twice, never gave a thought to venturing intown).

[woodchip]

Auctions are starting up and money fore homeowner loans is funded.

Don't know offhand when lighting was started...I think when he was voted in. What part of 18 months ahead of schedule do you not understand?

80 new buses will be add in next couple of months so more than just a empty promise. Sounds like they were ordered and Detroit is awaiting delivery.

Now are you nit picking because a Republican Gov. ordered the Emergency Mgr. or do you not understand Duggan is a Democrat?

[callmeslick]

not nit-picking here, Woody, but it seems lotsa promises and a few actual deliveries. Also, some credit taken for things that were already undertaken or would have been under any leadership. So, from my perspective, and your reference material, my jury is out. Let's see what transpires. I hope the guy suceeds, not out of ideological reasoning, but for the folks in Detroit.