Toy Chest Bar is Hiring a Bartender

Toy Chest Bar - Photo by Frank Nemecek

The Toy Chest Bar (18728 Ford Rd.) is hiring a new bartender. Anyone interested in applying for this job is asked to apply in person at the bar.

Police Commission to Meet This Evening in Warrendale

Photo by Elvis Santana

The Detroit Police Commission will have a community meeting this evening, November 8 at 6:30 p.m. They will meet in the NFL/YET Boys and Girls Club (16500 Tireman Rd.).

The public is welcome to attend this meeting. This is a great opportunity for residents, business owners, and others concerned about the state of public safety in Detroit.

5 Best Tweets from Election Day

Yesterday was Election Day and, across the Twittersphere, people made their observations of the day known to the world. 31 millions of comments were made, which smashed all of the records. Below are my picks for the 5 best tweets from Election Day 2012.

Jerry Paffendorf from Detroit's nearby Corktown neighborhood leads off my picks with his commentary on the stickers they were handing out at the polls.

damn. the voting machines in detroit are paying out like gangbusters. get sticker rich quick! go vote right now! twitter.com/WELLO/status/2…
— Jerry Paffendorf (@WELLO) November 6, 2012

 Mike Monteiro offered a simple observation for those who were stuck waiting to vote in long lines across America.

Susan B. Anthony waited 52 years to vote. You can wait a few hours.
— Mike Monteiro (@Mike_FTW) November 6, 2012

Democratic political consultant Joe DiSano offered this reaction to some of the Republican commentators that he saw on the airwaves late last night/early this morning.

Key take away from the election. GOP needs to go harder right.Heh.I hope that’s the lesson they walk away with.
— Joe DiSano (@joedisano) November 7, 2012

Tiffany Boyte, however, offered a more down to Earth take on this election right before she went with her family to cast a ballot for Governor Mitt Romney.

Polls close in 5 hours...after that everyone can finally stop pretending they know everything.
— Tiffany Boyte (@TiffanyBoyte) November 6, 2012

Of course, my absolute favorite tweet of the day came from David Kurtz of TalkingPointsMemo.com.

To spouses of journos/politicos: All the stuff your significant other promised to do *after* the election? That doesn't mean *tomorrow*
— David Kurtz (@TPM_dk) November 6, 2012

It always amazes me how much wit and wisdom some people are able to cram into 140 characters. My thanks go out to each of these individuals for sharing their thoughts with the world.

The Scene from Election Day in Warrendale

Election Day in Warrendale - Photo by Frank Nemecek

Polling places across southeastern Michigan are reporting voter turnout that is much higher than normal. It's no different here in the Warrendale neighborhood.

I vote at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. The photo above shows a parking lot that was almost completely full. I have never seen that many people on Election Day.

Michigan election law prohibits photography within the polling place. Otherwise, I would have snapped a photo or two of the incredibly long lines that I saw inside.

I also heard reports that the line stretch outside of the building at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, which is one of the other polling places in Warrendale. This is an interesting election.

Personally, I simply hope that we have this much interest next year when we elect our mayor and city council.

Breaking Down the Ballot Proposals

Interior of the Michigan Capital - Photo by Frank Nemecek

 David Baschal, a local activist and resident of Detroit's nearby New Center neighborhood, sent me his breakdown of the 6 ballot initiatives. The views here are his own.

For those who live in Michigan, here is a rundown of the state proposals with my peanut gallery comments.

Proposal 1 is about the recent changes to the Emergency Manager law. It keeps the law passed in 1990, but gets rid of the unlimited power that recent changes gave to EMs. Vote "no" unless you like totalitarian rule.

Proposal 2 restores collective bargaining rights that state laws have taken away. Vote "yes" to restore those rights.

Proposal 3 increases renewable energy to 25% by 2025 and caps utility rate hikes to 1% per year - oil and energy companies are against it. Vote "yes" if you like to breath clean air.

Proposal 4 allows home healthcare workers to organize, requires background checks for them, and preserves patients' rite to hire who they want. Vote "yes" to protect home healthcare consumers and workers.

Proposal 5 requires 2/3rds majority for any tax change; it is financed by Manny Maroun; it would allow just thirteen state senators to commandeer the senate. Vote "no" if you like democracy.

Proposal 6 requires a vote for any international bridge to be built. Canada has agreed in writing to pay for the new bridge and all cost overruns. Canada money will count as Michigan's money spent on infrastructure that the U.S. Government matches. That money will be spent on other infrastructure projects (roads, overpasses, etc.) within Michigan. Vote "no" unless you want to protect a billionaire’s monopoly of an international crossing.

If you would like to post a guest commentary, please see the contact me page on this blog.

Mayor Bing Establishes Non-Fraternization Policy

Mayor Dave Bing

Mayor Dave Bing announced this afternoon that he has signed an executive order to establish a non-fraternization policy for all City of Detroit employees. This is done in the aftermath of a series of high-profile sex scandals involving senior officials within the Detroit Police Department, including 2 different chiefs of police, who had affairs with subordinates. This standard, according Mayor Bing's statement, will ensure a fair, conflict-free workplace.

This policy affects all employees, including the Detroit Police Department. However, under the terms of Detroit's new charter, it will require approval by the Board of Police Commissioners. Mayor Bing explained that he fully expects that to happen at the next Police Commissioners meeting.

Greening of Detroit Returns to Warrendale

Photo by John Kovacich

The Greening of Detroit will return to Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood tomorrow morning starting at 9 a.m. for another tree planting. This is the third time this season that they have planted trees in Warrendale.

The non-profit group will plant 172 trees on Greenview, Faust, and Penrod Streets from Tireman Avenue to West Warren Avenue. Volunteers should meet at 7600 Penrod St., which is at the corner of Penrod and Sawyer.