Hamtramck’s money woes may start cutting deep into the bone. The Police Department’s two auto theft investigators may have to be eliminated because the city can’t afford to kick in its part of a matching grant. The state’s auto insurance companies have a grant program that gives communities $50,000 for each auto theft officer it [...]
Aug 27 10 | Posted in
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Don’t touch our City Charter. That’s a message our City Council needs to keep in mind when considering major changes in Hamtramck’s new charter, which was adopted by voters just five years ago. Recently, Councilmember Cathie Gordon proposed a change to have the council and mayor appoint the city treasurer instead of having the city [...]
Aug 20 10 | Posted in
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At first we questioned whether taxpayers’ money was going down the drain in the Recreation Department. Now it’s fair to say our tax money is also going down the toilet, thanks to the management “skills” – and we use that term loosely — of Recreation Director Craig Daniels. Before we go on, let’s say this [...]
Aug 13 10 | Posted in
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Next week, a very important issue will be addressed at the city’s Planning Commission meeting on Aug.11. The question of how the city should handle the medical marijuana industry’s infusion into Hamtramck will be answered. Before going into details about the city’s proposed ordinance, it’s important to give some background information on the use of [...]
Aug 6 10 | Posted in
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Last week we cast our endorsement for state Representative in the upcoming Aug. 3 Primary Election. It’s a crowded field of 15 candidates, six of whom are Hamtramck residents. We urged voters to elect Hamtramck City Councilmember SHAHAB AHMED. This week we move on to the races for state Senate, County Commissioner and for what [...]
Jul 29 10 | Posted in
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You have to hand it to city officials for having the courage to stand up to Detroit. Last week, the City Council withheld payment to Detroit for water and sewer service. It’s a tit for tat situation since Detroit is withholding a $3 million payment that Hamtramck insists is owed. The dispute is about a [...]
Jul 23 10 | Posted in
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Last week we reported that the Hamtramck Recreation Department’s summer park program attracted only 4 percent of the city’s kids who are eligible to join. Four percent. As outrageous as that figure is, a more important one was noted in the story. The department collects about $1 million a year from a special property tax [...]
Jul 16 10 | Posted in
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On Tuesday, an update by the city manager on the financial future of the city was grim. In a special City Council meeting called to discuss the city’s finances, City Manager Bill Cooper said – more or less — it looks inevitable that Hamtramck will be heading into state receivership. Hamtramck’s budget outlook nose-dived within [...]
Jul 9 10 | Posted in
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Hamtramck taxpayers deserve answers about how their money is being spent by the Hamtramck Recreation Department. It’s outrageous that the department collects $1 million a year and spends half of it — $500,000 – on salaries and benefits. Good grief, a small city like Hamtramck should have a recreation program that costs NO MORE than [...]
Jul 2 10 | Posted in
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The purchase of PLAV Post 1 Hall by the Hamtramck Historical Commission couldn’t be more appropriate. This building is historical in itself. It was built by World War I veterans in 1925, and has been the PLAV home since then. How many buildings can claim that in Hamtramck – to have one owner for 85 [...]
Jul 2 10 | Posted in
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