Tigers seek closure to pitching woes

With spring around the corner, Detroiters are anxiously awaiting another summer of Tigers’ baseball.  The American League Champions have sky-high expectations and return much of their core.  Yet, early spring training games suggest the Tigers already have a closer problem.  Sound familiar?

Much of the scrutiny directed towards manager Jim Leyland last year was his unwillingness to part ways with struggling players like Jose Valverde and Ryan Raburn.  This year, Leyland has taken a different approach.  Bruce Rondon, a hard throwing Venezuelan was anointed closer of the future following the departure of Jose Valverde, but has already had his workload decreased.  The young pitcher, known for his explosive fastball, has struggled to control his pitches and allows too many runners onto the base paths.  Sound familiar?

No Detroit fans, it’s not time to panic.  The Tigers play in a weak American League Central Division.  In addition, the bullpen still features able relievers like Phil Coke, Joaquin Benoit, and Octavio Dotel that can close or at least fill in until the trade deadline. 

On the other hand, Detroit businesses might be a little more nervous about the spring training struggles.  Last year, the Detroit Tigers World Series proved not only rewarding to loyal fans but also lucrative for local businesses.  Whether it’s a local hotel, bar, restaurant, or parking lot, businesses crave Tiger baseball because of the traffic it brings Downtown.  An article written the in the Detroit Free Press stated the economic impact felt by Detroit during the 2012 World Series run was $72 million. 

It’s way too early to panic about the Tigers, but understanding their impact on Downtown Detroit cannot be understated.  Each game presents an opportunity for the city to sell itself.  In the regular season, it’s at a local level for the most part, but advancing further in the playoffs allows Detroit the opportunity to sell itself to the rest of the country.  Let’s hope Jim Leyland finds closure to his pitching predicament in time for another World Series run.  Detroit could use it. 

Pitcher Bruce Rondon

Detroit switches on the lighting authority

Detroit took a step forward earlier this month when City Council approved the articles of incorporation for a new public lighting authority. State lawmakers approved a December law that allowed for its creation.  The authority plans to raise its money through a $160 million bond offering with the proceeds being used to fund its operations.

Members of the new authority will be approved by City Council and the Mayor’s office.   The five member board is required to include a licensed engineer, a financial expert, a licensed attorney, and two other at large members.  Such requirements are prudent and ensure the right experts are in place to address a problem that the City cannot fully grasp.  City officials admitted to not knowing how many of Detroit’s 88,000 streetlights fail to function properly, but one only needed to drive down Gratiot or Lafayette after dark to see the problem. 

The authority will assume the responsibility of fixing a major threat to public safety. Every shadow or dark alley left without light presents a greater opportunity for criminals to do their work in anonymity.  An effective lighting authority will indirectly deter crime.    

A popular saying amongst Detroit naysayers has been “last one out, turn off the lights”.  For a while, they had reason to believe Detroit's fall was near as the lighting struggles shadowed any optimism, but that has changed.  Going forward, the same light the authority will create for city streets needs be used to identify more innovative solutions to the challenges facing Detroit.

 

“Give light and people will find the way.”

-Ella Baker

"One tough nerd" has one tough decision

State Treasurer Andy Dillon reaffirmed Detroit’s bleak financial health in a report delivered to Governor Rick Snyder on Tuesday.  Dillon led a financial review team comprised of Kenneth Whipple, Darrell Burks, Ronald Goldsberry, Thomas McTavish, and Frederick Headen.   Following the review, all members agreed; Detroit is in a state of “financial emergency” and does not have a sufficient plan in place.

One week ago, Mayor Dave Bing proudly declared that Detroit had continued to meet its payroll obligations and avoided an Emergency Manager to date.  He continued by reporting savings the City realized through adoption of technological solutions and partnerships with non-profits that helped Detroit’s bottom line.  Bing acknowledged Detroit’s dire condition, but held out hope.

Dillon’s comments today suggest that the fiscal savings championed during Bing’s reign are not enough.  Mayor Bing has restored integrity and morality to the Detroit missing during the past administrations, and for that, Detroiters should be grateful.  That being said, the financial struggles of Detroit persist.

They include:

·         A $14 Billion in unfunded pension liabilities

·         A $100 million cash-flow deficit by June 30 if spending cuts are not implemented

For too long, Detroit has kicked the can down the road by relying on long term debt to fund their short term obligations.  In addition, the City never seemed to unite after the Consent Agreement like Governor Snyder had hoped.  Words like accountability, sacrifice, and urgency have been thrown around but the rhetoric far too often remained an idea rather than action.

An emergency manager offers Detroit a chance to circumvent political standstill and get to work.  A nonelected official, with no aspirations for reelection, would have the ability to implement a plan that can optimize Detroit’s dwindling resources.  In no way am I suggesting that the City can cut its way to prosperity, but taking the necessary financial actions would signal to citizens and businesses that Detroit is for real this time.

Will Snyder play his emergency manager card?  Time will tell, but the man that ran for office by proudly characterizing himself as “one tough nerd” has one tough decision ahead.

Full Text of Mayor Dave Bing’s State of the City Address, Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013130213094

State treasurer: “We gave the city every chance”, Detroit News

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130219/METRO01/302190407/Mich-treasurer-Detroit-We-gave-city-every-chance-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE