Be optomistic (Detroit: apartments, crimes, homes)

[mikeopto85]

Lately I have been working hard to try and improve the city, in my own grassroots type of way. Anyway, I realize that Detroit has a long way to go before its even begins to reach its potential. I often visit Downtown because it keeps me feeling optimistic about change in the city.

The downtown area is the lone bright spot in the city. It is the only area where people are buying home/apartments and businesses are starting to spring up. While we still cant compare to Chicago, Boston, or New York, Downtown Detroit is starting to come into its own. I also realize that the neighborhoods are is desperate need of attention.

Anybody who cares about the city needs to help do something about the current situation. Im tired of hearing people complain, these same people are the ones that aren't doing anything to try and help improve our situation. Whether you live within the city limits or you live in the suburbs, realize that Detroit makes and breaks all of Michigan. Try to help in anyway you can, even if its small.

Below is a link to a youtube video I created in an attempt to show people from around the area (that havent been Downtown in a while) that the city is expieriencing some change for the better. Please watch and enjoy.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=gmtkCcORKhc

[Cliffie]

Simple things anyone can do: Go downtown and spend money in a Detroit-owned and -operated business, like King's Bookstore on Lafayette or El Xocolo on Bagley. Route your money away from big chain stores in the suburbs and send it towards people who make Detroit a better place to live.

If you live anywhere in the Metro area, VOTE, for crying out loud. You'll never get what you want if you don't ask for it.

Go to those meet-and-greet things and twist the candidates' arms until you know what they're really going to do for you. "What do you mean, Mr. Snodgrass, by bringing more business into the city? How will you do it? When will you start? What's the biggest obstacle to your plan working? Have you done anything like this before? Did it work? How many jobs will this actually create? For who? What plan do you have to cobble up some jobs for all the unemployed assembly-plant workers in [name the city]? How can you get the city's police force up to speed so they can actually solve some crimes?" Like that. Candidates have to respond to voters' concerns if they want any actual votes. They have to follow through on their promises to avoid recall or loss of the next election.

Volunteer for a neighborhood watch association, or talk with your neighbors about starting one. This is important all the time, not just on Devils' Night.

Start a sweat-equity home-improvement club if you live in a hideous neighborhood. Talk to the nearest housing office to find out how to get grant money to improve the living conditions of everyone who works and participates in improving the homes of others. It's like a potluck version of Habitat for Humanity.

Start a small business of your own; small business grants are also pretty easy to get. Try to get big enough to hire a couple people.

If you're a professional, consider going nonprofit so you can get your services to people who really need it. Trust me, you'll still get paid and it's gonna improve your karma a LOT.

[dmetro]

Originally Posted by mikeopto85

Lately I have been working hard to try and improve the city, in my own grassroots type of way. Anyway, I realize that Detroit has a long way to go before its even begins to reach its potential. I often visit Downtown because it keeps me feeling optimistic about change in the city.

The downtown area is the lone bright spot in the city. It is the only area where people are buying home/apartments and businesses are starting to spring up. While we still cant compare to Chicago, Boston, or New York, Downtown Detroit is starting to come into its own. I also realize that the neighborhoods are is desperate need of attention.

Anybody who cares about the city needs to help do something about the current situation. Im tired of hearing people complain, these same people are the ones that aren't doing anything to try and help improve our situation. Whether you live within the city limits or you live in the suburbs, realize that Detroit makes and breaks all of Michigan. Try to help in anyway you can, even if its small.

Below is a link to a youtube video I created in an attempt to show people from around the area (that havent been Downtown in a while) that the city is expieriencing some change for the better. Please watch and enjoy.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=gmtkCcORKhc

How can I be optimistic about Detroit when that corrupt loser Kilpatrick is still mayor?