Bridge rifts
We received a number of strident responses to Jack Lessenberry's Aug. 27 column on the proposed bridge to Canada.
Reader "Harry Palmer" posted:
Speaking of "ironic" ... notice the number of people in Michigan who believe what Moroun will tell them regarding the new bridge, and dismiss out of hand anything the Canadian government says regarding cost, who's paying, how they'll be repaid, etc. The guy trying to protect his monopoly, and with a vested interest in having the only bridge at the border, must be telling you the truth! Whatever would be his motivation to lie?
Reader "wojoformich" posted:
Jack, thanks for the update on the bridge. Shame on us for allowing this to take so long on starting the construction. Maybe someday we will get this project moving. Just like the M-1 Rail. Detroit is such a sleeper. Possibly some day when we get progressive leadership in this region to fixing the infrastructure, giving tax abatements and increasing the population, we will truly grow.
Reader "Ironjohn" chimed in:
"The economies of both nations desperately need a new bridge for security and the future." Then why isn't the federal government paying for this thing and why are Michigan taxpayers being put on the hook for it?
"Harry Palmer" jumped back into the fray and, correctly, wrote:
Michigan taxpayers are "on the hook" for nothing. Canadian government will be repaid from toll revenue.
Palmer Park rises
We also received a number of comments on Valerie Vande Panne's Facetime with Kathy Makino, a real estate developer behind several projects in Detroit's Palmer Park.
Reader "Mark Loeb" posted:
Kathy and Mark are really fabulous people and doing great things. They get involved in the neighborhoods and give to the community. There are other developers that also do this and it's great to see them celebrated.
Reader "BobNB" asked:
What are some of the buildings Ms. Makino has rehabilitated? This article is good and she sounds great, but some examples would be ideal. Sadly, so many old buildings have been removed/wrecked (the East Jefferson corridor being a great example), we really need to work hard to save what's left, and I hope Ms. Makino keeps going.
Detroit's jazz blast
We also received some comments on Michael Jackman's preview of the upcoming Detroit International Jazz Festival.
Reader "Vince Carducci" posted:
Compared with the old days, the festival is pretty conservative. But, then again, so is a lot of jazz. But it's still a pretty solid lineup. Definitely checking out Pharoah Sanders on Saturday.
Oil intrusion
We received some comments to a blog post by Ryan Felton about suburban communities pushing back against oil and gas exploration companies seeking to drill near residential homes.
Reader "Mary Contrary" posted:
Shelby Township is almost completely a Republican community ... the same people who cry "Drill, baby, drill" ... until it's in their backyard ... literally. Good lesson for them. West Bay wasn't even going to show up to the town hall meeting ... the pressure came from within the Republican party.
Clown love
A number of readers chimed in to last week's Ask A Juggalo column, which asked, "What is clown love?"
Reader "JangleKlown" wrote:
Clown love is shown to everyone who will accept it. Whoop whoop, ninjas. MMFWCL
In response, reader "Lee AD,ANTheClown Hahn" wrote:
Whoop whoop!
