Region Grows as Systemic Destruction Continues within Detroit

The question of systemic destruction of Detroit needs to be questioned in light of an article "Detroit region population grows, census shows" -- Freep.

Oakland and Macomb counties pull population of the metropolitan area forward .5% while other counties struggle. These numbers show that long-term urban centers continue to lose population and "upward mobility" heading away from them continues. Many are sacrificing excess transportation to work, ensuring a barrier to accommodate class divide and distance from urban pollution.

Oakland County added 10,997 residents, an increase of 0.9%, and Macomb County added 7,059 residents, an increase of 0.8%.

Two counties lost population. Wayne County had the greatest decline in the region, losing 17,233 residents, or about 1%, while St. Clair County lost 188 residents, or 0.1%.

The remaining counties in the region experienced slight increases. Livingston County gained 1,348 residents, or 0.7%, and Lapeer County gained 158 residents, or 0.2%.

According to the Freep article there is interest in moving into Detroit, however the number of 'suitable' properties has quickly diminished. So much that new construction is being requested by many. Is there an interest in 'terra-forming' a 'New Detroit' being led by banking interests?

Systemic Demolition of Detroit

The city's efforts to demolish properties, many of which could be inhabited, favors bringing new Detroiters in and removal of long-term residents.

Components of the System of Destruction

• Movement of public utilities and services to authorities with privatized providers, funded by increased financial obligations. New authorities open more directions for issuance of municipal bonds, adding complexity and removing the ability for the public to actively petition against debt increases. An example of this is the Public Lighting Authority of Detroit, replacing the Department of Public Lighting for Detroit and potentially growing with absorbing other municipal lighting departments in financial distress into the metropolitan authority. Detroit has also seen increases in garbage pickup and road maintenance by contracted companies.
• Reduction of service for public services and utilities. Examples of this would be declining service provided by Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), and the Water Department escalating shut-offs on residents delinquent 60 days or more on bill payments.
• Demolition of properties is being chosen rather than deconstruction or even modest repairs. Some homes demolished could be said to be in need of minor repairs before being moved into. There are also homes which have been foreclosed upon / abandoned that have water running in them or frozen in pipes, which in turn endangers the house.
• Individuals and groups from outside Detroit reduce property values through garbage hauling and dumping from suburban sources into urban neighborhoods which may or may not be in distress.
• Public school systems continue to be legislated against and pushed to privatization and educational authorities established. The funding into classrooms continues to decline as this shift to moving education to big business grows, and resulting administrative expenses (including advertising) grows.
• Grocery stores, gas stations, laundry, restaurants, and more are primarily managed by non-residents who have gained privilege from lenders by removing themselves from the neighborhood.
• Insurance companies gauge risk within Detroit with impunity, hiking rates much higher than suburban areas.
• Access to parks and public places is being encroached upon by private financing for maintenance and security, often from companies that have received tax abatement with the promise of improving neighborhoods and residential employment. This amounts to wanton dissolution of public commons and sacrifice of community pride through responsibility for these commons.
• People whom have had access to necessary services look toward how to survive in a society that seems turned against them. 'Criminal' activity rises when the need is great. This in turn escalates law enforcement and general suspicion that all residents are guilty merely by association with each other.

The system of destruction establishes a police-state that oppresses rather than enables needs to be met. Addressing one item from above is insufficient to cause the system as a whole to fail. Those oppressed don't know where to turn for relief and many become complacent, tolerating injustice.

The above is an opinion of the author, not necessarily endorsed by the group.

A Google+ community has been established "Documenting Gentrification of Detroit"

It takes a Community for Thrive-able Wage Vision

When it comes to being a business responsible for the well-being of employees some lessons can be learned from a company that started off as a corner grocer in 1902, re-branding itself in 1982 as "Zingerman's", then setting forth a vision in 1994 that extended to 2020. Adapting to employees as partners and assets to its business is a key factor in success.

A Thrive-Able Wage Vision

Zingerman’s Community of Businesses (ZCoB) ‘thrive-able wage’ vision, which was drafted in 2012, includes the following:

We [are raising] wages to a “thrive-able” level throughout the organization and there is a powerful multiplier effect going on. Higher wages lead to higher morale and is the engine that keeps everything spiraling upward. In many cases, productivity increases due to lowered stress levels in the lives of the people in our organization because of assurance that their financial needs are covered….We have less people needing to rely on forms of public assistance like SNAP card benefits and the Washtenaw Health Plan. We maintain the offering of assistance from our Community Chest because it serves as the safety net for employees without personal networks of support or who face disastrous emergencies outside of their control.

Zingerman's Community of Businesses

A fuller description can be found on the ZCoB website.

• Zingerman's Delicatessen
• Zingerman's Bakehouse
• Zing Train
• Zingerman's Catering and Events
• Zingerman's Mail Order
• Zingerman's Creamery
• Zingerman's Roadhouse
• Zingerman's Coffee Company
• Zingerman's Candy Manufactory

Zingerman's Commitment to Diversity

A broader description can be found on the ZCoB website.

Awaking to Radical Commitment

Back in 2010, a few Zingernauts asked the question, “Does our company reflect the diversity of people in our local community? Could we be more inclusive?” Led by Paul Saginaw, their persistence led all of us to realize that there were untapped opportunities to show all kinds of people the “love and care in all our actions” as our mission states. We wanted to do better at giving the Zingerman’s experience to every guest and every employee. We knew that formally committing to diversity at Zingerman’s would yield better decisions and leadership, in addition to being the right thing for the people in our community. 

Fast food workers sue McDonalds over wage practices

McDonald’s workers in three U.S. states filed lawsuits this week against the fast-food chain, alleging it is stealing wages by forcing them to work off the clock, by cheating them out of overtime and by denying them rest breaks.

The seven suits were announced on Thursday by the employees’ lawyers and were filed Wednesday and Thursday in New York, California and Michigan.
In Michigan, two lawsuits were filed against McDonald’s and two Detroit-area franchise owners by workers claiming they were told to come to work, only to be told to wait without pay until there were enough customers in the restaurant.

[read more]

Source: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/13/fast-food-workerssuemcdonaldsoverwagepractices.html

The Average Low-Wage Worker Is Responsible for Half of His or Her Family’s Income

One common myth perpetuated by opponents of raising the minimum wage is that increasing it will mostly benefit young workers who will use the money to support discretionary spending. The reality is much different: Among workers who would be affected by raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10, the average age is 35 years old, and more than a third (34.5 percent) are at least 40 years old.  In fact, minimum-wage workers are often bread-winners, with families who depend on their earnings.
The average low-wage worker who would benefit from a minimum-wage increase is responsible for half (50 percent) of his or her family’s income (ranging from 33 percent in New Hampshire to 60 percent in Louisiana). Nationally, nearly one in five children (19 percent) has a parent who would be affected by raising the minimum wage to $10.10 (ranging from 11 percent in Alaska to 26 percent in Texas). While some minimum-wage earners are young workers looking for some spending money, the majority are adults working to put food on their families’ tables.

These numbers further reinforce how important raising the minimum wage is to improving the economic well-being of America’s families. Raising the minimum wage increases the number of economy boosting jobs that pay enough for families to maintain spending on the basics, lifting families, communities, and local businesses in the process.

source: http://www.epi.org/publication/minimum-wage-good-for-families/