This requirement became effective on January 1, 2007. Michigan does not issue a specific Ballast Water Discharge Permit. It issues a Ballast Water Control General Permit. Every ship that loads or unloads cargo in Michigan has to have this Permit, whether or not it discharges ballast water. However, to date, not a single discharge permit has been issued, let alone been applied for; according to MDEQ. The deep sea ballast exchange and salt water flushing of NOBOB tanks became mandatory for all ocean-going vessels seeking to enter the Great Lakes in March, 2008 and every ballast tank in every ocean-going vessel is verified before being permitted to enter the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes System.

The marine transportation industry (carriers, shippers, stevedores and terminal and warehouse operators) are lobbying the case that Michigan should, on an interim basis, consider bringing its ballast water regulation in line with the other Great Lakes states, if only temporarily and on a case-by-case basis. The labor unions are another force joining the marine industry in wanting Michigan to bring its ballast water regulations in line with other states.

Contrarily, the National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Resources Defense Council does not object to the ballast water public policy as a protection against the invasion of alien species entering the fresh waters of the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway System. However, the Ballast Water Permit policy has stopped all ocean-going vessels seeking to enter the Great Lakes through the Saint Lawrence Seaway, and this has prevented Michigan industries from exporting their goods carried on ocean-going vessels.

The right to private property is the social-political principle that adult human beings may not be prohibited or prevented by anyone from acquiring, holding and trading valued items not already owned by others. Such a right is unalienable and is justified to enjoy, respect and receive legal protection in a just humane community, thus a justification for the flow of free trade and commerce in the United States. The argument of the right to private property can be raised by the marine industry and the Michigan businesses regarding their inability to export their goods to markets overseas via ocean-going vessels. Exports are important in creating jobs and to stimulating economic growth, especially in distressed urban centers.

New email address: Solomon@portdetroit.com

The Michigan Forum for African Americans in Philanthropy (MFAAP) kicked off its inaugural “Summer Gathering” with the launch of the group’s exciting mentoring initiative, a presentation by one of the nation’s top philanthropic educational leaders and the presentation of the first-annual Gerald K. Smith Award.

MFAAP is an affinity group sponsored by the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) which is committed to creating a pipeline of new talent and energy by attracting diverse individuals to the field of philanthropy. Fifty philanthropic leaders – from foundation presidents/CEOs to communication specialists to program officers – attended the event held at Detroit’s Roberts Riverwalk Hotel.

“It was truly a tremendous gathering that inspired those who attended…and provided us an opportunity to learn from outstanding leaders in their field,” said Carol Goss, president/CEO of The Skillman Foundation.

I. Mentoring Initiative

Dr. Lynne Wooten, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Business School and a nationally recognized leader in the field of creating and building mentoring programs, led the session entitled,  “Mentoring – How to Mentor and Be a Good Mentee”

“Mentoring is a strategic approach to developing an individual’s goals and skills,” Wooten explained. “It is also a flexible concept that should reflect the unique culture and objectives of your organization.”

Explaining how the new mentoring initiative works, Wooten said, “It involves collaborative negotiation and joint accountability. Equal participation in this mentoring relationship is a must for it to be successful.

“Mentors can fill one or more roles for their often-younger mentees,” she added. “They can be a career guide, an information source, a friend and an intellectual resource to collaborate on research projects or provide constructive feedback and criticism on new projects, programs or career issues and challenges.”

There are six essential qualities that a good mentor must possess, counseled Wooten. They include:

• Being committed to the role of mentoring
• Accepting the responsibility of being a beginning teacher
• Possessing the skills to provide instructional support
• Adapting effectively in different interpersonal contexts
• Modeling the skills and determination of a continuous learner
• Communicating hope and optimism

“The mentor/mentee relationship can only work if both sides develop rapport and build trust with each other,” said Wooten. “Both participants need to start out setting achievable goals together. Mentors need to let their mentees have a say in all activities; model ways to solve problems; and help them explore possibilities for success.”

“Mentees need to initially focus on the relationship, rather than the outcomes; listen with an open mind; practice learning from anyone; and eventually establish a mutually agreeable plan for mentoring sessions,” noted Wooten.

II: National Education Leader Addresses MFAAP

Dr. John H. Jackson, president/CEO of The Schott Foundation for Public Education was the keynote speaker. Prior to that role Jackson served as the NAACP’s Chief Policy Officer and the organization’s National Director of Education.

Sharing the lessons learned as an adjunct professor of Race, Gender and Public Policy at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute and his stint as an appointee of President Clinton as an administration Senior Policy Advisor in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, Jackson gave a frank assessment of the state of education today and the need for systemic and strategic change.

“One thing is clear that we know today, there is a correlation between education attainment and a community’s economic base; between educational attainment and access to health care, civic participation and incarceration,” said Jackson.  “This country leads all others when it comes to the number of its citizens incarcerated and when I became aware of that it became very important for me to see how I could begin to move forward with a passion to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education.”  The issue around educational performance is not an issue of race or ethnicity, he noted.

“There is clear data that shows we are all 99.6% the same. The variance that we see in educational performance that is identifiable by race or gender is not caused by our racial or ethnic differences, but by our social policies and practices. Our challenge has always been to identify and improve them so we can provide all students an opportunity to learn,” said Jackson.

Praising the role of foundations for striving to find new ways to address the educational challenges children face today, Jackson said, “Philanthropy is a mechanism to help move that effort forward. We can’t replace state funding; we can pursue important initiatives to change the playing field to ensure educational opportunities for those who desire it.

“Unfortunately today we have across the country a 47% graduation rate from high school at a time when we know that about one-third of all jobs in the future are going to require a college education. I know there are thousands of other black males on the corners in Chicago, in Detroit, in South Carolina who, given the same opportunity as I received, can do more. This is where we all need to focus our efforts.”

by David L. Head

David L. Head has worked over 25 years for the New York City Transit system. He recently retired and lives in Detroit, Michigan. For over 12 years he has researched the noble ca-reer of Granville T. Woods.  His efforts have been written about in the New York Daily News, the New York Times, Astella Action News and Newsday.  “I hope that my legacy inspires students to be obser-vant of the world around them and to understand that their perceptions when combined with education can turn into something profound”, said Head.  His exhibit and presentation on Granville T. Woods showcases the technical aspects of his contributions to mass transit and addresses the strug-gles Woods` encountered as a Black man in the late 19th century. It is also a revealing look into the extraordinary work of Granville T. Woods and charg-es students to pursue their life’s goals.   ————————————–

Achievements and Recognitions on behalf of Granville T. Woods▪ David L. Head was a 2010 recipient of the Transit News Telly Award Telly for Granville T. Woods Documentary▪ A Century of Progress – 2004 New York Subway Centennial Granville T. Woods Commemorative Exhibit▪ Four million Granville T. Woods Metro Cards▪ Brooklyn Street renamed “Granville T. Woods Way”▪ Woods` Coney Island Hall of Fame Induction – for World First Electric Roller Coaster “Figure 8”Efforts are being spearheaded for: US Commemorative Postal StampThe Granville T. Woods Achievement AwardMr. Head (DLH) can be contacted at:

dlhfoundation@nyc.rr.com or

917 517-1770

Light Rail service returns along Woodward Avenue where transit began in the Motorcity. Transportation is vital for the economical survival of its citizens and businesses in any sta-ble society.  Let us look back for a mo-ment to get a better understanding and appreciation at one of the most innovative minds who believed that electric power could move a street car. When the public was fearful of injury to themselves and doubted its viable possibility. There were many others who felt that the costly cable system was safer and more reliable.  The name Granville T. Woods may be alien to the aver-age American. He most certainly is one of the giants left out of the en-cyclopedia and documentaries on transportation. His saga is one of the great legacies African Ameri-cans have given to American his-tory and technology. Granville T. Woods was a multi-faceted electro magnetic genius whose inventions were pivotal in advancing the In-dustrial Age.Case in point:   Granville T. Woods was the originator of a new electric railway system which the Ameri-can Engineering Company demon-strated on Saturday, February 13, 1892. Known as the Multiple Dis-tributing Station System, it pos-sessed features distinct from any-thing devised for electric streetcar operation. The system relied on using existing rails and removing the wire rope and pulley. Electrical contact plates were installed which connected to an underground dis-tributing station that also provided a means for lighting electric street lights and home appliances.  It was a dramatic depar-ture from exposed dangerous feed wires and costly secondary bat-teries. It did not employ slotted causeway which were used for the extensive mechanical cable car system. Shortly thereafter on September 16, 1893 Mr. Woods introduced his novel, Underground Electrical Railway Conduit System in Coney Island, Brooklyn ( New York ). “The system consists of a conduit which is placed at regu-lar intervals, hermetically sealed and water tight boxes, from which project contact points form a con-nection with a long shoe which is fastened on the bottom of the car and runs in the slot.”  As the railroad train moved forward, a long flexible shoe si-multaneously made contact with automatic electro-magnet switches between the two rails within the boxes.  Understanding the laws of physics, Woods` devised an oil pressure pipeline to insure immu-nity from condensation and car-bonization of integral parts.  With an effective weather resistant insulator Woods` solved the problem that had paralyzed surface electric transit service commercially.

On January 29, 1901, General Electric purchased Woods` Electric Railway pat-ent #667,110, now known as the revolutionary “Third Rail.” This extremely durable and low mainte-nance system of power collection and distribution allowed for the electrification of “heavy rail” oper-ation such as passenger and freight railway lines. The third rail system also allowed for more efficient tun-nel construction and underground train operation.

An innovative system builder, Woods` foresight led him to invent devices that would pre-vent frequent railroad accidents such as; the Automatic Air Brake System and two Railway Brake Apparatus that were all assigned to Westinghouse Company. And two Safety Apparatus known as the “Deadmans Handle” was also purchased by General Electric the Co.    Today the art of innovation is still necessary for America to compete in a global economy. Cor-porate entities who thrive on profit and gain must invest, by laying the foundation for our next generation. An untapped reservoir remains dormant in the United States’ ur-ban communities, because they too count. The opportunity of hands-on resources in science, engineer-ing and technology are needed within each classroom. Students should be cross-trained, nurtured and challenged to solve problems.  David L. Head recently completed an illustrative book about the legendary Granville T. Woods entitled, “Granville T. Woods, African American Com-munications and Transportation Pioneer. Head believes there are so many lessons to be learned in Woods` exemplary character. What America needs now is to produce more innovators like Granville T. Woods.For copies of David L. Head’s book on Granville T. Woods, or questions about exhibits, Mr. Head can be con-tacted at: dlhfoundation@nyc.rr.com or call: 917 517-1770 On January 29, 1901, General Electricpurchased Woods` Electric Railway patent #667,110, now known as the revolutionary “Third Rail.” This extremely durable and low maintenance system of power collection and distribution allowed for the electrifica-tion of “heavy rail” operation such as passenger and freight railway lines. The third rail system also allowed for more efficient tunnel construction and underground train operation.Granville T. Woods

by Daryl Williams

Dr. Martin Luther King once said, “We may have all come on different ships, but

we’re in the same boat now.” There have been no truer words spoken when it comes to rebuilding the US economy and the role of minority entrepreneurs in that rebuilding process. It is of the utmost importance that the minority population, soon to be over 50% of the US population, is contributing to the US economy across all of the economic and entrepreneurial indicators at close to per capita levels.

According to research from the Kauffman Foundation, we surmise that the majority of net new jobs come from firms less than 5 years old. Let us think about this a minute, if we want to have the minority population contributing at per capita levels, and most of the economic growth comes from start-up firms less than 5 years old, the natural conclusion is that we need to create more minority start-up firms that have the potential to grow to scale and create jobs.

How will these new firms grow to scale? Will it happen organically? Will there be best-practices that can be shared among firms to expedite the growth process?

The answer to many of these questions can be found in the technical assistance the firms can access. Much too often new firms do not have the quality and quantity of technical information needed to catalyze their enterprise. While there are a variety of government, philanthropic, and private resources available to entrepreneurs; a shrinking pot of grant dollars sometimes leads to a competitive environment among of these organizations resulting in a confusing and challenging learning environment for entrepreneurs seeking assistance. Many service providers are finding it difficult to work in a collaborative manner and at the same time obtain the level of funding necessary to maintain operations. However, in the final analysis, the success of the service provider community will be found in the quality of service and the success of the businesses that they serve.

There are several truths that are apparent. Initially, quality technical assistance is a core component in helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Second, the success of the service provider community will come from the successes of the businesses they serve, not from competing with other technical assistance organizations. Finally, there is enough work to go around so every organization can find a role to play in this process. So, let us take the advice many of us in the technical assistance fields tell our clients; put the customer first. Now is the time for technical assistance organizations to reach out to others in the field to provide a seamless, educational, and training set of programs that entrepreneurs can access. We need to work together both as practitioners and clients to provide the economic and entrepreneurial health for communities that is at the core of what we all do. Remember Dr. King’s words,” We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

Jobs! Nearly 14 million Americans (at least) need one. That’s about 9 percent nationally, but the Congressional Black Caucus estimates that unemployment in the African American community is about 16 percent. That means that some 6.6 million blacks are without jobs. “And if you count those who have given up and those who are underemployed, that number climbs closer to 20 percent,” said U.S. House Representative Emanuel Cleaver II, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

In response to this community crisis, the CBC launched the “For the People” Jobs Initiative in August to connect job seekers with jobs. The five city tours featured an all-day job fair and a town hall meeting that put U.S. Representatives face-to-face with their constituents. House Representatives John Conyers and Hansen Clarke joined Cleaver and other CBC members in responding to Detroiters’ questions on the issue during the Detroit tour. A follow up to the town hall meeting is planned for Wednesday, September 14, 5 p.m., at the Detroit City Hall, 13th floor.

Some 4,000 job seekers stood for hours in long lines that zigzagged outside Wayne County Community College’s downtown campus, where the event was held. With forty companies guaranteeing openings, it is likely some people were hired. At the very least, the CBC launched the tours to foster hope and raise spirits, especially for the long-term unemployed.

Dwight Evans, who lost his job two years ago as certified and licensed process engineering and auditing contractor to the automotive industry, never thought he would suffer long time unemployment. Since he had been a star contractor, he didn’t expect to be laid off. He had a major role in helping his employer achieve key objectives and even represented its North American operations at headquarter meetings in Germany. Still, he was let go. “One day they called all the contractors into a meeting and told us to get your boxes, pack your things and leave,” he recalled.

With the main source of income for his family gone, his savings dwindled as the months passed. Eventually he filed bankruptcy and even lost his home in a Detroit suburb.

Evans wanted to find a position similar to the one he lost – and fast. From 7 am to 7 pm, he sent resumes, went on interviews and spent time honing his job and computer skills at the Michigan Works! Association Southfield office. “[It was as if] I worked there. When they opened I was there, and I was there until they closed,” noted Evans, who commends the Southfield agency staff for their professionalism and service.

Michigan Works! agencies provide a host of workforce development programs and services-job banks, resume writing, interviewing techniques and training-for individuals seeking employment.

While no quick fixes surfaced for Evans, he remained steady and consistent. “I knew I would have to be able to hit the ground running,”  he said. But it wasn’t easy. Over the age of 40, a time when most have long finished with their education, Evans decided to return to school. Through Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind Program, he received $5,000 to help pay for classes at the Lawrence Institute of Technology. The program pays up to $5,000 in tuition so unemployed individuals can be trained in certain fields. A year later, Evans earned a graduate certificate in project management, finishing with a near perfect grade point average and an award for a winning graphic design. As contest winner, his design is showcased throughout the LIT library as an icon for publications written by LIT students, faculty and alumni.

In February, Evans landed a new position with MicroMax, a company that links skilled professionals with clients. He heard about the job through a colleague with whom he exchanged business cards years ago, but it wasn’t until this year his acquaintance needed his expertise for a company project and gave him a call. Evans said he’s just glad his skills were still sharp for the task. Now, “everything is working quite well,” said Evans, who works full-time while pursuing a master’s degree.

Evans’ advice for the unemployed:

• Keep your skills sharp: Hone your skills through whatever is available to you, either online or through programs such as the Michigan Works! Office
• Be serious and dedicated about participating in those programs
• If you are an older job seeker, consider ‘contract houses’ that match your skills to clients that need them
• Don’t give up!

With millions seeking employment, job competition is stiffer than ever. Take advantage of opportunities that keep your skills fresh and desirable to employers.

Send your employment stories and job fair notices to jobsdetroitblackpages@gmail.com.

Aundrea Bradford is a freelance media professional whose work has appeared in EBONY magazine, The Atlanta Tribune and several books, newsletters and bulletins.

More often than not whenever the topic of commercial real estate comes up amongst African Americans, it is typically limited to a discussion of apartment buildings and Section 8 rental housing. While this sector (particularly now) is popular and growing at a very steady pace due to the sluggish housing market and lack of new construction. It is not the most profitable, nor the most preferable investment sector to invest in.

Savvy investors are aware of the options of investing in single or multi-tenant commercial properties such as office buildings, industrial buildings, strip centers (Not Strip Clubs) and distribution facilities.

Most apartment properties in the Metro Detroit area are trading between, $5,000 to $7,000 per unit. Then you have to pay all of the expense of rehabbing, finding tenants and fixing toilets. Let’s take single tenant retail for instance.  For about the same amount of money it costs to buy an apartment property, you can purchase a Family Dollar, Dollar Tree or Dollar General discount store and receive a steady predictable income stream, without paying TAXES, INSURANCE, or MAINTENANCE. At an average building size of 9,000 square feet, this means (You) the landlord can collect $9,750 to $11,250 per month GUARANTEED for the next 10 to 15 years.

Detroit offers some of the highest yields in the nation and foreign investors in particular are “quietly” buying up Detroit commercial real estate. Many of the discount stores you see popping up all over the city are paying $13 to $15 per square foot in rent. There are more ways to make money in commercial real estate, other than Section 8 and apartment buildings!

By Carmen Carter

In the past 12 years, Jackets for Jobs, Inc. has assisted more than 14,000 individuals with vari-ous needs.  The nonprofit organiza-tion provides year-round educational programs to men and women resid-ing in the Metropolitan Detroit area; and addresses the challenges associ-ated with employment search, office etiquette, entering the workforce and balancing the demands of work and home.  Over the years, the need for outreach services have increased and JFJ is always seeking unique means to expand and better serve clients.  On Thursday, September 8, within two hours JFJ in partnership with T.J. Maxx distributed more than 600 women’s jackets to college stu-dents and women 18 years and older.  The weather was brisk; some of the women put on their jackets before they left the building.  The jackets, valued at $150 each, were distributed from JFJ’s downtown office located at 455 W. Fort St., in Detroit and are not available in stores.    “Many of the women stopped to tell us how much they ap-preciate receiving their jacket.  And we accept this response as further endorsement of the need for the work we are doing and will continue to help others.  T.J. Maxx has provided JFJ with tremendous support and we our proud of the many things we have accomplished together,” said

Alison Vaughn, Founder/CEO of JFJ.  Before the doors open at 10 a.m., women were lined up on Fort Street waiting to pick up a free jacket.  Local media were ton the premises as well and attributed to the successful turn out.  “Everyday, men and women walk thorough the doors of Jackets-For-Jobs eager to enter or re-enter the workforce.  At T. J. Maxx, we share a unique bond with Jacket-For-Jobs and their long-standing mission of helping many of the citizens of the great city of Detroit in building the self-assurance necessary to succeed in today’s workforce.  Jacket-For-Jobs and T.J. Maxx prides itself in supporting its local constituents to obtain the professional guidance, re-spect and encouragement that every individual deserves and needs as they transition into the workforce,” said Anthony Jerome Smalls, Vice Presi-dent, Community Relations, The TJX Companies, Inc.  JFJ has been recognized by “The Today Show” (NBC), Oprah’s O Magazine, as well as most Michigan magazines and newspapers.  After a nationwide search, Star Jones, Barba-ra Walters and crew of the television show “The View” selected JFJ as 1 of 4 charities to support; and the benefits from this opportunity have been con-sistent for nearly a decade.  JFJ is also linked to Donald Trumps,’ “The Ap-prentice,” and has received proceeds from charitable events created on its behalf by casts from season 1, 2 & 3.For more information, visitjackeforjobs.orgorcall (313) 579-9160—————————————Contact Carmen Carter at:Carmen@cjcmediagroup.com

By: Thomas E Hardiman Sr.

Many of us are aware of the changing world economy. However, it seems that most people are not paying attention. The U.S. budget for 2012 will be $3.7 Trillion dollars with a shortfall of $1.1 Trillion dollars.  The U.S. paid $515 billion dollars in interest payments on its debt in 2010. In addition, our economy took a devastating financial hit in the fall of 2008 and has yet to recover from the near financial collapse of the strongest country in the world.

Traditional factory jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate due to an abundance of plant closings and competition from cheap foreign labor. Financial institutions are not loaning money to anyone without a stellar credit report; and our educational system is falling further behind other countries in math and science.

Over the last several years we have seen homes decrease in value and an unemployment rate hovering over 9%. We have witnessed the near collapse of the American auto industry, with the bankruptcy of General Motors, the world’s most powerful corporation for the greater part of the 20th century, in 2009.

With all the signs of change around us, it appears that the African American community as a whole is not paying attention.  African Americans must recognize that the world is becoming smaller.  Since the invention of the Internet, we now have information at our finger tips and access to tons of information that previously took weeks and sometimes months of research. Information is now available in an instant.        As the economies around the world change before us, will the African American community know what must be done in order to survive in the new world economy?
In an article recently published in USA Today, it was noted that businesses in America, including small businesses, must widen their vision because a lot of foreign countries are gaining on American businesses and in some respects surpassing them.  Five of the world’s fastest growing economies are China, India, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa.

In order to grow and sustain our economy, we must have qualified workers that have the necessary skills to perform in a high tech world with more exports than imports, and ample employment that enables our citizens to purchase goods and services.
Technology is certainly a needed part of this growth.  This equates to having individuals who are proficient in science and math.  Let’s look for a moment at the tragedy currently facing the African American community.

Whenever any segment of our society suffers, it eventually hurts the entire society. According to the Schott Foundation for Public Education, the rate at which African American males are dropping out of school or being placed in special education far exceeds the rate at which they are graduating and reaching high levels of academic achievement.  There must be a deliberate and intense focus that disrupts and redirects the current educational trajectory for African American males.
If we don’t get a handle on education, we are doomed to see more and more of our African American boys ending up in prison with no hope of anything outside of a troubled life. With little hope for anything above poverty, our young African American males will seek alternative means of achievement, which will have a tragic impact on society as a whole.  This may seem harsh; however, it is a strong reality.  During a recent workshop, Roy Roberts, the newly appointed emergency manager for the Detroit Public Schools said, “We don’t have a choice.  Either we invest in our youth today, or we program them for prison tomorrow.” Therefore, Mr. Roberts does not have a choice but to make the education system work in Detroit.  The consequences will be dire.  A 50% drop-out rate among African American males, will not lend much hope for most of them to enjoy the so called “American Dream.”      Therefore, it is imperative that business leaders get together and work hand in hand with governmental officials, school administrators, and caring community leaders to help address this problem.  America is a great country.  However, it will not continue to be great if we allow our young African American men to fail on such a large scale.  If we don’t work together, we will all lose in the long run.

President/CEO

ELE Wealth Management, LLC
Ellis Liddell is president of ELE Wealth Management, LLC in Southfield, Michigan. He is also the author of “Wealth Management: Merging Faith with Finance”. Mr. Liddell can be reached at (248) 356-6555 or through his website: www.elewealth.com Securities offered through Geneos Wealth Management, Member FINRA/SIPC. Ellis Liddell Insurance Licenses CA #oD32985, AR #350776

Fine Words Will Not Grow Wheat

by David Rambeau

Everybody in Detroit wants to eat, but nobody wants to farm.  At least nowhere near the number of people needed to provide food security for the 700,000 Detroit residents; about half of whom are unemployed, under-employed, hungry, on fixed income while enduring rising food prices, or receiving food stamps.  In spite of these challenges, clearly folk in Detroit are eating since Detroit was once named the fattest city in America.  Maybe if they had to raise their own food they’d have more respect for their bodies and more awareness of the nutritional and counter-intuitive value of what they’re consuming.  But, unfortunately, that is not the case.

In addition, there are also about 300,000 young people in metro Detroit who receive free meals in their schools.  Would it be possible for them to take botany (a science class), a gardening class or an agricultural curriculum so they could learn to raise the food they need to have so they won’t go hungry or malnourished on a daily basis?

To any logical thinking person this would seem obvious, but societies have been studied and known to collapse for failing to make the social, political and economic changes necessary for survival.  Detroit, specifically Black Detroit, seems to be on this multi-faceted path to implosion.  (Read “Collapse” by Jared Diamond)

This year a private developer wanted to farm 1,000 acres of vacant land in Detroit controlled by the city government.  He was allotted three acres.  He should have been given 3,000 acres.  One resident in the neighborhood where he wanted to farm claimed, she didn’t want to live on a “plantation”.  What has Detroit been for the last 100 years but one large auto plantation?  With global competition in the auto industry, mismanagement and the economic downturn, Detroit has become a vast deplantation which has led to the exodus of over one million people, not to return any time soon.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., appeared before the Detroit City Council and called urban farming ”cute but foolish”.  With 50,000 unproductive vacant lots in the city, how can anyone who knows anything about agriculture; call the potential to raise $25,000,000 worth of crops per year, “cute”?  The math is elementary: 50,000 lots x $500 worth of produce per lot = $25,000,000.  Or put another way, a harvest large enough to feed everybody in need of food.

That’s not including the benefits of development of community and harmony with nature; so lacking in Detroit.   Reverend CBF might consider urban gardening/farming inappropriate, and the Detroit City Council may agree with him as demonstrated by their inaction on the issue, but the need continues to stare all of us in the face.

Michigan is one of the leading agricultural states in this nation experiencing a bumper crop this year while other farm states, Texas, Arkansas, Georgia and others, are suffering from drought.  Meanwhile, Detroit is having a bumper crop of grass, weeds, lawns, brush and vines.  Climate change has become a fact of life world-wide and we’re living in an area with abundant water supplies, at least for the time being, so we need to take advantage of what natural forces have provided.  But we aren’t; and with this wrong-headed behavior and pathetic advice, we will surely come to regret it.