2008-07-16 Letters

‘Rights’ ordinance would open door to wrong kinds of people

      It appears that neither our City Councilmembers nor The Citizen carefully analyzed the wording of the recently enacted “Human Rights Ordinance.”

      It is apparent that the broad terminology chosen opens the door to certain types of behavior unacceptable to everyone, including gays and lesbians.

      As you mentioned, our community has a long history of tolerance. Everyone’s rights are also already protected by the Constitution. We don’t need this ordinance with its legal ramifications. As a taxpayer, I am tired of seeing court judgments on my tax bills.

John Henning

Hamtramck

City needs to attract more people, not turn them away

      This Human Rights squabbling is ridiculous. As I drive up and down Jos. Campau, I cringe at all the “For Lease” signs and empty storefronts.

      I wonder if we are really in a position to make anyone feel unwelcome or unprotected in this city.

      Does a transgendered individual use a different form of currency to buy his or her groceries? Does a Polish person use different coins to feed a parking meter than an individual from Bangladesh?

      We need the young, old, skinny, overweight, white, black, European, Asian, Middle Eastern, Bangladeshi, Yemeni, gay, straight, employed, unemployed, “abled,” disabled and on and on and on.

      This ordinance protects every citizen in Hamtramck and better yet, potential residents and visitors of Hamtramck. And if the gays happen to bring their $3 dollar bills, at least they’re spending them. 
 
Mike Davis

Hamtramck

Hamtramck’s ethnic history speaks of tolerance, not discrimination

      I support Hamtramck’s recently adopted “Human Rights Ordinance,” and

Applaud The Citizen in its support of the ordinance as well. 

      The Citizen’s keen observation of the division that can take place if voters choose to deny the ordinance and the effects that will be readily felt throughout our

neighborhoods, warrants sound judgment. 

     Any one resident in our community with sound judgment can see that if we

choose not to adopt this ordinance we are officially documenting the denial of 

Hamtramck’s ethnic heritage: the perpetual acceptance of all colors and

kinds. 

      If you believe otherwise, please categorize yourself as the restaurant

owner practicing separate bathrooms for blacks and whites. Or label yourself as

the landlord who tells someone of whom you’ve only known through phone inquiry

that they can’t live in your apartment because they wear a hijab. 

    The point is this, we don’t practice these acts of malice, and the

ordinance attempts to ensure that it will never happen.

      The City of Hamtramck is the summation of all our colors and kinds.  One

city.  One people of many cultures.  We are a kaleidoscope of diversity viewed

together as a beautiful model of what can happen when we embrace that diversity.

     It’s a shame that someone from Midland, MI who has never contributed to

our economy by frequenting our restaurants or bars, or living in our

neighborhoods would claim they know what’s best for our city.  Get real Gary

Glenn. Turn your divisive tactics into a game of equally

reflective solitaire.  I’ll even buy you a deck of cards to play with. 

Richard Sparks

Proud Hamtramck Property Owner

Anti ‘rights’ group is stirring up bigotry

      I was offended by the recent opinion piece in The Citizen about Hamtramck's new

“Human Rights Ordinance.”

      Hamtramck took the right step in banning discrimination

in employment and housing. Discrimination should never be tolerated, and as a

community we must stand against intolerance and affirm the ordinance in order to

protect all residents, workers and visitors to our city.

      Outsiders are now trying to overturn the ordinance. The hate-filled American

Family Association, based in Midland, has been lying about the ordinance and is

trying to stir up fear of minorities, including gays and lesbians, to advance

their agenda. We must be united against these biased interest groups from

outside Hamtramck. The head petitioner is actually from Ypsilanti! 

      I encourage all Hamtramck voters to see through the lies, fear tactics and bigotry heading our way. Vote NO on any repeal effort.

Bob Wicke

Hamtramck

Through the effort of city and volunteers, Jos. Campau plant boxes now function

      Whether they like it or hate it, everyone shared one opinion regarding the Jos. Campau streetscape.

      Namely, the planter boxes were a disgrace. Since completion in 2004, irrigation, electrical and soil problems, coupled with poor plant selection, conspired to create a situation that detracted from rather than enhanced the appearance of the downtown strip.

      Over the years, numerous individuals and civic groups tried to improve the condition of the boxes, but without necessary infrastructure repairs the results were marginal and short lived. As a member of the Beautification Commission, I was constantly apologizing for being unable to solve the large problems that kept the streetscape perpetually unfinished. Finally, this spring, the hard work of two separate city departments produced results of which we can all be proud.

      First, Marcia Gebarowski of the Downtown Development Authority organized a streetscape sub-committee. Ms. Gebarowski and the committee members, Joan Bitner, Betty Zwolak, Ed Mepham and Andy Dow, did what no one before them could. They solved the electrical issues that prevented the irrigation system from working at all and improved the system so that finicky and damaged sprinkler heads would no longer be an issue. Their efforts provided the crucial foundation for the next step in the landscaping process.

      That step was taken by 31st District Court Judge Paul Paruk. I have had the privilege of working on the many city improvement projects he organized and was keenly aware of his strong opinions regarding the appearance of the planter boxes. As soon as the boxes were in a condition to support life, Judge Paruk had expert landscapers on Jos. Campau amending soil and planting flowers.

      He spent his own time and energy to find the right people, the right materials and the right plans to move the project from the hypothetical to the actual. I have no doubt that without Judge Paruk's determination and ability to resolve this issue in a timely fashion the project would have languished.

      Ms. Gebarowski, the DDA streetscape sub-committee, and Judge Paruk have my gratitude and appreciation for finally turning a source of frustration into a point of pride.

Sean Kowalski

Hamtramck