Hey, it’s Jer.

I’m writing this from the porch of a hotel on Mackinac Island, as it’s that time of year again: The Mackinac Policy Conference.

Put together by the Detroit Regional Chamber, from my personal experience it’s a great place for us to get sit down conversations for the podcast we wouldn’t get downstate — and a sense of where things are going regionally. After all, it’s hard to run away from my questions when you’re on an island!

From the Chamber’s own materials:

The 2022 Conference will focus on the business community’s changing civic role in polarizing times, highlighting the areas in which Michigan’s business community can set an example:
  • Advancing diversity as a strength.
  • Utilizing civility and facts in public discourse.
  • Building a culture of empathy.
  • Advocating for the fundamental tenets of American democracy.

All reasonable things, in my book.

I’d describe the work at the conference as having a focus on trying to get practical things done in the world we’re living in today. Because at the end of the day, running a business, you have to deal in facts and reality or you go eventually go bust.

My worry in all of this is that our political discourse has noticeably gone from some policy and ideas to sheer tribalism, based on the north star of “the guy I like hates them, so I hate them too.”

That isn’t a way to run a city, region, state, or country.

And I hope for better things, even though I know it’ll be a hard road to get there. So I’m here through Friday, I hope to have some good conversations to share with you, and answering some of the questions listeners have sent me to chase down.

On to the local stories of today. As always, my analysis is in italics. If you haven’t been here before and want to sign up for the free email newsletter, you can do it below.

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What to know….

» Did the Detroit’s mayor knowingly share the name of a confidential Federal informant? Towing has historically been a hub of corruption not only in Detroit, but across the region. Recently, (now former) councilman Andre Spivey resigned his post after being convicted of taking almost $36k in bribes. A Detroit News article published Tuesday gets to the heart of the allegation:

After getting advance notice by Spivey of a federal investigation in June, Duggan moved to capitalize on the scandal and shared the informant's identity with multiple people, according to four sources familiar with the investigation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

In response, Duggan held an impromptu press conference up here at Mackinac (which I attended) and denied any wrongdoing. He said he did not knowingly disclose the identity of a confidential source, and that it was his responsibility to act when he knew about illegal activity. “No one to this day from any federal agency has reached out to me” and suggested or told him this tower had become a confidential source.

This will be interesting to watch. Detroit - not just the city, but the region - has been dogged by corruption scandals as of late. Towing needs severe reform, and to protect taxpayer dollars it may make more sense for the larger cities in town to have their own towing fleets and only use private contractors in a pinch.

» ICYMI, the iconic Traffic Jam and Snug restaurant burned Friday. Detroit firefighters are calling it a total loss.

  • Traffic Jam has been around since 1965 and is the first legal brewpub in Michigan. They got that distinction in 1992 after a decade-long legal fight.
  • Located on Canfield in the Cass Corridor, it’s seen Detroit’s ups and downs.
  • As an employer lots of people were talking about positively on social media.
  • Owner Scott Lowell is on the Poland-Ukraine border doing humanitarian work and found out by text message.
  • Shinola and Third Man Records next door are undamaged due to a firewall.
  • The fire started around 2 a.m., but the cause of the fire is unknown.
  • This is one of a number of recent restaurant fires in the city.
  • And yes, as of this writing, it’s caught fire again. They can’t figure out the cause, as there’s so much rubble they can’t get to it.

[Eater Detroit] [Metro Times] [ClickOnDetroit] [Detroit News] [WWJ]

I have a lot of memories of this place. My favorite dish there was “Help me Elvis, I’m in a Pickle!” because fried pickles are the best. Now, it’s the restaurant in a pickle. We talk about our memories and more on the podcast:

» There are new renderings and a map for The District Detroit, focusing on the University of Michigan, office and commercial spaces, and covering I-375 with a green space. They say what’s different this time is the focus on jobs instead of entertainment. [Urbanize Detroit]

Even though Stephen Ross and U of M are involved, you gotta forgive me for feeling like Charlie Brown and Lucy with the football with more renderings. I’m confident the U of M stuff would get built. But with the shift in work, is betting on more office space a good idea? I have questions.

» Great Lakes Coffee on Woodward in Midtown won’t reopen. Closing after a COVID outbreak in January, it became the focus a strike and unionization effort by their workers demanding $15 an hour and better working conditions. The workers, supported by UNITE HERE, still plan to file an Unfair Labor Practice complaint. The company continues on with four Detroit area locations, one in Florida, and a roasting business. [Freep] [Comrades in Coffee]

We predicted on the podcast this was going to happen.

» Apparently, Detroit’s dock at the Port of Detroit isn’t big enough for a cruise ship new to the Great Lakes. It means that tourists arrive at the freight docks three miles down the shore — not the best look in any city. Dockings have nearly doubled since 2019. [Detroit News]

Ahoy hoy: Who knew that lake cruises would become a thing? I hope that even if they do decide to expand the downtown facility that they do something to make things nicer somehow at the freight dock for tourists.

» The parents of the suspected Oxford school shooter want their trials moved out of Oakland County. Their lawyer argues that the couple deserve a jury that’s not been through the pain and trauma of the shootings. [Freep]

  • Oxford High students walked out of school on Thursday in support of those murdered in Uvalde. [NPR]

» Five Republicans candidates for Michigan governor, including former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, have been booted from the race for submitting fraudulent petition signatures. [Michigan Radio]

My two cents: Former U.S. Rep Candice Miller (and current Macomb County Public Works Commissioner and occasional podcast guest) gets it right on this one. Putting together valid petition signatures is a basic task that shows voters you’re competent and a good first test. [Detroit News]

» The final decision is in, and Royal Oak’s Main Art Theatre will meet the wrecking ball. It will be replaced by a five-story mixed used building at 11 Mile and Main Street with 53 apartments, office space and retail. It will have the old marquee on it. [Daily Tribune]

» “Wolf Hound,” an action film set in WWII and shot in large part in Michigan, shows feature film talent in the state. Director and filmmaker Michael B. Chait is from metro Detroit and is my guest on the podcast ahead of the June 3 release. [Daily Detroit Podcast] [Trailer]

» Four electric buses are now part of Detroit’s city fleet. The goal is to run quieter, cleaner, and reduce maintenance. If these are successful, we’ll see more on the road.

⚜️ Le Rouge Report

» Fletcher Sharpe shares some key insights into the upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and we get into the importance of the June matches for Detroit City FC.

» Billy Forbes will be unavailable for a number of games as he’s the captain of his home nation’s international team, Turks and Caicos Islands. [DCFC]

» Don’t forget to check out the Prideraiser that Northern Guard is supporting. Money is donated every goal to the Ruth Ellis Center, helping address LGBTQ+ homeless issues. [Prideraiser]

And we’re done for today. I’m pretty sure I’ll have more notes this week as there’s a lot going on up here and around town.

As always if you want to support the work, think about buying us a coffee:

Buy a coffee!

Thanks for reading and we’ll talk soon.

-Jer

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