Oakland commissioners reject bid to link DIA tax approval to Wayne, Macomb - detroitnews.com
Pontiac— A proposal to link Oakland County's vote on a millage for the Detroit Institute of Arts to identical measures in Macomb and Wayne counties was defeated Thursday by the Board of Commissioners.
The board voted 15-10 against the resolution, which would have stipulated that Oakland County wouldn't have to pay its share of the millage if either Wayne or Macomb voters rejected the tax in August.
The DIA is seeking a regional 10-year, 0.2-mill tax to pay for operations, allowing the institute to focus on raising money for an operational fund which they say will be a better business model for the future.
The tax would cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $20 per year. It's expected to raise $23 million: $11 million from Oakland, $9 million from Wayne and $3 million from Macomb.
If either Wayne or Macomb voters do not approve the millage, Oakland County would still pay the $11 million if voters pass it.
"It was sold originally to us a month ago as a regional tax that needed all three communities. Now they would take Oakland County taxpayers' money only," said Commissioner Christine Long, R-Commerce Township, who supported Thursday's resolution and voted against putting the tax on the ballot last month.
"It's just clear that we could be stuck carrying the load, paying the bill again. Wayne County could walk free. Macomb county could walk free," said Commissioner Robert Gosselin, R-Troy, who also voted for the proposal tying the counties' votes together.
Voting against the proposal were Republicans Kathy Crawford of Novi, Bill Dwyer of Troy, Chairman Michael Gingell of Pontiac, Bob Hoffman of Highland and Thomas Middleton of Clarkston.
All of the Democratic commissioners voted against the proposal.
Birmingham Commissioner David Potts, one of the Republicans who has supported the millage, voted against the proposal. He said bonding the issue with Macomb County sets a "dangerous precedent."
"If we adopt and support this resolution, we are ceding Oakland County's sovereignty to a county we don't always agree with and we don't match up with demographically," he said.
Commissioner Craig Covey, D-Ferndale, said linking Oakland County to Macomb and Wayne counties would take away voters' voices.
"We created this arts authority. We voted to allow voters of our county to vote on a millage in August," he said. "This amendment would negate what the voters are saying."
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BJP chief gets an earful from RSS - deccanchronicle.com
RSS bigwigs reportedly gave BJP state president K.S. Eshwarappa an earful for his remarks that the BJP government rode to power in 2008 relying on money and caste power. The BJP chief had ignited a fresh controversy in the ruling party with loyalists of former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa—many of whom had shifted from the Congress and JD(S) to the BJP— expressing outrage over his remarks.
The BJP president had said that the Yeddyurappa government was formed by launching Operation Kamala with money and caste playing a prime role. With the BJP just having emerged from a severe crisis, RSS functionaries reportedly advised Eshwarappa to focus on balancing the interests of different groups instead of raking up controversies. Soon after the rebuke, Eshwarappa denied making the statement attributed to him.
Downing defiant after Liverpool nightmare - Football
Published: 07 Jun 2012 - 18:17:36
England winger Stewart Downing believes he has emerged a stronger player after being given a critical mauling during his debut season at Liverpool.
The 27-year-old was a controversial inclusion in Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad after a difficult first year at Anfield which saw him contribute precisely zero goals or assists to Liverpool's league campaign.
Downing's difficulties have seen him become the butt of Internet jokes -- a Youtube compilation of his 2011/2012 highlights features a blank screen -- but the midfielder shrugs off the jibes.
"Criticism makes you stronger," the winger told reporters in Krakow on Thursday.
"You are always going to get criticised at a big club like Liverpool but it is a great club to play for.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my first season and I am sure we will be better next year."
Downing, who cost Liverpool £20 million last summer, often found himself in the firing line after a campaign that saw the club finish eighth.
The failure of Downing and other big-money signings ultimately cost manager Kenny Dalglish his job, with the Kop icon sacked last month before being replaced by Swansea's Brendan Rodgers.
However Downing believes Liverpool's eighth place finish did not reflect their form in general over the season.
"A lot has been said about Liverpool and the fact we didn't perform but we battered teams at Anfield at times," he said.
"I can think of one or two bad performances. Most of the time we were very unlucky.
"We just didn't have that killer instinct. The manager said there wasn't much you could say and that was probably right.
"But a lot of new players signed, we played in two cup finals and came away with a medal so there were a lot of positives to come out of it as well."
Downing, who could start for England in their Group D opener against France in Donetsk next Monday, is adamant that the Three Lions should have nothing to fear from Les Bleus despite their 21-match unbeaten streak.
"We don't fear them," he said. "France are a good team but so are we.
"We know their strengths and weaknesses. They are good going forward and have some great individual players.
"It will be a tough game but it is a great opening match for us to play and we are confident we can get a result against them."
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