Hamtramck Star

This letter from Janusz Zurowski of Polonia restaurant was published in The Citizen last week. In related news, Polonia Restaurant is for sale.

Who will pay when our elected officials make mistakes?

June 27, 2008 rainstorm reminded Hamtramck residents who pays the price when city officials make mistakes. Some time ago, when the infrastructure for our city was planned, someone underestimated the drainage capacity for the city. What happens now when we get lots of rain - not surprising - water in our basements - standing water in the streets - and who pays for the damage - of course, we do.

Imagine now, what would happen if the ill conceived plan of putting 51 apartments over the Aldi store would realized. What would happen to the sewage from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors while the sewer lines are filled up. That sewage would have to go somewhere, and the only place it could go - is basements in the surrounding area. What a great idea - on part of the city officials - to take an already existing problem and add some raw sewage to it. Is this what we elected them for? I don't think so.

Where is the insight of long term planning? Where is the study of what the infrastructure can support? Where is the study of traffic patterns? Where is the study of quality of life for the dwellers of the new apartments? Will they put their lawn chairs on the Campau sidewalk during hot summer days? Where would their kids play - in the Campau traffic or the garbage filled alleys? Perhaps they would play on the parking lot between the parked cars? Who will pay for the higher level of city services that are always needed for low income housing? After all - the apartments would be allowed to pay a fee in lieu of taxes that would amount from 0 to 10 percent what Hamtramck homeowners pay. Someone would have to pay the difference. Why none of the city officials can answer these questions? Have they failed to plan? Do they lack the insight? Do they plan to stick the taxpayers with millions of dollars of new taxes for infrastructure that will be required after the apartments are built?

How inept are the city officials in making plans - at the expense of the taxpayers? One example of this is the sprinkler system installed on Campau and Evaline-Yemans parking lot. Water has been running there since June 27, and no one cares enough to shut off the valve. After all, the city officials will not pay the water bill - it will be paid by the Hamtramck tax payers.

If the city officials do not care what residents need, nor have the insight to do the studies and consult the electorate on major plans that will effect drastically people already residing the community - then they are missing the point what public service is. We need to hear the truth before decisions are made. Hush, hush, backroom deals is not what we expect from our elected representatives. If the citizens are not allowed to decide on the future of their city - then the only option left is change in city government.

Janusz Zurowski, Yemans Street