CARTOONS of the WEEK: Governor Gives Students a Lesson in Political Economics; Downriver Elections Relatively Trick-Free

The Press & Guide - October 28

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm gave students throughout the state - and particularly those in Dearborn - a lesson in "political economics" by threatening school budgets in an emotion-provoking attempt to leverage other options, including tax increases.



The News-Herald - October 28
The Downriver municipal elections this year have been, relatively, "trick or treat" free. While there are many important races, the campaigns seem to have been straightforward with a focus on making the communities better. However, don't get me started on Ecorse ...

That's the Point!

CARTOONS of the WEEK: Ecorse Financial Soap Opera; Good News in Dearborn Education

The News-Herald - October 21
The municipal soap opera that is Ecorse finances continued last week, as city officials appeared at a hearing held by the State Treasurer to argue that the city does not need an independent financial manager. OK. I have nothing to add.

The Press & Guide - October 21
Sometimes, it's good to celebrate a success, especially when it comes to local education. Press & Guide Editor Tim Powers agreed that the re-tooling of the Dearborn Virtual Academy to include live instructors, to enhance the learning experience and sucess of students, was just such a topic. Editorial cartoons are about supporting the community; and sometimes that means cheerleading instead of jeering.
That's the Point!

CARTOON of the WEEK - Turning Around the City of Detroit: Like Coaching the Lions

Crain's Detroit Business - October 19

I don't think there's a more challenging mayoral job in the United States right now, than Mayor Dave Bing faces in Detroit. The legacy of his predicessor and the current economy only exacerbate the situation. His suggestions, options and proposed solutions to the various urgent problems facing his administration are met, at every turn, with obstacles and objections from political opponents, unions and others. With all this going on at City Hall, just about two miles away, new Lions Coach Jim Schwartz faces similar problems with the city's long-suffering NFL franchise. The parallel is obvious, and sometimes it's not so bad to take a light-hearted look at some difficult situations. Thankfully, my editors at Crain's Detroit Business agreed!
That's the Point!


Off the Drawing Board: This was an alternative idea for the Detroit turnaround cartoon that I presented to my editors at Crain's. Another "double take," but this one playing - obviously, I hope - on a recent national/international news story. In a broad sense, I think I liked this concept a little better; however, the completely local focus of the concept that ran in the October 19 edition was more appropriate to the metro Detroit-focus of CDB.

CARTOONS of the WEEK: Too much bad news to be funny, and thank goodness for local politicians!

The News-Herald - October 14
Sometimes the news is so depressing that there's just nothing funny about it! The past few days Downriver reflected that kind of news, leaving the only "good news" - the Lions lost again, an' were just a few weeks away from another Michigan winter. *uhg* Sorry, readers ... let's hope for a Downriver politician doing something stupid next week!

The Press & Guide - October 14
... and, speaking of local politicians, a Dearborn Councilman's residency (Dearborn, or somewhere in Florida?) has come into question. Well, that kind of stuff makes for great cartoon comment - even if the investigation hasn't been completed.

That's the Point!

CARTOONS of the WEEK: Funding local education and planning for metro mass transit

The News-Herald, October 7

Every school district depends on maximum attendance on "count day" to secure state funding for education programs. Downriver, in the Taylor School District, Randall Elementary School was visited by "Laura," an African elephant from a wildlife preserve, as an incentive to students to attend on count day. Editor Karl Ziomek and I thought it would make a great visual, and an opportunity to comment on the importance of the day to all the Downriver school systems.

The Press & Guide, October 7
School funding is a critical issue to every community. With the current Michigan state budget uncertainty, and the mis-aligned budget cycle of the state government and local districts, the funding challenge is substantial. Editor Tim Powers and I kicked around a couple of takes on this commentary, but agreed that "... out of the mouths of babes" was the best way to present this issue.

Crain's Detroit Business, October 5
Regional Detroit mass transit - or more accurately, the lack of it - has been an issue all my life. The "Big 4" ... the elected leaders of Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, and the Mayor of the city of Detroit all recently agreed on the formation of a Regional Transit Authority to focus upon real plans and solutions for the metro area. Nonetheless, I anticipate there will be some debate over who, exactly, gets to drive the bus!

That's the point!