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!

CARTOONS of the WEEK: Michigan's Budget Deadline Looms - Two Different Local Takes

The News-Herald - September 23

The Press & Guide - September 23

With an October 1 deadline looming for the state legislature to balance the Michigan budget, from a regional viewpoint, this topic was a natural for both The News-Herald and for The Press & Guide. However, I also like to keep things locally/community focused with my cartoon commentary and there were two local events that were easily woven into this gag.

Downriver, a wonderful dinner theater production of "The Carol Burnett Show" allowed me to give a comic spin to the budget debate; while an annual "Haunting Experience" upcoming in Dearborn let me give the topic a scary spin.

A regional issue that's important to us all and two local topics meaningful to readers of each paper, all combined into a couple of cartoon commentaries - a local cartoonist can't ask for better material for inspiration!

That's the point!

CARTOONS of the WEEK: Paying for Dearborn Parking, and Ecorse Investigations

The Dearborn Press & Guide, September 16

Metered paid parking has been an issue in Dearborn for more thank four years. These parking meter characters first appeared in one of my cartoons to lampoon the topic in September of 2005. Their quips won me my first SNA Award for "Best Editorial Cartoon" (seen below in "Off the Drawing Board") and I've called on them to make comments each time the issue has come up again.

That's the point!


Off the Drawing Board: When these parking meter characters first appeared in one of my cartoons, in 2005, they sported arms because they were necessary to the gag. Their latest appearance is without arms - for the very same reason!

The News-Herald, September 16
I made my first editorial cartoon comments about Ecorse's financial woes more than 20 years ago, when the city was the first in Michigan to enter receivership. In the subsequent years, the town's offered plenty of additional cartoon material - right up to this week! Who needs Kwame and the Detroit City Council? ... there's plenty of inspiration in our own backyard!

That's the point!

CARTOONS OF THE WEEK: Back to School!

The News-Herald - Wednesday, September 9

The Dearborn Press & Guide - Wednesday, September 9

Back to school is the universal signal for everyone that summer's ended. For the kids actually going back, it means a return to the regimentation of classroom work and homework, and struggling to fit the fun stuff in between. For old guys like me, it means the days are getting shorter and cooler, and that winter's chill is just a couple of months away. No matter your age, this time of year brings a little melancholy and that's what my editors - Karl Ziomek, of The News-Herald; and Tim Powers, of The Dearborn Press & Guide, let me reflect in these two cartoons.

It's not all melancholy, however. There will, after all, be plenty of cider and doughnuts before we have to start shoveling snow!

That's the point!

CARTOONS of the WEEK: A giant hamburger and help for an over-stressed animal shelter

The News-Herald - September 2
The "Man v. Food" TV show taping at Mallie's, featuring a 185.6 lb hamburger, gave me the perfect chance to cast Wimpy, of Popeye (and Thimble Theater) fame, in a local editorial cartoon; and the opportunity to pay tribute to one of my favorite Golden Age cartoonists - Popeye's creator, E.C. Seger.
That's the point!

The Press & Guide - September 2
After the story of the chihauhau dogs found in a Dearborn home just a month ago, more than two dozen cats were found in an abandoned Dearborn home this past week. The result is a seriously over-crowded and stressed Dearborn Animal Shelter. I took the opportunity to support the shelter and solicit help with this week's cartoon - and I took the opportunity to pay tribute to some more of my favorite cartoonists!
That's the point!