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Close to the Edge
Will Christmas wishes come true?
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By Scott Spielman |
It’s sometimes hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us, given the near balmy temperatures we’ve experienced lately.
Here it is, though, weeks away, and I have yet to start my Christmas shopping. Shopping for my friends and family will be hard enough—I’ve only got so many bottles to return—but when you factor in what I would get for the various municipalities in western Wayne County, well, it becomes a very difficult task.
True, I’m no Santa Claus, but if I were, here’s what I’d bring to some of the communities in our coverage area.
Wayne
Wayne will need a drive-through valium dispenser next year to keep all the drivers on Michigan Avenue calm.
The road will be torn up for most of the year in a major reconstruction project and there’s nothing like slow moving traffic on an otherwise fast road to fuel incidents of road rage. On the other hand, it could help places like Lia & TJs donut shop; people will be able to navigate through the drive-thru lane without missing their place on Michigan Avenue.
I’d bring a boatload of money to the volunteers trying to restore the Historic Wayne Theatre, too. The once-prominent structure would be a major boon for the downtown area, if this coup could be pulled off.
Organizers of the effort have guess that it would cost $4.5 million, though, and that’s a tough peak to climb.
I would, of course, keep a little funding off to the side to help fund the Wheelfest, too. Organizers of the annual festival are facing a fundraiser effort, too, to keep it the staple of the community that it always has been.
Westland
I’d bring a portable metal-detector stand to Central City Park so anyone with concerns about the levels of lead in the soil could be somewhat mollified. Before anyone gets too upset, I know that this wouldn’t solve anything and I hate to be so flippant about what is a huge issue with some people. It’s just my nature.
I would bring council president and probable Mayor Bill Wild a cadre of advisors, too. Wild will most likely take over for Mayor Sandra Cicirelli when she assumes the bench at the beginning of the year. Wild will most likely do a good job in the role but his first few weeks—with the park issue and the appointment of two people to the council—may be a bit rocky. I’d also give this cadre of advisors a little note to slip to the other members of the council to make his appointment unanimous. There’s no reason starting the new year off with acrimony, is there?
These are a few of the presents I would gift wrap, if I were able. Of course, I’m always curious to learn about yours.
