Howell Mini-Circles are going the way of Crystal Pepsi

The only thing good about Crystal Pepsi was the song for the commercial. The only good thing about those minicircles is that they are on their way out. Right now, the Howell mini-circles are on its last legs.

From the Argus:

Days are numbered for Howell’s mini-traffic circles after a divided City Council voted Monday to have them removed within 150 days.
It remains unclear whether $35,000 in undesignated city budget funds would be enough to cover the removal of all 16 circles.
But those who supported the removal said the project could be amended as needed.
“It’s a starting point, it may not be an ending point, but at least we have a framework,” said Councilman Doug Heins, who supported the removal.

...

Streets affected by the traffic circles include Center, Chestnut, East Washington, Fleming, Griswold, Isbell, Jewitt, Lake, Madison, McPherson, North Barnard, North Court, North Tompkins, Prospect, South Barnard, Spring, Summit, West, West Clinton, West Sibley and Wetmore.
The council voted 4-2 to remove the traffic circles.
Councilman Jeffrey Hansen joined Niblock in voting against the measure. Councilman Steven Manor was absent from Monday’s meeting.

 '
 Out of all the controversial projects with the streetscapes, those damn minicircles are probably the most controversial. While I don't care for the cost in removing them, spending the money on those things in the first place was worse. They obstruct vision, are confusing, make it tough for emergency vehicles to get through if needed (Howell had a fire last night), and aren't needed when there's already a four way stop at many of the minicircle intersections.

Vote to remove - Allen Schlittler, Doug Heins, Nick Proctor, Phil Campbell

Vote to keep - Scott Niblock, Jeffrey Hansen

Didn't vote - Steve Manor (probably supported the circles)

Upcoming 2013 Elections

The Secretary of State lists all the May Elections here.

There's three elections here in different parts of  Livingston County.

Hartland Schools and Dexter Schools have millage renewal proposals. I don't know who drew up the school boundaries to put a portion of Dexter schools in this county (Hamburg) since it doesn't make geographic sense. Interestingly with Dexter, the village is having a vote on incorporation. It may become a city.

We also have an uncontested primary for District 5's County Commissioner district covering Howell, Howell Township, and Cohoctah Township. Despite that, we need to make sure that our folks vote and vote for Don Parker. Parker may be uncontested, but a good primary showing for him may put momentum on our side for the August general election which IS contested.

There is going to be at least one election this August. District 5 County Commissioner's special general election. There may or may not be more. That depends on how many candidates run for City Councils.

Brighton and Howell City Council have their nonpartisan elections this year. If there are more than double the number of candidates per positions running, then we will have a primary and a general similar to the old southern style elections where there's a run-off.

From the Argus.

Howell City Clerk Jane Cartwright said Mayor Phillip Campbell is the only incumbent to have filed a petition.
Cartwright said Nick Proctor has filed to run for the council.
She said the mayor and three council seats are up for election in November. Cartwright said incumbents Jeff Hansen and Scott Niblock have pulled petitions, as have Daria Devantier, Nikolas Hertrich and Richard Grimes.

There could very well be a primary there. This could impact the Parker/Tipton race.

In Brighton, Susan Walters-Steinacker hopes to be the new face on the City Council by making her fifth bid for the seat.Walters-Steinacker said she has pulled petitions and is planning on running. “I think Councilmember (Jim) Bohn needs some help on protecting the residents of the city,” she said.

The four Brighton City Council seats up in this election belong to Claudia Roblee, Shawn Pipoly, Ricci Bandkau and Larry Schillinger.
Bandkau said she wants to run one more time.
“I do plan on running, but this will probably be my last time,” Bandkau said. “I have to stir the pot at least a couple more years.”

These elections don't get the hype of a presidential year, but are still extremely important. 

County Results and early Paul Scott results.

Some results are in.

Howell will be making some changes.
Mayor:
Phil Campbell - 669
Geri Moen - Incumbent - 499

Council:
Al Schlittler - quasi incumbent - 749
Doug Heins - 716
Steve Manor - incumbent - 615
Victoria Hertich - 454
Daria Devantier - 420

I'm not surprised by this. Joe Hune isn't as popular in the City of Howell as he is in Fowlerville. He's rather disliked by many of the establishment there. Joe still defeated Paul Rogers in the City of Howell in the primary. That was an opening set for challengers to the city government. Streetscape and its tax increase were the big issues there.

With that, I think one strategy backfired severely. Right before the election, the old boys/girls club circled the wagons. They came out with a letter of four former mayors (including Paul Rogers) backing the incumbents on the council and their favored challenger (Devantier). I think that hurt them bad and reinforced the status quo, streetscapes, and the like. Schlittler led the council votes, but was viewed as a moderate as a recent appointee and was supported by folks on both sides. Heins was a challenger and ran strong. Manor was the long term incumbent who survived. Moen was caught offguard by a strong challenger. Campbell worked extremely hard on this campaign and won.

In Brighton, all the incumbents win, as expected.

The millages in Green Oak are passing easily, as I expect. 2-1 margin+ for both of them. I also think this is helping the MEA/BEA in the Brighton School Board races. Minert (unofficially endorsed) will win, and Trombley started to pull away when Green Oak started reporting. What was a near tie is now a 190 vote deficit with six precincts to go. That's a small lead, except that the Green Oak precincts in so far both had major leads for Trombley over Rassel. Fiani is in the pack and won't catch Trombley.

Paul Scott's recall can go either way. Currently he's up 171 votes with 86% in.
Yes to Recall - 10,851
No to MEA - 11,022

Five precincts to report. I hope it's not Mundy Township that has yet to report. That's the roughest part of Paul's district.

It's going to be a close one tonight.

Election 2011 (Paul Scott, County races, MEA)

Many places have an election this upcoming Tuesday. Here's a list of the jurisdictions where there is an election.

In Livingston County we have several contested elections.
City of Brighton - Council
City of Howell - Council and Mayor
Brighton School Board
Green Oak Township millage.
I don't believe Pinckney Schools are contested. I haven't followed Byron, Morrice, Webberville, or Linden. Those school districts have elections, but they may or may not be contested.

Over in neighboring Genesee County, Paul Scott is up for a recall. The big reason he is being recalled is because the MEA doesn't like him. Instead of spending money on kids, the MEA put in over $150,000 towards defeating one person. Paul Scott. Paul Scott is chair of the education committee. If you are tired of the games the MEA plays, which include borderline and even illegal mailings, a message can be sent. Hopefully the 51st district will vote NO on the MEA recall. This recall is purely about the muscle and power of the MEA. This is the same MEA who is involved in intolerance, questionable mailings, and blatent lawbreaking. That is the MEA way. If Paul Scott survives the recall, it will be a major blow to the MEA leadership. Good luck to Paul Scott.

Speaking of the MEA, in Brighton, they have a sneaky mailing out endorsing Bill Trombley. Beth Minert has donated to MEA PAC in the past. The best choices for Brighton Schools are Nick Fiani and Greg Rassel. Fiani is a solid conservative and will be in the same mold as Miles Vieau. Rassel isn't with us 100%, but he is more good than bad and did not vote for the bad contracts. Fiani and Rassel are the best two running.

Brighton City Council. In the city, the incumbents are all running as a team with one challenger. Susan Walters Steinacker. Susan is the city watchdog closely scrutinizing all of the expenditures. The incumbents are Jim Bohn, Claudia Roblee, Jim Muzzin, and Chad Cooper. Muzzin and Cooper pushed to limit the call to the public. Bohn and Roblee opposed it. I took issue with Roblee back when she complained about the Bulldogs logo on some of the city decorations, but that's minor compared to limiting call to the public. That I did not support. Arrogance needs to be taught a lesson. The paper doesn't like Susan's brash style. Well, she's going to be brash at the council meetings anyway. If she's on the council, then there's no excuses. Overall though, I think the City of Brighton is a good shape considering the economy. There isn't a gigantic amount of mini-circles there and taxes raised for them.

That gets to the City of Howell. If I still lived there, I'd vote for Phil Campbell for Mayor. I'd vote for Victoria Hertich and Doug Heins for council. It's time to shake up the old boys and girls club there. Streetscape. Tax increases. Free speech zone proposals. Illegal ordinance restrictions on political bumper stickers and signs in car windows on election day. It's time for some changes. Campbell, Hertich, and Heins.

Lastly, Green Oak Township has a millage. Interestingly, the ballot committee did not turn in their campaign finance records on time. They are late and will be fined for each day until it is turned in. Their treasurer is Chuck Fellows, who was the state senate candidate against Joe Hune. You can't be late on those things.

Election day is Tuesday. Get informed. Get further informed. Once you are fully informed, vote. If you are not informed, don't vote.

Local Developments

Over in the City of Howell mayoral race, my State Senator Joe Hune (who represents the area in the senate) endorsed challenger Phil Campbell. A lot of times in down ticket races, people ask me "Who is the conservative?" Interestingly, they ask about the "conservative", not the "republican." (the incumbent is neither) I know Joe's been asked that question several times from residents, as I have. Hence, Joe's endorsement. Campbell is the conservative running.

Campbell would get my vote if I still lived there. His positions on issues are available on his site, and he's opposed to a lot of the streetscape projects (and the tax increase to pay for them) that have wasted taxpayer funds. He also goes into details about other issues and the attitudes elected officials should have towards the voters.

Here in Green Oak Township, we have another millage election. I get a bit dismayed when local officials don't get the message from the public the first time and try again next election. I'm not impressed. I'm voting no for that reason alone. I was actually quite on the fence for one of the proposals last time, but not at all this time. No way. Don't take pages out of the Charles Breiner Howell Schools playbook. If you lose, don't ask right away again.

For Brighton Schools, I support Greg Rassell for one position and am undecided on the other. Minert is MEA/Barry Goode. I need to find more information on Nick Fiani and Bill Trombley to make a decision. I have a gut feeling on that race, but that's not good enough for me to say anything publicly yet.

Howell Mayoral Race

It's an odd number year, but that does not mean there aren't elections. Many municipalities have November elections.

One race that is starting to heat up some is the Howell mayor race. Phillip Campbell is challenging incumbent Gerri Moen. Campbell has a blog up and it goes much more into detail than most political campaign websites. Campbell is a conservative, while Moen is a Planned Parenthood donor.

The biggest issue there by far is the streetscapes project. This is funded by a property tax increase. The major controversies are the traffic circles, narrow streets/parking reduction which affected balloonfest, and potential roundabouts at Grand River/Michigan Ave.

I don't live in Howell anymore, but Campbell would get my support if I still did. Local elections usually do not have a lot of turnout or a lot of hype. It takes more of an effort to find out where candidates, especially non-incumbents, stand on the issues in the local elections.

Most interaction of individuals with governments are on the local level, either County, Township, City, or School district. For all the hype with national elections, it is at the local level where we make the most impact.

There will be new turnover in Howell city government

The latest from the Argus

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Manor and Mayor Gerri Moen will vie to keep their seats on the seven-member panel, but Councilmembers Tom Malloy and Scott Patton chose not to seek re-election. Malloy and Patton served 13 years and four years, respectively, on the council.

Moen, a longtime resident and mayor since 2000, is facing a challenge from Phillip Campbell for the city’s top elected spot, and joining Manor in filing nominating paperwork for other council seats are former Councilmember Doug Heins; Allen Schlittler, a local chiropractor, Victoria Hertrich and Daria Devantier.

Malloy was one of the better council-members there and didn't vote for some of the controversial aspects of the cityscape project (mini-circles).

There will be no August Primary this year because of the number of people running. Six people are running, and four will win. The mayoral race will be one one one between Campbell and Moen in November.

Filing Deadline is Tuesday for Nonpartisan municipal races

While we don't have major elections here in Michigan during the off years, we do have some nonpartisan races coming up this November (and possibly August).

From the Argus

The field of candidates for the November city council elections in Brighton and Howell is coming into focus, and it features some familiar yet controversial faces.

In Howell, former Councilmember Doug Heins, who orchestrated the firing of City Manager Mike Herman in 1998, has filed to run.

In Brighton, local government watchdog Susan Walters-Steinacker, who attends any and all city meetings, is making her fourth bid for a council seat.

The deadline to file as a council candidate is 4 p.m. Tuesday. Candidates must have lived in the city for two years, be a registered voter and not in default to the city.

The Howell City Council/Mayor races should be quite interesting. The Streetscapes and mini circles (not quite roundabouts) issues there are controversial, and was an underlying issue in the State Senate primary race between Joe Hune and Paul Rogers. There is some cost/benefit concerns regarding that. There recently was an issue about "free speech zones" (based on something that may or may not happen but hasn't happened) as well. I don't agree with Steve Manor on a lot of issues, but he was dead on in calling that proposal out. Will that be a factor in the upcoming race? I don't know. I haven't lived in Howell in a few years, so I haven't followed things as closely as I did there.

We'll find out the final list Tuesday, but currently it looks like the candidates will be:

Howell Mayor:
Gerri Moen (Incumbent)
Phillip Campbell

Howell City Council:
Tom Malloy (Incumbent)
Steve Manor (Incumbent)
Allen Schlittler
Doug Heins
Victoria Hertrich
Daria Devantier

Brighton City Council
Jim Bohn (incumbent)
Chad Cooper (incumbent)
Jim Muzzin (incumbent)
Claudia Roblee (incumbent)
Susan Walters-Steinacker

Primary for 22nd State Senate seat

I'm not surprised that we're going to have a primary election here. State senate seats do not open up as much as state house seats, and there is never a coronation. Valde Garcia was primaried in most of his elections here, and always expected one when he ran.

Paul Rogers threw his name into the ring  for State Senate. From the Argus

A Howell City Council member is entering this year's race for the state Senate seat representing Livingston County.Paul Rogers, who served as the city's mayor from 1997-2000 and has spent more than a decade on the council, said Sunday in a news release he's entering the campaign to succeed term-limited Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Marion Township
"Over the past six months, I have had numerous local community and state leaders contact me about giving consideration to pursuing the state Senate seat," Rogers said. "I've given this decision much thought and feel that I have the qualifications, the time, and commitment to fill this important role."

Also vying for the seat is former state Rep. Joe Hune, who was term-limited out of office in 2008 after serving three two-year terms in the state House.

Paul's not related to Mike or Bill, but a lot of people think he is. He's also spent a lot of time in Howell city government and has some name recognition. That makes this an interesting race.  

I already endorsed Joe Hune when he decided to run. That hasn't changed. Joe still has my vote. I don't know Paul Rogers and met him once or twice. I did vote for him on council when I lived in Howell, but I'd have trouble supporting him over a more fiscal conservative candidate for state senate after this. Nothing personal, but this decision is troubling to say the least.

From the Livingston Community News archives

Howell residents will see their summer taxes increase by 1 mill when bills go out July 1. The increase, which brings the city's tax rate to 15.9443 mills, was approved by City Council members 6-1 on Monday after a brief public hearing.
The increase will amount to $1 for every $1,000 of a home's state equalized value, or half of a home's worth. It will generate $211,109 in revenue.
Taxes can be raised without voter approval because the city collects just 14.9443 mills of the full 16.017 mills it's allowed.
But Councilman Tom Malloy told colleagues the time wasn't right for a millage hike given the state's depressed economy, rising foreclosure rates and mounting job losses. But a majority of board members agreed the grant and federal stimulus money now available necessitated a summer start for Phase I of a planned $22 million three-year citywide street, sewer and water improvement project.
"The numbers are just too good," City Manager Shea Charles said. "We have not seen this amount of money available (for local infrastructure improvement projects) in a long time, and I don't know if we'd see it again."
The low cost of labor, combined with the state's low-interest loan programs and federal grant money made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, weighed in Councilman Paul Rogers' decision to support the millage increase.
"It's going to be painful," Rogers said, "but it makes sense for us to get ready for when the economy does pick up." He said foresight now will help city leaders draw investors in the future.
Michael Bartkowiak, who is challenging incumbents Rogers, Dawn Cooper and Scott Niblock for a city council seat in November, asked board members to wait until the economy turned around before imposing a tax increase. He was the only resident to attend the public hearing.
"Other than him, I have not heard from anyone in opposition to the 1 mill this year," Rogers said.
The city's ongoing street improvement plan to improve 34 miles or roads was initiated 15 years ago and funded mainly through grants. Most of the repairs left in the 11 miles left to fix don't qualify for federal and state funds because they are local roads.
Phase I will improve 4.3 miles of road at a cost of $7.6 million. Construction should begin in mid-July.
"It'll be a nightmare getting around the city, but when it's all said and done, it will be a big boost for the city," said Rogers, noting that other road improvements have resulted in neighborhood improvements along affected streets.

My question for Paul is this. If by raising taxes at the state level, opens up money from the federal swine trough, are you going to vote for that? Are you going to vote for the gas tax increase if it comes up in Lansing? How much does that revamping proposal of Howell's downtown (with the Grand River/MI ave roundabout)  cost? My guard is up here, and it is due to taxes and spending.

When it comes to taxes and spending, I can count on Joe Hune making the right decision. Joe opposed the MBT, taxes on insurance premiums, gimmick budgets that later failed, as well as increases to the services and income taxes. Joe's proven himself as a fiscal conservative, and will have my vote.

Part 2 - November 3rd Elections - 2009 - Local Elections

While the big elections in Michigan this November is the State Senate's 19th District, along with Detroit's mayoral and city council elections, Livingston County has its share of elections as well.

First off  - Hamburg:

Hamburg has a recall election on the ballot. It's a simple yes or no question. "Should Matthew Skiba be recalled from the office of Hamburg Township Clerk?" Much has been written about Hamburg in the papers.What happened if there is a recall, which I think will happen as things stand now?

I wrote about this September 3rd:

What will happen? I think Skiba is in a tough go right now, and needs to start defending himself more than he has been. If the election was tomorrow, game over, he's out. This is going to be a real nasty campaign.

So what happens if Skiba is recalled? I have to check to see if things have changed, but I don't believe they have been. The county political parties executive committees choose the nominees for replacement. That means the Livingston GOP and the Dems pick a candidate for Skiba's replacement. I am not on the County Executive Committee, but a different committee, so I have no vote on the replacement. I can give my two cents one way or the other in who to support/oppose, and go with that. I can say that I don't think that works to Hardesty or Hohl's advantage, since they aren't exactly active in the county party. Who's fault is that????? To use one of my favorite sayings, you don't win when you don't show up.

The nominated candidates will then run for the rest of Skiba's term, and face a major battle in August/November 2012.

Fair warning to Hohl, Semprevino, and company. You might not like the replacement candidates if Skiba is recalled. Even though I'm now on a different committee than the Livingston County GOP Executive Committee, I go to many Livingston GOP meetings, and I don't see you people there. I don't think you'll like who the democrats will pick either. I'm going to recommend a real independent voice if there's a replacement candidate after a recall.

Also in Hamburg, is a police millage. 1.5 mills.

Next - Schools.

Brighton and Pinckney have School Board Elections. Pinckney also has a $59,465,000 bond proposal on the ballot. The estimated millage to retire the bond is 2.45 mills. Pinckney also has a millage renewal on the ballot as well.

Pinckney has two candidates running for two positions. This one's over already. Margaret Eibler and George Rogers will win.

Brighton Schools have seven candidates for two positions. I'll have more details on this race later.
Bill Anderson
Joe Carney
Muriel Kaier
Frank Lucas
Randy Swain
Keith Van Hentenryck
Miles Vieau

Some school districts not based in the county, have spillover effect into the county. South Lyon has part of Green Oak. Whitmore Lake also has parts of Green Oak and Hamburg. Dexter I believe has part of Putnam Township. Lansing Community College has areas as well. I suspect Webberville and Stockbridge, but I can  not say for certain.

South Lyon has five people running for two spots. I know next to nothing about their schools outside of South Lyon High being a rival of Brighton in football, at least before the school splitting into two high schools. Don't look for me to make an endorsement here. I don't know enough about the candidates, which are:

Steven Brummer
Frank Domonico
Greg C Downey
George Ehlert
Carl Towne

LCC has seven running for three spots. I don't know enough here for any recommendation either.:
Deborah Canja
Brandon D Currin
Lawrence Hidalgo Jr
Larry Meyer
Thomas Patrick Morgan
Robert E Proctor
Deo Wells Jr.

Lastly, all Washtenaw County based districts (Dexter and Whitmore Lake in Livingston) have an enhancement millage of two mills which is on the November ballot.

Lastly - City races:

Howell:
The mayor (Geri Moen) and Board of Review positions (Dee Cole, David Teggerdine) are unopposed. There is a contest for City Council. Four candidates for three positions. I'll try and get more on this race later.
Michael Bartkowiak
Dawn Cooper
Scott Niblock
Paul Rogers

Brighton:
Six people are running for four positions. I'll have more on this later as well.
Ricci Bandkau
Mary Ellen Hundley
James Muzzin
Shawn Pipoly
Larry Schillinger
Susan Walters-Steinaker

In the case of the City of Brighton, there is a city council candidate forum on October 26. It will be held at the Masonic Lodge, 315, West North Street. I believe that's by the former post office building. Old timers in Brighton will get that reference.

Howell approves rail

From the Ann Arbor News

Howell votes to support regional rail
EPA, U-M commit to pay part of riders' costs
Friday, June 15, 2007
News Staff Reporters
Howell city leaders are on board with plans to create a viable commuter rail line with stops between Howell and Ann Arbor as early as this fall. While the city has yet to add financial backing to the project, officials are expected to make a commitment once a formal request has been made.

City Manager Shea Charles is hesitant to put a monetary worth on the project now, but said "a successful commuter service would be a tremendous opportunity for Howell.

"If you look around the country, areas that have rail, or mass transit, are just thriving,'' he said.

I commented on this awhile back, and I'm still unconvinced. That's doubly so when there is no stop in Downtown Brighton, which has more Ann Arbor commuters than in Howell. Chilson is a good stop, and Hamburg (if there is one) would be a better stop, but I can't see this making a profit without Brighton, considering the population numbers.

I'm not dead set against this, but it must be able to pay for itself.

Ann Arbor - Howell Commuter rail - Detroit People Mover Part II???

Today's Argus has a story about the light rail proposal for this county.

A project to bring commuter rail service between Livingston and Washtenaw counties is gaining steam, with business, local governments and the state getting on board.
A public-private partnership submitted a $1 million grant application to the federal government March 1, and Mike Bagwell, president and CEO of Great Lakes Central Railroad, said that money will determine whether the project can go forward or will stop dead in its tracks.

"It all hinges on the grant," he said. "Unfortunately, there's not much we can do to speed it up."

The grant application includes letters of support from state Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Marion Township; state Reps. Chris Ward, R-Brighton, and Joe Hune, R-Hamburg Township; U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton; and the Brighton and Howell chambers of commerce.
Washtenaw County's Northfield Township board and the Howell City Council also approved resolutions of support.

Mike Cicchella, Northfield Township supervisor, said the University of Michigan had also committed to buy rail passes for 1,200 employees.

"The beauty of this whole thing is we've got public-private, cross-county, local, state and federal people supporting it," he said. "We're pushing as hard as we can ... we're still getting letters of support."

Officials said the goal is twofold — ease traffic congestion while U.S. 23 is under construction, and start up a permanent rail service that could stretch up to Traverse City.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has pledged some funds to upgrade the tracks. The plans right now call for the northern terminal to be at Eight Mile Road and U.S. 23, but Bagwell said the line could be extended to Howell relatively quickly.

I'm not completely against this, but I'm not sold on it for several reasons. Pro's and cons, assuming it expands to Howell. (It's worthless if it doesn't)

Pros
1. Less traffic on US 23 South of Whitmore Lake.
2. More environmental friendly than cars.


Cons
1. Costs. How much to build? How much to operate? How much charged to the consumer.
2. This isn't New York, Chicago, or Toronto. It's not even Detroit. Is there enough people in the area to use this? Washtenaw and Livingston Counties combined number under 500,000 people, and the population is spread out.
3. The Detroit People Mover is far from a success.
4. Parking. People would have to drive to the stations. Brighton is left out unless they drive (on US 23) to Whitmore Lake - 8 miles from Ann Arbor. For that much trouble, it's easier to drive. For me, and the stop is about 2 miles away from me, it's easier to drive.
5. Customers - While many, including myself, commute to Ann Arbor from the county, how many commute to Detroit, Oakland County, Flint, and Lansing? Livingston commuters travel in all directions. Secondly, I'm assuming more Ann Arbor commuters live in Pinckney, Hamburg, Brighton, Hartland, and South Lyon than elsewhere in the county. The proposed route covers only Hamburg. Brighton is left out, and that is a likely customer base.
6. US 23 traffic - If the main stop is in Whitmore Lake, the traffic problem from M-36 Northward is not even slowed.
7. Police presence required. Added costs.


Wildcards
1. Parking. Will there be enough?
2. Service - how quickly do the trains run
3. Expansion - Does the rail expand to Brighton? Hartland? Fenton? South Lyon? I can not see this succeeding at all if Brighton is not covered. That gets some people off US 23. Does this go to Oakland County? I've heard of proposals of a Detroit-Lansing link.
4. Private funding. How much?
5. How much public support is there for this?

Right now, I oppose this. I can be convinced to support this if it is not subsidized, and correctly planned. However, I'm not convinced that this is not the people mover pt II. Based on the population and how spread out it is, it will be a hard sell.