Opinions Of A Madman - Latest Comments

Re: A Lack Of Innovation?

Crusade — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 01:28:13 -0000

Well, to start with, I wonder what happened to "The next Royal Oak". I'd settle for the "Next Ferndale" (but that won't work here because "certain elements" don't want "certain elements" in Hamtown, but that's not what I meant by "the next Ferndale" anyway) or "Next Midtown" heh.
Next: who's gonna invest? The people who love Hamtramck the most have either already left, or don't have the wherewithal to open anything more than said beauty shops or Fruit Markets; it's all they know! There aren't too many Nick and Mario Lulgjaraj's left who are willing to spend the money on a restaurant, redoing an entire strip mall, and building a whole new strip mall as well. Why is that? You mentioned it somewhere in your post and I'll stay away from that for now, other than to say that if you came down from Oakland county and had to walk past that new salon on Campau across from White Tower, would you feel "comfortable"? How about if you want to stop for gas or a Red Bull and have to walk past aggressive beggars? You'll probably wait until you're past 8 mile instead.Innovation? Hmm, I know a couple of people with skills who don't have the guts to help fill an empty storefront, but that kind of gets back to the locals not really having much business savvy (and if they did is there a bank around that would give a business loan? (Where's Don Shewe when you need him?)). Too many people would rather "play it safe", and given the current situation in Hamtramck, I'm not sure if I can blame them. Every coffee house that tried to open on Trowbridge failed (and it's not like they got killed by the competition).Anyway, you get my drift. I'd actually like to say more (didn't something just happen in front of one of our better businesses recently?), but this will suffice for now. I think Hamtramck is awesome, and it 'may' still come back, but even if it does will we recognize it?

Re: Things, They Are A’ Changin’ Part Deux

Juliaherch — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:39:16 -0000

I was worried about the value world when it first came out too but it turned out to be a very nice store and I have meet some nice people that both work there and shop there.

Re: Occupy Detroit Day 1

MatthewHerch — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:39:10 -0000

They were not in the park, but surrounding the park in their vehicles. Some had lights going, others did not. At one point, they took it upon themselves to tow an occupier's motorcycle.

Re: Occupy Detroit Day 1

Embecker — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:38:13 -0000

I didn't see any police the whole time I was there...

Re: Whatever Happened To The Bike Path?

porterwillmar — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 03:44:47 -0000

I really liked this post "Whatever happened to the bike path". Pretty effective discussion you allocated here about safe bike path. Thanks

Re: Gamestop: Number One Hamtramck Target

Nguyenaisha — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 05:13:55 -0000

don't you think it's kinda weird:?if it's always happening on the same place could it be possible that the the persons behind such crime was linked to someone who has a power?..

Re: Hamtramck Disaster Plan?

Crusade — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:43:07 -0000

Regarding your 2nd to last paragraph: That was then... today each group is only out to represent their own interests: they would probably be pleased if everyone from the other groups would just up and leave. Problem is that when Coleman Young tried that in Detroit he got what he asked for, and look what happened!?!?

Re: Whatever Happened To The Bike Path?

Crusade — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:39:09 -0000

The Hamtramck Bubble has gotten smaller. It started with "Schools of Choice". Did you read the article in the REVIEW as to why the Middle school didn't fare so well in the No Child Left Behind grading?
It is exasperated by the fact that "ghetto behavior" seems to be more accepted (for fear of the PC movement?); the other day I was watching 2 people trying to play chess in Pope Park....between the loud groups of people screaming, radio's blaring, and trash flying around, the 2 people disgustedly got up and left. Isn't there a noise ordinance?
While some nice things have happened due to the recreation tax, the bike path situation is very disappointing. How can a city like Detroit be quicker to the punch than Hamtramck regarding the bike path construction? What does that say about the people running the show here? It's like the Holbrook/Jos Campau intersection improvement that was supposed to take place a few years ago... this was bungled to the point of the project being cancelled. Another one that really irks me is the water lines throughout the city. Does anybody remember that we had a big assessment increase on our property taxes to pay for new water lines? I'm glad that the money that I had to pay in taxes was put to its intended use!! What about the Save-A-Lot that was supposed to be built in the North End of the city? Don't even get me started on the Shoppers World Fiasco. I'd like to think that with an election coming up that we can get some things done, but I'm inclined to think that we're doomed... too bad, as this town has some great potential.
P.S. "The Next Royal Oak" /sarcasm

Re: This Has Got To Stop

crusade — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:08:06 -0000

Heh, yeah. Just the other day I saw the lady from the nail place 2 doors down from Jets Pizza sweeping a big pile of trash right out onto Jos Campau. I guess as long as the trash isn't right in front of YOUR business it's fine. She was sweeping that garbage right underneath the parked cars. Also, gotta love the people who throw their wrappers/cups etc right onto the sidewalk when there is a trash can 2ft away. Don't even get me started on the alleys; looks like ghetto living is in full swing!

Re: A Mystery In Hamtramck?

roger — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:01:28 -0000

according to google its urban poetry, probably geo tagged for fun.

Re: Hamtramck Disaster Plan?

admin — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 20:50:33 -0000

Very True! Thanks for the input, by the way! I agree that the smart thing to to would be to leave during a long term catastrophe. Maybe, as a community, a plan should be devised to allow the population safe passage around the region during times of crisis. Who knows, we may not be able to leave if the government were to instill martial law. I think that in that case, a plan should be devised to account for the lack of public service such as electricity, sewage, garbage pick-up, and so on.

Great comment! Tell your friends!!

Re: Hamtramck Disaster Plan?

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 17:51:17 -0000

Short term, like the blackout of '03? Or, are we talking long term?

Long term: Get out. A densely populated area will be the worst place to be. Less natural resources. Violence and crime. Disease.

The sewage problem alone... Hamtramck is a great place - all culturally diverse, densely populated and what not. BUT, that's with working sewage. Without... It will be a breeding ground for disease.

Re: A Bad Joke — April Fools Joke Is Not At All Funny

Sarah — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:44:05 -0000

I agree completely.I was so happy when i heard what Hamtramck was doing. I feel the same way, that if there were Japanese refugees, I would totally take them in. They have gone through so much. People living in the U.S have family their. The number of deaths is uncountable. i thought that people were finally showing some little lasting bit of humanity, in a world full of disrespect. I am a 14 year old High School student and I find no humor in this "practical joke."

Re: Hamtramck Facades :: Unrecognized Beauty

Hamtown Hooper — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:10:42 -0000

I too would like to see all of these "false fronts" removed so that the original architecture could be displayed. I imagine though that for some of these business owners (who are probably struggling on a day to day basis to make a small profit) it would be cost prohibitive. I would think that with the tax advantages that the owners of these buildings have that it wouldn't be that tough for them to bring the buildings back to their original form. I would think that the structural integrity would still be there.
On another note... as glad as I am to see something happening on the North End of Campau- the DHS building in particular here- couldn't they have tried to make the building a fit in to the Hamtramck "style" a bit more (as this site owner mentioned in his post)?

Re: Hamtramck Facades :: Unrecognized Beauty

admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:50:15 -0000

Too true. It would be nice if future developers would build around or integrate old architecture into new designs. I'm still not done yet, either. I have to do north of Caniff, south of Holbrook and a bit of east/west work!

Re: Hamtramck Facades :: Unrecognized Beauty

Karen Majewski — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:02:16 -0000

And there may be treasures lurking under all those awful false fronts that were added, too.

Re: Secret to Weight Loss?

Matthew — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:09:13 -0000

Very informative! Looking forward to more!

Re: Rant Of The Day #1: Some People Should Not Have Kids!

Charles — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:11:47 -0000

Hmm, I think you would need a new hard drive to hold all the examples which make the topic of this blog post true.
One of the issues is (as I am sure that you are aware thanks being around this lovely area) that it is becoming a badge of honor to make a baby. These too old for Junior High kids, even though they are still 'in' Jr high, will knock a chick up, brag about it to their boys, then get out of dodge. On the other side, these girls go around LOOKING to get knocked up, either because it would be cool to have a baby, or maybe even for financial reasons. Since it is this type of stupidity, or this type of scum that does this the most (Statistics bear this out), is it any surprise that each generation gets worse in this country? (Don't kill this cash cow though, it helps the mama's AND it creates a brisk business of newly required Gov't Employees to handle the ever expanding caseload!)

Re: Belated Merry Christmas and 1 New Rant!

Sarah Herch — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:43:56 -0000

i like your blog a lot. i read it every time theirs a new post. my new years resolution is to study harder and to try to finally stick to a career.

Re: Have You Noticed? Campau’s Storefronts Seem Cleaner And Less Cluttered!

Matthew Herch — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:38:40 -0000

Wow Sam, that's an honor. I'll try to update more frequently for your sake!

Re: Have You Noticed? Campau’s Storefronts Seem Cleaner And Less Cluttered!

Sam — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:21:11 -0000

I haven't been home (Hamtramck) for nearly a year and I read your blog to stay updated about "home".

Re: In The Spirit: Resident’s Get Ready For Halloween!

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 16:28:02 -0000

A couple years ago there was a contest for Christmas Decorations, I can't remember which organization was in charge, maybe the Beautification Commission?

Re: Gamestop: Number One Hamtramck Target

Matthew Herch — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:30:56 -0000

Yes, that is the McDonalds across from the former Farmer Jack. It is now a Glory Foods. Good service there, though the prices are kinda steep.

Re: Gamestop: Number One Hamtramck Target

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:35:40 -0000

I lived in Hamtramck and attended St. Florian school (while it was still around) from 1st to 6th grade, after which my family moved to Philadelphia. I'm now at a university in Arizona. Sometimes, I'll have periods of nostalgia, when I'll go on the Hamtramck Star website and see if I can find anything interesting (that's how I got here). I remember being fascinated by the Game Stop during my childhood (if I remember correctly, it opened up not too long before I moved), and even then there were already robbery attempts, etc. (I believe). It does seem that it would make sense for the store to invest in some form of anti-theft protection (what about those sliding grate type things that are on most other stores?). Also, on a side note, Matthew, is the McDonald's in the background of your profile picture the one that's across the street from that shopping center that has/had the Farmer Jack?

Re: Have You Noticed? Campau’s Storefronts Seem Cleaner And Less Cluttered!

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:17:43 -0000

Cleaning up for the upcoming festival?