Macomb County, In Spotlight for 2020 Election, Just Wants to Talk Local Issues
Detroit Public Television and WDET spoke with residents about issues ranging from media coverage of the area to public transit.
The 2020 election is already on the minds of residents across Metro Detroit.
Over the past several weeks, 101.9 WDET has been focusing on Center Line as part of its “Crossing the Lines” series. Just a couple of miles away from Center Line sits the Dovetail coffee shop in Warren. That’s where our partners at Detroit Public Television held a community meeting about Election 2020.
“[National media] seems to place an undue importance on what goes on here, as if there’s some magical answer that’s going to occur here in Macomb County.” – Carmi Finn, county resident
DPTV’s Christy MacDonald, Nolan Finley and WDET’s Jerome Vaughn spoke with dozens of Macomb County residents about their observations and concerns.
The conversation ranged from issues such as the exodus of young people in the county — to the condition of area roads and the need for more mass transit.
Click on the player above to hear DPTV, 101.9 WDET and Nolan Finley host a roundtable in Macomb County, or watch below
With the presidential campaign already underway, county residents say they’re preparing for the usual flood of national media. Carmi Finn says she’s used to the attention.
“It doesn’t bother me. I think scrutiny is usually a good thing,” says Finn.
“But, what does bother me is that they seem to place an undue importance on what goes on here, as if there’s some magical answer that’s going to occur here in Macomb County.”
“It’s all bad, our roads are a mess. Our road commission does absolutely, positively nothing.” – Laurie Artz, county resident
Several of those gathered at the Dovetail coffee shop say things are worse than they were 10 years ago. Warren resident Laurie Artz says she blames local officials.
“Starting at mayor. Our County Executive just two years ago, killed rapid transit in Macomb County,” says Artz.
“It’s all bad, our roads are a mess. Our road commission does absolutely, positively nothing. Every single level of government has failed us.”
Several participants in the discussion noted the lack of efficient public transit as one reason their grown children are deciding not to return to cities such as Warren to live after graduating college.
