401W
HIT A HOME RUN
Mass Transit
Synagogue boosts the cause
via MOSES rally.
Vivian DeGain
Special to the Jewish News
F
acilitated by MOSES
(Metropolitan Organizing
Strategies Enabling Strength),
75 people from Metro Detroit united
to accomplish two goals: discuss why
mass transit is essential and how it
can become a reality in this decade.
Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park host-
ed the rally in support of local mass
transit. MOSES is a nonprofit, nonparti-
san, interfaith and interracial organiza-
tion dedicated to organize people, raise
money and influence public policy.
Some 55 congregations and religious
organizations participate in the coali-
tion, including Temple Emanu-El, the
one Jewish congregation.
Rabbi Joseph Klein began the June
16 event with a prayer and said we can-
not merely pray to God to end hunger,
disease and despair. "God has given us
the resources if only we would use the
resources wisely. May God grant us the
will to do — not merely to pray,' he said.
A dozen speakers solicited public
transportation, citing the $4 per gallon
cost of gasoline and concern for global
warming.
Michael O'Donnell of St. Mary's of
the Hills in Rochester said he wanted
to be able to rely on affordable and
dependable transportation. "In a few
years, we [baby boomers] will be a
hazard on the road:' O'Donnell said.
Apryl Voner of Oak Park said she
wakes at 5 a.m. to use the current bus
system to get to work in Auburn Hills
by 9. "I enjoy riding the bus, but not
when they operate so inefficiently,
have limited hours and service routes
and make connections that are very
difficult," Voner said.
Chris Frey of Detroit said he pre-
fers bus transit to driving because he
meets interesting people and becomes
more aware of neighborhoods and
services. "And I can get work done on
the bus',' he said.
Megan Owens, executive director of
Transportation Riders United (TRU), said
mass transit in Detroit is within reach.
"MOSES and TRU have worked for
over 10 years of advocacy already:' she
said. "Cities like Denver and Dallas
have accomplished inexpensive and
efficient mass systems. So can Detroit.
Join us on Saturday, July 12 at one of our seven Brookdale
Senior Living locations and meet 1984 world series Detroit
Tigers pitcher, Dave Rozema! Dave will be on hand to
autograph one item per person.
And while you're here, donate new or gently used baseball
and softball equipment to The Detroit Tigers Gloves for Kids
program — a community support initative providing baseball
equipment to Detroit area youth.
Attend three locations to be entered into
a drawing to win two Tigers game tickets and
Dave Rozema's autographed jersey!
Euni Rose of Temple Emanu-El,
SATURDAY, JULY 12
Ponsella Hardaway of MOSES and
Megan Owens of TRU
Ten years ago, people said, 'We are the
Motor City, who needs it?' Five years
ago, people said, 'It's not a bad idea,
but it will never happen.'
Now, Owens said, MOSES and TRU
are overcoming obstacles. "Dozens of
plans over time have failed due to lack
of regional cooperation and an unwill-
ingness to dedicate funds and raise
the political will to make mass transit
a reality;' she said.
SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan
Council of Governments, manages $1
billion in transportation funds for the
region each year, run by public officials
from the 150 member municipalities.
Proposed projects include a light
rail system along the eight miles of
Woodward Avenue from downtown to
Eight Mile Road and a rapid transit
system from Detroit to Metro Airport
and Ann Arbor.
John Hertel, CEO of the Regional
Transit Coordinating Council, is
advocating for regional mass transit.
He and John Swatosh, RTCC's deputy
director, are overcoming roadblocks.
RTCC joins Hertel with Detroit Mayor
Kwame Kilpatrick, the Wayne County
and Oakland County executives and the
Macomb County chairman as a semi-
government and semi-private agency.
Swatosh said, "Detroit is 11th in
national population and 23rd in dol-
lars per capita spent on mass trans-
portation. Detroit spends about $75
per person per year while Chicago
spends $238. Of the top 40 population
centers, we are one of three without
mass transit."
❑
Contact MOSES, www.mosesmi.
org or (313) 962-5290; TRU at www.
DetroitTransit.org or (313) 963-8872.
Don't miss this special event. For more information:
Call (248) 727-2008. For more information on Gloves for Kids,
visit the Detroit Tigers Foundation online at
www.detroittigersfoundation.com
Wynwood Northville
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Heritage Southfield
2:45 - 145 p.m.
Personalized Assisted Living
40405 6 Mile Road
Northville, MI 48168
Independent Living
Personalized Assisted Living
25800 Eleven Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48034
(734) 420-6104
Grand Court Novi
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Independent Living
45182 West Park Drive
Novi, MI 48377
(248) 727-2008
Wynwood Troy
4:15 - 5:15 p.m.
(248) 669-5330
Personalized Assisted Living
48050 Northfield Parkway
Troy, MI 48098
Clare Bridge
Farmington Hills
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Wynwood Utica
5:45 - 6:30 p.m.
Alzheimer's & Dementia Care
27950 Drake Rd.
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
(248) 489-9362
(248) 952-5533
Personalized Assisted Living
45969 North Pointe Boulevard
Utica, MI 48315
(586) 997-0955
Grand Court
Farmington Hills
1:15 - 2:15 p.m.
Independent Living
36550 Grand River Ave.
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
BROOKDALE
SENIOR LIVING
(248) 476-7478
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July 3 • 2008
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