Michael Ritenour
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Comments
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On the article Should Schools Stop Requiring Foreign Language Classes?
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On the article Farmington, School Officials Work Together to Redevelop Vacant Properties
Michael Ritenour
12:21 pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2013
ReplyThis has been a big topic of discussion in the Farmington Vision Plan process. There is a consensus that the property will be key to the future of Downtown Farmington because of the potential for mixed residential/retail uses and providing a high-visibility, improved access point to Shiawassee Park, all of which would attract the new residents and commercial traffic we need to improve the tax base. I would encourage readers to become involved in the Vision Plan process and thereby influence these decisions.
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On the article Thursday Groundbreaking Launches Downtown Farmington Construction Project
Michael Ritenour
12:55 pm on Friday, May 3, 2013
ReplyI think this will be a great addition to the public works projects already completed, and I commend City officials, the DDA, and Manifold Ventures for working together. Another excellent example of successful public/private collaboration benefitting all Farmington residents.
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On the article Consultants Unveil Draft Vision for Farmington's Future
Michael Ritenour
12:36 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
I've been volunteering in this project from the beginning, along with dozens of other concerned citizens, and I can say without hestitation that it has been a very worthwhile, constructive, participant-driven undertaking. We've refined the '98 plan and are developing a list of specific projects that will improve the quality of life so as to attract the new and younger residents that will draw the retail shopping and dining, all the while enhancing property values (including yours) while not changing the fundamental identity of Farmington as a safe, family- and pedestrian-friendly place to live and visit. You haven't bothered to attend yet apparently consider yourself an expert, which is exactly why this is an important process. If the progress of this community were left to Luddites like you who sit back, carp and criticize, search for ways to thwart progress, contribute nothing constructive, have no idea what is really happening, and and adopt a smug air of superiority, we wouldn't even have the benefits of the progress made under the '98 Vision Plan, e.g. Riley Park, Sundquist Pavilion (which have led to the expansion and improvement of the Farmers Market and the Founders Festival), Grand River streetscape, and Grove Street streetscape (which is breaking ground this afternoon), to name just a few. I have a suggestion: why don't you particpate so at least you have a basis for criticizing? Don't want to participate? Shocker.
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On the article Farmington Hills Teen With Medical Marijuana Card Faces Charges
Michael Ritenour
4:51 pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
This may be a prime example of Darwin's theories in action, on a social level if not a biological one.
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On the article Bond Critics Frustrated Over Format of Farmington Schools Informational Meeting
Michael Ritenour
2:01 pm on Friday, April 19, 2013
ReplyMs. Burstein: You raise some legitimate concerns. Perhaps you could attract more people to your point of view, or at least spark some genuine debate, if your diatribes weren't so shrill, hyperbolic, and defamatory (e.g. unless you have evidence that someone is accepting bribes, you should refrain from accusing them of corruption).
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On the article What Are Farmington Public Safety Officers Doing at Dunleavy's Pub?
Michael Ritenour
9:22 pm on Sunday, April 14, 2013
ReplyI'm saddened that another Farmington retail/dining establishment has closed, and especially saddened that it's being replaced with (yet another) dental office. I wish the best for BrightSide Dental, but we don't need more non-retail, non-destination establishments taking up valuable Grand River frontage.
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On the article Farmington 7th Grader's Nonprofit Brings 'Blessed Birthdays', Smiles to Detroit Children
Michael Ritenour
4:14 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
ReplyThe Beamers are a great family, always doing good for others. I'm proud to count them among my friends.
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On the article Lotus Bank Protestors Urge Customers to Close Accounts After Allegations of Racism
Michael Ritenour
4:20 pm on Friday, April 5, 2013
ReplyWithout commenting on the merits of the lawsuit or any of the other allegations, and recognizing there must be another side to the story, my question is why the "80 percent of the bank's directors, more than 80 percent of shareholders and about 25 percent of commercial and personal banking customers" who are Indian or of Indian descent would want to maintain a relationship with someone who wrote those emails? There doesn't seem to be another way to interpret them but as being intentionally derogatory. If officers of my bank remarked about me in a similar fashion, I would take my business elsewhere. If I were on the Board of Directors and a person who reported to me made such remarks, I would fire them on the spot absent a VERY compelling reason to keep them. I don't have an account at Lotus or otherwise have a dog in this fight, but this vigorous defense of what appears to be indefensible is puzzling.
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On the article Farmington Residents Consider Future Options, from Status Quo to Merger
Michael Ritenour
2:14 pm on Friday, March 29, 2013
ReplyI was there and I agree with all the above comments. The sense among the participants was that we absolutely must preserve the historic feel and communal feel of the downtown, but focus on provide more and better draws for people in and out of Farmington proper. The money will follow the traffic.
Michael Ritenour
12:23 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
I couldn't agree more. Hispanics are the fasting growing segment of our population, the Germans are the de facto leaders of Europe, and there are Arabic speaking peoples all over the world with whom we need to learn to communicate in order to avoid further conflict. I fail to understand why we would not want every student to be exposed to these and other languages and cultures.