The Bridge Co. and its owner have been vilified over the past few days for providing campaign funds for Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick. The conclusion then suggested is that these contributions made it easy for the Bridge Co. to get approval for its plan for for the border. What a shocker then from a non-Detroit paper.
Interestingly enough, several Windsor Councillors were asked to visit with Hendrix recently too. I wondered why and perhaps now I understand the reason. As far as I know, they did not actually meet with him.
Well let us see if the local media in Windsor and Detroit will report on this story to balance the scales:
"Fundraiser supports Detroit mayoral candidate
Thursday, October 27, 2005
By Steven Harmon, The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS -- So, what common interests would draw a Democratic Detroit mayoral candidate into the home of a Grand Rapids Republican businesswoman on a cool fall evening?
How about a $600 million tunnel project between Detroit and Canada?
Marge Byington, a former Kent County commissioner, hosted a fundraiser Wednesday night for Freman Hendrix, the mayoral candidate challenging incumbent Kwame Kilpatrick.
The two are former aides to ex-Detroit mayor Dennis Archer, but, more importantly, Hendrix has pledged his support for the so-called "Jobs Tunnel" project -- which Kilpatrick repeatedly has rebuffed. Byington is a government relations official with the company pushing it, Detroit-based Detroit River Tunnel Partnership.
"He definitely supports the Jobs Tunnel because of the jobs it'll bring to the city," said an aide to Hendrix.
Peter Secchia, one of the contributors who attended the fundraiser, said he usually is reluctant to get involved in a nonpartisan race outside Grand Rapids. But he's a longtime friend and supporter of Byington, who was Secchia's "balloon lady" for a downtown rally for President Ford in 1975.
"From that point on, I said, 'Let's get you involved in politics,'" Secchia said. "She ran for Kent County Commission, she became the chairwoman, went to Detroit, made a career and has been an ally and supporter for years."
Secchia said he doesn't know Hendrix, "but I do know Kwame, and I know he's been a failure. Kwame Kilpatrick had his shot, and it's gotten worse in Detroit."
The tunnel project would convert two rail tunnels under the Detroit River into a two-lane border crossing for commercial trucks. A larger rail tunnel would be carved within 100 feet of the rail tunnels and handle modern rail cars. The partnership's biggest hurdle has been to buy 27 acres needed to provide direct access to truck traffic onto Int. 75 without going through neighborhoods. That purchase must go through the Detroit City Council. "
I wonder if our distinguished Mayor and Council took the time to learn about the Hendrix position.
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