I had to laugh at this for several reasons. First, it is nice to see Mr. Moroun get a taste of his own medicine. And second, I do believe it's an only-in-Detroit moment.
http://freep.com/article/20090623/CO...wly+paved+ramp
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I had to laugh at this for several reasons. First, it is nice to see Mr. Moroun get a taste of his own medicine. And second, I do believe it's an only-in-Detroit moment.
http://freep.com/article/20090623/CO...wly+paved+ramp
I hope the onion gets wind of this one it would be great.... especially since they were publicising this as a major announcement see the notice to the press below...
MEDIA ADVISORY: DETROIT INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE COMPANY TO MAKE MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT AMBASSADOR BRIDGE GATEWAY PROJECT AND ITS IMPACT ON BORDER TRAFFIC
WHAT: The Detroit International Bridge Company [[DIBC), owners of the Ambassador Bridge , will make a major announcement at a press conference onsite at the Bridge about the Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project and its impact on the efficiency of international traffic at the U.S.-Canada border. A site tour will immediately follow.
WHERE: 3400 West Lafayette
Detroit , MI
For directions, please see attached map or contact Ken Dobson at
[[313) 363-2879
WHO: Dan Stamper, President of the Detroit International Bridge Company
WHEN: 10:30 AM, Tuesday, June 23, 2009
BACKGROUND: The Detroit International Bridge Company and the Michigan Department of Transportation [[MDOT) entered into the Ambassador Partnership, an agreement to complete the Ambassador Bridge and accommodate a replacement span to the 80-year-old structure. Part of the Project includes building a new plaza and ramps to connect the Ambassador Bridge to I-75, I-96 and I-94. The Project, slated to be completed next month, will impact the efficiency of passenger traffic and international commerce.
About the Detroit International Bridge Company
The Detroit International Bridge Company owns the Ambassador Bridge , which stands as an international symbol and link between Detroit and Windsor , Ontario . The Ambassador Bridge is the nation’s number one border crossing, handling 26 percent of trade between the US and Canada. Built in 1929 by private funds, the Ambassador Bridge was established with unique obligations and rights to meet the needs of commerce and trade by Canada , Great Britain and the United States . The Detroit International Bridge Company believes in the development and wellness of the local community and supports a variety of local organizations, charities and universities. www.ambassadorbridge.com
Wouldn't it be funny if it wasn't dirt?
I was there he actually said we don't know what type of dirt it is and seemed to serve no purpose.....
someone call the hog farm!
He said something like, "Mrs. Granholm: Tear down this wall!" :p
Quote:
Originally Posted by urbanoutdoors
What were the questions that the guys there were asking before the reporters started asking theirs? I couldn't quite hear them from my vantage point.
Kraig do you mean about the illegal seizure of 23rd street, if the trucks would be exiting the freeway without using surface streets and what the DIBC defines as affecting anyone? when they said their bridge doesn't affect anyone....
Quote:
Originally Posted by urbanoutdoors
If those were the questions, yes. Like I said i couldn't hear them from where I was. All I could see was the look on the DIBC guys face when they started asking questions. I didn't know what the questions were, but, he looked as though a drunk relative had walked in the room.
I wonder what will happen when the DIBC removes the dirt?
I just learned an interesting tidbit.
Matty's family was displaced in Windsor by the BUILDING of the Ambassador Bridge.
They then moved to Detroit.
It is a wonder what early childhood trauma might cause an individual to act out childishly as an adult.
Except they moved in 1924, and he wasn't born until 1927.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gannon
The yellow arrow shows the location of the dirt in question.
Attachment 1984
Click to see more of the gateway project.
FlyByDon
Yes, Stamper was sweating. His pile of dirt issue was a mole hill compared to the mountain of trouble he has caused the neighborhood. He didn't want to talk about their Riverside Park hijacking except for some vague reference to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and that things are worked out. By the way Matty's son is on the board of the Conservancy.
I think MDOT answered the question well. It's their dirt on their ramp.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Contact: Rep. Rashida TlaibToll-free: [[517) 373-0823
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Tlaib to hold international press conference to oppose illegal construction of
AmbassadorBridge Second Span
U.S. and Canadian Lawmakers, officials to discuss proposed bridge, actions of bridge company
DETROIT – State Representative Rashida Tlaib [[D-Detroit) will stand with Canadian Member of Parliament Brian Masse, Detroit City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr., and officials from the cities of Detroit and Windsor to discuss the proposed second span of the Ambassador Bridge by the Detroit International Bridge Company [[Ambassador Bridge Company). Tlaib will announce an international alliance of adversely impacted communities to oppose a second span of the Ambassador Bridge.
WHO: State Representative Rashida Tlaib; Canadian Member of Parliament Brian Masse; Detroit City Council President Ken Cockerel Jr.; Windsor Councillor Ron Jones; Michigan legislators.
WHERE: Ste. Anne Church
1000 Ste. Anne St.
Detroit 48216
WHEN: Friday, June 26, at 11 a.m.
It's really too bad that they didn't just dump the dirt on Matty, himself; poor, old troll. What an impressively evil man. And, everyone knows that Stamper is his best, true-believing puppet. It always gives me a laugh to see "President" by his name as if he's anything other than a tool in every sense of the word. That they continue with these gallinging insulting dog-and-pony shoes shows that each of them is certifiably insane. The jig has been up for awhile, now.
I'd like to see an aerial photo of whatever park is down there and the so called "evil" intrusion into it.
Fly by Don, Thanks for those pics, great shots.
Aside from trying to bribe and sue his way into being only bridge in town, Matty also wants to put the Detroit Windsor Truck Ferry out of busines as well.
The truck ferry is the only mode designated to transport hazmat trucks across the Detroit River. However, it has been mentioned before that the DIBC has been writing its own permits to transport hazardous materials across the Ambassador Bridge mainly for Matty's trucks.
The DBIC has asked MDOT to change the National Hazardous Materials Route Registry to allow flammable, corrosive, and explosive materials to cross the bridge "Legally."
This would likely put the ferry out of business and eliminate
http://www.todaystrucking.com/news.cfm?intDocID=21954Quote:
the primary crossing for very large shipments of oversize, overweight trucks, which are essential in support of manufacturing and energy projects.... and any crossing redundancy, which is essential in the event of a major hazmat-related accident or terrorist attack
All jokes aside, this move is probably going to backfire on the state, big time. That was probably not the most mature way that it could be handled. The DIBC's lawyers are probably jumping for joy over this move. And by having a press conference the DIBC got the state to admit not only what it did, but why they did it. Not a bad move on the DIBC's part.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homer
This plays right to the lawsuit, dumb move.
Follow up edit. The language in the newspaper announcement differs from the language that was posted in the Media Advisory. The newspaper language is much better.
Downriviera
Thanks, … it’s always nice to be appreciated.
FlyBy
Fly By can I use your pic for my flyer for tonights riverside park event?
Quote:
Originally Posted by urbanoutdoors
sure, send me a email address and I'll send you a higher dpi images.
FlyByDon
"I'd like to see an aerial photo of whatever park is down there and the so called "evil" intrusion into it. "
You could go check for yourself before making a smarky comment and implying that people are making an issue of nothing. Maybe you could also take the family to the park for a picnic and see how long until Maroun's 'guards' chase you off.
josephrashid@gmail.com Thanks!
Don,
Your picture is great but MM's fence and locked gate are about 200 yards+/- to the south past the light poles and out of your picture. The public area now is only to the J.W. Wescott Mailboat land. It would be 24th Street if it came through.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jt1
Matty or no Matty. Fence or no Fence. The City needs to clean up Riverside Park. The place is an absolute mess and it's been that way far before the fence was put up.
I know that's a little bit off topic, but, I thought that I would add it since the one of the big issues with the fence is that it prevents people from enjoying the park.
Horner, I know of that fence. Me thinks what is in question at this time is the fence that was installed a few months / year ago. Granted, those gates to the park may be locked but not by MM.
FlyByDon
Don, you sure do deserve an "atta boy" for all your great pics. Thank you very much.
I do need to make a small correction though. The chains on the boat launch are indeed put there by Mr. Maroun. That information comes from Jack Teatsworth, head of Bridge Security. From his mouth to my ears as well as the ears of a dozen other Dyesers. Cub, Urbanoutdoors, Masterblaster, Homer, etc.
Mr. Teatsworth professed that Department of Homeland Security gave him the authority to both fence off Riverside Park and lock down the boat ramp. Homeland Security has no memory of that request as reported by Channel 4, Freep, Joel Thurtell and Curt Guyette
Hey Don, do you get your fuel from Signature or the Self Service at City Airport? I wouldn't mind donating to your fuel costs. At $7.88 a gallon [[Signature), I know that going up to take these pictures that we all enjoy isn't cheap.
Or would it be easier to send a check to your company?
Gonme, thanks for the "atta boy"
After taking a closer look at the images I have, I do see some type of fence / chain blocking the launch ramp. I should keep in mind that it's been four or five years since I've driven to that area.
This sounds like something our great national security officers would consider. " block the ramp" a small boat could navigate right up the ramp doing damage to said bridge. However a boat wouldn't dare crash into the seawall under this same bridge.
My disgust will not change anything. We all have to give up something in the name of "National Security"
OK, enough of ranting by FlyBy.
Wow, I'm speechless.Quote:
Originally Posted by kraig
Buying aviation fuel from Signature is only a last option.
Like most pilots we search the internet for the cheapest fuel prices,
most often it’s KDET self serve or KPTK.
Fuel Donations are always graciously accepted.
Thank you for your very kind offer.
FlyBy
I'm not 100% sure this was really even a move to spite Matty so much as just somewhere to move the huge pile of dirt that was on the freeway at Clark so that they could open the freeway early. Pissing off Matty was probably just a nice bonus. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by kraig
Since the entire project wasn't even scheduled to open until December there's no reason the ramp, which would have been closed ANYWAY, can't stay closed until December while the rest of the freeway opens early. They aren't breaking any contract here, unlike the DIBC, who unilaterally decided to change his entire piece of the project.
http://www.wdetfm.org/article/bridge...-of-misconduct
Here is MDOT's response... I am in this interview too but it wasn't my best admittedly... But the reason for posting it is because MDot tells their side of the story....
Michigan lawsuit: Ambassador Bridge owners jeopardize project
BY DAWSON BELL
FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU
The escalating feud between the Michigan Department of Transportation and the owners of the Ambassador Bridge moved to the courtroom again today as the state sued to remedy what it said are violations of construction agreements in the development of a truck plaza on the Detroit side of the bridge.
According to the lawsuit, filed in Wayne County Circuit Court, the Detroit International Bridge Company violated agreements with the state and the City of Detroit by closing streets in the vicinity of the plaza and failing to provide access to adjacent private property. The bridge company’s actions jeopardize plans for completion of the project and federal funding to pay for it, according to the suit.
“We’re really looking to protect the people’s interest, the neighborhood [[at the base of the bridge), the signed contract and to protect the federal road money and the jobs that are at risk,” said MDOT spokesman Bill Shreck.
The lawsuit comes only a day after bridge officials accused MDOT of acting illegally and vindictively by dumping loads of dirt on portions of a recently constructed ramp serving the bridge. The controversial bridge project has been the subject of several earlier lawsuits, at least two of which are pending.
No one from the bridge company was immediately available for comment today.
Contact DAWSON BELL: 517-372-8661 or dbell@freepress.com.
Who are you? The neighbor, the resident, or the engineer?
Sounds like a good legal strategy to me. Draft the response and counterclaim and then do an act to see if the other side will take action. Passive agressiveness can work very well in a court of law. This one sounds interesting. If anyone knows when these folks are supposed to be battling it out in court, let us know. I for one am fortunate enough to have the time for this type of entertaining drama.
The resident Joe Rashid from Corktown....
Cool. Congrats.
This statement kills MDOT in court, because it's very similar to the actions that MDOT accuses the DIBC of. They took punitive action first, and now they're asking for permission to do it. Sound familiar?
“Because they have taken these unilateral actions to just take city property like 23rd Street and Riverside Park we were concerned that they would just overnight would come in and take part of service drive and so we had to store it somewhere and we figured we my as we’ll store it in a place where we can protect the public’s interest.”
Yes but MDOT didn't take anybody else's land in order to do it. They're certainly free to dump dirt on their own land especially in the middle of a construction zone.Quote:
Originally Posted by kraig
Looks like three homes are holding out.
http://www.detroityes.com/mb/attachm...1&d=1245950530
http://www.detroityes.com/mb/attachm...1&d=1245950530
Anyone have more information?
http://metrotimes.com/archives/story.asp?id=13915 Here is the article form the metrotimes on it Fly by..... Its walter lubeinski the land owner and Lafayette bait and tackle the business... It is also mentioned in the MDOT lawsuit...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Funaho
The problem isn't that they dumped dirt. The problem for them will be the statement as to why they dumped the dirt. In subsequent statements they've given other explanations that have been cleaner, but this particular statement was the one given first. And it was stated before the legal action was taken. I'm in no way stating that the DIBC has nothing to answer for, I'm just stating that MDOT has chosen to do what may be the right thing in a dirty way. No pun intended.