Why Don't the Suburbs Support Wcccd?

Michigan Chronicle › August 21, 2009

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Summary

The day after the recent election, the headline in one of Detroit's' daily newspapers read "WCCCD loses tax battle. Suburbs reject request to renew millage." WCCCD had a millage renewal proposal on the ballot for its 1.5 mil tax hike that was approved by voters in 2001. The vote was 60 percent against, 40 percent for. Upon analyzing the voting patterns, as usual Detroit voted for and the suburbs voted against the request. Detroit has consistently supported the millage; the suburbs have consistently voted against it. Why is this?

Now let's examine thought processes. A trustee in Redford Township was quoted as stating, "It's not about the school, the education or the kids. It's about the process." The process he was speaking to was the timing of the placement on the ballot. It was called a "sneak attack." The millage was an early request, for it does not expire until 2010.

Some suburbanites will not support the notion that Black folks deserve equal access to educational opportunities. [...] the irony of the situation is that when Detroit (Black folks) support the millage, it is done for all of the students of Wayne County.