It is with some shock and a great deal of anger that I report that Monday evening, the Troy City Council voted down the Troy Transit Center by 4-3, with Daniels, Fleming, Henderson and Tietz in opposition, and Campbell, McGinnis and Slater in favor.
Our friends at the Troy Chamber are already assessing next steps immediately, beginning with consultation with the Governor’s advisers and City staff. They have committed to march forward in creating a viable and sustainable economy.
Allies in the business community had strongly supported the transit center and have expressed outrage at this decision:
“Mayor Daniels seems to regard herself as taking the high road, but what she has really done is subvert the interests of Troy to satisfy her own ideology with regard to national politics. It was a selfish and irresponsible act, wholly inconsistent with those two characteristics of great local leadership, devotion to the community and pragmatism.”
Frank W. Ervin III, the manager of government affairs for Magna International Inc., said it’s disappointing that Troy’s legislators are “narrow minded when it comes to the future of Troy and the future of Southeastern Michigan.” He plans to draft a memo to all Magna group presidents and corporate executives “strongly recommending that Magna International no longer consider the City of Troy for future site considerations, expansions or new job creation.”
He added that he’ll also recommend “that where ever and when ever possible we reduce our footprint and employment level in Troy in favor of communities who act in the best interest of both the residents and business and not simply use their public position to advance their own private agenda.”
U.S. Rep. Gary Peters asked that US DOT Secretary LaHood consider awarding the grant money and an additional $1.3 million to Royal Oak, for a similar transit center in the city’s downtown, and to Pontiac to build facilities for the planned high-speed transit bus system.