I Love Troy.

Troy Chamber of Commerce President Michele Hodges gets a letter from Frank Ervin, III of Magna.  It sums up the amazing disconnect between the “new” Troy City Council and business (via WDIV).

Michele,

First of all we at Magna would like to thank you and your team for all of your efforts and enthusiasm on behalf of this issue. We are quite disappointed that the City of Troy seems to have governing legislators who are ill advised and certainly narrow minded when it comes to the future of Troy and the future of Southeastern Michigan. It is also sad to see that the City of Troy has a Mayor who is not there to advocate for the future growth  of the city and the betterment of the resident but who’s narrow view only speaks to her personal agenda and discriminatory practices. The only positive thing to come from all of this is the recognition that Troy has a strong Chamber of Commerce and a strong and principled person leading the organization. Thank you for that!
After watching the disappointing behavior of City Council and being exposed to some of the individual actions such as those of the Mayor and Councilman Fleming this morning I am drafting a memo to all Magna group presidents and our Magna corporate executives strongly recommending that Magna International no longer consider the City of Troy for  future site considerations, expansions or new job creation. I have also recommended that where ever and when ever possible we reduce our footprint and employment level in Troy in favor or 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. Michele, once again on behalf of Magna and the over 1000 employees we have based in Troy I would like to truly express my appreciation for all of your efforts, your professionalism and your commitment to the business community of the City of Troy. I hope that you and yours have a great Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,
Frank W. Ervin III

Prior to the story, Jen Anesi got a great photo of business leaders standing up (literally) together, in the face of what I would simply regard as abject idiocy.  It’s way past totebags now.  And for those who are considering recall efforts for the newly-elected Mayor, it’s quite a fact that the longer this Mayor stays in office, the risk of real economic damage may also continue.  And I am rather intrigued by the idea of a recall vote just a month into office (I mean, that is impressive, like a 4-year old left alone with a bag of flour).

I am at a crossroads myself.  Would I support a recall effort after this ridiculous vote?  I still lean to let the Mayor stay the course.  A recall is too easy to have, which would let us continue to make stupid mistakes like voting in people who have no idea how to operate a city.  It teaches us little about the real consequences of voting in this manner, or observing that low turnout rates allow this nightmare to occur.

Forcing ourselves to eat the entire plate of raw broccoli we ourselves put on our plate…A lesson for a generation.

So I beg Frank W. Ervin, III to reconsider, in any case.  The future of Troy isn’t in one month (though amazing the damage done in a single month!).   For the Troy Chamber of Commerce, whose efforts have kept business morale high in such a depressing world, keep up the pressure, and stay positive.

But most of all, Mayor Daniels, and the City Council folks who voted the transit center down based on silliness, don’t rest until you’ve destroyed the city.  You’ve saved $30,000 for the city, and cost the City of Troy even more in future revenue and commerce.  You’ve earned the totebag.  Mako out.