Mike Duggan has volunteered to save Detroit’s listing ship.
We figured that was going to happen as early as a year ago when the ex-DMC CEO bought a house in Detroit’s upscale Palmer Woods neighborhood. So the mayoral candidate has seen Detroit from the ground floor. Making the media rounds this week, Duggan visited The Detroit News editorial board and we asked him what the biggest shock was when he moved into the city.
“The doubling of my car insurance,” said Duggan without hesitation. He now pays $6000 a year on three cars – two Ford sedans and a PT Cruiser – instead of $3000 when he lived nearby in the ‘burbs. Call it the Detroit insurance tax.
Actually, that’s a bargain in one of the nation’s auto theft capitals. Most Detroiters pay nearly three times the state average in auto insurance. “My wife will be happy to hear it could be worse,” added Duggan.
The would-be mayor also allowed that its’ hard to find a movie theater in the city (the RenCen cineplex is all the 138 square mile city has to offer), a hardware store, or a restaurant outside of downtown. Welcome to Detroit – which is why the middle class has disappeared.
Duggan’s experience will help inform him of Detroit’s challenges. As will city council members living in districts – instead of at large. Finally.
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