Speak Out: Residents Raise Their Voices on Budget Concerns

A lot has been said–both good and bad–about the heavily debated Dearborn city budget proposal. On Facebook, on Dearborn Patch, at budget meetings and at coffee shops, everyone has an opinion about what should stay and what should go; what makes sense to cut and what we can't afford to lose.

We've compiled a collection of some of the most poignant, repeated and groundbreaking quotes we've heard from Dearborn citizens since the debate began in April. With the final public hearing set to at 6 p.m. at , take a look at what's been said, then tell us your opinion!

"We're talking about selling or demolishing these aspects of our community … we have vacant commercial spaces. If you continue to allow that to happen … we’re only going to diminish the value of the city and the reasons people will come here in the future.” -Kristyn Taylor, resident and Save Our Pools member, at a budget session

“We recognize that all of our libraries are community centers as well … so we would appreciate being informed on what’s going to happen to the branch libraries so we can plan accordingly.” -Marcel Pultorak, head of the Library Commission, at a budget session

“I foresee more empty homes in Dearborn. Young families will not be looking to move here and city workers are going to lose their jobs. The parks … are one of the many reasons I moved to Dearborn eight years ago. Looks like it may be time to move out before my property value drops even more.” -Patrice Gilliam Ayala, via Facebook

“Everyone who works for the city could lose their jobs. Which is more important, putting food on someone’s table or having the pools?” -Helen M. Stechow Rupp, via Facebook

“Ferndale and Royal Oak have paid parking yet people in those cities never put up a uproar as much I have seen here.” –Roger Castillo, resident, via Facebook

"The whole street leaf removal thing is annoying. I've seen them sit and get flattened, take up parking and turn into leaf bricks as we approach winter. Bag ‘em folks." -Frank DeBoever, via Facebook

"We need to stop apologizing for having a functioning city with good resident services. We need to look at ways to keep them, not ways to cut them." -Cheryl Kohs, via Facebook

"We've adjusted to new garbage bins and recycling bins; we've also adjusted to keeping our vehicles off the street during trash pickup. Why wouldn't we be able to do the same with leaf collection?" Fatme Nemer, via Facebook

"I have been a resident of Dearborn since 1977. I have never used the paid parking. I just quit shopping in Dearborn." -Mary Thomas, via Dearborn Patch

"When times are tough, it means cutting services that, while useful, are easily obtained elsewhere. Dearborn should be concentrating on the basic services such as fire and safety, garbage pickup and keeping the city clean." -Lee Jacobsen, via Dearborn Patch

“Kids can get a respect for Dearborn (from the historical museum). If we instill a love for our city in them, they’ll come back and live here.” -Anina Bachrach at a budget session

“(The Dearborn Historical Museum) is a storehouse of history … and this costs money, certainly, to maintain all of this. But it’s really a valuable resource. While you look at (repair costs) as a subsidy, I look at it as matching funds.” -Fred Levantrosser, Historical Commission member, at a budget session

"I have lived in Dearborn for almost 10 years and have never been to the museum. Why? I really did not know about it, have been to the other attractions. There are two places that are dying in Dearborn: the Museum and Automotive Hall of Fame. Let’s get some marketing minded people in these places and make them sustainable." -Peder Blohm, via Dearborn Patch

"I see the museum as similar to the library in that it is providing a service and should not be expected to be self sustaining." -Mary Jo Durivage, via Dearborn Patch

The Final Word

"The people who work on these budgets put a ton of time and consideration into every decision and I appreciate that. But I think that once the residents in Dearborn have made it clear there are certain decisions they won’t stand for, it is the responsibility of our elected officials to make changes. The city must work with the residents and community groups that form out of our collective passion to create lasting solutions and not quick fixes to appease the crowd." -Kristyn Taylor,