Abroad

For the past week or so I've been abroad in Santiago, Chile, a city altogether different from Detroit -- with the exception of rampant sprawl, which characterizes both regions. Here's a view of the city from Cerro San Cristobal, the city's largest hill. Note the layer of smog:



I'll be studying here until mid-December, so posts will be scarce for the next few months. Before I take my hiatus, however, I want to point to TRU's new Rapid-Transit News page, which gathers all the news about major mass transit projects in Detroit, (including light rail on Woodward and two commuter lines) in one frequently updated place.

A dark time for the city

The FBI is investigating four members of the City Council for corruption. The mayor refuses to resign despite felony charges. And DPS is facing a $400 million budgetary crisis as enrollment plummets.

This summer will surely mark a low point politically for the city. The Free Press calls it "a moment of truth for Detroit." The question is whether new leadership will finally step up to move the city forward from its past of corruption and decay.