DETROIT – Fired up on a Friday night, there was a big turnout for Detroit city councilwoman Mary Sheffield's town hall meeting on why she voted yes to authorize $34.5 million in taxpayer-backed bonds for modifications at the Little Caesars Arena for the Pistons.
"We are sick and tired of being sick and tired of not getting buses that run on time so we can't get a job," a woman at the podium told Sheffield. The same woman then detailed more ways he city is failing her.
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Everybody at Friday night's town hall got a crash course from city staff on how the DDA's tax captured monies work.
"All these things matter," Sheffield said. "But the $34.5 million based on state law won't allow you to use it for that."
Attendees also found out the monies are coming strictly from the downtown development district, not the neighborhoods. People were still furious. Some were angry but respectful, while others were just yelling.
The second biggest gripe: In return for authorizing these monies, what are you getting back for city residents as far as community benefits? People tossed out ideas including free houses and scholarship cash.
Sheffield stood there for three and a half hours, taking questions and plenty of insults.
"We have a serious issue with underfunding and lack of attention to our inner city communities, there's no question, and I was not trying to debate that tonight," Sheffield said. "People are just genuinely upset about what's happening in downtown and Midtown and not seeing things in their neighborhood."