U-Matic

Mayor C.A.Y. Media Day #3 Speech
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Top of the Pontch
5-13-88

U-Matic S tape containing the latter portion of Mayor Coleman A. Young's speech to reporters from across the state as part of the City of Detroit's Outstate Media Day on May 13, 1988 at the Hotel Pontchartrain. The recording begins shortly after tape 2015.009.041 left off with the Mayor Coleman Young' discussing the topic of crime.

He then continues to talk about how Detroit and the suburbs can mutually benefit each other rather than compete. He cites efforts to expand Detroit City Airport to relieve Metropolitan Airport which he characterizes as "dangerously overcrowded." He accuses "certain people" in Macomb County for seeking to prevent a City Airport expansion, while attempting to establish an airport in Macomb County.

He expands on the idea of Detroit's tied to the suburbs to discuss connections between the city and the Upper Peninsula, and to Canada. In discussing the city's link to Canada, he mentions both the International Freedom Festival, and questions Canadian complaints against the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Facility (which he terms the "incinerator"). He argues that the incinerator is preferable to landfills as the latter affects the ground water, and claims that the United States' regulations about governing the incinerator's emissions are stricter than Ontario.

Young also mentions invoking the Headlee Amendment, saying it could be used to charge the State of Michigan for any charges it imposes on the city's government. He jokes that Governor James Blanchard can then send the bill to "Pruneface," referring to President Ronald Reagan.

The mayor then eases into discussing his feelings toward the press, beginning lightheartedly, and then referring to the spreading of unfounded allegations by the city's press.

After joking about attacking the press at a press event, Young then invites questions. His partial answers are captured in a series of cuts that follow. First he discusses legislation allowing suburbs to either drop out or stay in the regional bus system. He mentions Grosse Pointe children who bus to high schools in Detroit as an example of Detroit supporting the suburbs. After another cut, he then discusses the lack of rapid transit. He explains that the suburbs and SEMTA blocked an effort to build a subway beneath Woodward Avenue. He also discusses the need for high-speed rail service between Detroit and Chicago akin to the train between Paris and León. Finally, returning to the theme of regional involvement, he also discusses how Muskegon is in need of finances to help develop its port. He says that Detroit has in interested in improving access to the western side of the state. The footage continues on tape 2015.009.044.

The recording is on a 3M MBU-18 U-Matic tape with a handwritten 3M label across its top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching case with a matching label on its cover.