Re-elect Wojtowicz and support the Detroit Institute of Arts

In the Aug. 7 Primary Election, it should be noted that Hamtramck’s own Raymond Wojtowicz is once again seeking re-election as Wayne County Treasurer.

It’s probably a given that Wojtowicz needs no local endorsement since residents have overwhelmingly voted for him in the past. But it should be noted that Wojtowicz has won the support of voters for a reason: He works hard at his job.

He has also gone out of his way in recent years to make sure homeowners take all the necessary steps available to them to avoid a tax foreclosure.

Wojtowicz has compassion for people, and has offered help to make sure homeowners remain in their houses.
That’s no easy task these days with so many people facing economic hardship. These are truly historical times in this region as well as in this country, and Wojtowicz has risen to the challenge.

We strongly urge voters to keep RAYMOND WOJTOWICZ as Wayne County Treasurer.

Also on the ballot are two tax proposals.

One is asking voters to approve a tiny tax increase of 0.2 mills, which comes out to 20 cents per $1,000 of your home’s taxable value, to support the Detroit Institute of Arts.

In other words, if the taxable value of your home is $40,000, you would pay only $8 per year.

For that small amount of change, you will help ensure that the DIA will remain open. Yes, you read that right. The DIA is going through a major financial crisis because it has lost financial support from Detroit as well as the state.

This is a world-class museum, and it would be a huge loss if it has to shutter. In fact, it’s inconceivable to even consider closing the DIA.

The tax proposal is on the ballot in the tri-county area, which includes Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counites. The tax is for 10 years, at the end of which it is hoped that the DIA will have created a fund to keep the museum afloat permanently.

As an added bonus, the voters in the counties that support the tax will get free admission to the museum. Now that’s a deal you can’t beat.

We urge voters to support this cultural jewel and vote YES on the Wayne County Art Institute Authority Millage.

Another tax proposal is from the county asking for a renewal of a jail tax for another 10 years.

The county is asking for a little less than $1 per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value to help maintain jail facilities and build a training center for juvenile offenders.

This tax proposal might be coming at a bad time, considering the recent news reports of various county government scandals.

We are also concerned that the county is going to abandon the Hamtramck jail even though it’s less than 20 years old. What kind of management is that?

We’re going to bow out of an endorsement on this one, and let the chips fall where they may.