I have been out of the office a lot this past week, traveling to various meetings throughout the region. I have to tell you, some of the roads I traveled on were frightening! Pot holes – deep and wide ones – everywhere. I lost the wheel cover on my front tire going over an especially bad one. I can’t imagine a bus ride over some of those holes. The bad thing about the snow melting is that now you get to see all of the trash in the right of way that has accumulated through the winter. Wonder how long it will take to get it all cleaned up this year? All in all – not a very pretty sight at all.
I understand the governor and the legislature trying to make Michigan a more attractive state for business to invest in. While I don’t agree with everything the governor is proposing, I do understand what he is trying to do. But, I can’t help wondering what the governor or a member of the legislature would say to a prospective president of a Fortune 500 company as they drive around the region, trying to convince him that this is the place to move to. Oh, I am sure he would tout the lower tax rate (if he is successful), our wonderful universities, the trained workforce, the many lakes and recreational opportunities that we certainly have. But while they would be talking, the president of the Fortune 500 company would be looking out the car window to pothole-filled roads, trash along the side of the road, and by the way, has the grass been cut? What’s that old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words?” What picture will stay in his mind? Lower taxes? I know the picture that is in my mind.
