Madonna, Detroit Lions, Sewage & Uptown at River's Edge

Dreams & Wishes for 2009

January 4, 2009
By: O. J. Cunningham

Give the Key to the City to Madonna.

Now that our Mayor (Brunner) has become famous in the national political limelight, it should be number one on his list to open communication channels with Madonna concerning the ongoing "Key to the City" discussion. There needs to be some reference to this national singing icon in our fair city. Bay City is cool. Bay City would be "cooler" if we had a Madonna musical museum.

Detroit Lions Football.


Let's get Bill Parcells hired as the Coach/GM of Lions. Lions will then hopefully draft a quality quarterback in the 2009 NFL Draft. Lions owner William Clay Ford will step aside and let the franchise succeed. Lions will draft a quality offensive left tackle. Lions will draft defensive players that have tackling skills. Lions WILL NOT draft any wide receivers in 2009. You get the idea . . .


Stop Dumping Raw Sewage in the Saginaw River.


The most recent published report concerning "partially treated raw sewage" dumped into the Saginaw River was a staggering 400 million gallons. The blame was laid on recent heavy rain and snow melt. Over 300 million of these gallons came from Saginaw while 85 million gallons was discharged into the river by Bay City/Essexville sewage plants.

The Saginaw River and Lake Huron are two of this area's most important economic resources. Laying blame is useless. Being aware and supporting efforts to protect our waterways should be high on every resident's radar screen.

Uptown at River's Edge.

I want to see ground-breaking at Uptown at River's Edge sometime in 2009. I have been a supporter of the water park concept from day one. I also think Jimmy Dobson's Fire Truck Museum needs to come to downtown Bay City. But it seems we have been waiting for almost a decade for some sign of activity.

The strip of land from the Industrial Brownhoist property all the way south to the Wenonah Park Friendship Shell is the key to this city's economic future. It's time for something to happen.

The Clock on the Kresge Building.

We really need to get that clock fixed this year.