By Joel Thurtell
David Josar of the Detroit News called today to say he’s mentioning me and my blog in a story about the city’s attempt to evict Manuel “Matty” Moroun from Detroit’s public Riverside Park, whose boat launch the billionaire trucking magnate shut down a few years ago.
Moroun also fenced off a section of park that once contained basketball courts. He’s using that area to store construction materials.
The administration of jailed former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick seemed not to mind that Matty had seized a public park and closed a popular boat ramp. Kwame’s replacement, Mayor Ken Cockrel, seems ready to play hard ball with Moroun.
The News wanted some words from me because my blog back in September alerted people that Moroun had hijacked the park.
Readers may recall how steamed I was — and still am! — that one of Matty’s boneheaded security guards ordered me out of the public park on the bogus claim that I was somehow violating Homeland Security rules.
The city will have its say tomorrow, Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 1 p.m. in 36th District Court. So will Matty, or his lawyers.
According to papers filed with the court by city attorney John Nader, Matty had an agreement with the city that allowed him to use parts of the park, but the agreement ran out on December 31, 2003. Later, the city revoked use of the park by Moroun or his Intrnational Bridge Co., owner of the neighboring Ambassador Bridge.
After 2003, attorney Nader wrote, “defendant (meaning Moroun) refused to vacate the property to date.”
The city could sue Moroun for damage to the park. According to Nader’s court filing, “plaintiff (the city) reserves the right to pursue and file a claim for money damages for wrongful detainer, trespass, value of the use of the premises, costs to restore the park to the condition that existed before defendant took possession, etc.”
Reporter Josar said he might mention my blog name, joelontheroad.com.
Wow!
But wouldn’t you know: Finally, my blog gets recognized by one of the Detroit dailies, and what am I running?
A two-part series on farts.
Drop me a line at joelthurtell(at)gmail.com
To avoid jinxing things, I’ll restrain my virtual high-five ’til you tell us what shakes out in court. (Oh yes, please DO attend the hearing, Joel. You know you want to.)
Encouraging to see the new team, no doubt thanks to the heat you kindled, isn’t afraid to evict a squatter . . . even (especially?) a prominent.
Blog power in action!
E-hand slap to follow.
Great news Joel. You should feel proud of yourself. Good work!
Lux Esto
Cha-ching. Thanks to you, each Detroit daily has a report on this case today.
You’re generating almost as much copy as when you were on the payroll!
Hey, next time maybe Dave Josar even will spell your name correctly and gave the blog address . . . if his overlords allow.
Until then, perhaps you should spell it Joksar.
Interesting Joel, this is the first that I have heard about an Agreement between the City & DIBC regarding use of some of Riverside Park. If you recall, DIBC was quoted on Channel 4 saying “After 911, Mayor Archer, verbally gave DIBC permission to do what it needed to do to secure the area “under” the bridge”. No mention of any Agreement between City & DIBC that expired in 2003. I guess it really doesn’t matter, verbal or written, DIBC has taken over at least half, if not more acreage of Riverside Park land as it’s own and this must be stopped. I had asked the City’s Law Department if the public could see a copy of the letter to DIBC to vacate the park land but never heard back. Now our City has to go to court and waste spend taxpayer dollars to make DIBC vacant our park land including restore the damage to the basketball courts and oh, let’s not forget the 2nd baseball diamond backstop! Well, whatever needs to done legally to make DIBC vacant and pay restitution and restoration will be a big win for the public. Keep us posted, Southwest Detroiters and the City says Thank you Joel for shining the light on our Riverside Park being held hostage! Deb
Getting it even this far is still a success, considering how things have gone under Kwame Crookpatrick. We expect live coverage from the 36th District war-zone, keeping us apprised.