Letter to the Editor: Issues with Detroit Institute of Arts Millage

The following is a letter to the editor from Diane Chrzanowski.

Detroit Institute of Arts Millage - Biggest FRAUD Ever!

The language on the ballot for the DIA millage request does not mention that it is for the Detroit Institute of Arts. If you don't pay attention to newspapers, you're likely to think that the above millage request was for a facility or facilities in Oakland County. Well, it is NOT for an Oakland County facility.

All Democrat and 6 Republican Oakland County Commissioners also defeated a resolution that would have clarified that if the millage failed in any of the other counties, the overall millage would fail. This action deliberately leaves us in a position to be the only county funding the DIA if it fails in the other 2 counties.

Other reasons to vote NO on this millage:

- we can not pick up the tab for bad management of all of the Detroit facilities.

- the DIA raised $170 million for an 8 year total remodeling project built during the worst ecomonic years in Michigan in decades with little concern for future operating costs.

- the zoo has a millage now, if the DIA millage passes, I guarantee you that more will come, the DSO, Opera House, etc.

- the DIA has endowments of over $100,000,000 and a basement full of art that could be sold to raise funds.

Language on ballot:

OAKLAND COUNTY ART INSTITUTE AUTHORITY MILLAGE

The Oakland County Art Institute Authority established pursuant to Public Act 296 of 2010 to allow for continuing support of art institute services for the students, residents and visitors of Oakland County. The law allows the Authority to seek authorization from the electors to levy a tax of not more than 0.2 mill (20 cents per $1,000 of taxable value) on real and personal property to provide revenue to an art institute services provider for this purpose. Accordingly, to continue providing art institute services to benefit the residents of Oakland County, shall a 0.2 mill on all of the taxable property located within the County be imposed for a period of ten (10) years, being years 2012 through 2021? It is estimated that if approved and levied, this new millage would generate approximately $9,847,191 in 2012.

The viewpoints in this letter are those of the writer, and Patch is not responsible for any ideas portrayed as facts. For questions and clarifications, please leave a comment below or contact editor Brooke Meier at brooke.meier@patch.com or 248-534-7203.