Two weeks ago I did what most columnists do: I opined. I dared to swim against the current. And, in doing so I stirred up some muck and muddied the proverbial pure flowing waters leading to the mecca of civilization, of course the zealots all know that to be Royal Oak, Michigan. I wrote (about a million times in one column), Don’t Go To Royal Oak.
To quote John ‘Hannibal? Smith (take your A-Team pick of George Peppard or Liam Neeson), ‘I love it when a plan comes together.? A columnist doesn’t have to be a journalist; a columnist only has one objective, to get the reader emotionally involved. I think I succeeded. Aside from our print and on-line readers, my column was shared in the Twittersphere and on Facebook, where the organic reach was just under 10,000.
Last week I shared some of the bombastic rebuttals for my column. This week, other readers who actually (gulp) didn’t call me fat, or stupid. So, without further eloquence . . .
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Years ago my friends and I used to go to Royal Oak and would have an enjoyable time. Through the years RO has gotten to big for their own britches. No where to park near where you’re going, and like you wrote, old dilapidated parking meters. RO has not gotten any of my money since the late 90’s. — Rebecca T
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Royal Oak took over hosting ‘Arts Beats and Eats? festival from Pontiac a few years ago. I took my family there to enjoy it. The City — to ensure its piracy was most effective and efficient — had prohibited parking on streets (unless, as a resident, you had a special permit displayed prominently on your car to keep the ‘road pirates? [police] at bay) for about a half-mile radius in all directions. If you didn’t want to walk a half mile, you were forced to park in the city municipal lot where you were required to pay $20 — which of course went to the city coffers!! Police had cordoned off the lots and were funneling willing festival-goers into parking lots and taking their $20. Police!
Worse, the streets in front of all businesses were empty. We went into Mr. B’s on Main Street, and there was only one other family in the entire restaurant — and this was a Friday night at about 8 p.m. Thanks, Royal Joke, for killing commerce and voluntary free trade. We left and vowed never to return. Steve A.
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A few years ago, I met a friend for dinner at Mr. B’s. I parked in the lot behind. When I returned to my car, I had a ticket for parking in a handicap spot. I mailed my $100 check with an explanation. The sign was not visible because of an overgrown tree; the lines were so faded you could not see them. When I returned a couple weeks later, the tree was trimmed and the lines were freshly painted. My check was not returned but cashed. So I know how you feel. Jo
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Read your column today about the city I’ve called Royal Joke for exactly the reasons you list. We’ve made a point of not visiting any business or event there for years because of Royal Joke police reputation for shaking down visitors and residents alike. I’ve heard numerous stories from residents and non residents about how Royal Joke views every person in as their own personal ATM. Stealing is so much easier than having to work for a living isn’t it?
We use to attend the Arts, Eats and Beats festival every year when it was in Pontiac and never had a problem. Haven’t been back since it was moved to Royal Joke. We don’t attend the Dream Cruise in Royal Joke for the same reasons. Mike P.
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Don, I’m a classic car enthusiast and Woodward Cruiser. I can’t begin to tell you how many stories I’ve heard about tickets and harassment others, like me, are subjected to in Royal Oak. I don’t buy gas or food in that city anymore. On average, the typical spectator at the Dream Cruise spends $75 on gas, food, souvenirs and the like. 1.5 million annual visitors times $75 each is more than $112 million. Most of that being spent right there at its epicenter-Royal Oak. I would think they would appreciate that revenue, but the way we”re treated, it is difficult to believe that to be the case.
Another point is the inadequate parking available at Arts, Beats, and Eats. That used to be a favorite festival of mine, but I won’t go to Royal Oak to enjoy it and spend my money there. Too many similar ticket-writing-happy police stories abound. It is just a plain old rude town to visit. I’ll spend my money elsewhere. Patrick F.
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Same exact thing happened to my husband and myself years ago meeting our friends who lived there, and we haven’t been back since — that was at least 10 years ago. It left a very bad taste in our mouths. Tara N.
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$75,000.00 in parking tickets are handed out during the Arts, Eats and Beats event each year. Nah that’s not about making money is it. Royal Oak city government sucks. Don, what these people are missing, is that you are not bashing Royal Oak, it’s their city government you have a problem with. David P.
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It does seem like Royal Oak intentionally tries to get people when it comes to parking. They do have the newer meters, but they also have a lot of old ones, too. I only carry credit cards most of the time and their parking garages happen to be cash only, as well. The time limits on the parking meters are also outrageous considering they know most people are going to dinner, out to the bar, etc. They know people are going to exceed the time limits. Megan S.
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And, finally the only bit of humanity I received:
Don, I live in RO and love it here. We are within walking distance of town. If you will give the town another chance, you can park in my driveway! Or, I’ll pay for your parking meter. Tammy R.