March15th
When you're 68, you've seen a lot of changes.
I celebrated my 68th on Friday in a world much changed from that of my birth. The U.S. in 1943 was fighting a world war. War was awful, of course, though it helped jolt the country out of economic depression.
My infancy pre-dated the baby boom. Television had yet to be adopted widely. Music was dominated by Glenn Miller and his ilk. High technology was still a dream. Read more…
February28th
Detroit 187.
When we built the Compuware building in Detroit some people wondered why we would spend so much money on a place that would be filled with computer programmers. Didn’t make financial sense.
But there are assets, such as employee morale and retention, that don’t show up on a balance sheet. They’re intangible. Read more…
February22nd
Rick Snyder
Michigan voters elected Rick Snyder governor – by a big margin – on his promise to balance the state’s budget and restore fiscal responsibility. The budget he’s proposing suggests he’s an elected official who honors a promise.
The legislature ought to pay attention. We surely wouldn’t want the sort of fiasco that’s unfolding in Wisconsin, where opposition legislators actually are hiding as a means of delaying a majority vote. Read more…
February14th
Spiros M. Karmanos
Danialle and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of Spiros (Spirit) Maximus (the Greatest) at 11:48 p.m. Sunday. Mom, Dad, baby and brothers Soc and Leo are over-the-moon happy. Everyone is doing fine.
With the Grammy Awards playing in the background, the newest Karmanos made it clear he was ready to join the party. Read more…
February10th
Imported from Detroit
Thanks Chrysler, Eminem and Sergio Marchionne…
…for showing 111 million Super Bowl viewers the heart and soul of Detroit. The advertisement for the Chrysler 200 – including a glimpse of the Compuware building! – reveals what people can do when they pull together for a common cause. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKL254Y_jtc
We spend way too much time fighting, arguing, competing. A gentleman wrote on Thursday to the Free Press with a great point: “Community leaders need to ask a simple question about any idea of program they propose: Does it help, empower, lead, employ or provide a chance to all who call themselves Detroiters?” Read more…
January25th
We can call this place whatever we like. It isn’t a city unless enough people want to live here.
Detroit used to be a city. For lots of reasons it’s now a huge, sparsely populated….what? A county, maybe, with a couple of terrific stadiums, lots of under-patronized restaurants and a wonderful freeway system.
Density in Detroit breaks out along Michigan Avenue on St. Patrick's Day
Hats off to the Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford Health System and Wayne State University, along with the Kresge Foundation, Hudson-Webber Foundation and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority for creating $1.2 million in subsidies to attract residents to the Midtown area.
For the time being if we have to pay people to live in Detroit, then so be it. But the goal is to make Detroit desirable. Read more…
January5th
Those of us who have played sports, watched sports and – especially – owned sports teams know that victory isn’t only about talent, it’s about heart.
Last year my Carolina Hurricanes fought hard to the very end, winning their last game and, as a result, getting a slightly worse draft pick. That pick, seventh overall, brought us Jeff Skinner. He’s showing early signs of brilliance and could be the best rookie in the NHL. Read more…
December21st
President Obama had it right – and so did his deficit commission – by recommending an overhaul of our tax system. We spend way too much time, effort and money figuring out how much we owe the government. Read more…
December20th
“The cloud” is here, and it’s transforming digital technology. While this development is fascinating to computer geeks like me, the main importance is for business. Read more…
December6th
Ever look at the block on Woodward Avenue in Detroit that used to be occupied by Hudson’s department store and say to yourself: “Gee, what a gorgeous spot.”
Me neither. Read more…
Pete is a civic-minded business man, philanthropist and sports fan.