As 2013 winds down, we dive into the archives to compile Deadline Detroit's 50 most interesting, unique and/or trafficked stories of the year. Over five days, we're counting down our "best of" list, and throwing in some honorable mentions along the way.
We reviewed stories 50-41 Thursday, stories 40-31 Friday, stories 30-21 Saturday, and stories 20-11 Sunday. Today, on this December 30 in this year of our Lord 2013, we present to you the crème de la crème - - our top ten stories of the year.
10. Six Things About Detroit That Are Worse Than The Idea of Selling Its Artwork; 8/9/13
It would be a bummer if the DIA was forced to liquidate its collection as part of Detroit's bankruptcy, and while that seems unlikely to happen, compared to insufficient police and fire service or forcing thousands of retirees to give up bare-bones pensions, the risk of losing an art museum seems kind of like a First World problem.
9. My Close Friend Loses His Son at Family Outing; 5/29/13
Darrell Dawsey reflects on the tragic passing of a friend's young son, who drowned during a family outing on the Au Sable River.
8. Viral Photo of 1973 Kids in Macomb Spurs Wider Dialogue on Race; 7/16/13
In 1973, Macomb Daily photographer Joseph Crachiola snapped a picture of a group of black and white kids hanging out together in Mt. Clemens. Forty years later, that photo became an internet sensation.
7. Consultants Ripping Off a Broke Detroit; 1/9/13
Detroit's financial crisis has meant cuts to bus service and pension payments, unpaid furlough days for city workers, park closures, and even led the Bing Administration to close police precincts at night to save money. However, if you are a politically-connected consultant, you can still make a living off the taxpayers. Same as it ever was.
6. When Sugar Ray Robinson And Jake LaMotta Made History In Detroit; 2/5/13
Seventy years ago, Jake LaMotta handed the Detroit-born Sugar Ray Robinson his first loss at Olympia Stadium, after 125 professional and amateur fights. Just three weeks later, Robinson would win a rematch at Olympia. Robinson (the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in history) and LaMotta (of "Raging Bull" fame) eventually fought six times, each one a classic. We talked to the 91-year-old LaMotta about the rivalry.
5. Why Does L. Brooks Patterson Still Have A Coleman Young Problem?; 3/27/13
It's been nearly 20 years since Coleman Young left office. He's been dead for more than 15. Yet Oakland County Executive Brooks Patterson can't seem to let it go.
4. The Fear of Filling Up The Tank At the Gas Pump in Detroit; 3/5/13
Getting gas is one of those routine chores people hardly even think about. In Detroit, this task has become fraught with peril as gas stations have become magnets for criminals looking for easy marks.
3. Pensions: 'I Am A Retired Detroit Cop. I Hope This Will Not Happen To You.'; 10/30/13
It can be difficult to wrap your mind around the sheer size of Detroit's financial woes. To give the matter a little perspective, retired Detroit Police Officer Brian Lawrence, a 23-year veteran, explains what potential pension cuts will mean to him.
2. Benny Napoleon Isn't Telling The Truth About Why The Feds Cracked Down On His DPD; 7/29/13
Mayoral candidate Benny Napoleon tried to sugarcoat why the federal Department of Justice began investigating the Napoleon-led DPD. David Ashenfelter brings the truth and explains how it actually went down.
1. Dan Gilbert Is Planning To Tear Down Every Single Abandoned Building In Detroit; 10/1/13
We left it to the readers to select our top story and this one was, by far, our most trafficked post of 2013. As well it should be, Gilbert's vision to demolish all abandoned or blighted structures across the city is a bold one. Hopefully this idea, articulated in 2013, will be implemented in 2014 and by 2015 we can pivot the neighborhood conversation to actual redevelopment.
HONORABLE MENTION: That's How You Turn Left' In The U.P. During Winter; 12/15/13
What is a U.P. left turn exactly? Well, it involves a 270 spin and (probably) a little prayer.
