Detroit struggles to keep lights on

[The Northerner]

Detroit —Like many swaths of the city, Keith Wicks' historic Indian Village neighborhood has remained largely dark at night after vandals destroyed transformers in nearly every streetlight pole that powers them.

On a recent rainy day, Wicks, 64, a retired GM engineer who has lived in Detroit for decades, watched as city Public Lighting workers put new transformers at the top of the aging wooden poles. Just days later, those streetlights were out — again.

"We've still got a ways to go," Wicks said with a laugh.

The growing lack of public lighting has become a troubling problem for cash-starved Detroit, where entire stretches of neighborhoods and thoroughfares — such as portions of the Southfield Freeway — are feeling the effects.

Read more: http://detnews.com/article/20111017/METRO01/110170356/Detroit-struggles-to-keep-lights-on#ixzz1b4PqyYzw

[FarCenter]

1. Having a Public Lighting system separate from the electric utility is incredibly stupid

http://www.detroitmi.gov/DepartmentsandAgencies/PublicLighting/AboutUs.aspx

[Festivito]

2. I'll oppose. It's incredibly stupid not to have one! Unless you like privatization and monopolies.

Detroit still owns its water, some electrical, and other stuff. It may be mismanaged, but do you really want to compare some mismanagement to a private sector monopoly's end effect?

I don't think so.

[FarCenter]

3. Monopoly utilities are not a problem if they are regulated

Most electrical utilities are heavily regulated by a state or local commission.

Having a parallel distribution system is more costly than any inefficiency in regulation.

[Festivito]

4. Name 1 thing more costly than an unregulated banking industry that cost us 600+T$ in CDSs and CDOs?

Talk about "inefficiency in regulation".

BTW, hint: World Gross Domestic Product is about 150T$ I've heard.