Retired teacher wants to end Woodward Dream Cruise
Now retired teacher Joellen Gilchrist wants to stop the cruising. She is planning a protest to take place during this years cruise on August 18 but hopes to keep it friendly since most of the estimated 1.5 million people who apparently turn out for the cruise each year likely wouldn't be too happy to see it end. Gilchrist's opinion of the cruise isn't universally shared by environmentalists. Melissa Damaschke of the Sierra club says that most people who don't like the cruise generally just head north for the weekend anyway, or turn out for the Green Cruise they organize the weekend before for cyclists, walkers and skateboarders.
The reality is that although most of the vehicles in the Dream Cruise predate the Clean Air Act and modern emission controls, most of them accumulate few miles each year any more. They aren't used to commute to the office and compared to the bulk of the vehicle population, they contribute little to the problem of pollution. What really needs to be addressed is the millions of cars commuting every day. Getting people to carpool, or use mass transit on a daily basis will have much more of an impact than ending this one event which will probably fizzle out in the next few years anyway as the Michigan economy continues to sputter.
[Source: Detroit Free Press]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wayne wolfe 1:13PM (8/18/2008)
I am an x-Detroiter that wishes I could have attended this year.
The Auto Industry is the Heritage of the city and to the Country.
Dear "Ms. Teach"...this deal is only gonna get bigger...Daytona is going to do a Dream Cruis format in October, called the "1st Annual...
Do us a favor, my dear...hop in your Honda and leave town during the dream cruise....and 'err, shut up!!!!
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Sybil Hill 1:57PM (4/16/2007)
I think it's commendable that the retired teacher,Joellen Gilchrist is trying to do her part to help the environment and possibly help to end global warming. BUT, The Dream Cruise is only one weekend out of the year. We must continue to remember the people who made and bought these American made cars. The Automobile Industry was and still is despite the major reorganization of the Industry at this time One, which has helped to sustain our United States economy for many many years. We should never forget our Automobile History and the fact that most of these cars were made by Americans and manufactured in The United States for many years. We should never forget WHY Detroit, Michigan was named THE MOTOR CITY.
We will never forget that the Detroit City and The BIG 3, CHRYSLER, FORD & GENERAL MOTORS ONCE CONQUERED THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD.
DETROIT was unquestionably the WORLD's Automotive Capital.
So if you Cancel The Dream Cruise, you cancel History.
Sybil Hill, Environmentalist, Car Enthusiast & Renewable Energy Company Owner. Metroenergy.us
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Janis Mara 2:38PM (4/16/2007)
(I apologize if this is a double post - my system is a big hinky today.) Just wanted to say that anytime somebody is willing to interrupt his or her life to write letters, make phone calls, hold meetings and otherwise take action in the name of the environment, I think they deserve a big pat on the back. Plus, this lady may succeed in educating a large number of people about the dangers of carbon emissions with her efforts.
That said, Sybil, I must admit I'm in agreement with you. I'm a big Motown fan and we all know how Motown got its name!
Janis Mara
www.ecotality.com
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Owain Ozymandias Buck 9:10AM (4/17/2007)
Good outlook guys! I have to agree. Most of us who are seeking to change the way we think of energy and transportation don't want to vilify the car! We want to make it better. Evolutionary, not revolutionary (then there's the argument of gradual change versus periods of rapid change--but I digress!) Let's give props to our automotive history while we use our resources more wisely.
Folks who only cruise their hot rods and antiques a few times a year are not the villains. If you want to change the way people think about energy and the environment, use events like this to show you respect them as fellow citizens and as an opportunity to share what you've learned about how their EVERYDAY energy use can be better for all.
But my guess is folks who want to shut down the Cruise don't care much for cars or the poeple who like 'em.
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joetroy 9:08AM (4/17/2007)
This mis guided do gooder got about six people to attend her first planning meeting for her protest. I live near the park where she held it. I find the cruise more of an annoyance than anything else. I think her message is sound although her plan seems to me to be a bid for self publicity. Maybe she needs a part time job.
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Onefastgta 8:34PM (7/05/2007)
Im all for the enviroment but this seems kind of misguided. My Firebird has no emmisions equipment on it but in the last 5 years it has only been driven 2,300 miles. Dont try to take our hobby away when there are much much bigger fish to fry.
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