Politics & Government

Dispatches: The Changing American Dream

Patch is launching a new series about life in the Shores as residents strive to achieve the American Dream in the midst of these tumultuous economic and social times.

It is news we cannot seem to escape: falling home values, job uncertainty, and an economy that can't seem to get traction.

The economic uncertainty seems to have touched every block and business in St. Clair Shores from the to the neighborhood known as "Tangletown" in the north end of the city.

These are issues we talk about at restaurants such as Rose's Family Diner, during Little League baseball games and with our neighbors. 

Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At Patch, we want to be a forum where these topics are discussed daily through our stories, on our Facebook page, and in our comments.

What is the current definition of the American Dream? Has it changed during the past decade in what has been called the Great Recession?

Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Is the dream now just holding on to your home and job? Maybe the falling home values have meant young families can move into our city and entrepreneurs can open a small store.

Or is it a city that has continued to make the hard choices to keep a healthy rainy day fund along with a variety of city services, including police, fire and parks and recreation?

Does the leaner government also mean residents have found innovative ways to continue to provide activities for their neighbors such as the , and that were funded through donations and staffed by volunteers?

"Dispatches" will be built upon the compelling vignettes and snapshots in St. Clair Shores.

These are interesting times for St. Clair Shores residents. There will be . Our county has a new executive form of government with Mark Hackel leading an effort to which focuses on our waterways. And our state has a governor who had a budget passed earlier than anyone since William Milliken. 

With all these changes in our political and economic systems, there will be stories. And we want to be the venue where they are reported, discussed and shared.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here