XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 The following is an opinion of The Bay City Times editorial board http://www.mlive.com/opinion/bay-city/index.ssf/2014/02/editorial_bay_city_leaders_sho.html Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it; honor Madonna, there’s nothing to it. If you didn’t just jingle that sentence to the tune of the 1990 Madonna hit “Vogue,” then maybe you just won’t get it. But to everyone else, it’s time to get rid of Bay City’s lackadaisical attitude toward Madonna and get going on some way to commemorate the town as the Material Girl’s birthplace. Really. Bay City did miss the boat in the ‘80s. Hindsight is 20-20, but this city should have jumped at the chance back then to claim the famous Pop star. It didn’t, and still hasn’t. Does the future of Bay City depend on reclaiming its connection with Madonna? Nope, but a reconnect certainly won’t hurt, and the benefits both in good will and economics could be music to Bay City’s ears. Look folks, there’s no downside here. Don’t be afraid a few people will be upset with Bay City because a connection with Madonna also condones her perhaps-racy behavior. There’s a bigger picture, one that portrays our little smelly town in the international limelight as a don’t-miss destination. Besides, that “little smelly town in northern Michigan” comment was back in 1987. And let’s face it, not many Bay Citians can say they’ve never complained about the smell in Bay City during harvest season. A few misconstrued comments almost 30 years ago. Get over it. Bay City just received the 2013 Port of the Year Award for last year’s Tall Ship Celebration. That means this port city will once again host the Tall Ships in 2016. Perfect timing. Imagine if even a fraction of those 75,000 visitors who spent more than $8 million last summer had another attraction to add to their must-see-in-Bay City list — take a picture on the street where Madonna used to play; hop on a Bay Metro Transit bus and tour Madonna-related landmarks; visit a Madonna museum, places where she spent time during her childhood, even her grandmother’s house and gravesite. We hear the Pop star doesn’t visit much anymore, if at all, since her maternal grandmother, Elsie Mae Fortin, died three years ago. But she does visit family in the Traverse City area. Hopefully, as she claimed so many years ago during that television interview, she still has “great affection for Bay City.” So how about somebody that knows her simply give Madonna a call and invite her over for dinner? If the timing is right, say this summer, we would even spring for the meal in the new Bay City Times hub at Fifth and Water right downtown and do our best to get city fathers and the Material Girl to shake hands. We’re not shy about saying it, “Madonna was born here.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 'The Madonna Controversy': Five facts about Bay City's Material Girl you may not have known http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2014/02/madonna_mythos_unveiled_five_f.html BAY CITY, MI — Bay City music historian Gary Johnson played to a full house Saturday afternoon thanks to the subject matter of his presentation — the one, the only, Madonna. About 125 people packed a room at the Bay County Historical Museum in downtown Bay City to hear Johnson's program — part of the Bay County Historical Society's monthly Second Saturday series. Johnson sought to dispel some of the myths surrounding the most successful female recording artist of all time, Madonna Louise Ciccone, during his presentation titled "The Madonna Controversy."Born in Bay City at the former Mercy Hospital, Madonna was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame on March 10, 2008, and is expected to be inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame later this year. She topped Forbes list of top-earning celebrities and her net worth is estimated to be between $850 million and $1 billion. "Not bad for a girl who played on Smith Street," Johnson quipped. Johnson acknowledges the negative feelings many Bay City residents have for the Queen of Pop, and said he hopes to remedy such attitudes through his presentation. He said folks on Saturday, Feb. 8, were excited to learn more about Madonna. Here are five things, according to Johnson, that you might not know: 1. Madonna has great affection for Bay City — Johnson says Madonna's infamous "smelly little town in northern Michigan" comment was taken out of context. The Material Girl said that during a 1987 interview with NBC's Jane Pauly, when asked about her hometown. Folks back home reacted negatively to the comment, but may have missed how Madonna answered Pauly's follow-up question on whether she fosters affection or great disdain for Bay City. “I have great affection for Bay City,” Madonna replied. As for that alleged stench, Johnson said Madonna's grandmother's house at 1204 Smith St. in the Banks District, was quite close to a Dow Chemical plant on Patterson Avenue. He said Madonna's grandmother, Elsie Mae Fortin, and her father, Silvio Anthony "Tony" Ciccone, had a running joke about whose town was smellier. "Thank goodness for the technology that makes this possible," Johnson said about the YouTube video clarifying the issue. "It's not often you get to correct a wrong 26 years later." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 2. Madonna didn't pose for pornographic photos for Penthouse or Playboy— She did, however, model nude for body studies for art students, Johnson said. She did this to earn a little extra money while also working as a waitress at Dunkin' Donuts and taking gigs as a singer and dancer in New York after dropping out of the University of Michigan, where she had been awarded a dance scholarship. She was 18-19 at the time of the photos and had signed a model release allowing the photographer to sell or use the photographs. When her music career began to take off, he sold them to Penthouse and Playboy. "There was a lot of money to be made, and nobody seemed to care much about Madonna, her family or her career," said Johnson. He added that a local store owner that carried such magazines was quoted in The Bay City Times saying that he had looked at the photos, and they were "very mild." He added that Madonna in the photos looked nothing like she did when they were published: she had dark hair and appeared to be about 18. A large cardboard-cutout of Madonna rests near the American flag during a presentation titled "The Madonna Controversy," given by Gary Johnson at the Bay County Historical Museum on Saturday, Feb. 8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 3. Madonna did not refuse to accept a key from the city of Bay City — It was never offered to her after the nude — not pornographic, said Johnson — photos of her were published. Former Bay City Mayor Tim Sullivan claimed it would be in "poor taste" to present her such an accolade after the incident. Mayoral opponent Patrick Ryon disagreed with that decision, and the issue became part of a political debate. The Detroit Free Press, upon hearing of it, wrote in an editorial: "the vacillating mayor of Bay City has created a political problem for himself over the Madonna issue." It went on to say that he failed to understand her mystique, "making him more naive than the average 13-year-old in Bay City". Johnson said Sullivan's sister once told him that the real reason Sullivan did not offer the key to the city to Madonna is because he felt she was an inappropriate role model. 4. Both Madonna and her mother, with whom she shares a name, have a myriad of experiences in Bay City — Madonna Louise Fortin went to Visitation Grade School, St. Joseph High School, Bay City Junior College and was married at Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church. She died of breast cancer in 1963, and she is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Kawkawlin, which is featured in Madonna's documentary, "Truth or Dare." There are photos of Madonna as a child playing at Tony's Park near the State Recreation Area. Johnson said other favorites were coney dogs from Cara's Red Lion, candy from St. Laurent's Bros., and swimming at the state park. "Bay City became a special refuge for Madonna," he said, adding that her extended trips to Bay City were inspiration for her song, "This Used to be my Playground." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 5. There is currently nothing marking Bay City as the birthplace of Madonna, but some residents are seeking to change that — Citing the success of Liverpool as the birthplace of the Beatles and Tupulo, Miss., as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Johnson suggests Bay City capitalize on the draw that such a distinction would bring. "The most interesting thing about Bay City to people around the world is that it's the birthplace of Madonna," he said. Johnson hopes that the city will add a sign reading "Birthplace of Madonna" to the town's welcome signs or name one of the new streets surrounding the Uptown development after the singer, her mother or both Madonnas as a token of goodwill. Upon making these suggestions, the audience applauded loudly. Bay City Commissioner Chris Girard, 6th Ward, who attended with fellow Commissioner Kerice Basmadjian, 7th Ward, stood to announce he would introduce adding "Birthplace of Madonna" signage to the city welcome signs. He noted the Michigan Department of Transportation would need to be involved in such an action. Johnson would like to see a museum display as well, noting that the Queen of Pop has more than 200 awards and trophies to her name. "Where does she keep all those?" he asked. "Well, I can think of a place." He switched the slide being projected to a photo of the Bay County Historical Museum "If we call ourselves a cool city, why not do something that people around the world would think is cool?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 Some of the comments posted online To Mr. Johnson - have you, or anyone else close to Madonna, talked to her about the possibility of Bay City exploiting her? Would she be onboard with a museum, receiving the key to the city? Or would she unleash the lawyers? Have you lined up political support to award her a key to the city? I would say to commissioner Girard - before you waste time, effort and money on getting signage for Madonna - fix the potholes, lower taxes, lower utilities, lower sewer charges, stop gutting public safety - and then worry about Madonna signs. Additional facts about Madonna the article failed to mention: 1.her clothing line with her daughter wasn't made in America, it was made in sweat shops in China, Madonna just finished yapping about human rights onstage, if your interested research sweat shop workers lives and their working conditions 2. Madonna's last tour earned Mitt Romney and Bain Capital millions as they own her touring label "Live Nation", Warner Music Group and Clear Channel, Mitt Romney a Mormon is behind the gay marriage ban and matter of fact Bill Clinton whom Madonna supported and promoted for years also signed the Defense of Marriage Act making gay marriage illegal 3. "Like A Virgin" was written by a male songwriter it was inspired by a break up and new found relationship 4. Madonna has a website dedicated to her "art" one can find this via a Google search entering the words "Many Artists Madonna Stole From" and it will result in more than one site detailing just whom wrote what and whom she stole from to sell an image and artsy product to earn herself millions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 LOVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 Lee Friedlander, is the photographer who shot the nudes of Madonna. It wasn't just some photography student, it was one of America's best photographers! His work hangs in museums around the world. He was one of the finest photographers of that era, or any era. It's actually a bigger deal that Lee Friedlander shot the photos than it is that Madonna was showing some skin. I highly recommend looking at his work Madonna is the greatest musical icon and artist of our time. Her home town should define toy bestow upon her the honor, it's the least they can do for all the accomplishments she has done. The hardest working woman in showbiz and fighter for human rights and social injustices. She's more than an icon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilt Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camacho Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Only the redhead in the frontrow looks interested. The others probably thought they were going to a bingo tournament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I want him to start a montage of madonna in grills photos and troll the audience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikki Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 lord. what is it with bay city (or detroit in general) being so disrespectful to her? like all of a sudden i hear all of this BS from people there disrespecting her, saying "madonna hates detroit" etc. really now? she never did shit wrong to detroit. i actually have an uncle on my father's side who lives there and writes for a newspaper. wonder what he says about M & all of this. (it better be good ) anyway this editorial/museum thing is a nice change of events. but what's with the old people? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest whatatramp Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 she's come so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 lord. what is it with bay city (or detroit in general) being so disrespectful to her? she never did shit wrong to detroit. SHE LEFT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larkspur Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I don't see anything wrong with them acknowledging her birthplace if it's done nicely and if it inspires growth for the city culturally and financially. I loved what he said about "This Used To Be My Playground." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikki Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I don't see anything wrong with them acknowledging her birthplace if it's done nicely and if it inspires growth for the city culturally and financially. I loved what he said about "This Used To Be My Playground." i was just rambling about most of the comments i read from people there (mostly regarding the kid rock thing a while ago) i was just really surprised that they could hate her so much.. they should be PROUD. should have clarified that. but I'm very glad that they're trying to change now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raf Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I'd go to Bay City only and just to take a picture of the welcome sign "The Birthplace of Madonna" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genevieve Vavance Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Bay City is our Betlehem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 Why do so many people make nasty comments on here? One of the reason Bay City keeps spinning its wheels is because of the "Can't do" attitude of so many of its citizens This article incorrectly identifies Madonna’s grandmother as ‘Elise’ Mae Fortin. Actually, her name was Elsie and she was an incredibly kind and down-to-earth person. I'm grateful for having had the good fortune to have known her during my youth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tumbleweedt Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I want him to start a montage of madonna in grills photos and troll the audience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest whatatramp Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I'd go to Bay City only and just to take a picture of the welcome sign "The Birthplace of Madonna" I'd go to stalk her dad's vineyard http://www.cicconevineyard.com, THERES A NUMBER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raf Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Wow, I've never seenn this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 Perhaps Girard can put his Superman costume back on and get a Joker costume for the Mayor and get to work on solving the problems that exist in Bay City, without adding more burden on the tax payers for some pie in the sky pipe dreams of getting Madonna to forgive the past transgressions heaped upon her by a previous Mayor. http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/bay-city/index.ssf/2014/01/local_music_buff_hosts_madonna.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 Lord. what is it with bay city (or detroit in general) being so disrespectful to her? like all of a sudden i hear all of this BS from people there disrespecting her, saying "madonna hates detroit" etc. really now? she never did shit wrong to detroit. i actually have an uncle on my father's side who lives there and writes for a newspaper. wonder what he says about M & all of this. (it better be good ) anyway this editorial/museum thing is a nice change of events. but what's with the old people? The young ones don't need to enter that dusty museum to experience Madonna They just log on youtube or queue up to purchase her $300 concert tickets That's why it's really nice and all but a bit LATE They should have started blessing and cherishing the whole notion of a connection a while ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCD Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I'm from Michigan and even I never think of the Bay City-Madonna connection. Her mother gave birth to her there sure, so it has the "Madonna was born here!" distinction .. but Madonna never lived there. She grew up in Pontiac and then Rochester Hills (these are not near Bay City) and then in Ann Arbor for college before moving to NYC. Her formative years were mostly in Rochester. And don't let the snarky media and such fool you - plenty of people from this area are proud that she's from Michigan! She might not wear it on her sleeve like some other Detroit artists do but that's OK. Besides, her family / Dad aren't in Detroit anymore. So she doesn't have a reason to be here regularly. Her dad's winery and stuff is nearly 5 hours north of this area. (Speaking of the winery - you can easily see Tony and Joan there on any old day if you go lol. They live right on the property and are working every day. I've seen them at least 10 times. They're both really nice. You can even have your wedding there! They host events.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikki Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Bay City is our Betlehem it is. I'd go to Bay City only and just to take a picture of the welcome sign "The Birthplace of Madonna" I totally would Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 07:15 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2FqNOudF88&feature=gp-n-y Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larkspur Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 i was just rambling about most of the comments i read from people there (mostly regarding the kid rock thing a while ago) i was just really surprised that they could hate her so much.. they should be PROUD. should have clarified that. but I'm very glad that they're trying to change now Oh no I was just speaking generally after reading the editorial. I responded right after I read the article. I'm glad he brings up things being taken out of context. I feel she is misquoted quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts