Wilbo is Caught in a Dragnet

I was motoring west of M-59 through the city of Pontiac, Michigan. Through the city of Pontiac, the maps call M-59 by the name Huron Street. I was passing the hospital district, and I noticed a collection of police cruisers and SUVs parked at the left and right curbs of Huron Street, all with lights flashing, all with officers outside the cars, watching. At first, I wondered if a high-ranking government official had driven through.

It's a well-known fact that George W. Bush prefers to land Air Force One at the Oakland County Internation Airport when he drops in for a fund-raiser or a speech at the Pontiac Silverdome. L. Brooks Patterson is the county executive of Oakland County, a leader in the Republican party. Detroit Metropolitan Airport is located in Democratically leaning Wayne County, with Democrat Robert Ficano serving as country executive. One of the newer terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Airport is named after Edward McNamara, a previous Wayne County executive and a Democratic party power broker. No one is going to say that's why George W. Bush and family lands at Oakland International, but it does come to mind when the largest airport in Michigan is overlooked. I guess Bill Clinton could get a haircut on the tarmac at Oakland International without tying up a major air hub.

I once witnessed a take-off of Air Force One in an eastward trajectory a few summers ago, when it was rumored George W. flew in for a fund-raiser at a wealthy donor's mansion. I once witnessed his motorcade driving east to the Silverdome, and even stood on the curb as the presidential limousine drove on past. I wonder if GW has a presidential-stature man doing his handwaving inside that tinted passenger window. An arm definately enthusiastically, maybe too enthusiastically, waved at me and the three bikers revving their Harleys as the prez and his motorcycle escort rolled on byward. Members of the motorcycle brigade blocked the driveways onto the roadway, so the guys revving their Harleys couldn't move forward. The guys were employees of American Discount Cycle Mart, 3225 West Huron Street, Waterford, MI 48328, and they were very impressed by the manuevering motorcycle brigade, blocking driveways as the President's limousine proceeded safely.

But Wednesday line up of police wasn't a honor guard, it was a dragnet of sorts. I was careful, moving into an alternate lane as I went by the parked police cars with their bubble lights flashing. I believe I was driving the speed limit, probably slower, and I was signaling my lane changes. So I was bewildered when I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw the massive black GMC Blazer, bubble lights flashing, on my tailgate. So I pulled over, rolled down my window, and watched through my rear view mirror as a handsome African American policewoman, hand on her holstered service pistol, advance toward my window. Halfway there, a smile came to her plush and sexy lips, and when she reached my window, she ordered into her radio mike, "Disregard !". She touched my shoulder and requested, "Disregard. We're looking for a Green Sonoma." I was driving a green S-10.

I was stuck in the far right lane now, so when I reached the northeast corner of Telegraph and Huron Street, I had to turn North onto Telegraph Avenue. On the west side of Telegraph, in front of the Arby's restaurant, I noticed an unusual sight for such a bright, sunny early evening. A young woman, blond hair, was standing with right foot planted firmly forward, showing off her right gam, bare from her shorts down to her shoes. I was looking for a place to turn around, and I couldn't make a left onto westbound Elizabeth Lake. A sign prohibited the turn. So I made a left turn into a combined BP gas station and McDonald's. I did want a drink and food, and I didn't want to make a U turn in a gas station parking lot, probably some kind of traffic violation, so I bought two bananas and a can of Rockstar Energy Drink. As I was heading south on Telegraph, I looked into the Arby's parking lot, and I counted two Waterford Township Police Blazers in the lot, with two officers walking around with smiles on their faces.


M-59 is called Highland Road once one passes west of Telegraph. Before one reaches Pontiac going westbound, it's called the Veteran's Memorial Freeway. It's a short highway that starts on the east at Lake St. Claire, where it is called Hall Road, and extends to a point west of Howell, Michigan. At that point, the motorist must chose westward Grand River or westbound Interstate 96.