Marcia Rice, May 18th, 2024
Title
Marcia Rice, May 18th, 2024
Description
In this interview, Marcia Rice shares how her community has been affected by flooding.
In partnership with the Manistique Community Treehouse Center
In partnership with the Manistique Community Treehouse Center
Publisher
Detroit Historical Society
Date
5/18/24
Rights
Detroit Historical Society
Language
en-US
Narrator/Interviewee's Name
Marcia Rice
Brief Biography
Marcia Rice is 73 year old life long Detroiter who has worked with the IRS and is a cancer survivor.
Interviewer's Name
Kevin Hawthorne
Interview Length
10:20
Transcription
Kevin Hawthorne: All right. This is Kevin Hawthorne with the Detroit Historical Society. And I am here with Marcia Rice. And could you spell your name for the record?
Marcia Rice: M a r c i a R i c e.
KH: All right. Thank you for being here today. And I'm going to start with the, very simple question. Do you live in the city of Detroit?
MR: Yes I do.
KH: And in what neighborhood? No address needed.
MR: Jefferson Chalmers area on Alter Road.
KH: All right. And how long have you lived in that neighborhood?
MR: 21, 21 years.
KH: Could you speak a little closer to the mic?
MR: Like that. Okay, 21 years.
KH: lean, in a little closer look.
MR: 21 years.
KH: Yes. All right, so 21 years. Have you lived in any other neighborhoods in the Detroit area?
MR: Yes. I used to live in Marlboro, I lived on Nashville, I lived on a street called Fisher and I used to live on a street called Field. I've been around.
KH: I've been around. And do you work in the city of Detroit?
MR: I'm retired.
KH: Before you retired did you work in the area?
MR: Yes, I did, I worked downtown, I was worked for the, Internal Revenue Service.
KH: Internal Revenue Service. So the IRS, what would you do for that?
MR: Was a management program analyst.
KH: And, where was that located?
MR: In downtown. 985 Michigan Avenue.
KH: Right? So, then, moving on to a current day with, the tree house organization how did you get involved with the tree house?
MR: Through attending different meetings and meeting Tammy, you know, and interacting with her and so forth.
KH: And did you, meet Tammy just through coming to the meetings or?
MR: The different meetings, I met her through going to different meetings.
KH: And how did you find out about the meetings through fliers or someone going door to door?
MR: It was, through fliers and then it was on the website. They were put, you know, notices out and so forth.
KH: So what got you—what made you most interested in joining the tree house organization.
MR: And joining what now?
KH: The tree house what made you most?
MR: Well, because I see the good work that she's doing, the Tammy is doing and I seen that she needed, you know, all bodies more bodies and help, you know, to help her to move forward in a lot of, you know, accomplishments that she was trying to do.
KH: Yeah and so what services would you say you think the treehouse provides to help, combat climate change?
MR: Climate change? I think they've done all solar panels. They've done those, and I don't know— I really don't follow a lot, but I know the solar panels is one thing and then she was involved and oh my god, I'm drawing a blank right now I wasn't expecting this I wish I had known up front.
KH: That's totally okay.
MR: Oh my. God. I'm sorry. It's basically, I know it's the solar panels. Oh, and the compost stuff like that. But that's not part of climate change, though, is.
KH: That is part of greening efforts, you know, trying to green the city of Detroit and be more eco friendly. Have you, with the solar panels, have you considered trying to get solar panels for your house?
MR: No.
KH: Is the main drawback to the price?
MR: No, it's not the price. I'm just not interested in that, you know, because what they have to do, and they have to do all this additions to your house, and I don't know the pros and cons of it right now.
KH: is just—
MR: Not enough information for me.
KH: Okay. Totally understand. And, what about the tree houses flooding prevention and information? Are you able to tell me about that? Like, they're trying to spread awareness about the flooding and how to prevent that.
MR: Well, the to prevent the flooding. Which we didn't expect. It was a shock to everyone, I guess, and right now, what you will have to do is basically pull your downspouts out to ground more or less like that have a backflow bell installed or a sump pump or whatever, you know. I don't know how else you would, I mean, flooding is something we have no control over. Yeah, cause that's like. That's nature. You know, something from God or whatever. And we have no control over that. And you can prepare yourself the best you can. But sometimes that don't always work, you know?
KH: No. Absolutely. So, with the tree house, what have you typically been involved with? Are you are you, helping run meetings or.
MR: Well, I've been to her meetings with the Serenity Kitchen and— oh, God, I'm drawing a blank. 73 years old. You know, I haven't really been— been involved too much because I have health issues. I'm a cancer patient, and I've been dealing with that. So I've been in kind of, like, out of the loop. But, you know, things I can do, you know, from home or at a distance or whatever. I try to help out.
KH: No, I totally understand that. And how do you feel the tree house is able to engage with the community?
MR: How do I feel that they can engage?
KH: Or, how they can or how do you.. how do they engage the community? Or do you think they could do more?
MR: They engage. They have a website called Nextdoor where they put a lot of information out, you know, to keep people aware of what's going on and then she has meetings with, you know, various locations, you know, and then she attends meetings and so forth. They make, you know, bring people aware of what's going on within the tree house. From what I can tell, this is this is a very good organization, you know, and she's trying a lot, you know, as hard as she can, you know, to bring it forward.
KH: Absolutely and is there—what do you think's the main ways that you're able to educate people on a lot of climate change issues or like, eco issues? Just through the fliers and meetings.
MR: Just basically fliers and meetings. And, you know, you have to do your research. You know, if you're able. Because I find a lot of people, a lot of people in this community, they're basically senior citizens. A lot of them don't have that knowledge where they can get on a computer and research and find things, and I think is better learned if you have, you know, paper information where they can read and understand. You know.
KH: So you think they're able to engage, with the kind of senior citizens who are, as you said, not as aware, maybe not as aware of the issues?
MR: Sorry? That noise.
KH: Yes, the fan is a little loud. I'm hoping the mics don't pick it up, but, you believe that, they're able— one of the things the tree house is able to do really well is engage with maybe some of the older people in the community who are maybe, you know, not as internet savvy to be able to look up all these things. You think they provide a important service?
MR:Yes.
KH: By having the meetings and fliers?
MR: I mean, it's open, you know, to the public, I mean to the community communities, an organization, you know, within this area and if they want to attend, she's open arms for anybody, you know, and she's always welcome anybody that want to come and help and get involved.
KH: And, from the community what do you— have you seen the feedback? Do you think the feedback from the community has been positive? Apathetic?
MR: It all depends on what's going on. You know, so I really can't say it's positive or negative or whatever it because you know everybody see things differently and everyone has their own agenda when it comes to certain things but for me it's been very positive.
KH: What have been the big positives that stood out to you?
MR: Just the idea Just knowing that she's out there, she's involved and she's continuously trying to make things better. You know, and I think that's that's great. Real great, you know.
KH: All right. So we've talked a lot about like some green infrastructure and things like that. And I would, if you could have one piece of green infrastructure installed in the city, what would you want? Like something like wind turbines or solar panels?
MR: Repeat that I'm sorry I can't hear.
KH: You. It's okay. If you could have one piece of green infrastructure in your organization to be able to use, like wind turbines or solar panels, which would you prefer?
MR: For me, it will probably be solar panels. Yeah.
KH: And would you like to see that implemented throughout the whole entire city as well?
MR: If it comes at a reasonable cost and they have like good rates for seniors, people on low incomes or, you know, there, you know, don't just don't have the money to do it. Because I find now you have these companies out there, they see what you're trying to do and they price gouging, you know, and so if they can get something in place where everybody's get the same price, you know, that'd be good. Yeah.
KH: Is, price gouging a big you think, a big concern with a lot of people when they hear about these smaller issues?
MR: Yes. They don't really like I again, I said they don't really know all the ins and outs, how it may save them on energy, you know, and their electric bills and so forth because everybody don't research and they just don't see how you know the positive impact it may have on them. You know, because you have a lot like more or less like old school and they just used to get an electric bill paying and or whatever but when you come up with new stuff, a lot of people are afraid. You know, they're afraid to try something different because they really don't know—you know, if it's going to have a positive or a negative impact on them, you know.
KH: So do you think a lot of the hesitation people might be is like just the fear of something new?
MR: Yeah. And then again, not being fully educated. And then you got another thing you have to consider whoever's doing this are they just doing this just to sell you the product? Or they actually, you know, doing it for the right reasons?
KH: Yeah. Or do they actually have people's best interest at heart?
MR: So that's it. That's it. We don't know.
KH: All right. Well that's excellent. Is there any final things you would like to say?
MR: No. That's it.
KH: All right. Well, thank you so much for your time today, and I hope you have a nice day. Thank you so much for sitting down with us.
Marcia Rice: M a r c i a R i c e.
KH: All right. Thank you for being here today. And I'm going to start with the, very simple question. Do you live in the city of Detroit?
MR: Yes I do.
KH: And in what neighborhood? No address needed.
MR: Jefferson Chalmers area on Alter Road.
KH: All right. And how long have you lived in that neighborhood?
MR: 21, 21 years.
KH: Could you speak a little closer to the mic?
MR: Like that. Okay, 21 years.
KH: lean, in a little closer look.
MR: 21 years.
KH: Yes. All right, so 21 years. Have you lived in any other neighborhoods in the Detroit area?
MR: Yes. I used to live in Marlboro, I lived on Nashville, I lived on a street called Fisher and I used to live on a street called Field. I've been around.
KH: I've been around. And do you work in the city of Detroit?
MR: I'm retired.
KH: Before you retired did you work in the area?
MR: Yes, I did, I worked downtown, I was worked for the, Internal Revenue Service.
KH: Internal Revenue Service. So the IRS, what would you do for that?
MR: Was a management program analyst.
KH: And, where was that located?
MR: In downtown. 985 Michigan Avenue.
KH: Right? So, then, moving on to a current day with, the tree house organization how did you get involved with the tree house?
MR: Through attending different meetings and meeting Tammy, you know, and interacting with her and so forth.
KH: And did you, meet Tammy just through coming to the meetings or?
MR: The different meetings, I met her through going to different meetings.
KH: And how did you find out about the meetings through fliers or someone going door to door?
MR: It was, through fliers and then it was on the website. They were put, you know, notices out and so forth.
KH: So what got you—what made you most interested in joining the tree house organization.
MR: And joining what now?
KH: The tree house what made you most?
MR: Well, because I see the good work that she's doing, the Tammy is doing and I seen that she needed, you know, all bodies more bodies and help, you know, to help her to move forward in a lot of, you know, accomplishments that she was trying to do.
KH: Yeah and so what services would you say you think the treehouse provides to help, combat climate change?
MR: Climate change? I think they've done all solar panels. They've done those, and I don't know— I really don't follow a lot, but I know the solar panels is one thing and then she was involved and oh my god, I'm drawing a blank right now I wasn't expecting this I wish I had known up front.
KH: That's totally okay.
MR: Oh my. God. I'm sorry. It's basically, I know it's the solar panels. Oh, and the compost stuff like that. But that's not part of climate change, though, is.
KH: That is part of greening efforts, you know, trying to green the city of Detroit and be more eco friendly. Have you, with the solar panels, have you considered trying to get solar panels for your house?
MR: No.
KH: Is the main drawback to the price?
MR: No, it's not the price. I'm just not interested in that, you know, because what they have to do, and they have to do all this additions to your house, and I don't know the pros and cons of it right now.
KH: is just—
MR: Not enough information for me.
KH: Okay. Totally understand. And, what about the tree houses flooding prevention and information? Are you able to tell me about that? Like, they're trying to spread awareness about the flooding and how to prevent that.
MR: Well, the to prevent the flooding. Which we didn't expect. It was a shock to everyone, I guess, and right now, what you will have to do is basically pull your downspouts out to ground more or less like that have a backflow bell installed or a sump pump or whatever, you know. I don't know how else you would, I mean, flooding is something we have no control over. Yeah, cause that's like. That's nature. You know, something from God or whatever. And we have no control over that. And you can prepare yourself the best you can. But sometimes that don't always work, you know?
KH: No. Absolutely. So, with the tree house, what have you typically been involved with? Are you are you, helping run meetings or.
MR: Well, I've been to her meetings with the Serenity Kitchen and— oh, God, I'm drawing a blank. 73 years old. You know, I haven't really been— been involved too much because I have health issues. I'm a cancer patient, and I've been dealing with that. So I've been in kind of, like, out of the loop. But, you know, things I can do, you know, from home or at a distance or whatever. I try to help out.
KH: No, I totally understand that. And how do you feel the tree house is able to engage with the community?
MR: How do I feel that they can engage?
KH: Or, how they can or how do you.. how do they engage the community? Or do you think they could do more?
MR: They engage. They have a website called Nextdoor where they put a lot of information out, you know, to keep people aware of what's going on and then she has meetings with, you know, various locations, you know, and then she attends meetings and so forth. They make, you know, bring people aware of what's going on within the tree house. From what I can tell, this is this is a very good organization, you know, and she's trying a lot, you know, as hard as she can, you know, to bring it forward.
KH: Absolutely and is there—what do you think's the main ways that you're able to educate people on a lot of climate change issues or like, eco issues? Just through the fliers and meetings.
MR: Just basically fliers and meetings. And, you know, you have to do your research. You know, if you're able. Because I find a lot of people, a lot of people in this community, they're basically senior citizens. A lot of them don't have that knowledge where they can get on a computer and research and find things, and I think is better learned if you have, you know, paper information where they can read and understand. You know.
KH: So you think they're able to engage, with the kind of senior citizens who are, as you said, not as aware, maybe not as aware of the issues?
MR: Sorry? That noise.
KH: Yes, the fan is a little loud. I'm hoping the mics don't pick it up, but, you believe that, they're able— one of the things the tree house is able to do really well is engage with maybe some of the older people in the community who are maybe, you know, not as internet savvy to be able to look up all these things. You think they provide a important service?
MR:Yes.
KH: By having the meetings and fliers?
MR: I mean, it's open, you know, to the public, I mean to the community communities, an organization, you know, within this area and if they want to attend, she's open arms for anybody, you know, and she's always welcome anybody that want to come and help and get involved.
KH: And, from the community what do you— have you seen the feedback? Do you think the feedback from the community has been positive? Apathetic?
MR: It all depends on what's going on. You know, so I really can't say it's positive or negative or whatever it because you know everybody see things differently and everyone has their own agenda when it comes to certain things but for me it's been very positive.
KH: What have been the big positives that stood out to you?
MR: Just the idea Just knowing that she's out there, she's involved and she's continuously trying to make things better. You know, and I think that's that's great. Real great, you know.
KH: All right. So we've talked a lot about like some green infrastructure and things like that. And I would, if you could have one piece of green infrastructure installed in the city, what would you want? Like something like wind turbines or solar panels?
MR: Repeat that I'm sorry I can't hear.
KH: You. It's okay. If you could have one piece of green infrastructure in your organization to be able to use, like wind turbines or solar panels, which would you prefer?
MR: For me, it will probably be solar panels. Yeah.
KH: And would you like to see that implemented throughout the whole entire city as well?
MR: If it comes at a reasonable cost and they have like good rates for seniors, people on low incomes or, you know, there, you know, don't just don't have the money to do it. Because I find now you have these companies out there, they see what you're trying to do and they price gouging, you know, and so if they can get something in place where everybody's get the same price, you know, that'd be good. Yeah.
KH: Is, price gouging a big you think, a big concern with a lot of people when they hear about these smaller issues?
MR: Yes. They don't really like I again, I said they don't really know all the ins and outs, how it may save them on energy, you know, and their electric bills and so forth because everybody don't research and they just don't see how you know the positive impact it may have on them. You know, because you have a lot like more or less like old school and they just used to get an electric bill paying and or whatever but when you come up with new stuff, a lot of people are afraid. You know, they're afraid to try something different because they really don't know—you know, if it's going to have a positive or a negative impact on them, you know.
KH: So do you think a lot of the hesitation people might be is like just the fear of something new?
MR: Yeah. And then again, not being fully educated. And then you got another thing you have to consider whoever's doing this are they just doing this just to sell you the product? Or they actually, you know, doing it for the right reasons?
KH: Yeah. Or do they actually have people's best interest at heart?
MR: So that's it. That's it. We don't know.
KH: All right. Well that's excellent. Is there any final things you would like to say?
MR: No. That's it.
KH: All right. Well, thank you so much for your time today, and I hope you have a nice day. Thank you so much for sitting down with us.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Marcia Rice, May 18th, 2024,” Detroit Historical Society Oral History Archive, accessed January 21, 2025, https://oralhistory.detroithistorical.org/items/show/1028.