The Ann Arbor Independent’s EMU intern Ryan Hunter sat down with Ypsilanti Mayor Pro Tempore Lois Richardson to talk about blight, crime, education and her city’s reputation in the media. 

by Ryan Hunter

FOR MOST PUBLIC officials, public opinion is a top priority, however Ypsilanti Councilwoman, and Mayor Pro Tempore Lois Richardson is not afraid of what you think of her. Her reputation for controversy is part of her public persona, and she doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable topics or speaking truth-to-power. Whether speaking about Ypsilanti, or offering her opinions about Ann Arbor, Richardson can switch effortlessly from defense to offense within the span of a single sentence. Controversies aside, Richardson never comes across as anything other than genuine, or as someone who wants the record told accurately. She agreed to sit down for a series of questions with the Independent

Promptly arriving at Bigby Coffee in Ypsilanti, Richardson warmly introduced herself, and was not only polite, but charismatic, even nurturing. This impression clashed with the image of the out-of-touch, boorish figure she had been painted as in a recent editorial published by the Ann Arbor News.

We dove right in: When asked what changes she’s seen under her 16-year tenure on Ypsilanti City Council, Richardson opens by offering: “When I joined city Council in 1999 Ypsilanti was experiencing financial difficulties, but we were a pace-setter jumping on that, and paying down our debt. Now we’ve been able to take the pressure off.”

Richardson claims that the State has failed to honor its revenue-sharing agreement with Ypsilanti. However, despite its financial hardships, Richardson says Ypsilanti only has an annual deficit of $1.3 million.

“The financial situation since 2003 has been the big focus,” she says.

Switching topics: The A2 Indy posed a number of questions regarding Ypsilanti Public Schools.  Pubic records show that Ypsilanti Public Schools students post among the lowest ACT scores in the county.

In a moment of defense, Richardson flatly refused to answer any specific questions regarding Ypsilanti Public Schools financial status, instead referring this reporter to the Ypsilanti Board of Education.  Responding to questions about a possible annexation with Ann Arbor Public Schools, Richardson’s stonewalling relented, as she smiled with a response, “You see how the Whitmore Lake conversation went!”

She continues, more seriously, “I do think there could be some mutual benefit, and I don’t say ‘yay’ or ‘nay.’ I just don’t see that coming to the table any time soon. I just don’t see it.”

Richardson was asked if she thought the number of minority students in Ypsilanti Public Schools would be an issue for AAPS.

“I don’t think it’s about race, I really don’t. I think there a number of other factors that are involved, other than race,” she said.

Although Ypsilanti has become known for its crime thanks to reporting in various media, the newspaper asked Richardson to describe the character of Ypsilanti to someone not familiar with the city. She answered enthusiastically: “My tagline has always been it’s the best kept secret in southeast Michigan!”

She then went on to list many of the positives the city has to offer: “We’re the home of EMU, a nationally known University. We have several wonderful museums; we have good walkability and we have a number of festivals.”

Citing the communal environment she continued: “We have a number of citizens that jump-in, who are ready to do whatever it is that needs to be done. Ypsilanti is a great place to live, wok and play, and Ypsilanti has me!”

She grinned ear-to-ear.

“Sorry!” she said, “I have to keep this light!”

Despite the positives which Richardson underlined, the truth is that Ypsilanti still struggles against negative perceptions about its public housing and crime rate—a rate which Richardson contests.

“When you look at the raw data, much of what happens occurs in Ypsilanti Township, not the city!” Richards claimed. When asked to elaborate, Lois Richardson became defensive, and the conversation turned tense.

Richardson said, “Ypsilanti has been given a bad rep by people who want to say our crime-rate is excessively high.”

She added, “This (negative) perception was put out there by the media. The good things that came out of our goal-setting meeting were not reported (by MLive). Even our former Chief of Police made claims about ‘Ypsilanti’ (Township) but never added that distinction.”

When addressing low-income housing and its impact on higher crime rates, and a shrinking Ypsilanti tax base Richardson doubles-down, “This ‘East Ypsilanti-issue’ is really all Ypsilanti Township, and they have 33-square miles that surround the city.”

Richardson also said that Ann Arbor local businesses threatened to pull sponsorship from Talk Radio Station WAAM 1600 should the station continue to report on Ann Arbor-based crime. WAAM 1600 management did not respond to initial requests for comment.

Councilwoman Richardson’s emphasis on the distinction between city and township is the sole source of what she believes has earned Ypsilanti an ill-deserved negative reputation. Richardson also posited that some recent negative press could be the result of her remarks made about Ann Arbor that weren’t flattering.

Speculations aside, her assertion that Ypsilanti is as safe as Ann Arbor may be founded in truth after all. Ypsilanti City is roughly about four square miles bordered by both Pittsfield and Ypsilanti Townships. Most of the violent crimes that have been reported and publicized by MLive, and other media outlets have fallen within the jurisdiction of Ypsilanti Township, and have been erroneously conflated with the City of Ypsilanti.

Ypsilanti Township is policed by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, and is separate entity altogether. Richardson does acknowledge that areas along Laforge Rd. are blighted and the source of criminal activity, however she maintains that many of these crimes simply do not fall within city limits.

The fact remains however, when crime is reported by various media the distinction between the City of Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township is often not made clearly.

Richardson, referring back to the city-planning meeting at which she alleged that Ann Arbor officials are hiding important information from the public about crime in the city, added, “Our city services are improving. Our Fire Department is expanding, and our Police Department is improving.”

Again, there is truth behind Richardson’s advertising. Ypsilanti’s Police Dept. is clearing a higher percentage of its reported crimes than neighbors Ypsilanti Township or Ann Arbor. Simply put, Ypsilanti’s Police force is solving reported crimes at a higher rate than the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Dept. or the AAPD.

When told of this, Richardson seemed somewhat surprised by this information, and she enthusiastically exclaimed, “See my point!”

Switching gears, Richardson highlights Ypsilanti’s strong tradition for diversity, and believes it can favorably compare to any city, including Ann Arbor. Richardson cites this tradition by pointing out former Ypsilanti Mayor, John Burton, was one of the first African American Mayors in Michigan. Richardson says, “I’ve always pushed for that (diversity), and I’ve asked ‘Is our Police Dept. or Fire Dept. reflective of our community?”

Lois Richardson believes these types of considerations for minority representation within city government have helped Ypsilanti prevent racial violence, such as is happening in Ferguson MO, or recent  #BlackLivesMatter protesting in Ann Arbor.

In moving forward, Council member Richardson hopes that Ypsilanti will finally be recognized for being a safe community with a positive reputation: “I really would like to see the media give Ypsilanti (city) a fair shake. I wish the media would report the good stuff.”

In addition to the expanded and improved city services, Richardson also believes the newly-elected Mayor, Amanda Edmonds will make positive changes. Although the two have yet to sit down and discuss what strategy is best for Ypsilanti, Richardson is optimistic that voters have selected the best person for the job.

As far as her own political future is concerned Richardson, whose term is up in 2016, has not decided whether to seek re-election stating, “It’s too early to tell.”