K. INGRID AULT ran for Ann Arbor City Council and lost to incumbent Stephen Kunselman. Ms. Ault’s ideas and vision for the city did not appeal to the voters of her Ward. Ms. Ault was then appointed to the Parks Advisory Commission. The candidate whom voters decided not to elect was given the opportunity to shape public policy in an advisory capacity. Ingrid Ault is by no means the only losing Council candidate to whom an important board or commission appointment has been given over the past several years.

With the 2011, 2012 and 2013 election of reformers to City Council, the continued appointments of losing Council candidates to important boards and commissions has created a dysfunctional local government. The city’s board and commissions, which are wholly advisory in nature, are peppered with obstructionist naysayers—individuals who believe it is they, and not officials duly elected by voters, who should control public policy.

Ms. Ault’s recent “essay” published by The Ann Arbor News illustrates the problem. Titled, “City officials ignored input of park council in establishment of new downtown park,” Ault writes, “When council ignores the body entrusted to recommend policies and advise on park development then the process has failed.” Ms.  Ault argues that Council members’ votes to establish a central park  amounted to “a Pyrrhic victory that has created a deep rift in our community.”

Ms. Ault and the other failed Council candidates who populate important boards and commissions increasingly refuse to accept “the process” whereby City Council solicits advice, consults constituents and then votes. The ultimate decision with respect to the establishment, care and funding of parks, for instance, rests with elected officials, not political appointees.

We doubt the community’s feelings were as bruised as Ms. Ault suggests. We question whether “our community” is aware of the political upheaval currently taking place in local government—including Ms. Ault’s failed bid to oust Stephen Kunselman.

Recently, DDA Board member Joan Lowenstein publicly criticized Ward 2 Council member Sally Hart Petersen: “Petersen can’t make a decision about more transit before hearing from miserly constituents.” Former Council members and failed Council candidates whom the Mayor has appointed and reappointed to boards and commissions over the past half a dozen years increasingly obstruct the work of City Council. Council member Eaton makes light of Lowenstein’s public comments that he is wrong “all of the time.” However, her blanket statement betrays an inability to listen to those with whom she disagrees for whatever reason.

Effective local government demands board and commission appointees who are chosen for their qualifications and who understand that their advice must be weighed by City Council members in conjunction with other factors, including the opinions of constituents, miserly or not. Reformers on Council are demanding that appointments to boards and commissions be more transparent; they are publicly questioning the entrenched cronyism. We applaud their efforts and their leadership in this area.