The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team 2249 posts 224 comments

AT ITS JUNE 16th meeting, Ann Arbor City Council members once again approved a contract with Governmental Consultant Services Inc. for lobbying services. GCSI has been paid to lobby in Lansing on behalf of the city of Arbor since 2001. Kirk…

by Liz Dwyer TO THE AVERAGE American there’s only one Vergara that matters: “Modern Family” actor Sofia Vergara. But despite never gracing a single magazine cover, Beatriz and Elizabeth Vergara, two Los Angeles Unified School District…

Citizens’ Climate Lobby   Five minutes of your time on June 23rd would go a long way toward creating a better world for our children and grandchildren. On June 24th, 23 Michigan citizens will be in Washington, DC meeting with Senators…

by Jill Richardson IN THE U.S., massage is a multi-billion-dollar industry. As of July 2013, 16 percent of American adults received at least one massage in the last year. But, could it be that more Americans ought to get massages, and do…

The Ann Arbor Independent’s Editorial Board shapes this newspaper’s unsigned editorials. The Board members, volunteers who share their views and expertise, do not contribute to the creation of the newspaper’s other content. The Editorial…

New EPA Carbon Standards Limiting the amount of carbon pollution that power plants spew into our air just makes sense. Many Americans believe these limits are already in place. But although we already have safeguards in place to protect…

“I THINK THE  metrics we give you are appropriate.” Ann Arbor SPARK CEO Paul Krutko made this statement at the June 16 City Council meeting. Mr. Krutko’s appearance at that meeting was nothing short of shocking. From loudly upbraiding Ward…

MICHIGAN FOOTBALL AND U-M Athletic Director Dave Bradon’s efforts to “brand” U-M football have been criticized in the local, state and national media. Thanks to policies implemented by Mr. Brandon, a former CEO for Domino’s Pizza, student…

by Samantha Radecki FOR YEARS, pregnant women have been advised to stay away from eating fish because of their mercury content. But last week’s announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection…

THE MICHIGAN Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Director Steve Arwood issued a warning last week to Michigan corporations about a non-governmental entity trying to collect a $59.99 fee on behalf of the State. The scheme…