Browsing Category
Investigations
Social Media Blocks By Local Elected Officials Trample on Residents’ First Amendment Rights
by P.D. Lesko
Note: If you are blocked on social media by any elected official, this may be a violation of your First Amendment rights. The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University successfully sued President Donald…
SafeHouse Center is a “Dangerous Dump” and Survivors Say, “Enough is Enough”
UPDATE 1/22/22: Independent Investigation Confirms Allegations of SafeHouse Mismanagement: Executive Director Barbara Niess-May Resigns
September 17, 2021: Updated with additional audio clips, video and photos.
Update October 6,…
SafeHouse Exec. Dir. and Staff Retaliated Against Sexual/Physical Assault Survivors Who Spoke Out About Health and Safety Concerns at the Shelter
by P.D. Lesko
SafeHouse staff, interns and residents say it's time for Barbara Niess-May to be replaced.
When asked during a Monday August 30 interview why she'd contacted The Ann Arbor Independent about what multiple SafeHouse…
Staff and Clients Allege SafeHouse Center is Mismanaged and a “Racist, Toxic” Environment
UPDATE 1/22/22: Independent Investigation Confirms Allegations of SafeHouse Mismanagement: Executive Director Barbara Niess-May Resigns
NOTE: SafeHouse Executive Director Barbara Niess-May has alleged that there are unspecified…
Local Ann Arbor Landlord and Others Who Are Politically-Connected Received Millions in PPP Loans
by P.D. Lesko
In Ann Arbor, 57 businesses received PPP (Paycheck Protection Plan) loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration in amounts between $1 million and $10 million. Only one of the companies, Skysync, Inc., is…
Ann Arbor City Attorney Shenanigans?
Asst. City Attorney Says Postema’s Office “Represents” Detroit City Employee
Ann Arbor Public Services Administrator Sue McCormick left in 2011 to head the Detroit Water and Sewerage Dept. In a March 2015 email regarding depositions in…
City Employee Placed on Paid Leave Used Homophobic and Racial Slurs, Threatened to Beat up Co-Worker
Update: The original article stated that John Swantek had been put on leave Dec. 4, 2015. The correct date was Dec. 4, 2014.
by John Ball
Click here to download a copy of the AFSCME Discipline Report and pay records for John Swantek.…
Sweetheart Deal: Suspended City Employee Collects Pay for Months and Vests for Retirement
by P.D. Lesko
Download a copy of Ralph Welton's Separation Agreement here.
While City Administrator Steve Powers announced Welton’s “resignation” in Jan. 2015, the Separation Agreement signed by Welton and city HR Director Robyn…
Records Reveal Donor Did Not Pay for $2,873 “Farewell” Party WCC Prez Charged to Taxpayers
The Ann Arbor Independent filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the credit card records of WCC President Dr. Rose Bellanca. Records revealed a $2,873 meal paid for by Dr. Bellanca with her college-issued credit card. College…
Crime in Ann Arbor: 35 Percent of Crimes Solved—Since 2012, 8,000+ Crimes Uncleared
LET’S BE CLEAR: In the U.S., Michigan and Ann Arbor crime rates are down. According to data gathered by the FBI, in Ann Arbor, about 1,300 more crimes, total, were committed in 2009 than in 2013. That means, at a minimum, 1,300 fewer people…