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Gallup Poll: Slim Majority in U.S. Expect Republicans to Win the Senate
FIFTY-TWO PERCENT of Americans say they expect the Republican Party to win in the U.S. Senate, while an even larger majority, 63 percent, say Republicans will retain their majority in the House of Representatives.
Partisans on both sides…
Yes. No. Maybe. AAPS School Board Candidates Weigh in on the Proposed WLPS Annexation
Update: A comment from candidate Jeffrey Harrold has been added.
by P.D. Lesko
ANN ARBOR PARENTS contact Board of Education members on a regular basis about a variety of topics both mundane and not-so-mundane. So, the newspaper sent a…
During 60 Minute Town Hall Snyder and Schauer Trade Blows
For a scant 60 minutes on Sunday evening, Gov. Rick Snyder and Democratic challenger Rep. Mark Schauer showed their fancy footwork, bobbed and weaved as journalists threw questions their way about Michigan's economy, marriage equality,…
Washtenaw County Among Agencies That Will Receive a Portion of $6.8M in Michigan State Housing Development Authority Grant
ACTING EXECUTIVE Director Wayne Workman last week announced nearly $6.8 million in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) monies to help Michigan’s 92,000 homeless.
Washtenaw County is set to receive $310,975 in funding. The county has an…
Michigan Education Association Loses Member Opt Out Case—Promises Appeal
IN OCTOBER, A year after his state had adopted a right-to-work law, Michigan Education Association President Steve Cook announced that his union had retained 99 percent of its members.
That was a surprise. Right-to-work laws are…
UPDATED: WCC President Reimbursed for $2,873.60 Meal at Vinology With WCC Foundation Funds
UPDATED: The newspaper has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain the names of all the participants at the Vinology event for Wendy Lawson. We have also filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain the name of the…
From 2010-2013 Number of City Employees With Six-Figure Compensation Packages More Than Tripled
by P.D. Lesko
Since the hiring of City Administrator Steve Powers, compensation for city employees has risen sharply. In 2010, 13 employees earned six-figure base salaries. After three years of Powers’ at the helm, that number has…
At Thurston Nature Center, Neighbors Come Together to Carry on a 50 Year Legacy of Stewardship
by Marjorie Winkelman
PRAVEENA RAMASWAMI IS an enthusiastic, energetic woman with sparkling eyes and a streak of bright purple through her dark hair. She is the perfect tour guide at the Thurston Nature Center Fall work-day, greeting…
At Washtenaw Dairy, the “Thank You” Letter Box is Always Overflowing
by John Briggs
THE THANK YOU notes to Washtenaw Dairy, for donations of donuts and coffee and ice-cream and ice-cream bars, pile up. Co-owner Jim Smith puts the letters in a cardboard box as they come in.
“We put them in the box, and…
County Employee Credit Card Records Show Las Vegas Trips, Stays at Luxury Hotels Curtailed
by P.D. Lesko
In 2013, The Ann Arbor Independent published articles detailing county employee stays at Las Vegas casinos, resorts and 4-star hotels at taxpayer expense. Analysis of 3,600 credit card charges made in 2014 show no trips to…