Opinion

Incumbent Judges It was a pleasant surprise to read that The Ann Arbor Independent doesn’t endorse in elections. I’m not sure, after years of Ann Arbor News endorsements of right-wing candidates including George Bush, how much trust the…

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…

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…

THIS NEWSPAPER DOES not endorse in races for elected office. As such, we offer no opinion whatsoever concerning the best candidate for the probate judgeship vacated by Nancy Wheeler Francis. That being said, the appointment of Referee Julia…

by Mary Giliberti IMAGINE FILLING OUT college applications with your child one day and then watching him or her be admitted to a psychiatric hospital the next. That was reality for National Alliance of Mental Illness member Dawn Brown,…