Browsing Category
Boards and Commissions
Council Votes to Remove Member From His Boards and Commissions for Seven Months, “Against Advice of Counsel”
by Patricia Lesko
On April 19, 2021, in a move that the Ann Arbor City Attorney Stephen Postema called "unprecedented," Jeff Hayner (D-Ward 1) was stripped of his seats on seven boards and commissions, including the Parks Advisory…
Failed Taylor Appointee Threatens to Take Out Everyone on Council Who Voted Against His Nomination
by Patricia Lesko
In an earlier piece (https://www.facebook.com/A2Indy/posts/2468909916509588), I introduced you to Joe Malcoun. Malcoun, a Taylor stalwart and resident of Ward 3, is the co-owner of the Blind Pig and Nutshell software.…
Downtown Merchant Associations Say DDA Recommendation “Threatens” Merchants’ “Very Existence”
by Patricia Lesko
In a meeting held at lunch-time on Wednesday Mar. 1, over the objections of both the Main Street and State Street Area Association member business owners, the Downtown Development Authority Board approved the leasing of…
City Vendor Records Reveal Handful of Board/Commission Members Paid $1.33M
by Patricia Lesko
NextDoor is a city-wide listserv where neighbors can post everything from requests for babysitters to football tickets for sale. Neighbors have also taken to posting information about local city government. In Feb.…
Oct. 1 Public Hearing on Proposed New Tax for County Road Repair
A PUBLIC HEARING for residents to comment on a proposed half mill tax hike is scheduled to take place on Oct. 1 at 6:45 p.m. The hearing will be held during the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners’ monthly meeting.
County homeowners…
County Seeks Volunteers to Fill Board & Commission Openings
THE WASHTENAW COUNTY Board of Commissioners is looking for citizens to volunteer for a slate of positions with the various Boards, Committees and Commissions. The Board of Commissioners will make these appointments at their upcoming session…
Better Transit Now Group Launches In Opposition To AAATA Request For Tax Hike
Please note: Kathy Griswold is the Chair of The Ann Arbor Independent’s Editorial Board.
SUPPORTERS OF LOCAL transit argue that Mayor John Hieftje has pushed everything but local transit—trains to Howell, park and rides and bus service…
Local Political Appointees In Electronic Hot Water For Denigrating Women, Voters & Council Members Online
SHORTLY AFTER BEING nominated to serve on the Ann Arbor Planning Commission by Mayor John Hieftje, Jeremy Peters’s credentials were closely questioned by residents and Council members.
Peters (left), Director, Creative Licensing,…
Four Years Later Ethics Problems Still Haunt EMU Governmental Relations Director
The only former Ann Arbor City Council member having a worse time of it politically than Downtown Development Authority Board member Joan Lowenstein (former Ward 2 Council member) is former Ward 3 Council member Leigh Greden. Lowenstein,…
Five Council Members Launch An Unprecedented Effort To Curb Cronyism
by P.D. Lesko
"We keep seeing the same names."
"It's like there is some 'professional class' of board appointees."
"We need to draw from a larger group of citizens."
"I want to open the door for a closer examination of the appointment…