Browsing Category
City Council
In Ward 5, Ali Ramlawi Defends His Seat on Council Against Marketing Executive Backed by Mayor
by P.D. Lesko
Ward 5 Council member Ali Ramlawi has served since 2018.
Ali Ramlawi was elected in 2018 to represent Ward 5 on Ann Arbor City Council. He defeated incumbent Chuck Warpehoski. Ramlawi's campaign website says he's…
Mayor’s Promise to Improve Roads Hits Pothole–Taylor’s Goal “Unattainable,” According to City Staff
by P.D. Lesko
When he ran for City Council in 2008, Christopher Taylor called Ann Arbor's 200 miles of residential streets, 100 miles of major streets, and 14 bridges "a disgrace." According to city pavement ratings from June 2022, 39…
Endorsements in Washtenaw County Political Races Hide Political Truths From Voters
Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton.
Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton has endorsed Ann Arbor City Council candidates, as well as County Commissioner Sue Shink, who's in a three-way primary race for a seat in the Michigan…
Ann Arbor Observer Editor John Hilton Imposes Media Blackout on Ward 4 Candidate
by P.D. Lesko
John Hilton, Editor, The Ann Arbor Observer.
Dr. Mozhgan Savabiesfahani circulated her nominating petitions, collected her signatures and the Ann Arbor City Clerk judged that the candidate had collected at least 100…
Four Assistant City Attorneys Assigned to Fight Former City Attorney’s Request for Public Records
by P.D. Lesko
The Ann Arbor Charter states that, like the County, Ann Arbor shall employ a single City Attorney. There are, at present, a dozen attorneys employed by the City, plus numerous contract attorneys. Four of those twelve…
County Clerk Asked to Disqualify Ann Arbor’s Mayor From Running for Re-Election
by P.D. Lesko
When filing to run, candidates for elected office sign affidavits swearing their campaign finances are in proper order. Between 2018 and 2020, Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor purchased multiple Facebook ads, but his…
Campaign Finances of Ward 4 Incumbent Show Financial Support Primarily From Ward 4 Residents
by P.D. Lesko
Ann Arbor City Council member Elizabeth Nelson (D-Ward 4) ran as an unknown in 2018 for a four-year term. Nelson is running for re-election in 2022. According to her pre- and post-election campaign finance statements filed…
Few of Ward 4 Council Challenger’s Donors Live in Ward 4
by P.D. Lesko
Library Trustee Dharma Akmon has raised $15,365 for her Ward 4 City Council race, according to public campaign finance records. On April 14, 2022 Akmon Tweeted out a thank you to "***194 individuals***" who have allegedly…
Former City Administrator Takes First Step Toward Suing Mayor and Council Members for Defamation
by P.D. Lesko
In August 2021, former Ann Arbor City Administrator Tom Crawford resigned. Seven members of Ann Arbor City Council (Taylor, Disch, Song, Grand, Radina, Eyer and Briggs) had voted to terminate Crawford's employment based on…
Former City Attorney to File Grievance With Michigan Bar–Alleges Mayor and City Attorney Engaged in “Unprofessional Conduct”
by P.D. Lesko
R. Bruce Laidlaw, the Ann Arbor City Attorney between 1978 and 1991 and an Assistant City Attorney for six years before that, sent an email on Feb. 25 to Ann Arbor's Mayor Chris Taylor, City Attorney Stephen Postema and…