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City Council
2017 City Council Aug. 8 Primary Election Coverage Round-up
On Tuesday August 8 Ann Arbor voters will go to the polls to vote in the City Council Democratic primary elections. The Ann Arbor Independent does not endorse in political races. We think our readers are informed enough to use the…
Ward 4 Council Candidates Go Head-to-Head: Magiera vs. Eaton
by Dave Alexander
This year, Ann Arbor CTN has produced short (2-3 minute) videos in which all the candidates running in the Aug. 8 Democratic primary election have a chance to introduce themselves and their campaigns to Ann Arbor…
Updated: Council Candidates Taking Credit for the Work of Others (Including Their Opponents)
Updated: On Aug. 3, the Mayor sent out an email to residents in which he endorses Council candidates. Portions of Taylor's email have been added to this article.
by Patricia Lesko
"To lie about an issue is to be a politician. To lie…
Ward 3 Council Candidates Go Head-to-Head: Kunselman vs. Ackerman
by Dave Alexander
This year, Ann Arbor CTN has produced short (2-3 minute) videos in which all the candidates running in the Aug. 8 Democratic primary election have a chance to introduce themselves and their campaigns to Ann Arbor…
Three Ann Arbor Council Candidates Return Developer’s Money
by Patricia Lesko
Local real estate developer Dennis Dahlmann gave campaign donations to three candidates running for Ann Arbor City Council who have decided to return the developer's money. The candidates, Anne Bannister (D) running in…
In A2 Insight Interview, Council Candidate Jaime Magiera Tries to Bamboozle Ward 4 Voters
by Patricia Lesko
According to the Washington Post, politicians lie to exploit political ignorance. Scientists and their research say that politicians lie the most. According to a Sept. 2016 piece in The Atlantic Monthly, politicians lie…
Pedestrian Safety “Top Council Priority” in Dec., Months Later $450K for Pedestrian Safety at Schools Voted Down
by Patricia Lesko
At the May 15, 2017 Ann Arbor City Council meeting, Ward 2 Council member Jane Lumm (I) put forward five of the seven proposed amendments to Ann Arbor's over $350 million budget. Four of her amendments had co-sponsors,…
Council Member Apologizes for Using Facebook and Twitter During Public Meetings
by Patricia Lesko
During four public meetings in early 2017, Ward 4 Council member Jack Eaton (D) spent a total of four hours accessing Facebook and a total of five hours accessing Twitter. Eaton, when asked to comment said: "I…
Emails/Texts Reveal Council Members Staged Homeless Support for Library Lot Sale Vote
by Patricia Lesko
The Ann Arbor Independent used FOIA to obtain emails, Tweets and text messages sent over several weeks prior to the April 17 City Council meeting between a trio of Council members and Caleb Poirier, founder of tent…
Ward 3 Challenger Kunselman Says City Council “Lacks Direction and Leadership”
by Patricia Lesko
Ward 3 resident and former council member Stephen Kunselman announced on April 26 that he has qualified to appear on the August 8 Democratic primary ballot. The City Clerk's office confirmed that he had submitted at least…