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Ann Arbor Government
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…
City Council’s Universal Basic Income Program Could Hurt Low-Income Recipients
by P.D. Lesko
Since Linh Song (D-Ward 2) was elected to Ann Arbor City Council in 2020, the average median household income in the city has risen to $104,000. There are 5,500 people on Ann Arbor's public housing waitlist for 150…
Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Deputy to be Sentenced in May for Using Neck Hold on Inmate
In August 2021, a Washtenaw County deputy headed to trial in connection with an assault involving an inmate last summer.
According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Cpl. Christopher Ellul was arraigned on an assault…
Former Ann Arbor City Attorney Files Suit to Force City to Identify Staff Members in Report Used to Fire City Administrator
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…
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…
Political Donor to Mayor & His Council Allies Benefits From City Zoning Changes Around Briarwood
by P.D. Lesko
2/11/22: This article has been updated with comments from Council member Kathy Griswold (D-Ward 2).
Council member Kathy Griswold's (D-Ward 2) resolution asked City staff for the answers to a few questions: Who owns the…
How Many Units of Market Rate, Low-Income, Workforce and Affordable Housing Has Ann Arbor Built Since 2014?
by P.D. Lesko
"If you want to work on affordability, the thing that you do is try to increase supply. So, that is going to be a community conversation that we are going to continue to have. Obviously it’s going to mean that we have to…
First Amendment Twist: Federal Judge Awards Local Hate Group $159K in Legal Fees
by P.D. Lesko
Note: Our family belonged to Congregation Beth Israel from 1992-2004. I served on the Board in the early-90s. When the protests by Witness for Peace began, we were members of the synagogue. We joined Temple Beth Emeth…