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Ann Arbor Government
Since Jan. 2015, 1,549 Crimes Reported by the Ann Arbor Police Dept.
BETWEEN MAY 4-May 11, there were 81 crimes reported by the AAPD, down from 107 crimes reported the previous week. Since Jan. 1, 2015, the AAPD has reported 1,549 crimes, total. Last week, there were 17 vehicle break-ins, three in a single…
Judge Kuhnke Rules Against Ann Arbor DDA
by P.D. Lesko
Circuit Court Refuses to Dismiss Pro Se Plaintiff’s Complaints
To download Judge Carol Kuhnke's April 2, 2015 Opinion in PDF format, click here.
ACCORDING TO HIS bio., local attorney Jerry Lax is currently in his…
Ann Arbor City Attorney Shenanigans?
Asst. City Attorney Says Postema’s Office “Represents” Detroit City Employee
Ann Arbor Public Services Administrator Sue McCormick left in 2011 to head the Detroit Water and Sewerage Dept. In a March 2015 email regarding depositions in…
$587,000 City Contract Goes to OHM Advisors— Company Employs Two Expert Witnesses for the Defense in FDD Lawsuit
by P.D. Lesko
A PENDING LAWSUIT against Ann Arbor for its Footing Drain Disconnect program begun in 2001 has the potential to cost taxpayers tens if not hundreds of millions in damages. Ann Arbor’s City Attorney once predicted the suit…
City Employee Placed on Paid Leave Used Homophobic and Racial Slurs, Threatened to Beat up Co-Worker
Update: The original article stated that John Swantek had been put on leave Dec. 4, 2015. The correct date was Dec. 4, 2014.
by John Ball
Click here to download a copy of the AFSCME Discipline Report and pay records for John Swantek.…
Ann Arbor Police Chief John Seto to Retire in July 2015
by John Ball
Earlier today, Chief of Police John Seto announced his intention to retire from the City of Ann Arbor Police Department in July. An exact retirement date has not been identified.
Seto has worked for the Ann Arbor Police…
Council Members Kept in Dark About Specifics of Sweetheart Deal for Staffer Who Resigned
by P.D. Lesko
IN JANUARY 2015, City Administrator Steve Powers told Council members that Building Dept. staffer Ralph Welton had resigned. Council members took that to mean that Welton had left the employ of the city and its payroll.…
Sweetheart Deal: Suspended City Employee Collects Pay for Months and Vests for Retirement
by P.D. Lesko
Download a copy of Ralph Welton's Separation Agreement here.
While City Administrator Steve Powers announced Welton’s “resignation” in Jan. 2015, the Separation Agreement signed by Welton and city HR Director Robyn…
With STOPPED Program Michigan Sheriffs Inform Parents When Teen Drivers are Pulled Over
by Brooke Kansier
PARENTS WHO HAVE qualms about their teen getting behind the wheel can rest a bit easier through a Michigan Sheriffs’ Association-backed program.
The program, “Sheriffs Telling Our Parents and Promoting Educated…
Pedestrian Task Force Members up in Arms After Council Members Indicate Unwillingness to Follow Recommendations
by P.D. Lesko
MEMBERS OF THE Ann Arbor Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force proposed changes to the city’s snow removal ordinance which would drop the one-inch threshold for the removal of snow and ice. The proposed changes would…