Browsing Category
County Government
Alize Asberry Payne Slept (Ate and Ubered) Here: County DEI Dir. Charged $115K to County Credit Card
by P.D. Lesko
County records revealed that between 2022-2023, Alize Asberry Payne charged $115,000 to the credit card given to her by Washtenaw County. Along with trips, workshops, conferences, and a $3,700 payment to the Detroit!-->!-->!-->…
County Sheriff Spends Mental Health and Public Safety Millage Money on New Boat, New Furnishings, Graphic Design, and Bogus Therapy Program
by P.D. Lesko
This article was made possible by The Ann Arbor Independent FOIA Fund.
At a recent "informational meeting" with officials from western Washtenaw County, the Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton, The Sheriff's!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
In May 2023, Michigan Court of Appeals Found That Local Trial Court Judge Showed Bias, Abuse of Discretion and Ignorance of Court Rules
by P.D. Lesko
On May 11, 2023, the Michigan Court of Appeals published an opinion in which a three-judge panel found Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Tracy E. Van den Bergh's rulings in a divorce case repeatedly showed bias and abuse!-->!-->!-->…
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell Weighs in on the War in Gaza
by Rep. Debbie Dingell
On Nov. 30, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released a statement addressing the increase in hate crimes in the U.S., and calling for the continued release of all hostages. Mrs. Dingell is calling for a!-->!-->!-->…
Postcard Paid for With Mental Health Millage Money Claims “Dramatic” Increases in Services
by P.D. Lesko
"This mental health system finally broke me...abandoned by whomever was supposed to be helping me every step of the way. Drs Madjar and Bright seemed to care but every other person or 'team' let me drop through the cracks;!-->!-->!-->…
Violent Crime and Growing Homelessness Are Destroying Ypsilanti and Its Small Businesses
9/20/23: This story was edited to remove a mention of the Ypsilanti Public Library.
by Monica Ross-Williams
“I’m 83-years-old, have lived in Ypsilanti all my life and I’m afraid to visit downtown Ypsilanti,” an Ypsilanti community!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Is Ypsi Twp. Targeting a “Black-Owned Business,” or Protecting the Township From a Dangerous Public Nuisance?
by P.D. Lesko
At the Aug. 24 hearing on the matter of Ypsilanti Twp. vs. Ardis Lewis, Jr., Men Like Us and Lily Investments, Inc. before the Honorable Timothy P. Connors in the Washtenaw County Trial Court, the podium was crowded. The!-->!-->!-->…
Supreme Felons, Inc. Loses Non-Profit Status, Group no Longer Eligible to Receive Money From County $1.2M Grant
Due to the revocation of its non-profit status, Supreme Felons, Inc. is in direct violation of its contract with Washtenaw County. By violating terms of its Jan. 2023 contract, the non-profit became ineligible to receive any portion of the!-->…
Supreme Felons, Inc. Supporters Harass and Threaten Ypsi Township Trustees During Meeting
by P.D. Lesko
The cajoling, race-baiting, and threatening public comments started at 5:30 p.m. and went for more than three hours during the Aug. 15 meeting of the Ypsilanti Twp. Trustees. On the agenda was a resolution to demand the!-->!-->!-->…
Ypsi Police Chief and County Sheriff Sign Secret “Mutual Aid Agreement” Without Votes of Elected Officials
Ypsi Police Chief Kirk L. Moore, in a secret memo to his staff provided to The Ann Arbor Independent, says the YPD is undermanned and can't investigate capital crimes such as murder and attempted murder. In the memo, he announces he has!-->…