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In Ward 4, Incumbent Elizabeth Nelson Faces Two Challengers
by P.D. Lesko
Democrat Elizabeth Nelson was elected to represent Ward 4 on Ann Arbor City Council in 2018. After her election, she began publishing a chart of Council meeting votes and publishing a newsletter. In her time in office,…
Mayoral Candidate Anne Bannister: By the Numbers, Votes and Resolutions
by P.D. Lesko
Democrat Anne Bannister has lived in Ann Arbor since 1974, when she moved to the city with her family. Presently, she lives in Ward 1 in a home on Main Street and works in the financial services industry. In 2009, she…
Mayor Taylor Used City Staff to Secretly “Harvest” Resident Email Addresses, Then Solicited Campaign Donations
by P.D. Lesko
In March 2022, The Ann Arbor Independent filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain all emails sent in 2020 and 2021 to and from City staff to any email address at Hooper Hathaway, the law firm where the Mayor is…
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…
Michigan Launches ‘988’ Behavioral Health Crisis Helpline
by Kyle Davidson, Michigan Advance
State officials on Thursday announced that Michigan would join the nation in using a new number, 988, to connect residents experiencing behavioral health crises with resources.
In 2020,…
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…
Washtenaw County Reps Who’ve Missed the Most Votes in Lansing
by P.D. Lesko
Michigan's legislators are among the highest paid in the nation. Currently, legislators in our state receive a base pay of $79,650, plus another $12,000 annually for expenses. Leadership positions receive added…
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…
House GOP Block Dem Efforts to Vote on Abortion Access Bills
by Allison R. Donohue, Michigan Advance
During the first session since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, House Democrats attempted Thursday night to bring bills to the floor for a roll call vote that would…
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…