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$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…
Congressional Push for “Risk-Sharing” on Defaulted Student Loans Could Cripple WCC
Both Republican and Democratic U.S. Congressional leaders want to see colleges and universities, such Washtenaw Community College, have more skin in the game when it comes to paying for defaulted student loans. Such a policy shift could put…
“Reimagining Washtenaw Ave.” With Project Manager Nathan Voght
by P.D. Lesko
NATHAN VOGHT IS the project manager who wants us to Reimagine Washtenaw Ave. as an economic development opportunity. Like the controversial WALLY commuter train project on which over $32 million in local and state funds…
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…
49 Crimes Reported by AAPD Feb. 24-Mar. 3, 2015, Fraud Tops List of Crimes
DURING THIS PERIOD, there were no sex crimes reported by the AAPD. This week, there were 8 assaults, down from 9 the previous week. None of the assaults was charged as felony assault and none involved any sort of weapon. There were 12 cases…