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Gov
Quislings or Naifs? Well Known Ann Arbor Dem Duo Defend Their Support of Republican Rick Snyder
The fact is that Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder is not very popular at the moment. That could change. Certainly President Obama's approval ratings, once stellar, have fallen, then recovered. The fact of the matter is that governance and…
House Calls: Rep. Jeff Irwin Talks Funding (i.e. New Taxes) For Transportation
Representative Jeff Irwin, a Democrat, served for a decade as a Washtenaw County Commissioner. In January 2011, he began his first term in the Michigan House of Representatives. In his regular column, House Calls, A2Politico will pose a…
52nd District Republican Representative Mark Ouimet Targeted For Recall
Let me just say for the record that I like 52nd District Michigan State House Republican Mark Ouimet. He's a personable, warm and friendly man. Washtenaw County Democrats, led by Stu Dowty, then Chair, tried to derail Ouimet's march to the…
WHISPER: Think Local First Executive Director Enters Third Ward Council Race
A2Politico Notes: This is filed under "Scoops & Scores" because you read it here first!
There are now two challengers running to unseat Third Ward Council member Stephen Kunselman. The first to throw a hat into the ring was Marwan…
Service Cuts Have Resulted In Sharp Rise In Number & Frequency of Fire-Related Deaths
A2P Notes: This is filed under "Scoops & Scores," because you read it here first!
The graph, above, is simple to read. As the number of firefighters in Ann Arbor has declined, the number and regularity of fire fatalities have…
WEEKLY WHOPPER: Ann Arbor Mayor Claims University Police At Disposal of City
On April 14, 2011, AnnArbor.com reported that John Hieftje said, "Ann Arbor has more police officers than most think. In addition to the 124 sworn officers in the Ann Arbor Police Department, he said the University of Michigan has 54…
The Politics of Buyer’s Remorse: Group Files Petition to Recall Gov. Rick Snyder
According to a piece published today in The Detroit News, "A group that wants to recall Republican Gov. Rick Snyder says it will file its proposed petition wording with the state of Michigan this morning. Michigan Citizens United, which…
The Politics of Fire: Ann Arbor Fire Fighters’ Union Goes on the PR Offensive
John Hieftje and City Administrator Roger Fraser are both fond of pointing out that the Ann Arbor Fire Department is, practically, obsolete. Fraser, in describing what the AAFD does has said, "They have very few fires. Mostly what they deal…
Library Lot Underground Parking Garage Retaining Wall Collapses: DDA Contractor Has History of Wall Collapses on Projects
A2PNotes: This is filed under "Scoops & Scores" because you read it here first.
The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and Christman Construction released a joint statement today concerning the retaining wall collapse that…
The Politics of Policing: Crime Up In Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje has a track record of making it up as he goes along, particularly where the issue of crime in the city is concerned. Over the past several months, there have been multiple armed robberies of banks. In…