Mayoral Candidates Have Different Stances on Homelessness
JUST DAYS AFTER Ann Arbor and MDOT officials bulldozed a homeless encampment, four mayoral candidates signed a pledge to end homelessness in the city by 2018. The pledge which they signed reads: “We pledge to commit financial and political…
Q & A: Washtenaw County Probate Court Candidate Tamara Garwood
by P.D. Lesko
TAMARA GARWOOD is seated at a table in Cafe Verde which is tucked in a corner. She has chosen a secluded spot where, presumably, our conversation will not be overheard. The problem is that in Cafe Verde at 10 a.m. (my…
Chelsea Center for the Arts Closes: Board Releases Letter
“IT IS WITH great sadness that we inform you that the CCA has ceased operations and closed the building due to financial hardship effective immediately. All camps and lessons are suspended due to an inability to make staff and instructor…
Days After U-M’s President Schlissel Starts Job, Feds Launch Title IX Investigation into Sexual Violence at Brown U. Where He Was Provost
by P.D. Lesko
In April 2014, Brown U. was in an uproar. There were protests about the “bungled” handling of a student rape hearing. Media described the protests as having provoked a “nationwide uproar.” Meanwhile on April 17 in Ann…
OP-ED: Progressive Values are America’s Values
by Sen. Elizabeth Warren
A LOT OF in this room have a lot of history. Five years ago, I was fighting hard for a new consumer agency to keep the big banks from charging families on mortgages and credit cards. I went to see a lot of…
Federal Judge Mulls Holding City in Contempt for Sending Out Hundreds of Ballots Without Ward 3 Candidate’s Name
by Rob Smith
1992 WAS QUEEN Elizabeth II’s “annus horribilis.” Prince Charles and Prince Andrew’s marriages both broke down, Princess Anne divorced and large parts of Windsor Castle were destroyed by a major fire, which destroyed many…
A2POLITICO: Mayor’s Race: Looking Past the Platitudes to the Voting Records
By P.D. Lesko
IF A PLATITUDE falls from the lips of a political candidate and no one’s there to hear it, does it make a sound? The local media are breathlessly reprinting the platitudes offered up at the many mayoral forums sponsored by…
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Ann Arbor SPARK Running a For Profit Venture Capital Fund?
Using Public Money to Run a For Profit Venture Capital Fund?
Council members, elected officials and media:
SPARK, a NON-PROFIT, is taking taxpayer money and they are managing a FOR-PROFIT fund.
Tax-payer money is being…
Ann Arbor Independent Reader Survey Results
THE ANN ARBOR Independent conducted a reader survey between July 1 and July 15. We received a total of 260 completed surveys in both electronic and written formats. What follow are the final results of the survey. Not every respondent…
EDITORIAL: Michigan League of Conservation Voters’ Reportcard
THE MLCV CLAIMS to be a nonpartisan group. However, the group’s staff and Board of Directors are populated by former Democratic elected officials and individuals who have endorsed, and donated to Democratic candidates in Ann Arbor. We have…