Ann Arbor Pays Thousands Monthly in Car Allowances and Mileage Reimbursements to City Employees With Desk Jobs
According to information provided to A2Politico in response to a FOIA, in Ann Arbor government, an attorney, planning department staffers, police officers, and even a DDA employee receive stipends worth $50 to $400 a month to put toward…
Pushing Our Kids Away….Just A Bit
by Betsy McMillin
I am celebrating today. As well as mourning.
My tiniest tot, my sweet two and a half year old, fell asleep and slept in her own "big girl bed," all night. Okay, so her bed is right beside ours, but baby steps, right?
I…
As Budget Woes Mount, City Managers/Staff Spend On Extravagant Meals & Luxury Resorts At Taxpayer Expense
A2P Notes: This is filed under "Scoops & Scores" because you read it here first.
Over the past 36 months Council has struggled with budget "deficits," threatened to close Mack Pool and the Burns Park Senior Center to make ends meet,…
Foodist: Styrofoam Takeout Containers Are Killing Us All (Maybe)
TKWU, my favorite Chinese restaurant, doesn't use Styrofoam takeout containers, but our favorite burger place does, and so do loads of other local restaurants, as well as local food carts. Takeout orders at TKWU are packaged in durable…
Savaged: Michigan Democratic Party Lacking Leadership From Chair Mark Brewer
by Chris Savage
In an unprecedented move this spring, the Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) of Benton Harbor, Michigan swept aside the City Commission and assumed total control of the government. Appointed by Democratic Governor Jennifer…
Ann Arbor Politicos Support Spending on Trucks & Consultants Instead of Police & Firefighters
Ann Arbor city staffer (and likely the next City Administrator) Sue McCormick (pictured left) has earned the nickname of SHOPerations Manager for the City of Ann Arbor. Why? Because Ms. McCormick likes to spend your money on shiny new…
Michigan Dem Party Ignores Recall Efforts—MDP Facebook Page Bombarded By Furious Dems
On May 11th, Eclectablog posted an item that should let Michigan Democrats know exactly how far the Michigan Democratic Party is prepared to go to lend support to the efforts to repeal the Emergency Financial Manager legislation and the…
AnnArbor.com Is A Failure Because Tony Dearing Was “Clueless” Argues Former AA News Reporter
A2P Notes: Just after AnnArbor.com was launched, essayist Jack Lessenberry wrote in the Metro Times:
Now I like to think of myself as a fairly sophisticated newspaper critic. I've worked for a lot of them, have had bylines in The Washington…
The Parent Trap: Confessions of a Cheapskate/Tightwad
by Betsy McMillin
I have gotten a lot of great, positive feedback from The Entitled Nation (March 20, 2011), a lot of people seeing themselves and their kids, even when they didn't want to.
I wish I could say that my kids are not as…
Urban Exile: Panhandling Can’t Be Legislated Out of Existence
by Erika McNamara
Once again panhandling has grabbed the attention of the Ann Arbor public and media. Recently, the Ann Arbor City Council decided to amend the city Panhandling Ordinance. This decision was based on the recommendation of…