A Descent Into The Maelström: Public School Confidential (My Best & Worst Teachers)
A2PNotes: Ann Arbor is home to some 16,000 public school students. Those students are parented by tens of thousands of women and men who haven't a clue about what their kids really do at school all day, not because they don't want to know.…
The Parent Trap: The Entitled Nation Becomes The Enabled Nation
A typical day for my best friend of 40 years, who just happens to be a secretary at a public middle school, goes something like this:
Student comes in to office, needs to use the phone.
"I need the phone. I forgot my lunch."
My friend…
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…
The Parent Trap: Make a Behavior Chart? Have a Martini? Let Me Think….
I am so sick of charts.
If I draw up, Google, copy, fill out or even see another chart, I may just hop on the next AATA bus that conveniently goes by my house every 20 minutes, and go to the nearest martini bar.
Confession: There is one…
National Media Slam AnnArbor.com For Ethical Lapse & Conflict of Interest
March has not been a good month for Ann Arbor's 18-month-old digital media extravaganza AnnArbor.com. Today, the digital site was lambasted by national media for a perceived ethical lapse and conflict of interest in appointing a U of M PR…
Governor Snyder’s Ratings Plummet Further: 50 Percent Disapprove of His Performance
On March 3, 2011 A2Politico posted a piece about a poll conducted by the Freep in which it was reported that 27 percent of Michigan voters polled disapproved of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's performance. In particular, during his first…
A Descent Into the Maelström: Private School Diary—The Social Ladder.
A2PNotes: Ann Arbor is home to some 16,000 public school students, and approximately 1,700 students who attend the city's various private schools. Those students are parented by tens of thousands of women and men who haven't a clue about…
The Parent Trap: The Entitled Nation
Less is more. Tell that to any American kid and see what kind of a response you get.
If for some reason, you are having a hard time picturing entitled kids (which I doubt), think of the book/film Willy Wonka with the lovely Miss Varuca…
The Politics of La La La La: AnnArbor.com Readers Beg For Explanation of Last Week’s Newsroom Staff Cuts
On March 11, 2011 A2Politico broke the story (with some help, of course) about the layoff of 14 newsroom staff at AnnArbor.com. MichiganRadio followed up with a short blurb, and by this beginning of this week, local bloggers, including Mark…