EDITORIAL: Ann Arbor SPARK Numbers Games
SINCE 2009, ANN Arbor SPARK and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation have come under intense criticism for misleading the public concerning the number of new jobs created. From the Detroit Free Press to the Lansing State Journal,…
A2Politico: But, Soft! What Hare-Brained Budget Allocation Through Yonder Fiscal Prudence Breaks?
by Bryan Kelly
IT IS OPEN season on the public purse. Budget negotiations for the 2016-2017 fiscal year are nigh. The City Administrator’s plan has been submitted to City Council. In the current forecast, a $1.7 million deficit in the…
THE FOODIST: When the Faraway Import is More Climate Friendly Than the Product Produced Locally
by Ari LeVaux
THE QUESTION OF how far food should travel between where it is produced and where it is consumed has become a frequent matter of passionate debate. The popular rule of thumb is that the more local the food, the better it…
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto: Ypsi Community High School STEMM Academy Team Goes to Robotics World Championships
by Donna Iadipaolo
WHAT SETS YPSILANTI’S robotic “Team 66” apart from other robotics teams in the area may not only be its diversity, but also the fact that it comes from a “STEMM” school.
Many people may be familiar with the push for…
EDITORIAL: The AAPS Debt Millage Vote
THIS PAPER ENDORSES neither political candidates nor millage/bond proposals. We ascribe to the belief that an educated readership doesn’t need to be told whom or what to vote for. The Ann Arbor Independent educates readers on the issues.…
Riding for Recovery: Dawn Farm Raises Money to Offer Treatment (and Hope) to Those Fighting Addiction
by Stavi Tennebaum
THE DAWN FARM 6th Annual Ride for Recovery took place Sun., Apr. 26, along Stony Creek Road, at the organization’s headquarters in Ypsilanti. Over 350 participants paid a $35 registration fee to walk, bike and run in a…
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.…
OP-ED: An Alternative to Proposal 1
by Robert J. Schneider
As I mull over the idea of paying more taxes if Proposition 1 passes tomorrow, I can't help but think that, instead of piling more taxes upon the poor schnook who already pays through the nose, wouldn't it be great…
A2 Indy Wins Reporting and Photography Awards for Local Coverage from Society of Professional Journalists
by John Ball
THE ANN ARBOR Independent earned three “Excellence in Media” awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Detroit Chapter, for 2014 photography and reporting on such varied topics as investigative reporting, the 2014…
Burns Park Senior Center Hosting Artists’ Reception May 1
by Pam Simon
THE COMMUNITY IS invited to attend an artist reception featuring Ann Arbor artist Brenda Miller Slomovits with live classical guitar performance by Michael Harrington and light refreshments. The event is free and takes place…