Browsing Tag
Ann Arbor
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 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…
MSU But Not U of M/Ann Arbor On League of American Bicyclist Ranking of Bike-Friendly Campuses
The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that: "Western universities dominate the first-ever ranking of bike-friendly institutions by the League of American Bicyclists, with Stanford University taking the only platinum honors and two…
WEEKLY WHOPPER: Ann Arbor Observer Prints Claim That, “40 Percent of Property” in A2 off Tax Rolls
Headline: Small town monthly tabloid newspaper supported by advertising gets circulated free of charge to most homes in the city. Lots of human interest pieces, history, restaurant reviews, and peeks into the nooks and crannies of the…
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 Culture Vulture (Books): The Oxymoronic Book Club Culture: A Society Populated by Socially-Stunted Introverts
What is culture? I guess you could define it as high-brow, artsy stuff, but the sociologist in me thinks of this concept more as it applies to society—a cohesive unit in which the members work together for their own individual benefit or…
Weekly Whopper: "Ann Arbor’s Long Term Debt Has Increased from in $119M in 1999 to $246M in 2010."
On March 3, 2011 Council member Christopher Taylor sent out an email to Ward Three constituents that purported to "explain" the extent and reasons for the city's ballooning debt load. AnnArbor.com published Taylor's assertions in its print…
The Politics of Spin: U of M President Touts Belt-Tightening to State Lawmakers
Dr. Mary Sue Coleman is smart. That goes without saying. She does have a Ph.D., after all. She's also clever. Her recent act in front of the Michigan State Legislature was a performance that the Academy should recognize next year with a…
Urban Exile: Common Courtesy & Every Day Strangers
A2PNotes: In 2010, John Hieftje and First Ward Council member Sandi Smith both ran for re-election and patted themselves on the back for "doubling beds at the homeless shelter." If you count a chair as a bed, Hieftje and Smith were telling…