Browsing Tag
Elizabeth Nelson
by P.D. Lesko
Mayor Chris Taylor and his City Council allies voted unanimously on Tuesday March 4 to put what the pols claim are two connected ballot questions (Proposals A and B) on the Aug. 2025 ballot. Voters will be asked to not!-->!-->!-->…
In Ward 4, Incumbent Elizabeth Nelson Faces Two Challengers
by P.D. Lesko
Democrat Elizabeth Nelson was elected to represent Ward 4 on Ann Arbor City Council in 2018. After her election, she began publishing a chart of Council meeting votes and publishing a newsletter. In her time in office,!-->!-->!-->…
Ann Arbor Observer Editor John Hilton Imposes Media Blackout on Ward 4 Candidate
by P.D. Lesko
John Hilton, Editor, The Ann Arbor Observer.
Dr. Mozhgan Savabiesfahani circulated her nominating petitions, collected her signatures and the Ann Arbor City Clerk judged that the candidate had collected at least 100!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Campaign Finances of Ward 4 Incumbent Show Financial Support Primarily From Ward 4 Residents
by P.D. Lesko
Ann Arbor City Council member Elizabeth Nelson (D-Ward 4) ran as an unknown in 2018 for a four-year term. Nelson is running for re-election in 2022. According to her pre- and post-election campaign finance statements filed!-->!-->!-->…
Few of Ward 4 Council Challenger’s Donors Live in Ward 4
by P.D. Lesko
Library Trustee Dharma Akmon has raised $15,365 for her Ward 4 City Council race, according to public campaign finance records. On April 14, 2022 Akmon Tweeted out a thank you to "***194 individuals***" who have allegedly!-->!-->!-->…
Former City Administrator Takes First Step Toward Suing Mayor and Council Members for Defamation
by P.D. Lesko
In August 2021, former Ann Arbor City Administrator Tom Crawford resigned. Seven members of Ann Arbor City Council (Taylor, Disch, Song, Grand, Radina, Eyer and Briggs) had voted to terminate Crawford's employment based on!-->!-->!-->…
Former Ann Arbor City Attorney Files Suit to Force City to Identify Staff Members in Report Used to Fire City Administrator
by P.D. Lesko
R. Bruce Laidlaw, the Ann Arbor City Attorney between 1978 and 1991 and an Assistant City Attorney for six years before that, sent an email on Feb. 25 to Ann Arbor’s Mayor Chris Taylor, City Attorney Stephen Postema and!-->!-->!-->…
Social Media Blocks By Local Elected Officials Trample on Residents’ First Amendment Rights
by P.D. Lesko
Note: If you are blocked on social media by any elected official, this may be a violation of your First Amendment rights. The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University successfully sued President Donald!-->!-->!-->…
In Public Statement, Eleven Elected Officials in Washtenaw County Chastise SafeHouse Center Board of Directors
by P.D. Lesko
Update 9/26/21: Ann Arbor Council member Elizabeth Nelson (D-Ward 4) signed the letter.
Efforts by the Executive Director and Board members of SafeHouse Center to hire a Miller-Canfield lawyer and conduct a quiet!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Emails Show Mayor Tried to Have UM Regent “Jump the Line” and Take ICPOC Appointment
by P.D. Lesko
The Chair of ICPOC asked that the name of the UM Regent who contacted Mayor Taylor—and whom Taylor attempted to have appointed to ICPOC—be withheld in order to save the individual any embarrassment. That request has been!-->!-->!-->…