Browsing Tag
Jack Eaton
WARD 2 CITY Council challenger Kirk Westphal sent out a fundraising letter that includes several interesting claims, one of which is he is the "only Democrat" running in the Ward 2 November general election. Well, yes. For those who were…
Four Years Later Ethics Problems Still Haunt EMU Governmental Relations Director
The only former Ann Arbor City Council member having a worse time of it politically than Downtown Development Authority Board member Joan Lowenstein (former Ward 2 Council member) is former Ward 3 Council member Leigh Greden. Lowenstein,…
Council Members Rebuke Mayor Over Proposed Appointee’s Perceived Conflicts of Interest
On August 20th, John Hieftje announced his intention to appoint Albert McWilliams to replace Newcombe Clark on the Board of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. McWilliams, who works for Quack Media, is in his 30s and a self-styled…
Ward 1 Sabra Briere Gets A Challenger for City Council Seat
At the 4th of July parade as the Backwards Clown Brigade chuckled along the parade route, a man seated on the curb turned to his wife and said, loudly enough for others to hear, "The Backwards Clown Brigade. Ann Arbor City Council." People…
Will Unpopular Highrises Help Jack Eaton Unseat City Council’s Zoning Czarina Marcia Higgins?
by P.D. Lesko
Today, Jack Eaton announced his candidacy first via email to a loosely-organized group of neighborhood activists, city and county politicians. He wrote, "I wanted all of you to hear it from me, because so many of you have…
City Administrator Memo To Council: “At this time, I am not proceeding with reducing the number of fire stations”
John Hieftje and his political pals have a reputation of ignoring public opinion. Perhaps the most egregious example was a 2008 Council meeting at which petitions with 6,000 signatures were presented to Council to urge them to put the…
With her Checkbook, Jane Lumm Throws Down With Mayor & His Council Pals
by P.D. Lesko
Ward 2 Council member Jane Lumm is small, perhaps a little over 5 feet tall on a good day, but her desire to openly and diligently serve the people of Ann Arbor is gigantic. On AnnArbor.com, reporting about Lumm's work on…
East Lansing Amtrak Station on MSU Property Gets $6 Million Federal Grant For Expansion
P.D. Lesko
This is not satire. Those who support alternative transportation and expanded transit should read it and weep.
Elected officials in East Lansing, Michigan—along with officials at Michigan State University—recently showed how…
Sierra Club Endorses Challenger Jack Eaton in Ward 4 City Council Race
The Sierra Club, Huron Valley Group, and Sierra Club, Michigan Chapter announced on June 30, 2012 that the groups had bestowed one of the most sought after political endorsements in the United States onto Fourth Ward Council…
Ward Five Incumbent Mike Anglin Top Fundraiser in 2011 Field of Candidates for Council
Fifth Ward Council member Mike Anglin's pre-election campaign finance disclosure runs 29 pages. In the race to represent Ward Five on City Council, Anglin out-raised opponent Neil Elyakin by raising $6,850 to Elyakin's $5,923. Whereas…