Comments on: Column: How a Skilled Politician Plays Chess

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:42:11 +0000

Yes, there is apparently a UM program that teaches people to be facilitators. It seems to be somewhere between a professional training and an affiliation club. I went to the GW TF meeting Karen is referring to (a couple of years ago) and also recently a sustainability conference at the UM where these folks moderated break-out sessions. No axe to grind, just completely straightforward and professional.

By: Karen Sidney

Karen Sidney — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:37:18 +0000

The Greenway Task Force used U of M graduate students to facilitate public input. In my opinion, they did an excellent job of keeping the process unbiased. It was a win win. The students got real world experience and the city avoided the cost of a consultant.

By: a2eastsider

a2eastsider — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:01:06 +0000

Right you are. It just didn’t appear that people were reading it with that in mind based on some of the comments.

By: Dave Askins

Dave Askins — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:46:21 +0000

Re: “That said, this piece was more of an OpEd piece than a journalistic article.”

Its status as an opinion piece is reflected in the headline “Column: …” as well as in its Section assignment, “Opinion.”

By: a2eastsider

a2eastsider — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:40:07 +0000

#36, I agree with you and am absolutely *not* in favor of trashing people anonymously. I feel that it is cowardly, bad behavior. Offering one’s opinion regarding an issue is another matter. I have written to the Ann Arbor News a few times using my name as one must, and have been treated to anonymous, threatening, hate mail from people who didn’t share my opinion. Because of this, I am glad the the Chronicle accepts feedback from people using screen names.

I am also SO glad that the Chronicle is providing so much content regarding our public meetings. It is great to have these meetings reported on and summerized in a way that our community has definitely been missing for many years.

That said, this piece was more of an OpEd piece than a journalistic article. In my opinion if it walks, swims, and quacks like an OpEd piece, then it probably is. That said, I don’t think it deminishes the content, but feel it should be read in that context.

By: John Floyd

John Floyd — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:19:36 +0000

Dave, I add my thanks for the service you are providing to our community. Your reminder to “play the board, not the person” is helpful. Keeping our minds focused on the substance of an issue or argument, rather than on our like/dislike of the speaker, is the first step in restoring a civil tone, and adult behavior, to our civic life. The second step is voting in in the August 4 primary. The third step is the re-introduction of contested general elections, even if that means making city elections non-partisan.

Item #1 sets the tone for public life in our still-small community. Items #2 & #3 restore accountability to a presently un-accountable council.

While it is true that Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote under the joint ‘screen name’ of “Publius” when urging New Yorkers to support the proposed US constitution in 1789, I am nonetheless viscerally disquieted when people in our community are afraid to reveal themselves. Anonymity makes it easier to foster a trash-talk culture.

By the way, Two-Cen’, is it true that you are Lee Greden’s mother?

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:44:39 +0000

Teacherpatti,

You should read the entire set of FOIA emails. I know…it’s not a pleasant task but seeing the words in their original context is…interesting and give you a better sense of the tone and feel of Greden’s intent.

By: TeacherPatti

TeacherPatti — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:02:57 +0000

My Two Cents,

Okay, thanks for clearing that up. I presumed a different word was used. While “moron” used to be used to describe a mental deficiency, yeah…not so much any more. Thanks!

Vivienne, you are so sweet..thanks :)

By: UMGrad1234

UMGrad1234 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:53:26 +0000

#22 The Mayor most certainly did speak out about the “behavior” of the Council members whom you peg as “ill-mannered.” Last August, he ENDORSED Hohnke, Taylor, Smith, and Derezinski. This year, he’s endorsing Leigh Greden. At the AADems debate last year Hieftje dismissed Stew Nelson and Tom Wall’s allegation that there was a problem with secrecy in the way Council members decided issues. In fact, last summer, Greden AND the Mayor went on the record deriding the notion of “secret” deliberations by a small group of Council members.

This summer, Greden garnered endorsements from his fellow AA News editorial cartoon pals Teall and Taylor and, of course, resident Third Ward dinosaur Jean Carlberg along with Hieftje. Evidently, the lot of them find nothing greasy or grimy with endorsing a candidate who hangs out on Facebook during City Council meetings and on the public dime.

By: Steve Bean

Steve Bean — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:48:15 +0000

“and it tends to lead to better outcomes” (quoting myself)

By “it”, I meant the effort to reach consensus, not necessarily consensus itself.