Comments on: City Council Begins Transition

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:53:34 +0000

I’m with Rod et al. The original singing bit was clever, now it’s just tiresome and self-indulgent. Time to quit.

By: Mark Stock

Mark Stock — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:42:19 +0000

“If you make your point at more than three meetings and there is nothing done, please give up.” I resprctfully disagree with this notion. Giving up something you truely beleive in popular or not should always be given a voice.

By: David Lewis

David Lewis — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:43:09 +0000

The singing is getting old and if you follow the words, she either grossly exaggerates or is just plain wrong. Of course the same often goes for Sydney.

I suppose we should allow for some leeway in a song but calling the Mayor “Highrise” when for two years he was the only one who pushed for height limits, or singing he was behind an income tax when he has never been for it (the A2 News wrote an editorial condemning him for opposing it) is just the same old same old we hear from that camp.

It is kind of a circus and with Tom Partridge, I guess they fit right in.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:18:12 +0000

I’m happy for you that Sheldon says things you agree with, Jack. It’s nice to have a team to be on. I have no particular bone to pick with her positions, just the singing, which was clever *once*–the nth time, not so much. “Fundamentally unserious,” I think they’re calling it these days.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:11:02 +0000

Karen doesn’t say the same thing each time. She always has very cogent points related to the subject on the agenda.

By: sandy

sandy — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:37:22 +0000

Karen Sidney is one of the few city council speakers who I make sure to listen to. Her intelligent analysis based on what must be a fair amount of research is always informative. Sidney is a local treasure.

By: Marvin Face

Marvin Face — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:45:03 +0000

I’m with Rod. Libby jumped the shark in episode two and now I just groan when she gets up. Its embarrassing. Its stuff like this that makes council members tune out. The same half dozen people (including Sidney) get up every meeting and say a version of the same thing and you have to admit its hard not to start looking at your watch. I feel sorry for the one or two random individuals a month that actually have something important to say because even before they get up to speak I end up assuming they are one of the nut-jobs. The only reason some of the “new” council members seem to listen is that they have only been through a year of this circus.

A note to all who come before council: Have a well thought out point, make your point succinctly, refrain from conspiracy theories, and don’t threaten or insult. If you make your point at more than three meetings and there is nothing done, please give up.

By: Peg Eisenstodt

Peg Eisenstodt — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:57:04 +0000

Many thanks to The Ann Arbor Chronicle for the comprehensive overview of A2 City Council meetings. It’s a relief to see that someone is keeping an eye on things at city hall. Great work!

By: Jack Eaton

Jack Eaton — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:58:58 +0000

Rod, If you are referring to Libby Hunter’s singing/poetry, I disagree. Because Hieftje’s Embattled Majority Party (HEMP?) does not listen to reason there is little alternative other than mockery and performance art. If you present a reasoned argument based on hard data, the Mayor will dismiss you without considering anything you’ve said (ask Karen Sidney). If you present the overwhelming opinion of a neighborhood, you will be lectured with haughty condescension (they know what’s best for us, you know). Have you noticed that they seem to listen to Libby? Besides, now that they can’t play on Facebook during meetings, someone has to provide them with some entertainment.

Libby has the support of and speaks for many of us in the community.

By: Steve Bean

Steve Bean — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:14:21 +0000

The 2008 road ratings percentages look correct, but the miles values appear to be divided by ten (i.e., the decimal needs to be moved one place to the right.) I wonder how a road in fair (4-5) condition one year becomes good (6-7) (rather than excellent) the next. Potholes filled in?