Archive for August, 2010

Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education meeting (Aug. 18, 2010): At their opening meeting of the 2010-11 school year, the Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) school board trustees discussed how to proceed in light of the recent resignation of superintendent Todd Roberts. Roberts is moving to his hometown of Durham, N.C. to become chancellor of the North Carolina School for Science and Math.

The information sign outside Skyline High School welcomes incoming freshmen. Registration for Skyline's 9th graders is Aug. 26, for 10th graders it's Aug. 25, and for 11th graders, it's Aug. 24. Tues., Aug. 24 is also the same day the school board has added an extra meeting – at the Balas administration building – to work on an RFP to hire a search firm to help with the hiring of a new superintendent.

As part of the plan, the board settled Wednesday on the idea of hiring a search firm to assist with the selection of a new superintendent. To review an RFP (request for proposals) for a search firm, an additional board meeting has been set for 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the Balas administration building main conference room, 2555 S. State St. Update: The date and time for the additional board meeting has been changed to Monday, Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Early in Wednesday’s meeting, Roberts thanked the board, the staff, and district parents for their support of his work over the past four years. He named the district’s parents specifically as a “great strength” of AAPS, and said that during his tenure, he has felt both “supported and pushed – as it should be – by the community of parents to be the best that [he] could.” Referring to the district’s budget challenges last year, Roberts noted that the collaboration, partnership, and shared sacrifice has set AAPS up for a good year this year. He said he is sad to leave, and reassured everyone that he will be here this fall to get the district off to a great start.

President Deb Mexicotte said the board would be sad to see Roberts leave, but that they are happy that he and his family have this opportunity. She thanked Roberts and wished him “all the best and continued success.”

Also at this meeting: the final projects being funded by the 2004 Comprehensive School Improvement Program (known as “the Bond”) were reviewed; the board welcomed Elaine Brown, the newly-hired director of Student Intervention and Support Services (SISS); Chartwells provided an update on the district’s food service program; and two local programs offering students alternative paths to a high school diploma were presented for the board’s consideration. [Full Story]

In an essay for the Wall Street Journal’s Executive Advisor report, UM business professor Aneel Karnani describes why the concept of corporate social responsibility is flawed: “In the end, social responsibility is a financial calculation for executives, just like any other aspect of their business. The only sure way to influence corporate decision making is to impose an unacceptable cost – regulatory mandates, taxes, punitive fines, public embarrassment – on socially unacceptable behavior.” [Source]

Marianne Rzepka

Take a walk through Sunset Brooks Nature Area in Ann Arbor, and you’ll see the next generation of trees that in the past decade disappeared from the streets of the city.

Ash trees are sprouting up in nature areas and woods in and around the city, the successors of the green, white and black ashes we watched die in droves from an invasion of the emerald ash borer. Some of the new trees sprouted from ash trees, but larger saplings were probably just too small for the borers to bother with when the first invasive wave came through and destroyed the larger trees.

“For sure we’ve seen them in a lot of the natural areas,” says Kerry Gray, the city’s urban forestry and natural resources planning coordinator.

The Ann Arbor forestry crew spent at least three years doing nothing but removing ash trees, says Gray. Crews cut down an estimated 7,000 dead ashes along city streets and another 3,000 or so in parks and some nature areas, she says, at a cost of at least $2 million.

Many homeowners tried to save the trees in their own yards, to no avail. An estimated 30 million ash trees in southeast Michigan alone were wiped out. [Full Story]

Several media outlets are reporting on the death of a Superior Township man after he was Tasered and arrested by Washtenaw County sheriff’s deputies on Friday. The Detroit News quotes Derrick Jackson, a sheriff’s department spokesman, who said the department is conducting an internal investigation of the incident, which happened when deputies were assisting a Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team (LAWNET) operation. Says Jackson: “People are asking, ‘What happened? How did it happen?’ We’re doing all these things to make sure people get answers.” [Source]

Scientific American reports on a study published in Current Biology on paper wasps’ social behaviors. UM biologist and lead author of the study Elizabeth Tibbetts found that wasps punish other wasps whose facial markings are incongruous to their fighting behavior. The opposing wasp bullied the deceiver, regardless of whether the deceiver was deceptively aggressive or deceptively weak. “Punishment,” Tibbetts explains, “not only hurts the cheater but provides a benefit to the punisher. Over the course of the interaction, the punisher realizes that maybe their opponent’s signal is not accurate. If they trusted the signal, they would have lost out.” [Source]

Writing in the Toledo Blade, columnist Jack Lessenberry talks with UM president Mary Sue Coleman about the economic woes facing the university. When she took the job in 2002, the unemployment rate in Michigan was 5.7%, compared to the current 13.1%. Lessenberry describes several investments the university has made under Coleman’s tenure, like UM’s purchase last year of Pfizer’s former site and the $226 million renovation of Michigan Stadium. Coleman says that in comparison to other schools, the UM is financially well off. She tells Lessenberry, “I’m having the time of my life. This is an endlessly exciting place, and I couldn’t go anyplace else. It would be a disappointment.” [Source]

Ann Arbor City Council meeting (Aug. 16, 2010): Monday’s meeting was notable for its brevity, lasting barely over an hour. It was filled with the stuff of small-town governance – mayoral proclamations in honor of park volunteers, local food month, and women’s equality day.

The location of a planned non-motorized path along Washtenaw Ave. Top: Toumy. Middle: mid-way. Bottom: Glenwood. (Image links to higher resolution file)

Some of the more interesting conversation emerged during deliberations as the council accepted one of several easements: Why is this one 7 feet wide, when the others measure 10 feet?

Another one of the easements accepted by the council involved a non-motorized path to be constructed on the north side of Washtenaw Avenue between Glenwood and Tuomy roads. That project has a history dating back to 2006. At Monday’s meeting, the council also completed the third of four required steps in the process to establish a special assessment of residents whose property abuts the non-motorized path.

In other business, the council authorized purchases of software, plus IT switches. The switches will support the data center to be housed in the new police-courts facility. The council also set the stage for the local firm NanoBio to be able to apply for a tax abatement, by establishing an industrial development district.

As a part of his city administrator’s report, Roger Fraser seemed to put participants in the annual shopping cart race on notice that the event could be shut down on pain of a missing parade permit. The shopping cart races are a part of “punk week,” which has been part of Ann Arbor’s late summer culture for over a decade. The following evening, the race took place – with Ann Arbor police cruisers serving the same function they’ve performed historically, hanging in the background, providing a measure of protection to racers from traffic approaching from behind.

The shopping cart race featured a former councilmember and DDA board member, Dave DeVarti, who was stirred to participate by Fraser’s threat to shut down the event. [Full Story]

In an account of a recent city council meeting, we reported: “The Chronicle has learned that the justification for that [July 19] closed session was not based on discussion of a legislative strategy for handling marijuana dispensaries, but rather on settlement strategies for pending litigation on an entirely separate matter.”

While The Chronicle reported the basis for that closed session in good faith, based on a credible source inside city hall, that source subsequently has indicated uncertainty about the veracity of the claim. The city attorney’s contention is that the purpose for the closed session was to discuss specific legal advice as contained in written documents about medical marijuana. The exact nature of the actual discussion is currently a matter of … [Full Story]

MichWine highlights an Aug. 26 wine dinner at Grange Kitchen & Bar in Ann Arbor that features Wyncroft Winery’s owner and winemaker, Jim Lester: “Wyncroft, located in the southwest’s Lake Michigan Shore appellation, has operated since 1999 in the style of a tiny French ‘garagiste’ winery. Its wines are available only by mailing list, from its website, and at a small number of restaurants. According to Grange owner and chef, Brandon Johns, the dinner’s menu will pair five food courses with five different Wyncroft wines.” [Source]

A Detroit Free Press article looks at how some of the movie industry’s post-production work is benefiting the Michigan economy, in addition to the higher-profile filming that draws public attention: “In 2009, a small team from ‘Piranha 3D,’ which was filmed in Arizona, came to southeast Michigan to do editing on the movie. After spending a few days in Farmington Hills, the crew decided to move to Ann Arbor for the city’s cosmopolitan, college-town atmosphere.” [Source]

On the Skinny Dave Project blog, the writer describes his recent visit to Ypsilanti: “I stayed at the proverbial charming B&B called the Parish House Inn. It was what I want in lodging, clean and quiet. The big plus were the breakfasts that featured a fabulous baked oatmeal. I mean this stuff was exceptional, like a breakfast dessert that’s actually good. When I have some time, I am going to make a batch.” [Source]

John U. Bacon

If you’re sick of the big leagues, but not baseball, check out your backyard.

Here in Michigan you can watch the Beach Bums in Traverse City, the Lugnuts in Lansing, the West Michigan Whitecaps near Grand Rapids, the Great Lake Loons in Midland, and the Kings in Kalamazoo. Michigan fans can see six minor league teams if you count the Toledo Mud Hens – and seven if the Tigers start slumping again. Michigan baseball fans haven’t had it this good in decades.

In 1949, the U.S. boasted almost 500 minor league teams, supported by 42 million fans. But their ranks shriveled when major league baseball expanded, TV blossomed and air conditioning made staying at home much cooler. In just three years, attendance dropped almost 80%.

But when major league baseball turned its back on its fans with strikes and lockouts, the minor leagues aggressively courted them. Almost every fan-friendly custom you see at major league stadiums today they stole from the minors, including fancy food, daily promotions, pop music and endless stunts to keep the fans coming back, win or lose. As a result, the minors have grown back to a robust 176 teams nationwide.

Visit one, and you understand why. [Full Story]

Ann Arbor Transportation Authority board meeting (Aug. 19, 2010): On the occasion of its first meeting scheduled at the downtown location of the Ann Arbor District Library – which is to become its usual meeting place – the AATA board failed to achieve a quorum.

Left to right: AATA board members Jesse Bernstein, Roger Kerson and Anya Dale. The group fell one short of the four needed to constitute a quorum. (Photos by the writer.)

A quorum – the minimum number of board members needed in order to conduct business – consists of four members for the seven-member AATA board.

In attendance were Roger Kerson, Anya Dale – who were both recently appointed to the board – plus board chair Jesse Bernstein. The usually cheerful Bernstein seemed a bit glum, when he announced  that no quorum would be achieved.

Bernstein told the handful of people assembled in the room – members of the public and the AATA staff – that he was “sorry and disappointed” and offered his apologies. He noted that it was the first occasion of a meeting scheduled at the library, and that the CTN staff were on hand to ensure the proceedings were videotaped. “See you next month!” he concluded. [Full Story]

With an eye toward UM football fans coming to town, Wine Enthusiast Magazine publishes a roundup of Ann Arbor restaurants and brewpubs, including Arbor Brewing Co., Zingerman’s Deli and Roadhouse, Eve and Vinology. “At the year-old Grange Kitchen & Bar … chef/owner Brandon Johns – who sports a pig tattoo on his forearm – sources meat, dairy and vegetables from local farms. Sunday brunch offers items like fried whitefish sandwiches and house-cured meats (ham, breakfast sausage and charcuterie platters).” [Source]

Writing on the Rogue Critic blog, Carolyn Hayes reviews “Woman Before a Glass,” a one-woman show about the life of Peggy Guggenheim, playing at Performance Network in Ann Arbor and starring Naz Edwards: “Edwards is up for Peggy’s challenging range from dogged to cheeky to furious, her efforts masked by an easy delivery that feels like just talking. She boldly creates a character that one wouldn’t necessarily want to befriend, but still earns plentiful goodwill and sympathy.” [Source]

Ann Arbor Park Advisory Commission meeting (Aug. 17, 2010): About 30 residents attended Tuesday’s PAC meeting, many of them speaking against the city’s plan to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for the Huron Hills Golf Course. Several expressed concerns about what they see as the city’s attempt to privatize the course, which they described as a beautiful, beloved parkland asset. Some said it made no sense that Ann Arbor supported a greenbelt millage to preserve open space outside the city, while selling development rights to parkland it already owns within the city.

About 30 people attended the Aug. 17 Ann Arbor Park Advisory Commission meeting. Prior to the start, city councilmember Mike Anglin (far right) talks with Nancy Kaplan. Standing at the left is William Newcomb, a member of the city's golf task force, talking with PAC chair Julie Grand. In the foreground are Sandra Arlinghaus and William Arlinghaus. (Photos by the writer.)

The issue drew two city councilmembers to the meeting – Sabra Briere (Ward 1) and Stephen Rapundalo (Ward 2) – as well as former and current council candidates Sumi Kailasapathy, Jack Eaton and John Floyd. Councilmember Mike Anglin, who serves as an ex-officio member of PAC, also attended. Former planning commissioner Sandra Arlinghaus and her son William Arlinghaus both spoke to PAC, urging them to widen the scope of the RFP so that it might include more creative possibilities, like a location for cremains.

A couple of people also spoke in opposition of the Fuller Road Station project, citing similarities with the Huron Hills situation. In both cases, they said, the city is attempting to use parkland for other purposes. The Fuller Road Station is a proposed parking structure and bus depot, which might someday include a train station.

During deliberations, most commissioners voiced support for the RFP, noting that the golf course – though doing better – is still losing money. [The accounting method used to determine how the golf course is performing financially was a point of contention by some speakers during public commentary.] Several commissioners pointed out that the city is under no obligation to accept any of the proposals that might be submitted. And Colin Smith, manager of parks and recreation, emphasized that the city would retain ownership of the land – there are no plans to sell Huron Hills, he said. He also noted that the RFP calls for proposals to be golf-related.

The plan is to issue the RFP on Sept. 3, with responses due at the end of October. A selection committee will review the proposals and make a recommendation to PAC, probably in December. City council would make the final decision on whether to proceed with any of the proposals. [Full Story]

The Detroit News reports on how tea party groups are affecting state politics: “At the Washtenaw County Republican Convention last week, tea party groups elected scores of their own members to delegate positions, freezing out Michigan Republican Party Chairman Ron Weiser, who ended up as an alternate. Some tea party supporters said Weiser was snubbed as a way to send a message. They say he wouldn’t attend any of their events – an allegation Weiser denied Wednesday.” [Source]

The Michigan Dept. of Transportation has posted an information page on its website with details about the High-intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) signal to be installed at Huron and Chapin, near the YMCA building. From the site: “When you wish to cross the street, you push a button activating the HAWK signal. A flashing yellow light warns drivers approaching the crosswalk of a pedestrian wishing to cross. The flashing yellow light is followed by a solid yellow light telling drivers to prepare to stop. The signal then changes to a solid red for drivers to stop at the intersection.” The site includes a YouTube video of a similar signal in Portland. [Source]

The Wall Street Journal publishes a profile by Ann Arbor sports writer and Chronicle columnist John U. Bacon, who writes about former UM punter Zoltan Mesko. Mesko, now playing for the NFL’s New England Patriots, notes that his parents still aren’t used to his paycheck: “When I went home in July, my parents were slipping me 60 bucks to go out. I was like, ‘Come on, why are you doing this?’ They were mesmerized when I paid for dinner.” [Source]

The Detroit Free Press reports that the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) granted $500,000 to the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor-based Center for Automotive Research in order to aid areas affected by auto plant closures. The grant funds a program that is aimed at helping those communities to keep partnerships with universities and local governments. “Collaboration,” says John Fernandez, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, “is critical to helping auto-impacted communities remain competitive.” [Source]

Bloomberg Businessweek reports on a study from the UM Health System which found that when doctors admit to a medical error, the number of malpractice lawsuits decreases dramatically. UMHS created a program in 2001 to promote honesty and admit medical mistakes. Researchers studied malpractice claims between 1995 and 2007, comparing the data before and after the program was implemented. They found that the monthly rate of malpractice lawsuits decreased by over 50% after the program was created. [Source]

On his blog, Technically Journalism, Louie Villalobos summarizes a phone interview he conducted with Ann Arbor Chronicle editor, Dave Askins on Friday, Aug. 13. “Askins and Morgan don’t force social media down the throats of their readers, though.”  [Source]