Comments on: City Council Dems Primary Results

By: Dave Askins

Dave Askins — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:27:37 +0000

I ran into Stephen Kunselman this morning, who said that the certified results had Bullington picking up two additional votes as compared with the unofficial results, with his own and Leigh Greden’s vote totals remaining the same.

By: David Cahill

David Cahill — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:31:17 +0000

No, the turnout did not nearly double from August, 2007. AnnArbor.com got it wrong. Turnout was up 29% in the Third ward and 20% in the Fifth Ward.

Does anyone know the exact totals in the Third Ward race that the City Board of Canvassers certified on Thursday?

By: a2eastsider

a2eastsider — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 14:48:16 +0000

Vivienne – you are correct, he was lost in the wash. I agree with your suggestion of switching to a nonpartisan system. It would probably be chaotic at first, but in the long run I think it would be a good way to go.

Alan – that is why I voted for and continue to support Greden and would vote for Higgins if I was in the ward she represents.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:34:27 +0000

Actually, a moderate Republican, John Floyd, did run in the 5th Ward in 2008. Like all recent Republican candidates, he was swamped by the heavy straight-party voting (we had a Presidential election at the time). Regardless of one’s opinion of the value of a two-party contest, it doesn’t work in Ann Arbor any longer because voters in most general election contests are overwhelmingly Democratic and are focusing on the top of the ticket.

I’m a lifelong Democrat and in California was the president of a Democratic club in an overwhelmingly Republican district, so I know how this feels. But recently I’ve begun to think that it may be time to move on to a nonpartisan system for Council and Mayor. This would be consistent with the practice in most Michigan cities. Candidates could still self-identify with a partisan label and seek their party’s endorsement, but contested races would result in the two top candidates running against each other on the November ballot – on the nonpartisan part of the ticket.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:19:58 +0000

I thought the moderate Republicans were Marcia Higgins and Leigh Greden?

By: a2eastsider

a2eastsider — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:24:27 +0000

Not opposed to the chickens, just the amount of time taken up discussing it at the council table when there were more important issues to be tackled, that is what I found ridiculous.

So are you saying that the Ann Arbor Democratic agenda is anti-money and anti-building? That doesn’t sound at all like it is either productive or in the City’s best interest.

Too many Democrats on City Council. Aren’t there any moderate Republicans out there who want to run? Any one??? Please!!!

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:41:15 +0000

oh please. the chicken issue is so ridiculous. I know a family on a major thoroughfare in A2 who have had chickens roaming about their yard for YEARS….OMG!!!!! Who knew??? Call the police!!! blah, blah…whatever. I’m a lot less offended by someone who protects his chickens than I am about a supposed dem who maligns the voters and claims he “only cares about money and buildings.” Not to mention the 100′s of millions of taxpayer dollars wasted by the H-5 in the last few years.
All I hear is sour grapes.

By: a2eastsider

a2eastsider — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:19:53 +0000

I agree with the comments of people who were disappointed with the low turnout. Even with people out of town on summer vacations, turnout was appalling.

But, I do find it interesting that people were so happy to see Kunselmen ahead in the race. Are they really calling a slim margin a mandate and do they really see him as somebody who will bring integrity to Council? Do they read? Do they care that he sent his illegal chicken into exile in Dexter after he was elected, then immediately set about pushing his own personal agenda, take up hours of council time, to get her legally back in his yard as soon as he got into office. Kunselmen’s record speaks for itself and is for himself. He’ll say what he needs to say to get elected. It looks like voters have proven once again that they never dig deeper than the knee jerk sound bite of the moment.

By: mr dairy

mr dairy — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:54:40 +0000

Turnout in the 5th increased election to election because of the hard work of grass roots organizers getting out Anglin’s positive message. The same in the 3rd because of Kunselman and Bullington’s supporters, although in that ward they had Greden’s attitude to work with as well.

By: Judith Schmidt

Judith Schmidt — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:38:43 +0000

This primary is another good example of why every vote matters – only 6 votes difference between Kunselman and Greden in the 3rd ward. I like the Chronicle’s precinct by precinct breakdown of the vote – Thanks!