Archive for January, 2010

ESPN reports on the new requirement by the International Skating Union, which has mandated folk music for original dance in ice dancing competitions. The results have offended some ethnic groups. The article quotes Meryl Davis, a UM student who, with her partner Charlie White, developed a popular routine inspired by India: “It was very important for us to do research and make sure we could do the theme justice, and make sure that we weren’t going to offend anyone or do something that was completely off base.” [Source]

The Detroit Free Press profiles two student athletes at Eastern Michigan University: Moise Frisch, a native of Haiti, and his roommate Terefe Ejigu, who’s from Ethiopia. Speaking of the recent earthquake in his homeland, Frisch says: “You feel helpless, and all you can do is wait and watch what is going on there. I’ve called as many family members and friends as I can, and so far, so good.” [Source]

Ann Arbor Transportation Authority board meeting (Jan. 20, 2010): Board member Jesse Bernstein outlined a process Wednesday night for moving towards an expanded countywide transit service, which he characterized as “ready, aim, fire” – with a heavy emphasis on “ready.” A resolution passed by the board on Wednesday establishes a timeframe that would not begin the implementation phase of a plan until the beginning of 2011.

Jesse Bernstein, who chairs the AATA board's performance monitoring and external relations committee, outlined a plan for expanding service that sees the next six months devoted to making the organization more transparent and gathering information from the community. (Photos by the writer.)

The emphasis on community engagement and listening to the needs and wants of the people who might use an expanded service – before trying to design the specifics of the service – would not be something confined to this particular initiative. Said Bernstein: “This is not a one-shot campaign; this is how we’re going to behave going forward.”

The board adopted a resolution to advance their plan for the future of public transportation in the county.

The board also heard a presentation on the results of a survey of voter attitudes towards a possible transit millage in Washtenaw County. The survey measured support of a millage at 51% – with 17% and 34% of voters saying they’d definitely or probably vote yes, respectively.

In other business, the board adopted its capital and categorical grant program, approved a contract to replace some doors and windows at AATA headquarters, authorized an application to the Michigan Department of Transportation and approved a 21-month purchase-of-service agreement with the city of Ypsilanti. [Full Story]

Rob Cleveland

The media days preceding the 2010 North American International Auto Show in downtown Detroit kicked off to a pace that indicated far more optimism than the subdued, wake of an auto show that ran in 2009. At last year’s show, little did we know what was in store for us in the coming months – GM and Chrysler filing for bankruptcy, the lowest vehicle sales in 25 years – and it isn’t likely 2010 will be any less entertaining.

Optimism, though, seems to permeate through the show this year. Ford Motor Co., the only domestic automaker not to take bailout loans from the government, swept the North American car and truck of the year for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Ford Transit Connect. Only two other automakers have taken the double header in the 17-year history of the award.

And GM’s chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre told reporters at the show that the federal government “had made a great investment” in effectively purchasing GM, and that he expected some $6.7 billion in loans to be paid back this year.

There still are sobering issues to deal with, though, and product will trump any good intentions as the year winds on. [Full Story]

The Four Obsessions blog has a recipe for chunky, next-day lentil soup: “This soup is rave-able. It has a great balance of flavors that really complement each other – the vinegar at the end brings out the best in the lentils (like a good French green lentil salad) and the ketchup gives this just enough sweetness that it sets off the sausage flavor. The spinach makes you feel like maybe this isn’t entirely bad for you. We had it with some homemade garlic bread – a half loaf of Zingerman’s Italian bread sliced thick, brushed with olive oil that had a clove of garlic crushed into it and sprinkled with a little cayenne and fresh Parmesan cheese. Then the loaf … [Full Story]

Bloomberg reports that the UAW is protesting Ford’s reinstatement of raises and benefits for salaried employees. The article quotes Mark Caruso, president of UAW Local 892 in Saline, representing workers at a parts plant there: “The members are tired of being the only one taking concessions. We’d like some equality of sacrifice. This should be an eye-opener that take-aways cannot be on the backs of labor.” [Source]

Verna McDaniel answers questions during her interview on Thursday night with the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. (Photos by the writer.)

In an interview that included moments of emotion, gravity and humor, Verna McDaniel fielded questions from the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners on Thursday as a candidate to replace retiring county administrator Bob Guenzel.

McDaniel, currently the deputy county administrator and the only internal candidate for the job, was interviewed during the board’s working session, which was attended by several of the county’s department heads. After the meeting, Jessica Ping – one of three commissioners leading the search – said there are no plans to interview any of the dozen or so external candidates. The board is expected to vote on hiring McDaniel at its Feb. 3 meeting.

McDaniel has worked for the county since 1982, a tenure that included 18 years as executive director of human resources. In a formal presentation to the board, McDaniel pledged to be a strong and effective leader. “I’ve worked for 28 years in this county,” she said, “and I love it.”

For the most part, interview questions were scripted “to avoid any possible HR mishaps,” Ping said. But several commissioners voiced support for McDaniel in their remarks. Wes Prater thanked her for stepping up to the job, and said he believed she could do it. “But we need to go through a process,” he said. [Full Story]

Columnist Tom Walsh of the Detroit Free Press talks with incoming athletic director Dave Brandon about what he’ll do to improve UM’s brand and image: “We demand integrity. We don’t ask for it. We don’t hope for it. We don’t wish for it. We demand it, or you find another place to work.” [Source]

University of Michigan engineering professor Ann Marie Sastry – CEO and co-founder of a hot, new automotive battery development company – sits shivering in her overcoat in the cold Cobo basement at the Detroit auto show.

Ann Marie Sastry, CEO and co-founder of Sakti3, at her company's booth at the Detroit auto show. (Photo by the writer.)

But Sastry and her company, Ann Arbor-based Sakti3, is far from “out in the cold.” They are in the auto business for the long haul and do not plan on being relegated to a basement booth forever. Eventually, if all goes well, her company’s battery technology will be powering the cars upstairs on the main show floor’s Electric Avenue.

What is it about the “Eureka moment” in her UM lab that prompted her to help found a company two years ago? What is it that turned the heads and opened the wallets of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and cleantech venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, who chipped in $2 million out the gate? What exactly is her company’s battery technology? [Full Story]

John U. Bacon

“I think we have too many AAA, Showcase and elite camps for the kids today, and as a result, we are creating a bunch of robots. We need to make it fun for the kids and let them learn to love the game the way we did.” – Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team in “Pond Hockey: A Documentary Film”

Just over half a million kids play organized hockey in the United States, as I did – but trust me, they’re missing out.

We’re deep in the dead of winter. And for most of us, there’s not a lot to do, and not much to look forward to for the next couple months. But if you’re a hockey player – scratch that, if you’re a pond hockey player – this is the best time of year. [Full Story]

Ann Arbor Park Advisory Commission (Jan. 19, 2010): As part of a project to upgrade the athletic fields at Fuller and Olson parks, members of the city’s Park Advisory Commission approved an increase in fees to use those fields. One commissioner described the fields, which had previously been in serious disrepair, as “a thing of beauty.”

Sign at the entrance to the Fuller Park soccer fields, next to Fuller Pool. (Photos by the writer.)

Three speakers during public commentary, all representing groups that use the fields heavily, said they didn’t have a problem with the fee hike, but hoped that the change could be phased in over three years, rather than implemented this season. The recommendation for an increase, along with changes in how the fields are used, will be forwarded to city council.

Commissioners also approved recommendations from the task forces that are working to raise revenues and cut costs for Mack Pool and the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Commissioner Tim Berla clarified that the PAC resolution was primarily an “atta boy!” for the work of the staff and task forces, and support of the direction they’re headed. The recommendations – which aim to keep those operations open – will be presented to city council at their Feb. 8 meeting.

And finally, as a bonus for readers who stick with this report until the end: One commissioner is championing an urban dog park, and has identified a potential location within the city. [Full Story]

Ann Arbor City Council meeting (Jan. 19, 2010): The Ann Arbor city council approved an agreement with the local firefighters union that reduces pay by 3% to ensure that no firefighters will be laid off before June 30, 2010.

State Rep. Pam Byrnes, left, and Karen Sidney talk before the start of the city council's meeting, which included a presentation at the start of the meeting from Byrnes. (Photos by the writer.)

And, in a move that some councilmembers described as leadership, mayor John Hieftje announced that he was writing a check for $1,273 as a contribution back to the city, because that’s the equivalent of 3% of his annual salary – the same percentage conceded by the firefighters union. It’s also the same percentage Hieftje has suggested that all employees citywide accept as a wage reduction. Some councilmembers indicated they’d be making similar gestures, which they allowed were only symbolic.

The city council also approved a budget increase for the 911 call center modification, a project to facilitate co-location of the city and county 911 centers – it’s expected to be a cost-savings measure.

Council also directed the city administrator, Roger Fraser, to plan an event to honor volunteer members of various boards, commissions and committees that do much of the work required to make the city run.

In other business, the council approved without discussion a University of Michigan project for the soccer complex on South Main Street.

State Rep. Pam Byrnes (D-District 52) gave a presentation to the council at the start of the meeting outlining exactly how bleak the economic outlook is in Michigan.

Many of the items on council’s agenda were postponed: revisions to bicycling and pedestrian ordinances (including bicycle registration); revisions to parking fines; and the capital improvements plan.

And two of the items were pulled from the agenda at the start of the meeting: a revision to the ordinance on signs and outdoor advertising to allow portable signs; and a resolution to approve the transfer of a liquor license to BW&R GoBlue LLC, located at 640 Packard Street. [Full Story]

Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners (Jan. 20, 2010): An uncharacteristically brief meeting that lasted less than an hour included an update on the search for a new county administrator, a report on the Wireless Washtenaw project, and a eulogy for county planning.

Verna McDaniel is deputy county administrator, and will be the sole candidate interviewed by the board of commissioners as a replacement for retiring administrator Bob Guenzel. (Photo by the writer.)

Conan Smith, who serves on the executive committee that’s leading the search to replace retiring county administrator Bob Guenzel, announced that only one person would be interviewed for the job at Thursday’s working session: Verna McDaniel, deputy county administrator. She is the only internal candidate for the job – about a dozen external candidates applied, but they won’t be interviewed at this time, Smith said.

In other updates, Wes Prater – the board’s liaison to the Washtenaw County Road Commission – reported that a recent survey of 111 county bridges revealed 40% are deficient, and nearly 20 are classified as critical. That survey does not include bridges that are the responsibility of cities within the county – like the East Stadium bridges in Ann Arbor.

And though there was no discussion of it at Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners also voted to dissolve a review board for the sheriff’s department – an issue they’d talked about at last week’s administrative briefing. [Full Story]

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Daniel Rubin writes about the experience of UM student Rebecca Solomon, who was questioned by security at Philadelphia International Airport. The security guard told her he’d found a bag of fine, white powder in her carry-on bag. Then he told her it was a joke. Rubin writes: “When she complained to airport security, Solomon said, she was told the TSA worker had been training the staff to detect contraband. She was shocked that no one took him off the floor, she said. ‘It was such a violation … I’d come early. I’d done everything right. And they were kidding about it.’” [Source]

Megan Crosbie of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce posts a roundup of Wednesday’s Morning Edition speakers, which included Arie Lipsky, conductor of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. Before leading the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to someone in the crowd, Lipsky gave tips on what you need to know to be a conductor: 1) violins are on the left, 2) cellos and violas are on the right, 3) woodwinds are ALWAYS too soft, 4) the brass are too loud, and 5) “Downbeat, and stay the hell out of the way!” [Source]

Ann Arbor City Council Budget Committee (Jan. 19, 2010): Sometime within the next two months, Ann Arbor city councilmembers and Ann Arbor residents – or anyone, for that matter – can expect to start getting access to raw data files of all city financial transactions.

Posting of the budget committee's Tuesday meeting.

At a meeting of the Ann Arbor city council’s budget committee, the city’s chief financial officer, Tom Crawford, sketched a plan to start making available a wide range of raw data from the city, starting with numbers from the finance department. Crawford said he hopes to have a pilot in place by the end of February.

Budget committee members also discussed what the contents of a monthly statement should be that will now be provided to the committee and to the council as a body – such a report is required by the city’s charter.

The other main point addressed by the budget committee was raised by city administrator Roger Fraser, who suggested to councilmembers that they owed it to the community to put the question of a city income tax before the voters. Fraser said they had a responsibility to float the question, regardless of what their personal feelings were on the issue.

The meeting was also attended by Mayor John Hieftje, who is a member of the city council, but no longer part of the 5-member budget committee – the council reorganized its committee structure at its Dec. 21, 2009 meeting. Hieftje participated in deliberations on the question of when a city income tax ballot question might feasibly go on the ballot. [Full Story]

Ann Arbor District Library board meeting (Jan. 18, 2010): The Ann Arbor District Library doesn’t own the property known as the Library Lot, adjacent to its downtown building, but what’s happening there will have a direct impact on the library’s future.

Roger Fraser, speaking at Monday's meeting of the Ann Arbor District Library board. (Photos by the writer.)

So while the library board won’t be making decisions about the city’s quest for a development there, they had plenty of questions about how it’s proceeding. At Monday night’s library board meeting, city administrator Roger Fraser was on hand to answer those questions and give an update on the Library Lot RFP process – interviews for potential developers are being held this week.

The lot – where an underground parking structure is now being built – was also the topic addressed by the only speaker during public commentary, who urged the board to keep an open mind about the development that might be built on top of the site. The comment prompted board member Prue Rosenthal to respond: “You know that we’re not in charge of this, right?” [Full Story]

Jerry Hancock, Ann Arbor's stormwater and floodplain programs coordinator, explains how soil composition in the Bryant neighborhood factors in the area's water problems. (Photos by the writer.)

A major project to replace water mains and resurface roads in the Bryant neighborhood will get under way this spring, part of a broader plan to address the area’s chronic drainage problems and other issues.

At a Jan. 14 neighborhood meeting, Ann Arbor city staff gave an overview of the project, which included an historical look at the subdivision off  Stone School Road, just south of I-94.

The meeting at the Bryant Community Center – organized by the nonprofit Community Action Network and attended by residents, city and county elected officials and staff, among others – is the latest in a series of efforts to deal with a wide range of challenges to one of the city’s predominantly low-income neighborhoods.

At the end of Thursday’s two-hour session, a question raised by one of the residents – “Is there a happy ending to all of this?” – might best be summarized by the answer, “It depends.” [Full Story]

Writing on his Psychology Today blog “The Good Life,” UM lecturer Christopher Peterson describes a 2005 commencement speech given by Steve Jobs at Stanford. Peterson describes it as one of the best speeches he’s ever heard, one that delivered powerful, personal stories: “My day job is that of a lecturer, and I would be thrilled if half of the people listening to me in Ann Arbor were half as interested half the time as were all of those listening to Jobs during his entire address in Palo Alto.” [Source]

Writing on The New American, Linda Schrock Taylor reflects on the education she received at Ypsilanti High School – specifically, in Miss Wagstaff’s 1965 English class: “My memories have always kept the wonderful staff, and the grand old building, close to my heart. The Ypsilanti Public Schools, as a whole, gave me the skills, vocabulary base, and knowledge breadth that I needed to be successful in life, in learning, in teaching, and in writing. I do hope that your standards have remained true to those during the years 1963-1966.” Schrock Taylor is running for governor on the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan ticket. [Source]

In a preview of the BreakFest fundraiser at The Art, we were off by a few thousand miles in describing where fingerstyle guitarist Duck Baker would be traveling from. He’ll be arriving from England. We note the error here and have corrected it in the original article.