The University Record posts a report on Monday’s Wege lecture by John Holdren, President Barack Obama’s assistant for science and technology. Holdren told the audience of about 1,000 people that recent passage of health care reform should clear the way for Congress to tackle climate-change legislation: “I think we can get it done with some Republican votes and not just Democratic ones.” [Source]
The Detroit News profiles Bearclaw Coffee Co., focusing on the local firm’s strategy of recruiting investors from the Middle East to open franchises in the U.S. From the report: “Bearclaw began advertising its investment opportunities in a TV commercial in Dubai last year and quickly attracted interest. [Owner Debi] Scroggins visited Dubai last month to meet with potential investors, train new franchisees and make contacts in the U.S. consulate. The franchise owners will open mobile shops in Florida, Virginia, California, Illinois, Maryland and Texas. Most speak English and have studied business, but many will hire managers to run daily operations.” [Source]
USA Today profiles the Ann Arbor housing market, and notes some positive signs. The article quotes Alex Milshteyn, president of the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors: “It’s almost like we started fresh this year. For the first time, I have buyers who are in the market (who) can’t find what they are looking for.” [Source]
Ann Arbor Park Advisory Commission meeting (March 16, 2010): Fuller Road Station was the focus of this month’s PAC meeting, including a presentation by Eli Cooper and others on the project’s team. Five people spoke on the topic during public commentary as well – all of them concerned about the proposed parking structure and transit center.
From left: Greta Brunschwyler, the new executive director at the Leslie Science & Nature Center, talks with park advisory commissioner Sam Offen and Jason Frenzel, volunteer and outreach coordinator for the city's Natural Area Preservation program, prior to the March 16 PAC meeting. (Photo by the writer.)
Several commissioners had pointed questions for Cooper. Sam Offen pressed him on the issue of revenues, noting that when the parking structure is built, the university might have no need for the spaces it leases from the city on the opposite side of Fuller Road – resulting in a loss of about $38,000 per year to the city.
Also attending the meeting was Greta Brunschwyler, the new executive director at the Leslie Science and Nature Center, who started the job on March 4 and came to introduce herself to park commissioners and staff.
Leslie Science and Nature Center is where Jason Frenzel’s office is located. Frenzel, volunteer and outreach coordinator for the city’s Natural Area Preservation program, gave a brief presentation about volunteer opportunities.
Scott Rosencrans, PAC’s chair, wasn’t able to attend the meeting, which was led in his absence by vice chair John Lawter. Lawter announced that Rosencrans has decided not to seek reappointment to PAC when his term ends in mid-April. So not only will PAC need to elect a new chair, Lawter said, there will also be an opening on the commission. [Full Story]
Couzens Hall on Ann Street near the University of Michigan Hospital has previously made its way into the pages of The Ann Arbor Chronicle – as part of UM regents meeting reports. At their Dec. 17, 2009 meeting, regents authorized $49 million in construction contracts at Couzens – which chief financial officer Tim Slottow called the last of the university’s “deep” renovations of its heritage residence halls.
As Keegan Cisowski knits, he pulls yarn from a metal trash can he's adapted to hold his skeins. (Photos by the writer.)
Last Thursday, The Chronicle spent part of the evening in the living room of Couzens Hall – with a couple dozen members of a knitting club: Scarves with a Purpose (SWAP). The purpose is to provide homeless people with scarves.
It’s an idea that club president, UM freshman Melanie Hebeisen, brought with her from her hometown in Northbrook, Illinois, near Chicago. Hebeisen and her mom started the concept in Northbrook, and that effort has spawned four other chapters, counting the UM club.
Why scarves? It’s a choice driven in part by the fact that new recruits to SWAP typically don’t know how to knit. They’re mostly like Kinnard Hokenhull, who saw one of the SWAP knitters in his dorm making a scarf, and figured he’d like to learn how. [Full Story]
The Thomas More Law Center of Ann Arbor plans to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the new health care legislation. From a statement issued by the center: “Among the constitutional objections raised in the lawsuit will be Congress’s lack of authority to require private citizens to purchase or obtain health care coverage under penalty of federal law, as well as forcing Americans who oppose abortions to fund them with their tax dollars in violation of their fundamental rights of conscience and the free exercise of religion.” [Source]
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners working session (March 18, 2010): At Thursday’s working session for commissioners, sheriff Jerry Clayton laid out staffing needs for a jail expansion that’s set to open this summer. If approved by the board, over the next two years the corrections division will add 39 full-time employees to its current staff of 103 workers.
Washtenaw County sheriff Jerry Clayton, left, talks with county commissioner Mark Ouimet after the March 18 working session for the board of commissioners. (Photos by the writer.)
The additional expenses associated with those new hires would increase the corrections budget by $1.478 million this year and $3.248 million in 2011. County administrator Bob Guenzel told commissioners that there are sufficient funds to cover those costs. However, looking ahead to 2012 and 2013, the administration is projecting a two-year shortfall for the corrections division of nearly $2 million – a possibility that commissioner Jeff Irwin described as “scary.”
Commissioners in general were supportive of the sheriff’s proposal, and of his approach to managing the jail. Clayton had previously outlined for the board several efforts that the department is making to raise revenues and cut costs. On Thursday he made a case that the expanded jail is necessary to achieve the county’s vision: Keeping residents safe, while providing programs and services to address the root causes of incarceration. [Full Story]
On March 17, in a small conference room at the Washtenaw County administration building, Carolyn Raschke, finance director of the Humane Society of Huron Valley, reported to an even smaller group of Washtenaw County officials.
Washtenaw County Humane Society Oversight Committee meeting. Starting with the conference call phone and going clockwise: county administrator Bob Guenzel (who joined the meeting via phone, because he was getting a tour of the jail); Mechelle Hardy, management assistant with the county; Peter Ballios, the county's recently retired finance director; Bob Martel, acting as construction manager for HSHV; Carolyn Raschke, finance director of HSHV; Curtis Hedger, corporation counsel for the county.
The HSHV had held a grand opening for its new animal shelter the previous week. Raschke said the recent warmer weather had started to bring visitors out “in droves” to the shelter, and that the shelter had promoted the grand opening as a “celebration.” She reported that the promotion included discounts on adoption fees for animals at the shelter. Also part of the grand opening, said Raschke, was an invitation-only reception for the larger donors to the shelter’s fundraising campaign.
The meeting lasted a little more than five minutes – probably a record for the shortest public meeting of any The Chronicle has covered.
So what was the point of that meeting between Raschke and county officials?
It was the regular gathering of the county’s oversight committee for the Humane Society. The body exists only because of the bonds the county issued in 2007 to finance construction of the HSHV’s new shelter. The structure of the bonding has no impact on the county’s pocketbook, but included the creation of the oversight committee as a way for the county to maintain a kind of “leash” on the money it had backed with its full faith and credit.
The county’s connection to HSHV is not philanthropically based. The county has a contract with the nonprofit, worth $500,000 in FY 2010, to house stray dogs picked up by sheriff’s deputies. That contract satisfies the county’s statutory obligations under the Dog Law of 1919. [Full Story]
A feature in the Detroit Free Press explores the fact that female veterinarians now outnumber males in the profession. The change comes in part from shifting attitudes about what it takes to do the job. The article quotes Paula Rode, immediate past president of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and owner of Chelsea Animal Hospital: “It wasn’t about muscles. It was about smarts.” [Source]
The Southeast Michigan Slow Food Review visits the Red Sea Ethiopian Restaurant in Ypsilanti: “We arrived around 6:30 pm to find the place empty aside from our server, a very pleasant woman who took our order, brought our food, and then disappeared into the kitchen to chat with the cook. The place stayed empty until we left, which made me wonder how much business they do. But I see that they offer Tuesday through Friday lunch specials ($1 off all dishes), with a 10% student discount, and a Thursday all-you-can-eat for $15.95 special, so I’m guessing that’s when the they see most of their traffic.” [Source]
A couple who are visually impaired, holding hands, each tapping a white cane while walking rapidly.
Man on the ground in a sleeping bag, smoking a cigarette.
The Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees met for a two-day retreat at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit earlier this month, where they discussed the possibility of opening a satellite campus in Ann Arbor – possibly in partnership with the Ann Arbor District Library.
The retreat on March 5-6 covered a range of other topics, from the college’s projected drop in revenue and possible tuition increases to its shifting student demographics and a raft of facility renovations.
The Chronicle attended the first day of the retreat – the second day was held in closed session. The location – including an overnight stay at what the Book Cadillac website describes as an historic, luxury hotel – was intended to help focus trustees’ attention, according to board chair Stephen Gill. The cost of the retreat came to $9,910.70. [Full Story]
A post on the blog “Why do we bake cookies and cook bacon?” takes issue with the book “Confessions of a Substitute Teacher: Don’t Work for PESG or Teach in Ypsilanti Michigan.” The blog’s author writes: “I love working for the Ypsilanti Public School District and although we have challenges, I want to stay and help, not just complain from a distance. Do all of us a favor, stop subbing … and get out of Ypsilanti.” [Source]
In a report on March auto sales, the Detroit Free Press quotes Doug Fox, owner of Ann Arbor Automotive, who says that for the first 19 days of the month, sales have increased by about 30% at his Nissan, Acura, Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi franchises: “I’m afraid to extrapolate it even to the end of the month. If it does, we would be up dramatically over last March.” [Source]
University of Michigan Board of Regents meeting (March 18, 2010): Thursday’s meeting was a routine, relatively brief session – punctuated rather dramatically by the arrival of four Olympic ice dancers, who turned the regents, as one of them observed, into “total groupies.”
UM president Mary Sue Coleman, right, talks with Olympic silver medalist Meryl Davis, left, while regent Martin Taylor looks on. Davis is one of four ice dancers who attend UM and who competed in the winter Olympics. (Photos by the writer)
During the less rambunctious portions of the meeting, regents approved two building renovations – at the Duderstadt Center and Lorch Hall – totaling $3.8 million. They also authorized the awarding of six honorary degrees at the May 1 commencement ceremony, including one to the keynote speaker, President Barack Obama.
The main presentation of the afternoon came from Laurita Thomas, associate vice president for human resources, who updated regents on the status of employee benefits.
At the end of the meeting, one person spoke during public commentary. Ann Arbor resident Rita Mitchell urged regents not to proceed with the Fuller Road Station project, a joint UM/city of Ann Arbor parking structure and transit center planned on city-owned land near the university’s medical campus. She argued that the project violated both the spirit and intent of a city charter amendment passed in 2008, which requires voters to approve the sale of city parkland.
Thursday’s meeting was in its usual location – the boardroom in the Fleming administration building, on Thompson Street. UM president Mary Sue Coleman reminded regents that next month’s meeting will be held in a different venue: the city of Grand Rapids. [Full Story]
On one corner, fire and brimstone, on another, Girl Scout cookies. [photo]
It’s spring and all 10 chases of the dam were open, loud, and flowing. A muskrat made its way down the stairs, followed by my entranced dog. Chives, garlic mustard, wild carrot, dandelion, wild strawberry plants, yarrow, and more were all waking up, garlic mustard had the head start. [photo 1] [photo 2] [photo 3]
Lost/Found little blue gloves, neatly packaged in plastic bag and duct-taped to fire hydrant with note. [photo]
Jo Mathis
My father, the quirky, crusty, and surprisingly sentimental Don Collins, went to bed the other night and never woke up.
At 84 and in failing health, he was set to move to an assisted living facility in two weeks, never again to enjoy my mother’s cooking or daily attention. Instead, he slipped away on the sunny Thursday between my daughters’ birthdays, reluctant, it would seem, to ruin their days.
My mother, siblings and I quickly drove to St. Joe’s, where our initial grief was gradually tempered by quiet acceptance. A social worker suggested we each spend time alone in the room with him. His hand was still warm as I said goodbye. [Full Story]
Rally organized by Michigan Peaceworks to mark the 7th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. People carrying signs and flags. Nearby, a student leads a group of families on a campus tour. [photo]
Five candidates for the board of People’s Food Co-op, standing outside talking to members and each other.
Huron River walk by the DTE plant. A muskrat unconcernedly sleeping in a corner. [photo]
10:30 p.m. Two goats outside of Conor O’Neills?!
Ann Arbor City Council meeting (March 15, 2010) Part 2: Part 1 of the meeting report handles the range of various topics at the meeting that did not fall into the general category of recycling. Part 2 focuses specifically on the two recycling-related resolutions approved by the council.
Tom McMurtrie, left, is the city's solid waste coordinator. Jim Frey, right, is CEO of Resource Recycling Systems, a consultant for the city on recycling.
The two separate resolutions correspond to the two facets of the new recycling system for Ann Arbor, which will be deployed in July 2010.
One resolution revised the contract with Recycle Ann Arbor (RAA) for curbside recycling pickup to reflect the single-stream character of the system. Residents will no longer place paper and containers in separate 11-gallon stackable totes to be hand-emptied by RAA drivers. Instead, residents will put all their recyclable materials into a single rollable cart with a lid. Drivers will operate a robot arm from inside the truck to lift and tip the single cart’s recyclable contents into the truck.
The other resolution approved by the council authorized a contract with RecycleBank to implement an incentive program for residents, based on their participation in the recycling program and the average amount of materials recycled on their route.
Both the conversion to the new system and its associated incentive program came under criticism during public commentary. During council deliberations it was the incentive program that was given the most scrutiny by councilmembers – with Stephen Kunselman (Ward 3) voting against it. The contract with RAA was given unanimous support from the nine councilmembers who were present.
The arrangements with RAA for collection and with RecycleBank for the incentive program are separate contracts with separate entities – the single-stream system could be implemented without the incentive system. But it became apparent during council deliberations that the idea that the city council might opt for a single-stream system without the incentive program was not something city staff had planned for: The single-stream carts are already molded with labels “Earn rewards for recycling.” [Clarification: The authorization for the in-molded cart labels had not been made before the council approved the incentive contract.] [Full Story]
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners (March 17, 2010): The theme of Wednesday night’s meeting was one of transitions, as commissioners voted to dissolve the county’s land bank authority, join a regional energy office, and approve a contract for the next county administrator, Verna McDaniel.
County commissioner Wes Prater, left, talks with Ypsilanti mayor Paul Schreiber before the start of Wednesday's county board of commissioners meeting. Schreiber came to speak in support of the county's land bank. In the background is deputy clerk Jason Brooks. (Photos by the writer.)
Commissioners also got an update from their lobbyist in Lansing, who spoke of upcoming transitions in state government that will impact the county. Kirk Profit said the turnover in the legislature, governor’s office and other administrative posts could lead to opportunities for the county. Several commissioners raised concerns over the state budget and state funding for local programs, and are worried that the situation will get worse before it gets better.
Wednesday’s meeting also included two official farewells to long-time county employees: finance director Pete Ballios and Trenda Rusher, director of the county’s Employment Training and Community Services (ETCS) department. Both received standing ovations from commissioners, staff and others in the boardroom. [Full Story]
3:25 p.m. Mayor Hieftje giving directions to lost motorist. Consolidation of city services?
Civil engineering graffiti all along the east sidewalk of Division, between William and Liberty, indicates that the sidewalk is coming up soon. Signs at the north and south ends say the sidewalk is closed, but dozens of pedestrians use it anyway.
The Detroit Free Press looks at a dispute between state legislators and the boards that manage Detroit’s two public pension funds. Lawmakers have introduced bills to bring the pension funds under the control of a Lansing-based nonprofit trust, the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System. The article quotes Bob Stevenson, an Ann Arbor-based pension attorney, who says the Bing administration should restructure the existing boards: “Undoubtedly, the Detroit pension systems have been poorly run, but I don’t think the answer in my view would be to transition to MERS. I would find some means to keep these pension plans autonomous.” [Source]
CBC News reports on new findings from the Cassini space probe, which reveals more information about the rings of Saturn. The report includes an interview with UM aerospace engineering professor Tamas Gombosi, who’s been studying the data: “We learned from Cassini that the Saturnian magnetosphere is swimming in water. This is unique in the solar system and makes Saturn’s plasma environment particularly fascinating.” [Source]
