Comments on: County Building To Be Named for Guenzel?

By: Ricebrnr

Ricebrnr — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 04:55:58 +0000

Thanks so much for the info. I just wanted to check because I not sure what responsibilities I’d trust one of the runners in my ward with.

After seeing the above, I’m more than positive that no I don’t want him representing my ward.

Happy 4th everyone.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 01:54:34 +0000

Vivienne, thanks for that interesting bit of history!

By: Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:34:16 +0000

The 11 commissioners are elected officials representing different geographic districts within Washtenaw County and charged with overseeing county government. They are responsible for passing ordinances, overseeing the county administration, adopting an annual budget, and making appointments to county boards, committees and commissions, among other duties. They are elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years – all seats are up for election this year. Four commissioners represent districts covering parts of Ann Arbor: Barbara Levin Bergman (District 8); Leah Gunn (District 9); Conan Smith (District 10); and Jeff Irwin (District 11). Current commissioners: [link] Candidates in the Aug. 3 primary: [link] District maps: [link]

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:24:55 +0000

Re (9), a start is here: [link] County Commissioners are elected on a district basis, currently from 11 districts. They serve on the Board of Commissioners (BOC). (There is no such thing as a County Commmission, only Commissioners.) Each district is adjusted to have the same number of residents after each census and the number of districts may be changed at that time. (Tune in for this in 2011.) The BOC hires and fires the County Administrator, who is then responsible for management of the county. The Administrator proposes the annual budget (currently this is done in a biannual schedule with tweaks to the second year). The BOC passes ordinances and sets county policy but does not generate much new law. Most expenditures must be approved by the BOC, and most of the business before it is to approve the Administrator's proposals, some of which come up from various other boards and commissions. Historical note: prior to the 1964 "one man, one vote" decision by the Supreme Court ([link]), counties in Michigan were run by the Board of Supervisors. The Supervisor of each township plus one person selected to be the Supervisor for this purpose from each city sat on it. This gave much more power to rural areas since each tiny township had the same representation as a city. The current districts are based on population. Once while campaigning I met the last Ann Arbor Supervisor. I believe that he is now deceased.

By: Ricebrnr

Ricebrnr — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:27:34 +0000

Can someone point me to or define the job of County Comissioner for me?

Thanks

By: Janelle Baranowski

Janelle Baranowski — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:34:13 +0000

John, thanks for the “well-qualified” mention. I’m not sure that I’m well-qualified, but I am eager to learn and be part of the process.

Full disclosure: I am working with John on his campaign for Ann Arbor City Council. This is how he knew that I applied and was turned down. He brought this article to my attention.

By: Janelle Baranowski

Janelle Baranowski — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:15:58 +0000

Mary, I was the person who applied for a private sector position. I am a young professional in a technical field. The Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce did not give my application their recommendation for the second time (I also applied in last fall.) This was the response I received from Kyle Mazurek regarding their decision:

“I spoke to Diane, the President & CEO of the merged Chamber, regarding your interest in the County Workforce Development Board.

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to make a nomination on your behalf at this time. In the Chamber’s experience, private sector appointments have typically been reserved for executive-level, upper-level management types.”

I was very disappointed by their decision. Our county is seeking to attract and retain young professionals, and I believe that I would have been a great addition to the Board, bringing a fresh voice to the process. Unfortunately, the AA Chamber did not agree. Now that I realize that these seats will remain open, I am even more disappointed, as wouldn’t it be better to fill them with citizens who would like to be involved rather than reserving them in hopes that someone more “qualified” will come along?

By: Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan — Tue, 18 May 2010 04:22:05 +0000

John, I don’t know the situation of the applicant you’re referring to, but there are designated categories for the open positions. One position is for a person representing the rehabilitation sector, and the other four are for people representing the private sector. Sean Duval’s application was for a private sector position. It’s also possible that the person you mentioned missed the application deadline.

By: John Floyd

John Floyd — Tue, 18 May 2010 03:42:09 +0000

I personally know of one well-qualified applicate for the Workforce Development Board who was turned down flat. What’s up with the “Only one applicant” line?

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:47:36 +0000

“Ken Schwartz described White as the “heart and soul” behind the effort to organize a permanent display of a model of the USS Washtenaw, the most highly decorated ship of the Vietnam War.”

What.