Archive for July, 2010

At its July 6, 2010 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council voted to reject a recommended historic district for Fourth/Fifth avenues south of William Street and north of Packard Street. The vote was 4-6. Voting for the district were: Sabra Briere, John Hieftje, Carsten Hohnke, and Stephen Kunselman. Voting against the district were: Stephen Rapundalo, Sandi Smith, Tony Derezinski, Marcia Higgins, Margie Teall, and Christopher Taylor. Mike Anglin was absent.

Most recent Chronicle coverage: “The Constitution of Historic Districts”

Detailed coverage of the July 6 meeting to follow: [link]

At its July 6, 2010 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council voted unanimously to relax requirements for the display of site plans to make them accessible to the public. Updated plans are no longer required to be accessible to the public 24/7 for one week prior to public hearings. Previous coverage: “Ann Arbor Planning Commission: A Matter of Timing”

Detailed coverage of the July 6 meeting to follow: [link]

At its July 6, 2010 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council voted unanimously to approve a change in the definition of allowable uses for public land (PL) zoning to include transportation facilities. The change was prompted by the planned Fuller Road Station. Recent Chronicle coverage: “PAC Softens Stance on Fuller Road Station”

Detailed coverage of the July 6 meeting to follow: [link]

At its July 6, 2010 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council passed a resolution expressing opposition to legislation recently enacted by the state of Arizona that requires local law enforcement to investigate a person’s immigration status when there is a reasonable suspicion that the person is in the U.S. unlawfully. [draft of resolution] Sabra Briere (Ward 1) had announced at the council’s previous meeting that she would bring a resolution like this forward. It was co-sponsored by Briere’s Ward 1 colleague, Sandi Smith. Said Smith during deliberations, “This is what Ann Arbor does.”

The resolution passed with dissent from Stephen Rapundalo (Ward 3). Marcia Higgins (Ward 4) was not at the table when the vote was taken. Mike Anglin … [Full Story]

Organizers are gearing up for the 4th annual Pie Lovers Unite! event on July 24, from 7-9 p.m. at the Ypsilanti Ladies Literary Club. From the Slow Food Huron Valley website: “This year we’ll have live music in the form of a great PIE-ANIST, some themed PIE WALKS (be prepared to shake your tailfeathers), a PIE CONTEST with prizes and a recipe swap, the ever-hilarious PIE-KU poetry recital, PIE QUOTES and of course PIE EATING – all with a focus on why we love that we live here in southeast Michigan.” [Source]

CNN reports on a study published this week in the journal Pediatrics that suggests neck circumference might be an effective way to measure body fat. The article quotes the study’s lead author, Olubukola Nafiu, a UM assistant professor of pediatric anesthesia: “To tell you that your neck is wide, these are some of the risks associated to it — that we feel people would be able to relate to it better than BMI (body mass index).” [Source]

Via email, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority has announced that a board retreat scheduled for July 19 at 3 p.m. at Weber’s Inn has been canceled. The AATA hopes to reschedule the event for early August. Background on topics to be addressed at the retreat is included in previous Chronicle coverage: “AATA Moves Engagement Process into Gear”

On a summer cycle of once-a-month meetings, the Washtenaw County board of commissioners were briefed last week about the agenda for their July 7 meeting. Much of the briefing was spent discussing an item that likely won’t be up for a vote – resurrecting the county’s land bank.

The board dissolved the land bank – a tool used to help the county deal with foreclosed and blighted properties – at their March 2010 meeting, but commissioner Ronnie Peterson has pushed to bring it back. He initially proposed putting a resolution on the June meeting agenda, but later agreed to a request by board chair Rolland Sizemore Jr. to hold off until July. But at the June 29 briefing, Sizemore and Conan Smith, who chairs the board’s Ways & Means Committee, said they were not putting a resolution on the July 7 agenda either, though discussion on the topic is scheduled for the meeting. Peterson did not attend the briefing.

A range of other items are on the agenda, including a public hearing on possible expansion of the county road commission, and a resolution regarding a transparency initiative that’s been in the works for several months. Led by commissioner Kristin Judge, the effort aims to put more of the county’s public documents, especially financial information, online.

Commissioners expressed some concern over one agenda item: Restructuring the debt for a Dexter Township wastewater system, with the goal of lowering payments – payments the township might otherwise have trouble making. The item led some commissioners to ask for a report on debt held by local townships that’s backed by the county’s credit. [Full Story]

The intrepid Ann Arbor Newshawks have posted another report, this one featuring an “interview” at Michigan Stadium with President Obama, who among other things appears to be suggesting that a page out of the New York Times or Wall Street Journal makes a good substitute for toilet paper. Other topics: Obama’s thoughts on the new police/courts building and Stadium bridges, and an invitation to share a beer at Conor O’Neill’s. [Source]

When The Chronicle first reported that the one-block stretch along South Fifth Avenue – between Liberty and William – would be closing on Aug. 1, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority hadn’t yet finalized contingency plans for the change, which will affect one of the city’s main southbound arteries through most of 2011.

The view from the bottom of the construction site for the South Fifth underground parking structure, facing Fifth. The project's next phase requires shutting down southbound Fifth between Liberty and William, starting Aug. 1.

This week, the DDA – which is managing the closure as part of the construction of the underground parking structure on South Fifth – released more information about changes in traffic routes and parking, related to the closure.

Those changes include the closing of the downtown post office’s public parking lot, allowing truck traffic on southbound Main Street, and installing a new turn arrow at the intersection of Fifth and William, to allow AATA buses to turn north onto Fifth. Read on for more details about these and other changes to expect after Aug. 1. [Full Story]

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Charlie White and Meryl Davis, University of Michigan students and Olympic silver medalists in ice dance figure skating. They were the grand marshals of the parade.

Hope everyone enjoyed the Fourth of July Parade in downtown Ann Arbor on Sunday morning. More Chronicle photos on Flickr: [link]

Poet, essayist and UM professor Anne Carson’s “Nox” is reviewed by the Buffalo News, described as “a box of material connected accordion-style (in one folded, ribbon-like page many yards long) about the death of her deeply troubled older brother Michael.” Among other things, the collection includes “meditations on Herodotus and history, and side reflections on eggs when memory suddenly retrieved one of her brother’s cigarettes snuffed out in a fried egg (shades of Hitchcock).” [Source]

The Detroit Free Press goes behind the scenes at Michigan Stadium, describing a recent tour given by Joe Parker, UM associate athletic director for development and corporate relations. “After years of theory, renderings and even tours amid construction, the renovation of the Big House is now tangible. Parker proudly unveiled the nearly finished project to high-end patrons last week. And then he took a Free Press sports writer and photographer on a tour of a stadium that now includes a luxurious side, with etched glass featuring winged helmets, plush chairs overlooking the massive facility, flat-screen TVs built into wooden paneling, and a 70-yard dining area.” [Source]

Just two prospective candidates turned up for an information session held at the Ann Arbor Public Schools Balas administration building on June 30. Both of them are current board members – Christine Stead and Andy Thomas – who were recently appointed to the board to fill vacant positions due to resignations.

Andy Thomas and Christine Stead, who both currently serve on the AAPS board of education, attended the June 30 information session for prospective candidates.

The replacement appointments received by Thomas and Stead, along with a third board member Simone Lightfoot, last only through December, 2010.

So for just over an hour, Stead and Thomas asked questions and heard campaigning advice from AAPS director of communications Liz Margolis, AAPS election liaison Teri Williams, plus fellow board members – secretary Glenn Nelson and vice president Irene Patalan.

This will be the first time the AAPS district elects its board of education trustees as part of November’s general election. The board voted this year to move their elections from May to November as a cost-saving measure. Five of the seven seats on the AAPS board will be open – two four-year terms, one two-year term, and two one-year terms.

Nelson and Patalan are the only two members of the seven-member body who do not need to be elected in November to continue to serve on the board. [Full Story]

[Full Story]

Joel Goldberg

For a brand-new Michigan winery that’s only put out one wine – under someone else’s license, no less – Old Shore Vineyards is getting a lot of buzz.

Vinology owner Jon Jonna made first contact during the crush of WineFest’s Wine Crawl.

“You need to taste this Pinot Gris,” he said, pouring liquid into my glass from the bottle he was clutching.

He was right. Despite sub-optimal tasting conditions, the wine impressed.

A couple of weeks passed. Wyncroft Winery owner Jim Lester blew through town for last month’s Chronicle rosé tasting. “Did you hear about Old Shore?” he asked. “And did you know that Dannielle is from Ann Arbor?”

No, I didn’t.

Then a Tweet fluttered by from Andrew Gorsuch, The Produce Station’s wine loving general manager. His follow-up email raved that the 2008 Pinot Noir (a test run, not available to buy) flaunted “an amazing balance of fruit and tannins … Although it was not for retail sales, it gave me a preview of what is to come …”

OK, time to find out what all the excitement’s about. [Full Story]

Candidates for mayor in the Aug. 3 Democratic primary: (top) incumbent John Hieftje and (bottom) Patricia Lesko. (Photos by the writer.)

On Thursday evening, the North Central Property Owners Association (NCPOA) hosted a forum for candidates in two Democratic primary races:  Ward 1 city council representative and mayor.

Coverage of Ward 1 candidate responses to audience questions is provided in a separate article: “Ann Arbor Dems Primary: Ward 1 Council.”

Before the forum began, as candidates worked the room – which would eventually be packed with around 60 people – they greeted their known supporters and detractors alike. Patricia Lesko was cheerily blunt with Ward 1 councilmember Sabra Briere, telling Briere:  “Hated what you had to say in The Observer about Lesko!” She was alluding to an article in The Ann Arbor Observer’s July edition, with the headline “Satan for Mayor?!”

Briere was seated in the back row next to John Hilton, editor of The Ann Arbor Observer and a member of the NCPOA. The location of the forum at the Ann Arbor Community Center on North Main Street and its sponsorship by the NCPOA was significant – the site is across the street from Near North, a controversial affordable housing development approved by council in September 2009. The NCPOA had opposed the project most of the way through, but in the end wound up supporting a compromise version of the design.

Development and the definition of downtown was one of several topics raised by questions put to the candidates.

Incumbent mayor John Hieftje’s basic theme was that Ann Arbor was doing fine financially during tough economic times – especially when compared to other Michigan cities. For her part, Patricia Lesko questioned the ability of the city’s current leaders to make tough choices and described her own toughness with flourishes like: “You want a flower girl? Don’t vote for me!”

There is no Republican running for mayor – the winner of the Aug. 3 Democratic primary will not face a GOP challenger in November. Steve Bean and William Bostic Jr. plan to run as independents. [Full Story]

Candidates for Ward 1 Ann Arbor city council in the Democratic primary: Sumi Kailasapathy (top) is challenging incumbent Sandi Smith (bottom). (Photos by the writer.)

On Thursday evening, the first day of July, the North Central Property Owners Association (NCPOA) hosted a forum for candidates in two Democratic primary races: Ward 1 city council representative and mayor. Around 60 people packed into the lower level of a room in the Ann Arbor Community Center.

Coverage of mayoral candidate responses to audience questions is provided in a separate article: “Ann Arbor Dems Primary: Mayoral Race.”

The Ward 1 city council race this year is contested by incumbent Sandi Smith and challenger Sumi Kailasapathy. City council representatives are elected for two-year terms and each of the city’s five wards has two seats on the council, one of which is elected each year. The winner of the Aug. 3 Democratic primary will not face a Republican challenger in November.

The other representative for Ward 1 is Sabra Briere, who was in the audience at Thursday’s forum, seated next to John Hilton, editor of The Ann Arbor Observer and a member of the NCPOA. The location of the forum at the Ann Arbor Community Center on North Main Street and its sponsorship by the NCPOA was significant – the site is across the street from Near North, which was a controversial affordable housing development approved in September 2009.

Development and the definition of downtown was one of several topics raised by questions put to the candidates. For her part, Smith emphasized that experience was needed on the city council during these tough economic times, and that she has that experience. Smith questioned Kailasapathy’s basic contention that there was a significant amount of waste in the city’s budget and pointed to other cities that were not weathering the economic storm as well as Ann Arbor.

Kailasapathy stressed her expertise in financial matters as a CPA, but said that she was not merely a “bean counter.” She repeatedly returned to a theme of emphasis on the basic core services and eliminating waste in the budget. Through the course of the evening, she drew several laughs from the audience for various quips, like one suggesting that Ann Arbor was trying to become a “knock-off” of Southfield. [Full Story]

The Female Photographers of Etsy blog has an entry highlighting the work of Elle Moss: “Photographer Elle Moss lives in Saline, a small farming town in South East Michigan, with a quaint downtown and hilly, tree-lined landscapes. It’s only ten minutes away from Ann Arbor, known as ‘tree town,’ which Elle likes to visit for outdoor shooting. … Regardless of living close to downtown, the local wildlife is ever-present, even in her own backyard. Rabbits, groundhogs, raccoons, and birds and many other woodland creatures stop by, and she once counted fourteen deer in her yard!” [Source]

Ann Arbor Transportation Authority board meeting (June 23, 2010): The board’s regular monthly meeting in June was the last one to take place at the AATA headquarters, located on South Industrial Highway. In the future, regular meetings will take place at the Ann Arbor District Library – on Thursdays instead of Wednesdays.

At right: Michael Ford, CEO of the AATA, shows the board a map depicting locations of meetings he's had and meetings that are scheduled in connection with development of the transportation master plan. (Photos by the writer.)

The AATA will be taking advantage of the videotaping facilities at the library. Moving the meeting location is part of an effort to make the board and the organization more accessible as the AATA begins engaging the community about developing a transportation master plan (TMP).

A presentation on the countywide TMP from the AATA’s consultant and its own staff who are working on the project was a highlight of the board meeting. Board members focused on the need to have a vision of what the community would like in 30 years, and to start taking the short-term steps to get there, instead of dismissing a 30-year vision as impossible because there is no funding available now. The completed TMP document is expected by early 2011.

One of those short-term steps – which won’t necessarily wait for the development of the completed TMP document – could be improved service between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. During a media roundtable held before the board meeting, Michael Ford, CEO of the AATA, indicated that Ypsilanti will be part of the focus of a board retreat, which will take place on July 19 at Weber’s Inn. [July 6 update: The retreat has been canceled, possibly to be rescheduled in early August.]

Mary Stasiak, AATA’s manager of community relations, said at the roundtable the AATA supported the millage proposal that will be put before Ypsilanti voters in the fall. [The proposal will also appear on the primary ballot, but the state attorney general has ruled that a millage proposal must be authorized at a general election.]

The board marked a transition to its new composition by honoring Ted Annis and Paul Ajegba, who were recently replaced on the AATA board by Roger Kerson and Anya Dale. The board also elected new officers to replace Ajegba and Annis as chair and treasurer of the board, respectively. Sue McCormick was elected treasurer. The board will be led by its new chair, Jesse Bernstein. [Full Story]

Jo Mathis

If I had thought about my brother yesterday, I might have pictured him walking home from work, or barbecuing in his backyard in Colorado, or standing there with that familiar smirk, ready to spew some sarcasm.

But most likely I didn’t think about him at all. Yesterday – as far as I knew – all was right in his world.

The news was delivered with one fast pitch. There was no “I’m not feeling well” one week followed by “I’m going in for tests” the next, before moving on to “They think it might be bad news; I’ll know in a few days.”

Just: Prostate cancer. Stage 4. Nothing they can do.

“We’re all going to die,” he said. “It’s just a matter of when.” [Full Story]

The Detroit News reports that Rick Snyder of Ann Arbor continues to lead other candidates for governor in terms of campaign spending. A report from the Michigan Campaign Finance Network “shows Snyder has spent $1.49 million for television commercials compared to $1.16 million for Cox. But Cox has outspent Snyder $634,726 to $161,030 since Memorial Day.” [Source]