PAA is Pakistan Association of America, not Pakastani Association of America, for Iqbal.
]]>1. Iqbal: brings the budget knowledge & experience to dig through all the details to find the opportunities. Has a real passion for making sure the “Educated in Ann Arbor” means something.
2. Lightfoot: was the only current trustee I heard asking hard questions of the administration during the discussions on cuts to athletics.
3. Murphy: has great ideas – not certain they will fit Ann Arbor PS.
4. Leonard: needs more experience but hope he stays involved.
5. Thomas: lacks depth. Used a list of email addresses of folks who contacted the board with concerns to promote his campaign. Seems to me like a clear exploitation of his role as board secretary.
6. Howard: seems only be to using the opportunity to promote his personal beliefs.
]]>AnnArbor.com reporter Kyle Feldscher responded to my @AlbertHowardUSA tweet: ‘ I don’t know off the top of my head if the story ran in either print edition – been moving and haven’t had a chance to look’.
]]>Ward 2, 7-7:30 p.m., Democratic incumbent Stephen Rapundalo vs. Independent challenger Jane Lumm
Ward 3, 7:45-8:15 p.m., Democratic incumbent Stephen Kunselman vs. Republican challenger David Parker
Ward 4, 8:30-9 p.m., Democratic incumbent Marcia Higgins vs. Republican challenger Eric Scheie
Ward 5, 9:15-9:45 p.m., Democratic incumbent Mike Anglin vs. Republican challenger Stuart Berry
The forum will be telecast live on Comcast Channel 19, rebroadcast periodically up to the election and available on the CTN web page: [link]
]]>After last night’s forum, here is how I would rank the candidates:
1. Andy Thomas
1. Patrick Leonard
2. Simone Lightfoot
3. Larry Murphy
4. Ahmar Iqbal
5. Albert Howard
I thought the incumbants did well. I’ll continue to pay attention to Leonard (and perhaps to Murphy, but likely not if his stance on the millage remains).
]]>Ahmar often refered to AAPS’s “big general fund budget” throughout the debate. What Ahmar Iqbal failed to recognize is that FICA, STEP, Fringe benefits, etc. continue to incrementally increase; therefore, the AAPS may have more annual revenue but it does not offset these rising costs.
Larry Murhpy does not support the tech bond and instead would like to hire more teachers. How can AAPS hire more teachers with a projected $14 million deficit for next year? If they don’t pass the bond, funds will be coming out of the general fund, and this could potentially affect teachers and classroom resources. I also didn’t understand his concept of neighborhood busing, and how that would work in a district our size?
I really enjoyed Simone Lightfoot and Andy Thomas – they are strong candidates. I’m just ready for a change to the AAPS school Board, and think Patrick Leonard can be a tremendous addition to the board.
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