Based on random bits of lint trapped the Velcro of my brain combined with the city’s online property records search [link] here’s the current status of AATA board members:

Roger Kerson: city resident
Jesse Bernstein: city resident
Eli Cooper: not a city resident
David Nacht: not a city resident
Sue Gott: city resident
Charles Griffith: city resident
Anya Dale: city resident

In a cursory search of Chronicle meeting reports, I couldn’t find the reference, but I have a vague recollection of Dale mentioning “her bus” at one of the board meetings, suggesting to me she’s at least an occasional bus rider if not a regular one. I don’t know if any of the other six ride AATA buses on a regular basis.

Ann Arbor under the new regime would be represented (presumably) by the current AATA board members. However, that would not happen automatically. The Mayor would have to name nominees to the new board. Whether he will choose to name the same individuals who currently serve on the AATA board is not known, but is not preordained.

Another question: will the current AATA board members serve concurrently on the AATA board (while it still exists, with responsibility for our city transit system) and on the new TA board? Will there be any conflict inherent in such an appointment? I really am just asking the question.

I really appreciate the hard work you do, and hesitate to ask you to do more. But is there any way to find out which of the current AATA and future TA board members live in the City, and which regularly ride the bus to work?

John Hieftje was listed on the aforesaid website as a lecturer in the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy fr the 2010-11 academic year, but not afterwards for the 2011-12 year.

Marcia appears on the salary info website as being employed during the 2011-12 academic year as does Steve Kunselman.

While Higgins was previously employed by UM, it’s my understanding that she’s now employed elsewhere.

The same concerns she cites about the contractual relationships between U-M and the AATA and too much “weight” U-M has in Ann Arbor government apply with equal force to her dual status as a full-time U-M employee in the School of Engineering while sitting on City Council when the City of Ann Arbor has service and lease agreements that run between U-M and itself that City Council must debate and approve.

The University of Michigan has put a number of prominent elected officeholders on its payroll, which is a very wise investment, since it can often pay a pretty penny for part-time or full-time work and then be in a position to have an advocate friendly and informed as to U-M’s interests on matters they must decide upon. There are several City Council members who have collected paychecks from U-M recently. Check http://www.umsalary.info for the identities and compensation received by these City Council members. A sitting Washtenaw County circuit judge has collected compensation as an employee from U-M in recent years.

The University of Michigan has been quietly getting Ann Arbor elected officials on its payroll and obtaining appointments to its key influential boards.

The public should be opposing the appointment of U-M employees to boards and commissions where the University has vital interests.

That nightclub is currently suing the City of Ann Arbor in federal court for $3,000,000.00 alleging anti-Indian bias and other unfair treatment(the ownership is Asian Indian-American.

The City of Ann Arbor last spring was instumental in a shutdown of the club via a nuisance abatement action, but it was eventually re-opened under the supervision of a receiver appointed by Judge Melinda Morris.

City Council should be dicussing the statuses of the nuisance abatement action as well as the federal action brought by Dream-Nite. They should be encoraging the City Attorney to negotiate a resolution.