Comments on: Ann Arbor Council Ward 1: Eric or Sumi?

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:17:45 +0000

“It would be nice if Congressman Dingell took the same approach, as well as our State reps, like Mr. Irwin, and our State senators, like Ms. Warren.”

I’ve supported all three of these folks in the past. And I have a lot of respect for Jeff Irwin and his standing with the University of Michigan Nurses during their contract negotiations last year (Ms. Warren, as was the case with the 2010 race for Governor and the Nurses Union talks, was invisible. And has been totally ineffective in Lansing, other than with attempts to further her spouse’s political career it seems). There used to be a joke about an Ann Arbor News endorsement being the kiss of death in a City Council race. Looks like Mr. Dingell has taken over that slot of late from the former newspaper.

By: Richard Wickboldt

Richard Wickboldt — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 12:51:10 +0000

Each of the Ward 1 candidates took the time to sit down with me for a lengthy discussion at the beginning of the campaigns. I gratefully thank each for the opportunity. I found Ms. Kailasapathy to be very knowledgeable in the city financial matters and she clearly understands the difference between debt on the books and the annual operating budget. A distinction highly important to understand when voting on Council. The tracking of debt is part of looking at the future, an important quality of a council person which Sumi expresses. A council person is representing the people to help in a great measure our safety and security: this is the first and foremost job representing all constituents, maintaining core services and not diverting tax revenue, insuring our money is being spent wisely.
We do not have empty pockets. The building of a Shangri-La is not the responsibility of a city council. A measure of skepticism is an important quality of a council person to insure that the right decision is being made. A decision not based upon a Shangri-La dream but on financial reality. This is why I support Sumi Kailasapathy.

By: Tom Whitaker

Tom Whitaker — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 02:47:28 +0000

It would be nice if Congressman Dingell took the same approach, as well as our State reps, like Mr. Irwin, and our State senators, like Ms. Warren. Endorsements by State and Federal office holders in local races is a no-win situation for all (especially for some of the recent endorsees like Greden and Rapundalo). Not only have Dingell, Warren and Irwin not helped those they have endorsed, but they have also lost my respect, and my vote.

By: Sabra Briere

Sabra Briere — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 19:57:02 +0000

Re: #5
Dear Junior and any others:
It should be clear by now that I don’t endorse in Council races. This lack of endorsement should not be construed to mean I support — or reject — any specific candidate for Council or Mayor.
I won’t try to influence your vote about who sits at the table with me.
I don’t mind endorsing candidates for other office — but I really want to be able to work with anyone elected by the people. And if I publicly try to affect that decision, I’ve learned that can create hard feelings.
Listen to Council members Anglin and Kunselman discuss their reactions to those members of Council who have endorsed their opponents.
I’ll trust the voters of our community to select the best representatives from among the candidates.
Sabra

By: Dave Askins

Dave Askins — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 17:16:26 +0000

Re: [5] “I believe that such an endorsement will be given serious consideration by most Fifth Ward voters in the August primary.”

Junior, I think it’s already pretty clear from context, but just to be 100% certain, you do actually mean “most First Ward voters,” right?

By: Junior

Junior — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 17:05:22 +0000

My surprise in this race is that Councilperson Sabra Briere of the First Ward has not endorsed either candidate – even though Sumi Kailasapathy is fervently endorsed by Fifth Ward City Council member Mike Anglin.

I believe that such an endorsement will be given serious consideration by most Fifth Ward voters in the August primary.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:28:09 +0000

A clear grasp of financial issues including taxes, municipal debt and pension obligations are clearly going to be the key area of focus over the next several years. It doesn’t matter the level of college degree(s) these two candidates have. But from this debate it’s clear Sturgis would be in way over his head with his lack of understanding what ‘debt’ is while Kailasapathy has been dealing with finances her entire career. The choice is pretty clear for the 1st Ward primary.

By: Dave Cahill

Dave Cahill — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:14:53 +0000

I was surprised that Sturgis believes having a small current surplus means you can’t have a debt. As every schoolchild knows, a household can make enough money to pay current bills while still facing large debts coming due in the future – such as a balloon mortgage.

Sumi knows her stuff. Eric doesn’t.

By: Stephen Lange Ranzini

Stephen Lange Ranzini — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 11:11:07 +0000

Sturgis said, “We have to trust city staff, the people who have degrees, who’ve been hired to make those decisions.”

Sturgis, who should be congratulated for recently finishing an associate degree from a community college, is saying that his default position will be to defer to every expert who has a full college or advanced degree? As a Ward 1 resident I want someone representing me who will ask penetrating questions of city staff and dig deeper when necessary, and not just trust what is being said without question.

If we needed to vote for a tennis coach, Sturgis would have my vote, however Sumi is far more qualified and more prepared to represent us.

By: Mark Koroi

Mark Koroi — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 02:11:32 +0000

As a Democatic Party activist, Eric Sturgis donated to the Republican Rick Snyder’s campaign for governor in 2010.

As a Republican, I kinda liked that. The GOP needs more Democrats like Eric Sturgis.