Comments on: County Moves Closer to New Labor Deal

By: Tom Whitaker

Tom Whitaker — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 01:35:57 +0000

Considering the rapid and undemocratic way ‘right-to-get-union-pay- and-benefits-but-not-pay-union-dues’ was rammed through, it’s rather ironic that proponents would be upset that the language of the law allowed for this work-around.

Perhaps if they’d taken a more deliberate and democratic approach, they could have crafted a stronger bill. You reap what you sow.

By: Roger Kuhlman

Roger Kuhlman — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:00:17 +0000

I think it is shameful that the Washtenaw Board of Commissioners is trying to deny its government employees the right to freely choose if they want to voluntarily join a Union and pay its Union fees or not. I had this funny idea that free choice was central to the workings of democratic governance.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:26:57 +0000

Thank you for your report on the Food Policy Council.

I am a strong proponent of local food and support for local food production. I also respect several of the members of this council. But I am confused as to its function. In particular, how does this overlap or complement FSEP? It seems that the policy goals are very similar. What types of steps might be taken to achieve the goals of this new body that are different from what FSEP does? (FSEP is also supported by Washtenaw County.)

These questions need to be answered before a full-time staff member is added to support the service. FSEP recently hired a new executive director. Could that person advise the council?

(I served for several months on the FSEP advisory committee, before I ran for Council in 2008. I have occasionally donated to them. Otherwise I have no involvement with them.)