Comments on: Ann Arbor City Council Dems 2013: Finance

By: Libby Hunter

Libby Hunter — Sun, 04 Aug 2013 14:02:30 +0000

This morning’s print version of annarbor.com has a wonderful letter to the editor supporting Jack Eaton’s candidacy – written by Lou Glorie. Wish it was also on the online version.

By: Rita Mitchell

Rita Mitchell — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 18:07:40 +0000

A2Eastsider, I can tell you that Jack is working without someONE person whispering in his ear. He has heard from many voters in Ward 4 as he has gone door-to-door, that they do share his priorities to focus on the basics of maintaining our infrastructure of streets,safety services, and working to solve problems with flooding. I believe that those voters will provide steadfast direction to continue to support that focus on priorities. Jack listens and responds, with action, and is perhaps the best prepared candidate for council, without yet holding a seat, that I have seen in years. Please, re-read Tom Whitaker’s assessment. He is right on. Jack will be a great new member of City Council, and will help citizens in Ward 4.

By: a2eastsider

a2eastsider — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 12:45:51 +0000

Three times running, two times not elected, perhaps (hopefully) a third. Being a listener is all well and good, but, in my opinion, if you cannot act without somebody whispering direction in your ear and pointing in a particular direction, then perhaps you shouldn’t be in office. I hope there is a good turnout.

By: Tom Whitaker

Tom Whitaker — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 21:07:01 +0000

Jack Eaton, private citizen, attends more City and community meetings than any of our elected representatives (with the possible exception of Sabra). He has invested time, money, and several pairs of shoes to run for office, what, three times now? He organized the Neighborhood Alliance–a large group of citizens who are active and vote, and who are concerned that the Mayor and Council have forgotten that this is a city of neighborhoods, not just a downtown ripe for exploitation by the highest bidder. Jack had the wisdom to develop the NA into what is essentially a forum for discussion and citizen collaboration on issues–not a political group that takes positions or makes endorsements.

Yes, Jack has worked alongside hundreds of other citizens in “obstructing” some really bad ideas proposed by the current administration. I guess if I were on that side of things, I would be bitter and angry, too. But perspective is everything. From where I stand, Jack is the opposite of an obstructionist. He’s pro-park, pro-intra-city transit, pro-neighborhood, pro-citizen, pro-responsible spending, pro-preservation, pro-design guidelines and pro-good zoning. Best of all, he is a listener not a lecturer. We need a few more good listeners on Council.

By: a2eastsider

a2eastsider — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 20:04:06 +0000

It is unfortunate that people have been snowed by Eaton, a man who represents himself as a “neighborhood activist” when in reality he seems to be somebody who likes to complain about other people’s work while offering few concrete suggestions and, if possible, even less in the way work potential. “Somebody should” candidates seem to spend a whole lot of time saying ‘Somebody should blah blah blah blah…’ and it is often the parroted speak of their “supporters”. They don’t *do* a darn thing, unless being obstructionist counts. If that is what you want (and it may well be given some of the known supporters) then I guess you choose somebody you don’t have to worry will do anything “controversial” because they won’t do anything at all.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 10:14:11 +0000

“Actually, what is remarkable is how little financial support Marcia Higgins received from her own ward.

But the “mighty Fifth” has been a strong contributor all around. (Not much for Marcia.)”

Vivienne, not that remarkable if you actually live in the 4th Ward of talk to any of us that do. :)

By: Brad Cook

Brad Cook — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 23:38:37 +0000

Nice article and especially infographics. It made me want to read all the candidate filings which were further illuminating. I’m not sure, but Grand may have had more contributions from New England than Higgins had from the entire fourth ward.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 02:16:58 +0000

Actually, what is remarkable is how little financial support Marcia Higgins received from her own ward.

But the “mighty Fifth” has been a strong contributor all around. (Not much for Marcia.)

By: David Cahill

David Cahill — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 01:02:53 +0000

As Dave Askins points out, once again this year there are not that many people in the Fourth Ward who are contributing to the Fourth Ward candidates. A lot of the money is coming from outside the ward.

So what we have there is a “proxy war.” The neighborhoodies city-wide (Eaton’s supporters) are fighting it out with the shattered remnants of the Council Party city-wide (Higgins’ supporters), using the Fourth Ward as their battlefield.