Comments on: Sept. 16, 2013 Ann Arbor Council: Final

By: David Cahill

David Cahill — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 21:49:19 +0000

There is no easy way to deal with a PWI (Person With Issues) while still complying with the state’s Open Meetings Act.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 12:56:45 +0000

Not just plausible but reasonable. I’ve observed several times when Mr. Partridge became argumentative when told that his time was up or that he was not permitted to speak (because of the agenda, or because he had previously spoken in a particular public hearing). The person chairing the meeting has little choice but to exert authority in such cases. I don’t believe that the First Amendment protects a right to speak at any time, according to whim.

By: Dave Askins

Dave Askins — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 00:01:24 +0000

Re: “If it’s off-topic or over-time, again, the mayor’s response seems plausible.”

Partridge was over-time, as usual.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 23:55:28 +0000

I guess it depends on what the “berating” consisted of. If it contained threats or aggression, it seems reasonable to the mayor to say “calm down of I’ll have you removed.” If it was just rudeness, well, it’s unfortunate that that’s kind of becoming a norm, but it seems like protected speech. If it’s off-topic or over-time, again, the mayor’s response seems plausible. And if it’s coherent, well-argued speech, well, that’s a surprise.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 09:57:32 +0000

From his rubber stamp appointments to the DDA and other boards, his contempt of hearing other thoughts and opinions that disagree with his own and his use of the word ‘haters’ to paint people who have honest disagreements with his direction for the City, Mr. Hieftje can’t tolerate Mr. Partridge and wanted him tossed out of the run. It’s the trait bullies have but one most Ann Arbor voters won’t tolerate for long in its elected officials. It would be a major error in judgement for the Mayor to act on his anger and have a YouTube video of Mr. Partridge carried out of Council Chambers by Ann Arbor Police.

By: Mark Koroi

Mark Koroi — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 03:50:15 +0000

“…….Hieftje asks Partridge if he would like to be removed.”

For what reason? First Amendmnet expression?

Be careful, Mayor.

City of Ann Arbor attorneys just shelled out funds to settle two federal civil rights cases in the last few months in which First Amendment abridgments were alleged.

By: Steve Bean

Steve Bean — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 23:01:54 +0000

“It’s divesting from an entire sector of the economy.”

Yes, an entire sector that is facilitating, promoting, and profiting from the foreseeable destruction of the biosphere. That seems to be the point of the resolution. Slavery was an entire sector of the economy, too, so the above is an empty objection.

That said, the entire growth-oriented economy is similarly complicit in that destruction. A more worthwhile resolution would endorse the global-societal end of the use of money and exchange, which is what has driven our insane continuation of the fossil-fuel and unsafe-nuclear powered economy.

By: David Cahill

David Cahill — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 22:57:38 +0000

Actually, McWilliams’ frat boy humor would have made him a perfect candidate to rush a fraternity.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 19:36:49 +0000

The nomination by the Mayor and approval of Mr. McWilliams’ appointment was a clear signal it will be business as usual for the DDA. Something you are the expert in, for now, Ms. Lowenstein.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 19:34:46 +0000

Thanks so much for the blow/by/blow coverage of the council meeting. It is really valuable in understanding how some of the decisions are made, including a little of the displayed personalities (though you underplay that nicely).

And still to anticipate – your actual story about the Council decisions with the deeper analysis! Life is good.