Comments on: June 2, 2014: Council Live Updates

By: Mark Koroi

Mark Koroi — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 06:14:38 +0000

Regarding the Sam McMullen candidacy in the Third Ward, the campaign website is http://www.votemcmullen.com

Mr. McMullen’s website has a section in which one can submit their name as an endorser.

Sam is on the ballot for the August primary against Julie Grand and Mr. Dascola, who obtained a federal court order requiring Jackie Beaudry to list him on the ballot.

The issue of how much attorney fees Mr. Dascola will be awarded in that lawsuit as the prevailing party has not been resolved.

By: OWS resident

OWS resident — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 23:07:06 +0000

In your report of Henry Herskovitz speaking about the anniversary of the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty this month, (34 Americans killed, and over 100 wounded on that signals intelligence ship) the word [mistakenly] is inserted to describe the attack. Though Israel was quick to apologize and the US was quick to accept, whether the attack was accidental or deliberate is far from settled. Those on the ship, sunbathing and waving to the Israeli reconnaissance aircraft are skeptical to say the least. Those in the political wing are accepting. Even officers in the Israeli military acknowledge that there are many reasons that they might have wanted to attack to keep the US from knowing of their future plans. Wikipedia seems to have a fairly balanced description of the attack. Myself, having worked aboard ship, find it beyond belief that the ship, bristling with antennas would be mistaken for an ancient Egyptian trawler.

By: Donald Salberg

Donald Salberg — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 16:41:58 +0000

SPARK and LDFA receive taxpayer support but have remained opaque in both their operations and the results of their use of public monies. Financial reports are not promptly provided nor easy to understand due to lack of specific details. Different job creation numbers, when reported, seem to change frequently and can not be confirmed since individual job identities are not provided.

For years these authorities have failed to provide transparency and as such do not deserve continue taxpayer support, including renewal of taxing authority for LDFA.

By: Donald Salberg

Donald Salberg — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 16:29:40 +0000

Hopefully, City Council will decide to use an RFP to assess developers interest in building above the underground library parking structure. Up until this time only a hotel has been suggested for the property. It will be prudent for all parties interested in development of a hotel to await the success or failure of the 122-room proposed hotel that First Martin plans to build on East Huron Street.

Despite increased hotel occupancy in recent years, reaching 64.4% in 2012, Hospitality Advisor’s PPresident, Chuck Skelton, is cautious about encouraging new development. Certainly we should heed the fact that three major hotel chains have recently avoided downtown Ann Arbor in favor of building new hotels along the city’s periphery.The Martin hotel should be allowed to test marketability before the city decides to commit to further hotel construction.