Stories indexed with the term ‘meeting’

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Tom Partridge. Partridge described himself as a “proud and determined Democrat,” stressing the importance of electing Democrats in general and specifically Mark Schauer to replace Tim Wahlberg in the 7th Congressional District. He said that he is running as a write-candidate for state representative in the 52nd District because he’s not convinced that any of the other candidates, including the incumbent Democrat, are running on truly progressive platforms.

Jim Mogensen. Mogensen reiterated his remarks made at the previous night’s caucus about student occupancy at The Courtyards. The situation is reflected in a document that was included in the “communications to council” section of the agenda packet, which is a letter from the University of Michigan to … [Full Story]

An organizational meeting for the Alliance of Neighborhood Associations was held at the downtown library tonight. We’d been encouraged to attend and file a report by any number of people throughout the community.

On signing in, however, we were told firmly and very politely that this was a meeting for representatives of neighborhood associations only: No. Media. Allowed. We didn’t have the energy to pursue it beyond confirming that we were indeed, as media, being refused entry. That’s why this piece is so short.

Collaboration – the benefits and the challenges – took center stage on Wednesday at Impact 2008, a gathering of community leaders and others hoping to shape Washtenaw County’s future.

The half-day event looked at two areas – local government and schools – and after an overview session, the 200 or so participants split into breakout groups focused on those topics. The Chronicle, noting that Ann Arbor News reporter Liz Cobbs was covering the schools session, veered into the breakout group on local government, led by Ann Arbor City Administrator Roger Fraser and Washtenaw County Administrator Bob Guenzel.

[Full Story]

The City Place project, proposed along South Fifth Avenue just south of William Street, was brought tonight for a third time before the Ann Arbor Planning Commission by developer Alex de Parry. Although commissioners Joan Lowenstein and Craig Borum found enough about the revised proposal to give it their support, even they did so with no great enthusiasm – Lowenstein citing her sadness that the seven houses would be demolished, and Borum lamenting the “faux historical” architecture of the proposed project as harmful to the city.

With only two votes of support, the project was rejected. In the city staff summary of the project’s history, it was noted that City Place was first brought to the commission in January … [Full Story]

The Washtenaw County Commission dispatched their work quickly tonight, clipping through a range of items with little discussion. Among their actions:

• Creating a full-time deputy administrator position for the Washtenaw Community Health Organization, with a salary range of between $81,182 to $143,794. WCHO would cover all personnel costs.
• Declaring September to be Recovery Month.

David Behen, deputy county administrator, informed the board that a memo had been sent to outgoing Sheriff Dan Minzey outlining a plan of transition for the next sheriff. (Minzey was defeated in the Democratic primary by Jerry Clayton, who faces Republican Dwayne Taylor in November.) The memo said a transition plan should focus on the budget, long-term policy, projects, human resources, information technology and other capital assets.

Public comment was … [Full Story]

Starting at noon and going for around an hour and a half, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority Board held its regular monthly meeting at the DDA offices today. [Full Story]