3rd Ward Ann Arbor City Council candidate bios
In Tuesday's primary, voters in Ann Arbor's 3rd Ward will choose between incumbent City Council Member Stephen Kunselman and challenger Julie Grand, both Democrats.
AnnArbor.com asked both candidates to provide the following basic information about themselves. Both candidates were allowed up to 200 words for responses to the last two questions.
Julie Grand
Age: 38
Address: 1604 Brooklyn Ave.
How long have you lived in the ward? almost 7 years (15 in Ann Arbor)
Education:
- Ph.D., Health Services Organization and Policy; University of Michigan
- M.P.H., Health Behavior and Health Education; University of Michigan School of Public Health
- A.B., Anthropology; Bryn Mawr College
Professional experience:
- Lecturer, Health Policy Studies, University of Michigan-Dearborn
- Health Educator, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute’s Community Outreach Division
Political background: Never run for political office
Community involvement:
- Chair (2010-present) and member (2007-present) of the Park Advisory Commission
- Land Acquisition Committee
- Golf Advisory Task Force
- Senior Center Task Force
- Sustainability Task Force
- North Main Huron River Vision Task Force
- 721 North Main Technical Committee
- DTE Gas Site Subcommittee
- Selection Committee for Argo Cascades Public Art Project
- Downtown Parks Subcommittee
- Parent Volunteer, Burns Park Elementary School
- Alumnae Admissions Coordinator for the State of Michigan, Bryn Mawr College
Endorsements (list up to eight):
- Rachel Bendit and Mark Bernstein
- Jean Carlberg
- Rene and Matt Greff
- Margaret Leary
- Michelle and Eric Mahler
- John Pottow
- Sandi Smith
- Washtenaw County Skilled Building Trades Council Inc.
Website: http://votegrand.org
Why are you running for council? I am running for City Council because I love this community and truly enjoy public service. The core message of my campaign is to listen to and work hard for the residents of Ward 3, by making informed, thoughtful decisions.
Professionally, my courses teach practical skills and encourage students to problem solve with their peers. I push students to make recommendations based on a combination of top-down data-driven best practices and bottom-up community-based solutions. These lessons will strongly influence my own decision-making process on council.
As chair of the Park Advisory Commission, I have enjoyed solving problems, engaging the community, and making a direct impact on the quality of life of all Ann Arbor residents. I've been fortunate to represent PAC on subcommittees and task forces ranging from improving golf course operations and the Senior Center, sustainability planning, and mapping the future of riverfront recreation, the Allen Creek Greenway, and downtown open space.
Over the last six years, I have adhered to a philosophy of preserving and improving upon our existing resources, while looking for creative partnerships to fund new opportunities. I believe that this philosophy is directly applicable to much of the work on council.
What are your top three priorities?
- Engaging the public in the development of city-owned properties: We need to actively engage the public to create development, including open space, which is consistent with residents' vision for the character of our downtown. By reflecting upon the lessons learned from past failures, we can create a plan for public engagement. It is also critical that council takes a long-term view of these properties and does not merely select the short-term benefits offered by the highest bidder.
- Improving access to information about city services: Constituents should be able to depend on their elected representatives to connect them to the person at the city who can best respond to their concerns. However, more can be done to create user-friendly sources of information. Residents should have access to a website that is simple to navigate, as well as educational materials that address common concerns.
- Infrastructure improvements, with specific attention to stormwater: We should focus on stormwater management and offer greater assistance to neighborhoods that are most greatly impacted by flooding. I have supported past collaboration with city and county water resources departments to clean and mitigate stormwater runoff in our parks and would like to see additional efforts throughout the region.
Stephen Kunselman
Age: 50
Address: 2885 Butternut St.
How long have you lived in the ward? Since January 2001
Education:
- Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, 1981
- Bachelor of Science Natural Resources, May 1986, University of Michigan
- Master of Landscape Architecture, May 1990, University of Michigan
- Master of Urban Planning, May 1990, University of Michigan
Professional experience: energy conservation liaison, University of Michigan
Political background: Ann Arbor City Council 2006 to 2008; 2009 to 2011; 2011 to present
Community involvement: None at this time
Endorsements: County Commissioners Yousef Rabhi and Andy LaBarre
Website: www.kunselmanforcouncil.com
Why are you running for council? To continue the effort of restoring public trust in our local government.
What are your top three priorities? Proactive public safety, infrastructure rehabilitation, fiscal sensibility.
Related coverage:
Comments
cindy1
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:14 p.m.
Kunselman understands how city gov. is run, and who the "power" players are. He's one of the newer city councilors who are working to bring back a focus of time and tax money spent on neighborhood needs, basic services, protection of parks, etc. People who have been pleased with what's been happening under the current mayor will prefer Julie Grand. We're hearing their voices in these comments. If I resided in Ward 3, I'd vote for Kunselman, no question.
Gerry
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 11:58 a.m.
Stephen Kunselman: Because we should tear down downtown and turn it into Greenfield Village!
M.Haney
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 4:15 a.m.
Vote for Stephen Kunselman. He is interested in the more than just the success of the downtown area. His efforts to bring the DDA back under the umbrella of City Council is needed. The DDA appointees are spending too much tax dollars on projects not needed. Yes, I want more police and more fire personnel. He listens to both sides and makes up his own mind based on the facts. He also wants to increase the transparency of city financials. These are the reasons I am voting for Stephen Kunselman.
Veracity
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 2:18 a.m.
EconRonE - A lot of words but where is the substance? Readers need a lot of clarification: "conspiracy" - if Kunselman and Lumm had not propose a resolution that would put some restrictions on the DDA would the mayor have still recruited Julie Grand and Kirk Westphal, a couple of commission appointees, to run against the two City Council members? Does not share a positive future vision of the city - meaning exactly what? Why could you not describe the positive master plan for the city and who exactly supports it? Sides with the negative voices... like those on this forum - what are the negative voices actually saying? Who shares these dark views? A 30 year vision for the future of the city - Who on City Council or among candidates has produced a 20 year vision? What would you expect of a 30 year plan when SEMCOG predicts that the projected demographics includes a doubling of Washtenaw County's over 60 year olds in three decades while the number of working people between 18 years old and 59 years old will steadily decline? Would a 30 year plan include one or more great recessions similar to the one in 2007-2008? Few Ann Arbor citizens have favorable opinions about the Municipal Building. Proactive policing would involve, as an example, placing more policemen along Liberty Street to reduce the negative impact of panhandlers on the local economy as detailed by Lizzy Alfs in her September 25, 2011 annarbor.com article, entitled " Aggressive panhandling, crime are driving away customers, Liberty Street retailers say." I am disappointed that you believe that cops "loiter" in Ann Arbor. Care to expand on that topic? As for Julie Grand, I have not read of any specific plans of action such as resolutions that she would submit to City Council as soon as she were seated as a new City Council member. She may have worked on many parks issues but you did not mention a specific one.
Peregrine
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:58 p.m.
@Veracity: And you failed on each of the three counts. You claim as fact when you only have "coincidence" and speculation. Failure. You cite an article that claims the building is very ugly to support your claim that "Few Ann Arbor citizens have favorable opinions about the Municipal Building." Failure. You claim a 2011 article states that panhandling has caused a downturn on the Liberty St. economy when in fact all it says is that some business owners believe that (and others who run businesses in the same area do not believe it). Failure. And then to top it all off you claim I'm using unsubstantiated statements. I challenge you to find one unsubstantiated statement in this back-and-forth. Choosing "Veracity" as your name in these forums is proving to be quite Orwellian.
Veracity
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:59 p.m.
Peregrine - It appears that you have engaged me in print battle. I must be hitting a nerve to generate such ire. But now let us see how you have twisted or misinterpreted my statements. 1. I suppose that Westphal and Grand candidacy announcements shortly after the mayor proposed delaying City Council's consideration of the DDA resolution until after the election was entirely coincidental as is his support of their candidacies. He is in position to impose his plans on commission appointees since he can readily remove them. Do you really believe that either candidate would refuse to compete for City Council seats when the mayor provides his full, and substantial, support? 2. " Ann Arbor's new Justice Center: One of the ugliest buildings in America?" By Cindy Heflin, annarbor.com, May 11, 2011 http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-justice-center-one-of-the-ugliest-buildings-in-america/ Touche! 3. How can you overlook quotes like this one from Lizzy Alfs' article? "It's just one of many nearby incidents of panhandling or crime that Graef has witnessed since opening her store at 611 E. Liberty St. in 2010. She said these incidents on East Liberty Street are frequent and have even scared customers away from her shop. Her comments reflect an increasingly common sentiment among owners of businesses in the East Liberty Street retail district stretching from Division Street to State Street." If you wish to discredit me, please use facts rather than unsubstantiated statements.
Peregrine
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 3:27 a.m.
@Veracity: 1. Where's your proof or good evidence that the mayor recruited Grand or Westphal to run? Where's the veracity? 2. "Few Ann Arbor citizens have favorable opinions about the Municipal Building." Define "few" and then prove your statement. Where's the veracity? 3. You misstated the point of Lizzy Alfs' article. She did not state that panhandlers had a negative impact on the local economy, only that some business owners believed that it did. Where's the veracity? How can you call yourself "Veracity" when you misrepresent articles and make unsupported claims?
EcoRonE
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 10:56 p.m.
Stephen's ongoing accusations that there is a conspiracy to oppose him for council has gotten very tiresome. His diatribes against the Mayor who was elected by the whole city has detracted from his effectiveness to represent the ward. He doesn't seem to enjoy a good working relationship with people who have a positive, future vision of the city. He seems to side with negative voices all too often - and those voices are well represented here in this forum. What I'd like to hear is his 30 year vision for the future of the city. Harping on the need for more police when crime has decreased is not a fiscally responsible position. He opposed the new City Hall infrastructure which rehabilitated the police facilities. So there are 2 examples where he's negated his own top 3 priorities. Proactive policing should be defined by him, what is he willing to spend on it and for what benefit to the ward. Talk about public safety should include the UM police (>50) as well as the services provided by the courts. Cops loitering around downtown looking for rule breakers is not my idea of money well spent and doesn't speak to the future of the city. I contacted Julie earlier this year to ask her why she's running. Her response reflected a a thoughtful, inclusive and fact based approach to solving problems, a future vision for the city, and a demonstrative display of improved communication. Her message above hasn't wavered from my initial conversation. As chairperson of the Parks Commission, she has a track record serving all the people of the city. She's worked with city and county staff and council persons on many issues dear to city residents, their parks and open space. With these collaborative relationships in place, I believe she will be a more effective representative for the ward.
other
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:58 a.m.
Stephen has only dropped of a flyer at my house ONCE this election [last week] while Julie has come by a few times, wanted to talk, wanted to learn about the `talk` on the street, dropped off flyers [over the past month]....just sayin'
Peregrine
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 6 p.m.
A number of years ago, when Kunselman (before he lost to Chris Taylor) and Leigh Greden were the 3rd ward councilfolk, they were invited to a neighborhood meeting to address a neighborhood issues. Greden came prepared -- he knew the issue and the law related to the issues. Kunselman was just present and didn't add anything to the meeting. Now that Kunselman and Taylor are the 3rd ward councilfolk, Chris Taylor regularly sends out detailed emails on the issues facing the council and pros and cons of each side. Kunselman makes no such effort. I agree with @4_Real above -- Kunselman has been phoning it in for years and has a rather backwards view on the future of Ann Arbor. I'm excited at the prospect of Julie Grand's energy and experience on our council.
Peregrine
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 3:16 a.m.
I mis-edited my comment, so let me try the concluding paragraph one more time. You're completely obliterating any sense of veracity; the truth takes a backseat to your agenda.
Peregrine
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 3:15 a.m.
@Veracity: You know of no actions by the DDA that were not sanctioned by the mayor therefore you feel it's in your right to conclude that all actions of the DDA were sanctioned by the mayor? Sorry, there is no basis for a logical conclusion there. I know of no provable reasons to show that you're not from Mars, therefore you're from Mars. See the problem? You're completely obliterating any sense The truth takes a backseat to your agenda.
Veracity
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:20 a.m.
Perergrine - Referring to the DDA as being autocratic sums up the power that the group displays as a singular unit. Actually, the mayor has distinct autocratic-like power over the DDA simply by his ability to add and remove members. I know of no actions that the DDA has taken that has not been sanctioned by the mayor. Do you? Considering the large amount of tax dollars controlled by the DDA shouldn't the organization have to answer to more than one individual? Kunselman's resolution will put some restraints on the DDA from which all of us will benefit. As for my pseudonym "Veracity," it could be just a label that I wish to use. However, I do try to adhere to truthfulness and accuracy of facts which is why I often include references to support my statements. Like yourself I strive for perfection knowing that it is not achievable.
Peregrine
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:29 a.m.
@Veracity: I'm aware of both. Greden's sending of those email messages was wrong. But that does not mean he shouldn't be lauded for doing the work in learning the issues, the laws surrounding issues, and be willing to engage a neighborhood in a discussion about them. And those emails do not excuse Kunselman for not doing that. That's awfully simplistic thinking, a type of thinking much to prevalent in these forums. As for calling the DDA autocratic, that's just hyperbole. Why do you call yourself "Veracity" (i.e., this issue and your having been called out above)? According to Wikipedia, an autocracy is, "a system of government in which a supreme power is concentrated in the hands of one person, whose decisions are subject to neither external legal restraints nor regularized mechanisms of popular control."
Veracity
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 8:33 p.m.
Apparently you have not been following City Council proceedings recently or you would have to acknowledge Stephen Kunselman's introduction of an important resolution which will restrain DDA growth and limit DDA membership terms. If passed this resolution will reduce the siphoning of TIF money to the DDA from the city, the AATA, the AADL and Washtenaw Community College which need the funds. Also the DDA could not act as autocratic if membership turnover was changed. Also before you lauded Leigh Greden you should have read a previous Ryan Stanton article published November 6, 2009 at annarbor.com and entitled, "Leigh Greden apologizes to Ann Arbor City Council colleagues for his role in e-mail scandal." http://www.annarbor.com/news/leigh-greden-apologizes-to-ann-arbor-city-council-colleagues-for-his-role-in-e-mail-scandal/
Veracity
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 4:11 p.m.
Interesting chronology: Earlier this year, Stephen Kunselman co-sponsored a City Council resolution that will reduce the increases in TIF funds that the DDA would receive thus leaving more for use by the city, AADL, AATA and Washtenaw Community College. The DDA will still gain from the anticipated increases in total TIF collections in the future but just not as much. Also the resolution would limit service on the DDA to two terms rather than at the behest of the mayor or desires of DDA members. Jane Lumm supports the resolution. Since the DDA is essentially the mayor's favored child and he is a DDA member himself, he does not support the resolution. When the above resolution was proposed the mayor wished to delay any decision until after the November elections. Shortly thereafter, Kirk Westphal and Julie Grand announced their City Council candidacies opposing Jane Lumm and Stephen Kunselman, respectively. The mayor had appointed Kirk Westphal to the Planning Commission many years ago and he appointed Julie Grand to the Parks Advisory Commission as well. Both can be expected to oppose the resolution. Coincidence?
Veracity
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 8:18 p.m.
The intent is still there. By delaying consideration of the DDA resolution I am sure that the mayor was convinced that both Westphal and Grand would win their primaries and provide him with a supportive majority vote in City Council after the November general election when the resolution would likely be brought to a vote, if it were not withdrawn in the interval. If necessary and desirable I am sure that the mayor could impose on City Council to further delay consideration of the resolution until after the November elections, especially since he could invoke fairness in view of new members taking their seats on the City Council.
Peregrine
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 5:51 p.m.
Thanks, Ryan, for shining a light on Veracity's veracity.
Ryan J. Stanton
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 5:19 p.m.
A minor clarification: Mayor Hieftje urged putting the DDA TIF issue off until after the August primary at the April 15 council meeting. He openly stated at that time it was because he wanted to take politics out of the mix. Julie Grand and Kirk Westphal already had announced their campaigns in March. The council then decided in May to put the issue off until the first meeting in September. http://www.annarbor.com/news/2-challengers-emerge-in-races-for-ann-arbor-city-council/ http://annarbor.com/news/8-hour-ann-arbor-council-meeting-ends-with-no-action-on-dda-changes-or-high-rise-project/ http://annarbor.com/news/action-on-proposed-changes-to-ann-arbor-dda-pushed-to-september/
T Wall
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 3:38 p.m.
We need to have our fire and emergency medical services meet national standards. When you call for a police car or fire truck you need to know that it will be there in a reasonable number of minutes to help in your emergency. We want our roads repaired when they fall apart. Our city must make sure we have safe water to drink and that storm water is properly controlled. We need to move forward to make sure our city government is honest and free of corruption and conflicts of interest. New buildings stimulate growth but not at the expense of our neighborhoods. We have to remember we are not Chicago, we are Ann Arbor. I don'[t know Julie Grand but I am worried when our Mayor supports her campaign. The City of Ann Arbor really needs to re-elect Stephen Kunselman to the 3rd Ward. Please Ann Arbor make the right decision and Vote for Kunselman this Tuesday.
shadow wilson
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 10:12 p.m.
I agree. What has Kunselman done to make these things happen? He is a lose cannon and shoots his mouth off without knowing or taking the time to know the facts.
Michigan Man
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 3:11 p.m.
Weak field! Nothing terribly good coming out of this ward.
Colorado Sun
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 2:30 p.m.
Julie Grand's husband, David, has a history of hefty donations to GOP candidate committees of Clifford Taylor, Rick Snyder, and Bill Schuette. These are downloadable at the Secretary of State's Bureau of Elections website at www.michigan.gov. David Grand worked at the same law firm as Leigh Greden - Miller Canfield. Miller Canfield represents primarily big business interests. David Grand practiced antitrust law there. Julie Grand was interviewed in the Michigan Daily where she boasted of GOP residents agreeing with her on topics.
Vivienne Armentrout
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 2:10 a.m.
shadow wilson: Decades? Through most of the 1980s and 1990s the town had Republican mayors. Liz Brater (Dem) was elected in an upset in 1991 but then defeated by Ingrid Sheldon (R) two years later. It was only in 2000 with the election of John Hieftje as Mayor (defeating Stephen Rapundalo, who later changed to the Democratic label) that an era of Democratic domination began. When I first moved here in 1986 I saw the majority of the Council go back and forth from Republican to Democratic. There was an active partisan contest every election. The Second and Fourth Wards were thought to be hopelessly (from a Dem viewpoint) Republican and the 5th and 3rd ward vacillated between the two parties. We had Dems selling hot dogs at Crisler Arena and holding rummage sales to support the minority party (Dems) campaigns. Ann Arbor is, at its core, a rather conservative community. With all due respect (as we say in politics), the problem with the Republican Party in Ann Arbor has been the extreme swing to the right of the national party. We had a number of very rational and thoughtful moderate local Republicans who were helpless in the face of George W. and the social conservatives who have dominated the party of Lincoln in recent decades. With Mitt Romney and his predecessors leading the national ticket, of course Ann Arbor was going to vote Democratic.
shadow wilson
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 10:11 p.m.
so what. This town needs some diversity as in getting away from one party running things for decades.
Lauren Erickson
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 2:10 p.m.
I like Kunselman, but he seems to lack the fire that Julie Grand is clearly conveying in her strong and deliberate bid for council.
Tano
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:04 a.m.
It may be the unelected DDA's agenda, but downtown density is also the agenda of most of the elected officials in the past decade or so....
PersonX
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 5:14 p.m.
This is the kind of problem that ruins our civic life. PR and personality counts more than political acumen.
Nicholas Urfe
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 3:29 p.m.
Grand seems most focused on supporting the unelected DDA's agenda of high rise development.
4 Real
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 1:44 p.m.
Clear as day! Kunselman doesn't even take much time to fill out the questionnaire for the AA.com. He is very superficial and barely gets the facts half right, which makes him wrong most of the time. He needs to go!
4 Real
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 11:26 p.m.
Craig, I am judging him on his track record. The questionnaire is just a prime example of how lazy he is.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 8:22 p.m.
4 Real, I'm not going to defend the guy, I perceive him as the lesser of 2 evils. As I said, I'm not posting to try and change your vote. If you don't like his 6 year track record that's no issue with me. But dislike him on that not a questionnaire.
4 Real
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 6:51 p.m.
Craig, what HAS he done positively of rather City besides chickens?
EcoRonE
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 6:46 p.m.
You can alos Julie's track record on parks commission and the task forces she attends and works on collaboratively and with broad, open consideration of the facts and emotions of people impacted by city decisions.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 2:15 p.m.
I'm not sure a sitting council person with a 6 year voting record needs to fill out the questionnaire as completely. We can see his track record and what he has done. Someone seeking office for the first time doesn't have that observable track record. I'm not in any way trying to change your vote, I'm just suggesting that banging on him for not filling out a questionnaire when he has 6 years of voting to look at seems a little weak.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 1:25 p.m.
"Improving access to information about city services: Constituents should be able to depend on their elected representatives to connect them to the person at the city who can best respond to their concerns. However, more can be done to create user-friendly sources of information. Residents should have access to a website that is simple to navigate, as well as educational materials that address common concerns." you know what Julie Grand? I'd rather you improved city services like fire and police than improve a website. You see Julie, the fact that its a little cumbersome to pay my water bill on line is not nearly as important as the response time for folks in trouble when they call 911. I'm voting for the other guy. I'd rather have the devil I know than the devil I don't.
Tano
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 11:59 p.m.
Craig. What is the response time for 911 calls? What should it be? What needs to be done, specifically to make it so?
EcoRonE
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 6:45 p.m.
what is proactive policing anyway? Do you know the UM has > 50 police officers? They police jointly with the city - think of it as the UMs contribution to our tax base. Was this proactive policing? http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/30/justice/california-dea-settlement Personally, I'm more afraid of cops looking for rule breakers.
Greg
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 11:39 a.m.
Thanks for the link to the ward map Ryan. http://tinyurl.com/62jxjl
Ryan J. Stanton
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 11:46 a.m.
You're welcome!
Ryan J. Stanton
Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 11:31 a.m.
If you're not sure which ward you live in or where to vote on Tuesday if you are in the 3rd or 4th wards (there are no races in other wards in Ann Arbor), here's the city website link to the individual ward maps, showing each precinct, with polling locations in red: http://tinyurl.com/62jxjl You also can check to make sure you're registered to vote (and find out your precinct and polling location for Tuesday's primary) here: https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/ That last link is especially helpful if you've recently moved and are unsure if you're still registered at your old address.