Mike Anglin beats Stuart Berry in 5th Ward race for Ann Arbor City Council
Read Washtenaw County election results here.
With all precincts reporting, Democratic incumbent Mike Anglin has defeated Republican challenger Stuart Berry in the 5th Ward race for the Ann Arbor City Council.
The vote count is 2,750 to 677, giving Anglin 79.6 percent of the vote and easily the win over his GOP opponent.
Mike Anglin
Stuart Berry
He and the other Republicans campaigned on a platform of realigning the city's spending priorities on basic services like public safety and infrastructure. They were particularly critical of the deep cuts to police and fire services approved by the incumbents.
Anglin, a resident of Ann Arbor for nearly two decades, has served on council since 2007.
He promised after beating Democratic challenger Neal Elyakin in the primary earlier this year that he would continue to ask tough questions on council — especially in regard to Fuller Road Station, a $121 million project that involves building a new transit center in front of the University of Michigan medical campus.
Anglin also has said he wants to use his next term to champion the idea of a community commons on the Library Lot, the site along Fifth Avenue where an underground parking garage is being built by the Downtown Development Authority.
Anglin thinks instead of major development — such as the recent conference center proposal that was defeated — it should be a space for the public to enjoy.
A retired school teacher and electrician, Anglin runs a bed and breakfast called the First Street Garden Inn in Ann Arbor with his wife, Kathy.
Anglin is one of a few council members who have earned a reputation for going against the grain at times and being a minority voice on council.
Berry moved to Ann Arbor in 1989 and works as a senior hazardous materials specialist at the University of Michigan. He said during the campaign he wanted to lower taxes and get back to basics.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
Lets Get Real
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 3:06 p.m.
Congrats Mike, now let's take a good look at issues. Going against the grain, asking questions and considering reasonable alternatives that balance revenue generation with strong businesses and quality of life will result in a better Ann Arbor. Thanks for your service.
Nerak
Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 2:08 p.m.
I hope Mr. Anglin doesn't view his re-election as a mandate from the Fifth Ward. He has been ineffective because he has not been able to build coalitions with other councilmembers, and he rarely grasps the Big Picture of what's good in the long term for the whole city. He will need to remember that he was running against a weak candidate, rather than that "all" his constituents support his status-quo viewpoints
Jack
Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.
I agree. I have watched Mr. Anglin in Council sessions and at times he seems to be muddled. Nothing against him personally. He seems to be a nice guy.
Alan Goldsmith
Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 11:15 a.m.
Congrats on your landslide reelection.
Kai Petainen
Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 4:22 a.m.
"He promised after beating Democratic challenger Neal Elyakin in the primary earlier this year that he would continue to ask tough questions on council — especially in regard to Fuller Road Station," "champion the idea of a community commons on the Library Lot" nice. Anglin. Congrats! Yipee! 'hazardous materials'.... don't get me started.
Roadman
Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 4:15 a.m.
No surprise here. Mike is simply unbeatable and approaching political icon sttus in the Fourth Ward.
George Gaston
Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 4:15 p.m.
Mike Anglin is approaching political icon status to residents of all five of City of Ann Arbor Wards.
yohan
Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 11:15 a.m.
Mike is in the FIFTH Ward