Stephen Rapundalo and Jane Lumm trade barbs at City Council candidate debate
(Editor's note: This story has been revised. It incorrectly reported that City Council Members Sabra Briere and Stephen Kunselman support Jane Lumm in this race. Briere and Kunselman have not endorsed Lumm.)
The two candidates for the contested city council seat from Ann Arbor’s 2nd Ward laid out their differences in a debate Wednesday, with cuts to public safety put firmly in the spotlight.
Incumbent Stephen Rapundalo and challenger Jane Lumm traded a few barbs during Wednesday’s debate at the Community Television Network studios. Lumm went on the offensive early, criticizing Rapundalo’s record of supporting cuts to police and fire services, while supporting the city’s public art program and the Fuller Road Station project.
“City spending should be aligned with what city residents truly value and are willing to pay for,” she said. “Unfortunately, it isn’t.”
The debate was sponsored by the League of Women Voters and will be shown on CTN repeatedly leading up to the Nov. 8 election.
Lumm is a former Republican Ann Arbor City Council member, now running as an independent, and one-time candidate for mayor. She held her seat as a council member in the 1990s and made her run for mayor in 2004.
Rapundalo, first elected to council in 2005, is another former Republican, but differs from Lumm in the fact that he now considers himself a Democrat. Rapundalo defeated challenger Tim Hull in a Democratic primary in August, 573 to 419.
He defended his record on council by saying he continues to plan for the future by reforming the labor contracts that Lumm supported when she was on City Council in the 1990s. He called those labor contracts “outdated” and “too expensive for too many years.”
Rapundalo said Lumm voted against recycling and human services when she was on City Council in the 1990s, among a number of other policies Rapundalo deemed important. He said the City Councils Lumm served on had too much brinksmanship and not enough action, something the city and its residents cannot afford again.
“We’ve spent 15 years cleaning up that mess,” he said.
Rapundalo considers some of his main goals to be revenue restructuring and having more equitable labor contracts among city workers. Rapundalo also said having “better customer service” for city residents was one of his priorities.
The debate covered the Fuller Road Station, amendments to the city’s charter that are on the November ballot, the street repair and sidewalk repair millages, the city’s finances, cuts to human services, the city’s public art program and how each candidate viewed the Downtown Development Authority.
Lumm describes herself as “fiscally conservative and socially moderate” but has chosen to run as an independent because she said she feels deserted by the Republican Party’s move further to the right in recent years. Lumm counts adding police and firefighter staffing and confronting spending issues as two of her main policies.
She pointed to the city’s public art program as one of the areas where unnecessary spending was occurring in the city.
Lumm questioned whether the program, which has put $2.2 million toward public art in four years, was appropriate given the economic times and budgetary issues confronting Ann Arbor. She called the program a “demonstration of the city’s inability or unwillingness to focus money on basic services.”
One of the hottest topics in the race is sure to be the recent cuts to the Ann Arbor Police Department and Ann Arbor Fire Department.
Lumm said she believed the cuts are out of line with what the city’s residents would like from their elected officials. While walking around the 2nd Ward campaigning, she’s talked to many people who don’t agree with the cuts and feel like they aren’t being heard by their leaders.
The cuts could have been avoided if the police and fire unions had agreed to health care concessions, Rapundalo said. He said protecting public safety from cuts is a priority, but no one is immune in the current climate.
“The cuts this year could have been totally mitigated if the unions came on board with the (concessions to) health care plans that have been too rich for too many years,” he said.
Kyle Feldscher can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
BornNRaised
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.
If you think Rapundalo is an upstanding kind of guy, here's some info for you. He claims to take credit for all the contracts that have been worked out since he's on the labor committee. He has no interaction nor any input into any contract negotiations. He claims if concessions would've been made, there wouldn't have been layoffs. FD made the first concessions in the city and the city laid off firefighters. PD made concessions that saved the city 400-450 million per year (his statement). The city has no intentions of calling back those officers that have been laid off. Just some facts about Mr. Rapundalo that he'd rather no one know about.
BornNRaised
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 3:21 p.m.
Sorry, that was 400-450 thousand, not million. Was looking at the wrong budget line when typing. Using council's OWN numbers, that should bring back 4-5 officers on the streets. Ask Rapundalo where those officers are now. Still in the unemployment line.
ogel1209
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
Rapundalo must go!! He has bungled enough things already, especially the cutting of the police and fire departments! He has no clue as to what his constituents want. He votes whatever HE thinks. He's the only city council member who has no email address. How can we get in touch with him? Evidently, he doesn't want us to. Vote Jane Lumm in!!!!
Alan Goldsmith
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 10:38 a.m.
Additional coverage of the debate missing from ann arbor dot com: <a href="http://www.a2politico.com/?p=10674" rel='nofollow'>http://www.a2politico.com/?p=10674</a>
Alan Goldsmith
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 10:36 a.m.
So will there be ANY coverage of the other candidates at this debate? Why the delay?
Mike Allemang
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 2:12 a.m.
I have not always agreed with Stephen Rapundalo, but he has shown the courage to take stands that are important to Ann Arbor's future, even though not always popular. Examples are public art and the Fuller Road Station. Initiatives such as public art are what make Ann Arbor an exciting and vibrant place in which to live and work – and boost our economy. Two references on this: "Why We Love--And Need--Public Art" from Forbes Magazine <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/05/state-of-the-city-opinions-george-rickey-public-art.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/05/state-of-the-city-opinions-george-rickey-public-art.html</a> and "Arts & Economic Prosperity" <a href="http://www.artsusa.org/pdf/information_services/research/services/economic_impact/aepiii/national_report.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://www.artsusa.org/pdf/information_services/research/services/economic_impact/aepiii/national_report.pdf</a> Jane Lumm mentioned at the debate that, given the financial times, it is time to "hunker down." I do not want to be represented on council by someone with a "hunker down" bunker mentality. Further, Jane voted against human services funding and recycling programs during her time on council.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 6:31 p.m.
Thank you for the Sabra Briere correction. It should be noted that the Ann Arbor Chronicle on September 30, 2011 reported that David Cahill, a former AADL member, was a committee supporter of Jane Lumm. Some have inferred that to mean that his wife, Sabra, was also endorsing Lumm. Ms. Briere may feel uncomfortable with endorsing a GOP candidate since she was formerly an AADP chairperson. While the Cahill/Briere duo usually endorse the same candidacies and issues - this is not always the case. There are times when David Cahill may endorse someone and Briere may not endorse that candidate. But I have never seen them endorse opposing candidates or positions.
Hmm
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 5:32 p.m.
So I take it from the comments that most people would prefer a "none of the above" option then
rusty shackelford
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 5:10 p.m.
It's a pity they can't both lose.
Tom Wieder
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.
Rapundalo was first elected as a Democrat, at least in name, in 2005, defeating GOP candidate Thomas Bourque 1574 to 1436. He had previously run for Mayor as a Republican against Hieftje, the first time Hieftje ran. Rapundalo was never elected as a Republican. Had he been able to get elected as a Republican, he might well have remained one. Was his party switch a matter of conviction....or convenience? What do you think? How many truly Democratic officeholders would give $250 to the GOP candidate for Governor, as Rapundalo did to Snyder a year ago? (Yes, Jane Lumm also gave to Snyder, but she has never claimed to be a Democrat, as Rapundalo has.) I am one of many active Democrats who is enthusiastically supporting Jane's current Independent candidacy. I don't agree with her on everything, but I know that she will listen and that she's honest.
Patricia Lesko
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 4:01 p.m.
@demistify I'm not "compaigning" for Jane Lumm. I live in Ward 1. I'm merely pointing out that many of Stephen Rapundalo's comments about Lumm's record, which he made at the debate, and on his web site, are patently false according to records provided by city officials (City Council minutes). If he wants to provide "principled" leadership, as he said at the debate, he needs to start by telling the truth about his record and, when he speaks about his opponent, her record. A2Politico, unlike AnnArbor.com, fact-checked Rapundalo AND Lumm's claims then posted a piece. Whether I want her to win is not the point. The point is that Stephen Rapundalo isn't being truthful about his opponent's voting record or her political views.
demistify
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.
Both candidates were originally Republicans and state that they left the GOP over its drift to the Right, so the choice cannot be made over stated ideology, as indeed it should not be in a municipal election. Lumm was previously elected to the City Council as a Republican. Rapundalo was not, contrary to one of the posts; he was elected as a Democrat after he switched parties. As an incumbent, a very diligent and principled one, Rapundalo can be evaluated on his actions on the problems the city faces today. This is much more difficult for Lumm, as her record is of another time and different circumstances. It is regrettable that she chose not to be vetted in a primary. In the comments here, Lumm is supported by Pat Lesko and a number of her political associates, who previously campaigned for the losing candidate in the Democratic primary. I do not find that very reassuring.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.
Lumm is also supported by Mike Anglin and Steve Kunselman, as well as Sabra Briere and Jack Eaton.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.
Neither of these candidates strike a cord with me. I've known Jane Lumm for awhile and find that she is is not very upfront about her intentions and Rapundalo is deceptive and unresponsive to his constituents of which I am one.
Meral
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:25 p.m.
The City of Ann Arbor needs JANE LUMM, we have been fooled so long.
Tex Treeder
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:57 p.m.
I'm voting for the first of these candidates who says he/she will repeal that foolish new ordinance about pedestrians approaching crosswalks.
David Cahill
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
Sorry, I don't see any companion stories on the fora for Wards 3, 4, and 5. Will they be forthcoming?
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:14 p.m.
At least Rapundalo showed up for the debate, unlike my 4th Ward rep, who apparently didn't want to face questions from real people.
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 6:42 p.m.
Glad you asked that question roadman. Lol. I know better than to vote for a bad candidate just to 'send a message' but Higgins doesn't show up for debates and her campaign website address is for sale. Lol. I'm tempted to purchase it. I'd write YOU in at this point if I knew your real name. A real Republican or strong independent may have won the 4th Ward. Though Scheie's website and the baby in danger (lol) in the bike trailer is a hoot.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.
Alan, are you supporting Marcia Higgins this term? Or Eric Scheie?
Barb
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.
Hey, mine too!
Patricia Lesko
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 11:55 a.m.
Kyle, You reported Stephen Rapundalo's deceptive characterizations of Jane Lumm's votes, but you didn't bother to check to see if what he said was the truth. On his web site, in fact, he makes the same patently false claims that Lumm "oted against recycling and human services when she was on City Council in the 1990s, among a number of other policies Rapundalo deemed important." He even goes so far as to "cite" City Council minutes, but does NOT link to the minutes. That's because if one reads the minutes one sees quite clearly that Stephen has deliberately mischaracterized Jane's votes and her political views. A2Politico asked a lawyer to read through the minutes and determine if Rapundalo's claims are true. They are not. To read the A2Politico piece, and to find out exactly how Rapundalo is grossly misrepresenting Lumm's votes and views, read the piece here: <a href="http://www.a2politico.com/?p=10601" rel='nofollow'>http://www.a2politico.com/?p=10601</a>
John Q
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 4:10 p.m.
The article you linked has its own shares of misrepresentations. To credit Lumm or to slam Rapundalo for the state of the city's pension system is offbase unless you can point to specific votes that led to the over or underfunding situation. Almost all municipal pension systems were running a surplus in the 90s because of the gains in the stock market and the growing US economy. Likewise, almost every municipal pension system has suffered losses in the past 5 years because of the stock market crash and the decline in the US economy. Neither Lumm or Rapundalo deserve credit or fault for their ability or inability to control the US or world economy. The only issue that they can and should be held accountable for is whether they approved pension benefit changes that contributed to the under or overfunding or whether they approved changes that led to over or underfunding that otherwise wouldn't have happened. Absent any specific votes that contributed to those positions, attributing credit or blame to either candidate is like crediting or blaming them for the weather.
Bob Carlin
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 11:14 a.m.
Keep in mind Rapundalo's discraceful performance as the chair of the Library Lot Advisory Committee. He pushed for a ruinous deal for us which was designed to use our taxes to subsidize his desire for a downtown conference center. Even after council resoundingly rejected his plan, he insists to this day it was a good idea. As chair of that committee, he suppressed all public input. Nobody needs that. Rapundalo's results as chair of the Labor Committee are marginal at best. And he tried to re-purpose Huron Hill Golf Course. Plus he is promoting the city's effort to build the Fuller parking garage for the U of M. If you like your taxes to be used to subsidize business and the U of M instead of providing basic services, then you'll like Rapundalo. The mayor and his supporters will fight for Rapundalo because they need his vote for the Fuller parking garage. Many of us who don't agree with Lumm's conservative views still support her because we'll be better off if we send a message to the mayor to stop throwing our money away on his foolish plans. Get Rapundalo out of there!
KJMClark
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 11:04 a.m.
Rapundalo is probably the most fiscally conservative person on Council. Everyone wants more police officers and firefighters, but as long as housing prices are falling and the state is cutting back revenue sharing, there isn't a lot of money laying around. Rapundalo is probably about 1/3 of the reason the City has such a good credit rating, while most other Michigan cities are headed for receivership. Lumm would do a good job too, but Rapundalo has always struck me as someone who wasn't afraid to dig deep into the budget and crunch the numbers himself. It's funny just how far to the right the Republicans have moved in recent years. 20 years ago both Lumm and Rapundalo would have been centrist Republicans, and the 2nd Ward would have, and did, elect them for that. The Republic party shifted so far to the right that just-right-of-center is now independent or Democrat. Romney barely fits.
mojo
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 10:58 a.m.
The City is not in trouble due to votes from Lumm. The City is not in trouble due to any GOP policy. The City is in trouble due to Liberal 'values' and Liberal votes. The money is gone due to liberal policies and liberal leadership, such that it is. Ann Arbor has no one left to blame.
KJMClark
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 11:05 a.m.
The City isn't in trouble. What city are you talking about?
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 10:57 a.m.
"Rapundalo, first elected to council in 2005, is another former Republican, but differs from Lumm in the fact that he now considers himself a Democrat." So tell me how union bashing, embracing anti-democratic Lansing appointed financial mangers, insulting public employees, and giving money to Rick Snyder's campaign allows you to consider yourself a Democrat? It's the coat Rapundalo slips on around each election time to further his political career. He's a failure on Council and a fraud and look for Rapundalo to show back in the arms of his former party once he loses this election.
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
Bad example Roadman...he lost, remember after being the junior high school kid trading jokes and insults via email. Lol. The one about the desktop, between Easthope and Greden was my fave.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.
You can say almost the same things about Leigh Greden; he nevertheless got elected on a regular basis.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 4:30 a.m.
Jane Lumm says she"feels deserted by the Republican Party's move to the right in recent years." Socially moderate? You would not know it from her campaign contributions. Check out the campaign contributions of Jane Lumm on <a href="http://www.michigan.gov" rel='nofollow'>www.michigan.gov</a> at the Secretary of State section. In 2010, she gave $250.00 to the Rick Snyder campaign and on 10/27/10 she donated $100.00 to the Bill Schuette for Attorney General campaign. On 9/23/06 she gave funds to the re-election committee of ultraconservative Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Maura Corrigan in her attempt to retain her seat. It was Chief Justice Corrigan in 2002 that wanted fellow conservative Chief Judge Archie Brown to stop having the local circuit court approve adoptions by unmarried couples - thus stopping a practice that previously allowed the LGBT community to adopt in this county and it being the only one of Michigan's 83 counties to have allowed such adoptions. In 2005 and 2009 she gave generous donations to the Washtenaw County Republican Committee. Jane and/or her spouse have given 45 registered donations to various political causes that are downloadable at the Secretary of State website. Take a gander at them - most are for conservative candidates or causes.
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 11 a.m.
You left out her contribution to George W. Bush in 1999. I'm not hopefully of Ms. Lumm being a progressive Democrat by any means but Rapundalo is the first in a domino falling series of officiasl on Council that need to go. Lumm's election would send a very clear signal that that the gig is up for Mr. R and his buddies.
worldchamp
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 9:35 a.m.
Given the fact that there are not many "Ultra Conservative" elected officials in Ann Arbor, I find it a wise move move by Ms. Lumm to seek the office of Mayor from the Independent moniker. Good Luck Jane
John Q
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 3:08 a.m.
I'm no fan of Rapundalo but Lumm comments are off-base. Being fiscally conservative and pushing for more spending on police and fire services are mutually exclusive positions. Police and fire personnel are some of the most expensive positions on the city's payroll. Lumm also knows that the funds spent on items like public art and the station can't be used for police and fire services. She's deliberately misleading the public by implying otherwise.
Dan
Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 1:49 a.m.
Actually it's definitely fiscally conservative to keep police and fire on staff if cutting any more police or fire would cause more fire damage and loss of life. Your insurance probably is going up if they don't hire more police or fire, btw.
PersonX
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:45 a.m.
We really need a change!
Roadman
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:12 a.m.
It should be noted both Lumm and Rapundalo were initially elected to City Council as Republicans and have retained pro-business personas. Rapundalo donated to Rick Snyder's campaign last year, per Secretary of State records at <a href="http://www.michigan.gov" rel='nofollow'>www.michigan.gov</a> He worked at Pfizer Co. in management and as a City Council member was instrumental in obtaining a cutback of police officer benefits and a 2-year freeze of their salaries. He holds a PhD and has done post-doctoral work. He campaigned for Leigh Greden in 2009 in Greden's failed City Council re-election attempt. Lumm has been affiliated with the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce where she had leadership role.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 4:03 p.m.
Steve was elected as a Republican to City Council and ran as a GOP nominee against Hieftje.
f4phantomII
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:18 p.m.
I'm pretty sure Rapundalo wasn't elected to City Council until after he became a Democrat.
Stephen Landes
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:43 a.m.
We cannot afford to have more of the Rapundalo attitude on city council. We need fiscally conservative council members who actually listen to their constituents and adjust the city's spending priorities accordingly. We have all read the countless comments on A2.com about public art, fire/police cuts, the out of touch DDA, and more. The time to change city council is NOW. I plan to vote for Jane Lumm.
ToddGack
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 9:35 p.m.
Roadman, It was Governor Synders 80/20 plan that worked against the city's unions, not Rapundalo.
Phillip Farber
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.
@Rodman nice try. I know KJMClark and this person is not Mike Anglin's spouse, I assure you. Get real.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 4:28 p.m.
@KJM Clark: You are not Kathy Clark, Mike Anglin's spouse?
KJMClark
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 11:08 a.m.
The "Rapundalo attitude"?? As in, "we need to keep our fiscal house in order"? Your beef is with other members of council. You should pay more attention to Council meetings before blaming the council member you're most likely to agree with.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
Fiscally conservative? Steve was instrumental in cutting the police officer benefiit package down to size and persided over manpower reductions at both the police and fire deapartments.
Marilyn Wilkie
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:36 a.m.
OK, it's simple...get out there and vote Lumm in.
Barb
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.
"It seems that both have tried to hide their prior GOP activism." As if it matters... the fact the we even consider political parties relevant at the local level stymies me.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.
It seems that both have tried to hide their prior GOP activism.