Jack Eaton pulls petitions to run against Marcia Higgins for Ann Arbor City Council
Longtime neighborhood activist Jack Eaton is planning to run against incumbent Marcia Higgins in the 4th Ward race for Ann Arbor City Council this year.
Eaton spoke with AnnArbor.com on Wednesday after pulling nominating petitions from the city clerk's office. He has until May 14 to file 100 signatures to appear on the ballot.
Eaton, making his third try at running for City Council since 2010, would challenge Higgins in the Democratic primary in August.
Jack Eaton, shown here speaking before the City Council last year, is a familiar face around city hall and regularly attends city meetings.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Eaton came close to defeating Margie Teall, the other 4th Ward incumbent, last August. The vote count was 866-848, giving Teall 50.5 percent.
Teall also defeated Eaton in 2010, pulling 69 percent of the vote.
Many expected Eaton to run again for Teall's seat in 2014, and so his announcement that he'll be challenging Higgins this year comes as somewhat of a surprise to some.
"I came very close last year, and I expect this race to be quite competitive this year," he said.
"I think there are so many things going on right now that are important to me — that I'm afraid are going to get set aside — that I can't wait another year to run," he added. "It's not anything personal about Marcia. I like Marcia. We just disagree on some things."
Eaton, a labor attorney, is political allies with Council Members Mike Anglin, D-5th Ward; and Sumi Kailasapathy, D-1st Ward.
An outspoken critic of Mayor John Hieftje, he supported Jane Lumm, an Independent who now represents the 2nd Ward on council, in her 2011 bid to oust Hieftje ally Stephen Rapundalo.
Eaton said he's alarmed at the money being spent on commuter rail initiatives and plans for new train stations, and he's concerned about the interaction between the city and the Downtown Development Authority. He also wants to see the city increase public safety staffing.
"I just want to be there to provide a good safe vote," he said, noting Higgins often votes with the mayor on issues. "And she and I often disagree."
Higgins couldn't be reached for comment.
Eaton said there are problems that aren't getting addressed in his ward. He said he's glad to see the city finally spending some time and money to investigate neighborhood flooding issues and concerns about the stormwater and sanitary sewer systems, but that took some prodding.
"Certainly we're finally starting to study the problems again," he said. "Fifteen years ago we studied the very same neighborhoods and there were recommendations that weren't followed."
Marcia Higgins, speaking at a meeting earlier this year, first got elected to council in 1999, first as a Republican. She became a Democrat in 2005.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
"What do we do about buildings that are vacant for years?" he said, noting the city ran into similar problems with the Michigan Inn and the former Greek church on North Main.
"We really haven't tried to address the overall problem," he said. "We just keep hoping that Georgetown will resolve itself so it's not an issue anymore."
A common criticism of Higgins by some of her constituents is that she's hard to reach at times. Her attendance record at council meetings also has been questioned.
Eaton said he understands that council members have busy lives and they're not getting paid a lot to be in office, so he's not going to criticize Higgins for any of those things. He said Higgins has been good about getting back to him whenever he's called or emailed.
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 email newsletters.
Comments
Frustrated in A2
Fri, Apr 19, 2013 : 5:12 a.m.
Thank you Mr. Eaton!!!
selamet
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 11:14 p.m.
Dear Jack Eaton, welcome to hell of Hieftje. I hope you will have a new major by then. Good luck
Sully
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 5:25 p.m.
I doubt I would agree with Mr. Eaton on many political issues outside of city government, but he seems like he would be a more independent voice on the council, would be fiscally responsible and would actually attend council meetings. Marcia Higgins needs to go; she's too loyal to the Mayor, she shifts her political allegiances based on whats most conveinant and he attendance record is spotty at best. I'll be crossing over this year to vote for Mr. Eaton and I would encourage others in the 4th Ward who don't traditionally vote Democrat to do the same.
BHarding
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 2:54 p.m.
Jack Eaton will be very good on City Council. He is definitely a true Democrat working for the citizens, rather than, as I see some others, someone playing Sim City with our taxes. He is not anti-growth, but for measured, thoughtful growth. I am very interested in someone who wants to explore the relationship between the DDA and City Council...........and make it more transparent, or better yet, change it!
Patricia Lesko
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 1:18 p.m.
You write, Jack Eaton is "an outspoken critic of Mayor John Hieftje...." No. I am an outspoken critic of John Hieftje and his personal attacks on people who disagree with him, his attacks on local transit, parks, police, fire and his persistent inability to recognize conflicts of interest and his cronyism. Jack Eaton has been an outspoken supporter of local transit, neighborhoods, recycling, fiscal responsibility and the protection of parkland. I would challenge you (Ryan) to find a single comment made at a City Council meeting in which Jack Eaton criticizes John Hieftje. Jack speaks out on behalf of funding services, governmental transparency and the need for collegiality on Council. In fact, it is this pervasive lack of collegiality fostered by John Hieftje, on which you reported Council member Jane Lumm speaking about at Monday's Council meeting, that prompted Jack to pull petitions. John Hieftje is an outspoken critic of anyone who disagrees with him or his ideas. The Ann Arbor News, in an editorial, called Hieftje thin-skinned and "vindictive." No news outlet has ever written that about Jack Eaton in all the years he has been involved in local politics.
cindy1
Sat, Jul 20, 2013 : 11:58 p.m.
Stanton comments above: "It's also been my observation that Jack doesn't make it personal and doesn't sink to the level of personal attacks, and I know many admire that about his approach." By writing that he's an outspoken critic of the mayor, Stanton contradicts his statement about Jack not sinking to the level of personal attacks. Implied in "outspoken critic of the mayor" is the idea that Jack attacks on a personal level.
Vivienne Armentrout
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 6:44 p.m.
I agree that some precision of wording is indicated here. "An outspoken critic of the mayor's policies" might be more acceptable. But I like the way Pat explained it. Jack has always been specific about the issue he is addressing, never "the mayor is bad, what he does is bad". It is an important distinction. I've noticed that this publication in particular likes to personalize political disagreement. It is better when we keep focus on each issue.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 3:01 p.m.
I guess I didn't intend any negative connotation by mentioning he's an outspoken critic of the mayor. I just think it's a fact that he's a critic of the mayor's agenda, as evidenced by his comments, and he's very outspoken about his viewpoints. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's also been my observation that Jack doesn't make it personal and doesn't sink to the level of personal attacks, and I know many admire that about his approach.
rouzer
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:48 p.m.
I'd like to know if my reps are actually representing my area. Ryan, will you publish the attendance records of both 4th ward reps. Probably be good if you would publish all the council's attendance. I'll be voting for Jack again. Too bad Teall is still there.
Brad
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:13 p.m.
My only regret is that he won't get to beat Teall, but on the plus side she'll have to deal with him on council.
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 11:51 a.m.
FYI: http://eaton4council.org/
glenn thompson
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 10:58 a.m.
Jack has a good knowledge of our city's finances and understanding of it's problem. It would be very difficult to find a more qualified candidate.
RUKiddingMe
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 10:53 a.m.
This is fantastic news. I truly hope this guy winds by a landslide. I hope the voters interested in fiscal responsibility get the word out and show up. With the small voter turnout in this town, I think it's very easy for city officials to win on just their friends' and business buddies' votes alone. It's far too early to relax, but it almost seems like maybe there's a light at the end of this long, long, dark A2 spending tunnel.
Barzoom
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 10:33 a.m.
Good luck Jack.
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 10:15 a.m.
"I might actually tally up her meeting attendance and put actual data to it at some point before August. You're entirely correct there comes a point at which an absent council member becomes an issue of representation." Ryan, I thought you mentioned this several weeks ago about covering Council member attendance records, but maybe I'm mistaken. The sooner you come up with a story on that topic, the better for all the voters in Ann Arbor. And not a week before the August primary.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 2:43 p.m.
The vote tally is important, in my mind, because there are times when council members will get up and leave the meeting for short periods and miss votes. It would take closely reading through years worth of meeting minutes to do a good job analyzing the missed votes.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 2:41 p.m.
I would prefer to look over the minutes for a period of several years, and be very careful to look for notes where council members arrived late and left early (and thus may or may not show up in the roll call but may have missed a good part of the meeting or have been present for a good part of the meeting). Part of a good analysis also might include tallying up votes taken by council and how many each of the 11 members were present for. I would need at least a good couple of days of nonstop data crunching to do all of that.
DNB
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 2:16 p.m.
The minutes for the A2 City Council meetings are online, and it's easy to make a list of absences for any council member. I did this last summer before the August primary, for Margie's absences, and posted it in the comments section. I spent about an hour of time to search minutes for several years. Great idea for Ryan to do an entire story on city council attendance. It is not time consuming, and all the information is quick and easy to find.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:57 p.m.
Tallying up all council members' meeting attendance and votes missed is definitely on the long list of stories I'd love to get to at some point and has been for a while. I agree it would be great to get the actual data out there in a timely fashion and I don't think it's at all too late. It's going to take a lot of work poring over years' worth of meeting minutes, but I'm up for the challenge.
metrichead
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 3:51 a.m.
I'm confused now...the entire council (sans Jane Lumm) are listed as Democrats. Understandably, given the heavy blue tilt of Ann Arbor. But who are the real Democrats and who are the ones "in-name-only" on city council? Higgins? Hieftje? I'm confused.
metrichead
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 10:58 p.m.
Thank you Roadman. Sumi was a prof of mine at EMU; she's an admitted socialist/atheist as she stated in class. I found her teaching to be very engaging and was able to take away some substantive information from her class in regards to women's issues. So Ryan, I can definitely vouch for him on that one. She wanted me to help her volunteer with the Kerry campaign in 2004 (the fall semester when I was in her class). But I didn't want to upset the apple cart as I was a committed volunteer to Dr. John Schwarz's congressional campaign just west of A2. I remember when Higgins switched, there was only one GOP council member left (I remember reading MLive's article on him), and then I think he chose not to run again. I remember Rapundalo was a former GOP'er as well. I can't say as I blame the former Republicans for switching parties; the right wing bent of the national party makes it too hard for them to win under the same slate locally. Which, kind of makes the point of having partisan councilmembers sort of useless.
BHarding
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 9:55 p.m.
Democrats are, by definition, progressives, but a good Democrat is also fiscally responsible. Who knows why people affiliate themselves with one party or the other.......I know Republicans who are very progressive and seem to embrace all things liberal but still call themselves Republican.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:52 p.m.
Roadman has provided a mix of facts and opinion. Where he has provided basic facts about different council members' backgrounds, I don't see anything at first glance that conflicts with anything I've reported before in past campaign stories. But I'm not going to offer my opinion to say "I agree he's a fake Democrat" or "I agree she's a legit Democrat." It would be unwise for any reporter at any publication to go there. But it's true there are different brands of Democrat in Ann Arbor, and there have been people over the years with Republican backgrounds who have taken on the Dem label, like Marcia Higgins. Or even in the case of Jane Lumm, switching from Republican to Independent. I do my work as a reporter and note these details when covering campaigns.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:39 p.m.
Of course, being Ann Arbor, a Democrat with even a 1 degree lean to the right is still very well left of center. Really nothing to be concerned about.
JustMyTwoCents
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 10:55 a.m.
@Roadman. Thanks for doing the job of a reporter on this story and getting the details concerning the backgrounds and affiliations of various public servants and their families. I'd feel better however if Mr. Stanton could confirm or refute your comments. No disrespect to you, but with the use of a pen name for your comments, I feel a bit nervous about just taking your words for facts. At least in theory, Mr. Stanton has a journalistic responsibility to provide well researched and documented facts. On the other hand, you as a reader are permitted to voice simply your opinion. Mr. Stanton???
Roadman
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 4:43 a.m.
Marcia Higgins converted to the Democratic Party at the invitation of Hizzoner following her 2003 re-election as a Republican. She is married to a former GOP officeholder. She can be safely called a DINO. Steve Rapundalo is another GOP convert to the Dems who got beat by Jane Lumm in 2011. Sabra Briere is the real Democratic deal - she has served as treasurer of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party, chairwoman of the Ann Arbor Democratic Party and has held posts in the local ACLU chapter as well as spearheading abortion rights inclusion to the City Charter. She attended Obama's inauguration and recently gave the keynote address at Hash Bash. Christopher Taylor worked for Butzel Long - a law firm repesenting primarily big business interests and does not have great left-wing or progressive credentials - he is now a partner in the local Hooper Hathaway law firm - another firm representing business interests for the most part. Some could characterize him as DINO. Sumi Kalasapathy is a CPA who has a record of a human rigts activist in her native Sri Lanka - she served as treasurer of the AADP - so she has significant Dem credentials and is a progressive. Sally Hart Peterson is a Harvard MBA that does attend AADP meetings - so give her the benefit of the doubt. Mike Anglin is a "real" Democrat - hails from New York and was a teacher. Steve Kunselman is regarded as a moderate - but his wife was a AADP ward co-chair in recent years. Hieftje rarely is present at AADP meetings, nor does he have any solid Dem credentials - he was a real estate agent who can be termed a moderate politically. Margie Teall is a moderate whose husband was formerly Washtenaw County Dem chair. Chuck Warpehoski is director of the Interfaith Council Peace and Justice and has clearly promoted a liberal-progressive activist agenda - he is a Quaker. Hope this helps.
DNB
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 3:18 a.m.
That's the best news I've heard all day! We need someone who will represent our 4th ward. That 18-vote loss against Margie speaks volumes, and we'll be behind you again. Get ready to break out the Eaton yard signs from the garage this summer!
Colorado Sun
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 3:10 a.m.
Marcia Higgins during her dozen-plus years on City Council became known as "the Invisible Woman." Ineffective and invisible. It is hard to imagine an elected representative who could do a more ineffectual job on City Council. Remember when Fourth Ward residents had meetings to discuss traffic calming - Marcia was never there. Ask Planning Commissioner Eric Lipson who led some of the meetings. The Marcia Higgins era is over.....................
Roadman
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 2:50 a.m.
I have known Jack for the last four years. He is humble, accessible, and passionately articulate on complex areas of municipal governance. He has been a tireless advocate of homeowners in Ann Arbor. God bless Ann Arbor and Jack Eaton.
DJBudSonic
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 2:10 a.m.
I met Mr. Eaton a few weeks ago and he seems like a decent guy, and very knowledgeable about city business. I know his posts on here are informative. Not my ward, but maybe the third time is the charm?
An Arborigine
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 1:36 a.m.
Run Jack run!
JBK
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 1:51 a.m.
Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water..........:) Reminds me of an early childhood book...........lol
TheDiagSquirrel
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 1:23 a.m.
Well, considering Marcia Higgins rarely goes to council meetings, and was even largely AWOL during the last election, here's hoping Jack Eaton wins. I question why she even serves to begin with, since she seems like she doesn't even care about her constituents, or the respect of public servitude in general.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 2:16 p.m.
I don't see the bias in aa.com that is being alleged here. If you wanted to do the legwork and tally the attendance of council members, and write it up into a story, I'd bet they'd publish it.
stonecutter1
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 4:20 a.m.
Everybody forgets that regardless of their effectiveness, they have many friends, so all is forgiven! Good of the city or its residents? Surely you jest!
Sparty
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 3:11 a.m.
How about late arrivals and early departures at Council Meetings for both Ward 4 Members, Ryan? Communication with constituents via mail, email, telephone - responding to concerns? General participation at events or activities in the Ward during the course of their term?
Sparty
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 3:06 a.m.
Agreed, for some reason there seems to be support for Ward 4 Incumbents by AA.com despite frequent, earned criticism for their performance. Both of these women, in my opinion, have earned their titles as the Invisible Women, in Ward 4 !
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 3:04 a.m.
I was just trying to correct your statement that she rarely goes to meetings. I agree it's entirely fair game to comment on issues of meeting attendance, and note I included it in the story. I might actually tally up her meeting attendance and put actual data to it at some point before August. You're entirely correct there comes a point at which an absent council member becomes an issue of representation.
TheDiagSquirrel
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 2:37 a.m.
Is it accurate to say that certain Annarbor.com reporters bias their reports toward supporting the Mayor and his policies? I don't recall many reporters on here taking the time to make distinctions when it comes to a council member's attendance rate. Also, if personal issues are keeping you from doing your job properly (and attendance is the most important part of any job), then you should take a leave of absence, or cede your position. No matter what job or position you have.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 2:26 a.m.
She has missed meetings here and there, but I don't think it's accurate to say she rarely goes to meetings. And it's probably fair to point out she has dealt with some personal issues/tragedies in recent years, including the death of her daughter, and I know some of her absences have been connected with some of those things.
Brad
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 1:37 a.m.
I bet she bails given the competition. She doesn't care that much.
Mike D.
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 1:20 a.m.
Another anti-everything. No rail. No parking. No hotel. No thanks. Marcia has my vote.
Brad
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:10 p.m.
Just almost everything. And usually when she votes against the mayor it is in the context of one of those throw-away votes. I don't care who she was married to, I only care that she is an unresponsive and ineffective representative of the 4th ward and has been for quite a while.
4 Real
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 11:43 a.m.
It seems that candidates get points or deductions based on who they are married to. Weird. Remember Briere is married to David Cahill. Higgins seems very moderate and neither is against everything, nor for everything the Mayor is.
stonecutter1
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 4:31 a.m.
Yeah Mike D, anti spending more of our money on things that no one needs! Marcia has no chance. Margie spend a lot had more support than her and barely won!
Colorado Sun
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 3:17 a.m.
@Saline Teacher: She was married to Pat Putnam, a former GOP member of City Council. She worked for Rick Snyder's Ardesta Corporation. She ran for mayor on the Republican ticket. She voted against a City Council resolution - the only dissenting council member - to disapprove of U.S. military involvement in Iraq.
SalineTeacher
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 2:52 a.m.
@4 Real: and what's your take on Higgens? She was a Republican up until eight years ago.
4 Real
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 1:56 a.m.
Then Jack should not be running as a Dem. Tea party maybe. Just going to the meetings does not make you a Dem. You need to believe in the Party tenents.
Veracity
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 1:33 a.m.
Mike D. - So you favor spending up to $66 million for a new railroad station especially when it remains unclear if a new high speed railway is even feasible. And apparently you are unaware of Chuck Skelton's study that finds no feasibility for a luxury hotel downtown or a convention center as was last proposed by Valiant Partners LLC. Jack Eaton wants prudent spending. How can you object to that?
Brad
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 1:12 a.m.
That's great news. We would love to see some action on the Georgetown Mall debacle. Just last week I asked both 4th ward councilpersons and the mayor about progress on the mall, but I've still not heard back from a single one of them. Nor do I expect to.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:26 a.m.
"An outspoken critic of Mayor John Hieftje." That right there is enough to support him, but "supported Jane Lumm" puts the icing on the cake.
Roadman
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 2:52 a.m.
@Usual Suspect: He also was an early supporter of Sumi Kalasapathy in her first run at City Council in 2010.
stonecutter1
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:21 a.m.
Good luck Jack! I voted for you last year. I'm pretty liberal, but please don't give up trying to bring a semblance of reason to this dysfunctional government. There is such a thing as too Left, in case anyone wondered.
DNB
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 3:20 a.m.
JBK, here's a link to Jack's website. http://eaton4council.org/
JBK
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:37 a.m.
Jack - Please make sure you post a website where volunteers like us can sign up and work on your campaign. The fact that you can't stand the Mayor is reason enough to go door to door and pound the pavement.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:21 a.m.
For anyone who missed these, here's two other stories on how this year's council races are shaping up or might shape up: http://annarbor.com/news/2-challengers-emerge-in-races-for-ann-arbor-city-council/ http://annarbor.com/news/university-of-michigan-student-group-wants-to-run-slate-of-candidates-for-ann-arbor-city-council/
cindy1
Sat, Jul 20, 2013 : 11:46 p.m.
here's two other stories should be: here are two other stories
lynel
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:07 a.m.
"Higgins couldn't be reached for comment." "A common criticism of Higgins by some of her constituents is that she's hard to reach at times. Her attendance record at council meetings also has been questioned." These are 2 of the reasons I will be supporting Eaton. "An outspoken critic of Mayor John Hieftje" Oh, and here is a third reason!