Moravian development partner seeks seat of Ann Arbor council member who opposed project
Newcombe Clark, one of the development partners behind the recently defeated Moravian project, has pulled nominating petitions to seek a seat on the Ann Arbor City Council.
Clark's frustration with the city bubbled to the surface this week as the City Council responded to the cries of neighborhood activists and voted down the Moravian, a 62-unit apartment complex proposed for development at 201 E. Madison St.
"I spent five years of my life, a lot of money, and a lot of time, and put up with a lot of intimidation trying to do what I thought could help," Clark said. "What I realized is that after doing everything we were asked, and filling a room, it still didn't seem to resonate enough for people to put aside a prepared statement and listen."
Newcombe Clark, one of the development partners behind the recently defeated Moravian project, is seeking the seat of Ann Arbor City Council Member Carsten Hohnke, who opposed the project.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The seat Clark is seeking belongs to Carsten Hohnke, D-5th Ward, a vocal opponent of the Moravian. Hohnke was traveling outside of the country Monday during the vote but relayed a statement of opposition that was read at the meeting.
Clark said he realized after the meeting he couldn't ask Hohnke and other council members to demonstrate courage of leadership and not be willing to do the same himself.
"I don't want to be a council member — I've got my own life — but I also believe you're either in it or you're not, and I can't criticize if I'm not willing to sacrifice," he said. "I asked people for courage of leadership and realized it was very hypocritical for me to chastise people without putting myself out there in a similar way."
Clark has until May 11 to collect 100 signatures and file to run if he wants to challenge Hohnke in the Aug. 3 primary.
Hohnke said he welcomes the competition if Clark files to run against him. Clark pulled both Democratic and independent nominating petitions on Friday and could file either.
"I always welcome a healthy discussion on all of the issues," Hohnke said. "It appears I've got two opponents who are focused on development. One with an extreme position of no development and one with an extreme position of unlimited development, and I welcome that conversation and look forward to it."
Hohnke is referring to his other likely challenger in the August primary, Lou Glorie, who has opposed the Moravian but says she's in favor of smart growth. Hohnke faces two other potential challengers, including Republican John Floyd and Allen Licari, who has pulled both Democratic and independent petitions.
Clark, a 29-year-old commercial real estate broker, also is affiliated with the City Place project, now known as Heritage Row. That's another near-downtown apartment development that has been opposed by neighborhood activists and Hohnke.
Clark, who has lived in and around downtown Ann Arbor most of his life, is working on his MBA at the University of Michigan. He is past president of the Main Street Area Association and currently serves on the board of the Downtown Development Authority, in addition to a long list of other civic involvement.
He grew up on North Ashley Street with his mother. After graduating from Pioneer High School in 1999, he entered U-M's School of Engineering. In 2004, he graduated with degrees in mechanical engineering and Japanese language and culture.
In 2005, he formed Bluestone Realty Advisors, a local commercial real estate brokerage and consulting firm. In 2006, he was recognized as one of the "20 in their 20s" inaugural class by Crain’s Detroit Business for his professional and philanthropic contributions.
In 2008, Clark became the founding publisher of Concentrate Magazine. Exiting in 2009, he took on a part-time consulting position at Ghostly International, an Ann Arbor-based music and design firm with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Berlin.
"I've made a decision to continue a conversation that I think turned in an interesting direction on Monday," Clark said of his decision to seek a seat on council. "I was troubled much more than the outcome on Monday by what led up to it and what came after it, so I think this is a step to open up the conversation and see what people think."
Clark said he realizes he couldn't vote for the Moravian even if he was elected to council — and it's not about that.
"This is about much more than a project. The project will go where it goes," Clark said. "The reason I tried to do the Moravian and will continue our efforts to bring that type of product to town was because I thought it would help — not because I was going to make a lot of money, because I won't. But there are a lot of functional things wrong in this city. I think some of the nuanced natures of the process don't allow for things to happen. The Moravian was screwed up from day one and not that the project was screwed up, but the process that we ask developers to go through, that we ask of people trying to bring their businesses here.
"I'm likely to never develop in this city ever again," Clark added. "And not because I don't believe in this city. I mean, I'd be a pretty poor real estate professional if I told people not to invest in this community. But I believe that the process that we've gone through and the process I see so many people go through — be it in setting up a business, opening up a restaurant or, hell, anything — is so fundamentally flawed because of the way we run our elections where we only pander to such a small number of voters and you don't have time to work on the other stuff."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
Beverly Strassmann
Mon, Apr 12, 2010 : 7:02 p.m.
Newcombe Clarke's free advertisement in front of Pioneer High School cost us taxpayers over $1000.00. I do not want my city taxes going to pay for this man and his self-aggrandizing pursuits. He is now openly in the political realm and has no more right to a billboard advertising himself than do I or anyone else.
JAM2
Mon, Apr 12, 2010 : 2:29 p.m.
Newcombe Clark has been trying desperately to play "grown up" for years. City Council must be his latest and greatest attempt at moving beyond "realtor". I can't count how many schemes he has proposed over the years for self-betterment...none have materialized. He is prone to excessive exaggeration and self-aggrandizement in ways that border comical. He would be a DISASTER on City Council - and I mean that in the most extreme way possible. Politics aside, some people are just too lacking in self-awareness to ever serve beyond their own interests...Newcombe defines that individual.
MargaretS
Sun, Apr 11, 2010 : 9:48 p.m.
I've been reading the various blogs and FB groups whose members are in favor of the Moravian, and I have to say, I am appalled by the incendiary comments directed at city's so-called "the old guard". Personally, I welcome members of this self-titled "young professional" crowd to public service. Anyone who has followed AA politics for even a few months could tell you that those opposed to developments like the Moravian are not powerful. Those who want to see our neighborhoods grow without being over-run are the anti-establishment and include a diverse population - not just old folks. These people have been fighting city hall nonsense for a long time. You will meet them in your political quest, and if you are successful, they will be your constituents. You will be at their service, and it will be your duty to treat them with respect. And a word of advice about your platform, complaining that existing housing stock isn't nice enough for you, while families are living under bridges, will smack as pretty self-absorbed to any voter with a social conscious.
say it plain
Sun, Apr 11, 2010 : 3:51 p.m.
@lulugee, you're being sarcastic when you speak of Mr. Clark being concerned about the 'common good' right? To wit, two posts from his blog, the first on why young professionals should stay in Michigan while the trend is to hightail it outta here, the second on why one should engage in the 'altruism' of serving on boards: "It has been my experience over the past eight years of working in Michigan that business rewards only one thing greater than taking risks, and that is loyalty. If you stick it out, if you make an honest and committed effort to give all you have to a state that needs so much, you will be rewarded. There are fewer of us here everyday,leaving the potential future spoils less divided and easier to obtain. As one comment to my first post pointed out very well, its a shorter distance to that corner office when half the chairs between you and it are empty. " "The quickest shortcut to the chairmans office in your own job is having powerful and influential allies and customers singing your praise due to your astounding performance on the board which they serve on with you. Im a real estate salesman who serves on over a half dozen non-profit boards and commissions. My fellow board members just happen to be presidents and CEOs who have turned out to be some of my best customers and professional contacts over the years. Who said altruism is dead."
Gill
Sun, Apr 11, 2010 : 9:26 a.m.
Any chance we can become a parliament instead of one-group-in-power-screw-everybody-else government?
Paul the Malcontent
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 8:14 p.m.
First, I'm not well-versed on the Moravian development, Ann Arbor politics, or Mr. Clark, as these issues don't typically affect me in any significant way, so I don't have a side to defend or protect here. I also feel that whatever the reasoning for Mr. Clark's decision to run for City Council, it is always good for citizens to get involved in public service and government, which can be a very thankless job. I just want to address DaRyan's comment, "You [Clark] sound like this is the first time you didn't get your way with something..." Probably a product of our new-age, "everybody's a winner" society. Working hard on something alone doesn't guarantee success in the real world if the final product doesn't meet the needs of your stakeholders. Hopefully the residents of the 5th Ward will chip in and buy Mr. Clark a "participation ribbon" after the election should he LOSE!
say it plain
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 5:25 p.m.
This is funny. People can run for city council for all sorts of reasons. But to say that he doesn't really want to 'serve' in this way but feels somehow 'forced to'? Because he was asking council to display the 'courage' to vote for something to which there was vocal opposition and heck, he should put his money, as it were, where his mouth is?! Comical, really. His blog though : http://www.metromodemedia.com/blogs/bloggers/NClark0047.aspx indicates that he firmly believes in the utility...ehrm, I mean...'rightness' of wealthy young professionals 'giving back' to their communities by buying drinks for people who will support their bids to be excused from zoning laws...ehrm, I mean...by making use of their 'skills' in ways that also further their career and business interests...ehrm, I mean, in ways that truly serve the communities to which they are so deeply committed. He writes of how you don't need to do anything 'untoward', with the 'young professional' skills you've cultivated and the connections you've developed...ehrm, I mean...oh hell, yeah, what of it?!...given your situation you can get put on all manner of 'boards' and pad your resume and make new and better connections, all while seeming to be selfless and concerned about your fair city! I guess he just decided that this was his time to 'give back' to Ann Arbor;-) (in that special way that allows people to build more ratty student boxes on cheaper problematic parcels for more profit and pretending that this is good for the neighborhood).
genericreg
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 5:23 p.m.
Clark's attitude is like a stereotyped frat boy - you want it, even if you do not know you want it, so I am going to give it to you whether you think you want it or not.
MB111
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 4:46 p.m.
I am glad he is running. Unfortunately, he has no chance of winning. This is because he seeks something that Ann Arborites have long proven that they despise - change. We live in the most reactionary, change averse city in the state, if not the region. We defend the status quo with incredible zealousness. We ignore legalities of zoning, we create historic districts to prevent change, we abhor renovation (e.g., City hall), we buy land outside the city in order to prevent its use. Mr. Clark is doomed because the constituents will demand stasis.
quitelistener
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 4:41 p.m.
He's got my vote. If this city wants to be green, it needs to realize what it really takes. That is a condensed city center. The only truly green people, take up the fewest square footage per person. Everything else; electric cars, wind turbines, etc, is for uneducated idealists who live in a fantasyland.
townie
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 3:39 p.m.
"I don't want to be a council member I've got my own life..." Is this Clark's campaign slogan? Very catchy.
logo
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 3:32 p.m.
If N. Clark had not sold his huge (it covers the whole face of a block, five stories straight up) box of a development as being for "young professionals" instead of the student apartment it would be with mostly 3 and 4 bedrooms I would respect him. As for the mayor and Hohnke I understand their position. The mayor fought for years to gain acceptance of development downtown and Clark was nowhere to be found. Now he wants to jam big box development down the throat of neighborhoods that are not downtown. This scares everyone in those neighborhoods and guess what, 1/2 of the votes in the 5th Ward are close to downtown. A good slogan for N.C. : "A big box PUD for students is coming soon to your neighborhood!" That should win him some votes.
red9seven
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
Just because Mr. Clark stands to benefit from this, should that be held against him? My son's best friend was living a block from the proposed Moravian site when he went to UofM last year. During the winter months he had a choice of no heat or living with gas smells, and spent a lot of time sleep at our house. Both the UofM Housing Office and DTE Energy had limited ability to take action on the landlord. It looks like this landlord is making a bundle on students, and she doesn't provide fair accommodations. I'll bet she is heading the criticism for this development, because students would actually have a viable choice if the Moravian went ahead. While this is anecdotal, the Housing office indicated that this is a common plight for many students. I live in the fifth ward, and he's got my support.
LiberalNIMBY
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 1:51 p.m.
"Just because you work with the planning staff to get their input on what is needed, they are not the decision makers." Yup -- everyone loooves being a "decider" because it makes you feel important. Council should focuses on creative ways to spend our taxes better, not a place to waste time playing politics and disagreeing with the planning experts we're paying for. (And if they are more qualified than those people we have in City Hall, let them apply for their jobs -- I hear they've got pretty sweet retirement benefits.) Now that Hohnke's committed to splitting the primary vote with the other NIMBY, all that Clark has to do is get all his hot Facebook friends to register and vote. Like his attitude or not, we would do well to have more folks who have the courage to get out of the way when people want to invest in the community. "Things move on and other projects are coming up for vote and if they fit in and conform to zoning regulations will undoubtedly be approved." Oopsie! Wash your mouth out with soap! Remember 601 S Forest? That was allowed by code, but people were so flipped out that it was almost as tall as that utter piece of crap across the street that council delayed it several more months, made them redesign it, and lawyered it to death. Thank goodness South U's skyline hasn't changed! Don't be fooled by people who say they're "for" things that conform to the code -- they're all part of this cabal who fight buildings because it feels good (and they've got lots of free nights). The only way to remedy this is to replace the council people who listen to them. Clark has made the first truly constructive move in this debate.
SMAIVE
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 1:50 p.m.
Welcome to America all where those who want to see change can at least make try. He's already got half the vote...great hair, an attitude, and representing a different viewpoint for once.
DaRyan
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 12:47 p.m.
"I spent five years of my life, a lot of money, and a lot of time, and put up with a lot of intimidation trying to do what I thought could help," Clark said. "What I realized is that after doing everything we were asked, and filling a room, it still didn't seem to resonate enough for people to put aside a prepared statement and listen" Message to wannabe council member: Get over yourself. Sorry, your attempt at mob politics and "filling the room" didn't work. You sound like this is the first time you didn't get your way with something... And can we stop pretending this project would have saved the world? This is a giant, honking, huge student housing development that would have made Newcomb a big pile of cash.
Peter
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 12:15 p.m.
"I don't want to be a council member I've got my own life..." Might have been good to go off the record with that one, Nuke.
Historic District
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 11:25 a.m.
My last pass, I promise... What's really interesting in reading through these comments are the veiled "threats" that his candidacy will somehow hurt him both personally and professionally. Gee, and I wonder why more otherwise qualified would-be candidates for elected office choose to remain on the sidelines. It's almost as though Ann Arbor's well-oiled, entrenched political machine, under the courageous guise of pseudonyms, is saying "get out, or else." Yeah, I know, I'm using one too. It's sort of humorous to watch said well-oiled machine squirm, even if just for a moment.
Linda
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 11:20 a.m.
Good for you Mr Clark! Ann Arbor needs more people like you who are willing to work hard and put their energy, time, money and effort into projects that will help our city grow. It's a very difficult financial time for Ann Arbor and Michigan. We need new growth and opportunities that will draw people into our city. I attended the City Council meeting last week when they voted on the Moravian project after reading about the controversy in this paper. I was very disturbed after listening to the arguments from both sides that the Council voted down this project. It was strongly supported by the A2 Chamber and the A2 Planning Commission. The strong Germantown neighborhood bloc apparently has lots of pull in city politics. Good luck on running for that seat on city council.
Historic District
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 10:51 a.m.
As a resident of the 5TH WARD, he's got my vote. The election year political pandering to the vocal minority needs to stop. Okay, that's admittedly naive - but with someone, anyone, else in office, it would be substantially reduced. It's unfortunate that this is the number one criteria of my preferred candidate. It's also telling as to the current state of affairs.
PersonX
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 10:43 a.m.
I think that there two separate issues here. The idea that someone who does not want to serve but will run because his ego has been bruised wishes to be on city council speaks for itself. So does his statement that he was not going to make any money on the Moravian, but just had a dream, presumably of providing more student housing, which does not seem like such an important cause these days (he could have created a project of affordable housing for young professionals on a parcel that was appropriate, but chose to do neither). So does his threat to never again develop in Ann Arbor, since he never has developed anything before, as far as one knows. But there is another issue: the Moravian fiasco has been misrepresented by many as a development/anti-development matter, but it is not: it was a specific project that was inappropriate for its setting, and not a proxy for ALL development in the city. Things move on and other projects are coming up for vote and if they fit in and conform to zoning regulations will undoubtedly be approved. For all the fulminating, there is such a thing as reality.... things may not be ideal, but most reasonable people, including council members, are neither completely for or against all development, but want reasonable change, and that is why we have zoning regulations.
blahblahblah
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 10:06 a.m.
Why even have a planning commission?? - they vote no on Near North, but council approves it - they vote yes on Moravian but council rejects it.... something is very wrong with this system! The continued council obsession on "affordable housing" as the end-all measuring yard stick for PUD approval is continuing to cost the city millions of dollars in previous decisions (ie: Y-site) as well as current decisions (ie: Moravian). During a time of declining tax revenues, the public benefits of such a project such as the construction jobs created, increased property values, increased downtown density should have stronger sway with our elected officials. In any other city that would have been the case, but unfortunately not here. Mr. Clark should save himself the aggravation and time and just follow all the other younger people fleeing this state. Then when he is ready to retire he can return to Ann Arbor which will continue to be a city ruled by aging, academic elitists obsessed with their various social causes.
Marvin Face
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 10:01 a.m.
I live in the 5th. He's got my vote. At least he's not a lawyer.
a2grateful
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 9:53 a.m.
bruno_uno: "logic would presume they then must be for sprawl?" No, they are just anti-development, as they fight sprawl by purchasing development rights, stopping developers outside the City, as well as inside. Sidebar: Any person that owns real property, building on it, or simply maintaining it, is a developer of said property. So, if you hate developers, and fall within parameters of sidebar statement, you in essence, hate yourself, or are just a giant hypocrite. Welcome to NIMBY town.; )
bruno_uno
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 9:43 a.m.
your right clark is not a public servant and should stay on the private side of development, however, i believe he will get a good number of votes that will prove the public good want more density and fight the old nimbys of ann arbor. The mayor and hohnke are against sustainable projects such as the moravian project that would provide density for the city center. logic would presume they then must be for sprawl?
Moose
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 9:28 a.m.
Mr Clark IS "The Man", man. Albeit a young one. Back in the day, they were called "hip capitalists".
a2grateful
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 9:24 a.m.
Glad to see someone that has been involved with the City's development folly process becoming interested in becoming a reformer of said process, as well as the other fountainous, trainwreck folly-tics (rhymes with politics, as in Hiefje folly-tics et al). Funny to see people here discount his experience, even though he was past president of the Main Street Area Association, serving on the board of the DDA. His reluctance to enter Ann Arbor's putrid political arena is shared by many. It's pretty typical of level headed folks. There are many qualified people in town, most who are unwilling to serve. The more voices, the merrier. An interesting primary awaits!
Lifelong A2
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 9:23 a.m.
I agree with all the comments about Mr. Clark's large ego. It's frightening that someone who claims to love this City would put his own personal ego and finances above the greater good of the community. I look forward to watching his humiliating defeat.
voiceofreason
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 8:56 a.m.
I believe Mr. Clark has a good chance of winning this race. All he has to do is convince local renters that he will provide much better housing in the neighborhood at a lower cost. Considering how the landlords have allowed houses to fall into such disarray, I'd say this is definitely a winning proposition. Isn't it amusing when the "Stick it to the Man" crowd becomes "The Man"? This is what has happened in Ann Arbor, and it's good to see Mr. Clark take a stand against such nonsense.
A2K
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 8:51 a.m.
"I don't want to be a council member I've got my own life but I also believe you're either in it or you're not, and I can't criticize if I'm not willing to sacrifice," That's very, er, encouraging? Just what we need - someone who's going to "lower themself" to serve the people of Ann Arbor. *snort* I actually thought the Moravian project sounded interesting, but the scale/design were inappropriate...and as someone who did NOT want the Dread 40-North project in my backyard (800 students 5 miles from campus? UGH, and don't get me started at how rude/condescending those developers were...) I understand the residents' POV as well. *eye roll so far back they temporarily got stuck*
Sean Eldon
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 8:48 a.m.
I knew that self-interest and anger motivated many politicians, I just didn't think it was particularly politic to be so vocal about it. I feel some sympathy for Clark insofar as the Moravian goes; he's a businessman and this town is tough on development. But as a 5th ward resident, there's no way I would vote for a man who seems so unabashedly out for himself and against the will of the town's citizens.
PersonX
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.
The silly season is upon us. It is time to grow up. Any professional knows that you win some and you lose some, but Mr. Clark apparently thinks that this is all personal. He uses networking to get his way, and then expects people to support his financial undertakings out of loyalty. Just remember how many young people lured on Facebook to a party, as well as business and arts organization leaders came to defend his project, without knowing anything about it, honestly arguing for a fantasy building to house young professionals, as they did not know the layout and the fact that it was really a dorm. He used these people and now he is using high rhetoric to get sympathy; I wonder if his network circle still supports him now that he has used them in such a blatant manner. He has a very high opinion of himself and wants us to share it, but as a developer I am not sure he has actually ever built anything. The great tragedy of Ann Arbor is a red herring--most building projects have been approved by council, this one did not conform to regulations. By all means throw a tantrum, but I assume that as of Monday his face will be gone from buses and bus stations in view of his candidate status.
MargaretS
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 8:10 a.m.
Mr. Clark seems to be a natural for politics. He seems to have zero ability to find fault in any of his own actions. Back in 2001, I was interested in one of the parcels he eventually optioned for the Moravian, but was told the owner at the time (Ann Arbor Realty) wanted to sell all the properties together. Understandable. But this low priced group of parcels sat available in a boom market for 4 years, at least. Why did no other developers want this property? Why did they choose other sites for their PUDS and other housing projects that ended up being APPROVED? Because those experienced developers knew that this was a very problematic site. It is still technically in a floodplain, among other things, not the least of which was its zoning and location outside of downtown. Stephen Kunselman, one of the council members who voted against the Moravian, said it best, 'If a project takes 5 years to work through the process, the problem is not the process, it's the project'. Just because you work with the planning staff to get their input on what is needed, they are not the decision makers. If they were, many of the PUDs you see now would have been denied. Near North was denied approval by staff. PUDS are never a sure thing, nor should they be.
Moose
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 7:59 a.m.
Mr Clark will be eaten alive by the political process. It will take a toll on his business future, particularly if he loses. And the odds of that are good considering that the Hieftje majority is behind Hohnke. By taking sides and it's obvious on which side he stands, he has a good possibility to alienate more than a few potential real estate clients. His decision to run appears to be an impetuous decision based on ego more than a desire to serve the public.
Useless
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 7:38 a.m.
Was all his grandstanding about this project really just a setup for a city council run?
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 7:32 a.m.
"I spent five years of my life, a lot of money, and a lot of time, and put up with a lot of intimidation trying to do what I thought could help," Clark said. "What I realized is that after doing everything we were asked, and filling a room, it still didn't seem to resonate enough for people to put aside a prepared statement and listen." "Clark, who has lived in and around downtown Ann Arbor most of his life,".... shouldn't have been surprised by the rejection of his project. This is how Ann Arbor has been for at least the 28 years I have lived here. While we don't have a corner on NIMBY-ism I dare say no place does it any better. I would suggest to Mr. Clark that he will find more success if he moves his projects to towns that will embrace them rather than thinking he can single handedly change the status quo.
Somewhat Concerned
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 7:28 a.m.
Why shouldn't a rich real estate developer get another shot to have things his way? Why shouldn't he get another shot at making even more money tearing up a neighborhood whether the residents want his project or not? What good is money if you can't use it to get your way? Money means never having to stop grabbing what you want.
David Cahill
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 7:15 a.m.
So - the "Young and the Restless" finally have their candidate. 8-)
marzan
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 7:01 a.m.
It's clear this project is an attempt to get around zoning. I'm inclined to go with the residents of the neighborhood over facebook supporters.
Joseph Lewis
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 6:56 a.m.
I'd vote for him, but I live in the first ward. It was a great project and the council was chicken to approve because of a few luddites.
Fred
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 6:44 a.m.
It would appear that the size of Mr. Clark's ego, evident in his impetuous decision to run so that he may "lead" (read "ignore") the will of the people, is nearly as big as the AATA bus stop spread of him in front of Pioneer High.
bruno_uno
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 6:30 a.m.
sorry havent had my coffee yet, meant "lady in the picture"....not "picture in the lady"
bruno_uno
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 6:27 a.m.
Hohnke said. "It appears I've got two opponents who are focused on development. One with an extreme position of no development and one with an extreme position of unlimited development, and I welcome that conversation and look forward to it." -we already have one of the "picture in the lady lover" setting the stage that his competition for council are two extremists. clark may not have enough money to spend on overcoming this perception. the fact that clark is even running along with the momentum building in the city over the rejection of the moravian project from honke and the mayor gives me the sense that a paradigm shift is happening with ann arbor. the real battle between the "picture in the lady" group against the next generation that wants a sustainable city for the future has begun.