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Posted on Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 9:12 a.m.

Taxpayers should be allowed to vote on whether new train station is needed

By Letters to the Editor

Jane Lumm's comments on the money being spent on a non-existent, possibly unwanted and possibly not needed new train station are so common sense right-on that I can't understand the mayor and his henchmen disagreeing.

Let's put the horse before the cart and let we taxpayers vote on whether or not WE think a new station is needed. Money is tight in this city and needs are great so art, a new station, and a new library should be put aside until our fire and police departments are restored to maximum levels, until our leaves get picked up at least once every fall and until other city services are restored to where they were before the present majority on council started decimating much of what we thought our taxes were covering.

At the very least, decisions on how to spend funds should wait until the new council is seated. After all, it is that council that reflects the current thinking of the Ann Arbor electorate.

Nancy C. White

Ann Arbor

Comments

Roger Kuhlman

Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 3:07 a.m.

The new "high-speed" passenger rail project in southeast Michigan which includes building a new Amtrak station in Ann Arbor is a huge financial boondoggle that wastes scarce federal transportation funds. These funds need to go to maintaining existing highway infracture in southeast Michigan and rail freight service where there are large existing needs and clear positive payoffs for spending. During a time when the Federal government is running annual financial deficits of over $1 trillion and we have an existing accumulated federal debt 0f $16 trillion, we can not be spending money on pie-in-the-sky idealist programs like "high-speed" passenger rail service that will benefit the select few and some special interests that are enamored of passenger trains.

Carole

Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 12:34 p.m.

Finally, someone with common sense. I totally agree that the citizens should decide. And, my vote would be to restaff fire and police departments to full capacity and provide whatever is needed to complete the picture.

witchdoctor

Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.

The issue is much deeper than that. The Mayor and City Council was elected to do just these types of things. Ann Arbor's fetish with HAVING to have a Democrat Mayor and Council to the exclusion of any other thought process is what you are dealing with. No one person of either party should be Mayor this long. The Mayor controls who is on the DDA (well actually the Council but in this case, it's the same thing), Historical Commission and other Commissions. These were originally set up with staggered terms to prevent one person from loading these positions with their own picks. Years and Years of a single entity in the Mayor's office has resulted in this and other agenda items being pushed forward. I really do not care if it is a Republican or a Democrat or Independent, no one should have this much power. The high rises and centralization of Students is one of many of our Mayors personal initiates. By clinging to the ability to be in control, I believe the current Party in control of Ann Arbor is serving itself rather than the City of Ann Arbor. I appreciate that other candidates have run in opposition but they were not real threats, where they? I was pleased to see some of the change over on the Counsel but the boss is still there. So, keep voting for status quo and that is what you will get.

motorcycleminer

Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 10:18 a.m.

Well said.. it's time for the munchkins here at OZ to knock prince john and his merry band off their high horses and take control of the money they so freely spend on their personal projects...

Jack Eaton

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.

For the commenters here who seem to believe that voting on building an Amtrak station on public park land is the equivalent of asking to vote on every Council decision. you have missed two important points. The Council has already agreed to seek voter approval on that issue. Additionally, the voters did elect representatives in large part based on the previous Council's previous emphasis on this kind of wasteful spending. The question is not whether residents will get to vote on building an Amtrak station. The question is whether the voters can express their opinion before the City spends even more general fund resources on this project. The City Charter requires a vote before selling park land and this resolution merely acknowledges that a 50+ year lease is the equivalent of a sale and deserves voter approval. Those who oppose spending general funds to build an Amtrak station are not opposed to letting our representatives make decisions. We would like the Council to respect the results of the recent election and allow the new representatives to take office before this kind of decision is made. Instead, the additional $550,000 expenditure was added to the Council agenda on the Friday before the last meeting for the lame duck Council members. The next Council meeting will have a dramatically different composition.

Stephen Wehmeyer

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 6:13 p.m.

Everything issue should be voted on by the public. They won't, for the most part, actually study the issues. That's what elected officials have time for, but we don't need any coherent thought on anything. We just need mob rule.

motorcycleminer

Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 10:15 a.m.

We have mob rule its called city hall...

A2Dave

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.

I think we should have a vote on the bridge repairs, paving the street in front of my house, the lane re-designs of most streets in downtown A2, the salaries of School Board members, the hiring of a Pioneer principal....gee, what have I left out that should be put before a plebescite? Many things, no doubt. A new traffic light somewhere? A new crosswalk? Planting trees on the parkways? More?

pvitaly

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.

I would like to vote for the A2 police to drive Volts! ...

Linda Peck

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 5:33 p.m.

Well Said!

Jack Eaton

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 4:16 p.m.

I agree with Ms. White that further spending should wait until voters have the chance to approve this project. The City has spent or authorized sending of a couple of million dollars to study, plan and prepare the Fuller Road Park train station. That includes $307,781 in the 2012-13 budget and the recent addition of $550,000 in the budget amendment approved at Monday's Council meeting. An Amtrak station will cost about $30 million to actually build, after all this spending on planning and studying is finished. The local share is estimated to be about $6 million, but the Mayor hopes that other local entities will contribute to that cost. Both the DDA and AATA are deep into deficit spending and unlikely to participate. The UM might participate, but for the shabby way they were treated in the Fuller Road parking structure discussions. Even if another entity contributes, we can count on using about $3 million of City funds for the Amtrak station. Still, that $30 million price tag does not include the approximately $11 million for the New South Rail, South Platform & Crossover that will be built at a later date. While voters will be voting on whether to build the Amtrak station on park land, they will also be weighing in on whether that project is their preferred way to spend City revenue, whether it is $3 million or $6 million. Additionally, the new Council members taking office in November of this year will make it ever so more difficult to muster the needed 8 votes on Council to approve that expenditure. With the likelihood that the voters or their newly elected representatives will end this project when faced with the local share costs, it seems prudent to ask our city leaders to pull the plug now before spending the $857,000 that is now in the amended budget for 2012-2013. At a minimum, the City should seek voter approval before spending even one more dollar on this project. That $857,000 would pay for about 9 police officers or fire fighters for one year.

Jack Eaton

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 4:18 p.m.

In the second sentence: "has spent or authorized sending" should actually say "has spent or authorized spending"

golfer

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.

i agree we have so much more that we could spend on. it is not the right time for this.

pvitaly

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.

No way! Letting the public vote on a new train station is like letting the public vote we need a new bridge between Detroit and Canada. The general public is NOT smart enough to know the pros and cons of such matters. All the public sees is dollar signs and reacts accordingly. You say let's have leaf pickup every fall. Why? You can't spend some time putting leaves in bags once a year? Why would you want the city to spend your tax dollars on something like that? Wouldn't you want a nice train station to greet people into this nice city, instead of a tiny trashy station? People elect officials that are supposed to be making these decisions for us.

Roger Kuhlman

Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 3:17 a.m.

I would say the local political elites in Ann Arbor are not so smart in terms of the pros and cons of a new Amtrak station and "high-speed" passenger rail service. All they see is the use of "free" money, government expansion, and more power for themselves. These people know what is best for all of us, they just have to consult their personal agendas and beliefs to discover what that is.

DJBudSonic

Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.

So, are you NOT part of "the general public"? If you ARE part of the general public then by your own reasoning you are not smart enough to know about these things, so why should anyone listen to your arguments? People elect officials for many reasons, but, as you point out, they are supposed to be making these decisions " for us". But when the overwhelming amount of public input at a council meeting is against an item, and that item is approved, there is has been no "for us", there has been no public representation. I agree that this vote should be held when the new council is seated, the fact that it was not is just another example of the lack of true representation available to the Ann Arbor voter. And as far as the leaves go, I would indeed rather have my taxes go for leaf collection than buy bags and stuff them and drag them to the curb. Consider that many of us in Tree Town have a constant issue with leaf pickup, the last time I filled bags I quit at 18, the bags exceeded my curb capacity. Also consider that I am busy with two jobs, trying to make it in this town with its inflated property values and corresponding high taxes, and have little time for yard care. Not to mention dealing with all the uneducated general public...

motorcycleminer

Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 10:14 a.m.

Just the usual ramblings of a " nanny stater " bowing before the big talking head here @ OZ....

LXIX

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.

Okay. A little less derogatory (and probably a lot less entertaining). The public in this country are the ultimate decisionmakers. Even before the last economic straw is broken, Americans in toto have the inalienable right to rule their country - as sovereigns - any way they wish it to be run. If it means firing the elected servants and instituting a plebiscite form of rule then that is what becomes the American form of government. Some laws supersede others and rule of WE is prime here. Maybe Koch & Co. would like to sponsor Ann Arbor's new E-party like they did the Tea-party? If people are so worried about the intellect of their fellow citizens deciding issues like transportation then maybe they should work harder to educate them about the facts. Perhaps the public would like to learn all about the facts concerning development in this town, their station, and its funding?

antikvetch

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.

"I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords"

LXIX

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 2:06 p.m.

What happened to representative democracy? Got sold to the highest bidder. Absolutely corrupted. Once upon a time the mayor was a good man and his cronies on City Council really cared. Maybe represetative Lumm would like to introduce "E-Council". The first of its kind anywhere and originated right here in the world-reknown tech-progressive city of Ann Arbor. Where every eligible resident has the power to vote electronically en remote or in person on any issue brought before City Council. Why this might even catch on at the state level and then possibly the national level thus supplanting all the lobbies in Washington D.C. In fact, it could be instituted right away as a circular argument to fair resident E-voting for E-voting. And no other "unfair" special elections or budget issues allowed until implemented. Lumm for mayor!

Barzoom

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.

I agree. Let's put this up for a vote by the tax payers.

cindy1

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 1:45 p.m.

At Monday night's city council meeting, public commentary was overwhelmingly against voting MORE money for train "study." (Have we now spent over $2Million of taxpayer money on this?) It's incredulous that the mayor and 7 councilors voted yes. Ann Arborites should be aware that these representatives are not representing us. Public commentary means nothing to them. They're not motivated by the desire to serve. Many thanks to Mike Anglin and Jane Lumm for voting no. And to Ms. White for this letter.

Albert Howard

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.

Nicely written.

Brad

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.

Ahh, looking out at the yard does make one yearn for the old leaf-pickup days. Instead we have an embarrassingly bad and overpriced piece of art outside city hall. Who thought that was a good idea again?

Kathy Griswold

Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.

Great letter! I agree!