Three Republicans seeking seats on Ann Arbor City Council in Tuesday's election
Three Republican candidates are taking a shot at ousting three Democratic incumbents on the Ann Arbor City Council in Tuesday's election.
But they admit the odds are against them, running as Republicans in a town where the political makeup on council has been 100 percent Democratic for the past six years.
"It's a very long shot," said Republican David Parker of his chances of beating Democratic incumbent Stephen Kunselman in the 3rd Ward race.
"Obviously, I'm riding my bicycle into the wind, into a strong wind in Ann Arbor," echoed Republican Stuart Berry, who is taking on Democrat Mike Anglin in the 5th Ward.
Knocking out a Democratic incumbent, even in an off-year November election, is a tough task in Ann Arbor, and most political insiders agree the incumbents in the 3rd and 5th wards have little to worry about. But there's at least some potential for a closer race in the 4th Ward, where Republican Eric Scheie is challenging Democrat Marcia Higgins, a former Republican.
David Parker, 3rd Ward challenger
Eric Scheie, 4th Ward challenger
Stuart Berry, 5th Ward challenger
She was re-elected without opposition in November 2007 and re-elected again in November 2009 with 62.1 percent of the vote against Independent challenger Hatim Elhady, a political newcomer and University of Michigan student.
Scheie, an attorney who also manages properties, moved to Ann Arbor a few years ago with his wife, who is working on a Ph.D. in economics at U-M. He bought a house here and also maintains a residence in California, where he's licensed to practice law.
Scheie keeps a sense of humor about the fact that he's been chased off porches simply because he's a Republican. But he said he's hearing enough concerns from 4th Ward residents that he thinks he might actually have a shot on Tuesday.
"I do feel strongly about this," he said of his campaign. "Republican is a dirty word in Ann Arbor and that's another reason I'm running, I don't think that's right. There has to be some form of opposition."
He's put more than $1,100 of his own money into his campaign. He's spent that money on signs, leaflets and business cards. As he's out pounding the pavement, he said he's finding many residents feel neglected and unrepresented. He said he's heard numerous complaints that the incumbent doesn't return phone calls.
Higgins, who has been on council since 1999, could not be reached for an interview for this story. She also didn't participate in the League of Women Voters debate last month.
"I was disappointed in her failure to show up at the League of Women Voters debate," Scheie said. "I still have not met the woman."
In the past, Higgins has listed her accomplishments as working on issues surrounding the redevelopment of Georgetown Mall, the reconstruction of the Stadium bridges, downtown rezoning and new downtown design guidelines. She also helped halt a proposal to allow football parking in Allmendinger and Frisinger parks.
Each of the three Republicans is campaigning on a platform of realigning the city's spending priorities on basic services like public safety and infrastructure, and they're particularly critical of the deep cuts to police and fire services approved by the incumbents.
They're also critical of the city's spending on public art, though Scheie noted his concern is mainly that the city is diverting dollars away from streets, parks and solid waste millages to the public art program, which he called dishonest and possibly illegal.
"And I would have liked to have seen that sculpture in front of city hall done by a local artist," he said of a German artist's $750,000 artwork. "It's not as if this town doesn't have artists."
Higgins actually brought forward a proposal earlier this year to cut spending on public art in half, but a majority of council members favored continuing the program as it is. Kunselman was one of the few who supported making the cut, though Anglin did not.
Kunselman was the only of the three incumbents who could be reached for an interview for this story. He said he's not too worried heading into Tuesday's election.
"These guys are tea party Republicans," he said of the challengers. "I don't know why they chose this year to run. I think there's always this idea out there that if you're not a member of the mayor's majority that you're somehow weaker and easy pickings, and that's not the case."
Stephen Kunselman, 3rd Ward incumbent
Marcia Higgins, 4th Ward incumbent
Mike Anglin, 5th Ward incumbent
"I have been a force for change in a different direction," Kunselman said of his role on council. "I think differently than the council majority and the mayor. I think the public has every right to know exactly what it is we're doing and I believe in great transparency."
Parker, a certified public accountant and financial planner, has lived in Ann Arbor since 2000. He pointed out the city's last audit showed $184 million in revenue and $155 million in expenses — for a surplus of nearly $30 million for the year.
He said he fears the city's resources aren't being put to wise use and argues it's time to make public safety a top priority. He thinks the city can combine some of its so-called "buckets" of money.
"In 2001, we had 232 full-time equivalent police officers," he said. "In 2010, we were down to 152. Are we 35 percent safer with 35 percent less police? I don't think so."
Scheie said he spent 27 years living in Berkeley, Calif., where he sat on a police department citizen's review commission that exposed him to "raucous politics." He said the group advised the police chief on department policy and budget, and heard complaints against police.
"I love Ann Arbor actually. It's sort of like Berkeley," Scheie said, drawing similarities between the fight to protect People's Park in Berkeley and Fuller Park in Ann Arbor.
He said he's upset about what he called the "willy nilly" attitude Ann Arbor officials seem to have toward parks, citing the proposal to build a parking structure and transit center on a portion of Fuller Park that's now a parking lot. He said the city charter requires voter approval for sale of park land, and, in the same spirit, permanently repurposing parkland also should require a vote of the people.
Scheie said he's getting an earful from residents on various issues as he goes door-to-door.
"People are complaining about the city not doing the leaf removal like they once did — people notice things like that," he said. "And, of course, everybody's talking about this ugly city hall that has cost a fortune. I think they are wasting money, and they don't really care, because it's not their money."
Berry moved to Ann Arbor in 1989 and works as a senior hazardous materials specialist at U-M.
Rather than spending time talking about a new transit center, public art and an idling ordinance, he said council should be focused on providing residents with timely snow removal, well maintained streets and parks, and proper police and fire protection.
Both he and Parker said they want to lower taxes.
"The only purpose for a government is to do things which the citizens either shouldn't do or it would be really difficult for them to do," Berry said.
Scheie said he's more of a Libertarian than a Republican. He said he's not a "party man" and he's had little coordination with the other two GOP campaigns.
"I'm not all that great of a Republican. I'm not a Republican on the social issues so much, but I am a fiscal conservative," he said. "I have a problem with the Republican position on gay rights particularly, and I'm not really a gung-ho right-to-lifer, either."
Lumm vs. Rapundalo: The other race to watch
- There also is a close race in the 2nd Ward, where Democratic incumbent Stephen Rapundalo is defending his seat against independent challenger Jane Lumm. Read AnnArbor.com's coverage.
He said residents are complaining that city officials sold them on the idea that it would help stop backups of stormwater in the city's sewer system, but now the residents' basements are flooding for the first time, whereas that never happened before.
"There's just a lot of stuff I don't like about the way the city works," Scheie said, calling it too secretive. "I keep telling people, if I'm elected, let's be realistic — I'm going to be one voice among 10, but at least I'll be in a position to make some noise."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
Ming Bucibei
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 6:27 p.m.
Vote out all incumbants!! Ming Bucibei
Dog Guy
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
Republicans on an Ann Arbor ballot is definitely newsworthy.
Barb
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 5:26 p.m.
I'd love to see party affiliation removed from local elections. It's not as if it's really all that relevant. Force folks to actually read what the candidates stand for... Signed, a Dem.
MjC
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.
Kunselman deserves to stay... he's not the Mayor's puppet. If you live in Ward 2 and wonder 1) how it came to be that two of the newest and ugliest buildings in A2 were developed alongside Plymouth Road; 2) why there are now serious traffic and pedestrian safety issues on Plymouth Road; 3) why the drug dealers have infiltrated campus (open your eyes people), 4) why our new City Hall is even uglier than the buildings on Plymouth Road; 5) why we have to look at a 'tent city' occupying Liberty Plaza for the rest of eternity; 6) why we will soon have to pay for increased metered parking downtown; 7) and I could go on but... Then please vote Rapundalo OUT of office. Get out and vote for Lumm.
NoSUVforMe
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 2:45 a.m.
I knew a Republican once. I had a hard time scraping it off my shoe. Smelled bad too.
jcj
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.
It seems some are better suited to comment in the sports section as opposed to real life issues!
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 3:04 a.m.
Once again, demonstrating what seems to be the typical thought process in this town behind the vote.
Roadman
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 1:50 a.m.
I found it humorous that there were reports that Marcia Higgins did not return constituents telephone calls, however annarbor.com could not reach her to confirm this. Did they also leave telephone messages? She is the only incumbent on City Council with no active campaign website. She missed the League of Women Voters debate. She did not go door-to-door. Where is her campaign at? Perhaps Marcia feels the best way to get re-elected is to ignore everyone. It has worked thus far for her for the last 10 years.
pluto77
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.
I am appalled at some of the comments being left on this topic. As a lifelong townie dyed in the organic free range wool buddha fearing micromanaging liberal activist I cannot believe that many of you are considering voting for that evil tea partying R word that unfortunately is still appearing on voter ballots across this nation. You are all angry about the 800k dollar German abstract sculpture because you have lost your passion for that which is most important- pretentiousness. You rage about the massive city hall/court /police complex constructed in the neo quonset hut design school to house well paid bureaucrats and their generous retirement packages so they can distribute endless communiques informing us of all the services they will no longer provide us. Blame the republicans for deregulating the banks and collapsing property values. You grumble about the panhandlers on every corner forgetting that we are the party of compassion for the poor. Pull yourselves together and march into that voting booth on Tues day and do the right thing...the smart thing..lean forward, close your eyes and pull that lever for the big D!
JSA
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 4:58 p.m.
That's about as pathetic post as I've seen. Vote the issues not the party name.
Meral
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 11:36 p.m.
I am a registered Democrat with big D but this time I and my family will vote for JANE LUMM. She has integrity works very hard for the city of Ann Arbor. Do you all know that she had been on original Ann Arbor Art board member for many many years. She loves the city of Ann Arbor also loves the arts. I am and my family are sick and tired of lies and more lies. The city of Ann Arbor is very special, those of us lived in the city more then thirty years are very passionate about it. Those of you are hopefully going in the voting places think twice. Do I want to blankly vote for current counsel or do I want changing policy up coming years? We as my family are sick and tired of lies and more lies.
Urban Sombrero
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 10:20 p.m.
I'm planning on voting Republican this election. I told my boss that (conservative) and he did the whole Fred Sanford, "Elizabeth! I'm coming for you!" thing. He told me that next time I wanted to shock him like that, I had to make sure he was sitting down. Seriously, though, I'm voting against all incumbents. Probably just going straight Republican. I cannot, as it stands now, support the city council/mayor in any way, shape or form. I think they've totally messed up everything to date. It's really time for a change. Politics aside...what we have now is not working.
Urban Sombrero
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:56 a.m.
Oh, I agree with you on most of your points. However, this is a pitiful little local election. Not for president or congress or anything like that. A local election in a city with a powerful crony-ish voting block on the City Council that, in my opinion, could use a good dissenter or two. Voting Republican here isn't going to be the end of the world. Nor will doing so overturn the status quo in Ann Arbor if they do, by some slim chance, get elected. I just think that the Mayor and his cronies on the Council need to hear an emphatic, "NO!" every once in a while. As it is, with the incumbents running, they're never going to get that.
David Paris
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 3:20 a.m.
Well, you're partially right. Bank deregulation predates it. Union busting predates it. Multiple Free-Trade agreements predate it. Defunding of Planned Parenthood predates it. An unnecessary war predates it. The mortgage meltdown predates it. Madison Wisconsin predates it. Blackwater predates it... I could go on. I know, you're thinking "but that's at the Federal level", hey, I'm not drawing a line there. If you are part of "The Party of NO" in any way, then you are part of the problem. You're voting for a party that is actively destroying our country for the benefit of a few Billionaires. I urge you to reconsider.
Urban Sombrero
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 11:46 p.m.
I don't think Occupy Wall Street is a result of the 2008 election. It's the result of multiple different things that predate that.
David Paris
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 11:10 p.m.
"Politics aside...what we have now is not working." That's what people thought in 2008, and now we Occupy Wallstreet as a result. What I'm saying is- be careful what you wish for...
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
So the choice is between the Mayor's neo-Republican developer friendly-allies on council, and Right-wing Republicans. Big Choice. But gotta love the right-wing extremists who think the Mayor with his anti-union agenda is some sort of left-winger. Tells us how far off the cliff "modern" conservatism has fallen. The Democratic Party of the 1930s-1980s no longer exists. The contemporary Democratic Party is roughly equal to if not more conservative than the Republican Party of my childhood--the party of George Romney and Bill Milliken. The contemporary Republican Party has slid so far to the extreme right that it belongs in another country at another time. Good Night and Good Luck
GeeCee
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.
These people on this board making statements that Ann Arborites are just "marching to the Democratic beat as usual" are either newcomers to town or ignorant of the Ann Arbor's independant history. See the list of mayoral office holders of the past and see how many have been Republicans: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mayors_of_Ann_Arbor,_Michigan" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mayors_of_Ann_Arbor,_Michigan</a> The problem as I see it is that those people labeling themselves as "Republicans" aren't part of that historical political party but they are actually extremists and members of fringe, lunatic movements like the Tea Party. Any political candidate even remotely associated with the Tea Party will not EVER get my vote. Period.
asymptote
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.
independent = republicans who don't want to run as GOP because they know that they wont ever win in Ann Arbor. VOTE DEMOCRATIC
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
"VOTE DEMOCRATIC" ... because that's been working SO well for us.
Andy Price
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 4:03 p.m.
It's best to keep Republicans out of ALL elected government. They hate government, and so when they are elected to office they dismantle the institutions of government. Very radical.
Sparty
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 4:02 p.m.
Vote no to all incumbents and bring some balanced, diverse leadership back to a city council desperately in need of it. Be engaged for Ann Arbor and Vote on Tuesday, November 8th for Jane, Eric, Stuart, and David and reduce that block that the Mayor has on city council.
David Paris
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 11:31 p.m.
APeter: No, no, no Peter. Republicans only want Democrats and Independents to think diversely, it doesn't actually apply to them. More accurately- Republicans are incapable of acting, or thinking diversely, it's an abstract thought to them.... trust me, I know.
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 9:03 p.m.
You've been lied to, Peter. Think for yourself. You don't have to believe everything MSLSD tells you.
Peter
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 7:22 p.m.
I thought republicans didn't think diversity was important?
oldguy
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 4 p.m.
Republicans should be avoided no matter what they`re running for. :>))
JSA
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 1:26 p.m.
I think, and hope, oldguy was being sarcastic.
EyeHeartA2
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 11:37 p.m.
Another classic and well thought out post.
Dan
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 3:40 p.m.
Kunselman should talk to Scheie. He is in no way a Tea Partier.
clownfish
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 3:30 p.m.
Wow! If the sitting council is doing such a poor job why are there only 3, count them 3, people running against them? Why just on this page there are clearly more qualified candidates, if you do not believe me just ask them, they KNOW how to run government, but I guess cannot be bothered to actually go out and put there time where their typing fingers are. If A2 is such a hole of communism, why is there so much business activity around it? Can anybody cite me some examples of communism by the city council? Do they set production quotas, private sector salaries, jail people for independent thought, pull down churches and temples? Is there a single capitalist in jail in A2 for being a capitalist? Is it communism that makes Money magazine rank A2 as a Top Spot regularly?
trapper
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.
So why isn't Jane Lumm included among the Republican candidates? She served as a Republican on City council, ran as a Republican for State Rep and City Mayor and her list of supporters reads like a Republican "Who's Who". Oh, right, sorry, she's really an "Independent".
PLGreen
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 2:38 p.m.
If the incumbents are not voted out, oh well....
Mike
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.
The democrats have done such a good job with the city why would you want change? We need social justice, economic justice, and environmental justice......keep the good times rolling....vote democrat!!!!!! No teapublicans
MjC
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.
I'm a Democrat, always have been. But Ward 2 needs change - ANY change. It makes no sense to vote a total Democratic ticket if you don't know anything about the candidate you are voting for. Ann Arbor is not going in the direction it needs to in... we need CHANGE.
Marilyn Wilkie
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
Get off the tea publican bandwagon. Sheesh. It seems like everyone who doesn't agree with a democrat in ann arbor yells tea publican.
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.
And public art justice!
John
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 2:14 p.m.
Speaking of Politics, I wonder why Annarbor.com did not bother to cover this story: It is as local as local can get. <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/protest-held-against-big-banks-in-downtown-ann-arbor-today/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/protest-held-against-big-banks-in-downtown-ann-arbor-today/</a>
MIKE
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 1:35 a.m.
You're really on the ball there, John.
Marilyn Wilkie
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
Ryan is right...lol
Ryan J. Stanton
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 2:57 p.m.
That's a link to our coverage of that story.
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
Please, citizens, do the right thing. Although many in Ann Arbor that don't want you to know this, there is no law that says you have to vote for something with a "D" next to it. You really do have the right to vote some other way.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 4:19 p.m.
Sorry you didn't like the way the data in this thread presented itself. BTW, generally, after about age 12, "I know you are but what am I?" doesn't win too many debates.
Peter Baker
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 2:44 p.m.
Who's making the gross generalizations? If you actually have "data", I'd love to see it. Anecdotal evidence is not data.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
Well, lets see here Peter - we have the dog poop shoe guy, the only vote D guy, the trust me, Republicans all hate diversity guy, the never been right in ten years guy and...you painting gross generalizations. If you note my posts pointed out specific comments and yes, when you get to a good number, it is fair to say "time and again". Dig around and I'm sure you will find something the other way too, but the vast majority seem to be Dems painting Republicans (or as they say teapublicans) with a broad brush. Sorry, that's the data.
Peter Baker
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:49 p.m.
What position? What data? I thought we were talking about the self-righteous attitude you were taking acting like Democrats in Ann Arbor are the only one's who call the other side stupid.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 3:01 a.m.
Did I say that? When? Regardless, Peter, which position is supported by the data? I thought so.
Peter Baker
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 2:58 a.m.
As opposed to "Ann Arborites don't think for themselves, they just continue to vote blindly for democrats as their city goes down the financial crapper. Nothing will change until the rats stop following the Pied Piper."?
EyeHeartA2
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 11:35 p.m.
"No, of course not, but the Republicans are wrong all of the time, at least for the past ten years." ....and there you have it, folks, the enlightened "thought" process demonstrated time and again in this mecca of intelligence we call Ann Arbor. Lovely.
David Paris
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 11:27 p.m.
@Marilyn- "No political party is right all of the time." No, of course not, but the Republicans are wrong all of the time, at least for the past ten years. This may be no Utopia, but it's a lot better than the Republicans can do, I wouldn't vote for a proverbial "Republican for dog-catche"r right now. Vote Republican at your peril!
Marilyn Wilkie
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 9:40 p.m.
Independents Rule!!! Think for yourselves. No political party is right all of the time. Things are not black and white. Go against your friends and neighbors because YOU think differently. Stand up for your beliefs! It doesn't hurt, ....really.
Davidian
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
I think it's obvious that the current cast of characters has made a really lame attempt at becoming an "activist" government while ignoring the real issues. For this, they should be voted out of office. I hope that the citizens of Ann Arbor are truly as smart as they claim to be and vote for the candidate that will affect positive change and has the best interest of the city in mind, regardless of their political party.
The Picker
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 1:39 p.m.
It's time for change, I hope!
SonnyDog09
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.
Fear not, Comrade Citizen. Although token opposition will be on the ballot, the ideological purity of the Politburo of the Glorious People's Democratic Republic of Ann Arbor shall remain intact.
John
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.
Alterego, that's funny! Try Democrat In Name Only.
David Paris
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
The DINO-RINO thing is repulsive to me because the implication is that diversity of thought is not respected in these two parties, and are terms that need to be forgotten.
John
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 1:16 p.m.
If you talk to Stephen and Mike, you will discover that they are the only 2 council members that go against what the DINO Mayor wants to do. That is why he so heavily supported the two Democrats that tried to unseat these two individuals in the primary. Fortunately, they both failed.
alterego
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 1:23 p.m.
What's a DINO? Does that mean he's an extinct reptile?
Major
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 1:02 p.m.
Repub or Dem, I don't care, two opposite ends of the same failed system. Incumbents have proved they are not worthy, they must go. Next.....
xmo
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 1 p.m.
For a city of so called "peace loving" people why are there incidents like this "chased off porches simply because he's a Republican". Sounds like the residents of Ann Arbor are need some diversity training!
Peter
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 3:51 p.m.
Don't forget victim complex too.
clownfish
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
That is his take, maybe he was asked to leave nicely, or the people had other things to do than debate politics. I see not much but "typical tight wing" attitude here today, gross generalizations, accusations without facts and fear mongering.
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
The answer is that it's the typical left: they try to claim to be the people of tolerance but then this sort of thing exposes them for who they really are.
Tom Todd
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
Republican's equal Snyder's agenda (for the rich/against the middle class)
lbechard
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 6:09 p.m.
Tom, who are the rich and who are the middle class?
Dan
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.
Not Scheie, dude. Not at all.
pseudo
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.
Ann Arbor has had a republican mayor many times and, frankly, this crew of Dems are more DINO than Dem and just cover it with liberal social issue stands. Thank being said, I have lived here long enough to know that someone who comes forth with good ideas and reasoned stances and the interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, can win even if they are a Republican. But, they have to give up on the social issue baloney that completely gut the integrity of the "Republican" label. That can be hard to do. Of these candidates - having seen 2 of them in action and lived near one...wowie zowiee...yeah, they probably don't have a chance based what I said above about the social issues and communication/interpersonal skills.
pseudo
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 1:15 a.m.
ok, lets try this again. City Council sets hire and fire policy, insurance policies, spends money, etc. Unfortunately, GOP "values" folks tend to do exactly the opposite of what you claim. They do NOT "hire the best qualified people to oversee...and vote on a budget" based on merits along. There is no more effective pursuit of social policy agenda (like the GOP anti-gay, pro-death for women, anti birth control while supporting viagra agenda etc) than a city council spot. bleh. move on.
Diagenes
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 1:37 p.m.
Why do "social issues" matter in a City Council race? They cannot over turn Roe v Wade, legalize gay marriage or give amnesty to illegals aliens. They cannot implement a Governors agenda or block it. Lets hire the best qualified people to oversee the job performance of city managers and vote on a budget. Along with problem solving for residents, that is the heart of the job of a council member.
pbehjatnia
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
You want change? Vote out all sitting members.
snoopdog
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 12:30 p.m.
Ann Arborites don't think for themselves, they just continue to vote blindly for democrats as their city goes down the financial crapper. Nothing will change until the rats stop following the Pied Piper. Good Day
Goober
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 11:50 a.m.
It will be interesting to see if voters will do the right thing or vote along party lines. All incumbents must go.
Smart Logic
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:34 a.m.
clownfish, you missed the point. The incumbents have shown their inability to properly lead the city. People should ignore the party lines and vote in some fresh members, plain and simple.
clownfish
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 3:21 p.m.
Obviously if someone disagrees with you they are doing the "wrong thing". Unlike in a democracy where people have the right to vote as they wish.
deb
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 2:13 p.m.
I don't mind anglin, if you check his voting record he is at odds with the mayority time and time again.
Alan Goldsmith
Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 11:35 a.m.
"Higgins, who has been on council since 1999, could not be reached for an interview for this story. She also didn't participate in the League of Women Voters debate last month. "I was disappointed in her failure to show up at the League of Women Voters debate," Scheie said. "I still have not met the woman."" Shame on AnnArbor.com for endorsing someone who is so disrespectful of the democratic process she doesn't feel the need to show up for the campaign or answer questions. Kudos for Scheie for...well wow, RUNNING a campaign, going door-to-door, showing up for debates. Guess AnnArbor.com has some pretty low standards for Editorial Board support?