Arbor Update

Ann Arbor Area Community News

Rallies for a Fair Judiciary in Michigan Tomorrow

Posted by Rob Goodspeed on 26. April 2005

The Coalition for a Fair and Independent Judiciary is sponsoring a
number of rallies around the country to oppose the “Nucear Option” and support fair-minded judges for the federal courts. Here are the events listed on the MoveOn website nearest Ann Arbor – in Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Lansing.

CLICK HERE TO FIND EVENTS OR RSVP. Read on for more information.

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Ypsi Fire

Posted by Scott Trudeau on 26. April 2005

Blogger Brett in Ypsi posted this amazingly detailed report
on the recent apartment building fire in Ypsilanti, with some great photos.

Congratulations, Ypsilanti. You’ve finally succeeded in scaring me to death.

Ypsi Fire

Comment [1]

This Weekend: Totally Awesome Fest

Posted by Brandon on 25. April 2005

It’s the end of an era. This weekend marks the last hurrah for Totally Awesome House, which for most of the past year has served as Ann Arbor’s most awkward and adored venue for live music and tasty vegetarian suppers. Rumor has it that the house will be replaced with luxury condos at the end of the summer. Pick up one last 40 and watch ‘er go out with a bang at the Totally Awesome Fest this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

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'Coke on Trial TODAY'

Posted by Matt Hollerbach on 25. April 2005

coke rally
The decision on U-M’s Coke contracts rests with the Dispute Review Board, which is having its final hearing on the matter this afternoon at 3:30 in the Union’s Anderson Room. Coca Cola has flown in a dozen high-level administrators and executives in an attempt to counter the massive student effort. The coalition, which is 5000+ members and 20 organizations strong (hit -read more to see full list) is planning a large turnout at 3:00pm on the Union steps.

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Public Safety Workshop

Posted by Scott Trudeau on 25. April 2005

Next Tuesday evening the County Board of Commissioners will host the first of a series of Public Safety workshops. Since the jail millage was voted down, the County proposes to cease providing sheriff’s deputies to rural townships in order to meet the State mandate for the new jail.

Should We Expand the Jail by 96 Beds?
Should We Have a Metropolitan or Regional Police Force?
Do Townships Pay Enough for Sheriff Services?
Do We Need More Mental Health Treatment for Inmates?
How Would You Spend $6M a Year?

The County Commission Will Take Action This Summer! This is our chance to have a say in designing the solution to our public safety challenges!


Click “Read More” for the full announcement, including links to Ann Arbor News articles and County documents.

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U-M President announces childcare upgrades

Posted by Matt Hollerbach on 24. April 2005

University President Mary Sue Coleman sent an e-mail today announcing plans to ‘enhance’ childcare services for faculty, staff and students. Comments and responses to child.care.planning@umich.edu.

The work of two U-M faculty committees in 2004 affirmed that the demands of child care responsibilities can place substantial roadblocks in the path to tenure and other professional achievements. Clearly, enhanced child care resources are a strategic necessity as we continue to diversify our faculty, as well as the pipeline that will produce the faculty of the future. In addition, a number of work groups have documented the need for child care to support student parents at both the undergraduate and graduate level. [...]

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Salamanders Can't Vote: Really No Issues in School Board Election?

Posted by Murph on 24. April 2005

[Thanks to Michael Betzold for providing the following piece on the upcoming Ann Arbor school board election, May 3.]


The Ann Arbor Observer has weighed in on the school board elections by writing that there are virtually no issues in the four-person race for three open seats on the board. That would be true only if you fail to scratch beneath the surface.


Click through for the rest of the piece.

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Water Shortage Predicted in Five Years

Posted by Scott Trudeau on 24. April 2005

The Ann Arbor News reports that the City estimates they will no longer be able to supply water demand by 2010.

There are a few options for the city:

  • It could store more water in Barton Pond by building a bigger dam. Skadsen said that could damage the surrounding ecology.
  • The city could purchase water from the city of Detroit. But Skadsen said both cities use differing chemical treatments on the water and if they blended, it wouldn’t be high quality water.
  • It could build more wells. That’s the most likely option. The city would like 10 million to 20 million more gallons a day of groundwater.

Also:

A Washtenaw County Circuit Court judge is considering whether Pall Life Sciences [,responsible for polluting one of the City’s wells with 1,4 dioxane,] should be held financially responsible for some, if not all, of the city’s expenses in finding an alternative well.

> Ann Arbor News: Ann Arbor predicts water shortage
> Ann Arbor News: Cleanup of 1,4 dioxane pollution continues

Comment [31]

B-School Tree Huggers Defend 300 Year-Old Oak

Posted by Scott Trudeau on 24. April 2005

The now flush U-M Business School may decide to remove a 300 year old oak tree to make room for new construction. Self-proclaimed B-School tree huggers are organizing opposition.

Bosma said [...] “I really am saddened by how many trees and green space we’ve lost on campus in the past 10 years. We’re all busy and all trying to do way too much. This is just an issue that’s overlooked, forgotten. ... If we let that happen over and over, we are going to look like Southfield.”

> Ann Arbor News: Oak may not fit into plans

Comment [19]

School Board Round-Up

Posted by Scott Trudeau on 24. April 2005

Ann Arbor’s School Board elections are on May 3rd. Four candidates are vying for three seats. The League of Women Voters will host a televised candidates forum next Sunday, April 21.

Some of these Ann Arbor News articles are about to expire on MLive.com, so get ‘em while they’re hot:

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