Arbor Update

Events

Reverse trick-or-treat

Posted by Chuck Warpehoski on 31. October 2008

Trick-or-treaters giving out candy?

That’s right, the UM student group SOLE (Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality) is organizing a reverse trick-or-treat (link to Facebook event). Equal Exchange is sponsoring this event as a way to educate people about fair trade by giving them fair trade chocolate and information.

Johnson and Johnson buys HealthMedia: Good news, bad news, or no news?

Posted by Chuck Warpehoski on 29. October 2008

Yesterday the Ann Arbor News reported that Johnson and Johnson will buy the local company.

From the article, it sounds like the employees at HealthMedia are happy with the acquisition. HealthMedia will remain in town, and the connection to the global health company will help it expand.

For myself, though, the Pfizer departure leaves me a little nervous when local companies become local parts of global companies.

So what do you think: good news, bad news, or no new?

Comment [4]

2008 Elections

‘Twas the Week Before the Election: Proposals 1 and 2

Posted by Juliew on 29. October 2008

PROPOSAL 08-1
A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO PERMIT THE USE AND CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA FOR SPECIFIED MEDICAL CONDITIONS
The proposed law would:

• Permit physician approved use of marijuana by registered patients with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, MS and other conditions as may be approved by the Department of Community Health.
• Permit registered individuals to grow limited amounts of marijuana for qualifying patients in an enclosed, locked facility.
• Require Department of Community Health to establish an identification card system for patients qualified to use marijuana and individuals qualified to grow marijuana.
• Permit registered and unregistered patients and primary caregivers to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marijuana.

PROPOSAL 08-2
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ADDRESS HUMAN EMBRYO AND HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH IN MICHIGAN
The proposed constitutional amendment would:

• Expand use of human embryos for any research permitted under federal law subject to the following limits: the embryos are created for fertility treatment purposes; are not suitable for implantation or are in excess of clinical needs; would be discarded unless used for research; were donated by the person seeking fertility treatment.
• Provide that stem cells cannot be taken from human embryos more than 14 days after cell division begins.
• Prohibit any person from selling or purchasing human embryos for stem cell research.
• Prohibit state and local laws that prevent, restrict or discourage stem cell research, future therapies and cures.

Information on the proposals can be found at the following web sites:
League of Women Voters Michigan’s Ballot Proposals
Ballotpedia Overview of Michigan’s Ballot Proposals
Citizen Research Council Analysis of Ballot Issues
National Institute of Health Resource for Stem Cell Research
University of Michigan’s Press Release on Stem Cell Science

Comment [24]

2008 Elections

‘Twas the Week Before the Election: General Information

Posted by Juliew on 27. October 2008

Next Tuesday, November 4 is the most anticipated election in recent history. While the presidential election is the big draw, make sure you find out everything that will be on your ballot before you go to the polls so you can make informed voting choices (do you know who you are going to vote for as Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court? Or Wayne State Regent?). In addition, lines for voting are expected to be long. Make arrangements now to leave time available for next Tuesday (as much as several hours just in case) . The polls will be open from 7:00am to 8:00pm.

To find a sample ballot, your polling location, and a list of FAQs, check here or here.

The Michigan League of Women Voters has a voter guide for Michigan issues here and a very helpful FAQ (especially for new voters).

The Citizen’s Research Council of Michigan has non-partisan information on the ballot proposals.

University of Michigan Regent’s Candidates are listed here.

Voting Tips for College Students
Publius.org has a great site on voting tips for college students. Don’t get caught unprepared at the polls, especially if this is your first time voting. Read the information now so you aren’t surprised later.

The .pdf file called City of Ann Arbor Voter Tips and Polling Location Information has a lot of helpful information.

Absentee Ballots
If you fit certain criteria (60 or older, unable to vote without assistance, expecting to be out of town, unable to attend due to religious reasons, in jail awaiting arraignment or trial, or working as an election inspector), you can do absentee voting. Your request for an absent voter ballot must be in writing and can be submitted to your city or township clerk no later than 2 pm the Saturday before the election. For detailed information, click here. (Note that if something should happen to you after Saturday and before the election that prevents you from voting, you can get an emergency absentee ballot from your clerk.)

Comment [12]

Regional

Chelsea High removes student newspaper advisor

Posted by Murph on 23. October 2008

The Ann Arbor News notes that Chelsea School District Superintendent Dave Killips has removed the student newspaper’s long-term advisor, English teacher Phil Jones. Jones said the removal followed a private meeting in he criticized the Superintendent over long-running questions of editorial control of The Bleu Print by the school administration. While not advising the newspaper, Jones will remain an English teacher at Chelsea High School.

The new dispute between the student-run newspaper and the administration follows an incident in October 2006 when then-Principal Ron Mead ordered the removal of what he called a “one-sided’‘ story about alleged preferential treatment of Chelsea High School football players by area police.

After that incident, the school’s administration used prior review to monitor the paper and its articles before the paper was printed. On at least one occasion, the paper was not printed because the student journalists had no stories to replace ones that were deemed objectionable.

Then in the spring of 2008, Mead said that poor budget conditions meant that he had to cancel the class that produced the paper. Mead said the move was not related to the previous incidents. In an article in The Ann Arbor News at that time, Jones agreed that it wasn’t related, but said there had been continuing friction between the students and Mead.

Students were able to keep the paper going by forming an independent study class, supervised by Jones.

An A2News article from March 20, 2008, cites Jones as saying that he understand that budgetary constraints were the reason for removing the journalism class, but he criticized the administration’s treatment of the paper at that time by saying, “I encourage the kids to try to take chances, but that’s been beaten out of them. The paper is now pretty bland.”

(Disclosure: this blogger was on the Bleu Print’s staff in 1997, while a student at CHS, and notes that tensions related to administration oversight of the paper existed at that time as well.)

Comment [5]

City Council

City Council: Brownfield Plans

Posted by Juliew on 20. October 2008

Monday, October 20 at 7:00 pm.
Agenda

Highlights:

• Resolutions to approve Maple Shoppes planned project and brownfield plan (ALDI foods site proposal on the corner of Dexter and Maple)
• Resolutions to approve 601 Forest site plan, development agreement, and brownfield plan (the new and improved version)
• Resolution to approve MichiGinns project brownfield plan (site of the former Michigan Inn on Jackson Rd)
• Approve allocation of $250,000.00 to fund a two-year supportive housing services pilot project
• Resolution to approve the conversion of Ann Street between 5th Ave. and Division St. to one way (eastbound) to accommodate police-courts building construction

Comment [3]

Events

Election '08's Impact on Michigan: The Candidates' Positions on Energy, the Environment, and the Economy

Posted by Juliew on 13. October 2008

Town Hall Forum
Tuesday, October 14, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Rackham Amphitheater
915 E. Washington St. Ann Arbor

The panel discussion will feature experts in the environment, energy, and economics for a discussion on how the policies of the presidential candidates will impact Michigan. They will be joined by advocates for both the Obama and McCain campaigns. Listen to the discussion, and ask your questions.

Panelists—
Democratic surrogate: Mark Brewer – State Democratic Party chair
Republican surrogate: Joe Schwarz – Former Congressman (Michigan 7th District)
Economy expert: Charles L. Ballard – Professor of Economics at MSU, Author of Michigan’s Economic Future
Energy expert: Carl Simon – Director of the U of M Center for the Study of Complex Systems, Professor of Public Policy, U of M
Environment expert: Ted Parson – Professor of Natural Resources and Environment and Professor of Law, U of M
Moderator: Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s Senior Political Analyst

The forum will be live-streamed on MichiganRadio.org. The event is free and open to the public, though registration is required. Click here to reserve your space.

The event is co-sponsored by the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, and Michigan Radio (91.7 WUOM in Ann Arbor)

Comment [4]

Local

Food Gatherers sees staggering demand for services

Posted by Juliew on 9. October 2008

AU Reader Clarence William Cromwell submitted the following:

Food Gatherers marked its 20th anniversary last weekend with little fanfare, as its staff and thousands of volunteers strain to keep up with requests for help from Washtenaw County residents.

• Read More »

City Council

City Council: 601 Forest?

Posted by Juliew on 6. October 2008

Monday, October 6 at 7:00 pm.
Agenda

Highlights:

• Resolutions to approve African-American cultural museum
• Approvals of changes to Chapters 47, 55, 57 and 62 to provide improved regulation of development on parcels that are created through the land division process
• Resolution to Approve 601 Forest Site Plan and Development Agreement (may be postponed due to changes in the proposal)
• Request from Habana, L.L.C. for a new brew pub liquor license for Habana and Blue Tractor Cook Shop
• Revisting the plastic carry-out bags ordinance
• Rezoning for City Place proposal (407-437 South Fifth Avenue) from R4C to PUD

Comment [9]

Events

Fire Department Open House Sunday, October 5

Posted by Juliew on 5. October 2008

This fun event for Fire Safety Prevention Week is Sunday, October 5 from 1:00-3:00pm at Station #1 (111 N. 5th Ave across from City Hall). The festivities include:

• Fire Safety Presentations
• Smoke House
• Cogs the Fire Safety Robot
• Hazmat & Technical Rescue Team
• Face Painting
• Snacks & Goodie Bags
• Up close looks at cool fire trucks!

Also visit the following fire stations on their open house days from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Station #3 – 2130 Jackson Ave. – Monday, October 6
Station #4 – 2415 Huron Pkwy – Tuesday, October 7
Station #5 – 1946 Beal Ave – Wednesday, October 8
Station #6 – 1881 Briarwood – Thursday, October 9

Comment [1]