Arbor Update

Ann Arbor Area Community News

Late-breaking write-in news: 22nd Circuit Court, 7th District Representative

Posted by Murph on 7. November 2006

A few write-in campaigns were brought to my attention today.

22nd Circuit Court

First, reader Srini asks,

There are usually no one opposing any incumbent judge in Washtenaw county. What is the reason for it? There is a write in candidate for 22nd Circuit court judge position. Is the new media (meaning web) going to help these write in candidates?

www.a2buzz.org has details about this election.

What are arborupdate readers’ thoughts on this subject.

7th Congressional District

Second, my mother just now asked me what I knew about US Rep Joe Schwarz’ status as a write-in candidate for the 7th Congressional District. (Answer: nothing.) Widely respected moderate Republican Schwarz lost a primary upset to conservative Tim Walberg, who attacked Schwarz’ bipartisan record as “too liberal”. With many uninspired by Walberg’s Democratic opponent, Sharon Renier, the Ann Arbor News has refused to endorse either candidate in that race, and the DetNews skipped Walberg for the longshot Libertarian candidate, Hutchinson. Schwarz was convinced by supporters to file a write-in application on Friday so that their votes would be counted.

Comment [12]

Election 2006: State Supreme Court

Posted by Juliew on 7. November 2006

State Supreme Court (vote for two)
Jane M. Beckering (Nominated by Democratic Party)
Michael F. Cavanagh (Nominated by Democratic Party)
Maura Denise Corrigan (Nominated by Republican Party)
Kerry L. Morgan (Nominated by Libertarian Party)
Marc Shulman (Nominated by Republican Party)

Comment [5]

Election 2006: Proposal 5

Posted by Juliew on 6. November 2006

Last, but not least.

Proposal 06-5
A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO ESTABLISH MANDATORY SCHOOL FUNDING LEVELS

The proposed law would:

  • Increase current funding by approximately $565 million and require State to provide annual funding increases equal to the rate of inflation for public schools, intermediate school districts, community colleges, and higher education (includes state universities and financial aid/grant programs).
  • Require State to fund any deficiencies from General Fund.
  • Base funding for school districts with a declining enrollment on three-year student enrollment average.
  • Reduce and cap retirement fund contribution paid by public schools, community colleges and state universities; shift remaining portion to state.
  • Reduce funding gap between school districts receiving basic per-pupil foundation allowance and those receiving maximum foundation allowance.

Comment [2]

Election 2006: Proposal 4

Posted by Juliew on 6. November 2006

Proposal 06-4
A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROHIBIT GOVERNMENT FROM TAKING PRIVATE PROPERTY BY EMINENT DOMAIN FOR CERTAIN PRIVATE PURPOSES

The proposed constitutional amendment would:

  • Prohibit government from taking private property for transfer to another private individual or business for purposes of economic development or increasing tax revenue.
  • Provide that if an individual’s principal residence is taken by government for public use, the individual must be paid at least 125% of property’s fair market value.
  • Require government that takes a private property to demonstrate that the taking is for a public use; if taken to eliminate blight, require a higher standard of proof to demonstrate that the taking of that property is for a public use.
  • Preserve existing rights of property owners.

Comment [9]

Polhemus on the Move

Posted by Dale Winling on 5. November 2006

The long-awaited move of the Polhemus House from East Washington St. is underway. Scheduled to take 6 hours according to workers on-site, operations commenced at 7 am. However, as of 9:30am, the house was stalled on Huron, approaching the intersection with Fifth Ave.

The house, supported by a grid of steel I-beams, seems to be transported by a self-powered lift with individually turning sets of wheels. The house turned too wide from Division onto Huron and brushed up against trees on the north side of Huron. City workers in cherry pickers were dispatched to cut off branches so that the house could pass by. Additional workers continue to prepare the rest of the house’s path to Pontiac Trail.

Comment [12] • Read More »

leaf pickup schedule

Posted by Bruce Fields on 4. November 2006

leaf pile
Edward Vielmetti saves us from a gap in our leaf coverage:

This year’s leaf pickup schedule can be found here.

There was a discussion on our neighborhood email list about it, so I’m guessing that people all over town are kind of wondering when to expect the street sweeping trucks and front end loaders to appear.

from your embedded micro-correspondent,

Ed

Comment [2]

Election 2006: Proposal 3

Posted by Juliew on 4. November 2006

Proposal 06-3
A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 160 OF 2004 – AN ACT TO ALLOW THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HUNTING SEASON FOR MOURNING DOVES

Public Act 160 of 2004 would:

  • Authorize the Natural Resources Commission to establish a hunting season for mourning doves.
  • Require a mourning dove hunter to have a small game license and a $2.00 mourning dove stamp.
  • Stipulate that revenue from the stamp must be split evenly between the Game and Fish Protection Fund and the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund.
  • Require the Department of Natural Resources to address responsible mourning dove hunting; management practices for the propagation of mourning doves; and participation in mourning dove hunting by youth, the elderly and the disabled in the Department’s annual hunting guide.

Comment [14]

Election 2006: Proposal 2

Posted by Juliew on 3. November 2006

Proposal 2 is the most highly contested and publicized of the five ballot proposals.

Proposal 06-2
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO BAN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAMS THAT GIVE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS BASED ON THEIR RACE, GENDER, COLOR, ETHNICITY OR NATIONAL ORIGIN FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION OR CONTRACTING PURPOSES

The proposed constitutional amendment would:

  • Ban public institutions from using affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin for public employment, education or contracting purposes. Public institutions affected by the proposal include state government, local governments, public colleges and universities, community colleges and school districts.
  • Prohibit public institutions from discriminating against groups or individuals due to their gender, ethnicity, race, color or national origin. (A separate provision of the state constitution already prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin.)

If you believe in Affirmative Action as a tool to address discrimination, vote NO.

If you don’t believe in Affirmative Action, vote Yes.

Comment [135]

Big George's - ''Local Jobs for Local People?''

Posted by MarkDilley on 2. November 2006

There was a Picket Line this morning at the Big George’s appliance store expansion construction. They had signs that said “Local Jobs for Local People”, but I don’t really know what the details are. It would be interesting to know if other readers knew more about it.

Steve sent this in via email, does anyone know what this is about?

Comment [3]

Election 2006: Proposal 1

Posted by Juliew on 1. November 2006

The following text was taken primarily from the Nonpartisan Michigan Voter Guide sponsored in large part by the League of Women Voters.

Proposal 06-1
A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE THAT MONEY HELD IN CONSERVATION AND RECREATION FUNDS CAN ONLY BE USED FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSES

The proposed constitutional amendment would:

  • Create a Conservation and Recreation Legacy Fund within the Constitution and establish existing conservation and recreation accounts as components of the fund.
  • Use current funding sources such as state park entrance and camping fees; snowmobile, ORV and boating registration fees; hunting and fishing license fees; taxes and other revenues to fund accounts.
  • Establish the current Game and Fish Protection Fund and the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund within the Constitution.
  • Provide that money held in Funds can only be used for specific purposes related to conservation and recreation and cannot be used for any purpose other than those intended.

Implications after the cut:

Comment [10] • Read More »

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