Arbor Update

Environment

Chemical Plant Explosion

Posted by MarkDilley on 10. August 2005

Urgent news, in Romulus Michigan currently, is a massive fire at a chemical plant at Wayne and Vanborn roads…

Comment [8]

Purple People Mover

Posted by Scott Trudeau on 8. August 2005

AATA’s purple people mover, the Link, will be back in action August 29th. I Arbored Ann says:

The Link is back. And it’s linking a few more places than before. From The Ann Arbor News:
‘The Link buses will run their entire route from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and will serve just Oxford Housing, Trotter House and U-M Central Campus from 6-11 p.m. A U-M bus will still serve Oxford Housing and Trotter House from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Friday.’

Ann Arbor News: Link bus gets a reprieve

Comment [1]

Local

SafeHouse Auction

Posted by Scott Trudeau on 8. August 2005

SafeHouse, a Washtenaw County non-profit, is hosting an online auction fundraiser.

SafeHouse Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault in Washtenaw County, Michigan. SafeHouse provides free and confidential services for any person victimized that lives or works in Washtenaw County. Our programs include counseling, court accompaniment, information and referrals, emergency shelter and personal advocacy.

A good cause. You know you were going to spend $1,500 on that Lake Erie Trawler Trek, anyway.

Local

City to discuss limits on early lease renewals?

Posted by Murph on 8. August 2005

Resurrecting a topic that was mentioned here in March, the Ann Arbor News reports that Mayor Hieftje has asked city staff to consider an ordinance to limit how early lease renewals are allowed. The new rules would address concerns that renters (particularly students) are pressured into signing lease extensions too early in existing lease, forcing hasty housing decisions.

Both the News article and previous discussion on this site note that the “pressure” put on tenants to renew early is not necessarily directly generated by landlords, but is in part a function of early lease-seekers (and willingness by landlords to cater to those potential tenants) threatening to sign housing out from under the current tenants. Unintended consequences have also been discussed, such as time limits on lease signing setting up stampede conditions on the day that leases become available.

Edit, 9 Aug, 9:30am: Added text of Madison’s lease renewal ordinance to the site library, thanks to Marc R.

Comment [32]

Local

The New Folk Sounds of Ann Arbor

Posted by Brandon on 6. August 2005

Well, all those protests in the Sixties, what was it all for?
An Easy Rider poster and a corporate bookstore
And they know at the old home office how those old highways can be
Cuz that’s where expansion’s happening so everyone can see

Your megastore from the highway, pull off their SUV,
Roll it down the exit ramp to where they want to be
And they can stock up on self-help books, and HBO DVDs
And know those were their choices and that they are truly free

Well now I don’t wanna end up nearing middle age
Nearing middle management and locking my own cage
And floating like a spectre through another dusty day
And wondering what could have been if I’d thought to go a different way

Well this town is really beautiful sometimes just from afar
But I can’t get around here without driving in my car
And all the corporate chains can wrap themselves around this town
But it will take more than Frappucino to break my spirit down

Well now I don’t wanna end up nearing middle age
Nearing middle management and locking my own cage
And floating like a spectre through another dusty day
And wondering what could have been if I’d thought to go a different way

-”Young Peoples’ Liaison,” from All the Arms We Need, Actual Birds, 2005

Comment [3]

Local

Crime wave in south student neighborhood?

Posted by Murph on 5. August 2005

The Ann Arbor News reported Wednesday that three recent robberies in the neighborhood south of campus were believed related, and two more appear to have occurred early this morning. From the News, Police investigate spate of robberies:

Police have received five reports of street robberies since July 23 and believe three of the incidents were committed by the same men, Detective Sgt. Richard Kinsey said.

The most recent occurred Tuesday night when a 22-year-old man was assaulted and robbed on his porch while he was smoking a cigarette. The victim, who lives in the 1100 block of South Forest Avenue, told police he was approached by four men just before midnight, and one began asking questions.

He said the man asked if he had cigarettes, a drink or money before suddenly striking him in the head, reports said. The resident said he was knocked to the ground, the man pulled his wallet from his back pocket and the four men ran off together, reports said. He had minor injuries.

“These are bully crimes and really make me mad,’’ Kinsey said. “They’re not even getting much from these victims – $10 or $20. People have a right to walk down the street at night, and we’re declaring war on these thugs.’’

The two other similar street robberies occurred Monday on Hill Street and July 23 on Packard Street.

The current incident log from DPS includes a pair of items that look similar:

8/5/2005 1:24:48 AM Assist other agency (cad # 52170017)
—PACKARD

Officers assisted the Ann Arbor Police in investigation an assault. Units searched for four black males wearing white tank tops. The subjects had punched a person in the face and fled.

8/5/2005 1:58:09 AM Assist other agency (cad # 52170023)
—400 BLOCK OF STATE

Officers assisted the Ann Arbor Police in investigation a strong-arm robbery. Units searched for five black males. The subjects punched a person and took money. A K-9 unit checked the area, but was UTL subjects.

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call the Ann Arbor Police tip line at (734) 996-3199.

Update, 6 Aug, 2pm: Two more News articles; looks like “400 block of State” means North State:

> 5 August, Group suspected in pair of campus-area attacks
> 6 August, Reward offered in investigation of strong-armed thefts

Comment [4]

Local

1st Ward Dems meet to discuss Groome succession

Posted by Murph on 5. August 2005

About 25 people met tonight to discuss the process of replacing Kim Groome on City Council and to talk to two people interested in filling the seat – Bill Hanson (former Director of the Washtenaw Land Trust) and Tim Colenback (Assistant Dean, UM School of Social Work). Jennifer Hall, Chair of the Planning Commission, had also announced interest, but is currently out of the country, and there are hopes of a better publicized “meet the candidates” meeting with all three once Groome’s resignation is official. More info on the replacement process and the two candidates present after the cut.

Comment [24] • Read More »

Local

Starbucks fires union organizer

Posted by MarkDilley on 5. August 2005

Continue the community pressure at the Sbux Location where union member, Sarah Bender, was unjustly fired on May 28th.

Shall we start to consider starting something here around this issue?

via IWW

Comment [4]

Local

People that live in tall buildings in A2

Posted by MarkDilley on 3. August 2005

Some residents of one of the taller buildings in downtown Ann Arbor are complaining about plans to build a proposed high-rise nearby that they say will block their views…

but more importantly, as we all know what is the most important:

...hurt the property values of their condos.

via Ann Arbor News

tx jenny

Comment [35]

Culture

Michigan Film Fest a Success - Rival Fest a Flop

Posted by MarkDilley on 3. August 2005

“Filmmaker Michael Moore called the film festival he conceived with other film enthusiasts a huge success, and it’s hard to argue the point when most of the films were sold out.”

via Moxie Grrrl