A2PNotes: This is filed under “Scoops & Scores” because you read it here first by P.D. Lesko Collectively, Ann Arbor residents own about 2,000 acres of parkland. A conservative estimate of the value of the land, according to city officials, is anywhere from $600 million to $1.5 billion dollars. Now a question. Barton Pond, Bird [...]
Residents of Ann Arbor have twice defeated attempts to dispose of Huron Hills Golf Course. A2Politico reported on the efforts here, where residents retained a lawyer and alleged that Mayor and Council were breaking the law in attempts to outsource course operations. A2Politico also interviewed a member of the A2P2 neighborhood group formed to combat the [...]
The cash cows who live in Ann Arbor have a record of voting to nickel and dime themselves to death, literally. The city’s property tax bill, thanks to “supplemental” millages, has come to resemble a check in a French restaurant where everything is ala carte. The nickels and dimes have, over the past decade, added [...]
When Ann Arbor resident Ted Annis signs his email messages, he often appends the title “Entrepreneur.” Ted Annis earned a Bachelor of Science from Xavier University in 1964 and an M.B.A. in 1965. Annis is the now retired co-founder of NanoBio, a biological pharmaceutical development company he founded along with James R. Baker, Jr. In November [...]
A2P Notes: I sent the following email to Ann Arbor’s City Council members (Fifth Council members Anglin and Hohnke, John Hieftje, and First Ward Council member Sandi Smith opened and read the email, according to the email program I use that provides receipts), as well as a list of about 400 people who are involved [...]
Honest John Hieftje is a chronic teller of half-truths, and there is never any better chance to see Honest John at his dissembling best as when he’s answering emails from constituents. Watch a video of Hieftje chatting with a constituent here: To borrow from Henny Youngman: Take Huron Hills Golf Course. Please. Someone. To hear Hieftje, [...]
On November 12, 2010, the Ann Arbor Parks Preservation Association (A2P2) group fired a shot over the collective bows of John Hieftje and Ann Arbor City Council. The A2P2 group, in this five page letter prepared on the association’s behalf by attorney Susan E. Morrison, presents one demand: ditch the Miles of Golf proposal to [...]
Be prepared to hear this mantra from certain candidates over the next four months: “We [the city of Ann Arbor] have lost millions of dollars in revenue due to state cuts, the university’s purchase of the Pfizer facility, and massive local property devaluations. As a result, the city must reduce services.” As I wrote on [...]
One of the jobs I had as I worked my way through college was at a very exclusive country club that shall remain anonymous. I worked in the kitchen, and the tots love to hear me tell stories about the members, kitchen staff, and preparing and serving meals to some of the richest people in [...]
As always, with thanks to American lyricist Meredith Wilson: There’s trouble in River City. That’s trouble with a capital T that rhymes with M and that stands for mowing. (chorus) Mowing. Mowing. Mowing. Mowing. I say there’s trouble, right here in River City. That’s trouble with a capital T and that rhymes with P and [...]
