Hello,
This is an update on our First Ward City Council race. A2 News reporters Judy McGovern, Art Aisner and Khalil Hachem cover it in the paper's politics blog and in print, but hey, they don't decide how many column inches they get, right? And they have other Wards to write about. If you like this update, please forward it to a First Ward friend. If elected, I will send out an e-Newsletter to Ward residents similar to this one on a regular basis (minus the election details at left).
If you'd prefer not to receive future updates (once a week until August 5th), email me.
READ ABOUT THE FIRST WARD RACE
You might be interested in the online Voter Guide put together by the local political bloggers at Arbor Update. Arbor Update's well-informed readers submitted what I think are some well-crafted and thoughtful questions ("What will you do to ensure a healthy community where people can live, work, shop and play without depending on their car?"). Sandi Smith and I answered them in writing. Check out the Arbor Update Voter Guide here.
HEARD AROUND THE FIRST WARD:
There's "Room to Grow" Traffic on Pontiac Trail, according to North Sky Developers
On July 21st, Council voted on this item that directly impacts our First Ward:
"An Ordinance to Amend to Chapter 55, Rezoning of 31.77 Acres from
TWP (Township District) and R3 (Townhouse District) to R1D
(Single-Family Dwelling District) and R4A (Multiple-Family Dwelling
District), North Sky, West Side of Pontiac Trail, North of Skydale (CPC
Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas and 0 Nays)"
A motion was made by Councilmember Briere, seconded by Councilmember
Teall, that the Ordinance be Approved on First Reading to the City Council and
should be returned by 7/21/2008. On a voice vote, the Mayor declared the
motion carried.
Enactment No: ORD-08-25
Over the objections of First residents who live near the 30+ acre site off of Pontiac Trail, Council gave its approval for the developer to increase the density of the planned North Sky condo project.
What to do with the Argo Dam?
There is a piece in the Ann Arbor News about challenges Ann Arbor faces managing the Huron River. There is talk of making a white-water rafting park at Argo. Read about it here.
I landed the endorsement of the Sierra Club-Huron Valley Group on July 22nd. If you read my answers to the Sierra Club's candidate questions, you'll find that I wrote at length about the dams, and the challenges the city faces in removing them. I kayak regularly between Argo and Barton dams, and I like the idea of a white-water rafting run at Argo to take advantage of the steep drop there. Such short run, urban, white-water parks are gaining in popularity, and can generate substantial revenue. Check out this piece about it in Money magazine.
I think any and all such revenue generated by our parks ought to be used for our parks. How about you? The other issue related to the removal of Argo dam would be what to do with the reclaimed acres of land bordering the river. Parkland? Condos? Restaurants? Conference center?
ON THE WEB: Check out my blog on Lesko4Council.com. If I am elected, I will continue it. About 150 people read it every day! Close to 200 people have signed up to the receive the First Ward Flyer. I'll continue that, as well, probably monthly, for those First Ward residents who opt in.
CAMPAIGNING: Money. Money. Money.
I walked the far northwest side of the Ward the other day, and talked to about 50 neighbors. Not surprisingly, people were in the mood to talk money. After all, property tax bills just arrived. First off, all of our property tax money doesn't go to the city; 28 cents of every dollar paid does. Next, with 800 employees, Ann Arbor has fewer city workers than it did in 1987; the Mayor brags that he's saving us all $10 million a year. Despite this, Ann Arbor's 2009 budget includes a note from the City Administrator that our City will have a $4-$13 million dollar shortfall in our General Fund in subsequent years.
As did my First Ward neighbors, I have lots and lots of questions about our City's budget.
My first question: So how does Ann Arbor's budget and spending compare to that of another similarly-sized city?
Berkeley, California has 102,000 residents and 44,955 residences. Berkeley's City Council manages a $346 million dollar budget. Download Berkeley's budget here. Sorry, but you'll have to pay to get a copy of Ann Arbor's budget, and go to City Hall to get it. [Note: In case you don't know, FTE means full-time equivalent employee].
| City details & budget items | Ann Arbor, MI | Berkeley, CA |
| Population | 113,000 | 102,000 |
| Residences | 47,000 | 45,000 |
| No. City Employees | 800 FTE | 1,659 FTE |
| 2009 Total city revenue | $409 million | $346 million |
| Total property tax revenue projected for 2009 | $85 million | $37.2 million |
| 2009 General Fund (money allocated to fund city services) | $89 million | $140 million |
| Total city debt | $61 million | $21.4 million |
| Property taxes, assessments & fees for home with a $316,859 assessed value | $8,800 | $4,500 |
| Fire department staffing | 94 FTE | 135 FTE |
| Police department staffing | 206 FTE | 304 FTE |
| Customer service funding | $371,000 | $2.3 million |
| 2009 Park & waterfront funding | $10.3 million | $21.3 million |
| 2009 downtown development funding | $17 million (DDA) | $720,000 |
| 2009 affordable housing funding | $177,718 | $1.5 million |
| Cost for City Administrator's Office (both have 31 full-time employees) | $26.2 million | $4.7 million |
| IT services budget | $7.97 million | $4.2 million |
"ONE VOTE CAST CAN SET A HOUSE RIGHT"
I am participating in a Democratic Party First Ward "Meet the Candidate" forum tonight at 7:30 p.m. Both candidates will be at the Northside Community Center. The building is at 815 Taylor, just off of Pontaic Trail. "One vote cast can set a house right," said Greek tragedian Aeschylus. Come and decide whether or not to cast your one vote for First Ward City Council for me.
Curious about my me? Want to know more before I knock on your door? Click here to download my campaign literature in PDF format.
Like this e-Newsletter? Forward it to a First Ward friend or neighbor.
Write in....Patricia Lesko on August 5th
Keeping Government in OUR Hands