2f - Fall 2014 Ann A rbv r

The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com

TOWN-GOWN
City Councilmembers F
requestremovalofsign

Taylor, Teall and or the transformation of old bill-
boards into digital ones.
Higgins call for Taylor said he and the other
supporters are going to suggest
'U' to be more that the University discontinue
use of the billboard off East Sta-
neighborly dium Boulevard because it can be
distracting to drivers.
By MATTHEW JACKONEN "We are going to request they
Daily StaffReporter ... either decommission the bill-
board, or, if they decline to do
OCT. 22, 2013 - Certain mem- that, to limit itsusage to events at
bers of the Ann Arbor City Coun- Crisler Center or Michigan Sta-
cil hope to see the new digital dium," he said.
billboard at Michigan Stadium Though Taylor noted he is
shut off - at least partially. aware of the University's "approl
Monday night, Councilmem- priate" autonomy from the city,
ber Christopher Taylor (D-Ward he still hopes they will at least
3) announced he, Margie Teall understand the issue at hand.
(D-Ward 4) and Marcia Higgins "In my view, complying with
(D-Ward 4) will bring forward a this request does not undermine
request to discontinue the East their autonomy and would be a
Stadium Drive digital billboard neighborly act," Taylor said.
at the next council meeting on Councilmember Sabra Bri-
Nov. 7. ere (D-Ward 1) echoed Taylor's
In June, City Council passed concerns for the safety of resi-
an amendment to the existing dents who may be distracted by
outdoor advertising ordinance the board while driving but said
that prohibits the introduction she disagrees with Taylor in the
of digital billboards into the city hours the board should be turned

off.
"It's most distracting at the
times when there's the most traf-
fic in the area, both pedestrian
and vehicular, and that's just
before games," Briere said. "Some
members of council were think-
ing in terms of allowing it to be
lit just before games. I don't have
a strong view of how distracting
it is on a regular basis, but I can
tell you when I've driven by it, it's
distracting."
Jim Kosteva, the University's
director of community relations,
said ina statement that while the
University respects the council
members' opinions, it maintains
that the sign doesn't pose a safety
threat.
"This may simply be a matter
of the city and University dis-
agreeing about the marquee's
use, size and effect," Kosteva said
in the statement. "We believe
the marquee can safely inform
patrons about events that they
or their families might enjoy that
wouldn't receive attention other-
wise."

Mayoral candidate Chris Taylor (0-Ward 3) participates in a forum held by the Ann Arbor Democratic Party on June 14,
2014 alongside fellow councilmembers Sally Petersen (D-Ward 2) and Steyhen Kunselman (0-Ward 3).
Mayralcan didatesto
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MAYORAL RACE
Town-gown relationship, city
planning discussed at forum

By EMMA KERR
Daily Staff Reporter

JUNE 14, 201
August primary
all four Democr
candidates gather
morning for a foru
Ann Arbor Democ
debate several of t
in the upcoming el
Current mayor
(D) is not seekin
making this the fi
years that there h
incumbent runnin
tion and producing
competitive race
four Democraticc
City Council me
Briere (D-Ward
Kunselman (D-W
Hart Petersen (D-
Christopher Taylor
- vying for the sea
As well, there ar
Republicans runni:
giving the primar
importance becau
wins will likely not
nent in the gene
barring inde-
pendent or write
in campaigns.
Topics at the
forum ranged
from basic
background
information, to
questions about
the University's
relationship
with the city
and concerns
about down-
town develop-
ment and the lack
housing. Two
themes presented
how would the ele
goals for the city d
parison with Hieftj
and how did each c
oritize the unique
Ann Arbor citizen?
As members o
party, the candidat
what similar object
strategies variedt
cially when it cam
current policy fram
While Taylor e
belief that the city,
Hieftje's leadershi
on the right track,
dates, particularly
expressed the need
tion.
Several candi
argued that two
formed within City
within the race -
stand with current
tje's policies, and
don't.
During the de
condemned this at
asked candidates to
current election, n
sions.
"I don't belong t

4 - As the
approaches,
atic mayoral
ed Saturday
m held by the
ratic Party to
he key issues
ection.
John Hieftje
ig reelection,
rst time in 14
asn't been an
g for the posi-
an especially
between the
candidates -
mmbers Sabra
1), Stephen
ard 3), Sally
Ward 2) and
r (D-Ward 3)
t.
e currently no
ng for mayor,
y heightened
ise whoever
face an oppo-
ral election,

Briere said. "John (Hieftje) is
gone and we should get over it.
Now we look at the future. As
much as we may like John or
agree with his policies, I'm not
running against John and I'm
not running to beat John."
As Briere emphasized her
long history of maintaining an
open minded, representative
perspective on issues before the
Council, Petersen discussed her
vision for improving Ann Arbor
through her relatively newer,
unique perspective by taking the
city ina different direction. This
is Petersen's first term on City
Council, and Briere's fourth.
Kunselman and Taylor are serv-
ing their fourth and third terms,
respectively.
"I am running for mayor in
order to bring new leadership
and a new plan to Ann Arbor
that will transform the econom-
ic growth ahead of us into much
needed revenue to pay for our
priorities," Petersen said.
One of these priorities, she
added, will be to create a more
open and cooperative relation-

understand."
Candidates
importance of
the downtowi
rounding neig
While Brie
improvements
benefit neig
therefore sho
ority, Kunsel
more infrast
approach, pro
maintained n
roads first bef,
town needs. Pe
remained mor
stance on eith
or pro neighbc
ing the needt
groups, instea
of one or theo
The need fo
ing, a concern
discussed for
continues to
problem in the
one of the me
issues of thej
multiple diffe
candidates.
Briere argt

"They are going to kill the goose
that laid the golden egg, because
all these amenities downtown
are going to be nothing but a
student food court"
of affordable ship between the University and Kunselman sa
overarching the city. Instead of asking for would focus o
themselves: measures such as the controver- Housing Coi
cted mayor's sial payment in lieu of taxes pro- taining those
liffer in com- gram, which has been brought attempting to
e's objectives, up by city officials several times possible, in low
andidate pri- as a solution to the tax revenue areas instead'
needs of each the city loses every time the location. Pete
University buys property and it sized the neei
f the same -becomes tax exempt, Petersen able housing a
es had some- said the city needed to create a as mayor she h
ives, but their dialogue with the University to fy the idea oft
widely, espe- address these kinds of issues. near other neil
e to the city's Other candidates leaned more Taylor said
eworks. towards a focus on represent- able housingpr
xpressed the ing the non-University portions students, andp
under Mayor of the city and prioritizing the izing investor
p, is already needs of local, voting citizens, able housing d
other candi- emphasizing a different kind of of student hou
Kunselman, cooperation from the University. Candidates
I for redirec- "We certainly need to have a inspiring com
Board of Regents that is cogni- ment and theI
dates also zant that if they keep growing of Main St., b
parties have and buying Ann Arbor city prop- ized transpor
Council and erty, they are going to kill the Council's re
- those who goose that laid the golden egg the Downtov
mayor Hief- because all of these amenities Authority, an
those who downtown are going to be noth- ther utilize th
ing but a student food court," resource to the
bate, Briere Kunselman said. development.
pproach, and Taylor encouraged this same The Ann A
focus on the sort of education and awareness mayoral prim
ot past divi- from the University. Aug. 5. Five a
"They (the University) are not between cand
to a faction," evil," he said. "They just don't uled within th

also debated the
prioritizing either
n area, or its sur-
hborhoods.
ere argued that
downtown will
hborhoods and
uld be the pri-
man preferred a
tructure focused
viding safe, well
eighborhoods and
ore funding down-
etersen and Taylor
*e neutral in their
er pro downtown
orhood, emphasiz-
to work with both
d of being in favor
ther.
r affordable hous-
City Council has
years and which
be an unsolved
e city, proved to be
ost differentiating
morning, eliciting
rent stances from
ued that Council
needs to reach
out to other
entities in order
to fund work-
force housing
to achieve what
she believes is a
necessary goal
while not tak-
ing money away
from roads,
parks, police,
and other
necessities.
In contrast,
aid as mayor, he
n the Ann Arbor
mmission, main-
residences and
create more, if
ver-cost real estate
of on a downtown
rsen also empha-
d to make afford-
priority, and said
oped to de-mysti-
affordable housing
ghborhoods.
part of the afford-
roblem stems from
proposed incentiv-
s to build afford-
lowntown instead
sing.
also discussed
mercial develop-
possible re-zoning
better non-motor-
rtation, the City
lationship with
wn Development
d how to fur-
e University as a
city's growth and
rbor Democratic
ary will be held
dditional debates
idates are sched-
e next few weeks.

By EMMA KERR
Daily StaffReporter
JAN. 28, 2014 - Four candi-
dates have declared for the Ann
Arbor mayoral race of 2014, and
though they all identify as Dem-
ocrats, their personalities, the
issues they plan to emphasize
and the way they plan to interact
with the University all differ.
Each candidate has a connec-
tion to Ann Arbor, whether it be
academic or personal, and each
has varying degrees of support
for current Mayor John Hieftje
(D) and experience as an elected
member of the City Council.
Councilmember Christopher
Taylor (D-Ward 3) attended the
University for 12 years, earn-
ing degrees
in vocal per-
formance,
English and "For ma
history and
finally attend- is w
ing the Law
School. His w hat th
background
has led him don't m
to explore
his long-term
interest in
governmentA
and politics
through the City Council.
Working as a transactional
lawyer, Taylor believes he has an
ability to work well with people
in opposition to one another.
Since his election to the City
Council in 2008 - when he
defeated Stephen Kunselman
(D-Ward 3), another current
councilmember now running fori-
mayor - Taylor has focused on a
few key issues in preservingAnn
Arbor's character while still
being open to innovation.
"Ann Arbor is a place where
there is tremendous opportu-
nity but there is also a value in
its character," Taylor said. "It
will be important that the next
mayor focuses on transporta-
tion, stability and trying to
ensure that we have the kind of
modest growth that will enable
us to attract and keep young
people in the city."
While Hieftje has yet to
endorse any candidate, Taylor's
voting history is very similar to
the mayor's.
Councilmember Sally Peters-
en (D-Ward 2) categorized the
candidates asbeingin supportor
opposed to the mayor's policies.
Petersen, in contrast to Taylor,
is an infrequent supporter of the
mayor. She attended Williams
College and Harvard Business
School and has been on the City
Council for more than a year.
Although she and Kunselman
have been in agreement on many
of the issues that have appeared
in the City Council over the past
year, Petersen said their person-
alities differ greatly.
"He seems to be at odds with
the mayor quite a bit," Petersen
said. "Steve and I actually tend
to vote very similarly, but it's
not because I'm voting against
the mayor, it's because I really
believe in the issue. His tem-
perament is very different from
mine - I like to consider myself
very diplomatic and collabora-
tive. He likes the argument."
While Petersen is currently
a stay-at-home mom, her back-
ground includes a focus on busi-

ness and customer concerns,
traits she said are highly trans-
ferable to the position of mayor.
Although Petersen and Taylor
do not seem to be in agreement
on all past City Council issues,

she id
similar
citingt
pedest
"Wi
our ten
ilar. H
the mt
avery
I will:
pragm
Pete
relatin
cil exp
candid
"Th
I've or
over a
Arbor,
elected
twice 1
fny p
don
ley a
vant1
und
rent m;
ed."
The
Counc
(D-Wx
experi
and he
the co
citizen
Aral ca
"I a
people
Briere
have li
all ove
start th
what I
the cor

entifies herself as being reducing opportunities for tax
r in personality to Taylor, revenue in Ann Arbor amidst
the recent decisions in the downsizing within the city
rian crossing ordinance. given the recent economic envi-
th Chris Taylor, I think ronment.
mperaments are very sim- "The University is not con-
e tends to vote more like cerned about students; they are
ayor and he tends to have concerned about the University,
idealistic approach,which andthe Universityincludestheir
say is not always the most physical plant, what they build,
atic approach," she said. where they build it," Briere said.
ersen addressed concerns "It includes their athletic activi-
g to her lack of City Coun- ties, it includes maintenance of
perience relative to other the existing physical plant and
lates. it includes their various revenue
ere may be a concern that sources, but it's not about the
sly been on Council for city and the students."
year now, but I love Ann Kunselman echoed similar
Petersen said. "If I am views, adding that the Univer-
d mayor, I will have had sity tends to operate like a busi-
the experience as the cur- ness enterprise.
Kunsel-
man, an Ann
Arbor native
eople, their shorthand and Universi-
ty alum, said
t want students he's disap-
painted with
re really saying is we the political
insincerity
beer pong, and I can and dishon-
esty he said
erstand that" he has wit-
nessed in Ann
1 ; illc He
i e hopes
ayor when he was elect- to restore a sense of trust in local
government, which will, in his
fourth candidate, opinion, translate to a more pos-
ilmember Sabra Briere itive relationship .between the
ard 1), said her years of city and the University.
ence on the City Council "You're not'goingtogetadime
r years spent focusing on from the 'U.' There's already
incerns and opinions of a lot of existing collaboration
s makes her the best may- between the University and the
ndidate. city so there's not much more
m open to working with that you can do there. But what
with whom I disagree," has been missing is trust," Kun-
said. "That means that I selman said. "The Universityhas
earned from people from a very high standard for reputa-
er this community who tion, so if the government is not
he conversation telling me trusted, why would they want to
'm doing wrong, and leave be in the same room with it?"
rnversation knominz thev In reeads tohis only loss in

4

I

I

I

VIRGINIA LOZANO/Daily
Mayoral candidate and councilmember Sabra Briere (D-Ward 1) speaks at a
forum on June 14, 2014.

have been listened to. And I have
been told that is unique from all
of the other people running."
When it comes to the Univer-
sity, each councilmember hopes
to establish strong relation-
ships with the school in spite of
some competing interests. As
for expanding campus outward,
Ann Arbor residents often voice
concerns that their traditional,
family-based neighborhoods
could be in danger of a student
takeover.
"It is not, however, because of
the people in the building," Bri-
ere said. "But for many people,
their shorthand is we don't want
students because what they are
really saying is we don't want
beer pong, and I can understand
that."
The expanding Universityhas
increased tensions with the city,

his six runs for City Council,
Kunselman said his and Taylor's
politics and personality still dif-
fer for this election.
"That grudge is still out
there," Kunselman said. "There
is a contingent of peoplethat feel
they are better than the rest of
us."
As a University employ-
ee, Kunselman has a unique
approach to University and city
relations. He has also empha-
sized his intentions to make Ann
Arbor a more fiscally respon-
sible and practical city.
"Local government has con-
tracted in the past few years,"
Kunselman said. "It's going be
a slow road to get back some
of that because obviously gov-
ernment finance is much more
constrained than it has been in
years past."

I