The Michigan Daily - Monday, August 1, 2005 - 3 Where they stand: City Council candidates Four Democratic contenders face off in Tuesday's primary election for seats on Ann Arbor City Council in the second and fourth city wards S E C O N D Eugene Kang If LSA senior Eugene Kang wins the primary he will be one step closer to becoming the first University student elected to the City Council in 30 years. The life-long Ann Arbor resident said he has been dissatisfied with the relationship he has seen between City Council and students, and that "stu- dents don't feel like they have a place to be venting." Kang said some Ann Arbor residents think that because students are not like- ly to live in the city after college, their opinions are changing and they are not rooted into the city. Kang said individ- ual students may come and go, but their concerns remain. "Student issues will stay even though student names may change," Kang said. Kang said that City Council needs a progressive, proactive and bold member, and while Rapundalo has Stephen Rapundalo Stephen Rapundalo, an 18-year resi- dent of Ann Arbor and research scientist at Pfizer Inc. is seeking to represent the Second Ward for Ann Arbor City Council in Tuesday's primary election. Rapundalo, a former GOP mayoral candidate said he became aDemocrat this year because he shares more views with Democrats, especially on social issues. Rapundalo said he agrees with most Democrats on the City Council because they are centrist and pragmatic like him. Rapundalo enters the primary having served on the Parks Advisory Commis- sion and the Sanitary Sewer Overflow Advisory Task Force. These experiences may motivate people to vote for him, Rapundalo said. Rapundalo said that Kang, his opponent, can be vague when addressing city issues, and that his "naivet6" or lack of informa- tion may explain this. Rapundalo said "ideas have to be root- the support of most of the council, he is not necessarily the best option for the city. Kang said he believes that greater downtown density is good, and in order to address affordable housing the city needs to focus elsewhere in the city. He said that utilizing under- developed properties or areas around Ann Arbor is necessary. Kang also opposes a city income tax. Eric Lipson Eric Lipson, an attorney and Ann Arbor resident for three decades, is seeking the Democratic nomination against Higgins in the Fourth Ward. Lipson has previous work experi- ence in Student Legal Services and currently serves on the City Planning Commission. Lipson said he was motivated to run for City Council after he and others on his street contacted Higgins when they wanted to have traffic calmed on Rose- wood Street. He said Higgins was not very responsive. "She has not been a person who has instituted a lot of change," Lipson said. Lipson said he sympathizes with students and feels that items pertain- ing to them should not be introduced or passed when most students are gone during the summer. While working for SLS, he fought Marcia Higgins Marcia Higgins is running for a fourth term in the Fourth Ward. She is an administrative assistant at Borders bookstore and a former Republican candidate for mayor. Higgins said that a lot of the things that she has been working on while serving City Council are just coming to fruition and she would like to see them through. Higgins said she wants to improve the city's "archaic" and prohibiting zoning laws. While on the council, Higgins said she has been proud of her contribu- tions to the visioning for downtown, and her deciding vote that approved an Environmental Commission. With the support of council mem- bers, she switched to the Democrat- ic Party after winning her third term in the Fourth Ward. Higgins said she made the switch because she agaiist lanuiorus woo ne saiu were not keeping promises made to tenants and providing substandard housing. Lipson said that he supports public transportation and making the city more bike-friendly. Lipson said he wants simpler down- town zoning to allow for mixed-use developments and that he will approach the idea of a city income tax with an open mind. F 0 U R T H w A R D A- R D ed in some real-life experiences," and that his opponent, Eugene Kang, "simply does not have that experience." Rapundalo said City Council has "failed, in general, to reach out to its con- stituents." He also said he sympathizes with University students and wants to encourage and strengthen communication between students and City Council. Rapundalo said he admires certain council members, but does not identify with any because he has always consid- ered himself an independent thinker. is very moderate and found herself identifying more with Democrats on certain issues. Higgins said she recognizes that students may not feel engaged in city government, but it is frustrating for City Council as well, because they do not know how to get stu- dents more active. When students approach her with their concerns and problems Hig- gins said that she listens and works with them to find solutions. s Editor; EK, EL, MH Photos by Mike Hulsebus/Daily; SR File Photo aiiiuncinai 7g our irst annual Fake Hdfowtst! Try to find the "fake ad" in today's paper. If you think you have found the ad, e-mail your guess (with the name and page number of the ad) to: display@michigandaily.com (Subject: Fake Ad Contest) Contest sponsored by Papa John's Pizza. Winner will receive 1 Free Large, Specialty Pizza for 6 months! 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