February 7, 2012 - 2:45am
City Council recognizes Inter-Cooperative Council in proclamation
BY STEVE ZOSKI
- (TERRA MOLENGRAFF/Daily)
At last night’s Ann Arbor City Council meeting, Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje proclaimed 2012 the "Year of the Co-op" in Ann Arbor, as he was surrounded by supporters of cooperative living.
The proclamation follows a United Nations declaration deeming 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Inter-Cooperative Council at the University.
The ICC asked Councilmember Christopher Taylor (D–Ward 3) to bring the proclamation forward to city council. Taylor was president of the ICC from 1989-1990 when he was a student at the University.
In an interview Sunday, Taylor said cooperatives provide important services to the Ann Arbor community.
“I think it’s useful to celebrate and publicize all the good works cooperatives do throughout the country and here in Ann Arbor,” Taylor said. “Folks are able to purchase good food, find great housing and live better because of cooperatives. “
Alison Zachritz, chair of the co-op solidarity team, said the UN declaration is a significant milestone in the history of cooperatives.
“It is an worldwide acknowledgment by the most respected international organization that the cooperative model is a viable alternative system for economic and social autonomy,” Zachritz said.
Zachritz said she loves the tight-knit community co-ops offer.
“For me living in the ICC (student cooperative housing) means a houseful of friends and family,” Zachritz said. “The 18 houses of the ICC unite a great diversity of people into one community.”
Following the proclamation at last night’s meeting, the ICC held a celebration where members of the ICC, UM Credit Union and the People's Food Coop attended.
