Ward 1

By Amina Farha
Daily Staff Reporter

In Tuesday's primary election, three Democrats are vying for the Ann Arbor City Council's open seat for Ward 1, the ward that contains considerable parts of campus and student neighborhoods.

Richard Wickboldt, Sabra Briere and John Roberts are pursuing the position, currently held by incumbent Robert Johnson (D-Ward 1), who has decided not to seek reelection.

Wickboldt, manager of the University's Central Power Plant and a five-year resident of Ann Arbor, said he decided to run for City Council at the suggestion of many of his friends and neighbors, who urged him to run because of his interest in politics.

He said there are two roles a City Council member can play - either act as a steward for the citizens and their tax dollars, or as a representative of special voter interest groups.

Wickboldt said he strongly believes in the former.

"I'm not bringing in my own agenda," he said. "I just want to do some public service."

Although Wickboldt is new to the political arena, he said he believes his experience managing the power plant would provide him with the skills to manage the city's large budget and that his experience with project management and environmental regulation would be the strengths that separate him from his opponents.

"They don't have in-depth experience from all aspects as required by city manager," he said.

Briere said she moved to Ann Arbor 34 years ago so she and her son could live in an atmosphere rich in diversity and culture, and soon became involved in the city's political sector.

Briere is a volunteer with the Huron River Watershed Council and Avalon Housing, a housing system for low-income people, and she serves as chair for the American Civil Liberties Union's Washtenaw County chapter.

Briere said she is suited for the job of City Council member because, out of the three candidates, she has spent the longest time as a politically active adult in Ann Arbor.

"I've been paying attention for a long time," she said.

Briere said she believes Ann Arbor needs new ways to bring economic development and jobs to the city.

"It has to be creative," she said. "We can't rely on manufacturing."

Briere said the city should focus on attracting smaller-scale employers instead of large corporations.

"No one knows if we'll ever find big employers again," she said.

Unlike his competition, Roberts is not a newcomer to City Council. A lifetime resident of the city, Roberts was appointed to the City Council from Ward 1 in September 2005 and served until November 2006. He was defeated by Ron Suarez (D-Ward 1) in last year's primary.

"I think that what separates me from my opponents is that I will approach every topic from a very pragmatic position," Roberts said.

Roberts said he believes the city has been making the right changes to stay strong in a difficult economic time.

He said one of the ways to improve the economy would be more development.

Growing up in Ann Arbor showed Roberts that the city could change and "still have the character that makes it Ann Arbor."

"I don't think that Ann Arbor has to remain what it is today," he said.

Roberts said one project he would take on while in office is developing more affordable housing options.

Ward 3

By Jake Holmes
Daily Staff Reporter

As the Ann Arbor City Council primary election approaches, voters in Ward 3 face a choice between a young lawyer who has served on the council since 2003 or a first-time candidate whose ideas for the area led her to make a last minute entry into the election.

Leigh Greden (D-Ward 3) has lived in Ann Arbor for most of his life, and attended the city's public and private schools as a child. He has served on City Council since 2003 and said his actions helped the city save $100,000 per year in administrative costs.

Hoping to oust Greden is Luanne Bullington, an Ann Arbor resident for the past 15 years who thinks her advocacy experience will be beneficial to the city. Bullington, a newcomer to city politics, decided to run just a week before the application deadline.

Bullington was once a public school teacher. She also served on the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority's executive board and worked with the Center for Independent Living.