Endorsements
July 30th, 2006
From the Editor
This week, instead of our normal editorials, we offer the Daily editorial board's endorsements for select local races to be decided by the primary election on August 8. The endorsements include contested races for mayor of Ann Arbor, city council seats in wards 1, 3 and 5 and the 53rd district seat in the state House of Representatives. (City council wards 2 and 4, as well as the 52nd district seat in the state House, do not have contested primaries.) Given that there is no Republican candidate running for city council or for mayor, voting in the August primary is vital for anyone wishing to have a say in local government.
Our endorsements reflect both the Daily's commitment to serving the student body as well as upholding the ideals we have come to stand for over the decades. I invite you to join in a discussion of our endorsements on our blog The Podium, which can be accessed by clicking on The Podium link at our homepage or by visiting http://apps.michigandaily.com/blogs/thepodium/.
As always, thank you for reading.
Imran Syed
Editorial Page Editor
Ann Arbor City Council
Ward 1
In the first ward, incumbent John Roberts, who was appointed to council 10 months ago, faces his first electoral challenge from Ron Suarez in the primary. We admire Roberts's willingness to engage in a dialogue with fellow council members and citizens and work cooperatively toward adequate solutions. Also worthy of note is his view that students are citizens of the city and must be listened to. Despite these qualities, though, we find Roberts's stance inadequate to overcome the elaborately planned, carefully considered proposals Suarez presents.
Suarez is a proponent of building up Ann Arbor's downtown and increasing density as a way to curb urban sprawl. He also has a unique understanding of what it will take to reduce cars and traffic in Ann Arbor. Everyone realizes that building up the downtown would create traffic nightmares unless a solution is proposed. But Suarez is one of the few who sees the need for not simply logistical measures such as adding parking spaces, but for encouraging long-term lifestyle changes that include walking and riding bikes. He says that the city can't force people to ride bikes or take a bus, but it can facilitate it by the way it designs future developments in downtown. We couldn't agree more.
The Daily endorses: Ron Suarez
Ward 3
The three Democrats vying for the vacant seat in the third ward are Steven Kunselman, Jeff Meyers and Alice Ralph. Of the three, Meyers brings the right combination of enthusiasm and knowledge about local government to the job. Though he's quick to point out that he hasn't lived in Ann Arbor for 30 years like some others on council, Meyers has swiftly gathered the understanding of local affairs necessary to be effective on council.
Meyers points to Portland, Ore., where he once lived, as an example of a community that's doing a better job of planning for smart growth than Ann Arbor. He hopes to encourage mixed-use developments to increase density downtown and around the University, and he has some innovative ideas to increase student involvement with city government that we haven't heard from anyone else - in any race.
Kunselman, who served for years as the administrator of Sumpter Township and who currently serves on the city's planning commission, would certainly be a competent member of council. We remain unconvinced, however, about how well his technocratic and almost frightening grasp of the minutiae of local government would translate to the setting of city council. Finally, Ralph has good intentions - running to bring more transparency to council and include citizens in the process - but her ideas seem vague compared to Meyers's carefully honed and comprehensive platform.
The Daily endorses: Jeff Meyers
Ward 5
In the fifth ward, incumbent Chris Easthope faces Sonia Schmerl and Richard Ankli. Easthope, first elected to the Council in 2000, brings a balance of progress and practicality to his position. Six years of experience informs his approach to everyday issues such as parks (maintain what we have before creating new ones) and parking (build new structures near the highways and bus visitors downtown).
The issue of the growth and development of Ann Arbor, especially the downtown, weighs heavily on the minds of voters this year, and it's on this issue that Easthope truly sets himself apart from his opponents. Ankli, though good-natured and admirably willing to listen and dedicate time to finding solutions, remains inadequately informed of the issues themselves. Schmerl disapproves of many things about the current council, including a lack of transparency, but considers her election as a solution in itself. We agree that more dissent on council is beneficial, but we aren't convinced she's the one to do it. Many of her policies seem guided by specific neighborhoods' interests - an approach that can only encourage the small-scale balkanization already derailing municipal progress. Easthope, however, offers sound policy in his belief that downtown density can counter suburban sprawl and controlled development will create affordable housing.
The Daily endorses: Chris Easthope
Mayor of Ann Arbor
In the race for mayor of Ann Arbor, incumbent John Hieftje faces a challenge from Councilwoman Wendy Woods. Running unopposed by any person last year for her council seat from the fifth ward, Woods famously declared that she was running against apathy. Though she overcame that incessant specter last fall, she now faces the far tougher challenge of unseating a popular incumbent. Woods says she is running because the time is right for her and there is a pressing need for transparency in city government. We appreciate her enthusiasm and willingness to take on pressing issues such as affordable housing and the involvement of citizens in local government, but her platform is underdeveloped when compared to Hieftje's.
First elected in 2000, Hieftje has established himself as a champion for the environment - spearheading initiatives aimed at everything from using more renewable energy to improving public transportation. While others may address these same issues, his vision is much more defined and his accomplishments more clear. Hieftje's "Mayor's Green Energy Challenge" will lead the city to use 30 percent renewable energy by 2010 and significantly reduce greenhouse emissions. He has also opened discussion on a system of light rail to connect southeast Michigan, a worthy objective given that Detroit remains America's only major metropolitan area without a serviceable system of public transportation.
Hieftje recognizes the need to work with regional and state leaders toward improving the quality of life for Ann Arbor residents. His long record of accomplishments, clearly defined vision for the city's future and his passion for environmental issues make Hieftje Ann Arbor's ideal mayor.
The Daily endorses: John Hieftje
State House of Representatives
53rd District
No matter who wins the Democratic primary for the 53rd district state representative seat, the party and Ann Arbor residents will be represented well. Both Councilman Leigh Greden (D-Ward 3) and Rebekah Warren - the two candidates vying to replace the term-limited Chris Kolb - are capable, informed citizens who care about Ann Arbor.
In terms of policy positions, there's little to differentiate the two candidates, who agree on nearly every major issue. Though both candidates are Democrats, each hopes to work with colleagues across the aisle to create sound public policy. Voters, then, should choose based on experience - and in that light, Warren is the better choice. She has spent more than a decade working in Lansing, including time as a staff member for two legislators. Her work has given her an understanding of the state budget as well as the opportunity to form relationships with legislators and their staffs. While she may not be able to boast of the service in an elected office that Councilman Greden can, it's clear that her time working with the legislature gives her a better chance to hit the ground running.
It's also refreshing that Warren has made an active effort to involve students in her campaign, encouraging them to vote absentee in the primary and building a network of student volunteers. Though it's a tough call for us to make, her efforts at engaging students make Warren our choice.
The Daily endorses: Rebekah Warren
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