BY IRENA LI AND GEORGE WEYKAMP
October 10, 2022
Capping off a big week for local politics, the Women’s March took over downtown Ann Arbor on Saturday in place of the usual chaos of game day. To the south, the Wolverines defeated the Indiana Hoosiers, 31-10, after a first half that was too close for comfort.
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U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., addresses community activists at Liberty Plaza shortly before the fourth Ann Arbor Women’s March Saturday afternoon. Keith Melong/Daily.
TENANT TRIUMPH: City Council passed the “Right to Renew” ordinance at Monday’s meeting, as well as the TC1 rezoning proposal and a restriction on red-light right turns in downtown Ann Arbor.
“Landlords don’t speak for tenants; they try all the time, but they don’t represent us,” Rackham student Evelyn Smith said at the meeting. “They do not advocate for us. Renters are perfectly capable of speaking for ourselves and … we want you to pass Right to Renew into law.”
WASHTENAW WASTELAND: The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said Monday that Kuntry Gardens used raw, untreated human waste to grow produce that was sold at several local grocery stores. This untreated waste can cause foodborne illnesses such as hepatitis A and E. coli, though MDARD said there have been no cases linked to the contamination. The produce was found at the following stores:
- Busch’s Fresh Food Market stores in Ann Arbor, Dexter and Saline
- White Lotus Farms, 7217 W. Liberty Rd, Ann Arbor
- Argus Farm Stop, 325 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor
- Agricole Farm Stop, 118 N. Main Street, Chelsea
- Ypsilanti Food Co-op, 312 North River Street, Ypsilanti
WASHTENAW WASTELAND PT. 2: Over one million gallons of untreated wastewater were released into the Huron River on Tuesday. A city official said the wastewater had undergone every phase of treatment except for ultraviolet disinfection, which removes fecal matter and other pathogens, according to 7 Action News.
This marks the third major spill into the Huron River this year following chemical spills in February and August. A representative for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said the department “does not anticipate any impact on public health or the environment,” the Detroit News reported.
WOMEN’S MARCH: The fourth annual Ann Arbor Women’s March was held Saturday afternoon and featured U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib as speakers. Beginning on East Liberty Street, participants marched a few blocks around downtown Ann Arbor and chanted, “Roe, Roe, Roe … your vote!” and “Our bodies! Our rights! … Michigan women, stand up and fight!”
“We need to ask ourselves, what is happening in our country, and how are we going backwards 50 years on the law of the land with Roe v. Wade,” Dingell said to the crowd. “Young people, we need you … you’re 25% of our population and 100% of our future. We need you. We need your voices. We need your energy.”
PUBLIC POWER: After City Council approved a feasibility study for renewable energy options on Sept. 7, the Ann Arbor for Public Power movement has accelerated its efforts to raise excitement for the possibility of 100% renewable, publicly-owned energy in the city.
“What is really convincing to a lot of people about our campaign is that we’re not asking for ordinary working-class people to make sacrifices in order to transition to a sustainable world,” A2P2 President Greg Woodring said. “Instead, we’re putting the cost directly on the people who are most responsible for the problem, which is the investor-owned utilities.”
Editor’s Note: Last week’s header for the meeting where Ann Arbor residents discussed the TC1 rezoning has been changed and can be viewed on The Daily’s website here.
We value your opinion! Each week we will pose a question and share reader responses in the following edition.
This week’s prompt: What are your thoughts on public power?
Last week’s prompt: How do you feel about public sector unions?
I like unions. The United States of America needs more unions and more unionized workers. At the same time, I have concerns about public sector unions in spaces where I worry that our elected officials and hired administrators can be “captured” by unions (and thus not serve as effective negotiators on behalf of all of the public) when bargaining with unions – for example in policing and in education. – Paul, 40, Pittsfield Township
“Meet the 13 candidates vying for 4 Ann Arbor School Board seats” … MLive
“Ann Arbor Public Schools drop to eighth best district in Michigan” … ClickOnDetroit
“Major route between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti reopens after 3-month closure” … MLive
“Once and for all: should we feed the squirrels?” … The Michigan Daily
“UMich students, faculty lead support efforts on campus following Hurricane Fiona” … The Michigan Daily
News tips? Comments? Questions?
A2 Outlook editors Irena Li and George Weykamp can be reached at irenayli@umich.edu and gweykamp@umich.edu, respectively.
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