Derezinski and Petersen to face off in Ann Arbor City Council candidate forum on Tuesday
One of the races being closely watched leading up to the Aug. 7 primary is the 2nd Ward contest for the Ann Arbor City Council.
Democratic incumbent Tony Derezinski is defending his seat against challenger Sally Hart Petersen. The two engaged in a feisty exchange at a recent candidate forum, and now voters will get another chance to see the two candidates share the stage.
Both are expected to be at the Traverwood Public Library at 7 p.m. Tuesday for a forum sponsored by the Orchard Hills Maplewood Homeowners Association.
Petersen is being backed by some of the same supporters who helped Independent challenger Jane Lumm take down Democratic incumbent Stephen Rapundalo, one of Derezinski's allies on council, in last year's 2nd Ward race.
Petersen is hoping for similar success winning over 2nd Ward voters and is stressing her business background over Derezinski's municipal government experience, including his work as an attorney and as a former state Senator.
The City Council is made up of 11 members, including Mayor John Hieftje and two representatives from each of the city's five wards.
Hieftje and his allies hold a 7-4 majority on the council, but with two open seats up for grabs in the 1st and 5th Wards, and with two incumbents facing challenges in the Aug. 7 primary — including Margie Teall, D-4th Ward — the ruling coalition's control is at risk.
Here are the closing statements from Derezinski and Petersen at the last candidate forum hosted by the Ann Arbor Democratic Party on July 14:
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
truthbetold
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 : 6:33 p.m.
Readers of annarbor.com will probably notice that many of the commentators criticizing Councilmember Derezinski are actually active supporters of the nuisance bar, Dream Nightclub. They are evidently angry at Mr. Derezinski for being the councilperson hearing officer on the liquor license committee. These detractors include roadman, eyesofjustice, and sam. They also evidently dislike Judge Connors, Judge Morris, and federal Judge Borman for repeatedly ruling against the nightclub. They also particularly dislike the City Attorney, Mr. Postema, evidently for doing an excellent job protecting the City in Court. The fact that these commenters criticize Mr. Derezinski is reason enough to support him. I'm not sure Mrs. Peterson is seeking their support either!
SallyP
Fri, Jul 27, 2012 : 1:45 p.m.
In my closing statement I mentioned an accounting error and the need for financial statements to be restated at the Neutral Zone. I want to clarify that the budgeting issue I discovered was during a discussion of the draft budget, and the final budget did reflect a change to account for this. I apologize for the confusion. Sally Hart Petersen
A2comments
Fri, Jul 27, 2012 : 10:50 a.m.
Hopefully Ann Arbor residents will get out and vote.
MARK
Fri, Jul 27, 2012 : 12:29 a.m.
I do not know who can improve Ann Arbor but the quality of life is slipping. Every weekend I see someone passed out on a street corner downtown(and they aren 't even students) . There are more shirtless obnoxious men running around downtown drunk. I would like to know what the candidates propose. Maybe higher cover and drink prices at the bars?
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 6:21 p.m.
Tony Derezinski has had his decades in the public office sector. It's time for a change.
Roadman
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 5:55 p.m.
Ann Arbor needs Ms. Petersen on City Council.
Sam
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 4:45 p.m.
Tony D is a member of the "good ole boys" network and does all of the mayor and city attorney bidding. Its time for a change in the city council make up...the mayor and his tools have all got to go.I realise that this is a difficult thing to accomplish, but by electing new blood into the system change will take place, slowly but surely.
Doug
Fri, Jul 27, 2012 : 2:35 p.m.
Change? All liberal are alike!
Stewart Nelson
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
xmo Which candidate is the ex-government worker and which is the ex-lawyer/politician? Sally Petersen is neither. Check your facts. Stew
Roadman
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 5:50 p.m.
Who are you supporting, Stew?
xmo
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 3:36 p.m.
It is really too bad that the voters of the 2nd Ward are stuck with these two Candidates. One, an ex-government worker who knows how the spend other peoples money and only listens to his Democrat Cronies or an ex-lawyer/politician who will carry the Democrat "Tax and Spend" Banner. What really is the difference?
Doug
Fri, Jul 27, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.
What do you expect in a liberal haven?
a2grateful
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.
Two qualified candidates. . . Thank you for your steady service, Mr. Derezinski. Looking forward to true constituent representation by Ms. Petersen. Vote, Ann Arbor!