AnnArbor.com News - Category: Government http://www.annarbor.com/ en-us baggyparagraphs@comcast.net Copyright 2010 2010-03-12T14:48:37-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Ann Arbor City Council Member Sabra Briere's survey offers surprises http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-city-council-member-sabra-brieres-survey-offers-surprises/ When Ann Arbor City Council Member Sabra Briere designed an online survey about municipal budget priorities, she expected a few dozen responses from First Ward residents on her e-mail list. Instead, a total of 773 responses rolled in after AnnArbor.com... 30785@http://www.annarbor.com/ When Ann Arbor City Council Member Sabra Briere designed an online survey about municipal budget priorities, she expected a few dozen responses from First Ward residents on her e-mail list.

Instead, a total of 773 responses rolled in after AnnArbor.com published a story about the effort March 2.

Continue reading Ann Arbor City Council Member Sabra Briere's survey offers surprises...

]]> Government | News 2010-03-12T14:48:37-05:00 Masco Cabinetry moving corporate HQ, 350 jobs to ex-Flint Ink building in Ann Arbor Township http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/masco-cabinetry-moving-corporate-hq-350-jobs-to-ex-flint-ink-building-in-ann-arbor-township/ The former Flint Ink building at Dixboro Road at Arrowhead in Ann Arbor Township this morning. Consumer product manufacturer Masco Corp. is close to announcing that it will consolidate at least 350 workers into a new research-and-development operation at the... 30714@http://www.annarbor.com/ flint ink 1.jpg

The former Flint Ink building at Dixboro Road at Arrowhead in Ann Arbor Township this morning.

Consumer product manufacturer Masco Corp. is close to announcing that it will consolidate at least 350 workers into a new research-and-development operation at the former Flint Ink facility in Ann Arbor Township, AnnArbor.com has learned.

Masco plans to transfer 350 workers from facilities in Middlefield, Ohio and Adrian, Mich. to the long-dormant Flint Ink building. The company also plans to add another 100 jobs at the site over the next five years, according to a tax abatement application filed with the township.

Continue reading Masco Cabinetry moving corporate HQ, 350 jobs to ex-Flint Ink building in Ann Arbor Township...

]]> Ann Arbor North | Business Review | Government | News 2010-03-12T10:13:03-05:00 Requesting police records and a Historic District Commission update http://www.annarbor.com/vielmetti/foia-police-hdc-appeal/ This week's FOIA Friday steps you through how to request police records, with some suggestions beyond the official Freedom of Information Act form that is provided for requests. Also this week I'll provide a follow up on last week's appeal... 30482@http://www.annarbor.com/ This week's FOIA Friday steps you through how to request police records, with some suggestions beyond the official Freedom of Information Act form that is provided for requests.

Also this week I'll provide a follow up on last week's appeal to the city of a FOIA request for Historic District Commission meeting minutes. I haven't heard anything from the city yet regarding that appeal - they have 10 business days to reply - but there has been progress.

Continue reading Requesting police records and a Historic District Commission update...

]]> Edward Vielmetti | Government 2010-03-12T06:00:00-05:00 Former advisor to President Ford speaks on the pardon of Richard Nixon http://www.annarbor.com/news/former-advisor-to-president-ford-speaks-on-the-pardon-of-richard-nixon/ The pardon of Richard Nixon was perhaps Gerald R. Ford's most controversial decision as president. And on Wednesday night, that decision was discussed when the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library hosted a lecture by Benton Becker, a key Ford advisor on the Nixon... 30488@http://www.annarbor.com/ The pardon of Richard Nixon was perhaps Gerald R. Ford's most controversial decision as president.

And on Wednesday night, that decision was discussed when the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library hosted a lecture by Benton Becker, a key Ford advisor on the Nixon pardon.

Continue reading Former advisor to President Ford speaks on the pardon of Richard Nixon...

]]> Government | News | UM Campus 2010-03-11T09:31:03-05:00 Washtenaw County pledges $400,000 matching investment in Ann Arbor skate park efforts http://www.annarbor.com/news/county-throws-investment-behind-ann-arbor-skate-park-efforts/ Dale Decker of Ann Arbor marks a piece of plywood while building a ramp for part of a street course as Steve Risner of Ann Arbor and Andrew Reeves of Brighton look on Wednesday night. The crew has been working... 30403@http://www.annarbor.com/ 031010_NEWS_Skate Park_MRM_01.jpg

Dale Decker of Ann Arbor marks a piece of plywood while building a ramp for part of a street course as Steve Risner of Ann Arbor and Andrew Reeves of Brighton look on Wednesday night. The crew has been working for weeks to construct a temporary skate park for a fundraiser this weekend.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Efforts to build a skate park in Ann Arbor received a boost this week when the Washtenaw County parks commission offered up to $400,000 in matching funds to help get the project off the ground.

The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission voted Tuesday to partner in the project, and the city of Ann Arbor has already pledged land for it in Veteran’s Memorial Park on the city's west side.

Continue reading Washtenaw County pledges $400,000 matching investment in Ann Arbor skate park efforts...

]]> Ann Arbor West | Government | News 2010-03-11T06:02:47-05:00 Residents will notice a difference in Ann Arbor parks due to budget cuts, administrator says http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-city-budget-cuts-could-affect-mowing-in-parks/ Ann Arbor city administrators were clear with City Council members on Monday night: Residents will notice the budget cuts needed to make up a shortfall next fiscal year. Curbside pickup of Christmas trees during the holidays could be eliminated. Mowing... 30117@http://www.annarbor.com/ Ann Arbor city administrators were clear with City Council members on Monday night: Residents will notice the budget cuts needed to make up a shortfall next fiscal year.

Curbside pickup of Christmas trees during the holidays could be eliminated. Mowing the grass in city parks may happen less, and hand-trimming in the parks could stop altogether.

Continue reading Residents will notice a difference in Ann Arbor parks due to budget cuts, administrator says...

]]> Government | News 2010-03-09T06:00:59-05:00 Ann Arbor officially announces new fire chief http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-officially-announces-new-fire-chief/ Ann Arbor officially announced the selection of Dominick J. Lanza as the city's newest fire chief today. Lanza's first day on the job is March 22.... 30095@http://www.annarbor.com/ Ann Arbor officially announced the selection of Dominick J. Lanza as the city's newest fire chief today.

Lanza's first day on the job is March 22.

Continue reading Ann Arbor officially announces new fire chief...

]]> Government | News 2010-03-08T16:20:49-05:00 2-way radios allowed under proposed Ann Arbor cell phone ban http://www.annarbor.com/news/two-way-radios-allowed-under-propsed-sell-phone-ban/ Two-way radios used by taxi drivers, bus drivers, tow companies and similar businesses that require drivers to communicate would remain legal under a proposed ordinance banning the use of portable devices while driving in the city of Ann Arbor. Council... 29964@http://www.annarbor.com/ Two-way radios used by taxi drivers, bus drivers, tow companies and similar businesses that require drivers to communicate would remain legal under a proposed ordinance banning the use of portable devices while driving in the city of Ann Arbor.

Council Member Stephen Rapundalo, D-2nd Ward, who is sponsoring the resolution, clarified the radios are fixed units and said the key word in the ordinance is “portable.”

Continue reading 2-way radios allowed under proposed Ann Arbor cell phone ban...

]]> Government | News 2010-03-08T05:53:47-05:00 AATA gets $2.2 million for projects, including continuation of service to Ypsilanti http://www.annarbor.com/news/aata-gets-22-million-for-projects-including-continuation-of-service-to-ypsilanti/ The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority has received a $2.2 million award from the Federal Transit Administration, Congressman John Dingell, D-Dearborn, announced this afternoon. The money comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.... 29893@http://www.annarbor.com/ The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority has received a $2.2 million award from the Federal Transit Administration, Congressman John Dingell, D-Dearborn, announced this afternoon.

The money comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Continue reading AATA gets $2.2 million for projects, including continuation of service to Ypsilanti...

]]> Government | News | Ypsilanti 2010-03-05T16:58:17-05:00 Michigan State Police investigating Augusta Township officials http://www.annarbor.com/news/michigan-state-police-investigating-augusta-township-officials/ Michigan State Police detectives are investigating several current and former Augusta Township officials for an alleged Open Meetings Act violation.... 29763@http://www.annarbor.com/ Michigan State Police detectives are investigating several current and former Augusta Township officials for an alleged Open Meetings Act violation.

Continue reading Michigan State Police investigating Augusta Township officials...

]]> Government | News 2010-03-05T09:33:06-05:00 Good news and bad news: Property taxes in Ann Arbor are going down http://www.annarbor.com/news/good-news-and-bad-news-property-taxes-in-ann-arbor-are-going-down/ The city of Ann Arbor plans to mail out 2010 property assessments and taxable value notification letters today, informing thousands of property owners what they hope to hear: Taxes are going down.... 29709@http://www.annarbor.com/ The city of Ann Arbor plans to mail out 2010 property assessments and taxable value notification letters today, informing thousands of property owners what they hope to hear: Taxes are going down.

Continue reading Good news and bad news: Property taxes in Ann Arbor are going down...

]]> Business Review | Government | News 2010-03-05T06:01:39-05:00 $2 million from DDA could help close Ann Arbor's budget gap http://www.annarbor.com/news/2-million-from-dda-could-help-close-ann-arbors-budget-gap/ The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority's governing board took action Wednesday to set aside $2 million that could help the city balance its budget. The DDA's governing board voted 7-4 to approve a budget for the upcoming fiscal year that... 29587@http://www.annarbor.com/ The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority's governing board took action Wednesday to set aside $2 million that could help the city balance its budget.

The DDA's governing board voted 7-4 to approve a budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes a $2 million contingency. Whether the city gets that money hinges on the pending renegotiation of a parking agreement with the DDA.

Continue reading $2 million from DDA could help close Ann Arbor's budget gap...

]]> Government | News 2010-03-04T06:02:15-05:00 Lose the budgetary boat anchors and save Ann Arbor cops' jobs http://www.annarbor.com/news/lose-the-budgetary-boat-anchors-and-save-cop-jobs/ This seems incredible to me. I can't believe that after 24 of us left the Ann Arbor Police Department on July 1 2009, the department is facing layoffs. When we retired in July, the department lost 16 percent of its... 29456@http://www.annarbor.com/ This seems incredible to me. I can't believe that after 24 of us left the Ann Arbor Police Department on July 1 2009, the department is facing layoffs. When we retired in July, the department lost 16 percent of its sworn officers and 30 percent of its command officers.

Now the department is facing layoffs again? How could that be? Just how broke is Ann Arbor?

Continue reading Lose the budgetary boat anchors and save Ann Arbor cops' jobs...

]]> Crime | Government | News | Opinion 2010-03-04T06:00:51-05:00 Washtenaw County to hold public hearing on improving Sugar Creek Extension Drain http://www.annarbor.com/news/washtenaw-county-to-hold-public-hearing-on-improving-sugar-creek-extension-drain/ The Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner is hosting a public hearing next week on improving the Sugar Creek Extension Drain. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 11 at the York Township Hall, 11560... 29553@http://www.annarbor.com/ The Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner is hosting a public hearing next week on improving the Sugar Creek Extension Drain.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 11 at the York Township Hall, 11560 Stony Creek Road.

Continue reading Washtenaw County to hold public hearing on improving Sugar Creek Extension Drain...

]]> Government | News 2010-03-03T16:20:01-05:00 Preliminary environmental assessment report for Ann Arbor airport expansion available for review http://www.annarbor.com/vielmetti/ann-arbor-airport-expansion-environmental-assessment-preliminary-report-available-for-review/ An airplane takes off at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport in this photo from the cover of the report from JJR on airport expansion plans.City of Ann Arbor, JJR A draft of the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport Environmental Assessment, prepared for... 29499@http://www.annarbor.com/ Draft-ARB-expansion-environmental-cover.png

An airplane takes off at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport in this photo from the cover of the report from JJR on airport expansion plans.

City of Ann Arbor, JJR

A draft of the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport Environmental Assessment, prepared for the Federal Aviation Administration, Michigan Department of Transportation Bureau of Aeronautics and Freight Services and City of Ann Arbor, is available for review. 

Continue reading Preliminary environmental assessment report for Ann Arbor airport expansion available for review...

]]> Ann Arbor South | Edward Vielmetti | Government | News 2010-03-03T14:06:17-05:00