with video: Ann Arbor Newshawks lampoon city hall with skits on council races, Stadium bridges, public art

A fictitious "Mr. Jones," the seasoned veteran on council, coaches "Mr. Smith," the fresh new face who has just won an uncontested race.

"How do we explain to people that we have to cut back on services?" Mr. Smith asks the veteran council member.

"OK, in that situation I usually say I have to take a phone call," Mr. Jones responds. "But if that doesn't work, acknowledge the change, but never use words like 'cut' or 'eliminated.' Use a euphemism. It's not we've 'eliminated curbside leaf pickup.' It's the city is 'transitioning its leaf management system to better achieve a more satisfying outcome.'

"It's not that we've 'shut off some street lights.' It's the city has 'de-energized some streetlights in order to re-balance the community's overall wattage.' Get the picture?"

Watch the rest of the video to learn about "DDA ATM cards," a take on local eateries lifted from the TV show "Portlandia," and an update on the Stadium bridges project with a glimpse at what the Newshawks imagine could be the next public art project from Herbert Dreiseitl.