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Posted on Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.

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

By Ryan J. Stanton

The Ann Arbor Newshawks, three men who make up the area's favorite mock investigative news team, are back at it with their latest video lampooning city hall.

In their lead story, they contemplate the possibility of new faces joining the Ann Arbor City Council in 2012 and what new council members need to know.

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.

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

xmo

Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.

Is this suppose to be comedy? I think it is real, Ann Arbor really is like this! The Politics capture the Democrat run City council perfectly

Roadman

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 11:05 p.m.

Prior years videos are available on YouTube. All very worthwhile and funny.

Roadman

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 10:53 p.m.

I have been following them for years. They are hilarious. "Jacques Labatt" is former Ann Arbor City Councilman Peter Fink. "Chance Longworth" and "Beaumont Vivant" are mysteries to me.

Craig Lounsbury

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 10 p.m.

Good stuff. I spent 30 minutes or more checking out several of their video's.

Linda Peck

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.

Very funny, and a bit painful, but very funny. Thanks for the bit of updraft.

CPLtownie

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.

Ha ha ha ha. Thanks AA.com - that's the funniest thing I've seen about Ann Arbor in awhile...

Vivienne Armentrout

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.

Was that a clip from Portlandia?

millermaple

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 12:58 p.m.

OMG- Portlandia appeared today in the AADL catalog- finally!

millermaple

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 7:13 p.m.

Why won't AADL purchase Portlandia? that's what I want to know!

Ryan J. Stanton

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 6:39 p.m.

Yes, it was. Fantastic show.

Dog Guy

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 5:27 p.m.

Stadium Bridge Fountain: Genius!