AnnArbor.com News - Category: Opinion

'Mr. Downtown' Ed Shaffran weighs in on state of downtown Ann Arbor

2012-02-09T05:58:25-04:00

Downtown Ann Arbor is known throughout Michigan for sustaining vibrancy through the recession.

But at the same time, we’re seeing a number of recent retail changes in the city’s central business district. In the months after Borders closed for good, several store and restaurant closings (and a few openings) have made news.

Continue reading 'Mr. Downtown' Ed Shaffran weighs in on state of downtown Ann Arbor...

Valentine's Day brings out the stalkers

2012-02-09T05:48:27-04:00

What do a University of Michigan gymnast, an abused spouse, a lawyer, a store clerk, a college professor and a person 20 years and half a dozen states from an old co-worker have in common?

They were each one of the approximately 80 victims of stalking that are reported to the Ann Arbor Police Department each year. Around 8 percent of all women and 2 percent of all men will be stalked at some time in their lives.

The stalker's favorite holiday is just around the corner. Let's all calibrate our "creepy meters" and get ready for Valentine's Day next week. It’s time to figure out what is romantic and what is creepy or dangerous.

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Michigan's business climate has taken a turn for the better

2012-02-08T18:05:28-04:00

(Editor's note: This story was written by Ann Arbor resident Robert H. Holland, chairman and CEO of business group Vistage Michigan.)

We have ample reasons to be optimistic about the Michigan economy. While it may take a while longer for it to play out, as our nation continues its recovery from a deep and prolonged recession, we are making substantial progress in improving Michigan’s overall business climate. In fact, Michigan recently enjoyed the largest improvement in its jobless rate of any other state in the country.

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Web comments: What readers are saying about our top stories

2012-02-07T12:58:02-04:00

Here is a selection of reader comments on some of our top stories on AnnArbor.com this week:

Guest column: Obama's Affordable Care Act is bad medicine for America

“As a father of two healthy kids who spent $17,000 last year on COBRA premiums in the good old ‘unregulated’ state of Texas, I welcome any attempt the Affordable Care Act makes at cost reduction. Heck, even the fiscal conservative Mitt Romney was behind Massachusetts' health care reform, so I have to believe his intent was the same (perhaps I'm horribly naive.) We clearly need to do something, and if the ACA doesn't work out we need to try again until we get it right. I didn't see you offer any alternatives, making me wonder if you think the status quo is fine. If so, see my first sentence.” - Greg M

“We need a real ‘Single Payer Health Plan’ like what was originally asked for by the Obama administration. I'm so tired of healthcare being a haven for rich kids seeking careers. Do you remember a time when physicians practiced healing because they really cared about people and science? The change will be refreshing to see Docs beaten like teachers into submission by the media. Get the money out of healthcare and the true healers will come. At least that's what they tell me about education?” - newsboy

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Time for major reform for Detroit and Wayne County

2012-02-07T08:56:27-04:00

What happens in Detroit/Wayne County impacts us all.

It was 32 years ago that Wayne County voters decided to “reform” Wayne County government.

Now Wayne County's largest city, Detroit, is teetering on bankruptcy with debt exceeding $20 billion. The Wayne County "severance" scandal continues to unfold with the FBI on the scene.

Continue reading Time for major reform for Detroit and Wayne County...

Obama's Affordable Care Act is bad medicine for America

2012-02-06T06:51:42-04:00

State Sen. Pat Colbeck and the Michigan House should be congratulated on their bold refusal of the $9.8 million in federal funding to establish a Michigan Health Insurance Exchange. They did their homework and realized that this funding comes with mandates from Washington that prevents Michigan from creating an exchange in our image.

According to the "Affordable Care Act" (ACA) or "Obamacare," any Michigan exchange must be approved by the Health and Human Services secretary and it cannot materially differ nor conflict with regulations created by the secretary. Refusing this funding is a great starting point to the many challenges that this law will rightly face this year.

Continue reading Obama's Affordable Care Act is bad medicine for America ...

Organic Bliss store will be greatly missed in downtown Ann Arbor

2012-02-05T07:42:17-04:00

I am writing in response to the article about the Liberty Street shop, Organic Bliss, closing their doors, and specifically to the comments pertaining to the article.

I was stunned to find so many negative words about the store. Clearly the writers had never entered foot into the establishment. Organic Bliss was an amazing place. It was my first go to store for all my presents, and a place to treat myself to some wonderful products as well.

Continue reading Organic Bliss store will be greatly missed in downtown Ann Arbor...

Don't push the panic button: Ann Arbor's downtown is evolving, not floundering

2012-02-05T05:59:00-04:00

Worrying about the fate of downtown has a long tradition in Ann Arbor.

In 1938, the introduction of parking meters had some predicting doom for downtown. In 1970, the doubling of parking rates -- from 10 cents an hour to 20 cents -- caused similar consternation.

These days, we’re hearing worries again. In an article last weekend, AnnArbor.com business reporter Lizzy Alfs examined the recently high rate of turnover for downtown restaurants, as well as concern in some quarters about aggressive panhandling, parking issues and a perception that foot traffic is down in the central city.

But let’s not push the panic button here. While we’ve lost some well-known downtown establishments over the past year, we see a downtown that remains more vital and viable than those departures suggest.

Continue reading Don't push the panic button: Ann Arbor's downtown is evolving, not floundering...

Washtenaw County road workers shouldn't have to play 'Frogger' when fixing potholes

2012-02-04T15:53:52-04:00

I'm wondering what the official policy is for repairing potholes on Washtenaw County's highways. I'm guessing that two workers scooping and dumping loose asphalt by shovel, darting onto the highway between traffic, during rush hour, while their truck is parked precariously on the shoulder is not the official process. I have observed this a couple of times recently during my morning commute into Ann Arbor.

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Ann Arbor City Council should postpone vote on 4-party transit agreement indefinitely

2012-02-04T05:59:55-04:00

The Ann Arbor City Council is scheduled to take up the 4-party agreement again on Monday. This will commit Ann Arbor to turning over control of AATA’s assets to a new transit authority (NTA), operating under a new set of rules. It will also commit Ann Arbor’s transportation millage (about $9 million currently) to the NTA.

Although there are a number of conditions that must be satisfied before this happens, the agreement is a real legal document, not a “framework” as it has sometimes been described.

The council should postpone this action indefinitely. Here’s why.

Continue reading Ann Arbor City Council should postpone vote on 4-party transit agreement indefinitely...

When you find the door open at home, wait for the police

2012-02-02T06:58:50-04:00

You just had a nice dinner or movie with your spouse or significant other. While pulling in the driveway you notice something funny about the front door of your home. Even though you know you left it closed and locked — you always lock your door if you heed the warning in the last line of these columns — the door is open. That is odd. Hmmm… time to wake up Mr. or Ms. Citizen!

Back off, watch the front door and call the police…9-1-1…NOW! Do not go inside! Yes, even you with the Concealed Pistol License and the gun on your belt. Back off, disengage, call the police and keep an eye out for anyone coming out of your home.

Stay on the line with the police dispatcher, describe what you see, and try to stay out of sight. Is there a strange vehicle near your home? Do you see anyone around?

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Call to activism: Stand up against cuts in social services when they are needed most

2012-02-01T06:57:16-04:00

First, I commend my friends and fellow activists working in education, social work, public and private non-profit help agencies, faith-based help agencies and any other help agencies. I say to you that you must continue to advocate for the people who need desperately the services you provide -- for their adequate funding, staffing, and advocacy from those in governance.

I also herewith share my very strong feelings about the federal, state and local governance we are experiencing right now as it regards our most vulnerable citizens. This is my call for you to ask: “Where is the love?” in their strategies and agendas?

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Web comments: What readers are saying about our top stories

2012-01-31T12:12:10-04:00

Here is a selection of reader comments on some of our top stories on AnnArbor.com this week:

University of Michigan officials weren't required by law to report child porn to state

“What went wrong is it was easier to momentarily sweep it under the rug! THIS IS DISGUSTING, the description alone makes me nauseous. Regulating common sense appears to be very necessary apparently cannot just do the right thing by its patients on its own. SHAME ON YOU! I couldn't work one day in the same vicinity of the accused, I would be in jail myself!” - RuralMom

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University of Michigan should not treat graduate students like employees

2012-01-31T11:41:43-04:00

The sense that graduate students should be given the choice whether or not to join the GEO is understandable. The impulse to ensure our students are not limited in their options drives much of how we interact with our students in the medical school, and I am certain in other schools at Michigan as well.

It is why we created the Program in Biomedical Sciences, to encourage first year graduate students to sample from among 14 degree-granting programs before joining one. Even once they make a decision about which program to join, we still encourage them to exercise options: which discipline-based courses to take, whom to select as a thesis advisor and committee members, what project to develop for a thesis topic. What matters only is that the student works hard and meets training milestones established in consultation with the thesis adviser.

So, choice is good, and the beauty of the academic research and training environment is the freedom to exercise choices.

Continue reading University of Michigan should not treat graduate students like employees...

Whole Foods parking lot encounter: Was it my car or just the way I was dressed?

2012-01-30T05:01:41-04:00

After turning onto Stadium Boulevard, I headed east toward Washtenaw Avenue. It was still sunny and around 2:30 p.m. First stop would be Planet Fitness behind the Big Boy restaurant in Ypsilanti for a vigorous workout. I could already feel my heart thumping at resistance level ten on the elliptical machine.

On the way home, I'd stop off for a few tasty dinner items and make a quick visit to the Postal Annex at Georgetown Gifts. Perhaps, I’d see my daughter at Whole Foods as she tallied up food bills for hungry customers.

About two hours later, I pulled into the crowded parking lot at Whole Foods on Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor. A large SUV was close behind.

Fortunately it wasn't snowing yet and a parking spot appeared off to my left. Getting out of my car into slightly cold air I could see and smell smoke from meat cooking at nearby Satchel's BBQ. As the Cadillac Escalade (SUV) parked directly behind me, the driver used up one-and-a-half spaces.

Continue reading Whole Foods parking lot encounter: Was it my car or just the way I was dressed?...