Ann Arbor needs Jane Lumm's true independent voice on a partisan City Council
After the primary elections in August, (AnnArbor.com Chief Content Officer) Tony Dearing posed the question on AnnArbor.com: In our politically active town, why did so few people vote? The answer seemed obvious to me. People don't vote when they feel that their votes count for naught.
Ann Arbor almost always re-elects the incumbents, and they are almost always Democrats, so why make the effort to vote? And because the council members are entrenched and often vote on city issues in lock step, it seems that many decisions are made without much, if any, public input.
However, the election for the City Council in Ward 2 is heating up, and there is bound to be much action, and the voting numbers will increase substantially. Jane Lumm, a former council member, is running as an Independent against incumbent Stephen Rapundalo.
Jane Lumm is a long time Ann Arborite, who knows the city well. She is very good at ferreting out the issues, studying them carefully, and then communicating her findings clearly, openly, and honestly.
Mr. Rapundalo faces a serious contender, (Four years ago Ed Amonsen came into the running as a write in candidate three weeks before the election and won 48% of the vote. In the primary, Mr. Rapundalo faced an unknown, but impressive, 25 year old ), and this is very good for raising public interest.
Wouldn't it be a good thing for Ann Arbor if a very qualified Independent won, someone with a new vision and energy, and someone who has support of both parties? We would be on our way to non-partisan elections. After all, can a Democrat take care of the streets or garbage better than a Republican or an Independent?
Ann Schriber
Ann Arbor
Comments
ogel1209
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 6:53 p.m.
Rapundalo has to go!! He does not listen to his constituents. He votes whatever HE thinks. As far as I know, he is the only city council member who doesn't have an email address. How can he possibly know what his constituents think if he gives us no way to contact him? Just shows he doesn't care what we think!
Vivienne Armentrout
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:55 a.m.
The letter in support of Jane Lumm, while well-written and well stated, does not mention her extensive bipartisan support, as stated on her website <a href="http://www.janelumm.org/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.janelumm.org/</a> . Yes, Jane is clearly a Republican, and has never tried to hide that. Her choice of running on the November ballot as an Independent is a personal choice and is fully consistent with our election laws. It should not be taken as a sort of deception. She has a number of Democratic supporters, and as one, I can state that I expect we will differ on some issues. On the other hand, I can say that about almost anyone currently serving on Council. I can also state, based both on my observation of Council, and on my own experience as a county commissioner, that when a board's composition changes, even by one member, there is a subtle shift in the chemistry and decision-making process. A board (like the Board of Commissioners, City Council, or appointed commission) develops a group identity or, if you like, group mind. Changing a single member can make real changes even if the vote balance on one side or another does not change. I believe that Jane's open, sincere, and forthright approach will introduce a new chemistry to the Council. Just to clarify, there is no longer a Democratic caucus. Since the Council has been composed of putative Democrats since 2003, partisan caucuses have no longer been applicable, and even before that, they held a "combined caucus". But in any event, hardly anyone attends caucus any more. And one could argue that partisan identification itself does not signify much any more about positions on local issues.
A Voice of Reason
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:29 a.m.
Jane Lumm is the only hope we have for our city and maybe the only politician in town that understands that government is here to serve the people--not itself. When I heard that leaf collection was stopped to save $100,000 and has caused $250,000 in problems with the sewer system, I am still trying to understand why services keep being taken away from me. The city hall monstrosity is an example of how our city is here to serve itself. Steve Rapundalo, my city councilman, is a bully, rude, and does not serve his constituents well at all. Time for a change!
Roadman
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:25 a.m.
If one looks at the political contributions that are downloadble at the Secretary of State section of the State of Michigan website at <a href="http://www.michigan.gov" rel='nofollow'>www.michigan.gov</a> for Jane Lumm and her spouse you will find plenty of donations to conservative and Republican causes - and there is nothing wrong with that. The only issue that she appears liberal or moderate on is her Planned Parenthood donation. Both Jane Lumm and Steve Rapundalo donated to the Snyder campaign and both previously were affiliated as nominated candidates of the GOP - which doesn't bother me one bit. The party label means way too much in A2 - voters should elect the best candidate.
Stuart Brown
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.
John Q said, "...It makes her sound like an opportunist"; as if Rapundalo is not? The selective flame thrower continues in its speciousness.
jweaverA2
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 12:22 a.m.
Kudos to Jane for running. She is indeed a thoughtful and qualified candidate. Stewart Nelson also ran in Ward 2 and wondered why we in Ann Arbor are so concerned about national politics and yet are so indifferent about our local elections. I must admit I am the most guilty in this respect. Steve Bean suggested that we eliminate party distinctions and I truly believe this idea has a great deal of merit. If one votes Republican as I did in the last gubernatorial primary, you cannot vote in the local democratic ward primary, hence producing a lower vote count for the local election. And yes both Steve AND Jane have run as Republicans in previous elections, so truly what does the party designation truly mean?
John Q
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 11:38 p.m.
"the fact remains that Jane Lumm could not have entered the race when she did as a Republican since she announced here candidacy AFTER the August primaries when it was clear that the incumbent was vulnerable due to a narrow win over his Democratic opponent" Is this a point in favor of Jane Lumm? It makes her sound like an opportunist.
Roadman
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:26 a.m.
Politics is opportunism, John Q.
David Cahill
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
The replacement of one person on City Council can have a dramatic difference on its behavior. In 2009 Council member Leigh Greden was defeated. After he lost, Mayor Hiefte said "Greden's defeat changes everything". He had been "scripting" what Council did. That is no longer true. Similarly, Jane Lumm's victory will make a further beneficial change.
Roadman
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:26 a.m.
David: Can you swing a Sabra Briere endorsement of Lumm?
Mick52
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 9:03 p.m.
I think the writer omits another explanation of the low turnover on council. The other side of the coin is that the majority of citizens are quite happy with the decisions and policies the council pursues so they see no need for change. It is very common to see elected officials voted out when many people are upset with an elected body, but leaving the same people in office indicates approval. I think numerous things done by AA council are insane, but apparently the majority agrees with it. One person, independent, republican or whatever they call themselves is not going to make a difference. If I were running I would run as a democrat so that if there were caucus meetings I could attend and hear all the shenanigans.
demistify
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
"And because the council members are entrenched and often vote on city issues in lock step, it seems that many decisions are made without much, if any, public input." At the launching of the Jane Lumm candidacy, it was announced that she was endorsed by several City Council members who arguably vote in lock step (against another group of Council members who mostly line up with the Mayor). She is also supported by Pat Lesko, who ran against the Mayor and who had a hand in the primary campaign of "an unknown, but impressive, 25 year old". This sounds to me like a candidate that has been recruited and backed by a faction, and who will be expected to vote with that bloc. Regardless of label, there is no prospect of that contributing to an independent voice on Council.
Roadman
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 5:32 a.m.
"She is also supported by Pat Lesko.........." Strange, I do not see Pat Lesko listed on the Lumm campaign website at <a href="http://www.janelumm.org" rel='nofollow'>www.janelumm.org</a> What is your source that Lesko is so endorsing Mrs. Lumm?
Stuart Brown
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.
John Q's flame thrower is highly selective in where it points. An even stronger case can be made that Rapundalo has the same "integrity" issue. Also, the fact remains that Jane Lumm could not have entered the race when she did as a Republican since she announced here candidacy AFTER the August primaries when it was clear that the incumbent was vulnerable due to a narrow win over his Democratic opponent. Jane Lumm deserves credit for giving Ann Arbor the choice that she has.
Deb Burch
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
I agree with Rob's comment. We need City Council members that actually listen, investigate concerns and respond. I am an Independent because voting for the party candidate does not result in the best outcome....Kwame Kilpatrick for example. Hopefully, Ann Arbor voters will start considering how badly managed processes are the result of poor leadership and vote appropriately.
John Q
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.
Jane Lumm is a Republican. Stating that you are an "Independent" means you don't have a party affiliation. That's not true of Lumm and she doesn't vote that way. Why is anyone pretending otherwise? How can one talk about Lumm's integrity when she fails a basic test of honesty with the voters?
Sparty
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.
I'll say. We need an independent voice on this council, one that actually listens to it's constituency. Although a strong democrat, my hope is that Jane and the republicans running for the other open seats are elected to bring some balance and LEGITIMACY to a council that to me currently has none and appears to be deaf and unwilling to listen to the citizens of the city-a very dangerous combination. Some would say Kunselman, Anglin, and others are a moderating influence on the Mayors cabal, but we need more than that. We need a loud, strong, public dissent, with council members capable of engaging the citizens in ways necessary to unwind the crazy schemes the Mayor insists on dragging us into.
DonBee
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
It won't matter, Ann Arbor only elects Democrats from the liberal side of the party (read left of left). If the smart people in Ann Arbor would only really engage in political discussion, and not be so PC, it might matter.