Passion to better Ann Arbor makes Sturgis ideal for Council
To the editor -
I am writing in support of Eric Sturgis for City Council in Ann Arbor's First Ward. Eric is young in years, but he has followed City politics and issues closely for a long time. He was born and raised here, and has always been very interested in the workings of our city government. He is passionate about making Ann Arbor a better place, and will work very hard for us.
Eric is a long-time resident of the First Ward, and he has worked on enough political campaigns to know every corner of it. He has canvassed door-to-door for other candidates many times, and has worked tirelessly to make sure everyone is aware of the issues in every race. He is truly the candidate who will represent us on Council.
I support the issues that Eric feels most strongly about, including the proposed new transit center/railroad station, support of our park system, and sufficient funding for public safety. I think Eric will be a new, young voice on Council who will represent the First Ward well. I encourage all of my neighbors to support him in the Democratic Primary.
Tony R. Ramirez
Ann Arbor
Comments
Alan Goldsmith
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 12:39 p.m.
Sturgis was so passionate about politics that he was on the ballot in BOTH Oakland County and Scio Township is 2010 AND he voted in Ann Arbor the same year. What the 1st Ward doe NOT need is someone who this disorganized and lacking in basis organizational skills representing them on City Council.
Roadman
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 1:53 a.m.
Sturgis' mother was caught uprooting her son's opponent's campaign signs. Is that the "leadership" we need on City Council? Sumi wins by default. Eric does not belong on the ballot.
DJBudSonic
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:39 p.m.
No, thanks. We're finally about to be rid of Ms. Smith, surely we can do better than Mr. Sturgis.
lou glorie
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:06 p.m.
democracy.
lou glorie
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:04 p.m.
Feeling passionate about the repurposing of parkland without a vote by Ann Arbor citizens, (as required by city charter) is not a sign of someone who will truly represent the will of citizens, but someone who is passionate about his own or others' agenda and willing to break the law to see it through. The cynical disregard of the intention of voters, who passed the charter amendment to protect parkland, should not be held up as an example of responsive governance. While I'm at it, I've heard from Sturgis and other candidates on team Hieftje that they support "transit". The word "transit" here used as an abstract good. Like saying you support motherhood. Of course you do. Almost everyone does. Of course, what they mean is that they are for a plan, currently in the works, to transfer the assets of our AATA to a county or regional authority, without compensation and without adequate representation of our interests. If the AATA were already doing a stellar job of providing transportation for the people who are paying for it, we would have many more people up in arms about this theft. But as things stand, too few of us feel we have been well served by the AATA. It strains credulity to promise that our service will become even better because we'll be able to get on a bus and travel to Brighton. The routes and hours of operation are too constrained at present. How, one wonders, will service improve when our assets and taxes will be used to provide better service to Canton? As for "opponents of transit," I suspect there are a few, but they are not running in the Ann Arbor Democratic primaries. "Opponents of transit" is employed as a straw man to intimidate Ann Arbor's citizens, to shut down thinking and subdue questions that could serve to improve our public transit system. Deployment of this rhetorical weapon is dishonest. It is the product of authoritarian thinking and a world view that undermines our already fragile
dsp
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 1:04 p.m.
Unfortunately passion without experience (or a successfully completed College education) is not a good qualification for understanding issues facing city government--it is a quality that Sturgis shares with many Tea Party candidates, and we have all had a chance to see what they have done to foul the political system. It is not what we need on City Council.
Sam
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:01 a.m.
Iguess its ok not to tell the truth.A fine examle for the youth of Ann Arbor.Mr.Sturgis needs to finish his education,become a law abiding citizen,become an effective bread winner and most of all display stronger ethical values before seeking any kind of elected office.Godd luck Sumi.. hope you trash this prankster.
CynicA2
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 1:07 a.m.
No more Heiftje hacks! The only thing transparent about this guy is his loyalty to the Heiftjeite agenda. Ughh!
xmo
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 10:34 p.m.
How can you support this guy when you know he will raise your taxes and not create "Trust & Transparency" ? Just another "Lug" in the big (D) wheel in Ann Arbor!