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Posted on Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:44 p.m.

Vote no on the charter revision in Ypsilanti, but yes on the public transit millage

By Letters to the Editor

There are two City Charter related issues on the ballot this November for the citizens of Ypsilanti. The first would establish a Charter Commission to revise our City Charter. I encourage everyone to vote NO on Charter revision. Why is Charter revision on the ballot? The Charter itself requires us to vote on it automatically every 8 election cycles.

Speaking as a former Charter Commissioner and as the mayor who implemented our Charter when it was brand new, I think this document has served our community well. It set the tone for good government by having the Josephson’s Principles for Ethical Government in the preamble. It brought stability to the process of government with longer terms of office, and increased social justice through the creation of a Human Relations Commission, among other improvements. I am not aware of any problems in the current Charter that need to be fixed, so let’s keep it as is. The other City Charter related issue on the ballot would amend our City Charter to dedicate a tax levy of .9789 mills for public transit. I encourage everyone to vote yes on the Public Transit Charter Amendment. Good public transportation makes a community more livable. It provides options for those too young to drive to get to the library, to school, or to a friend’s house. It empowers those who cannot afford a car with a means of getting to school or to a job.

Good public transportation enables older people to continue to live their lives fully even when they are no longer able to drive. This last advantage will soon become increasingly important as my demographic, the Baby Boomers, begins to age out! Cheryl Farmer Ypsilanti