Top 10 cloak-and-dagger jabs at Mayor John Hieftje by A2Politco, his new political opponent
Now that the secret is out that Ann Arbor mayoral candidate Patricia Lesko is the masked blogger behind A2Politico.com, AnnArbor.com decided to take a closer look at some of the jabs she anonymously took at Mayor John Hieftje.
It turns out the anonymous blogger attacking Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje for the last five months is his newly announced political opponent, Patricia Lesko.
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It's clear that Lesko, who launched her political commentary website in September under the fake name "Sam Rosenthal," has been using A2Politico to muster up support for her recently announced campaign for mayor. In fact, the site now offers the disclaimer: "Paid for by the Committee to Elect Patricia Lesko."
Without lending credence to any of the claims made by A2Politico, here's a Top 10 list of cloak-and-dagger punches thrown Hieftje's way by the blogger who wants to be your next mayor of Ann Arbor.
1. Lesser of two evils. A2Politico admitted to voting for Hieftje three times in previous elections, but stated in a recent post, "By 2008, I would have voted for Satan if he’d have run against our mayor."
2. Slow train to hell. Apparently unhappy with how the mayor conducts meetings, A2Politico wrote, "If there is a hell for meeting facilitators who consistently allow bad process to get in the way of the actual business of a meeting, John Hieftje will go there on a very, very, slow train that will make hundreds of stops."
3. Hizzoner. A2Politico regularly refers to Hieftje as "Hizzoner," a mocking way of saying "his honor." For example, in a recent post A2Politico wrote: "When Mayor Hieftje speaks, he likes to tell city taxpayers life is tougher elsewhere in Michigan. Life’s a real bitch in Haiti and sub-Saharan Africa, too. When Hizzoner plays this game, it’s like when your mother used to remind you at dinner that there were starving kids in India so you should damn well pipe down, eat the creamed spinach served to you, and be grateful for her cooking."
4. Slick political slacker. A2Politico called Hieftje a "slick political slacker," claiming his official calendar shows he took six weeks of vacation in 2009, and last fall spent his time at his office at city hall planning and creating materials for a course he taught at the University of Michigan. "In the good times, Hieftje’s pie-in-the-sky ideas have been fun and funky as long as nobody minded the wasted tax dollars and unkept promises," A2Politico concluded.
5. Demublican fauxgressive. A2 Politico called Hieftje a "Demublican teller of half-truths," claiming that while he calls himself a Democrat, his policies align more with Republican ideologies. Along the same lines, A2Politico claimed Hieftje is a "fauxgressive," a politician who claims to be progressive but really isn't in practice.
6. Smells like teen spirit. A2Politico claimed Hieftje has an "almost teenage-like obsession with what’s cool, popular and trendy. Thus, his political schemes have resulted in disappointing failures. He’s a champion of telling voters what they want to hear, but not a champion of the city, its employees or its residents. As a result of governing by popularity contest, he has turned into a chronic teller of half-truths."
7. The Paper Mayor. A2Politico accused Hieftje of being "The Paper Mayor," suggesting he cares more about his political resume - looking good on paper - than effecting any real change while in office. "Gluttons who live to accumulate political bullet points for their résumés, such as Hieftje ... earn one-way tickets to Dante’s Third Circle of Hell," A2Politico wrote.
8. Political betrayer. A2Politico criticized Hieftje for supporting the police-courts building project after threatening to veto it. "John Hieftje could have stood up on behalf of the people of Ann Arbor in the face of an out-of-control group of City Council despots who wanted what they wanted when they wanted it. For the next 30 years, we'll all pay, literally, for John Hieftje's political betrayal and broken promise."
9. Train fetish. A2Politico heavily criticized Hieftje for supporting the city's proposed Fuller Road transit center, questioning his promise that no money for the project will come from the general fund. "Pardon me if I doubt Mayor Hieftje’s assurances concerning the safety of the taxpayers’ money in the general fund from his model train fetish," A2Politico wrote. "We’ve got our very own King John on the throne, and his Fair Fraser of Nottingham."
10. Political blind man. A2Politico claimed Hieftje "feels his way like a political blind man toward reigning in spending at city hall" and has pursued a "visionless and perverted folly of urban density" that has sent Ann Arbor residents packing for the surrounding communities of Saline, Dexter and Chelsea over the last decade.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
Bill Wilson
Wed, Feb 17, 2010 : 9:06 a.m.
David, I simply asked: "I'm curious, what is the name of the publishing firm that you are the CEO of?" My question was also removed. It seems Ms. Lesko is a bit of a bologna piler.
Bill Wilson
Tue, Feb 16, 2010 : 7:30 p.m.
David, I just asked again. Let's she how she responds... no reason the voters shouldn't have this info.
David Cahill
Sun, Feb 14, 2010 : 4:38 p.m.
I had a curious experience today. This morning I posted a question on Pat Lesko's blog, A2Politico. I asked for the name of the corporation she is CEO of, what its gross revenue is, and how many employees it has. I said some were saying she did not have the executive experience to help run an organization the size of the City government. I asked her to prove these critics wrong. I thought this was a "softball" question that would provide more information about her job for those who follow her blog. My question has now been removed.
The Picker
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 8:27 a.m.
I have a great idea to balance the budget. Grudge Match of the Decade We schedule a wrestling match between the two at Crisler arena, Ticket and concession sales would be phenominal and generate huge revenue for the city. Add mud or oil and I'm sure we could get additional revenue from ESPN coverage.
Lokalisierung
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 7:39 p.m.
Nice
Bill Wilson
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 7:33 p.m.
As I said, she looks very hungry for change. i'll give her that, fake/pen names or not. When he was alive, my cat, Andrew, was often hungry for change...and come to think of it, just plain hungry. But I wouldn't have advised you to support him: he'd have made a lousy Mayor... always whining to be fed, and clawing at your leg if weren't fast enough with the can opener.;)
Lokalisierung
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 7:10 p.m.
Well certain other things may keep people from nowing their identity. i know AAFD people post on here their displeasure with their current situation (and I sure don't blame them!), and letting their name go in a public forum could come back to harm them in the workplace. Also many people post from work and don't wan't a record of that.
Lynn Lumbard
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 7:01 p.m.
I just think that if one has an opinion they should feel comfortable expressing it as their own.
Lokalisierung
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 6:52 p.m.
"and anonymous jabs... most by anonymous bloggers!!" I dont really find it that ironic really. None of us are (to my knowledge) running for an important position in a government setting like her. We're all snarky and no-it-alls for sure but somone in government should be above that.
Lynn Lumbard
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 6:33 p.m.
Without weighing in on either candidates, I find it pretty ironic that there are so many complaints about the use of a fake name, pen name, alias, masked blogger, and anonymous jabs... most by anonymous bloggers!!
Lokalisierung
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 5:55 p.m.
As I said, she looks very hungry for change. i'll give her that, fake/pen names or not.
Bill Wilson
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 5:32 p.m.
"For a journalist to use the term "fake name," Mr/Ms Longfellow, is not acceptable unless used in op-eds or other opinion pieces. It's what we call a loaded term/phrase. They conjure up negative feelings toward the person referenced and therefore make this piece bias." It's Mr., but no matter. As to your "opinion" (and opinion, it is) in your first sentence, I disagree, as I agree with Mr. Stanton's assertion: A2politico was, from its onset, a vehicle designed to muster support for Ms. Lesko's campaign for Mayor. As such, the use of "Sam Rosenthal" is disingenuous: designed to garner headlines and attention of the like when she decided it was time to announce her candidacy. Now, I'll elucidate: using a "pen name" or "screen name" is no crime for a writer. But it's quite unheard of when launching a campaign for political office, even to many Ann Arborites, many of whom have a high tolerance for flakiness.
Freemind42
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 3:49 p.m.
Rizzo, Republicans have ruined the rest of our state and country, why in the world would you think they would do any better in our city?
Freemind42
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 3:46 p.m.
xmo, way to use overarching republican talking points. gummit bad!
thed47
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 3:43 p.m.
For a journalist to use the term "fake name," Mr/Ms Longfellow, is not acceptable unless used in op-eds or other opinion pieces. It's what we call a loaded term/phrase. They conjure up negative feelings toward the person referenced and therefore make this piece bias.
Rizzle
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 3:03 p.m.
The quality of both candidates is highly questionable. Anyone who would accuse the Mayor of being a Republican must be insane. It's time we voted in a real Republican in office who will balance the budget in one weekend and restore some fiscal responsibility.
Bill Wilson
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 2:58 p.m.
Commenters to the effect that people are cowards for attacking others anonymously make poor leaders should try a cursory reading of American history. Among anonymous (and much more vitriolic) writers are Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison. I don't say Lesko is somehow of the same stature, just that people would do well to learn basic American political history before feebly attempting to comment on politics. Well, someone should do some studying, in logic, at least. Writing anonymously because you fear for your life is quite different than sniping anonymously because you're seeking someone's job. Just because "B" follows "A" does not mean "A" caused "B".
Dalouie
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 2:56 p.m.
Concealing her identity while taking shots at the mayor and others says a lot about the author. Stanton got right down on her level by even publishing this invitation to her web site. So very much of what one finds there is totally false, a small grain of truth is used as a hook by a skilled propagandist. Regarding city finances, from what I see, Ann Arbor is way ahead of other cities. The city has been well managed in the worst times anyone under 80 can remember. I don't know why we would expect A2 to somehow be doing better than it is. Complaining about the new court house just means you don't know the facts. The lease was up at the county court house. The county is moving the juvenile courts in as soon as the city courts move out. Anyone who has ever toured it knows the city needed a police station and guess what? The bond payment is made by the money the city will save from renting from the county and across the street. Many here don't want you to know that.
Kvetchmeister
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
Commenters to the effect that people are cowards for attacking others anonymously make poor leaders should try a cursory reading of American history. Among anonymous (and much more vitriolic) writers are Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison. I don't say Lesko is somehow of the same stature, just that people would do well to learn basic American political history before feebly attempting to comment on politics.
kfolger
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
Ryan, if your intention was to review and relay the contents of Pat's blog, you could have done so without resorting to the use of what I and several others perceive to be negative and/or biased language. We don't usually say a writer who uses a name different than his real one is using a fake name. Pseudonym or pen name are more appropriate terms and don't have nearly the negative connotation that fake name does. The phrase cloak-and-dagger is also highly questionable, since it is typically used when referring to espionage or intrigue. Scathing or hard-hitting would have been more accurate descriptors.
Moose
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.
On the other hand, I find Ms Lesko to lack temper. Her command of the "facts" and understanding of their implications is impressive. She combines a compelling connect the dots narrative with energy and a strong will, but that's what good politicians need to know how to do.
Moose
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.
I've spoken with the Mayor at several public functions over the years. And had a few one on one's. Unless he's on his talking points, he has some difficulty making casual conversation. He lacks, for better or worse, political charisma. He may do his homework on the issues, but he seems to not actively engage people in their comfort zone. If it's about him and the things he likes to talk about, he's just fine. Just my observation. I guess my chances of a committee appointment of some sort aren't very good after this.
Atticus F.
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 1:32 p.m.
Well said Greg Koepp. I personally think Mayor Hieftje has done a poor job in making finanical decisions to the point that we need to consider a city income tax. The various people who have been running A2 for the last 30 years have never managed the city so poorly that we needed to consider an Income tax...At least not as far as I can remember. On a side note, I've read some of the things she's had to say, and many are legitimate gripes that I happen to agree with.
DaRyan
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 1:26 p.m.
Ryan, I just read your comment defending this thing... Where are you examining the contents of a public blog, as you state. I see no examination. All I see is someone vomitting up Lesko's posts and putting them in order, with no specified criteria. Is what she wrote true? Who knows? Who cares. You don't. This is the Internet and this is A2dotcom. We're not news. We're who cares!
DaRyan
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 1:21 p.m.
Are you serious? This is a new low in A2dotcom. How does repeating -- for free -- all of Lesko's claims inform the electorate. At least make her take out an ad! Where's the mayor's side? And doing a top 10 list out of this? Argh. What a joke. You've just managed to reveal your bias. I'm pretty sure it's not toward Lesko. You don't care that much about this city to really pick sides in a political debate. Instead it's toward simple-minded, crap that you can throw up on the Internet and call it good. Please stop calling yourself a news organization. You're anything but... Goodbye.
Lokalisierung
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 1:13 p.m.
Sorry it meant they "couldN'T" get the AANews site back then.
Lokalisierung
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 1:07 p.m.
"The alternative is renovation to fix the problems for 1/10th the cost of a new building." Well this and the last couple posts...we are talking about 2 seperate things here. The first part is the Courts building...which we did not have an "old one." We were renting space from the County and then the county said to hit the road. I know people just throw out tings like "The county would have agreed to stay longer...etc" with no basis to back that up other than they just sort of figured that how it was to work. Courthouses these days have certain restrictions and the Police needed a new home (I don't know if the legsally have to be in the same building) so they tried to kill 2 birds with one stone and I thinik it's a fine idea. Now the other half is city hall; which I think is like phase 2 of the project. I don't know much about it, I dispise the guy C. Larcom building, it's ugly, and i never understood why they wanted to keep it...so i'm not defneding that piece. I don't remeber why they didn't move to the library lot. They could get Ann Arbor News building back then...and I remeber talk of the Library lot...but i can't remeber. I don't know how coimpletely new contruction there as opposed to in front of Larcom makes a big monitary difference though.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 1:04 p.m.
The purpose of this story was to examine the contents of a public blog ran anonymously for the last five months by someone who is now asking you to vote for them as mayor. We've made no attempts to do anything other than closely review and relay the contents of that blog relative to the mayoral race in an almost verbatim fashion. We hope it helps you become more informed as you contemplate deciding between John Hieftje and Patricia Lesko when you go to the polls in August. Keep in mind that this story does not exist in a vacuum. We will have continued coverage of more substantive issues in future stories in the weeks to come.
belboz
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 12:57 p.m.
Alternative to a new City Hall??? How about a repair? Or remodel? Or nothing? The new city hall adds ZERO value to the taxpayer. Nobody is getting any new service, nor is the existing service going to be improved. Have you seen the listing of commercial real-estate available? How about the News building? Fraser talks about how staff has been cut 25% over the years, so what was the space need for a new city hall? It just seems to be a monument to themselves. The recession has been going on for years, and there has been plenty of time to stop it. For that building alone, Fraser should be fired for cause.
Moose
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 12:56 p.m.
"What alternative were there for an asbestos filled, not 'quite' illegal mold level, filthy dingy Police locker rooms?" How about working with the County for a different building dedicated to Courts and Police in a better location with more parking and better public access? Maybe it could have been located on the Library Lot/Community Commons with the Federal building, A2 Library, AATA, better parking, a small urban park and some local history like Kempf House? It's not an issue of whether a better cop shop or court was necessary, they most assuredly are. But the rush to build, to go further into debt, to do it without regional partnering, and very little public input and then to knuckle under, to cave in, to the "buildings and money' crowd instead of speaking his feelings honestly is a direct indication of Hieftje's weak leadership and lack of vision. I agree City Hall is a dysfunctional, poorly designed, out of date building and has been from the git go. It was never intended for police and courts. Every administrator and politician city and county wide, deserves blame for not having done something better for police and courts in the intervening 40 years. But, hey, they didn't because they lacked leadership and vision. Hieftje is just one in a long line of politically expedient "deciders" on this issue and others as well, and because of that he deserves to go.
Bill Wilson
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.
"This 'story' is clearly bias. "Fake name"?" Unless Lesko changed her name from "Sam Rosenthal," then yes... it was a fake name. The Coleman Young reference demonstrates her belief that the A2 voter lacks the sophistication to grasp only the subliminal. Wolverine is right on: A2 will see right through her.
Jody Durkacs
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.
The alternative is renovation to fix the problems for 1/10th the cost of a new building. Rich people who have a problem with their home can afford to build a new one. Budget-strapped city governments do not have the same luxury.
Lokalisierung
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 12:32 p.m.
"#8 is a deal killer. Hieftje could have done the right thing and vetoed the city hall expansion, then found alternatives." What alternative were there for an asbestos filled, not 'quite' illegal mold level, filthy dingy Police locker rooms?
Skeb Bpow
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 12:24 p.m.
I have enjoyed reading A2P/Ms. Lesko's observations about city politics and the current administration. Her snarky style was appropriate and amusing in a blog format but I'm not sure how appropriate it is for the elected leader of the City of Ann Arbor. I will be interested to see her platform evolve and will miss her blog if it is suspended
Moose
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 12:14 p.m.
#8 is a deal killer. Hieftje could have done the right thing and vetoed the city hall expansion, then found alternatives. Instead he chose to demonstrate his weak leadership by bowing to council members who he helped elect. Now we're saddled with one of the ugliest buildings in downtown, a stupid million dollar fountain and a debt that will take decades to pay down. Hieftje could have said NO and sought alternatives. Instead, he went for unsustainable and expensive by basing future earnings on past performance.
Lokalisierung
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 12:10 p.m.
She looks hungry for chnage, that's for sure. Her whole nameless blogging and name calling and her amazing reveal to the world...jeez how borrrring.
thed47
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 12:06 p.m.
This 'story' is clearly bias. "Fake name"? Trying to frame this election already, eh? How about looking into some of Lesko's claims about the Mayor's out of control development projects instead? How about looking into why the administration is digging the city deeper into dept (Library underground parking lot)?
Bill Wilson
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 11:51 a.m.
Gotta agree, the fake name and NY Post style hit pieces on her site leave her with little or no credibility, but there's one issue we're overlooking: she lacks the insight necessary to know when she's gone too far. Case in point: Using the term "hizzoner." Lesko may think the term to be a clever use of the subliminal, but in fact, it's an obvious attempt to plant the image of Coleman Young in the minds of voters, and does more to reveal Lesko's lack of character and decency than to harm John Hieftje's image. Say what you like about the shortcomings of John Hieftje as Mayor, he doesn't deserve this.
Lisa Starrfield
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 11:33 a.m.
Nope. I was wrong.. there are links. But what is the purpose of this article?
Lisa Starrfield
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 11:26 a.m.
This story is a joke and serves no purpose. Why are there no links or dates? Because I am betting that most, if not all, of these quotes were from before Ms. Lesko decided to run.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 11:21 a.m.
Let's add one more fact to this list. If you've ever seem the Mayor at an NAACP dinner, he looks like the most boring and uncomfortable person in the world and can't wait until he does his little thing so he can get the hell out of there. Yet, the NAACP invites him back year.
ShadowManager
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 11:08 a.m.
Lesko oughta have a "Kayak Party" on Argo pond to skewer Hieftje's ideas on the Argo issue.
Wolverine3660
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 10:42 a.m.
I doubt that Ms Lesko is capable of anymore than throwing insults. I don think Iever saw any constructive comments or serious policy being discussed on her blog. Like Detroit pols playing the race card,Ms Lesko will play the "oppressed GLBT" card to attempt to get herself elected Mayor. Aint gonna happen. People in A2 arent that stupid.
Jody Durkacs
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 10:35 a.m.
blake_138, the proper phrase is "by and large" not "by enlarge". http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1908/what-is-the-origin-of-by-and-large As for Lesko, I like what I hear so far. Hieftje has not showed appropriate budgetary restraint in these troubling economic times, so he has to go.
Matthew R.
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 10:34 a.m.
Hiding behind a false name on the internet to insult political opponents...that's real leadership right there. I should change my profile name so I can get in on this.
katie
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 10:31 a.m.
I'm not too happy with the current priorities which seem to involve laying off police and fire fighters and selling off parks while approving expensive building projects like the parking lot and conference center. I think that Lesko is thinking along these lines. I'm inclined to vote for her but would like to know more about what she would do, not just her criticisms of the current mayor. My objection to her would be that she started this off anonymously and I don't like that style. But if she is for stopping ALL capital expansion projects until the economy improves and we have more tax dollars flowing into the coffers, that would be a plus. I'd love to see some city council members replaced if they don't try to stop the unnecessary spending on buildings. We have plenty of empty buildings in the county. Why not rent them if we need a new city hall?
et-tu-brute
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 9:43 a.m.
I salute competition and am glad to see it. But anyone starts their political campaign as "the masked blogger" behind a fake name she be considered a joke right off the bat. If Patricia Less-go is not willing to step up to the podium and let her face and name be judged on the equal grounds of anyone else, then she is either hiding something or knows she has no support for her little child like jabs!
Janelle Baranowski
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 9:36 a.m.
If nothing else, Ms. Lesko is going to make this an interesting race to the primary.
xmo
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 8:38 a.m.
First of all, The Mayor "HIZZZoner" is not even close to "Republican ideologies". Second, I love this Democrat love fest! One's trying to be "cool" while the other hides in the shadows and make comments from the gallery. Lets talk about what these people stand for! Higher Taxes, more spending, reducing our freedoms and rights. Both are no friends of small business or development.
Greg Koepp
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 7:44 a.m.
There's no way I'm replacing one nut job with another nut job. I want someone who can help us prepare for the future while still maintaining the basic function of government. More to the point...The #1 priority of ANY Mayor of ANY city should be to make sure the various departments and various employees of said dept. are working as effectively and efficiently as humanly possible, to be a good steward of the citizens money. In this he has failed miserably.