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Posted on Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 3:21 p.m.

Warpehoski pulls petitions in 5th Ward as Ann Arbor City Council races take shape

By Ryan J. Stanton

Chuck Warpehoski has entered the 5th Ward race for the Ann Arbor City Council, pulling nominating petitions on Monday to run as a Democrat.

"I am in the race," Warpehoski confirmed. "I pulled my petitions this morning. I then went and bought a comfy pair of walking shoes from Fourth Avenue Birkenstock, so I'm ready to start pounding the pavement and campaigning."

Warpehoski is the first candidate to step forward since incumbent Carsten Hohnke, D-5th Ward, announced over the weekend he won't be seeking re-election this year.

030112_Chuck-Warpehoski.jpg

Chuck Warpehoski

Warpehoski is director of the local Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice and a member of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority's district advisory committee for the Ann Arbor area.

Warpehoski is married to Nancy Shore, who is director of the getDowntown program, which is funded jointly through the AATA, the city of Ann Arbor and Downtown Development Authority.

So far no candidates have actually turned in petitions in any of the six city races that will be on the ballot this year.

The deadline to file to run in the August primary is May 15. Running for mayor requires 250 signatures, while running for council requires 100 signatures.

Republican Stuart Berry, who ran against Democratic incumbent Mike Anglin for his 5th Ward seat last year, pulled petitions to run for Hohnke's seat back in January. Berry could not be reached to confirm whether he still intends to run.

Vivienne Armentrout, a 5th Ward resident who ran against Hohnke as a Democrat in 2008, said she isn't planning on running this year. John Floyd, a Republican who has challenged Hohnke in the past, also said he's unlikely to run but hasn't ruled it out.

Mayor John Hieftje and three other council members have pulled petitions with intentions of defending their seats this year. That includes Tony Derezinski in the 2nd Ward, Christopher Taylor in the 3rd Ward and Margie Teall in the 4th Ward.

Teall is being challenged again by 4th Ward resident Jack Eaton, who lost to Teall in the 2010 Democratic primary.

Taylor faces no opposition in the 3rd Ward.

Sally Hart Petersen has pulled petitions to run as a Democrat against Derezinski in the 2nd Ward.

Sandi Smith, D-1st Ward, also is up for re-election this year but today said she isn't running. Sumi Kailasapathy, a certified public accountant who lost to Smith in the 2010 Democratic primary, pulled petitions Monday, vowing to make another run this year.

"I did lose last time, but I don't think the issues have gotten any better, and I think there is a role for a CPA on council," she said.

So far nobody is waging a campaign against Hieftje. Local business owner Tom Wall, who ran against Hieftje twice in the past, pulled petitions in January to run as a Democrat, but he's leaning against it now due to a lack of support for his campaign.

"I think I could be a very good mayor, but I've been out trying to get people to help join our campaign and I haven't been as successful as I wanted to be," he said.

"I think maybe the people of Ann Arbor are happy, and I like John," he added. "John is a good guy. I just have different views."

Hieftje has said there's a chance he might not run for re-election again after this year, meaning the mayor's seat could be up for grabs in 2014.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.

Comments

northside

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.

Run Chuck run! It would be fantastic to have you on City Council. ICPJ does great work.

Roadman

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 5:58 a.m.

"Vivienne Armentrout, a Fifth Ward resident who ran against Hohnke as a Democrat in 2008, said she is not planning on running this year." Too bad. She is the conscience of the Ann Arbor Democratic Party; ask Democratic Party heavyweights like Larry Kestenbaum and others who served with her on the Board of Commissioners and they will tell you she is one of the best informed, ethical and knowledgeable elected officials they have worked with. She was a major advocate of Ask Voters First and almost beat Hohnke in 2008 despite the backing he had from the Council Party. Ann Arborites need a candidate like Mrs. Armentrout running for City Council.

Alan Goldsmith

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 10:18 a.m.

Yes Roadman until the Borgias, I mean Conan Smith and his wife and family all turned on Ms. Armentrout and knifed her in the back politically.

T Wall

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.

Part 4 Having run for Mayor twice Tom knows the time and commitment that is involved in such an endeavor. Previously, Tom has had a small group of supporters helping him in his campaigns. He has come to the realization that he needs more of an organization to be successful.. He needs your help to return Ann Arbor politics to the people and give them a say in their government. "This is a grass roots campaign I need a fresh group of Ann Arborites who will come forward to help me win the election." Some of the positions he needs filled are: 1. A Campaign manager 2. A Campaign promoter who will do posters, yard signs etc. 3. People to recruit individuals to host campaign neighborhood informational parties and neighborhood captains in all the wards who will work their precincts. 4. A Fundraiser Director familiar with campaign laws 5. A journalist and/or speech writer to put out press releases and help prepare statements and positional papers If people are unhappy with how the city of Ann Arbor is being run then show your support by contacting me at wall4mayor12@gmail.com.

T Wall

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.

Part 3 Tom was born in Ann Arbor in 1948, and attended Dicken, Slauson and University High School. He then went on to Eastern Michigan where he received his Masters in Special Education and played football on a scholarship. Tom has been married to Marie, a Burns Park Elementary teacher prior to her retirement, for 43 years. He has two adult children Brent and Kari and 3 grandchildren. Tom taught Special Education in Willow Run Schools and retired in 2000. He started All Star Driver Education in 1998 and has taught over 7500 Ann Arbor kids how to drive. Many of his Driver Education students know him as Captain Driver Ed. He is also the founder of the T. Wall Foundation, a foundation helping special children and their families in need. Every November, the students at Greenhills are involved in the T. Wall B-Ball, an event pairing up a Greenhills student and a special needs student for a morning of games and activities. Tom also was Camp Director of Camp Al-Gon-Quian and marketed and promoted the University of Michigan Men's Hockey team in Red's first year of coaching. He is an active member of several Ann Arbor civic and professional organizations, giving many hours to his community in volunteer efforts.

T Wall

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.

Part 2 Some of the things he won't do that have happened previously; Build a Police/Court House building that we can't afford Construct an underground parking structure we don't need. Try to push through a convention center over the underground parking facility without getting the approval of the residents of Ann Arbor. Lay off police and fire personnel lowering our staff below the recommended number. Have a one lane Stadium Bridge that is dangerous for cars to drive over and under. Push a train station we just don't need.

T Wall

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:42 p.m.

Part 1 TOM WALL SAYS, "ONE MORE TIME IF I CAN GET THE HELP AND SUPPORT I NEED" "SOME MEN SEE THINGS AS THEY ARE, I DREAM THINGS THAT NEVER WE'RE AND SAY WHY NOT." – Ted Kennedy Tom Wall has announced that he is considering running for Mayor of Ann Arbor in 2012. Before he agrees to run for Mayor for the 3rd and last time he wants to make sure that he has the support and backing to win the 2012 August primary. "In order to win this time around, I am going to need a great deal of support from the residents of Ann Arbor. I tried to run without the necessary organizational support in 2006 and 2008 and realize I can't do it on my own." In 2006 Tom garnered just over 20% in the general election running as an independent and in 2008 he received close to a third of the votes in the Democratic Primary. Here's what Tom envisions accomplishing in his role as Mayor; I plan on giving Ann Arbor back to the people. If there is a large project in the works where opposition is apparent, then we will ask the voters first before moving ahead. Provide open communication and transparency. Ann Arbor is not like any other city in Michigan. The University of Michigan keeps our city vibrant. Together we can make Ann Arbor the most exciting city in Michigan We should never have to make cuts to our fire and police forces We need to manage our money better and practice fiscal responsibility on a daily basis. Maintain city streets year around with an emphasis on pot holes and snow removal.

Roadman

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 11:40 p.m.

Uhhh Tom: That quote was from Robert F. Kennedy during his 1868 primary campaign. Ted's most famous remark was "fam farmily" (trying to say "farm family").

Roadman

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:20 p.m.

"Taylor faces no opposition in the Third Ward." That is sad. Really really sad.

Alan Goldsmith

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:41 p.m.

"Sally Hart Petersen has pulled petitions to run as a Democrat against Derezinski in the 2nd Ward." So why no article on Ms. Petersen? We get one on The Mayor's buddy but not another candidate running against another buddy of the Mayor? Par for the course, par for the course.

Roadman

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.

I never heard of her before. Does she have any political experience or campaign organization?

Alan Goldsmith

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:29 p.m.

"Warpehoski is director of the local Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice and a member of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority's district advisory committee for the Ann Arbor area. Warpehoski is married to Nancy Shore, who is director of the getDowntown program, which is funded jointly through the AATA, the city of Ann Arbor and Downtown Development Authority." Another puppet head for the Mayor's team. No thanks. I can smell the conflict of interest stink clear across town.

northside

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.

Chuck wouldn't be a puppet to anyone or anything except for his conscience. Saying that he'd be the mayor's puppet shows no knowledge about the work of ICPJ. Taking a shot at his wife, who has also done great work in the community, is pathetic.

Stuart Brown

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 4:49 a.m.

Roadman, No, but his timing is good. Did he have inside information that Carsten Hohnke was not running?

Roadman

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.

Do we know he was recruited by the Mayor?