Election primer: Washtenaw County's ballot proposals and races to be decided Tuesday
The hottest election in Washtenaw County on Tuesday - hands down - is a countywide schools enhancement millage voters are being asked to approve.
But voters elsewhere in Washtenaw County will need to decide other pocketbook issues. In Ypsilanti Township, residents are being asked to tax themselves to keep their current level of police protection. And in Webster Township, three millages are on the ballot that pay for general operating expenses, public safety and land acquisition.
In many communities, city and school board elections also will be decided Tuesday.Â
Read on for AnnArbor.com’s election primer. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; if you aren’t sure where to vote, visit: www.ewashtenaw.org/government/clerk_register/elections/el_precincts.html.
On Tuesday, make sure to visit AnnArbor.com through the day for reaction from the polls, and watch our site for results as soon as they’re available.
Ballot Proposals
WISD schools enhancement millage
Walk into any coffee shop, barbershop or church lobby, and the folks gathered there are sure to have plenty of thoughts on the proposed enhancement millage.
As the election draws closer, a relatively split Washtenaw County is abuzz in opinions over the 2-mill, five-year tax. The millage would raise about $30 million countywide each year and would cost the owner of a home with a $100,000 taxable value $200 per year.
Click here to read all our coverage of the millage.
Here’s what officials and parents are saying:
First, those who support it:
• “Schools are the lifeblood of any community. This is especially true in Ann Arbor. We located our business here because of Ann Arbor's unique blend of economic vitality and academic influence. Without this millage, Ann Arbor Public Schools - and all the districts here - face such a drastic shortfall in funding that it threatens the very fabric of what makes our schools special.” - Paul Saginaw, co-owner Zingerman’s.
• “Where will we find the money if we don't pass this millage? We simply don't have a choice at this point. When people say, 'How can we afford this?' instead I say, 'How can we afford not to?” - Simone Lightfoot, Ann Arbor school district parent.
• “A ‘yes’ vote is a vote for our children and for our city. The quality of a community’s schools is a driving force in generating new businesses and people to the area, attracting and retaining good teachers, as well as maintaining home property values. A ‘yes’ vote helps ensure the long-term viability of Ann Arbor as a leading Michigan city and the education of our children.” - Debbie Tirico, Ann Arbor school district parent.
• “Brain power is Michigan's future. But a depressed economy has caused the state to retreat from our obligation to fund quality public education. It's now up to Washtenaw citizens to unite to backstop preschool's bright start opportunities and a dynamic, cutting edge K-12 experience for all of the county's kids.” - State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, D-Salem Township.
• “We’re already short money in my district. The state doesn’t care enough about our kids to give us the money we need, so we need to step up and help.” - Mary Worthy, Ypsilanti school district parent.
Those opposed to it:
• “I took a pay cut each year for the last three years in my job and am also paying more for benefits. I just can’t afford any extra taxes right now, and a lot of my neighbors can’t either. “ - Todd Gold, Willow Run school district parent.
• “There’s bloat in the district’s budget. I think they can tighten the number of administrators they have, the stuff not in the classroom and still give kids a good education.” - Walter Mays, Ann Arbor school district parent.
• “This is just a blatant money grab from the teachers. When they give up some of their salary and pay more for their benefits like the rest of us, then I’ll be glad to vote for more taxes.” - Terri Ireland, Saline school district parent.
• “Here’s my problem with the millage. There are 10 school districts here in Washtenaw County. You can’t convince me that we wouldn’t be better off if there were five or six or some number less than 10. Do we really need 10 superintendents, 10 business offices, 10 transportation departments? Let’s have some real serious talks about consolidating districts and saving money before we give them more money.” - Rick Jones, Ann Arbor school district parent.
• “It’s all about the economy. With so many people out of work and lots more having lots of money struggles, how can the schools even think about asking for more money? The tax doesn’t seem like that much, but if you don’t have any money, it could hurt folks who are already hurting,” - Jodie McKellar, Ann Arbor school district parent.
Ypsilanti Township police millage
Ypsilanti Township officials say as many as 10 of the 38 Washtenaw County Sheriff’s deputies serving the township could be cut if the measure fails.
The 2-mill increase would cost the owner of home with a taxable value of $100,000 roughly $200 annually. It would immediately generate $3.2 million needed to fill the gaps left in the annual budget by dwindling tax revenue.
Roughly 70 percent of voters agreed to renew the township’s current police millage in May. Taxable values dipped by 9 percent this year and are projected to fall another 15 percent in 2010, when the closing of the GM Powertrain Plant alone will have a $215 million impact on taxable valuations over the next two years.
“This time we’re asking for an increase when everyone is hurting,” said Mike Radzik, the township’s director of police services. “My hope is that people realize it’s for a critical service.”
Township officials have already cut salaries, implemented a 32-hour work week for some township employees and taken other measures to curb costs without layoffs.
Longtime township resident Bill Riney said he’s heard opposition among voters and thinks the initiative is doomed.
“I hope it goes down because we need to do things differently,” he said. “We keep going back to the well and people are so beat down they don’t know what’s coming next.”
Webster Township millages
Township officials are stressing no new taxes are involved in the ballot proposals - they would merely renew or restore levies that voters approved in 2005.
Proposal C will renew up to 1.9726 mills for police and fire protection. The owner of a $200,000 house with taxable value of $100,000 will continue to be assessed $197 per year if the proposal passes. The township currently contracts for two full-time deputies and gets fire protection through the Dexter Fire Department.
Proposal E seeks to override the millage rollback, which would reduce general operating funds from the voter-approved 1.144 mills to 0.779 mills in 2010. The requested 0.381 mills would keep the township from losing the source of revenue that brought in $131,919 in the last four years.
Proposal D renews funding for the Purchase of Development Rights program to preserve open land. If reapproved, the measure will continue the assessment of 0.4931 mills for the program, or $49 for the owner of a $200,000 home.
Ann Arbor ballot proposals
Ann Arbor voters will be asked Tuesday to approve two ballot proposals that will ease city charter restrictions and allow city staff to publish ordinances and notices on the city’s Web site instead of in a newspaper.
With the closing of The Ann Arbor News, city officials are seeking alternative methods of providing the public with important information, said City Clerk Jacqueline Beaudry.
Currently, the city charter requires changes to city code or notices of proposed zoning amendments be published in a "newspaper of general circulation" in Ann Arbor. The Washtenaw Legal News is the only publication that fits that description right now.
Proposal A would allow city staff to publish approved ordinances within 10 days after enactment either in a newspaper of general circulation, by posting to the city’s Web site or by any other means or method determined appropriate by the City Council. In cases of ordinances longer than 500 words, a summary may be published and copies of the full text would be available at city hall.
Proposal B will allow the city to publish notices of proposed zoning ordinances and amendments in newspapers of general circulation or any other media otherwise permitted by law.
The Michigan Press Association has spent more than $46,000 on a campaign urging Ann Arbor residents to defeat the two proposals. It claims their passage would impact the public's right to know how local government operates.
Candidates for office
Sabra Briere
Ann Arbor voters in the 1st and 4th Wards will be asked Tuesday whether to go with experience or elect change.
In two contested races for the City Council, two Democratic incumbents are defending their seats against independent challengers who are relative newcomers to the Ann Arbor political scene.
Mitchell Ozog, a native of Poland who left his home country in the 1980s,
Mitchell Ozog
Ozog has run a quiet campaign and turned down requests to be interviewed. Briere said she’s concerned about the future of development in the city and wants to stay in office to weigh in on city zoning ordinance revisions and to address budget challenges.
In the 4th Ward, 23-year-old University of Michigan student Hatim Elhady
Marcia Higgins
Elhady, who will graduate in December with a degree in economics, has been critical of Higgins' performance, saying she does not communicate well with residents. Higgins, a U-M administrative assistant, said she is proud to have worked over the years on the reorganization of city government.
Hatim Elhady
Higgins and Elhady both oppose the removal of Argo Dam, but differ on their stance on a city income tax. Higgins wants to put the proposal on the ballot; Elhady says an income tax would be bad for renters.
Chelsea City Council
Five candidates are vying for three seats on the Chelsea City Council, while a current councilman is running unopposed for mayor.
Jason Lindauer
Jason Lindauer, a lifelong Chelsea resident, promises to affirm the leadership of current Mayor Ann Feeney, who is running for a council seat instead of mayor. Lindauer, who has been on council since 2004, is a vice president of Global Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch and coaches high school football.
“I want to continue her work of putting the city of Chelsea first as a destination for families and businesses looking to relocate to Washtenaw County,” he said. “I plan to honor our city’s proud heritage, and represent the quality of life that makes Chelsea City a unique community to live and work in.”
All the council candidates say they’re running to maintain the city government’s municipal integrity.
Cheri Albertson
Cheri Albertson, a current city council member, said she has advocated for government transparency and equal outreach for citizens.
“My hope is to continue providing the city with sophisticated, cutting-edge thinking that will protect and preserve our city, as much as is actually possible, from fiscal vulnerability while simultaneously developing strategies that will, successfully, take our city far into the future,” she said.
Feeney said she’s ready to hang up her hat as mayor, but wants to continue playing a significant part in Chelsea’s development and upkeep as a member of the city council.
Ann Feeney
“The bottom line is I really care about keeping this community viable economically and have it continue to be a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Feeney said.
Frank Hammer
Like Feeney, Frank Hammer has been serving the city of Chelsea for years. The past 17 years of his life have been spent as a representative on Chelsea’s municipal council - a commitment Hammer hopes to continue.
“Though not immune to the shrinking resources of our economy, Chelsea city's staff and the community at large continue to work effectively to make Chelsea a great place to live and do business. I want to serve as the next chapter begins,” he said.
Another current City Council member, Kent Martinez-Kratz said he wants to help maintain Chelsea’s reputation as a tight-knit, family-friendly community. Martinez-Kratz, 46, works as a special education teacher.
“I am running for Chelsea City Council to continue to maintain Chelsea as an attractive, family community,” he says. “I hope to keep our quiet charm. I also wish to reduce the tax liabilities on our citizens.”
Council candidate Richard L. Steele is far from a political newcomer. From 1990 to 2004, Steele served as village president of Chelsea - witnessing its changeover from village to city in 2004. Steele also was on the village council from 1983 to 1990.
“I want to make sure that the city stays afloat in troubled economic times,” Steele said. “I intend to ensure that some of our outstanding issues, like the completion of a new police facility, are addressed.”
Saline City Council
Four candidates are seeking three seats on Saline’s City Council, where preserving the city’s way of life for residents was cited as a top priority for all.
Pat Ivey
Pat Ivey, a circulation manager with the Detroit Media Partnership, has previous experience as a member of the Saline City Council, where he worked as a liaison between the council and the city’s parks and recreation office.
“I'm sincerely interested in helping to preserve our community's quality of life,” he said. “I aim to cooperate with my colleagues to find ways to keep our city fiscally sound, a safe place to live, with no increase in our property tax millage or deterioration of our basic municipal services.”
Glenn Law
Incumbent Glenn Law - who served as mayor pro tem and currently chairs the Special Projects Commission - hopes to continue his work on council.
“I am running because there is still a lot of work that needs to get done,” he said. “My intention is to continue to accomplish what I originally set out to do when I first ran for city council in 2003. That is to keep taxes from rising in these hard economic times while maintaining services that the citizens expect and deserve.”
Alicia Ping
Another candidate seeking re-election is Alicia Ping, who has served since 1998. In 2004, she made an unsuccessful bid for state representative, and said what she has, above all, is experience.
“Of all of the candidates running, I bring the most experience and historical knowledge of our city, to the table,” she said. “It is important to know where you have been so that you know where you are going.”
Sal Randazzo
Sal Randazzo, a 24-year Saline resident, said he would bring a dynamic voice to the board. A self-employed contractor, Randazzo said he’d fight for a stronger citizen voice in city government.
“I am concerned about the future of this country,” he said. “The right to vote alone is not enough to ensure good governance any longer. It is time for an average person to get directly involved in the system by running and getting elected.”
Milan City Council
Kym Muckler
Milan Mayor Kym Muckler is running unopposed to keep her seat, while four candidates are seeing three seats on the City Council.
Muckler said she plans to make the city’s budget a central factor in her service.
“Key issues that must be addressed over the next few years will be our city’s financial picture,” Muckler said. “Over the next few months, we will be taking a look at our current budget and start making plans for how to maintain services, meet our obligations and not adversely affect the quality of life of our residents.”
Michael Armitage
Michael Armitage, 26, made an unsuccessful bid for mayor when Muckler was elected in 2007. He’s now running for council and said he hopes to aid his hometown in moving forward with city development and residential service programs.
“I am running because I have a deep and sincere desire to see Milan prosper and be a model for other communities,” he said. “I firmly believe that we need to continue services, including senior programs, parks, public works, and public safety. We can and will do this while not raising taxes by being better managers of our resources.”
Newcomer Dominic N. Hamden, 30, said he has the municipal experience needed to serve the citizens of Milan as a member of the City Council.
Dominic Hamden
“I have held my law license for nearly five years and in the most recent two years have gained experience with city and township municipalities,” he said. “I also believe that my background as a homeowner residing in Milan, a husband, father, and attorney make me uniquely qualified to better understand the realities and difficulties that Milan residents face in their day-to-day lives.”
David Ludwig has played in integral part in Milan’s community as the member of many boards, commissions, and civic groups. He’s previously served as mayor and on the council and said he wants to make planning Milan’s future a top priority.
David Ludwig
“My goal if elected is to help Milan plan its future during this downturn in our national economy,” he said. “As a freshman councilman, we were [facing] far worse times, so I have experience to help us get past this current time. With shrinking revenue both locally and statewide, we have to get very creative in finding ways to continue our service's without increasing taxes.”
Council candidate Douglas A. Gilson could not be reached for comment.
Three candidates are running for three seats on the Milan Library Board.
Lincoln Consolidated Schools Trustee
The race for two open seats on the Lincoln Consolidated Schools Board of Education includes three candidates.
Augusta Township resident Zack Conley II, said he was encouraged by a group of citizens to seek the position and called school funding a high priority.
“These are difficult days for all of the school districts in Washtenaw County,” he said. “The economy of this state will determine the level of education we can ultimately give. Hopefully, we will soon return to a level of funding needed to properly support out children.”
Jennifer A. Czachorski
Jennifer A. Czachorski, 39, has worked as a business manager in the restaurant industry, and said her managerial skills make her well-suited to handle the position of school board trustee.
“I am connected with the community and other parents and I am able to bring that perspective to the board,” she said. “Similar to many other districts in Michigan, our district is going to face severe financial stress in the next few years. I would like to ensure that this strain has a minimal impact on the quality of the education that we are providing for our students.”
Jennifer LaBombarbe
Also in the running is incumbent Jennifer LaBombarbe, a 42-year-old mother of seven who serves as president of the Lincoln Youth Football & Cheer Club. She said her greatest asset is her advocacy for improvement the school district’s image.
“I am running for a seat on Lincoln Consolidated School Board to become a greater advocate of Lincoln Schools,” she said. “One of my goals is to change the aura of the school. I am constantly talking to parents about their involvement in the schools and encourage them to step up and help make changes.”
- By AnnArbor.com’s David Jesse and Ryan Stanton, and freelance writers Emma Richardson and Art Aisner.
Comments
djahner
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 7:48 p.m.
The greed of the Michigan Education Association never ceases to amaze me. Parents of charter schooled, parochial, and home-schooled children pay taxes also but again get excluded from public tax dollars. This parochial parent is tired of subsidizing my public school neighbers when they won't share the tax revenues. Theifs!!!
casimer
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:33 p.m.
Riney is against the Ypsi police millage? Isn't he the guy camped out in the tree? That settles it! I'm voting YES.
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 4:51 p.m.
A reader has pointed out to us that an ad taken out by Elhady's campaign in the Sunday, Nov. 1, print edition of AnnArbor.com identifies Ethel Potts as a supporter of Elhady and references her as an Ann Arbor Planning Commission member. In fact, she is a former member of that body.
Realistic Citizen
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 2:54 p.m.
I want nothing more than to have our teachers continue to educate our children with the highest quality education possible. In passing this millage it will help maintain the current status not improve the overall capability that each teacher has to educate or kids. Keep in mind that a majority of working individuals have seen pay freezes, reductions, health care costs increased, and in a worse case scenario loss of employment. I will vote to pass this millage but, would ask all Washtenaw county teachers to do their part when contract negotiations begin and that is to take a salary decrease, and pay more per month for their health insurance to help offset the request for passage of this millage. Teachers should not be protected from the economic depression our State and Country are going through. What the teachers of our state have, (Pensions, 403B's, uncomparable health benefits, 8-9 month work schedules, 10+ sick days per year w/ rollover, personal days, Holiday vacations) there is no comparison to the private sector. And please do not tell me you have papers to grade at night! Tell me a job in the private sector that stops working after 5pm? Trust me, the sacrifices that teachers are willing to make during these difficult times will go a long way in every community to show "good faith" that you too stand for the survivability of our schools. If teachers really are in the profession to help "make a difference" in our childrens future, then partner in the sacrifices that most parents and families are trying to do in supporting this millage. We are all kidding ourselves if we think that passing this millage will be the only sacfrice needed to help us get through these hard times. Tough decisions are ahead for all districts and the solutions to these decisions will need to come from all sides of the table (communities, administrators, & board of education)to sacrifice for our future. Unless all parties are willing to meet on a commonground to what it truly takes financially to support "our" kids, the mess we are in will never be solved.
JonesM
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 8:16 a.m.
We all agree that education is extremely important, but so is fiscal responsibility. Due to the nature of my job, I have the opportunity to work with a lot of small businesses and not-for-profits. Everywhere I go, I see people learning to do more with less because that's what the economic conditions demand. Unfortunately, I do not see that same attitude within education. Instead, I see political jockeying to maintain the status quo. All I hear from the proponents of this millage is that our kids are going to suffer if the millage doesn't pass. Never once have I heard them specifically address the concerns of those of us that are against the millage. Concerns such as too many high schools, too much administrative overhead, an unproductive tenure system and overgenerous (in today's world) benefits and pensions. Until the budget is transparent and we have answers to our questions and suggestions, my vote is NO!
A Voice of Reason
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 12:30 a.m.
Looking at the pro millage ad, I was surprised at all the teacher's unions that were listed. In addition to the unions and one lonely PTO, I looked at the colored pictures of community leaders and just thought, DOES EVERYONE HAVE THEIR HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR? THE WALL OF SHAME 1. James Cameron- Attorney to the School District. If you want to defend us in another lawsuit because we tried to scam the subs....,you had better put your name on this. Please put how much your firm has made from us these last 5 years? 2. Steve Dobson--United Way Chair--Well, if you want one dime from our employees, you had better work on this one pal. 3. Simone Lightfoot, AAPS Parent AKA as Director of NAACP National Voter Fund. Simone, are you really happy with our performance with African American students and do you think more money is going to help that? 4. Bob Chapman, CEO United Bankcorp--Bet you have some $$$ of the school district in your vault. Another $11,000,000 is looking good ain't it? 5. State Rep. Rebekah Warren --A $2000 gift from the MEA and little threat about never working in Lansing again will surely get your endorsement. 6. And even though he did not get a colored picture, Norman Herbert--Please tell us how much he has made from the school district. Bet he is getting rich on the back of our kids! I agree with the tag line at the bottom of your ad, Let's take our children's future back into our own hands!
"We" not "Them"
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 11:18 p.m.
YpsiLivin says, We "conservative anti-tax" people are saying that the money given to the schools is misspent now and giving the schools more money is simply rewarding the administrators for their poor decision-making skills. Im VOTING YES on the millage. The notion that we are giving more money to the schools is a misnomer. We are lessening the blow of disastrous funding cuts from the state legislature. These cuts have nothing to do with administrative decision making. Schools were told theyd have X dollars and now those dollars are being taken away from them. This has happened to school districts more than once the past few years, and by all accounts there are major funding cuts in the near future (i.e $500 per pupil of federal funding due to expire in 2010). We are in a unique position in this county to alleviate some of the pain these cuts will cause to our entire community. Voting No to spite a few poor administrative decisions would be similar to voting No on the federal bailout because a few bankers made poor decisions. I didn't like what the bankers did and Im not defending any poor decisions that administrators may have made. The bottom line, however, is that the negative repercussions of voting No and allowing our schools to suffer such severe cuts to their funding far exceeds any perceived rewards for poor decision making. We dont need to cut off our nose to spite our face. VOTE YES on the millage. If there are poor administrative decisions that need to be revisited then go to the next school board meeting and bring your expertise so we can begin making our schools more efficient.
Dr. I. Emsayin
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 10:37 p.m.
Kathy Griswold, Please explain what you know about the current Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education that we, the public don't know.Post it on this site.
PaperTiger
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 4:44 p.m.
Teachers in Saline school district DO NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THEIR BENEFITS! They also get reimbursed from Teacher Improvement funds (negotiation with the teachers union) for any classes they take. They got a RAISE recently, while the support staff had their pay either frozen or took a pay cut. As long as they keep riding the gravy train, I'm not giving them any more of my money. It's administrative problem which, unfortunately, will hurt the students in the long run. Such a shame. Vote NO!
YpsiLivin
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 4:34 p.m.
Rusty Shackelford, Your argument assumes that every dollar given to the school district is spent well. We "conservative anti-tax" people are saying that the money given to the schools is misspent now and giving the schools more money is simply rewarding the administrators for their poor decision-making skills. Tax supporters cry about how the schools will have to cut classroom operations, but no one (including administrators) seems to recognize that significant savings could be gained by cutting school administration, thereby sparing cuts to classroom programs. All we're asking for is transparency in school administration and a demonstration that the money they are given now, which - at least in Ann Arbor's case - is thousands of dollars above the state's foundation funding - is being spent on classrooms and not wasted on administration.
DonBee
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 3:03 p.m.
ScioTwpLady - 1) Steps are Years 1-10 and 11 (L1) and year 15 (L2). Also in the table are automatic increases for degrees earned. The table has 2 dimensions (time and education level). So your fact is a 1/2 fact. 2) Some teachers make co-pays - depends on the program they chose from MESSA - Package "C" for AAPS is free and teachers get a $100 a month in their paycheck for choosing it to cover any co-pays - the others require some contribution. The package that is free varies from school to school - read the contracts they are on-line. 3) Teacher "drop out" in Michigan is one of the lowest rates in the US. There is an over supply of teachers in Michigan now and people from out of state flock to Michigan to teach (look at the various school board minutes on number of applicants for positions) 4) No school in Washtenaw County failed fire or building inspections this summer, so they are not leaking, crumbling or falling down. 5) In Several areas in the county the average teacher salary is higher than the average HOUSEHOLD income for that area (e.g. what both parents - if there are two - earn). The numbers are available in various threads that have been posted here over the last 2 weeks. 3)
Thinkin' it Over
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 1:48 p.m.
With so much to say against teachers, it would be smart to get the facts right. FACT: Teachers pay hefty co-pays for their health insurance. It's expensive and it's NOT free. FACT: The vast majority of teachers took a pay freeze this year. Only teachers with fewer than 10 years experience received "step" pay. FACT: We need to keep those younger teachers in our schools. FACT: More and more teachers leave the profession after 5 years or fewer because they find out that managing large groups of young people is more challenging than they realized, their students' parents are more challenging than they realized, and our society holds teachers in low esteem, as thought it is a job that everyone could perform well. It is sad that a profession of so much importance to the future of our nation and the world is of so little value by those Americans with enough money to buy out an entire school district. The funds they put into telling people to vote no could have gone toward helping kids learn in buildings that are safe and not crumbling, leaking, and falling apart. Interesting too that teaching is a profession largely composed of women working with children. No wonder wealthy men are those most hell bent on attacking teachers. What do they care about a bunch of kids and women? It's all about their own bottom line and to heck with the future. The fat cats won't have to face the future they are creating, but our children will. VOTE YES!!!
11GOBLUE11
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 11:51 a.m.
Appreciate the info, DonBee!
OverTaxed
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 11:41 a.m.
Hey Simone Lightfoot, Ann Arbor school district parent. There is a solution. I have heard it is not that much to spend on a student, to vote in the millage. I have a solution. When you go to college, the student or parent pays part of the tuition. Why not in K-12? If it is not a high price to pay, then the parent can pay it. If you have to make a choice over Starbucks, Zingerman's or your child's education, give up that fringe and pay the schools. Even the co-owner stated that. Stop going to Zingerman's and pay the schools!
DonBee
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 11:41 a.m.
A mill is $1 per $1000 dollars of state equalized valuation. So check your tax bill and see what your assessment is. The Easy way to see how much more tax you will pay is to drop the last 3 zeroes of your SEV and multiply by 2 (e.g. my SEV is $187,000 so my tax will be $374 per year) Yes Ann Arbor will get less than it puts in, since the valuation of the property in the Ann Arbor district is more than its share of the children in schools. Some of this money will be used for students that go to school in the county, but live outside the county. They will not be paying the tax. There are 3500 children in charter schools (including the joint AAPS/WCC Washtenaw Technical Middle College) who will see none of this money. These are public schools (not Greenhills or Church Schools) that are funded by the state. There are 10 districts in Washtenaw County with 10 sets of overhead.
OverTaxed
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 11:33 a.m.
I want Vote YES people to look to some facts. Other schools in the Detroit area are doing well without the dollars we spend. Rochester Hills is close in size, spends $30M less than A2, and has a better ranking! Ann Arbor pulls in ~$14,000 per student when all money is counted. $10,000 per student goes to salaries of the system, which is 90% of the general fund money. There is room to cut, do not tell me there is not. Now go and look of the $10,000 per student, how much goes to teachers, less than half. There are administrators upon administrators. Need I say more...
OverTaxed
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 11:27 a.m.
Hey bud, why don't you pay my extra tax also. Someone like you should not be telling me I have to pay anything extra. It is unconstitutional to force others to pay for what you want. The Dems are always touting financial responsibility, prove it.
11GOBLUE11
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 11:12 a.m.
"Ann Arbor is contributing $16 millon and only $11 million is going to Ann Arbor schools. $5million to other district schools." Is this true? If so, it doesn't seem right. I for one am still on the fence on this issue. Is the millage $200 for every $100,000 of home value, or is it if your home is worth $100,000 or more you will pay around $200?
Kathy Griswold
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 9:30 a.m.
Please stay engaged after the election. All students deserve an excellent education.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 9:22 a.m.
Unemployment in the mighty ANN ARBOR is racing past 10%. Washtenaw County Foreclosures are at historic levels - no end in site. The weak property market, short sales and bank owned properties have erased home equity - something not likely to change for 5 years or more. Bankruptcies are everywhere. the county itself has cut about 20-35 MILLION dollars from it's own budget. AND YET... School unions want more! New High Schools everywhere - not enough. Per Pupil increases in state funds for 20 years - not enough. The best benefits (save U of M) - not enough. Teachers who (God and I love um) work 10 months of the year AND get a paid vacation on top of that - not enough. Well, I have had enough.
A Voice of Reason
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 9:02 a.m.
Both sides in this millage debate have honorable people and have done a lot for our community.
A Voice of Reason
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 8:59 a.m.
Need to send this to David Letterman: Under "DEALS" a long the sidebar of this page, there is an Ad for the Citizen's Millage Committee. I would not call this excessive tax a DEAL!
ypsituckey1
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 8:48 a.m.
Ann Arbor is contributing $16 millon and only $11 million is going to Ann Arbor schools. $5million to other district schools. Charter Schools are not receiving anything, so this is not about the kids and funding education. Gov. needs to stop giving money to Hollywood and give it to our kids. She needs to make good choices! MEA (Teacher's Union at the State Level) has too much influence in our school system and hard to trust that good decisions are being made in Ann Arbor. We are in a recession and people do not have jobs and cannot afford any more. It Takes a Village to Stop a Millage! Vote NO
Jon Saalberg
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 8:42 a.m.
Very short-sighted logic, those of you who say they will vote against the millage because Paul Saginaw is for it. When you can say you have done as much for the city of Ann Arbor and residents in need (Food Gatherers, affordable housing) as he has done, you'll have a leg to stand on. Also, apparently some of you do not have decent teeth. If you want mushy bread sandwiches, by all means head for the restaurant chains. Are Ann Arborites going to let one rich guy tell us not to support our schools? And the anti-millage folks who say teachers are paid to much - do you actually have kids in the school systems in question, and have any clue how hard they work?
sh1
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 8:40 a.m.
roadsidedinerlover--if you've been eating at Zingerman's up until now, my guess is that you CAN afford the millage.
Dr. I. Emsayin
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 8:33 a.m.
What a great county we live in! Everyone get out and vote!
bud
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 8:30 a.m.
I will be voting Yes. An $8.7M mid-term school budget cut from Lansing is just too much.
Hot Sam
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 8:12 a.m.
It's time for a village, not a millage... The signs are cute, but there could not be a worse time for an increase in taxes. While we have all experienced the dramatic reduction of our home values, those of us in the private sector have also been dealt a huge reduction in sales and revenues. I'm afraid education has not yet come close to the pain the rest of us are feeling. While I have no intention of claiming teachers get too much of any thing, I do think it would be a good time to really examine places like management and bureaucracy with a chain saw and not a scalpel. I have yet to hear a GOOD explanation as to why we need over 570 school districts in the state of Michigan. Perhaps we need to do some fund-raising, volunteering, and whatever else it takes the "village" to do to get over the hump. New taxes are the worst thing we can do right now! It takes a VILLAGE...NOT a MILLAGE!!!!!!!
YpsiLivin
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 7:33 a.m.
RoadsideDinerLover, If the millage passes, maybe cutting out trips to Zingerman's will help you pay for it. While the food at Zingerman's tastes good, I have always found the place to be overpriced and the food difficult to eat, if for no other reason than the height of the sandwiches generally well exceeds the anatomical limits of my mouth. (And as regular readers know, I have a big mouth...) I'm going to vote no on the millage not because someone else supports it, but simply because it's a bad idea at this time.
roadsidedinerlover
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 6:59 a.m.
Now that I know that Paul Saginaw, the owner of Zingerman's is FOR this millage, I WILL NOT be shopping there from now on. He can afford the millage. There are may people like myself who are struggling very hard to stay afloat and we CANNOT afford this millage. I say "VOTE NO"!!
slug
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 6:21 a.m.
the 'ewashtenaw' link above is dead.