Election primer: Washtenaw County's ballot proposals and races to be decided Tuesday

In many communities, city and school board elections also will be decided Tuesday. 

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

Ann Arbor City Council

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,

is challenging Sabra Briere for the 1st Ward seat she has held for the last two years.

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

is trying to unseat Marcia Higgins, who has been a leader on council for 10 years.

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.

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, 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, 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.

Feeney, 74, has an extensive political resume, including a 14-year position on the Chelsea Board of Education, time served as the executive director of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce, and a position as director of the Chelsea Downtown Development Authority.

“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.

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, 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.”

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.”

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, 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

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, 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.

“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.

“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, 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.”

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.