You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Fri, Jan 29, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.

And now the news from Ypsilanti: delicious soup, troublesome budgets, overflowing trash

By Edward Vielmetti

Even though there's a four lane freeway dividing the two cities, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti are closely tied. The writing from bloggers in Ypsi seems to this Ann Arbor resident to be more down to earth, and you can get a view of what is going on filtered through the eyes of someone who has been in the area for a long time who appreciates both the city's historic character and its post-industrial challenges.

Here's a roundup of some of what's going on from an Ypsilanti point of view from Mark Maynard, Brian Robb, Steve Pierce, and Bee Mayhew, and a missing newsfeed from downtown Ypsilanti business incubator SPARK East.

Mark Maynard live blogs the State of the Union

Prolific, steady, and occasionally outrageous, Mark Maynard sits in the middle of the Ypsilanti blog scene with daily posts and a regular cast of commenters. His live broadcast of the State of the Union speech drew 37 comments, most from Mark himself and Andy Ypsilanti doing running commentary while the speech was on. Andy writes: It’s still kind of strange to hear someone who can speak proper english giving the state of the union. He even cracked a joke that made some sense.

Brian Robb on the state of Michigan budget cuts

Ypsilanti City Council member Brian Robb uses his blog East Cross to engage in useful and generally non-confrontational commentary on municipal goings on; recent posts have included a press release on Ford announcing an annual profit and his own take to correct "inaccurate reports" on the circumstances surrounding the reopening of East Cross Street at the site of the Thompson Block fire.

In Potential FYE 2011 State of Michigan Budget Cuts, Or We Are Really, Really Screwed", Robb goes through a plausible scenario for state budget cuts provided by the City of Ypsilanti’s lobbyist, Kirk Profit of GCSI Inc. The potential cuts amount to $2.09 billion with an additional loss of $2.37 billion in federal funds. The largest and the most devastating cuts are the elimination of the remaining statuatory revenue sharing and cuts of $1.2 billion in community health.

Bee Mayhew from Beezy's Cafe on the soup of the day

Bee Mayhew, proprietor of Ypsilanti's downtown Beezy's Cafe, kept a blog for a while, and then stopped. (It's hard work to run a restaurant!) You can follow her on Twitter, though, which seems somehow to be a better medium for ongoing updates like soup-of-the-day announcements. Today: "friday rockin' [vegan] mediterranean veggie & beef stew!"

SPARK East doesn't have news that I can find

SPARK East is the downtown Ypsilanti business incubator. The organization that runs it maintains a blog with occasional press release style updates, and its category for SPARK East includes a handful of updates, the last of which was October 2009. It's hard to know without digging more whether that is a sign that there's not really any news from SPARK East, or if this blog is simply not updated as regularly as news actually happens.

SeeClickFix helps Steve Pierce clean up the Ypsilanti DDA's trash

SeeClickFix is a service which lets you report non-emergency trouble of any kind on a map for locations across the United States, and provides a way for interested citizens or municipal officials to track problems in their area and to use its forum style discussion board to fix things. The SeeClickFix area for Ypsilanti shows a report from Steve Pierce on the overflowing Ypsilanti DDA dumpsters, complete with photos.

Edward Vielmetti rides a half-million dollar hybrid diesel-electric interurban to Ypsilanti. Contact him at 734-330-2465.

Comments

AndyYpsilanti

Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 2:44 a.m.

Oh, yea, again. For the reccord. I don't work for the DTCDC. I work with them on the Jamboree Music Festival, they are working with the Water Street Trail project that I am helping to organize. I do now work for Aubree's. I am a part time delivery driver. That's it. The things I post are my own opinion, posted of my own accord. So stuff it.

AndyYpsilanti

Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 2:35 a.m.

Sigh. Midtowner, here we are again. Just enough fact to keep me from calling you a total liar. Here is the make up of the DTCDC: Board of Directors Gerry French, Merrill Guerra, Candace Pinaud, Kaci Sicheneder, Andy French Executive Director Erik Dotzauer Advisory Board Phil D'Anieri, Debbie Locke Daniel, Dianne Keller, Ronnie Peterson, Matt Harshberger, Dave Wheeler, Alma Wheeler Smith, Brian Robb, Freman Hendrix, Susan Lackey, Jennifer Bruin, Roger Palay, Stan Kirton, Cameron Getto, David Behen, Amby Wilbanks, Peter Murdock Yup. Just the Frenches and some other folks. I sat with Erik Datzauer at city council on Tuesday and I mentioned your allegation that the DTCDC opposed either Andy Garis opening a bar or Depot Town Tattoo. He laughed. Oh, that one again was his first response. Come to think of it, I heard a rumor that certain other Depot Town business people stood against both the unnamed bar and Depot Town Tattoo. Where is your indictment of them? You changed your story on the street scape here too. Now you've found some letters on Google opposing the Street Scape plan as the DTCDC envisions it. (A plan was approved in council Tuesday night, FYI). Before, the DTCDC had withdrawn their money because they didn't like the plan. Which is it? If you're going to make unfounded accusations, at least be consistent! You know, what is it with you? Are you just bored and want to pick a fight? Are you my own, personal troll? And for god's sake why don't you at least present a sensible argument instead of the French family is evil over and over. Seriously. I mean, the Frenches are as imperfect as you or me; they are business owners looking out for their business interest. But this whole French DTCDC Andy Ypsilanti axis of evil thing is getting a little worn out. Here's the thing. I want to talk about issues effecting the quality of life in my city, Ypsilanti. For some stupid reason, I decided to care about where I live. If you really want to take shots at me fine, but do your homework and bring some facts to the table. I'm not blindly following anybody, I'm paying attention, and I try to know what I'm talking about. Put a little effort in, buddy. Or please, stalk someone else.

AndyYpsilanti

Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 2:32 a.m.

Sigh. Midtowner, here we are again. Just enough fact to keep me from calling you a total liar. Here is the make up of the DTCDC: Board of Directors Gerry French, Merrill Guerra, Candace Pinaud, Kaci Sicheneder, Andy French Executive Director Erik Dotzauer Advisory Board Phil D'Anieri, Debbie Locke Daniel, Dianne Keller, Ronnie Peterson, Matt Harshberger, Dave Wheeler, Alma Wheeler Smith, Brian Robb, Freman Hendrix, Susan Lackey, Jennifer Bruin, Roger Palay, Stan Kirton, Cameron Getto, David Behen, Amby Wilbanks, Peter Murdock Yup. Just the Frenches and some other folks. I sat with Erik Datzauer at city council on Tuesday and I mentioned your allegation that the DTCDC opposed either Andy Garis opening a bar or Depot Town Tattoo. He laughed. Oh, that one again was his first response. Come to think of it, I heard a rumor that certain other Depot Town business people stood against both the unnamed bar and Depot Town Tattoo. Where is your indictment of them? You changed your story on the street scape here too. Now you've found some letters on Google opposing the Street Scape plan as the DTCDC envisions it. (A plan was approved in council Tuesday night, FYI). Before, the DTCDC had withdrawn their money because they didn't like the plan. Which is it? If you're going to make unfounded accusations, at least be consistent! You know, what is it with you? Are you just bored and want to pick a fight? Are you my own, personal troll? And for god's sake why don't you at least present a sensible argument instead of the French family is evil over and over. Seriously. I mean, the Frenches are as imperfect as you or me; they are business owners looking out for their business interest. But this whole French DTCDC Andy Ypsilanti axis of evil thing is getting a little worn out. Here's the thing. I want to talk about issues effecting the quality of life in my city, Ypsilanti. For some stupid reason, I decided to care about where I live. If you really want to take shots at me fine, but do your homework and bring some facts to the table. I'm not blindly following anybody, I'm paying attention, and I try to know what I'm talking about. Put a little effort in, buddy. Or please, stalk someone else.

AndyYpsilanti

Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 2:21 a.m.

Sigh. Midtowner, here we are again. Just enough fact to keep me from calling you a total liar. Here is the make up of the DTCDC: Board of Directors Gerry French, Merrill Guerra, Candace Pinaud, Kaci Sicheneder, Andy French Executive Director Erik Dotzauer Advisory Board Phil D'Anieri, Debbie Locke Daniel, Dianne Keller, Ronnie Peterson, Matt Harshberger, Dave Wheeler, Alma Wheeler Smith, Brian Robb, Freman Hendrix, Susan Lackey, Jennifer Bruin, Roger Palay, Stan Kirton, Cameron Getto, David Behen, Amby Wilbanks, Peter Murdock Yup. Just the Frenches and some other folks. I sat with Erik Datzauer at city council on Tuesday and I mentioned your allegation that the DTCDC opposed either Andy Garis opening a bar or Depot Town Tattoo. He laughed. Oh, that one again was his first response. Come to think of it, I heard a rumor that certain other Depot Town business people stood against both the unnamed bar and Depot Town Tattoo. Where is your indictment of them? You changed your story on the street scape here too. Now you've found some letters on Google opposing the Street Scape plan as the DTCDC envisions it. (A plan was approved in council Tuesday night, FYI). Before, the DTCDC had withdrawn their money because they didn't like the plan. Which is it? If you're going to make unfounded accusations, at least be consistent! You know, what is it with you? Are you just bored and want to pick a fight? Are you my own, personal troll? And for god's sake why don't you at least present a sensible argument instead of the French family is evil over and over. Seriously. I mean, the Frenches are as imperfect as you or me; they are business owners looking out for their business interest. But this whole French DTCDC Andy Ypsilanti axis of evil thing is getting a little worn out. Here's the thing. I want to talk about issues effecting the quality of life in my city, Ypsilanti. For some stupid reason, I decided to care about where I live. If you really want to take shots at me fine, but do your homework and bring some facts to the table. I'm not blindly following anybody, I'm paying attention, and I try to know what I'm talking about. Put a little effort in, buddy. Or please, stalk someone else.

AndyYpsilanti

Sat, Jan 30, 2010 : 11:38 p.m.

You are right of course, ypsidog. I was asleep at the keyboard apparently. Sometimes I type before I think.

ypsidog

Sat, Jan 30, 2010 : 2:24 p.m.

When did Steve Pierce by Keystone and J. Niel's from Dave Curtis??

AndyYpsilanti

Fri, Jan 29, 2010 : 3:06 p.m.

Also, just to draw things togeter in nice little bow, come out to one of Steve Peirce's fine establishments, The Keystone Underground, tonight and every Friday for Underground Roots: live roots music and $1 bottles of PBR beer. You can have dinner at J. Neil's Mongolian upstaris, or get to town before 7pm and have dinner at Beezy's, right across Washington Street!

AndyYpsilanti

Fri, Jan 29, 2010 : 2:52 p.m.

There has been also been an ongoing debate on MarkMarynard.com over the last couple of weeks involving Mark, Councilman Robb, myself and many other local residents regarding the cancellation, during the Ypsitucky debacle, of the city's contract with the DTCDC to operate the parks, the cost of park maintenance, and the possibility of budget cuts in Ypsilanti's DPW. You can follow the evolution of this debate: It started when Mark broke two ribs sledding in Riverside Park: http://markmaynard.com/?p=7281 From there, he questioned if his injury could have been avoided had the DTCDC still been caring for Riverside and Frog Island Parks: http://markmaynard.com/?p=7314 It continued on an open thread when Mr. Robb was asked by a poster to comment on the earlier thread: http://markmaynard.com/?p=7328 In response to Mr. Robb's comment, Mark posted a thread on the cost of park maintenance: http://markmaynard.com/?p=7356 Mark then re-posted a letter from the Director of the DTCDC and one from Mr. Robb that had been sent to, and posted by, another reader using the name Kingpin: http://markmaynard.com/?p=7415 And finally, Mark posted a thread about a recent audit of Ypsi DPW and cost savings that could be found in that department: http://markmaynard.com/?p=7434 This has turned into quite the interesting debate about our parks, our budget deficit, and transparency in city government. The gist of it is Mr. Robb claims the city realized no savings during the time the DTCDC controlled the parks, and many citizens of the town asking for an explanation of this statement. Mr. Robb also, nearly a year later, explains the reason for canceling the DTCDC contract without giving them a chance to defend their work as it clearly wasn't working out. Three weeks into the debate, there is still no answer from the Mr. Robb or the city as to how much maintenance of Riverside and Frog Island Parks costs the city. Given the state of the city's budget, many of us feel we have the right to facts, and a better explanation, regarding this debate over our parks. I hope readers find this debate much more interesting than Mark and I trading posts on the State of the Union. And, for my part, this article has taught me an important lesson; don't spend the evening trading public comments with the author of a blog if you've been drinking; you never know where your words may turn up.