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Posted on Sun, Oct 30, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.

Stephen Rapundalo is an effective leader with a proven track record

By Letters to the Editor

I urge Ann Arbor Ward 2 voters to join me in voting to re-elect Stephen Rapundalo to City Council. He has been effective in addressing neighborhood issues and providing leadership on council.

Stephen has a track record of donating his personal time to make Ann Arbor a better place. In the late 1990s, as president of the Orchard Hills-Maplewood Homeowners’ Association, Stephen got city officials to focus on the serious issue of basement flooding in his neighborhood and around Ann Arbor. He was subsequently named co-chairman of the Sanitary Sewer Overflow Advisory Task Force. His work resulted in a strategic, on-going program that has provided city assistance to hundreds of homeowners and solved a serious infrastructure problem.

Again, before running for elected office, Stephen was chairman of the Park Advisory Commission (PAC), Park Recreation and Open Space Plan Committee, and Park Land Acquisition Committee. He also served as the PAC’s liaison to the City’s Environmental Commission.

Since being elected to council in 2005, Stephen has been an effective leader on tough issues. He tackled the city’s unsustainably expensive labor contracts — bringing them in line and helping to ensure that solid funding is available for core city services. In the 2nd Ward, Stephen led council’s action to create the Narrow Gauge Woods Natural Area in Millers Creek watershed. And, contrary to misinformation that has been put out in this campaign, Stephen strongly opposes selling or developing the Huron Hills Golf Course. Rather, he is leading efforts to enhance operations and revenues at Huron Hills and has rejected proposals that would have undermined its character.

Mike Allemang, Ann Arbor

Comments

davecj

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 4:08 a.m.

Another politico insider supporting one of his own. Wonder if wife, Janis Bobrin, helped to write the letter. It's time for a change at City Hall. No more 'group think'.

Dog Guy

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 10 p.m.

Six years is long enough for anyone. It is diversity time.

lester88

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.

"He tackled the city's unsustainably expensive labor contracts — bringing them in line and helping to ensure that solid funding is available for core city services." Not true. He did nothing more that antagonize and demean city employees in a blog. Todd Gack has this one right. It was the Governor. Sorry Stephen, you dont get credit for this one. Rapundalo must Go!

grye

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 1:27 p.m.

Steve should have stuck to his original Republican roots and been the voice of opposition to the unbridled spending on unnecessary budget wishes. Instead he has drank the koolaid povided by the mayor.

ToddGack

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 3:05 a.m.

"He tackled the city's unsustainably expensive labor contracts — bringing them in line and helping to ensure that solid funding is available for core city services" When did Stephen do this? It amazes me that Stephen takes credit for Rick Snyders 80/20 law which ensured most unions agree to the health care concessions. Remember it wasn't Stephen, it was Rick. That's Stephen's character, misguide the public and claim it was him.

leezee

Sun, Oct 30, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.

Time for a change. Nothing you can say will change the fact that I will be casting my vote elsewhere.

Tex Treeder

Sun, Oct 30, 2011 : 10:06 p.m.

This earlier article is to the point: <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/2nd-ward-issues-stephen-rapundalo-jane-lumm/?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:9baf8abe-39ec-414f-8c35-b1b6761bb731">http://www.annarbor.com/news/2nd-ward-issues-stephen-rapundalo-jane-lumm/?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:9baf8abe-39ec-414f-8c35-b1b6761bb731</a> I'd recommend it for the best side by side comparison of Rapundalo and Lumm so far. Most problematic for me is Rapundalo's attempt to manipulate the public. Call it what you will, &quot;email-gate&quot; perhaps, but that shows the basic moral character of the man.

Roadman

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 3:27 a.m.

At least &quot;appearing&quot; to be informed is better than making no attempt to remove a stupefied look off one's face. At least Steve tries to make the public see a persona that he is well-informed and prepared when, everybody knows, he really isn't.

KeepingItReal

Sun, Oct 30, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.

Sorry Mike. You guy is not the ideal. While Jane doesn't convincely get my vote at this time, know for sure I will not vote for someone who is willfully deceitful.

Alan Goldsmith

Sun, Oct 30, 2011 : 8:14 p.m.

&quot;His work resulted in a strategic, on-going program that has provided city assistance to hundreds of homeowners and solved a serious infrastructure problem.&quot; Two words: sump pumps.

demistify

Sun, Oct 30, 2011 : 9:49 p.m.

You are wrong as usual. Miller's Creek has a very serious problem of too much water draining in. The remediation has to do precisely with not just dumping more water.