Upcoming forum offers chance to hear from local leaders about privatizing government services
The League of Women Voters in Ann Arbor is undertaking a study of privatization of government services and is inviting members of the public to a forum.
Zoe Behnke of the LWV said the study is being done to identify what factors or policy issues a government entity looks at when considering privatizing certain departments or functions.
In addition, the LWV plans to review the stated goals of transferring government job functions to the private sector, the community impact of that, and what strategies are developed to ensure transparency and accountability when that happens.
The public forum takes place from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Ann Arbor District Library at the corner of Fifth Avenue and William Street downtown.
Speakers lined up for the event include Sabra Briere, a 1st Ward Ann Arbor City Council member; Bob Guenzel, former Washtenaw County administrator and chairman of the Downtown Development Authority; and Susan Baskett, an Ann Arbor school board member.
The panel is expected to spend about an hour discussing the privatization of services, followed by a half hour of questions from the audience.
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
clownfish
Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
Just look at how well private prisons are working, totally free from graft and fraud. Cost plus privatizing saved us a bunch in that war in Iraq. Look at how well contract letting was handled in Detroit. Private companies never commit fraud. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/us/13judge.html?_r=1" rel='nofollow'>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/us/13judge.html?_r=1</a>&hp <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/06/27/137444337/what-happens-when-charter-schools-fail" rel='nofollow'>http://www.npr.org/2011/06/27/137444337/what-happens-when-charter-schools-fail</a> <a href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/16336967/audit-finds-fraud-overspending-at-charter-schools" rel='nofollow'>http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/16336967/audit-finds-fraud-overspending-at-charter-schools</a>
clownfish
Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
Look at how well Matty Maroun handles his private/government contracts!!
Joe_Citizen
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 7:21 p.m.
I can smell that pork barrel jsu a cooking, and it smells good. NOT!
1bigbud
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.
If they think about privatizing They need to start from the top down Yes the mayor is elected. But his whole office needs to be run by molly maid The will clean house If the Trash man is out so should the Mayors staff
hank
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
Maybe we can privatize the elected officials positions as well. The governorship can go to the lowest bidder.
Michigan Reader
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
You can't outsource city council, or the mayor, or else they'd have no power to make policy.
Ignatz
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 6:32 p.m.
Too late, hank. Corporations, AKA People, have already bought and paid for our "leadership".
xmo
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.
The smaller the government the better! Police, Fire and a few planning groups and that's all we need. Let's out source the rest!
clownfish
Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 4:18 p.m.
Sudan has a small government, don't let the door hit you on the way out of A2.
Tony Livingston
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 4:47 p.m.
The city does not seem too interested in getting a handle on their retirement expenses so privatizing might be a good way to go to solve this problem. Taking retirement pensions starting in their early 50s is the norm for city employees. It is not sustainable and way out of line with the generally accepted retirement age of 62. It is frustrating to see administrators and elected officials dance around this issue year after year.
hank
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:48 p.m.
Pension envy is hard to get over!
hut hut
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.
Privatize the City Attorney's office.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.
That was deep!