Jul 17 2008
Reshuffle the Deck
I’m still amused by the fact that the Mayor appears so anxious to put my opponent on council. Simply put, I’m seeking this vacant council seat to be responsive to you, the voter, not to any “establishment.” Entrenched bureaucrats are detrimental to efficient government - or any government for that matter - because they are prone to “group think.” The “clique,” that appears to be running the City is fighting very hard to keep me and other qualified candidates off the council. It is clearly time to “reshuffle” the deck.
I am very concerned about our sluggish economy and the impact that it will have on our future budgets. With very few exceptions, we cannot influence revenue in the short run. Cost control is our only real short term fiscal tool. We must be very prudent and not spend money we don’t have. Successful businesses learn this very quickly and act accordingly in tough times. In dire times, businesses limit new expenditures and typically don’t spend on new programs without a cost offset. Our city should act in the same way.
In the long run we can influence future revenue outside of the Headlee and Prop “A” caps, as new construction does not full under the Headlee caps. We need to stimulate “smart growth” by working more effectively with our entrepreneurs, business owners, and developers. I want to stay very active to make sure that our growth respects the past, but also respects the financial commitment that business owners and developers make to our community when they embark upon a project. Implementing the new Downtown Design Guidelines will help, but there are still parts that I disagree with — like the proposed changes to setbacks. These would be devastating to the Second Ward.
Did you know that new tax revenue from projects in the Downtown Development Authority, DDA, does not increase City revenue? This is a myth that we need to understand before we push for growth at any cost. We need smart growth. The DDA is a”City within a City” that has their own revenue sources from Tax Increment Financing, TIF, and parking revenue. A new building in the DDA will NOT lower your property taxes.
We also can help on the job front. We need jobs!! SPARK can help. We provide very little support to them now. I am pleased that we have started to install LED traffic lights downtown, but I would rather make the announcement that we are building an LED factory here. My goal is to help find new industries that will replace the automobile industry that was the economic engine of the 20th century.
My blog has additional information about me and my positions. For instance, I was recently awarded the endorsement of the Huron Valley Group of the Sierra Club. This endorsement came from the State Chapter, not the local Chapter as our local newspaper tried to insinuate. I am proud to accept this endorsement, and will work to earn the trust they placed in me.
I would be happy to sit and discuss the issues with anyone in our ward willing to listen. In preparation for my role a councilman, I have interviewed almost 100 local government and business leaders, academics, city managers, non-profit leaders as well as other stakeholders in our community. I have gone “door to door” on almost every street in Ward 2 to personally hear out what your concerns are. My campaign slogan is “Your Voice, Your Ann Arbor” and I mean it. I have put my cell phone number and or e-mail address on every piece of literature that I hand out. I am prepared to listen even more than I speak - and I look forward to hearing from you.
~Stew
734-972-6003 Cell
