Don't forget the School Board elections this upcoming Tuesday May 6th

Update and our first big OUR BAD--School Board elections. We STILL mean what we said about those running for office, that hasn't changed but thanks to anonymous for the update!! So here's the millage wording:
Ypsilanti Public Schools - Proposal
OPERATING MILLAGE PROPOSAL

This proposal will enable the school district to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance.

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in the School District of Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan, be increased by 2 mills ($2.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 6 years, 2008 to 2013, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2008 is approximately $420,066 (this millage is to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will be levied only to the extent necessary to restore that reduction)?

__ YES
__ NO
____________________

The polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm.

Now, for the bad news. There is only one competitive race, that being in the third ward, the others are running unopposed.

1st Ward-Lois Richardson, the Southside Pope is running unopposed for her second four year term. We'd like to see Lois take a broader view of city issues and not simply worry about Ward 1.

2nd Ward-John Gawlas is also running unopposed for his third 4 year term. Hey John, two terms under your belt, another on the way, we're holding you accountable in a BIG way.

3rd Ward-Brian Filipiak will be running against Ted Windish. If you win Brian, we're gonna expect more from you too. Anybody in their second 4 year term needs to produce results. If Mr. Windish wins we'll give him some time to get his feet wet but these days voters in Ypsilanti expect things to get done yesterday.

We make no endorsements one way or another. Down the road this will ensure we're not backing someone at the expense of another Ypsi citizen. We will call out anyone not doing a great job. You can't do that after endorsing someone. We don't play "We know we supported them but..."

We also hope there aren't a lot of 'victory' parties around town on election night. Too much damned work to do to lose ANY time. OUR victory party will be the day the busses are paid for, the police and fire are paid for, the River Street debacle is sold or handed off, that crushing bond paid off and we've attracted some new jobs to our fair city.

YCD says let there be light!

Recently, a proposal has emerged for a NEW lighted sign out at exit 183 off of I-94 at the WESTBOUND exit for Huron Street. There is one there now and it's a delapidated piece of crap. Lighting it on fire would be merciful. But on to the proposed NEW lighted sign. Now, not just ANY lighted sign but a BIG lighted sign, 50 feet tall (YCD can see actually buying ads on it to see the YCD logo in 50 foot letters!). It would be a "state of the art" sign, which would flash colorful and alternating messages and advertisements, is not without controversy, some wonder if the light pollution would bleed into local neighborhoods (a fair concern) but 3rd Ward City Council member Brian Filipiak said the sign would be facing away from the nearby neighborhood and not be a light leak issue.

The City Council is in talks via proxies to negotiate a lease agreement with Adams Outdoor Advertising for a 50-foot-tall sign along the Huron Street exit. Adams wants to lease the land from the city and replace the sign at no cost to the city - an investment of about $1 million.

The existing sign (the one that should mercifully be burned) is owned by EMU and the Ypsilanti Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the land is leased from the city for $1 a year.

YCD asks, Free money for a light up big sign? Oh yeah, let's get this done.

Got something to say to the authority figures?

Then SAY IT, citizen. I hope this bunch answers their emails, Barry LaRue never answered mine when he was simply keeping a chair warm on City Council.

Tell 'em Johnny sent ya

Mayor & City Council

City of Ypsilanti
One South Huron Street
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197

City Council Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

Mayor
Paul Schreiber
Mayor@cityofypsilanti.com

Please contact the City Clerk's Office at (734) 483-1100 for an appointment

Mayor Pro-Tem
S.A. Trudy Swanson, Ward 1
satswanson@hotmail.com

Council Members
Lois Richardson, Ward 1
loiserich@hotmail.com

John Gawlas, Ward 2
jgawlas@cityofypsilanti.com

William Nickels, Ward 2
kbnickels@aol.com

Brian Filipiak, Ward 3
bfilipiak@cityofypsilanti.com

Brian Robb, Ward 3
brobb@cityofypsilanti.com