Ann Arbor City Council candidates hold forum

Stronger ties with the University, less taxes and more community involvement were some of the key issues raised last night at a candidates' forum for Ann Arbor City Council hopefuls.

Nine prospective councilmembers met to discuss and answer questions at the Edison Center in downtown Ann Arbor.

Among the candidates was Engineering senior Boyd Stitt, who is running for a seat with the Libertarian Party in Ann Arbor's 3rd Ward. Stitt said running for City Council as a student is challenging, but added that he is ready for the responsibility of the job.

"I like challenges. I like to work hard," Stitt said. "One of the reasons why I'm here is because I love the challenge. I'd like to win this election and I need your vote."

LOUIS BROWN/Daily Rachel Tiedke and Judith Miton facilitate a discussion between candidates running for Ann Arbor City Council.

Stitt said running as a University student is not intimidating.

Attendees expressed concern about how the candidates felt about taxing non-educational facilities at the University in order to make up for the city's budget deficit. The University is not required to pay taxes to the city.

Christopher Kolb (D-5th Ward), a two-term City Council incumbent, expressed his thoughts on the importance of a good relationship between the University and the Ann Arbor community.

"The University is truly an asset to the community and we should utilize it," Kolb said. "I think that if we tried to, we would definitely destroy work relations that we have with the University."

Each individual candidate expressed concern over issues of personal interest.

David Kwan (R-2nd Ward) said he supports improving relationships between the community and the Ann Arbor Police Department.

"I think that it's important that people in neighborhoods are comfortable with the officers who patrol their neighborhoods," Kwan said.

Stitt said the only problem with the current police force is that too much of its time is spent being concerned with "nonviolent" criminal acts, such as marijuana use. Libertarians traditionally support the legalization of marijuana.

Candidates also were asked by the community to express what issues are of the most importance in their campaigning.

Pat Vereen-Dixon (D-1st Ward) said "customer satisfaction" is key to a cohesive and successful community.

"What I'd like to see happen is more public dialogue and more public process," Dixon said.

Patrick Putnam (R-4th Ward) also commented on the most important issue in his campaign.

"The biggest problem for Ann Arbor is apathy," Putnam said, referring to low voter turnout in City Council elections. "How do we know what you want if you don't tell us?"

But Kolb said it is up to individual councilmembers to vote their conscience when considering issues of importance.

"A sign of true leadership is when you vote what you believe is the best vote for the city," Kolb said.

10-16-97