Candidates gear up for A

2 mayoral race

With just five weeks left until November elections, Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon and City Councilperson Christopher Kolb are getting their campaigns up to speed in a rematch of the mayor's race two years ago.

The race pits Sheldon, known as a moderate Republican, against Kolb, who said Ann Arbor needs a more "activist" mayor.

Sheldon, running for her fourth term, said her work ethic, non-partisanship and coalition-building skills have allowed her to keep the mayor's seat in the traditionally Democratic city of Ann Arbor.

"I'm a moderate ... and open to debate," Sheldon said. "I think it has a nice leveling influence" on the council.

"I've always tried to work hard, to listen and try to be a reasonable voice for local government. (Kolb's) a partisan (and) he usually wants to be sure the Democrats are going to agree before ideas pass at Council," she said.

Kolb, when speaking about Sheldon's tenure in office, said citizens must ask themselves, "how long is long enough?"

He said he is not satisfied with the status quo and wants the mayor's office to be more pro-active in maintaining the city's environment, neighborhoods and downtown area.

"These are areas (where) we can't wait to take action," Kolb said. "The main difference between myself and my opponent is she's willing to wait for things to happen and I want to make things happen.

Only a few percentage points made the difference in the mayoral race two years ago, and both candidates said they expect another tight contest.

Kolb said he does not believe the re-election bid of Gov. John Engler, who is comfortably leading the polls, combined with President Clinton's scandal will hurt Democratic candidates in Ann Arbor.

"The (voting) fall-off in Ann Arbor has never been as dramatic" as in the rest of the country, he said.

Sheldon said she is not counting on a depressed Democratic turnout to keep her in office.

Despite their differences, both candidates stressed the importance of the city's relationship with the University. Kolb and Sheldon said the future livelihood of the University and city are closely intertwined.

"I realize the economic implications of the University," Sheldon said. "It's very important to have a major university in our community.

Michigan Student Assembly President Trent Thompson said he wants a mayor who is available to address the concerns of students.

"We want someone who's willing to go out and talk with students," said Thompson, an LSA senior.

Kolb said public safety, housing, traffic and parking are just a few of the issues that should motivate students to get involved in local politics.

"What I try to tell students (is) that the issues they're concerned with - like the price of student housing, affirmative action and the homeless - are local," Kolb said. "When we show them how these issues affect their lives they get fired up and want to get involved" in the campaign.

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