There's only two weeks left until the general election. In the meantime, Ann Arbor will be hosting forums regarding the Library Lot and other issues, and the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners will discuss financial security. These are just a few of these issues discussed in this week's "Civic Matters" with WEMU's David Fair and the CivCity Initiative's Mary Morgan.
Mary Morgan brings a wealth of experience to the airwaves. While heading up the CivCity Initiative now, Mary was previously co-founder and publisher of the Ann Arbor Chronicle. Prior to that, she served as a reporter and editor for the Ann Arbor News when it was a daily, print edition newspaper.
This Week's Topics
• Lots of election-related events this week, starting with Monday's forum on statewide ballot proposals hosted by the MSU Extension. The program starts at 6 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library's Westgate branch, 2503 Jackson Ave. Click here for details.
• On Nov. 6, Ann Arbor voters will decide whether to designate the city-owned Library Lot – just north of the downtown library – as an urban park and civic center. You can hear the pros and cons of this proposal, known as Prop A, at a panel discussion on Thursday, Oct. 25. The event runs from runs from 7-8:30 p.m. at the downtown library's multipurpose room, 343 S. Fifth Ave. It is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and will be recorded. Click here for details.
• Find out how candidates for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners plan to address residents' financial security and economic opportunity at a forum on Friday, Oct. 26. The event is hosted by the Washtenaw Financial Stability Coalition, a partnership of the United Way of Washtenaw County and Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley. It runs from 9-10:30 a.m. at the county's Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw Ave. The forum is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. Click here for details.
• A series of 4 videos – produced by 7 Cylinders Studios and the Washtenaw County Elections Division – covers all the bases for voting in Michigan. The series focuses on these issues: 1) Registering to vote (sorry, that deadline has passed for the Nov. 6 election) 2) Preparing to vote, 3) Absentee voting, and 4) Voting on Election Day. Please share, especially if you know of any first-time voters!
• On Wednesday, Oct. 24 the Michigan Affordability & Advocacy Coalition is hosting a forum focused on rent prices in Ann Arbor, food security, student employment, and tuition increases. The event runs from 7-9 p.m. at the UM Ford School, 735 S. State St., Ann Arbor. Click here for details.
• In non-election events, check out the “Literature vs. Traffic" art installation on Tuesday, Oct. 23 – 10,000 books illuminated with LED lights “paving” Liberty Street between State and Maynard. The installation takes place from 5-11 p.m. Click here for details.
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— David Fair is the WEMU News Director and host of Morning Edition on WEMU. You can contact David at734.487.3363, on twitter @DavidFairWEMU, or email him at dfair@emich.edu
