Every Monday morning, the executive director of the CivCity Initiativejoins WEMU's David Fair for a conversation on topics pertinent to Washtenaw County and the city of Ann Arbor. Mary Morgan will provide news, analysis, commentary and explain the various ways residents can become more engaged.
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.
RESOURCES FOR THIS WEEK"S TOPICS:
• The agenda for Monday's Ann Arbor City Council meeting includes a report on the Sept. 12 Economic Development Summit, written by the summit's facilitator. The invitation-only event, which was also open to the general public, laid the groundwork for city administrator Howard Lazarus to recommend creating a new Ann Arbor Economic Health Task Force. He plans to seek city council approval at a future meeting. Read Mary Morgan's column, written after attending the 6-hour summit.
• A community forum is set for Wednesday, Oct. 4 to get input on the draft master plan for the Treeline Allen Creek Urban Trail. The meeting runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at city hall, 301 E. Huron. This ambitious project would run from the Border-to-Border Trail along the Huron River at its north end, down to the intersection of South State and Stimson streets on the city’s south side. Click here to see a draft of the greenway master plan.
• Speaking of parks, the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission has launched a new tool to help find parks, nature preserves and recreational facilities throughout the county. The county operates 13 parks – including the 141-acre County Farm Park and Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center, both in Ann Arbor. Other county parks & rec projects include the countywide Border-to-Border Trail and 32 nature preserves. The new park locator works with mobile devices. It's also integrated into the county's Pick A Park or Preserve website. Click here to view the County Park Finder.
• Candidates for Ann Arbor City Council will be sharing their views on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at the League of Women Voters forum. The half-hour sessions air at 7 p.m. (Ward 5), 8 p.m. (Ward 4) and 9 p.m.(Ward 2). You can view them on Community Television Network (CTN) Channel 19 or online here. (Council races in Wards 1 & 3 aren't contested.) Learn more about candidates and local ballot proposals on CivCity's AnnArborVotes.org and the League's Vote411.org.
• The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority Board meets on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at noon. Its agenda includes a vote to build additional floors on the Ann Ashley parking structure. It's also worth noting that there's an opening on the DDA board, since Al McWilliams' term has ended and he didn't seek reappointment. (The mayor will nominate a replacement, who must be confirmed by the council.) Here's a link to the board's agenda.
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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
