one of those minor election days

[fflo]

A quiet election day here in A²---on my ballot will be one city council position and one issue: the controversial tax to raise money specifically for removing dead and dying ash trees hit by the emerald ash borer. Critics say that the city has money for the project and that the proposal doesn't include any plan for or commitment to replacing the removed trees. I usually suck it up and vote yes for millage questions, but I'm not so sure this time.

Comments

[onstar.livejournal.com]

I also usually vote for the millages. It is rather silly that the city is refusing to use the general funds for tree removal and replacement, rather squirreling away the cash for the city hall replacement/or expansion project. The city plans to use the Elizabeth Dean Fund for replacement of the trees, but this fund is supposed to be used as a supplement to the city, not the sole means of financing. I'm afraid that if I don't vote for the millage that the city will leave the trees to rot indefinately.

[fflo.livejournal.com]

I feel a little bullied by it myself---blackmailed or something. I read that all the incumbents favor the proposal, but of course it WOULD make their jobs easier.

I'm not going to be one of those "no new taxes" jerks, but I think I may register a protest vote on this one. I know public funds are tight, but Ann Arbor's hardly poor as municipalities go, and this proposal seems to be a poor way to address the problem, not spelling out any plans for approval or disapproval but for the money raising part.