City Council Election 2010

Updated 8/25/10

In mid-May, we sent out a questionnaire to all city council candidates running in the August 3rd primary to find out what their thoughts are on the Ann Arbor Skatepark initiative (all of the candidates are running in the Democratic primary except for John Floyd, who is running in the Republican Primary). The responses to the questionnaire are below. Any late responses we receive will be posted as they come in.

Thanks to all of the candidates who participated in the questionnaire!

You can click on the candidate's name to see their answers, or simply scroll down to see all responses.

Mayor
John Hieftje
Steve Bean
Pat Lesko

Ward 1
Sumi Kailasapathy
Sandi Smith

Ward 2
Tony Derezinski

Ward 3
Christopher Taylor

Ward 4
Jack Eaton
Margie Teall

Ward 5
Newcombe Clark
Lou Glorie
Carsten Hohnke
John Floyd (R)

______________________________________

Mayor

John Hieftje
Response not yet received.

Steve Bean
Do you support the building of a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor? Why or why not?

Yes, I'm very much in favor of building the skatepark. Increasing the variety of recreational opportunities for our residents is to all our benefit, keeping us active and healthy, in social contact with others, and providing places where we can simply have fun. Personally, I look forward to hanging out at the park at times just watching you all do your thing. And I'm sure I won't be the only one.

Skating is an activity that a wide range of people enjoy, some of them for decades and on a daily basis. While some competition naturally arises, my (limited) experience with skaters is that they're very collaborative.

In addition to the health benefits that skating provides from the physical exercise, a skatepark would have positive economic contributions to our community, supporting local businesses that supply skaters and drawing visitors who will also patronize our restaurants and shops. Skating is also a relatively affordable activity compared to other sports. Having a permanent, high-quality skatepark would also reduce the use of other structures by skaters, reducing the repair and maintenance costs borne by their owners.

Finally, many local skaters travel considerable distances on a regular basis to use parks in other communities, and while skates and boards are people powered, the cars driven to other places are not. Providing a park here in our city will reduce that travel and the consequent greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental and economic costs (and keep the spending of local skaters in the local economy.)

One aspect of the description in your question would be worth further consideration: would the park be free for non-resident users? We'll want to reciprocate (carry on that collaborative spirit) with other communities that have provided free parks that Ann Arbor skaters have used in the past. On the other hand, we have our own policies that we'll want to be consistent across operations and facilities, and with tightening budgets we'll need to consider all possible revenue sources to keep the park open.

Two years ago a partnership was formed between the Skatepark Action Committee; its fiscal sponsor, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation; and the City of Ann Arbor. What do you see as the city's role in this partnership?

The City has appropriately committed to providing the land for the facility. While I don't know the details of how the partnership has operated to this point, I imagine that City staff have played a role in coordinating planning for the facility, which would likely continue. After construction, the City's role would mostly consist of maintenance of the facility (including restrooms and parking lot) and providing information to residents and other potential visitors (e.g., via the City web site) about its availability, hours of operation, etc. as we do for our other facilities. Parks and Recreation staff would also likely organize and operate camps and other instructional events like at other skate parks.

The Washtenaw County Parks Commission recently approved $400,000 in matching funds to help design and build the Skatepark, making the County a fourth partner in the project. As a council member, how will you support this relationship between City and County?

As mayor I would of course have regular communications with the County Administrator and our Board of Commissioners representatives, and the skatepark would be on the agenda when appropriate. Beyond that, I'm open to suggestions for specific ways I or city council could make that relationship work to further benefit the skatepark and its users.

Do you think it’s important for the City to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark? Please explain.

Yes, I think it's important that the City financially contribute to it for the simple reason that the effort might not succeed without it. I also think it's appropriate. As I noted above, the skatepark will benefit the whole community, and skating is an activity that is practiced and enjoyed by many residents, making it as worthy of financial support as our many other facility-based recreational activities.

Pat Lesko
Do you support the building of a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor? Why or why not?

Yes. Supporting a variety of recreational opportunities is one of the most important jobs of city government, particularly in a city where taxpayers pay some of the highest per capita taxes in the state. Funding for culture and recreation have been cut by almost 50 percent over the past half a dozen years, and there is now a push to keep up parks via our park millage money, as opposed to allocating money from the General Fund. While the department that buys pencils for the city has a $1.5 million dollar fund surplus, our park fund is constantly spent down and tapped out with the result being the attack of recreational facilities as in need "subsidies" and new facilities, such as the skate park, thrown into the laps of those with lots of enthusiasm but very little money.

We don't "subsidize" recreational facilities in the Ann Arbor in the city government I would head. We support recreational facilities, because recreation positively impacts the quality of life of those who live here.

Yesterday, I sat in a meeting of the Greenway folks who, for the past five years, have been "dating" the city of Ann Arbor in their "partnership," as these hard-working volunteers try to establish a 2 mile long green space in the Allen Creek Floodway. The city resolution to give city land to the project was NON-BINDING. The parcels needed to complete the project all came up for sale within the previous 24 months, and city officials refused to use Greenbelt money (which they could have done) to purchase the parcels. The Greenbelt folks, too, have a "partnership." It's little but political smoke and mirrors. If the city of Ann Arbor is serious about a skatepark, it must be inserted into the city's CIP (capital improvement plan) and built as a capital improvement project at Vet's park using the parks millage money, as well as the matching funds from the county. Otherwise, it's little but political capital for the politicians and so much endless sweat equity for devoted citizens. The job of government is to make citizen-led, grassroots initiatives reality, not relegate citizen-inspired projects, such as this one, to the perpetual back burner, except during election years.

When does your group expect to have your part of that $400,000? Please forgive my blunt assessment, but such political maneuvers, again, benefit the politicians, not the citizens or the project to any great extent. If the county commission is, indeed, committed to this, through the city's parks millage, then, the CIP should be amended and $600,000 should be allocated to the skate park. Then, I hope county officials will be forthcoming with their $400,000 in matching funds. Under this scenario which I would work to initiate and support, the park would be built within the next 24 months.

Do you think it’s important for the City to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark? Please explain.

Please see above.

Ward 1

Sumi Kailasapathy
Do you support the building of a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor? Why or why not?

Yes. Children (and adults) need more physical/out door activities. It is good for their minds on body to be active.

Financially support the project.

I will accept the $400,000 from the County and fund the rest from the City's park millage.

Do you think it’s important for the City to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark? Please explain.

Yes, it should accrete and finance it. I will support such a resolution if I am elected.

Thank you very much for taking on this project. I hope we can see it succeed.

Sandi Smith
Do you support the building of a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor? Why or why not?

I absolutely support the building of a skatepark in Ann Arbor. In fact, I believe that we need to build one downtown as well. The popularity of sports ebb and wane over time. We see that golf has dropped off, as well as softball and baseball, while soccer, BMX bikes and skateboards are on the rise. We need to be responsive to these changes.

Great question! The City can certainly help out by being the land sponsor for the skatepark(s). Perhaps the City can help manage the facility, provide insurance, and other types of administrative details. I would need to know what the skatepark expects of the City to answer any more succinctly.

I support any collaboration effort between the County and the City. While the County Parks Commission has the resources to contribute financially, the City has other resources, including the land, which could be utilized.

Do you think it’s important for the City to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark? Please explain.

If the City’s Park Advisory Commission were able to find the financial resources to make a contribution, I would not be opposed. However these are extraordinary times and we are struggling to maintain the assets that we have today. Paying for the expansion of recreational opportunities needs to be examined very carefully.

Ward 2
Tony Derezinski
Do you support the building of a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor? Why or why not?

Yes. We need a skate park to serve a community that would use it, and also to minimize problems with improper use of public ways and facilities in lieu of a skatepark.

The facilitator.

Depends on our anemic city budget.

Do you think it’s important for the City to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark? Please explain.

Yes, if our finances allow it; always helpful "To have some skin in the game.":

Ward 3
Christopher Taylor
Do you support the building of a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor? Why or why not?

Yes. Skating is a healthy sport practiced my many Ann Arborites -- they deserve a standalone facility.

I believe the City's role to be largely facilitative. We should do all we can, consistent with current and anticipated financial conditions, to make the Skatepark a reality.

I'm delighted that the County has chosen to so meaningfully contribute and it is important that we at the City do all we can to ensure and smooth the design and construction of the Stakepark. This includes working with our friends at the County to make certain that we meet any City-controlled preconditions to the distribution of the County matching funds.

Do you think it’s important for the City to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark? Please explain.

At this stage, I believe that the City is best poised to contribute by providing in-kind services and donating land. This is not an issue of worthiness -- the Skatepark deserves financial contribution -- but rather it is a question of resources.

Ward 4
Jack Eaton
Do you support the building of a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor? Why or why not?

I support the building of a permanent, public skatepark in Ann Arbor. I do not skateboard. I do believe that skateboarding is a legitimate sport and a healthy activity. Young people are suffering an epidemic of obesity. I support creating and maintaining a broad range of athletic and recreational opportunities to encourage healthy active lifestyles. Skateboarding is an essential element of that diverse range of sports.

I would have preferred placing the skatepark in a central location to make the park easily accessible to skaters throughout the city. Nonetheless, I would support any location so long as the project is acceptable to the skating community.

I see the City’s role as being the party that should acquire the necessary property, provide the funding for construction and provide ongoing maintenance. A skatepark should be planned, developed, and maintained as park of our City’s system of active recreation. It should be on equal footing with public swimming facilities, golf courses, and rowing sites. Unfortunately, those facilities are not receiving appropriate support. Please note that I would support better funding of those recreational facilities, too.

I applaud the County’s support for the skatepark. I am curious whether the financial support from the County will complicate issues of ownership, responsibility and maintenance once the park is built.

As a member of Council I would work to formalize cooperation between the City and County for funding of recreational facilities. If for any reason, the County withdraws support for the skatepark or withdraws funding for the park, I believe that it is important for the City take full responsibility for the park.

Do you think it’s important for the City to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark? Please explain.

The City should contribute to the skatepark. We have an excellent parks and recreation program in Ann Arbor and the skatepark can be an important addition to that recreation system. It would be unfortunate if the City failed to fund the park.

As I stated above, I believe that a vibrant, healthy City must maintain a diverse selection of recreational activities. Our town already provides for golf, swimming, rowing, soccer, biking and softball. I believe that skateboarding is a natural addition to those choices. A well-designed, safe, well-maintained skatepark will provide an important opportunity for kids and young adults to practice an engaging sport.

Margie Teall
Do you support the building of a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor? Why or why not?

I fully support a having a skatepark in Ann Arbor. As with other venues that I support which would bring active uses to the City, I think the idea of building a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor is long overdue and would add yet another exciting recreational opportunity to the city's offerings.

In terms of building the skatepark, I see the City working with Park designers or planners to develop a Skatepark design that is safe, that allows skaters of all levels to enjoy, and that will attract skaters from around the State. I also see the City as a major partner in donating the land for the use of the Skatepark, and in ensuring that the park and the grounds surrounding it are safe and properly maintained. I do want to make sure that the City is helping to make this happen, and doing what we can to ensure its safety, its accessibility and its sustainability.

I'm glad that the County's Parks system is able to step up and help with such a generous offer of support. Currently, I don't see the City being able to match this offer. I do, however, see the City's land contribution and other forms of practical support as being key to making the Skatepark a reality. Also, if the Skatepark did happen to get to a point where it became necessary to charge a nominal annual fee or permitting system, as with the City/County dog parks, it would be the City's offices that could offer the clerical support to implement such a program.

Do you think it’s important for the City to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark? Please explain.

I would love to see the City in a position to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark, but I believe at this point that we can make important contributions in other ways. In addition to the areas offered in my previous answers, perhaps the Skatepark could ask for help from the City or from the Parks Advisory Commission in seeking grants or recommendations for further funding.

I do look forward to seeing the Ann Arbor Skatepark become a reality, and have to thank you, Trevor, for everything you have done and continue to do to bring this important recreational activity to our community! The concept looks amazing!

Ward 5
Newcombe Clark
Do you support the building of a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor? Why or why not?

Hell yes. It should have happened yesterday, and it's redonkulous that it hasn't yet. Fond are my childhood memories of being concussed on the half-pipe at Vets, at least, my memories would be fond if I remember them...you know concussions and all. Not only do most major (and minor) cities have skateparks, studies show that skateparks are awesome. Ann Arbor needs more awesome. We're deficient.

The City should provide matching funds for initial construction, ongoing reserves and expenditures for maintenance through the Parks budget, coordination of 5 year plans developed and implemented thru subcommittee to Parks Advisory Commission, programing and marketing through Park's Rec & Ed budget, and the City should pull sticks out of their tush about putting more skateparks in, and in closer to downtown (i.e. in downtown) (e.g. West park, Liberty Plaza, Hanover Square, new City Hall next to the German Fountain-thingy)

By making sure we don't get all grabby with the cash. It's super cool that Ann Arbor is getting the first one and I'm happy to spend the money here, but Ann Arbor should do our fair share in promoting skating in the County overall. Ypsi needs resources. Dexter, Chelsea? Sure why not? Heckers, even Lodi Township could use a ramp or two (It's hard to Ollie in a gravel pit).

Do you think it’s important for the City to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark? Please explain.

No brainer. See answers above. My only hesitation is that our City, bless her heart, is piss-pour at saving capital reserves. Yes I know, like using sunscreen, saving money is boring and emasculating..but I would hate to see the City pay for something fancy now and then pull out their pockets in five years when it needs to be rehabbed. A2SAC needs to hold City Council's SAC to the fire to make sure they don't give money without a promise for long term maintenance and replacement support.

Lou Glorie
Do you support the building of a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor? Why or why not?

I support a public skatepark in Ann Arbor or anywhere else for that matter. The materials, be they concrete, metal, wood, I'll leave to the skaters to decide. I've seen skate parks made of any and all of the above. The main thing is provide the space for this great sport to flourish in our town--as so many other towns have done. I'm happy that the park has found a home in Vets. Park, but I think we could use one in a couple other locations as well, because the best possible outcome would be that the skaters would skate to and from a park near home.

I think this first skate park is the icebreaker and that other skateparks should be added as part of our parks system. Our city gov.'s reason for existing is to provide services to the people of Ann Arbor. There is no reason to exclude skateboarding from our list of parks and recreation amenities. So the first thing the city can do is to provide physical space for the skateparks. Secondly parks millage funds can be used to build them or to supplement funds raised through the AAACF and the SAC. Skating is no more a special interest tnan is swimming. I'm a swimmer and the city has provided me with several wonderful pools for my chosen sport. Why not the same for skaters?

Support this relationship with the county? Well sure, I support the county sending us some funding for this project. I would expect that this means that the park will draw users from outside the city. If the county is contributing, we might think of this as the beginning of reciprocal relationships, meaning, when when our neighbors in Ypsilanti or Dexter or Whitmore Lake want one, we help them out. Perhaps we could eventually have a competition park, in the county, where there would be room for many spectators.

Do you think it’s important for the City to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark? Please explain.

As I said above, I think skating is a form of recreation. I hope to see more people getting familiar with and taking up this sport. It should be supported by our parks system. If the capital costs are high, and city funds are tight (don't get me started) we might continue partnering with the SAC and other funders, but the city should contribute. Courage!! Lou

Carsten Hohnke
Do you support the building of a free, permanent, public, concrete skatepark in Ann Arbor? Why or why not?

Yes. The Ann Arbor Skatepark Action Committee has created a detailed plan including a commitment to environmental responsibility and stormwater management, a financial infrastructure and significant financial support from the county, multiple forums for community input, successful collaboration with the Parks Advisory Commission, and continued demonstration of widespread community support for a state-of-the-art, concrete skatepark that is free to the public. The skatepark will add a recreational element to the community that is currently underserved in Ann Arbor, and will provide the community with the benefit of a significant financial investment in the enhancement of our park system. Skateparks have been shown to be positive additions to park systems across dozens of Michigan communities. I support, and am grateful for, the initiative of the Ann Arbor Skatepark Action Committee.

The city should be a full partner in supporting this grassroots effort to make an important improvement in our park system. The city can and should provide in-kind project planning and management expertise, as well as facilitate continued collaboration with public and private partners. Additionally, the city should and will play specific roles in formulating and distributing a request for proposals for the construction of the park, and in ensuring that the skatepark ultimately conforms with or exceeds stormwater management and other environmental requirements.

I will continue to work hard to support this joint effort. The skatepark will be a tremendous resource, not only for the city, but for the county as a whole. The letter of support that I drafted from the City Council to the County Parks Commission in support of the $400,000 of matching funds noted the City's committment to identifying opportunities to leverage capital or in-kind resources for the creation of a skatepark. I'll continue to work with our colleagues on the County Board of Commissioners to deepen collaboration between city and county planning and parks staff to design, build, operate, and provide transit opportunities for a first-in-class skatepark serving all the people of Washtenaw County.

Do you think it’s important for the City to make a financial contribution to the Skatepark? Please explain.

Yes. The Ann Arbor community, through the Parks Advisory Commission and the City Council, has previously provided for funding for skateboarding facilities. Recent funding was withdrawn for the lack of an appropriate plan for maintaining an active and vibrant skatepark. The Ann Arbor Skatepark Action Committee has provided such a plan, including funding for the construction and an endowment for permanent maintenance and operation. By contributing, at a minimum, at the level of previous budget commitments to skateboarding infrastructure, the city will receive significant leverage in enhancing our park system, and demonstrate leadership and partnership in representing all recreational segments of our community.

John Floyd (R)
Response not yet received.

City Council Election 2010

Support the Skatepark

Recent Tweets