Two Council Challenges

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Elected first as a Republican, Marcia Higgins, fifty-nine, switched parties in 2005 and is now seeking her sixth term in Ward 4. Despite the hard times, she says, the city must both maintain strong core services and continue funding human services to protect "vulnerable populations." Higgins opposes any expansion of the Ann Arbor Airport, which adjoins her south-side ward, and says the city needs to study the airport's environmental impact, particularly on nearby city water wells. She thinks voters should decide the fate of an income tax and supports maintaining Argo Dam.

Hatim Elhady, a twenty-three-year-old U-M undergrad, says that no one asked him to run against Higgins, but he's endorsed by Mike Anglin, and Elhady's campaign manager, Pat Lesko, and treasurer, Karen Sidney, also are outspoken critics of Mayor Hieftje and the council majority. Elhady writes that he, "along with other fellow Fourth ward neighbors and residents of other wards in Ann Arbor are quite frankly fed up with being neglected and our issues ignored." He singles out zoning changes that have "negatively affected our welfare, and the failing Stadium Bridges." As for Argo Pond, he writes vehemently, "DAM IN!"

Without party backing, Ozog and Elhady have to be regarded as long shots. But at least they're keeping the council races interesting.   

[Originally published in November, 2009.]