ann arbor is overrated.

Check out Goodspeed’s comprehensive survey on what the city council candidates who bothered to answer think about a variety of issues. Independent Jon Kinsey’s answers are especially interesting - he characterizes students as “typically myopic” and says that they’re “adequately represented in city government,” but we suppose he deserves some credit for answering the questionnaire.

A letter in the News quotes a sign at the new Barnes and Noble: “Caf Tables Are Reserved for Caf Customers Only. Students & Extended-Length Customers Are Welcome to Enjoy Caf Purchases in Our Study Area on the Second Floor. Thank You for Your Cooperation.”

Noisy parties? Students walking while intoxicated? Sexual assaults on State Street at 6 in the afternoon? That’s small potatoes compared to the subject of the AAPD’s latest crackdown: trick-or-treaters out past 8. The A2 police chief has officially pronounced trick-or-treating time to be between 5 and 8 p.m.

In other news, the new year will roll around in Ann Arbor at 11:30 a.m. on January 1. The AAPD recommends celebrating with a light brunch of goat cheese quiche and mimosas.

A diligent reader sends along the definitive word, or at least several non-definitive words, on the naming of A2:

[H]e approached the arbor where Mrs. Rumsey was sitting and, lifting his hat, remarked with a smile, ‘My! What a restful place you have here; what do you call it?’ Mrs. Rumsey resplied, ‘This is Ann’s Arbor; don’t you think that is a good name for the place?’ John Allen agreed that it was a good name for not only that particular spot but for the whole place he and Mr. Rumsey had lately surveyed.

And “Annarbour” even has an explanation:

Russell Bidlack explains in his latest book:

“While map-maker Judd spelled the name ‘Annarbour,’ and Governor Cass wrote it as two words, John Sheldon inserted a hyphen between Ann and Arbour. The Governor’s choice became standard, except for the gradual acceptance of Noah Webster’s ‘American’ spelling of arbor, i.e., arbor, although neither John nor Ann ever made the change.”

Hmmm. Ann-Arbour Is Overrated?

Recently, we were visited around 11 p.m. on a weekend night by two students who wanted to know if we’d called a noise complaint on them. We hadn’t even noticed any noise on the block that night. We told them about the Old Fourth Ward’s organized teams of informants and sent them on their way.

There is another house on our block that’s caused real noise problems more than once, though. And we’ve come to the conclusion that calling the police on them would be a bad idea. Since the AAPD have gone on record as endorsing a “no-warnings” policy, we don’t think it’s fair to slap anyone with what could be a several-hundred-dollar fine - not including whatever alcohol charges they want to throw in - for having a party. As the Old Fourth Ward flyers put it, “Large fines are imposed…If our peace is disturbed, the police encourage us to call them at 994-2911. They want to help us enjoy a peaceful life in the OFW.”

We’ve had the police called on a party of ours in another city a while ago. And they told us to get off the porch (a third-story contraption that probably wasn’t even built to support that many people) and turn down the music, reasonably enough. That’s not what happens here.

Use this map to find out what ward you’re in, then this candidate list to find out where the candidates in your area stand on the issues (well, actually just the greenbelt issue.) And this site will tell you where your polling place is when you vote on Tuesday.

A number of urban planning professors have been weighing in on the greenbelt issue in the News’ “Other Voices” section. But this column, entitled “Smart growth is key; hold Greenbelt’s supporters to their word”, may be the most interesting. Essentially, they endorse voting for the greenbelt, then after it passes, making sure that “it serve as one component of a larger smart growth effort that addresses issues like regional coordination, infill development, and affordable housing in a meaningful way.” Why should we expect anything like this to happen? Well, “proponents have essentially made the promise.” Oh, well, why didn’t you say so?

We’ve heard from two readers that “Annarbour” is the original spelling of A2, from the 1800s. Also, the signs seem to be multiplying at an alarming rate - another reader says he’s seen one around Huron and Ashley.

The mayor is looking for two U of M students for a “cool cities” panel.

Can anyone explain the new road sign on Main just south of Packard that reads, and we quote, “Annarbour”?

…?

There have been 226 entries in this weblog so far, but this one may top them all.

The Ann Arbor City Council is considering a resolution under which non-residents (read: students and other undesirables) would pay for the use of emergency services, $85 per 20 minutes a fire truck is outside their house. This rule, the city administrator says, is intended to apply to medical emergencies - the example given is of a non-resident falling down the stairs of an Ann Arbor house. Of course, that would never happen, since Ann Arbor houses that non-residents tend to spend a lot of time in are always safe and well-maintained, but the city estimates that this law could make $17,000 to $50,000 a year for A2.

Many students are unaware that they can change their driver’s licenses to contain their current addresses. By doing this, you would not only be considered a resident under such a law, but you can also help vote out anyone who supports it.

On that note, the Old Fourth Ward’s newsletter mentions a Candidate Night on October 30th from 7-9 p.m. in the Media Center of Community High. See you there.

Goodspeed usually has it covered on this front, but today was truly a banner day for student ghetto break-ins. Seven - count ‘em - seven break-ins, for a grand total of $11,645.

Also, the News has finally put Talk About Town back online. We look forward to much happy blogging.

Ann Arbor is Overrated has obtained a copy of the Old Fourth Ward Association’s newsletter. The newsletter, which focuses mainly on the warmth and neighborliness of the Old Fourth Ward, provides four ways to turn in your neighbors: trash@a2code.org for trash violations, weeds@a2code.org for “lawn and weed violations,” snow@a2code.org for snow violations and 994-2911 for noise and “quality of life” violations.

Other activities of the Association involve: combating “unsightly flyers” by passing out flyers, selling calendars and - most interesting of all - forming Neighbor Peace and Quiet Teams (NPAQTS), which “enable neighbors to support one another by simultaneously calling in complaints related to any violations of the city Noise Ordinance.” Depending on whether or not the simultaneous callers can actually hear the supposed noise violations, this is very close to encouraging people to file false police reports. A column about the party patrol - written by someone from “Ann Arbor Neighborhood Crimewatch” - is disarmingly honest, calling the initiative a “preemptive action that attempts to educate violators and would-be violators about our local laws and their importance to the quality of life in Ann Arbor.” (Emphasis ours.)

The calendar sale, which funds the Association, benefited from the support of several local businesses, which they recognize. We would like to recognize them here as well:

• Borders
• The Treasure Mart
• Argiero’s
• Northside Grill
• Zingerman’s
• Museum on Main
• Angelo’s
• Shaman Drum
• People’s Food Co-op

We think it’s especially interesting that Zingerman’s, the Shaman Drum and the Co-op, which depend heavily on student business, support this organization. Perhaps they aren’t aware of all of its activities. Perhaps someone should tell them.