February Madness
Joan Lowenstein’s anti-alcohol crusade continues; despite a trouble-free event last year, she is again trying to stop the Arena from holding their outdoor March Madness celebration. “I don’t think the city should be promoting excessive drinking,” she said. “The city shouldn’t be in the business to rent space in order for them to sell more alcohol.'’
The News cites Lowenstein’s involvement in anti-drinking group Campus Community Conversations (check here for their extensive survey of 13 “community members” on their “awareness” of the problem.) Does anyone think it’s ironic that Janis Bobrin is a member of this organization?
“(City Administrator Roger) Fraser said the Arena’s event is more of a “drinking event'’ than OktoberFest.” Uh… watching basketball is more of a drinking event than Oktoberfest? The Germans are slipping. Maybe they got a point, in my house watching Thomas the Tank engine with my son is a drinking event (he gets ovaltine, I get Oban). Wait, I see protective services pulling up to my house - gotta answer the door…
Kinda low blow on the Janis Bobrin comment there. Maybe she became a member after her drunk driving incident…
posted by Thomas Cook on February 9th, 2007 at 1:07 pmI thought of leaving her out of it, but since she is a public figure involved in an organization that aims to draw attention to irresponsible drinking in a demographic group she’s not a member of (minors and young adults), I think it’s relevant.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on February 9th, 2007 at 1:31 pmI agree, I guess I was giving her the benefit of the doubt. But the nanny-state vibe of the whole thing is disturbing - no one have fun with booze or fire crackers or couches on your porch - bad things could happen. As long as someone picks up those red cups afterwards let ‘em have their hootenanny.
posted by Thomas Cook on February 9th, 2007 at 1:44 pmI agree, I guess I was giving her the benefit of the doubt. But the nanny-state vibe of the whole thing is disturbing - no one have fun with booze or fire crackers or couches on your porch - bad things could happen. As long as someone picks up those red cups afterwards let ‘em have their hootenanny.
posted by Thomas Cook on February 9th, 2007 at 1:44 pmSorry for the doble post, d’oh!
posted by Thomas Cook on February 9th, 2007 at 1:45 pmWhy are the police opposed to it? I was under the impression that giving a DUI was like doing heroin for a cop. Not to mention the enormous increase in police revenue if they give enough DUIs. I am surprised that the city doesn’t host drinking events and take a cut.
posted by D on February 9th, 2007 at 6:29 pmI thought you were making a drain commissioner joke, AAIO.
posted by David Boyle on February 9th, 2007 at 11:59 pmWhat I want to know is how a group wanting to change undergraduate behavior [i.e., controlling and legislating against its drinking outlets] gets to call itself “Ann Arbor Campus Community Conversations”? I thought undergraduates were part of the “Ann Arbor Community”? Or aren’t they?
This group calls itself “grassroots.” If the students do not matter– that is, if they are not part of the “Ann Arbor Community”– the dialogue is skewed. The group can legislate all its wants. It is their rhetoric that makes me squeamish.
posted by toasty on February 13th, 2007 at 1:44 am“Community” is pretty much a euphemism for “non-student,” but this organization actually does count several students among its members. Possibly they joined to promote “dialogue” and “awareness” and don’t see the group as political, but hopefully Lowenstein’s recent actions will help them reconsider.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on February 13th, 2007 at 12:34 pmIt would be nice if Michigan actually made the NCAA tournament if people are going to be having a big ol’ drinking party for it.
posted by Frank on February 13th, 2007 at 1:14 pmaaio: can you accept that? the “community” is then a ‘parasite’, isn’t it?
posted by toasty on February 14th, 2007 at 3:22 amdon’t tell me it is a ‘provider’ …
posted by toasty on February 14th, 2007 at 3:32 amPuritan: Someone afraid that somehow, somewhere, someone else may be having a good time.
I’m glad we have Mommy and Daddy gummint to protect us dumbass citizens from ourselves and to tell us what is right and good.
[insert string of expletives here.]
posted by Dave on February 14th, 2007 at 3:37 pmMan, I wish she wasn’t my councilwoman.
posted by Lazaro on February 14th, 2007 at 5:02 pmI didn’t have the time to go through all the replies, but I suspect the issue at hand is really a political one. Arena is a newer “college bar” and the Ann Arbor Brewing Company which “pops tents” for any given event is a “townie” bar with deeper pockets.
As for the Police, based upon their record of recent DUI charge against an Ann Arbor Police Officer (for driving while severely intoxicated resulting in a severe head-on collision in which a U of M nurse was critically hurt), I think they should get some new officers or at least training so that they stop injuring taxpayers.
posted by futball fo bo on February 14th, 2007 at 10:33 pmMs. Bobrin has had more than one drunk driving incident.
posted by Ferona on February 15th, 2007 at 8:58 amMy understanding is that she had another accident, but was not intoxicated at the time.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on February 15th, 2007 at 9:01 amAnn Arbor Parks to parking lots?
We are writing about Friday’s AA news article in which counsel members proposed to turn our various parks in and around the city Ann Arbor into temporary parking lots for University of Michigan football games. It is this sort of flagrant disregard of our natural resources that showcases how a majority counsel members no longer reflect the core values of Ann Arbor residents.
The main reasons for having parks within the city is to provide neighbors and friends with an opportunity to meet up and to take a break from daily rigors of life. Whether it’s walking with a trusted pet or cavorting with the kids; the parks are for the people of Ann Arbor not out of town cars!
We pay for this luxury and park maintenance with our tax dollars! We have no interest in having to explain to our son and his friends that the reason we can’t go play in the park is that they’re filled with cars!
Also, for years Ann Arbor residents have asked for dog parks, facilities set aside for dogs and their owners to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment. It would behoove counsel members to discuss proposals to enhance the parks rather then turning them into parking lots.
posted by futball fo bo on March 10th, 2007 at 8:41 am