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Government

Ann Arbor has a mayor-council form of government. The mayor, who is elected every even-numbered year, is the presiding officer of the City Council and has the power to appoint all Council committee members as well as board and commission members, with the approval of the City Council. The City Council has ten members, two from each of the city's five wards, with the mayor wielding the tie-breaking vote. Council members serve two-year terms, with half the council elected in annual elections.

Ann Arbor is located in the 15th Congressional district, and is represented by Representative John Dingell (D), the longest-serving member of the U.S. House. On the state level, the city is in the 18th district in the Michigan Senate. In the Michigan State House of Representatives, the city of Ann Arbor is in the 53rd district, while northeastern Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Township are in the 52nd district. As the seat of Washtenaw County, the city is the location of the county's trial, civil, and criminal courts. Ann Arbor is also the site of a United States district court, whose downtown building also houses a post office.

Left-wing politics have been particularly strong in municipal government since the 1960s – an orientation evident in the passage of rent-control and strong antidiscrimination ordinances, as well as voter-approved charter amendments that have lessened the penalties for possession of marijuana (1974) and that aim to protect access to abortion in the city should it ever become illegal in the State of Michigan (1990). In 1974, Kathy Kozachenko's victory in an Ann Arbor city-council race made her the country's first openly gay or lesbian candidate to win public office. In 1975, Ann Arbor became the first U.S. city to use instant-runoff voting for a mayoral race. Adopted through a ballot initiative sponsored by the local Human Rights Party, which feared a splintering of the left/liberal vote, the process was repealed in 1976 after use in only one election. As of February 2006, Democrats hold the mayorship and all ten council seats.

Ann Arbor is the sister city to various municipalities around the world, including Tübingen, Germany (since 1965); Belize City, Belize (since 1967); Hikone, Japan (since 1969); Peterborough, Ontario, Canada (since 1983); Juigalpa, Nicaragua (since 1986); and Dakar, Senegal (since 1997).

See also: List of mayors of Ann Arbor, Michigan

Governmental Entities

Ann Arbor Appeals Board

100 N 5th Ave
Ann Arbor, MI
Phone: (734) 994-2696

Ann Arbor Assessors Office

100 N 5th Ave
Ann Arbor, MI
Phone: (734) 994-2663

Ann Arbor Attorneys Office

100 N 5th Ave
Ann Arbor, MI
Phone: (734) 994-2670

Ann Arbor City Administrator

100 N 5th Ave
Ann Arbor, MI
Phone: (734) 994-2650

Ann Arbor City Council

100 N 5th Ave
Ann Arbor, MI
Phone: (734) 994-2725

Source: http://www.switchboard.com/City_and_Town_Government/Ann_Arbor/MI/67-/yellowpages.htm

Elections:

                                     Ann Arbor holds annual city elections on the day after the first Mon. in Nov. Federal, state, and county elections are held on the same day in even-numbered years. Township elections are held every four years to coincide with national presidential elections. School board elections are held annually on the day after the first Mon. in May. For all elections, polls are open 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

                                      You may register to vote at your city or township clerk’s office or at Michigan Secretary of State offices. To be eligible to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old, and must register your local address at least 30 days before the election. After registering, you will be mailed information about where to vote; you can also call your city or township clerk or look on the Internet at www.publius.org.

Primary elections for city, township, county, state, and federal offices are held on the day after the first Mon. in Aug. In primary elections voters may vote for the candidates in one party only. In even-numbered years, the two major political parties hold conventions after the Aug. primary to nominate candidates for state education boards (including the U-M Board of Regents), for the Michigan Supreme Court, and, every four years, for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. Would-be precinct delegates to the nominating conventions should file a petition with the county clerk. To help select presidential candidates, each party can hold either a statewide caucus in the late winter or early spring or a presidential primary election the fourth Tues. in Feb. For more information, call the county headquarters of the Democratic Party (998–0345) or the Republican Party (971–4622).

Township and Village Governments

One village and significant portions of six neighboring townships are served by the Ann Arbor post office and the Ann Arbor Public Schools:

1.Ann Arbor Charter Township
3792 Pontiac Trail [map]
663-3418. Fax: 663-6678

Ann Arbor Charter Township, 3792 Pontiac Tr. 663–3418. Fax: 663–6678. Police and fire: call 911. The township employs four full-time police officers, contracted through the county sheriff’s department. To reach these officers on nonemergency matters, call the county sheriff at 971–8400. Township officials: supervisor Michael Moran, 663–3418 (moran@aatwp.org); clerk Rena Basch, 663–3418 (basch@aatwp.org); treasurer Virginia A. Forshee, 663–1699 (forshee@aatwp.org); trustees John Allison, Richard Dieterle, Della DiPietro, Gene Ragland. Other services: assessor, 663–8540 (epizzo@aatwp.org); building inspector, 663–1855 (gdlhouse@aatwp.org); rubbish/recyclables collection, toll-free (877) 264–5544; and utilities, 663–8292 (rjudkins@aatwp.org). Township board meets third Mon. 7:30 p.m. Planning commission meets first Mon. 7:30 p.m. www.aatwp.org E-mail: aatwp@aatwp.org

2. Bridgewater Township
10990 Clinton Rd. Mailing address: P.O. Box 28, Bridgewater 48115 [map]
(517) 456–7728

Supervisor Tania Kersey, (517) 456–7585; clerk Cynthia Carver, (734) 428–0372; treasurer Shelly Pike, (517) 456–7238; zoning administrator, Jonathan Ringel (734) 330–8105; trustees David Faust, Douglas Parr. Township board meets third Wed. 7 p.m. Planning commission meets second Mon. 7:30 p.m. Other service: assessor. www.township.bridgewater.mi.us

3. Dexter Township
6880 Dexter-Pinckney Rd. [map]
426–3767. Fax: 426–3833

Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Supervisor Pat Kelly, 475–2628; clerk Harley Rider, 426–2841; treasurer Julie Knight, 426–4961; trustees Michael Howard, Marcia Ottoman, and Mark Wojno . Township board meets third Tues. 7 p.m. Planning commission meets first and fourth Tues. 7:30 p.m. www.twp-dexter.org

4. Freedom Township
11508 Pleasant Lake Rd. (at Lima Center Rd.) [map]
428–7545

Offices open by appointment. Supervisor Robert C. Little, 428–8585; clerk Jennifer Alexa, 428–0822; treasurer Shirley Haeussler, 429–7162; trustees Jeffrey Horning, Dale Weidmayer. Township board meets second Tues. 8 p.m. Planning commission meets first Tues. 7:30 p.m. www.twp-freedom.org
 

5. Lima Township
11452 Jackson Rd. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 59, Chelsea 48118 [map]
475–2246. Fax: 475–6967

Mon., Wed., & Thurs. 9 a.m.– noon. Supervisor Kenneth Unterbrink, 475–1491; clerk Arlene Bareis, 475–2202; treasurer Nanette Havens, 475–1978; trustees Donald Laier, Gregory MacKenzie. Township board meets second Mon. 8 p.m. Planning Commission meets third Tues. 8 p.m. (7:30 p.m. if a public hearing is scheduled). www.twp-Lima.org
 

6. Lodi Township
3755 Pleasant Lake Rd. [map]
665–7583. Fax: 665–3212

Police and fire: call 911. Non-emergency police and fire: call the county sheriff, 971–8400. Township officials: supervisor Jan Godek; clerk Elaine E. Masters; treasurer Michelle Foley; trustees Robert Crowner, William Lindemann, Cynthia Radecki, Donald Rentschler. Township board meets first Tues 7:30 p.m. Planning commission meets fourth Tues. 7:30 p.m. Other services: assessor, planning commission, and zoning compliance officer. www.twp-lodi.org E-mail: masterse@ ewashtenaw.org
 

7. Lyndon Township
17751 North Territorial Rd. [map]
475–2401. Fax: 475–2251

Tues.–Fri. 9 a.m.–noon, or by appointment. Supervisor Maryann Noah (supervisor@lyndontownship.org); clerk Linda Reilly (clerk@lyndontownship.org); treasurer Mary Jane Maze (treasurer@lyndontownship.org); trustees Kathryn Francis, LeeAnn Shanahan. Township board meets second Tues. 7 p.m. Planning commission meets second Thurs. 7 p.m. www.lyndontownship.org E-mail: office@lyndontownship.org
 

8. Manchester Township
275 S. Macomb. Mailing address: P.O. Box 668, Manchester 48158 [map]
428–7090

Mon.–Wed. & Fri. 8:30 a.m.–noon. Supervisor Ronald E. Mann; clerk Ann Becktel; treasurer Judith A. Huber; trustees Sybil Kolon, Carl Macomber, John Schmidt, Lyle Widmayer. Township board meets second Tues. 7:30 p.m. Planning commission meets first and third Thurs. 8 p.m. www.twp-manchester.org
 

9. Pittsfield Charter Township
6201 W. Michigan [map]
822–3135

Police and fire: call 911. Nonemergency police and fire: 944–4911. Township officials: supervisor James R. Walter, 822–3136 (supervisor@ pittsfieldtwp.org); clerk Feliziana Meyer, 822–3120 (clerk@pittsfieldtwp.org); treasurer Christina L. Lirones, 822–3140 (treasurer@pittsfieldtwp.org); trustees Kenneth Brostrom, Marilyn Burhop, Gregory Conner, Andrea Urda-Thompson. Other services: assessor, 822–3115; building department, 822–3125; planning commission, 822–3130; recreation department, 822–2120; utilities, 822–2110. Township board meets second and fourth Tues. 7:30 p.m. Planning commission meets first and third Tues. 7:30 p.m. www.pittsfieldtwp.org

10. Saline Township
5731 Braun [map]

Supervisor Jim Marion, 429–5155; clerk Lois Baldus, 994–0098; treasurer Judy Gordon, 429–7729; trustees Neil Bohnett, Robert Marion. Township board meets second Mon. 7:30 p.m. Planning commission meets Wed. after the second Mon. 7:30 p.m. www.salinetownship.org
 

11. Scio Township
827 N. Zeeb [map]
665–2123. Fax: 665–0825

Police and fire: call 911. Nonemergency fire: 665–6001. County sheriff’s office: 971–8400. Scio sheriff’s substation: 994–8105. Township officials: supervisor Charles D. Nielsen; clerk Kathleen P. Knol; treasurer Donna Palmer; trustees James Dries, Jean Ledwith King, David Nacht, Charles Ream. Other services: assessor, development authority, planning commission, utilities (665–2606), and zoning offices. Township board meets second Wed. and the following Tues. 7 p.m. Planning commission meets second and fourth Mon. 7:30 p.m. Zoning board of appeals meets third Thurs. 7 p.m. www.twp.scio.mi.us E-mail: info@twp.scio.mi.us
 

12. Sharon Township
18010 Pleasant Lake Rd. [map]
428–7591

Supervisor Gary Blades, 428–0409; clerk Teri Aiuto, 428–7002; treasurer Bob Guysky, (517) 522–3667; trustees William Chizmar, Thomas Lavender. Township board meets first Thurs. 8 p.m. Planning commission meets third Thurs. 8 p.m. www.twp-sharon.org
 

13. Superior Charter Township
3040 N. Prospect, Ypsilanti, 48198 [map]
482–6099. Fax: 482–3842

Police and fire: call 911. Nonemergency police and fire: call the county sheriff (971–8400) or the fire department (484–1996). Township officials: supervisor William McFarlane (williammcfarlane@superior-twp.org); clerk Kay Williams (kaywilliams@superior-twp.org); treasurer Brenda McKinney (brendamckinney@superior-twp.org); trustees Nancy Caviston, Rodrick Green, Lisa Lewis, David Phillips. Township board meets first and third Mon. 7:30 p.m. Planning commission meets fourth Wed. 7:30 p.m. www.superior-twp.org
 

14. Sylvan Township
18027 Old US-12 [map]
475–8890

Mon. & Wed. 9 a.m.–noon. Supervisor Michael G. Williams; clerk Luann Koch; treasurer Arlene Grau; special projects coordinator Gerald Dresselhouse; trustees Pat Merkel, Reuben Lesser. Township board meets first Tues. 7 p.m. Planning commission meets fourth Thurs. 7 p.m. www.twp-sylvan.org
 

15. Village of Barton Hills
P.O. Box 7554, AA 48107
665–5574

Village board of trustees meets at Village Hall, 195 Barton Shore Dr. Police and fire: call 911. Nonemergency police and fire: call the county sheriff, 971–8400. Village officials: president James Wilkes, maintenance supervisor Walter Esch, clerk Doris Foss, assistant clerk Jan Esch.
 

16. Webster Township
5665 Webster Church Rd., Dexter 48130 [map]
426–5103. Fax: 426–6267

Police and fire: call 911. Nonemergency police and fire: call the county sheriff (971–8400) or the fire department (426–4500). Township officials: supervisor Dean F. Fisher (dfisher@twp.webster.mi.us); clerk Mary Dee Heller (mheller@twp.webster.mi.us); treasurer David Calhoun (dcalhoun@twp.webster.mi.us); trustees Karl Fink, John Kingsley, Richard Kleinschmidt, John Westman. Other services: assessor, property inspector, planning commission, and zoning office. Township board meets third Tues. 7:30 p.m. Planning commission meets third Wed. 7:30 p.m. www.twp.webster.mi.us E-mail: townhall@twp.webster.mi.us
 

17. York Township
11560 Stony Creek Rd. [map]
439–8842. Fax: 439–0903

Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–noon; building department open Mon. until 4 p.m. Supervisor Joe Zurawski; clerk Helen Neill; treasurer Sally Donahue; trustees John Bulmer, Jane Kartje, Mike Kipley, Dave Potter. Township board meets second and fourth Tues. 7:30 p.m. Planning commission meets second and fourth Mon. 7:30 p.m. www.twp-york.org

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Official City Site: www.ci.ann-arbor.mi.us

Link: www.infomi.com/city/annarbor/gov.html - 7k

Ann Arbor Appeals Board

100 N 5th Ave
Ann Arbor, MI zip code

Phone: (734) 994-2696

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City Government

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Ann Arbor Argo Canoe Livery

1055 Longshore Dr
Ann Arbor, MI zip code

Phone: (734) 668-7411

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City Government

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Ann Arbor Assessors Office

100 N 5th Ave
Ann Arbor, MI zip code

Phone: (734) 994-2663

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Ann Arbor Attorneys Office

100 N 5th Ave
Ann Arbor, MI zip code

Phone: (734) 994-2670

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Ann Arbor City Adm

100 N 5th Ave
Ann Arbor, MI zip code

Phone: (734) 994-2650

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Business Types: Government Offices, State & Local, Legislative Bodies, more...

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Ann Arbor City Council

100 N 5th Ave
Ann Arbor, MI zip code

Phone: (734) 994-2725

Search the Web

Link: http://www.switchboard.com/City_and_Town_Government/Ann_Arbor/MI/67-/yellowpages.htm

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Last modified: 11/29/08