The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Swanson, Nickels will run again
Both council members bring wealth of experience
By Austen Smith, Editor
PUBLISHED: May 18, 2006
[Editors note: There were three candidates who filed after the Courier's press deadline and will be featured in next week's issue. John Bailey will be running for Ward 2, Jaunita House will run for Ward 1 and David Kircher will also run for Ward 1. All are running as Democrats.]
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Along with a contested seat in Ward 3 and Mayor of Ypsilanti, there are two other seats on the ballot for this year's general election November 7.
Trudy Swanson, Mayor Pro-Tem D-1st Ward, is running for her fourth term and William Nickels, D-2nd Ward, is running for his third term.
The deadline for partisan candidates to file for elections was on Tuesday. There is still time for candidates with no political party affiliation, deadline of July 20, and for write-in's who have until Aug. 4.
Trudy Swanson
Life-long Ypsilanti resident Trudy Swanson was elected to city council in 1995 representing Ward 1, which she describes as the "gateway" community because of its proximity to I-94.
Swanson, 55, wants to continue representing the community because there are many things that still need to be done.
"I enjoy representing the community," Swanson said. "I would like to see more businesses crop up around the gateway area of the city; right along that Harriett Street corridor there."
A significant concern for residents in that area is the recreation center, a facility that has remained open despite a shoestring budget and lack of incoming revenue.
"We have to raise more money, month to month, to keep the rec center open," Swanson said. "There are different businesses that collect money and that is matched through Pfizer and that's been able to keep the doors open. We're working on a wing and a prayer."
Swanson echoed a familiar theme throughout this early election process. She said people in the community have to work together now more than ever, and communities throughout Washtenaw County also have to work together.
"We're a small community. We extend helping hands to each other," Swanson said. "Back in the day we all used to be really close. But now people are more private, it used to be that you knew everybody from three streets over."
Swanson added, "It's about getting back to neighborhood groups. Nobody wants to be bothered anymore, but now is the time we need to get everybody involved."
William Nickels
Bill Nickels, D-2nd Ward, was elected to his seat in 1998 and has been involved with more than a handful of community organizations and boards. Nickels is a Heritage Foundation Board Member, Auto Museum Board Member, Chair of the Ypsilanti MotorCities Stewardship, a member of the Heritage Festival Board, Ypsilanti Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Board and Chair of Ypsilanti Kiwanis Community Service.
Nickels, 67, is running for his third term in Ward 2 having served eight years on council in addition to 10 years on the Historic District Commission.
Well aware of the difficult fiscal decisions facing the city in the upcoming years, Nickels said he faced similar problems during the early stages of his public career.
"When I was first elected, financial problems for the City were predicted by City Manager Koryzno as a result of Proposal A and the Headlee amendment," Nickels said.
"During my tenure on council, staff and council together have initiated cuts, made service adjustments, and sought new revenue sources in order to deliver services to our residents in the best possible way."
Nickels, like other council members, said that Water Street is a top priority. Council members are now developing a contract with a builder for Water Street.
"Delivering services economically, increasing revenues, and moving the Water Street development along all continue as goals that my experience can contribute to during the next four years," Nickels said.
Throughout his tenure, Nickels has overseen a number of projects and resolved residential issues in Ward 2. He mentioned the development of the Cleary property as an issue that was resolved after he was first elected.
"EMU commuter parking in our residential neighborhoods was controlled by residential parking permits during my time on council," Nickels said.
"Businesses along Washtenaw continue to push zoning limitations. The city has and continues to enforce zoning laws for these businesses which protect the neighboring residential neighborhoods. The future will certainly have issues that will need attention by the residents and council representative."
If reelected, Nickels said, growing the Neighborhood Associations in Ward 2 will also remain at the very top of his priority list. Having a council person acting as a liaison between the City and the neighborhood associations continues to be an important role I will fulfill, he said.
Nickels is an Emeritus Chemistry Professor at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, he also acts as faculty union president and has filled that role for the past 10 years.
He has lived in Ypsilanti with his wife, Karen, and son, Craig, for a number of years.
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