Date: 12/29/24 2:43 pm From: 'George Hammond' via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: [birders] Protect Ann Arbor's Arboretum
The University of Michigan does not have a state charter. It was created in the first version of the state’s constitution. I don’t see how Ann Arbor’s City Council could possibly have the political power or influence to change the state’s constitution in a way that would limit the University’s power or freedom from local ordinances.
It’s not widely known, but the City of Ann Arbor actually owns the northwest portion of the Arboretum, including Schoolgirl Glen, and the area that a campus connector system might pass over. When the Arboretum was created in about 1907, the city retained ownership of the land, but gave the University authority to manage it as part of the Arboretum. The property is parkland, so under the terms of the City’s charter, the City cannot sell it without a vote of approval by a majority of its citizens. Here’s a bit more about the city’s Arboretum Nature Area.
https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/parks-places/Pages/Arboretum.aspx
Best Regards,
George
> On Nov 22, 2024, at 2:55 PM, 'April Campbell' via Birders <birders...> wrote:
>
> The U of M much like many other universities sitting on billions in endowments, feels it can do pretty much anything it wants to in Ann Arbor. Alas, that also happens to be the truth. State charters allowing schools to escape paying property tax are the primary problem. When these charters were first instituted , the universities were much smaller and in need of support and, while that may be still true for many smaller colleges, it simply no longer holds water with the IVIES and the large state schools such as U of M. They’ve become hegemonic juggernauts gobbling up cities and towns in their wake. I watched my alma mater, Yale, devour New Haven. Changing the charters is the only way to stop this. IMHO, this should also apply to religious property. Ann Arbor city council and Mayor Taylor just wring their hands, spout platitudes and take the developers money. Why not threaten to go to Lansing and agitate for a challenge to the U of M’s corporate welfare state?
>
>> On Nov 22, 2024, at 2:08 PM, Jacques Mersereau <jacmer...> <mailto:<jacmer...>> wrote:
>>
>> I think the commuter is a good idea, but of course the shortest distance is the least expensive option.
>> I surely want the Arb to be left ALONE.
>> I would vote against this proposal if there were no other options, but there are other paths they could take, and the U can afford to figure out a better pathway.
>>
>> On Fri, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:22 AM Diana Kern <dlkaamitwin...> <mailto:<dlkaamitwin...>> wrote:
>>> This is nuts! Thanks for sharing.
>>>
>>> On Fri, Nov 22, 2024 at 10:19 AM Catherine Carroll <kiwibisc...> <mailto:<kiwibisc...>> wrote:
>>>> Wow, Marta, thanks for letting us know this. I agree this is definitely not off topic. It's a crazy idea! The craziness of the idea would seem to ultimately nix any thoughts of such a thing in the first place. I think of Nichols Arboretum as being Ann Arbor's Central Park. But, nowadays, one never knows. Even at the University of Michigan. If the harm to birds and the landscape is not enough, think of the cost.
>>>>
>>>> Extraordinary.
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 2:32 PM 'Marta Manildi' via Birders <birders...> <mailto:<birders...>> wrote:
>>>>> As many of you may know, there is a growing groundswell against a proposal that has been made public by the University of Michigan, as part of its “Campus Plan 2050”, to route an overhead “campus-connector" monorail system through Nichols Arboretum. Among the many problems and environmental costs such a project would cause, the threat to birds is among the most significant. This point was made in a very thoughtful letter from Robert Grese, whose long career included serving as Director of the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, to President Ono, the University Regents, and leadership politicians for the City of Ann Arbor. A specific focus on the potential effect on birds was also made in a personal letter to University and City leaders by Catherine Rising, who before retirement was an Associate Research Scientist of the University’s School for Environment and Sustainability.
>>>>>
>>>>> Hoping to amplify these solid foundations for opposing a colossally disruptive train route through the Arb, Ann Arbor Wild Ones has now issued a formal statement and call to action to oppose it. Please read the statement using the link below (which also gives you a link to Professor Grese’s letter), and add your voice to the cause as you may be motivated to do. If you have questions - or ideas - feel free to contact me personally.
>>>>>
>>>>> (I thought about putting “OT” in the subject line of this email, but then I decided not too, as it seems to me to be quite on topic for those who love birds.)
>>>>>
>>>>> Yours truly,
>>>>> Marta
>>>>>
>>>>> Marta Manildi
>>>>> President, Ann Arbor Wild Ones
>>>>>
>>>>> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xevvus7FVRQy9E1Ui37lAm3Lg6eLjMjSV_yUocKRvV4/edit?usp=sharing
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