BROADENING POWER BEYOND CITY HALL
The vast majority of Ypsilanti residents’ interests are not represented by our current political leadership. Only a few city staff make most of the decisions that impact the 20,000 residents that live here. Amber is committed to broadening decision-making power for our most important community issues. We can do this by city-wide vote on an annual basis, on issues like what to do with Water Street, the YPD budget, and more.
AMBER'S PLAN
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Most political decisions of the Ypsilanti government are made by two or three staff members, “rubber stamped” by seven council members
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Virtually everybody who gains office in Ypsilanti does so by either being completely unchallenged in their ‘race’ or in the Democratic Primary where only 10-15% of residents vote… or quite often they are never elected at all but placed in office by a vote of City Council​
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There exists resident commissions in the city that advise Council and have some powers; those commissions should be expanded and empowered
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Compensate city residents for lending their personal experience and expertise to town halls to respect and enjoy the deep broad wisdom of Ypsilantians
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AMBER'S TRACK RECORD:
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Co-founding What’s Left Ypsi to bring a local, independent, non-corporate news source to the city and region
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Led the advocacy to take power away from the mayoral position in Ypsi: the mayor no longer has the sole power to appoint city commissioners
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Played a crucial role in removing ex-Mayor Beth Bashert from office and blew the whistle on her racist pattern of commission appointments