ICPJ member Jan Wright discusses her initial involvement volunteering with the organization to becoming an active member, involved with initiatives regarding climate change, local food, and trade agreements.

Tom Hayden, a U-M graduate and California environmental leader, discusses his work as an activist, and how Michigan and the Great Lakes region can move the U.S. towards the protections of a clean energy economy. He believes the problems of economic recession and climate crisis must be addressed in a Global Green New Deal.

After over 50 years of activism, politics, and writing, Tom Hayden is still a leading voice for ending the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan, for eradicating sweatshops, saving the environment, and reforming politics through a more participatory democracy. He was a leader of the student, civil rights, peace and environmental movements of the 1960s, and went on to serve 18 years in the California legislature, where he chaired labor, higher education and natural resources committees.

Thinking about running for public office next year? Wish you knew more about the ins and outs of throwing your hat in the ring? You're in luck!

The Ann Arbor Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area (LWV-AAA) host this public forum, which will feature panelists who have successfully run for public office and served on the local school board, county commission, city council, and county clerk's office.

The discussion will be moderated by former Ann Arbor City Council member Wendy Woods. Other panelists include Larry Kestenbaum, Washtenaw County Clerk; Deb Mexicotte, President, Ann Arbor Board of Education; Rolland Sizemore, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners; and Alex Yerkey, Managing Partner, Checkmate Campaign Strategies.

Come join the conversation about sustainability in Ann Arbor! The City and the Ann Arbor District Library host the third annual Sustainable Ann Arbor series. The series includes four events (held monthly and ending in April) with each focusing on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s sustainability framework.

This final event in the series centers on Local Food, including highlights from the Ann Arbor farmers market, our local food economy, and tips on how to support and participate in Ann Arbor's local food system. Panelists include ​Jenna Bacolor, Executive Director, Community Education & Recreation Ann Arbor Public Schools; Hillary Bisnett, Healthy Food in Healthcare Project Director, Ecology Center​​​​; Sarah DeWitt​, Farmers Market Manager, City of Ann Arbor​; Robert Grese, Director, Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum; Professor, UM School of Natural Resources and Environment; and Yousef Rabhi​, Chair, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners;

Each program will include a series of short presentations followed by a question and answer session. The forums offer an opportunity to learn more about sustainability in the community and tips for actions that residents can take to live more sustainably. Details of this series, and information and videos from current and past Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums, are posted on the City's website.

What do you know about the upcoming Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority's millage proposal? Did you know it's going to be on the ballot on Tuesday, May 6? Did you know there was going to be a referendum at the polls in May? The League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area (LVW-AAA) host this public forum on the upcoming proposal.

The focus is on the proposal, which asks Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township voters to approve a millage of 0.7 mills for five years. The increase would generate a total of $4.3 million annually through 2019. Representatives from both More Buses (proponents of the proposal) and Better Transit Now (opposing the proposal) speak.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Former Michigan Representative Lynn Rivers returns to AADL to continue the discussion of The End Of The Constitution?

Last May and again in November, in events co-sponsored by the Ann Arbor District Library and the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area, Lynn Rivers held a lively, interactive discussion targeting many diverse issues. For this third session, Lynn will tackle Federalism, National Supremacy, State Nullification and Secession. Previous attendees should bring their copy of the Constitution. Lynn will have copies for new attendees and for anyone needing a copy.

Lynn Rivers was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representative from 1995 – 2003. She represented Michigan’s 13th Congressional district (Eastern Washtenaw and Western Wayne counties). Prior to serving in Congress, she was a Michigan State Rep. She has an undergraduate degree from UM and a Law degree from Wayne State. She currently teaches Political Science at Washtenaw Community College and the University of Michigan.

This episode includes interviews with local politician, Neil Staebler, whose father was mayor of Ann Arbor during the Depression years; Fred Looker, city clerk from 1951-1965; A. D. Moore, City Councilman for 17 years; and County Commissioner candidate, Letty Wickliffe.

Produced and directed by Chris LaBeau
Exec producer: Catherine Andersen
Graphic Artist: Eric Anderson

Special thanks to Mr. Fred Looker, Mrs. Nan Sparrow, Mr. A. D. Moore, Mr. Neil Staebler, Miss Letty Wickliffe
Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Public Library, with help from the Ann Arbor Sesquicentennial Commission and the University of Michigan Speech Department.

In today’s America, the presidency has accumulated tremendous power – power much greater that what the framers envisioned and the Constitution provides. This has resulted in a system of checks and balances that no longer balances. Unfortunately, based on partisan preferences, Americans are either highly critical of presidential action or mute. Both responses are inadequate to protect the historical division of powers. Join us for this event, cosponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area, to discuss the dangers of an all-powerful executive branch and the end of the Constitution.

Lynn Rivers was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representative from 1995 – 2003. She represented Michigan’s 13th Congressional district (Eastern Washtenaw and Western Wayne counties). Prior to serving in Congress, she was a Michigan State Rep. She has an undergraduate degree from UM and a Law degree from Wayne State. She currently teaches Political Science at Washtenaw Community College and the University of Michigan.

Genie Parker was the former "Minister of Foreign Affairs" for the White Panther Party, a leader in the Rainbow People's Party, and a candidate for the Human Rights Party in Ann Arbor's 3rd Ward in 1972.

In June, 1972, then-U.S. District Judge Damon J. Keith of Detroit foiled the Nixon Administration's plan to use the Ann Arbor CIA Conspiracy trial as a test case to acquire Supreme Court sanction for domestic surveillance. Keith's ruling - that the Justice Department's wiretapping was in violation of the 4th amendment - led to a unanimous Supreme Court decision making domestic surveillance illegal…during the same week as the Watergate break-in.