As I sit here on the eve of the election, all our literature is mailed, all our door-to-door literature has been delivered by our awesome volunteers, and all our signs are up. I’m taking a big breath and trying to put all my thoughts together for this email.

I am writing to ask for your support for Jane Lumm for City Council. I have had the honor of knowing Jane for over 20 years. We have run campaigns together, served on boards together, tailgated at football games together, and spent many hours shooting the breeze about everything under the sun. I can say, beyond a doubt, there are few people who care more about Ann Arbor than Jane Lumm. She has served on many boards, from Ann Arbor Street Art Fair to Big Brother Big Sister, from Humane Society to Ann Arbor Hospice, from WCC Women’s Council to Ann Arbor Art Center Board. She has always been a strong advocate for every citizen in Ann Arbor and brings this commitment to City Council.

Jane doesn't approach issues with a predetermined lens or any preconceived notions. She listens and considers all aspects of an issue. She approaches each and every issue before Council with an open mind - and votes on the merits of an idea, in the context of City priorities and what's best. She is a true "Independent voice"--not in anyone's pocket, least of all the ruling clique in City Hall. As Christopher Taylor said to Jane, 'but you know, Jane, at the end of the day, it's all about the votes.' And that pretty much says it all: Jane is not like-minded. With Jane on Council there will be less 'groupthink' and more open discussion.

Jane is tireless in representing the interests of her constituents in Ward 2. She is fearless in challenging the status quo. Jane listens and brings our concerns to City Hall.  

In addition to assisting individuals whenever possible in navigating City Hall and resolving specific problems, some of the broader neighborhood issues that Jane has championed include:

Pedestrian safety improvements at Huron High School (Fuller & Huron Pkwy)

Nixon Corridor traffic improvement

South Pond Village residential development (Arborland)

Nixon Farms (N&S), Woodbury Club residential developments (Nixon Rd)

Geddes Avenue reconstruction project; Arlington Blvd re-surfacing

Re-imagine Washtenaw Corridor study

UM sale of Inglis House and 10 acres of adjacent land near Nichols Arboretum

UM proposal for new vehicle maintenance facility on Green Rd (withdrawn)

Deer overpopulation challenges

Concordia University athletic facility project on Geddes

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Two 2^nd Ward initiatives Jane has championed on Council recently are implementing pedestrian safety improvements at Huron High School and Nixon corridor traffic improvements. The safety enhancements at Huron are a great example of positive actions resulting largely from the dedicated engagement of local, citizen-based organizations – in this case A2Safe Transport and Safe Kids Huron Valley.

Jane has kept her promise, taking the lead on a number of issues and problems of particular significance in the 2nd Ward. Ward 2 needs Jane's thoroughness, her common-sense approach, her desire to make decisions at the Council table after robust debate, not behind closed doors, and her desire to do everything in her power to support her constituents.

Please join me in voting for Jane Lumm tomorrow, 

November 7th.

Every vote is critical!

The polls are open 7am to 8pm.

Thanks, Niki

Please feel free to forward this message in support of Jane. In order to preserve email address privacy, please email the message to yourself, and bcc your friends and neighbors.

Endorsements:

Jack Eaton, CCM: "Jane does great work for the Second Ward, and no one on Council works harder...... I still admire her leadership in saving our Huron Hills golf course from the bulldozers of developers.""

Sumi Kailasapathy, CCM: "Jane is a true leader on Council. She has great common sense and fiscal responsibility."

Katie Robertson: "When the sale of the Inglis House was announced by the University, many neighbors were concerned..... We reached out to Jane with our concerns and she immediately responded as an advocate for both the neighborhood and the home itself...."

Maris Vinovskis: "In recent years, the city gov't has allowed developers to build excessive housing which greatly increases the traffic in our Northbury condo area.... Jane Lumm was one of very few city officials willing to stand with us. She has fought hard improving the already over-congested Nixon Rd..."