1. There will be NO City Income Tax. Ypsilanti voters have spoken on this issue and I am absolutely opposed to any attempt to try to raise it again. The City must work with the resources we have. Period.

2. Public Safety must be a priority. Although our resources are limited, we must not back down on our efforts to control crime, which has so many negative impacts on our community. My experience on COPAC has taught me the many ways in which neighborhood residents and the police can work together to make our streets safer, and I intend to bring that experience to City Council.

3. Our Quality of Life must be protected: Neighborhood nuisances like noise, speeding, gang graffiti, and drug sales must be stopped. One “bad” house should not be allowed to ruin a neighborhood! As vice president of the Historic East Side Neighborhood Association, I have learned a lot about the neighborhood issues and concerns facing Ward 3 families. I also know that active, involved residents are the key to healthy neighborhoods, and will work to encourage more citizen involvement.

4. Our Economic Development efforts must be strengthened. As chairman of the City Planning Commission for the last three years I have helped many businesses locate in the City, including, in Ward 3: Standard Printing on Cross St., the Corner Brewery on Norris St., the new Walgreen’s on Michigan Avenue, and American Photo Studios — which will soon move into the former Ave Maria property on Forest Avenue. Each of these businesses is now paying property taxes and providing jobs for our neighbors. I am eager to keep this progress going, and I am currently leading the work of the Planning Commission to simplify zoning and streamline the planning process to make the Water Street site more attractive to a wider variety of potential developers.

5. Regional and Public-Private Partnerships must be encouraged. We can stretch our resources by working together with our neighboring townships, as our wonderful Ypsilanti District Library demonstrates, and by working with private groups such as those who are helping keep Rutherford Pool open and working to raise money to reopen our Freighthouse in Depot Town. I will work hard to make the City of Ypsilanti a good-faith partner in these efforts.

6. We must keep Ypsilanti’s Positive Momentum going. Despite our challenges, there are many things we can all be proud of: Our unique downtown, Depot Town, and attractive historic district; our beautiful Huron River and many parks; popular festivals and special events; thriving local and independent businesses; a growing community of creative artists and musicians; our many exciting, citizen-led efforts to foster greater sustainability and a “greener” community; strong neighborhoods and active, committed citizens; and, Ypsilanti’s tremendous diversity, and our proud history of tolerance, inclusion and hospitality. All of these things make Ypsilanti a place like nowhere else, and provide us with an opportunity for a bright future … together we can make it happen!

Paid for by Rod Johnson for City Council, 310 N. Grove,
Ypsilanti, MI 48198