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(”No fair Leigh, photographing better than I do!!”)

 

         On July 6 I had the privilege to interview Ann Arbor City Councilman Leigh Greden, who, with the term-limiting of current Representative Chris Kolb out of office, is currently running in the Michigan State Rep. 53rd District Democratic primary against Rebekah Warren. (Warren told me several times over several months, that she would be available for interview, but never actually made herself available; draw what conclusions you will.) The interview with Councilman Greden was at the Espresso Royale cafe in downtown Ann Arbor (Main Street), from c. 4:15 p.m. to 5:05 p.m. This writer took handwritten notes, with no tape recording, and hopes the transcription is as accurate as possible.)

 

DB: Nice to have you here, Councilman; thanks for your time! We have over 20 questions, so brief answers are o.k. –Leigh GRAY-den, right, like Graydon Carter from Spy Magazine and Vanity Fair?

LG: Okay, that sounds right, although I usually mention the color gray…

DB: Do you ever get annoyed by people pronouncing it Leigh GREE-den, which sounds like “Greedo”, the cantina guy from Star Wars or something?

LG: It happens all the time, no bother. (smiles)

 

DB: So, why are you running for State Representative? Why not for Mayor, say, or Drain Commissioner like Janis Bobrin?

(more below fold)

LG: The state faces huge challenges, and we need somebody experienced with the community of Ann Arbor, and not only that, but also someone with a record of getting things done. Ann Arbor needs a champion, to go to Lansing and take all the great things in Ann Arbor, and bring them statewide.
        I support Janice Bobrin for Drain Commissioner, and John Hieftje for Mayor. I’m not really qualified to be Drain Commissioner!

 

DB: Here’s a fun question: What do you think is the strongest point of your primary opponent, Rebekah Warren? 

LG: Good question! –Her Lansing experience. How’s that for a nice, short answer? (smiles)

 

DB: What do you think your own strongest point is?

LG: My elected office experience, because I don’t think Lansing experience is necessary, but elected experience is a huge plus, having to deal with interest groups and constituent needs. I have a record of getting things done: the City Council says I know how to get things done, move them forward. This is an easier question than the last one!

 

DB: How do you think you can reach out to women and gays, who seem to be some of Warren’s targeted constituencies?

LG: I am certain our records on women’s issues and LGBT issues are not different. I’ll put up my record against anybody. I have women and LGBT constituents supporting me as well.
 

DB: How will Leigh Greden create jobs for Michigan, in brief?

LG: There’s a short-term strategy and a long-term strategy. The short-term strategy is to support the Governor and her job plan for economic stimulus, build infrastructure, and support new industries. The long-term plan–is about the workforce, public education system. Although we won’t see the results for years to come, so there’s the short-term
strategy. …Was that brief enough? (smiles) We have to recruit new business to Michigan, high-tech and skilled jobs, and
continue the effort of Governor Granholm.

DB: Also: the SBT, Single Business Tax. What do we replace it with?

LG: SBT–all the revenue generation has to be replaced. There’s no clear solution yet. I would support a more traditional income tax…

DB: More traditional in what sense, sorry?

LG: More traditional in that it would tax profits. It’s a question of structure, so the answer isn’t easy. It should be primarily if not exclusively another business tax.
 

DB: What do you think Chris Kolb’s biggest accomplishment in office was?

LG: Land use legislation. It makes it easier for regional land-use planning, and the Governor signed that and other bills of Kolb’s.

DB: Do you see yourself continuing his legacy? 

LG: Yes, on that; also on regionalism, not just regional planning. There could be regional IT, regional police, regional bus, programs.
 

DB: The Michigan Stadium planned luxury boxes: many people are unhappy with them, including the fact that the vote on them may have been tossed onto the UM Regents’ agenda at the last minute before public commenters could sign up to discuss it. Do you have an opinion about the whole issue?

LG: The Regents are an independent authority. Without knowing every fact, it’s hard to have an opinion. I understand the arguments for, and the arguments against. I go both ways on that one.
 

DB: –The couch ban. “What were you thinking?” Do you ever think you’ll live that down?

LG: (covers face) Live that down! No! (smiles) …It’s undisputed that indoor furniture outdoors is a fire hazard. We have safety officials here with 100 years of combined experience unanimous on that. Some students here were recently hurt in a couch fire. If I were considering the issue back then, I would have handled it differently.

DB: In your defense, though, the new Ann Arbor police chief said at the last City Council meeting that there were 3 couch fires!

LG: I thought there were 2, I didn’t know there were 3. …Yes! (emphatically)

DB: Let me note, by the way, speaking of couches and sitting: you’re glad I’m not making you sit on a teeter-totter, huh, like Homeless Dave did during his interview of you? 

LG: It was cold, too, but it was fun…I haven’t been on a teeter-totter in many years.
 

DB: And speaking of students: how do you feel you can reach out to the student community in the District? I know you’ve helped with the landlord ordinance, but is there anything else you think you could do?

LG: I’m currently the chair of the Student Relations Committee, which showed or confirmed for me, that a lot of it is just about dialogue, just about dialogue, meeting with students. Seeing what’s on people’s minds, and helping. Student Relations Committee has been very successful, especially for the 7 months it’s been operating, or 5 months counting the summer.

 

DB: Calthorpe. Development. –Do you have any stance on those things, including whether Ann Arbor is growing too fast or too slow, or just right, and why?     

LG: The Ann Arbor population has declined in the last few years…

DB: I’m sorry, I meant fast growth or slow growth in an economic sense…

LG: I support Calthorpe, it’s good for the environment, business, and it’s approved by the MEC (Michigan Environmental Council), and the HWC (Huron Watershed Council). …it’s good for our local merchants, for the tax base. We’re talking about a very modest plan for Ann Arbor.

DB: Your opponent’s website recommends an Office of Smart Growth. Is that a good idea, or do you have a better one, or…

LG: Well worth considering, but creating a government agency is not an automatic answer to the problem.
 

DB: Re the environment: what did you think of my idea at the last City Council meeting, that Ann Arbor could have a big annual Arbor Day celebration, since the city has “Arbor” in the title?

LG: I like it! (laughs) Of course we have our Green Day celebration, but it may be similar, or separate.

 

DB: Since tomorrow’s the first anniversary of the 7/7 al-Qaida subway bombings in London: While crime and the “war on terror” are not part of the 53rd District Rep job description, maybe; still, how do you think you could help reduce crime and also help Michigan be more secure against terrorists, who, after all, really are out there? 

LG: There are two separate issues. About terrorism, planning is huge. There have to be the plans and the tools in place for responding to a terrorist attack. As for crime in general, we have to grow the economy. Crime goes up when the economy goes down, and crime goes down when the economy goes up. Creating opportunities for people would go a long way.
 

DB: What is some of your favorite music or who are your favorite musicians, and do you play any instrument?

LG: I don’t play an instrument. …I like ‘80’s music, my generation. Prince–I’m a huge Prince fan. I’m trying to think…there are different bands and different genres. I don’t like country, I will say that.
 

DB: What do you think this 53rd District needs more than anything else, and how can you help provide that in Lansing?

LG: A champion for Ann Arbor, somebody who knows Ann Arbor. It would be not only good for the community, but also for the rest of the state. It would show the state the great things we are doing here, and expand them statewide.
 
DB: What are some of the greatest things, in particular?

LG: Environmental programs, top-notch recycling, that we can expand. Job creation, and the ability to attract, and retain, high-skill, high-paying jobs. Progressive civil rights legislation. …Your ability to take all this down almost verbatim is impressive!

DB: I’m trying, thanks.
 

DB: Ann Arbor is often seen as the “core” of the 53rd District, but what do you think you could do for, say, Pittsfield township, and any more “rural” areas of the district?

LG: Almost exclusively city. Some few rural areas are there, but my business will largely be state-wide issues, and this district is 99% city.

DB: Still, what could be done for Pittsfield? I’m not an expert on Pittsfield, but…

LG: A perfect example is recycling. I’d like to see it easier for townships to take advantage of it through a regional system. Landfill tipping fees would increase revenue, and could help local governments exapnd recycling programs. Pittsfield could set up its own system, and use our MRF.

DB: MRF?

LG: Material Recovery Facility, our recycling center.
 

DB: Faith-based issues. What is your stance on those, compared to Governor Granholm’s?

LG: Probably to the left of her. I’m a strong believer in separation of church and state. At the same time, some faith-based organizations are wonderful social service providers. I would proceed very carefully, because I have a firm conviction about the separation of church and state.
 

DB: Might you run for State Senate or Governor at some point, or do you know?

LG: No idea. First I win the race, then I see if I like the job.
 

DB: Did you see Mayor Hieftje’s improv performance, and how was it?

LG: I didn’t see it, though I saw Homeless Dave’s in late June. I was told the mayor did well, though.
 

DB: Do you desire to do improv at any point yourself?

LG: Probably not, I don’t think I’m funny enough. Those folks have lots of guts.

 

DB: 2008 Democratic presidential nominees: do you have any favorites? 

LG: Too early to tell, it’s a wide-open race. Good question.
 

DB: Governor Granholm: is there anything she could be doing better right now, to rise in the polls or help the people of Michigan?

LG: When you run against a billionaire, the polls will usually side with the billionaire. It doesn’t mean he’ll win, but the polls show that way.
 

DB: Dick DeVos. –Have you ever bought an Amway product?

LG: Never. …Never. (smiles)
 

DB: What should the city’s relationship with the University be, do you think? Has either partner failed its obligations to the other?

LG: Things are a lot better today than a few years ago. There’s only so far ultimately things will go…UM is a separate entity, not beholden to city laws. There’s always room for improvement.
 

DB: Do you have your own blog? Or do you have a desire to, including a blog on your campaign website like Granholm has?

LG: I don’t have one, and I wouldn’t know how to run one!
 

DB: Before I ask any further questions [the Councilman's time left was small], did you have any questions or comments of your own? I’d be happy to hear.

LG: I think it’s great you’re doing this. Are you going to be doing it for other races?

DB: Maybe others. I’m thinking about it.
 

DB: [continuing] I see the Michigan Education Association has endorsed you, congratulations. …Your website says you support Pam Byrnes’ proposal to expand the Michigan School Readiness Program, which’ll make pre-school available to all four-year old children, and can be paid for by ending special tax expenditure loopholes and reining in prison spending.”
        Couldn’t cutting prison spending put criminals out on the street, though?

LG: Not dangerous criminals. There’s a variety of prison alternatives which have proven successful, and are cheaper than prison.

DB: Such as?

LG: AOP, Assaultive Offender Program. It helps with earlier parole, and release back into society. It’s proven to reduce recidivism.
 

DB: I also see on your site that you want more state support for UM, which is nice, but I note that the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor hasn’t been audited for 20 years or something, while UM administrators make colossal salaries. So is that a good idea, to let audits slip for decades, and what could be done?

LG: Audits by whom?

DB: The state auditor general.

LG: There are various internal and external audits of UM.

DB: But is it a good idea to let UM go unaudited by the state for that long?

LG: It isn’t a good idea. Compensation at UM is generally based on the market. No compensation problem would be solved by an audit, but an audit is a good idea, to make sure funds are appropriately and lawfully spent.
 

DB: I see you’re a member of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association in Michigan. What sparked your interest in this field?

LG: Primarily family. My father’s a psychiatrist.
 

DB: I read today that the childhood poverty rate in Michigan went up roughly 30% since 2000. What would you do about this?

LG: The first thing would be to grow the economy. It’s the #1 cause of the poverty rate. Second, support human services programs to help disadvantaged families.
 

DB: Is there anything you think Rebekah Warren could improve in, or is not very strong in?

LG: (grimaces a little) That’s not for me to say.
 

DB: How about yourself? Any areas for improvement or learning?

LG: A person can always learn more about issues, things you don’t know as well as you could. I’m always trying to do more to seek out different sides of an issue.
 

DB: Again, any final comment you wanted to make or anything you wanted to leave as a message?

LG: Well, I think it’s really good you’re doing all this. Thanks. Vote August 8!

DB: Thank you for your time, Leigh! Best of luck in your race!

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        It was an enjoyable interview, at least for me; thanks again to the Councilman. –One hopes the interview will help inform the public about this important primary race. 

        If there’s anyone else you’d like me to interview, just post a comment, or mail me at dbo@arblogger.com.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 20th, 2006 at 6:45 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.