MyWHaT

Tuesday is election day. In Traverse City there is potential for four new faces on the City Commission. We will have at least one newbie and that fresh approach on the commission is highly anticipated. With this in mind, one candidate in particular has strong MyWHaT endorsement.

Timothy Werner understands commission decisions need to be evaluated against their value to the entire City and their impact on the future generations of the City. Decisions need to be based on 2030, not 1990, and he gets that. We are impressed with his decision-making skills as part of the citizen committee for Division St. and other public space issues. He understands that Complete Streets is not just a slogan to toss around every-time a sidewalk is considered, but that it includes a more broad-based approach, as well as attention to proven design tools.

Werner understands that finding solution’s to the community’s transportation issues is first and foremost about understanding how to improve our quality of life, not simply a means to moving automobiles. 

For those reasons, and more, Tim Werner would make an excellent City Commissioner. 

As for the other two commission seats open and the remaining 6 candidates, the MyWHaT advisor board isn’t prepared to make full endorsements, but is interested in Pat McGuire for his understanding that a walkable community is a strong economic model and that neighborhoods can be desirable places with mixed-use woven into them.

As for the mayoral seat, neither candidate has impressed us enough for a full endorsement. We can, however, recommend an app that may help you…Good luck.

Links to responses to our candidate survey:

• Jeanine Easterday • Ralph Soffredine • Tim Werner • Patrick McGuire • Dave Ford •

• Bob Donick • Barbara Budros • Jim Carruthers • Michael Estes •

The Chatter

• More mowing with sheep, please….(NYTimes)

• A modern roundabout is planned for the Acme Meijer project (REagle) and rumor has it Mesick is considering one (or, maybe I’m starting a rumor). A reader also sent in this video in a community adjusting to a roundie (SJ-R)

• I wonder how inflatable penguins could stand for safety, like Chi-town’s mannequins (CTribune)

• Retrofitting the cul de sac (NewUrbanism) is about a more sustainable & predictable economic future (ACities) Builder Magazine is even recognizing the need for more dense sprawl (Builder M)

• It’s the parking policy, stupid (AlanticCities)

And just as it would be very bad economic and social policy to provide free ice cream for all children. It is also bad to provide free parking for all motorists.” ~ Jeffrey Tumlin

• Yes, you put a giant sperm on a bike and you will get attention (ABC)

To Wrap

''Forever Bicycles'' by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei (Reuters)

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Good work Iceman riders!

(maybe see you next year…if I recover)

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