Tom Jensen, Ann Arbor native and the Director of Public Policy Polling, one of the most accurate polling sources on key political races across the country, talked with AADL about the 2012 elections, voter sentiment, political trends and the art and science of polling.

As Director, Tom Jensen oversees Public Policy Polling's day to day operations. During his time at PPP he has been a frequent guest for television and radio stations across the region, and has been called on for expert analysis by publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, and US News and World Report.

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On Monday, June 27, the City of Ann Arbor Customer Service Center will be open for business at 8 a.m. in its new permanent location on the first floor of City Hall, located at 301 E. Huron Street.

Customer Service Center services include:
• Payment processing for water bills, parking tickets, property taxes, and solid waste;
• Routes city calls and requests and provides general city information to walk-in customers; and
• This unit also is responsible for water utility meter reading, installation, repair, billing, backflow prevention inspections and certifications.

The Customer Service Center phone number will not change, which is (734) 794-6320.

Lawrence Kestenbaum

Following the US Census every ten years, new lines are drawn for congressional and legislative districts, county commission districts, and city council wards. We recently sat down with Washtenaw County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum, one of five members of the County Apportionment Commission to discuss the process of re-drawing the lines and the final plan that reduces the number of County Commission seats from 11 to 9. In this wide-ranging discussion Mr. Kestenbaum discusses the history of redistricting and politics in the county and the state as well as the likely scenarios for candidates in the newly combined commissioner districts. As many of you know, Mr. Kestenbaum also hosts one of the best (and funniest) political junkie websites out there, The Political Graveyard.

On Thursday, June 16th, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room, the AADL will host a panel discussion, Redistricting: It Matters to All of Us that will include include Mr. Kestenbaum, Jacqueline Beaudry, Ann Arbor City Clerk; Rep. Jeff Irwin, State Representative, 53rd District and Rep. Mark Ouimet, State Representative, 52nd District.

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There will be no trash, recycling or compost collection services in Ann Arbor on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30. The Monday pickups will occur on Tuesday and the rest of the collections will occur one day later throughout the week. The normal Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday, June 4, 2011. City Hall offices and 15th District Court at 301 E. Huron, the Drop-Off Station at 2950 E. Ellsworth, and the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and Compost Center at 4150 Platt Road will be closed on the Memorial Day Monday as well.

On the upside, parking is free downtown on Memorial Day so strolling Main Street and lingering over an iced mocha at your favorite coffeehouse are in order as WeatherUnderground is predicting a sunny, yes sunny, Monday with a high of 85 degrees. Want a little more exercise than a stroll? Head to one of the 157 City parks -- the list of just-do-its is endless. A rundown of more Memorial weekend events is available at Arborweb.

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You've watched it going up, now tour the new Justice Center at a public open house, Saturday, April 16, 10:00 a.m. ~ 12 noon. The Police Services and 15th District Court will be polished up, guided tours available and there will even be light refreshments.

Plenty of speakers including Police Chief Barnett Jones (who's great with the kids BTW.) The Justice Center is located at 301 E. Huron Street, the corner of 5th and Huron.

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Join City of Ann Arbor officials and staff on Wednesday, April 13, 7 p.m. ~ 9 p.m. at Community Television Network studios for a presentation of the fiscal years 2012 and 2013 budgets. Free onsite parking is available. The meeting will be taped and rebroadcast on CTN Channel 16 and available online 24 hours after the meeting.

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The City Clerk's Office will be closed on Wednesday, March 16 as it is relocated back to City Hall following the completion of 2nd floor renovations to the Larcom Building. Other changes in the location of city government meetings will continue indefinitely.

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Each year the City of Ann Arbor presents a budget to cover services provided to the citizens of Ann Arbor. This year the City wants all of us to be active participants in shaping the budget and they've developed a great web site, the Ann Arbor City Budget Guide to explain the process and the many components of the budget.

Most importantly, they want your feedback. Once you've reviewed the site, send email to the Finance Department at klancaster@a2gov.org offering your suggestions and comments.

"We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." — Thomas Jefferson

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On Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, the City of Ann Arbor Clerk’s Office will be closed to the public as it relocates to the first floor at the City Center building, which is located diagonally across the street from City Hall at 220 East Huron. The City Clerk’s Office will operate from the City Center building from Jan. 5 until March 1 while City Hall second floor renovations are completed.

The renovations will also affect public meetings of the City Council, Boards and Commissions. City Council regular meetings will be held at the County Administration Building, 220 N. Main Street, County Board of Commissioners Public Meeting Room. Work Sessions will be held at CTN, 2805 S. Industrial, Suite 200.

Check out the City's Meeting and Events page for up-to-the-minute info on locations of public meetings.