2002 Candidate Survey: Ann Arbor Government Respondents

Ken Timmer, Republican, Ward 4
John Hieftje, Democrat, Mayor
Joan Lowenstein, Democrat, Ward 2
Jean Carlberg, Democrat, Ward 3

1. Because bicycling and walking are energy-efficient, economical and environmentally sound forms of transportation, do you agree that they should be promoted as part of local, regional and state transportation policy?

Timmer: YES

Hieftje: YES

Lowenstein: YES 

Carlberg: YES 

2. Do you support hiring a full-time Non-motorized Transportation Coordinator, a position Council agreed to create in the spring of 2002?

Timmer: Given the cutbacks at city hall, this position should be considered, but evaluated in comparison to all the needs and priorities.

Hieftje: YES. I sponsored the resolution that made this possible. In that resolution I specified that this be a "senior" position. It is essential that this person have input at a high level.

Lowenstein: YES

Carlberg: YES [replaced "Do" with "Did."]

3. The Ann Arbor Master Plan emphasizes minimizing automobile usage in residential neighborhoods. Do you support maintaining the rights of citizens to request and implement traffic calming measures, such as those done at the request of residents of Brooks Street?

Timmer: YES

Hieftje: YES. I sponsored the recent revisions to the traffic calming program that are making it easier for residents to get traffic calming for their street.

Lowenstein: YES 

Carlberg: YES

4. Do you support programs that would ensure that children can safely walk or bicycle to school, such as the Safe Routes to School program?

Timmer: YES

Hieftje: YES

Lowenstein: YES 

Carlberg: YES

5. 2002 was the first year that Ann Arbor did not host a Bike to Work Week program. Do you support City staffing and financial support for this program?

Timmer: I support the promotion of Bike to Work Week. The amount of staffing required needs to be done relative to other priorities.

Hieftje: YES We did have bike to work day. We will certainly be doing much more to promote cycling in the future.

Lowenstein: YES 

Carlberg: YES plus business support

6. Do you support legislation/ordinances requiring that the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians are accommodated in every transportation project in your jurisdiction?

Timmer: YES. All methods of transportation should be taken into consideration and given whatever accommodation is appropriate for each project.

Hieftje: YES

Lowenstein: YES 

Carlberg: YES Certainly did this on Broadway Bridge project.

7. Last year, a cyclist was ticketed while commuting to work on Plymouth Road. The ticket was recently dismissed, but the Ann Arbor Police Chief continues to state that bicyclists should not have the right to use roads in a manner widely recognized by bicycling experts as being safest. Do you support bicyclists' right to use all public roads in a safe manner, as accorded by local and state law?

Timmer: YES. I support adherence to the state and local laws that are applicable.

Hieftje: YES. This ticket should never have been written and I have made this known to the Chief. We will be talking about this in the future.

Lowenstein: YES 

Carlberg: YES

8. Do you support requiring police officers to receive regular training on the laws pertaining to bicycling?

Timmer: YES

Hieftje: YES

Lowenstein: NO

Carlberg: YES 

9. Do you support measures that ensure that city intersections are maximized for pedestrian safety rather than for vehicle speed (with vehicle turns a critical component of this)?

Timmer: Pedestrians, vehicle and bicycle traffic should all be considered.

Hieftje: YES

Lowenstein: YES

Carlberg: YES. I assume you mean with pedestrian signals of sufficient length and clarity and comfortable distance to cross.

10. Would you support standardizing the behavior of pedestrian crossing lights related to traffic lights, in order to increase safety and reduce motorist and pedestrian confusion?

Timmer: Standardization is difficult when every intersection has its unique needs and traffic flow. I support standardization whenever possible.

Hieftje: YES

Lowenstein: YES

Carlberg: YES 

11. Will you work to ensure that pedestrian travel is safe throughout the winter by enforcing sidewalk snow and ice clearing ordinances?

Timmer: YES

Hieftje: YES

Lowenstein: YES. I have tried to get the University to assist the city in areas adjacent to UM -- to no avail! 

Carlberg: YES

12. Do you believe that on-street bicycle facilities (such as bike lanes and wide curb lanes) should be funded with regular road funds rather than non-motorized transportation funds?

Timmer: I support these facilities, wherever the funding is appropriately kept.

Hieftje: YES

Lowenstein: YES

Carlberg: I need more details on what that would mean for ordinary use of regular road funds. 

13. Please describe any other ways that, if elected, you would support improving the quality and safety of bicycling and walking in Ann Arbor.