Decision Time

Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje is thinking about serving one more term before stepping down. Who could be Ann Arbor's next mayor in 2014? Three names come to mind. Read the story.

Going Green

Conan Smith, chairman of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, shows off the LEED Silver award the county won for its new 14A-1 District Court. County officials were presented with the award at Wednesday's county board meeting, recognizing the new facility for its energy efficiency and environmental design. The certification comes from the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction. Read the story here.

Mr. Smith Goes To Washtenaw

Conan Smith was unanimously chosen by his peers to take over as chairman of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Wednesday night. Representing the north and west sides of Ann Arbor, Smith, a Democrat, is the third generation of public servants in his family. He is married to state Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, and is the son of Alma Wheeler Smith, who recently finished her final term in the state House. His aunt, Nancy Francis, is a county judge, and Al Wheeler, his grandfather, was Ann Arbor's mayor in the 1970s. Smith also is the executive director at the Ferndale-based Michigan Suburbs Alliance. Read the story here.