Dogs Will Be Dogs

Let's be honest, Stan looks like he's getting his butt kicked in a lot of these photos, but I think that's just because I went out of my way to catch him in compromising situations — like the first photo where he triumphantly leaped over the black dog and then turned to defend himself after sticking his landing like a champ. He looks scared but it was quite the impressive feat by a very acrobatic dog. He really held his own despite being double- and triple-teamed most of the time. Oh, and the cute miniature schnauzer is his new friend Sophie.

Judging Jim

Jim Fink was put in the hot seat Saturday afternoon at the Washtenaw County Democratic Party's judicial candidate forum in Pittsfield Township. Fink, one four attorneys competing for an open Circuit Court judge seat, was asked to explain his Republican leanings, while the three other candidates made it known they're Democrats. Before the forum started, someone anonymously distributed dozens of copies of a homemade attack flier carrying the headline "What Washtenaw Democrats should know about Jim Fink," calling him anti-gay and anti-choice. Read the story. "If you look at my website, you will find that I am supported across the board, which is what a judge should be," Fink said. "I've been practicing law for 18 years and I've spent those 18 years pursuing justice for my clients in the court," Carol Kuhnke said. "I've been in private practice now for the past five years," Erane Washington said. "In a room full of Democrats, you can trust that I share your values," Doug McClure said.

Horse Of A Different Color

Sometimes you don't realize you've struck photographic gold until you go back and look more closely at your outtakes and realize you've caught two politicians sitting in the crowd at a basketball game, and one of them — who earned a master's degree from Michigan State University — is wearing the rival school's colors and cheering them on. That would be Dan Smith, Washtenaw County commissioner, seen here in Michigan maize and blue, sitting next to state Rep. Mark Ouimet.

Learning The Ropes

Washtenaw County commissioners Barbara Levin Bergman and Yousef Rabhi, both Democrats representing portions of Ann Arbor, share a laugh at a recent county board meeting. Rabhi, a 22-year-old recent University of Michigan graduate, is new to the board. Bergman has served since 1993. They're focusing efforts right now on addressing a $20 million structural deficit.

New Crop

Four newly elected Washtenaw County commissioners and seven returning commissioners were sworn into office Wednesday night. The makeup of the board for the next two years includes eight Democrats and three Republicans — one more Republican than before. New members include Alicia Ping, R-Saline (second picture); Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor (third picture); Dan Smith, R-Northfield Township (fourth picture); and Rob Turner, R-Chelsea (fifth picture). Read the story here.

Gunning For Per Diems

Washtenaw County Commissioner Leah Gunn, D-Ann Arbor, is calling for an end to the payment of "per diems" to county commissioners for attending meetings. A report by the county clerk recently determined that more than $26,000 in per diem and mileage payments collected by county commissioners from 2005 to 2009 were either ineligible or questionable. $175 of those expenses belonged to Gunn, who said today she is mailing a check to the county clerk for $175. "I do not wish to have my good intentions and my integrity brought into question on a minor matter such as this," she said, adding: "It is my intention to resubmit my resolution from 2009 that commissioners shall no longer receive per diems, travel money or mileage. This will be part of a package that being organized by the chair of the board. It will eliminate the Money Purchase Pension Plan (for commissioners) and will reorganize and possibly eliminate various boards and commissions of the county." Read the story here.

Carpe Diem

It was high drama at Wednesday night's meeting of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners as members of the Washtenaw County Republican Committee rose in defense of Republican Commissioner Mark Ouimet, shown below. "This is politics at its worst," said GOP Chairman Mark Boonstra, scolding the Democrat-controlled board. "These unfounded attacks have slandered the good name of a good man who has served this county well." Ouimet's expense record has been in question for the past two weeks, with the Washtenaw County Democratic Party calling for an investigation into $35,000 in per diem payments and mileage reimbursements he collected. County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum released a report on Wednesday, showing more than $10,000 of the payments don't appear to be eligible under county board rules. Read the story here.

Inside The Hall

Washtenaw County officials plan for an upcoming meeting of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners on a recent afternoon. The hot topic of the day was the resurrection of the county land bank authority.

Arrested Development

University of Michigan student Yousef Rabhi, 21, stands in front of the School of Natural Resources and Environment building on campus where he attends several of his classes. Rabhi is running for a seat on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. It wasn’t until after he was arrested for participating in a protest in U-M President Mary Sue Coleman’s office during his freshman year that Rabhi decided to formally get involved in politics. Rabhi and 11 members of a campus group called Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality staged a sit-in in Coleman’s office demanding that the university strengthen its code of conduct for apparel suppliers. Rabhi and the other protesters were arrested after refusing to leave the building when it closed.

That's A Lot Of Salt

Steve Puuri, managing director of the Washtenaw County Road Commission, stands in front a portion of the 20,000 tons of salt the agency will use to clear county roads of ice and snow this winter. Salt prices went up 40 percent and the agency is expecting to shell out $1 million for salt alone during this winter maintenance season.