Cappaert Changes Mind; He'll Seek Another Term

w - . y - f LeRoy A. Cappaert, Democratie mayor pro tem who is in bis sixth year as City Council representative from the Fifth Ward, announced today he will seek re-election to that seat. His announcement comes as somewhat of a surprise because he had indicated earlier he did not desire to again seek the Fifth Ward seat. Principal at Mack Elementary School, Cappaert becomes the first announced candidate for the April 6 election. If another Democrat files for the nomination, there would be a primary election Feb. 16. "The longer one serves on our City Council, the more one is impressed by two basic facts," Cappaert said, "First Ann Arbor citizens do not leave their councilman alone with his thoughts for very long. We are close to our government and we takè advantage of that closeness to express our views. "Second, problems can be solved and progress can be made," he said. Cappaert, 46, commented the council campaign "will be conducted during the first weeks of the 1970s. The decade we are now concluding has seen the awakening of a new community conscience in our city. "Naturally, this awakening has been accompanied by some turbulence. During the 1960s we all became acutely aware of the consequences of racial prejudice and discrimination in our community and country. In recent years our eyes have been opened to the disastrous results of environmental pollution," he said. "We live daily with the results of poor choices in the development of our land- the lack of regional planning, the danger ef single-minded reliance on the automobüe for public transportation, and the ultimate cost of strip-zoning practices. We have recently begun to make progress in the solution of these problems. The question for us now is whether we can continue to learn from our past mistakes and build for the future. "Ann Arbor is a good city in which to live," Cappaert continued. "We take our local government seriously. This is our strength. The next few years will challenge this strength as never before. Some of the challenges will require new funds for their solution, but many will not. "With existing dollars, we can control pollution of the Huron River due to erosión and sedimentation; we can implement proper land use with sound planning decisions; we can effectively implement an affirmative action program that will provide employment and promotion opportunities for blacks in municipal government; we can set higher standards for the design and maintenance of shopping centers; we can appoint more women to responsible posts in city government; we can continue to eradicate poor housing conditions; we can listen to young people and can respond to their legitímate requests," he said. Also, he added, the city can strenghten the entire area by beginning to relate to surrounding communities, can begin to provide a balance between the pedestrian and the motor hiele, and "can have a city government vvhose deliberations are open to the public and whose decisions are responsive to citizen concerns. "We have demonstrated that this kind of progress is possible; we now need to move ahead." Cappaert said some of the city's problems will need new funds, whether they come from local taxpayers or through the federal government. He listed as some of these times the conversión of the Model Cities area into a decent, safe and inviting environment; the establishment j of a first-rate public transportation system to relieve j sures of the auto and to give new mobility to the young, senior citizens and those who can't afford a car. He also listed the provisión of safe, decent housing for low and moderate income families; expansión of the city's open space and recreation system; and the "upgrading of the quality of pólice protection afforded all citizens throughout our city and the relations between police and the general citizenry." "In many areas, Ann Arbor has led other communities in beginning to face up to many of the challenges that confront American cities. I am proud to have had a part in securing for our city a parks acquisition program that is difficult to match anywhere in the nation, I have continually fought discrimination and racism here. I am pleased that we have made gains with the fair housing ordinance, the model cities program, the Housing Commission, an affirmative action employment plan idea, and a new human rights department. I am also proud of my role in the improved bus service, better shopping centers, and a host of local concerns," Cappaert said. Cappaert, who lives at 2335 S. Circle Dr. with his wife and four children, was principal at Pattengill Elementary School for 9V2 years prior to being appointed principal Mack this June.