Mayor John Hieftje

Mayor of Ann Arbor: 2000-present.
Established policy leading to the reorganization of the City Bureaucracy resulting in savings to the City of over $10 million per year.
Championed the Parks and Greenbelt Initiative to forever save open space and farmland.
Issued the Mayors Green Energy Challenge calling for the City Government to use 30% renewable energy by 2010 and the city as a whole to use 20% renewable energy by 2015.
Championed the Percentage for Art Program to provide consistent funding for public art to beautify the city for decades to come.
Founded the Washtenaw Metro Alliance for planning and cooperation with neighboring communities.
Founded the Clean Communities Program to clean up and protect our neighborhoods.
Pushed through the non-motorized initiative to move Ann Arbor to the forefront in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.
Protected and expanded human services funding.
Promoted the building of new affordable housing for those who need it most.
Keeps open office hours every week for residents to sit down and talk with the mayor.
Initiated new effort to plan for Ann Arbor’s future.
Re-established infrastructure repair, replacement and improvements as a priority in Ann Arbor.
Founded the Annual Mayor’s Green Fair on Main Street.
Ann Arbor City Council: 1999-2000. Major initiatives: Passage of Ban on Mercury Thermometers. Sponsored a resolution for a reduction in the millage that was approved by City Council.

Appointed to the Michigan Climate Action Council by Governor Granholm, (2007 present)
Board of Directors Huron River Watershed Council, (1998-present, currently an alternate member of the board.)
Downtown Development Authority, (2002 – present)
Chair of the Board of Directors Recycle Ann Arbor (1989 – 1990)
Chair: Urban Core Mayor’s of Michigan. (2004-05)
Member: The Wolfpack of the National Wildlife Federation
Board of Directors, Lake Superior Conservancy and Watershed Council, Sault St. Marie, Ontario, 2004 – Present.

Moving Forward: How a Mid-Size City is Moving to Renewable Energy: 10th Annual Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Conference - Presented by the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses and the Sustainable Energy Coalition, Washington D.C. June 14, 2007
Local Government Initiatives: National Summit - Coping with Climate Change-University of Michigan School of Natural Resources May 8-10, 2007
The Emerald Ash Borer Challenge: Continental Dialogue on Non-native Forest Insects and Diseases – Atlanta Georgia, Jan, 23 & 24 2007

EDUCATION