When I served on Ypsilanti's Blue Ribbon Committee on City Finances in 2004-05, Brian Robb -- a candidate for Ypsilanti City Council in the Third Ward -- was invaluable in crunching numbers and providing the Committee with careful and reasoned analysis showing how much each City resident would pay with the proposed income tax.

He worked tirelessly to ensure the income tax did not disproportionately disadvantage low income renters in Ypsilanti.

As a committee member, I found Robb's analysis more useful than the study conducted by an expensive consultant that Ypsilanti unwisely hired at a cost of more than $20,000 during tight budget times.

I also appreciate Robb's consistent emphasis ensuring the details of our democracy are available to all. For example, he has encouraged Ypsilanti to resume publishing comments made during public comments time at council meetings.

He has taken the time to attend the meetings. I have come to rely on his descriptions of what transpired when I have been unable to attend myself as his renditions of events are accurate and insightful.