YPSILANTI, MI - State legislative staffer Annie Somerville hopes to provide a unique perspective as the newest member of Ypsilanti City Council, and says she’ll look to build relationships with Eastern Michigan University and young professionals in the community.

Somerville, a recent college graduate and legislative aide for Sen. Jeff Irwin, D–Ann Arbor, was selected from a group of four candidates to fill the Ward 3 council seat vacated following the death of longtime council member Pete Murdock.

The appointment was approved by a 4-2 vote after nominations of two other candidates - Desirae Simmons and Tyler Weston - were narrowly voted down by the council. No discussion of any of the candidates took place during the council’s Tuesday, June 4 meeting. The candidates interviewed with council members last week.

A 2018 graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Somerville emphasized building better relationships with the university as a top priority, along with improving parks and making Ypsilanti a desirable place to live for recent graduates.

“In an effort to make sure that recent graduates can stay in Ypsilanti, I believe that we need to focus on bringing more jobs to our city while simultaneously ensuring folks can buy homes here,” Somerville said in her application. “In an effort to accomplish this goal, I will work with local, state and federal officials to draw attention to economic development needs that would benefit our city and current/future residents.”

Somerville, who has lived in Ypsilanti for six years, said her experiences as both a student and restaurant server in Depot Town give her a unique perspective from both working in Ward 3 and listening to the concerns of patrons.

Of particular importance in Ward 3, Somerville said, will be addressing parking issues in Depot Town.

“As a former employee and current resident of Depot Town, I believe ensuring adequate parking is essential to making sure our residents who work and live here are not burdened by additional development,” Somerville said.

Long term, Somerville has her sights set on helping the city achieve a partnership with Ypsilanti Community Schools, EMU and Washtenaw Community College that would offer free tuition, similar to what has been established with the Kalamazoo Promise.

“If we can attain that goal, Ypsilanti will provide greater opportunity for the next generation,” Somerville said.

Mayor Beth Bashert said she was encouraged by Somerville’s connections to the legislature.

Somerville’s desire to address parking and city parks is on point with the city’s master plan, Bashert added.

“Being on city council comes with an impressive learning curve,” Bashert said. “(Somerville’s) experience working with Senator Irwin will help her in understanding how some of (city council’s) processes work, even though they are different at the state level.”