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No.
DISTRICT
Ann Arbor City Council Ward 4
PHONE
734-730-4986
WEBSITE
www.voteaidansova.com
Campaign Phone
7347304986
Number of years as resident
8
As President of the Ann Arbor District Library Board, and the youngest Black official elected in city history, I have led with discipline and delivered results: balanced budgets, preserved programs, and secured a path toward a new downtown library with mixed-income, affordable housing — all without new tax levies. This is the leadership I will bring to City Hall.
As a Human Rights Commissioner, I guided City Council on the equitable use of pandemic recovery funds. On Governor Whitmer’s Growing Michigan Together Council, I shaped our state housing and infrastructure roadmap. I am a first-generation graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania. I have not taken a cent in PAC money and stand ready on day one.
My top priorities center on delivering reliable city services, supporting small businesses, ensuring City Hall accountability, and expanding housing access through modern zoning reform. Limited resources demand fiscal discipline—a standard I have demonstrated on the Library Board by balancing budgets while protecting programs and advancing a new library alongside affordable housing. I intend to leverage this fiscal expertise to prioritize infrastructure and core needs over deferred costs.
Because zoning reform requires political will rather than dollars, I plan to utilize my state and county relationships to unlock external resources for the Fourth Ward, building on my life-saving work on Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist’s COVID task force.
Ann Arbor faces three connected challenges: housing affordability, aging infrastructure, and a decline in public trust. Our housing shortage is pricing out the essential workers, families, and seniors who make our community whole. To solve this, we must pursue thoughtful zoning reform, transit-oriented density, renter protections, and diverse housing types. Simultaneously, we can secure our future by prioritizing climate resilience and strict budget accountability for our roads, water, and transit. True governance requires accountability; I will rebuild trust by remaining accessible through regular office hours, leading transparently, and ensuring a community-centered approach to public safety. I am ready to work entirely for you.
In ten years, I want Ann Arbor to look back and see a city that acted boldly on housing. We achieve this by legalizing walkable neighborhoods, expanding missing-middle zoning for duplexes and small multifamily homes, and championing transit-oriented density near our bus corridors. My vision embraces purposeful zoning, affordable housing, community land trusts, and mixed-income developments—including the exact zero-taxpayer-increase model I helped advance on the Library Board. I firmly oppose exclusionary zoning that locks out our essential workers and families. If we want to be the inclusive community we claim to be, our land-use policies must finally reflect our values. Belonging is a right, not a luxury.
Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household, I learned firsthand what it means to feel unheard by those in power. That lived experience shapes my approach to service. My commitment to the Fourth Ward includes hosting regular in-person office hours, publishing a plain-language newsletter breaking down Council decisions, and promptly returning constituent calls year-round—not just during campaign season. True communication is bidirectional; authentic neighborhood input must directly dictate how I govern. By intentionally running a campaign free of PAC dollars, I ensure my vote belongs entirely to our residents. From renters and seniors to long-time homeowners, every neighbor deserves a voice at the table.
DISTRICT
Ann Arbor City Council Ward 4
PHONE
734-686-5356
WEBSITE
trostfora2council.com
Campaign Phone
734-686-5356
Number of years as resident
32
I have a BA in Political Science and History from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, attended the London School of Economics and Political Science, and have an MA in Public Administration from EMU. I am a 4th generation Ann Arborite, and grew up on the Northeast side of town. My family has a long history in the community including my great grandfather who served on the City Council in the 1920's, my father was the senior pastor at Bethlehem church downtown, and my Uncle was a Deputy Superintendent with the AAPS in the 1970's. I have extensive experience as a small business owner, work at both the U of M and Washtenaw Community college, and have Hosted a local CTN channel 17 interview program called "A2 Insight" for ten years
I decided to run for this office after being approached by several prominent members of the community and learning that it would be an Open seat after current Council member Akmon decided not to run. I have been particularly disappointed that Ann Arbor is out of step with most local communities throughout the country that still have Partisan elections. This has led to one-party rule on council with little debate and unanimous decisions for years. I believe in consensus and believe an Independent voice on Council will be in the best interests of Ward 4 residents. I believe my common sense approach to city problems and being an Independent voice will be a refreshing change to the current Council.
Ann Arbor suffers from a decades long supply/demand problem related to affordable housing. This is mainly due to the U of M's continued growth in student population and housing demands. At the same time, Ann Arbor's budget of 650 million dollars continues to grow creating a burden on homeowners in the 4th Ward. In my discussion with area residents, they fear being unable to afford living in our community. I plan to find ways to eliminate waste in the budget where we see excessive amounts of taxpayer funds utilized to benefit "consultants' while not taking advantage of the greatest resource available--the U of M. I hope to create a better relationship connecting city issues with various academic departments to solve city problems.
People want to live here with our quality of life, vibrant community attracting the best students from around the world, and an amazing variety of cultural activities unavailable anywhere else in the US. I am in favor of the Ann Arbor South Development and increased housing options, but creating a "2nd downtown" should not be a financial burden for the taxpayers of Ann Arbor. I am not in favor of construction projects that will increase taxes on area residents. Developers should assume most costs as they are the one's that ultimately benefit financially. On Council, I will scrutinize ancillary costs, road congestion, sewer/water expansion to ensure our growth is not a financial burden making Ann Arbor even less affordable
I have watched the last six months of City Council meetings available on CTN and Youtube. Residents in the 4th Ward feel that they are not communicated with enough with decisions that directly affect them. In addition to a monthly newsletter to 4th Ward residents updating them on Council discussions, I will ask for frequent input from residents. I also find former Council member Elizabeth Nelson's professional newsletter an excellent resource for people to learn what's happening on Council. I will also respond quickly to residents concerns either through phone or email, with the objective of resolving issues. I also plan to continue walking door-to-door to talk directly with residents getting to know them and concerns once on Council.
