Thursday, May 23,2013

Bernero vetoes Council budget

Will ask Board of Water and Light for higher return on equity to pay for streetlights, increase water rates for hydrants

by Andy Balaskovitz

Thursday, May 23 — Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has vetoed all of the City Council’s budget amendments, reinstating expenditures for information technology and several other General Fund line items to balance the city’s budget that starts July 1.

Thursday, May 23,2013

Rare planetary cluster visible this weekend

Mercury, Venus and Jupiter will form trio of planets in the evening sky

by Sam Inglot

Thursday, May 23 — The cosmic orbits of three planets will appear to be huddled together in the night sky, creating a planetary spectacle that won't happen gain for 40 years. For about a week, starting this weekend, amateur astronomers and experienced stargazers alike will get to see Mercury, Jupiter and Venus in a rare formation.

Wednesday, May 22,2013

Cold-case detective coming

Mayor Bernero promises to veto City Council's decision to exclude a full-time cold-case investigator in next fiscal year's budget

by Andy Balaskovitz

In his office Monday night shortly after the Lansing City Council adopted a budget for the next fiscal year, the first item Mayor Virg Bernero promised to veto was the Council's elimination of a new, full-time cold-case investigator.

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Wednesday, May 22,2013

Disclosing pay

Two City Council members' non-disclosure of financial interests suggests a weak ethics ordinance

by Andy Balaskovitz

Lansing City Council President Carol Wood earned at least $4,700 as a consultant to political campaigns in 2012, yet she didn't have to report any information on it under the city's ethics ordinance.

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Wednesday, May 22,2013

Drive-by policing

Lansing Police Department to purchase three additional Automatic License Plate Readers for use later this summer, raising privacy concerns

by Sam Inglot

Later this summer, the Lansing Police Department will roll out Automatic License Plate Readers that will be used to find stolen vehicles, but a Lansing City Council candidate and the American Civil Liberties Union have privacy issues with the technology.

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Wednesday, May 22,2013

Niowave update

Tunnel construction, pollution prevention and the tax abatement

by Sam Inglot

The latest chapter in Niowave Inc.'s strained relationship with its residential neighbors is over the construction going on inside the company's controversial pole barn.

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Wednesday, May 22,2013

Litos a leader

by Walt Sorg

Consumers Mutual Insurance, Michigan's newest health insurer, is ambitious. Its mission is to be "recognized as Michigan's plan of choice for patient-centered care, disease management, lower costs, and greater access for individuals, families and the business community" by 2018.

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Tuesday, May 21,2013

Update: Bernero budget plan rejected

Council says no to streetlight/hydrant ‘fee’

by Andy Balaskovitz

Friday, May 17 — Instead of charging city Board of Water and Light customers fees for streetlights and fire hydrants, the Lansing City Council wants to increase the publicly owned utility’s payment in lieu of taxes to balance next fiscal year’s budget.

Tuesday, May 21,2013

Kids in the Hall

Council approves a budget in messy fashion, Mayor Bernero promises some vetoes

by Andy Balaskovitz

Tuesday, May 21 — The Lansing City Council approved a fiscal year 2014 budget at Monday’s meeting, but it was ugly. The process, that is.

Monday, May 20,2013

School for the Blind discussion

Ingham County Land Bank, Great Lakes Capital Fund to hold public meeting on School for the Blind plans

by City Pulse Staff

Monday, May 20 — On Tuesday, the Ingham County Land Bank and the Great Lakes Capital Fund will hold a public meeting on plans to repurpose the School for the Blind campus west of Old Town.