Quinney, an AFL-CIO official, won his second term despite crap from the chamber that questioned whether he was a political ladder climber and a shill for medical marijuana interests, among other things. He took criticism for being a no vote on some Bernero initiatives and then fired back against the mayor in his own ads.

Three out of four Chamber candidates lost. Its biggest target, Derrick Quinney, won reelection despite a wave of fliers sent by a chamber political front group and anonymous robocalls that most observers assume were coming from the chamber as well..

At 10:30 p.m., the mayor walked into the Green Door Blues Bar on Lansing s east side where Washington was celebrating a victory over Lynne Martinez to congratulate her. It was not against Jody but more for Lynne, Bernero said of the robo call. I m looking forward to working with Jody.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 — Starting a business can be a daunting task, but the Center for New Enterprise Opportunity can help ease the process.

Coffee, toilet paper, what could possibly follow? The intent of these pieces is to shed light on how the choices we make in the marketplace affirm our values.

Judging by the upbeat toots and chugs heard at Monday afternoon s Michigan Rail Summit in Lansing, there s one toy that inspires Republicans and Democrats, environmentalists and business leaders, Feds and locals and all the other boys and girls to play nicely together: a train.

We’re part way there in Lansing. We’re not a crime-ridden dump like Saginaw or Flint, but we don’t quite have the buzzing, go-to downtown like Indianapolis or Madison either. The Stadium District and the revamped Ottawa Street Power Station shows us what’s possible, but there are plenty of examples of what still needs to be done.

Over the past two weeks in the At-Large race, a campaign consultant for At-Large incumbent Derrick Quinney, a labor-backed, labor-employed candidate (he s an executive with the state AFL-CIO), accused the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce of bigoted and racist political strategies.

* Martinez said she returned this contribution out of fear it would have violated campaign finance laws for accepting a contribution from a corporation. ** MichiganMessenger.com reported Monday that this contribution is from a not-for-profit corporation, which also would have been illegal.

For the second time in six months, Lansing voters will be asked to support an increase in the city s operating millage rate to bolster revenue for police and fire protection as well as local road maintenance. All eight City Council candidates support it.