Wednesday, November 2,2011

Follow the money

A look at campaign finance report filings since Friday.

by Andy Balaskovitz

* 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.

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Wednesday, November 2,2011

Ballot proposals

Millage: Part deux

by Andy Balaskovitz

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.

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Wednesday, November 2,2011

A charter revision: Is it worth it?

by Andy Balaskovitz

The City Charter is a 28-page document that outlines the duties of elected officials, boards and commissions, as well as the general regulatory structure of the city including assessments and taxation. It establishes the process of adopting new legislation.

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Wednesday, November 2,2011

Red Cedar: A facelift for the east side?

by Andy Balaskovitz

The City Council voted against asking Lansing residents permission to sell 12.68 acres of the former Red Cedar Golf Course back in May, but then changed its mind in August. Now, voters have the opportunity Tuesday to allow the city to sell off a portion of the abandoned golf course for redevelopment purposes.

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Wednesday, November 2,2011

Restoring Survival Kits

by Nyssa Rabinowitz

The Mid-Michigan chapter of the American Red Cross announced last week that the Mid- Michigan Food Bank, a pilot program of the American Red Cross that used to run the program, will merge with the Greater Lansing Food Bank by July 1, John Cauley, the chapter s executive director, said.

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Wednesday, October 26,2011

Yes, we have bananas

Bob Trezise Jr. moves on, albeit just a few blocks from Washington Square to Michigan Avenue: An exit interview

by Lawrence Cosentino

A new cooperative landscape is already taking shape in Michigan. Earlier this month, the Collaborative Development Council, a group of senior development gurus, came to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan Economic Development Council with a map that breaks the state into 10 development regions.

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Wednesday, October 26,2011

Eye candy of the week

by Amanda Harrell-Seyburn

Cool autumn days are here and Halloween is just around the corner. There is no better way to enjoy the autumn than to stroll through Mason to admire the stunning residential architecture, including the breathtaking house at 210 East Maple St., located one block from Courthouse Square in downtown.

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Wednesday, October 26,2011

First Ward fight

The candidates are sparring over whether Lynne Martinez received favoritism from the Ingham County Land Bank, as opponent Jody Washington charges

by Nyssa Rabinowitz

Washington cited an article in Michigan State University’s student newspaper, The State News, that said a “$20,000 match The candidates are sparring over whether Lynne Martinez received favoritism from the Ingham County Land Bank, as opponent Jody Washington charges.

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Wednesday, October 26,2011

Standing at the crossroads

The Nov. 8 election could move the Lansing School District into a brighter future by selecting three candidates with “vision,” or the Board of Education could remain locked in conflict and controversy, experts say.

by Nyssa Rabinowitz

“It’s a matter of the school district really being at a crossroads,” said Ruben Martinez, director of the Julian Samora Research Institute at Michigan State University. “Someone has to make some hard choices. Tomorrow’s leadership on the board is of utmost importance.

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Wednesday, October 19,2011

Plugging the 'school-to-prison pipeline'

Forum will address state’s racial disparity in suspensions, expulsions

by Lawrence Cosentino

Monts, the field director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Michigan chapter, was peeking down the hatch of a big piece of infrastructure nobody wanted to build, but that has managed to snake across Michigan anyway.

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