Sunday, October 30,2011

The politics get dirtier

A Chamber of Commerce ‘initiative’ is using the Pulse’s photos for its campaign literature without permission. Quinney’s campaign said the images are being doctored to make Quinney look ‘more menacing, more black.’

by Andy Balaskovitz

Friday, Oct. 28 — A Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce front group is using City Pulse property without permission in its campaign against City Council candidate Derrick Quinney. Moreover, Quinney’s camp is accusing the group, Greater Lansing Progress, of “race-baiting” by doctoring a photograph to make Quinney appear “more menacing, more black,” a consultant for Quinney said today.

Tuesday, October 25,2011

Kids in the Hall

The Council supports the millage increase; 425s are approved; and opposition to state legislation that would ‘overstep our ability to protect civil rights’

by Andy Balaskovitz

Tuesday, Oct. 25 — The Lansing City Council “fully and enthusiastically” supports a property tax increase on city residents to bolster revenue for police, fire and road services, based on a resolution passed Monday night.

Friday, October 21,2011

Council Night

425 agreements and millage support up for a vote

by Andy Balaskovitz

Friday, Oct. 21 — The Lansing City Council is scheduled to vote on a pair of tax sharing agreements with DeWitt Township Monday, paving the way for what city and township officials have said could be a catalyst for business development near the Capital Region Regional Airport.

Wednesday, October 19,2011

Dedication to 'dedicated'

Does Carol Wood’s opposition to selling a portion of Red Cedar Golf Course contradict her support for selling green space near downtown in 2000?

by Andy Balaskovitz

However, contrary to its appearance back then, the park was not on the city’s inventory of “dedicated” parkland. Without such a designation ' and to some neighbors’ frustration at the time ' voter approval was not necessary for the city to sell off the land.

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Monday, October 17,2011

Kids in the Hall

City acquires parkland; some airport-area businesses voice concern over proposed tax sharing agreements

by Andy Balaskovitz

Tuesday, Oct. 18 — The Lansing City Council voted unanimously Monday night to acquire 28.47 acres of parkland in west Lansing, and it’ll come nearly free of charge.

Friday, October 14,2011

Council Night

‘Natural’ land for the city; public hearings on tax sharing agreements

by Andy Balaskovitz

Friday, Oct. 14 — The city is line to acquire nearly 30 acres of land for recreational and open space use in west Lansing.

Wednesday, October 12,2011

Lansing occupied

Setting the stage for an occupation at the Capitol this weekend

by Andy Balaskovitz

What started out as advertisements by the instigative, Canadian-based magazine Ad Busters has grown into a global social movement protesting the distribution of wealth and the grip on democratic politics held by the few (1 percent) with economic strength.

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Wednesday, October 12,2011

Sympathizers and naysayers

by Andy Balaskovitz

“I think we’ve got to keep the momentum going because it’s impossible to translate the issue of the greed of Wall Street into one demand, or two demands. We’re talking about a democratic awakening.

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Friday, October 7,2011

Council Night

Oliver Towers land swap proposal scheduled for committee, City Council discussion. The Chamber of Commerce supports an open RFP process.

by Andy Balaskovitz

Friday, Oct. 7 — The proposed development agreement between the city of Lansing and Davenport University that could swap roughly three acres of downtown land is about to take the Lansing City Council’s center stage beginning Monday night.

Wednesday, October 5,2011

Board costs, a parking dilemma and mudslinging

The Lansing Housing Commission anticipates a “major expenditure of funds” with Oliver Towers proposal; LCC would have a parking problem; oh, and Bernero calls LCC’s position on wanting Oliver Towers “infantile.”

by Andy Balaskovitz

In a Sept. 7 letter to the Housing Commission Board from Executive Director Patricia Baines-Lake, she explains that negotiations will need to cover “concerns of LHC’s Board, the site’s location in a floodplain and a floodway, timing of the move and start of construction, resolution of the Fair Market Value differential ' .

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