Wednesday, December 7,2011

All in or patchwork?

LCC Board of Trustees decision on college’s pool looms; President Knight recommends “a substantial expenditure” to upgrade it or close it

by Andy Balaskovitz

The job of president for any college is to think about the long-term issues and long-term needs of the college, Knight said last week in an interview. And so I continue not to think well of a patchwork (fix) because all I m doing then as they often say is kicking the can down the road.

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Wednesday, November 30,2011

Coincidence, pattern or attack?

For LGBT advocates, a series of unfortunate legislation

by Andy Balaskovitz

When Jones, a Republican state senator from Grand Ledge, gives his side of the antibullying saga that took place at the Capitol four weeks ago, he blames Democrats namely Whitmer , the Democrats Senate leader for staging what turned out to be a national media frenzy.

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Wednesday, November 23,2011

Going forth with a plan

Lansing announces its non-motorized transportation plan

by Andy Balaskovitz

A familiar cast of bicycling advocates, Public Service Department representatives, 4th Ward City Councilwoman Jessica Yorko and about 15 Lansing-area residents attended the announcement.

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Wednesday, November 16,2011

The non-issue

Why downplaying the fact that three candidates in last week’s election are gay is a good thing

by Andy Balaskovitz

Amid the public discourse and allegations about photo darkening, supporting drug dealers in neighborhoods and questionable consulting contracts in last week s City Council election, one issue that rarely surfaced was the fact that two candidates are openly gay.

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Wednesday, November 16,2011

Wood’s support steady; who will court Washington?

Where the chips fell and what’s to come with a new member on City Council

by Andy Balaskovitz

City Clerk Chris Swope s analysis of the election showed that more females voted than males (55 percent to 45 percent) and those aged 60 years and older had the highest turnout of any age group.

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Wednesday, November 9,2011

Washington to take over Hewitt’s seat in 1st Ward

by Andy Balaskovitz

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.

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Wednesday, November 2,2011

The race for Council: 2011

The underbelly of local politics

by Andy Balaskovitz

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.

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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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