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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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, 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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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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