Thursday, September 9,2010

It's out

The snow and ice removal ordinance is voted out of committee after roughly 2 years; City Council votes Thursday for a public hearing

by Andy Balaskovitz

It took about three hours in the 10th floor City Hall Council Chambers, but lo and behold, a proposed snow and ice removal ordinance will likely get a public hearing this month. The ordinance would allow the city to clear public sidewalks and add the cost to a property owner’s taxes if it isn’t paid within 30 days.

Thursday, September 9,2010

Virg Watch

Snyder rejects Bernero’s proposal on small-business loans

by Andy Balaskovitz

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero reached out to his opponent’s campaign Tuesday, asking him to sign a petition supporting a proposed federal bill that would help small businesses get access to loans. Bernero’s opponent, Republican candidate Rick Snyder, didn’t bite.

Wednesday, September 8,2010

Legacy of dumping

How the Lansing Board of Water and Light is making good on nearly 15 years of careless dumping of coalburning byproducts

by Andy Balaskovitz

Between 1964 and 1978, the Lansing Board of Water and Light heedlessly dumped about 450,000 cubic yards of coal ash into a large gravel-lined hole ' once a swimming site ' at the north end of Comfort Street in north Lansing. Such dumping by coal-burning utilities throughout the country was common at the time.

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Wednesday, September 8,2010

Politics and football

Rick Snyder finds glossy-eyed support at the Wolverines’ home opener

by Andy Balaskovitz

With a blue-and-white checked Polo shirt tucked into his blue jeans, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder greeted a mix of children, college students and adults as they made their way past his tailgate. I smiled as the visibly drunk people greeted Snyder:.

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Friday, September 3,2010

UPDATE: Pine & Oakland

Newly paved intersection under water after Thursday’s rain

by Andy Balaskovitz

The corner of Oakland Avenue and Pine Street — recently reopened after being closed for months for the sewer separation project — was awash Thursday with sediment-filled water. One neighbor said it’s been a common occurrence since reopening in early August.

Friday, September 3,2010

So long, farewell

South Lansing White Castle to close its doors Oct. 2

by Andy Balaskovitz

Lansing is about to lose a landmark: the White Castle at 6541 S. Cedar St. Managers at the south Lansing White Castle confirmed today that the restaurant’s doors will close Oct. 2.

Thursday, September 2,2010

Sixth time a charm?

New details about a draft snow and ice removal ordinance revealed Wednesday

by Andy Balaskovitz

Though Lansing officials are taking a week to mull over the latest version of a snow and ice removal ordinance, one proponent of the original draft likes what she sees.

Wednesday, September 1,2010

Snow revisited

For the city, public safety trumps potential costs of a new snow and ice removal ordinance, which will be discussed publicly today

by Andy Balaskovitz

Over the past two winters, 450 nuisance complaints were filed with the Lansing Public Service Department. Of those, 207 notices were delivered to property owners’ doorsteps to clean up their public sidewalks (some of whom are out-of-state banks on foreclosed properties). Of those notices, only seven civil infraction tickets were issued. And to the department director’s understanding, none of them was paid.

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Wednesday, September 1,2010

[Pay] Back to School

by Andy Balaskovitz

Living near MSU is a distinct experience this time of year. Roughly 15,000 students move into residence halls on campus, each with varying quantities of essential and non-essential furnishings.

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Wednesday, September 1,2010

Virg Watch

Have you seen the new one about “Pure Lansing?”

by Andy Balaskovitz

The Michigan Republican Party released a one-minute political shot at Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero this week vis-à-vis depressing portraits of Lansing.