Lansing’s First Ward: Betz is best

Lansing’s First Ward is an interesting, diverse amalgamation of people —young and old, gay and straight, singles and families, homeowners and renters — and everything between. Like the rest of the city, if not more so, the ward leans toward the liberal Democratic end of the political spectrum. That’s why it’s odd, even anomalous, that Lansing’s East Side is represented by a conservative on the Lansing City Council: Jody Washington.

In her first bid for the office in 2011, Washington ran against ultra-liberal former state Rep. Lynne Martinez. During the campaign, Washington stridently attacked Martinez for being endorsed by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, ridiculously claiming the endorsement meant that Martinez was actually a Rick Snyder-loving Republican who couldn’t wait to tax the pensions of senior citizens. It’s ironic that Washington is now herself endorsed by the chamber. Perhaps it means she’s a Trump-loving, immigrant-hating right-winger, but we won’t go that far. It’s certainly a case of self-serving hypocrisy.

This is but one of the many contradictions that have marked Washington’s tumultuous tenure on the Council. While claiming to be pro-medical marijuana, Washington advocated for zoning standards so restrictive that there would be no room for dispensaries anywhere in the city. While claiming to support affordable housing, she vociferously opposed new affordable housing in Old Town. The list goes on.

Then there is the issue of temperament.  While regularly calling for civil discourse on her Facebook page, Washington’s behavior on the rostrum at City Hall has been anything but civil.  Her red-faced rants, raging meltdowns and mean-spirited insults against anyone who disagrees with her evince a belligerent demeanor that belies her conciliatory words on social media.

Two years ago, when she got wind that this newspaper was leaning toward endorsing a candidate she opposed in another ward, she angrily threatened to never speak to us again. More recently, when a community activist and homeless advocate suggested he was coming after her (politically) on Facebook, delivering some of the same venom she regularly employs against her opponents, she filed for a Personal Protection Order against him and suggested he might be “unstable.” A wee bit of projection there, we daresay, and further evidence that Washington isn’t well-suited for a job where the kitchen occasionally gets hot.

Finally, there is the question of Washington’s influence over her son, Adam Hussain, who also serves on the Council, representing south Lansing’s Third Ward. While there is nothing inherently wrong with a mother-son team serving on the Council, in practice it hasn’t worked out very well. The two have voted in lock step on virtually every issue, perhaps because Mr. Hussain finds it difficult to disagree with the person who brought him into this world. Given her pugnacious temperament, she may well be inclined to take him out if he dares to break ranks with her. Of course, we jest. In any case, breaking the familial bonds on City Council by turning Washington out of office is a smart move in the interest of good governance.

We believe the First Ward would be far better served by someone whose political philosophy more closely aligns with eastside voters, and someone who is more apt to engage in thoughtful dialogue rather than blistering bile. That person is Brandon Betz, a newcomer to the Lansing political scene, but one who shows tremendous promise as the kind of elected official you can be proud to support.

Betz is a progressive Democrat with a knack for public policy and an even-keeled temperament that suggests he will be more interested in collaboration rather than confrontation. He’s an economist with the Michigan League,  and though he’s only lived in Lansing for two years, he is already deeply engaged in his community and brings a fresh perspective to making Lansing a better place to live. His strong showing in the primary election suggests that voters like his leadership style and are ready for a new face on Council.

For all of the foregoing reasons, City Pulse strongly endorses Brandon Betz for the First Ward seat on the Lansing City Council. It’s time for a new generation of leadership on the City Council that complements the thoughtful, engaged style of our new mayor, Andy Schor. Brandon Betz fits that bill the best.

Vote for Betz on Nov. 5 or by absentee ballot.