Virg on the verge Why Bernero is eyeing City Hall again - An exclusive interview - Creative Circle Media Solutions
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Locally owned December 2 - 8, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com A newspaper for the rest of us Virg on the verge Why Bernero is eyeing City Hall again An exclusive interview See page 13
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2 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 2, 2020
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4 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 2, 2020
VOL. 20
ISSUE 17
(517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com
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or email citypulse@lansingcitypulse.com
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9 EDITOR AND PUBLISHER • Berl Schwartz
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MANAGING EDITOR • Kyle Kaminski
Updates on the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan kyle@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-6710
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR • Skyler Ashley
skyler@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5068
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NOW AT 10:00 A.M.
SUNDAYS on
City Pulse • December 2, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 5
PULSE NEWS & OPINION
Summer is a long way off, but we can
Save the pool
A new citizen-led group to save the was matched with funds from Lansing’s funds secured through park property sales
almost hear the joyous sounds of children Moore Park Pool is getting traction with city dedicated parks millage. Because of the cannot be used to fix roads or reduce the
frolicking in a newly refurbished Moores leaders and making positive strides toward historic status of the Moores Park Pool, city’s legacy costs, so we have no qualms
Park Pool. The distance between here and bringing the ren- the renovation about suggesting that city leaders make
there is measured not in months, but in ovation project to project may also funding the pool renovation project a major
dollars, and lots of them. fruition. As a first be eligible for priority. Truth be told: Children don’t use
Built in 1922 and opened for swimmers step, they are federal grant playground equipment like they once did,
the following year, the pool was designed raising money funding through but a swimming pool is a guaranteed draw
by Lansing City Engineer Wesley Bintz to help fund a the National Parks throughout the summer months.
and funded by the J.H. Moore Estate. It comprehensive Historic Preser- Public swimming pools are an important
was the first of many Bintz-designed pools engineering vation Fund and part of the fabric of a community, strength-
built in cities across the country. Lansing’s study that will similar programs. ening the surrounding neighborhoods by
pool was added to the National Register of help ascertain In the past five offering quality recreational experiences
Historic Places in 1985 and now stands as the price tag for years the city has within walking distance of home. The
The CP Edit
one of the last of its kind still in operation. plugging the leaks sold two major par- Hunter Park Pool is a major asset to the
Due to myriad mechanical problems, major and overhauling cels of park property East Side Neighborhood and a restored
leaks and an advanced state of disrepair, the pool’s ancient — the former Red Moores Park Pool can play the same role
the pool is clearly on its last lap. Barring mechanical Opinion Cedar and Waverly on the city’s west side. That’s why we are
a major intervention, it will be decom- systems. We think golf courses — willing to put our support behind the effort
missioned and relegated to the pages of it is also worth netting more than $3 to save the pool.
history. considering updates to the pool that offer million that can only be used to improve In this season of giving, we encourage
Historic structures aren’t always worth more modern amenities, similar to the zero the city’s parks and recreation facilities. our readers to first and foremost help
saving. When the damage is too severe entry splash pad features at the city’s Hunt- Although we don’t think it would be wise others in need by contributing to our local
and the cost of rehabilitation too steep, er Park Pool that open the experience to to spend all of that money on restoring the food banks and homeless shelters. But, if
sometimes it is better to just turn the page. youth with disabilities and those who have Moores Park Pool, we believe it could and you have a little bit extra in your charitable
But there are times and places when the not yet learned to swim. should be a major source of local matching budget, we hope you will consider making
story is so compelling and the benefit The renovation and expansion of the funds for the project. a donation to the Friends of Moores Park
to current and future generations of city Hunter Park facility in 2006 provides a It may seem counterintuitive to suggest Pool to help pay for the engineering study
residents so great that it is worth making good template for using the city’s limited spending a million dollars or more on a that is the first step toward giving this
a substantial investment to transform a financial resources to leverage significant swimming pool when there are so many historic treasure a new lease on life. Do-
crumbling historic icon into a thriving com- additional funds. The Hunter Park project other unmet needs in the city, and at a nations can be made through the Michigan
munity asset. This is one of those times received a $500,000 grant from the Michi- time when city finances are in a shambles Historic Preservation Network by visiting
and places. gan Natural Resources Trust Fund, which due to the COVID pandemic. Yet the https://www.mhpn.org/MPP.
Kyle Kaminski named managing editor of City Pulse
By BERL SCHWARTZ this week’s ly. ning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the
One line in Kyle Kaminski’s resume paper. Kaminski is a graduate of Cen- 2014 Michigan Press Association
says a lot. It declares his reporting at Kamins- tral Michigan University, where he College Newspaper Contest.
the Traverse City Record-Eagle em- ki joined wrote and edited for Central Mich- Though he’s best known to City
phasized “hard-hitting stories that City Pulse igan Life, the student daily. Pulse readers for his governmen-
serve a watchdog-type service for more than His efforts earned him an honor- tal coverage, Kaminski has another
our readers.” two years able mention in the Michigan Press side: “Lansterdam in Review,” his
That’s one of the assets Kaminski ago. Pre- Association’s 2018 Best Newspaper weekly look at area dispensary offer-
brings to City Pulse as its new man- viously, he Contest for the Best FOIA (Freedom ings.
aging editor/news, as readers of his worked for of Information Act) Story and third We don’t drug test at City Pulse.
reporting on government in City the Re- place for Best Spot News Story. As a (Berl Schwartz is editor and pub-
Pulse already know. cord-Ea- student reporter, he swept the cate- lisher of City Pulse.)
In his new role, Kaminski, 28, gle, a Kaminski gory for best editorial writing, win-
oversees all of the reporting in the well-re-
news pages of City Pulse. He will con- garded daily paper, for nearly three
tinue to report on government and years, and for the year before that Send letters to the editor to letters@lansingcitypulse.com.
politics. He conducted the q-and-a he was the associate editor of The
with former Mayor Virg Bernero in Grand Traverse Insider, a free week- Please limit them to 250 words
6 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 2, 2020
Michigan Home Comfort FREE INSPECTIONS Lawmakers receiving calls
Air Duct Cleaning
AIR DUCT CLEANING HELPS
to pick electors for Trump
• REMOVE MOLD & ALLERGENS The Trump their president and stop voter fraud
POLITICS
• REDUCE DUST AND campaign is and “to appoint electors for Trump.”
OTHER POLLUTANTS putting a final MIRS called McCallom to ask
• HELPS FURNACE EFFICIENCY push on Michi- additional questions. She said, “I’m
gan’s Republican sorry, I’m not in a position to an-
legislators to find swer any questions right now” before
$
50 a way to appoint
Michigan’s 16
hanging up.
The Nov. 3 vote totals from Mich-
OFF
Electoral College igan showed Democrat Joe BIDEN
members to vote defeating Trump by 154,188.
for President According to attorney Peter
AIR DUCT Open 8am - 8pm Donald Trump for RUDDELL of Honigman law firm,
CLEANING 618 E. Kalamazoo St. president on the argument that there the U.S. Constitution, Article 1,
EXPIRES 12/14/2020 Lansing, MI, 48912 was too much fraud and shenanigans Section 2, dictates that each state
833-642-3828 • 517-975-5030 that took place in Wayne County to shall appoint its electors in a manner
let the vote there stand. directed by its legislature, the phrase
Outside of the Senate Oversight “no doubt” the Trump campaign is
CITY OF LANSING Committee hearing on election hinging its argument on.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING activity at the TCF Center in Detroit, However, the Michigan Legisla-
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Lansing will hold a public hearing which is approaching seven hours of ture has already dictated how those
at 7:00 p.m. during the City Council Meeting, via ZOOM Conferencing, Meeting ID 850 7039 5122, testimony, legislators are receiving electors are to be named. A law was
on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of considering:
phone calls like this one from people passed that says each political party
An Ordinance of the City of Lansing, Michigan, to amend the Code of Ordinances of the City claiming to be with Trump campaign must select a slate of electors at their
of Lansing by adding a new Section 888.32 for the purposes of providing for an extension of headquarters in Washington. fall convention and pass those names
a service charge in lieu of taxes for seventy-six (76) low income multi-family dwelling units
in a project known as the Walter French Apartments, pursuant to the provisions of The State “I wanted to reach out to you per- to the secretary of state within a day
Housing Development Authority Act of 1966, As Amended. sonally on behalf of the president as after that selection.
Note: Michigan Director of Health and Human Services Robert Gordon’s Order of October 9, 2020
you got an opportunity to be a crucial Whichever party’s candidate for
regarding Gather Prohibition and Face Covering, as well as states of emergency declared by the part of his reelection,” said someone president wins Michigan’s popular
Mayor and approved by City Council have led to a closure of City Hall to public at this time due who identified herself as Angela vote, that party’s electors are ap-
to COVID-19. Public observation and participation may be facilitated electronically in accordance
with the Open Meetings Act in an effort to protect the health and safety of the public. McCallom to a state representative in pointed to cast votes for president on
Michigan. “I’m sure you know right behalf of the state of Michigan.
Members of the public wishing to participate in the meeting may do so by logging into or calling now that the Senate Oversight com- “There’s no provision in Michigan
into the meetings using the website https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85070395122 or phone number
312 626 6799 and Meeting ID 850 7039 5122. Michigan Public Act 228 of 2020 provides for mittee is hearing from witnesses who law for the Michigan legislature to
authorization of remote participation in public meetings and hearings. are sharing their testimonies regard- act” as it relates to selecting electors,
For more information, please call Lansing City Council at 517-483-4177. If you are interested in ing voter fraud across the state. Ruddell said. It’s possible, theoret-
this matter, please attend the public hearing or send a representative. Written comments will be “We wanted to make sure you knew ically, for the Legislature to try to
accepted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on City business days if received before 5 p.m., on the day how you could be helpful in ensuring change the rules of the game, but
of the Public Hearing at the City Clerk’s office, Ninth Floor, City Hall, 124 West Michigan Ave.,
Lansing, MI 48933 or email city.clerk@lansingmi.gov. that every American is represented they would need to pass a bill …
and can be rest assured that their which undoubtedly Gov. Gretchen
Chris Swope, Lansing City Clerk
www.lansingmi.gov/Clerk vote will be fairly and correctly WHITMER would veto.
www.facebook.com/LansingClerkSwope CP#20-300 counted in this election. The United The Republicans in the legislature
States Constitution provides that the would not have the votes to override
CITY OF LANSING
state legislators retain sole authority that veto. Electors are set to cast
SUMMARY OF to designate presidential electors.” their votes Dec. 14.
ADOPTED ORDINANCE # 1270 She said Trump attorney Rudy Today’s call came as the Senate
Lansing City Council adopted an Ordinance of the City of Lansing, Michigan, to amend the Giuliani will be in front of the House Oversight Committee took roughly
Lansing Codified Ordinances (code) by amending Chapter 602 Section 602.11, to prevent disease, Oversight Committee at 6 p.m. today seven hours of testimony from indi-
prolong life and promote public health by providing for enforcement of local health orders or (Dec. 2) to present experts and wit- viduals claiming fraud in Michigan’s
regulations issued pursuant to the michigan public health code, being 1978 PA 368, as amended,
MCL 333.1101, et seq.; to provide for penalties for willful violation of such orders or regulations with nesses who observed fraud in Michi- election system and urging lawmak-
personal knowledge as a misdemeanor, or upon being informed of such order or regulation by a gan’s election. ers to pick electors who will cast
law enforcement officer, as a civil infraction.
“The vote totals are fatally flawed votes for Trump.
The City of Lansing ordains and finds an emergency exists to control the spread of the COVID-19 and do not accurately represent the (Kyle Melinn of the Capitol news
Pandemic: will of the voters as well as your con- service MIRS is at melinnky@gmail.
Effective date: December 30, 2020 stituents,” McCallom said. “You have com.)
the power to reclaim your authority
Notice: The full text of this Ordinance is available for review at the City Clerk’s Office, 9th Floor,
City Hall, Lansing, Michigan. A copy of the full text of this Ordinance may be obtained and send a slate of electors that will
from the City Clerk’s Office, 9th Floor, City Hall, Lansing, Michigan at a fee determined support President Trump and Vice
by City Council. President (Mike) Pence.”
Chris Swope, Lansing City Clerk, MMC/CMMC She said this is part of an effort in
www.lansingmi.gov/Clerk Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania
www.facebook.com/LansingClerkSwope CP#20-301
to get state legislators to stand with
City Pulse • December 2, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 7
REWIND NEWS HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LAST 7 DAYS
C OF THE WEEK
By KYLE KAMINSKI
Shufflebord approved at City Market
The Lansing City Council voted 7-1 Monday to approve a 20-year lease
agreement for the Lansing Shuffleboard & Social Club at the former City
Market building, expected to open by 2022. Annual rent is $24,000, less than
half of the old Waterfront Bar & Grill’s $70,000 annual payments. Plans still
hinge on a $400,000 tax increment financing plan among other state and lo-
cal loans. The project also calls for a $3.2 million private investment, packing
in six or more food vendors, a bar, live entertainment and eight shuffleboard
courts at the currently vacant pole barn along the Grand River. The lease
also includes a purchase option after three years that would require City
Council approval.
Property Address:
Pena faces more campaign reporting woes House panels takes up anti-bias bill 934 Seymour Ave., Lansing
The Michigan Bureau of Elections will investigate a complaint The Michigan House Committee on Local Government and Year Built: 1897
filed this week by eastside resident Stephen Romero against Municipal Finance will take action on a bill from State Rep. This month’s Eye Candy is the
Ingham County Commissioner-elect Bob Pena, who was al- Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, to prohibit deed restrictions on historic Ziegler house in Lansing’s
Walnut Neighborhood. The pri-
ready found to be several months late in reporting thousands the basis of race, gender, religion and other protected class-
vate home was built in 1897, most
of dollars in political contributions. The complaint contends es. Anthony said the language in those deeds is technically
likely for Otto Ziegler, owner of a
that Pena misled voters by confirming a reporting waiver in no longer enforceable, but they still exist as part of a legacy
cigar store on nearby Washington
August that certified he intended to raise and spend less than of discrimination and segregation across Michigan. Avenue. According to the Political
$1,000. Records show that he passed that mark in July. And Graveyard, Ziegler was later a
by the time Pena’s late records were Slotkin’s name floated for CIA post Republican candidate for Lansing
filed on Oct. 29, the primary election The New York Times reported last week that U.S. Rep. mayor in 1912. It may have been
had passed and voters were largely Elissa Slotkin, a former intelligence officer who worked with around this time that the expansive
left in the dark on Pena’s spending presidents George W. Bush and wraparound front porch and the
before casting a vote. The issue is ex- Barack Obama, was among those garage, which is on the side of the
pected to amount to little more than being considered to take over the house on Kilborn Street, were add-
a wrist slap in fines. Ingham County Central Intelligence Agency in the ed. Both the porch and garage are
Clerk Barb Byrum labeled Michigan’s Biden administration. Slotkin, who constructed of brick in contrast to
campaign finance laws this week as Pena represents all of Ingham County in the rest of the wood-sided home.
among the “most relaxed” in the U.S. Congress, did three tours in Iraq The architecture of the house is a
as a CIA officer and worked in the refined Victorian in the Stick-style,
Blackwell suits cost MSU $1 million Office of the Director of National characterized by its asymmetrical
Slotkin appearance and the gingerbread
Michigan State University spent more than $1 million fight- Intelligence and for the National Se-
trim on the front elevation. The
ing lawsuits brought forth by Cur- curity Council. Over the weekend, a
porch and garage seem to exhibit
tis Blackwell II, a former camp and spokeswoman for Slotkin said she “appreciated” being named
more of the Arts & Crafts style with
college advancement director for among other contenders. the porch giving the house a cozy
the Spartans, the Lansing State bungalow-feeling. Also of particu-
Journal reports. The most expen- Drain assessment appeals will be considered lar note are the well-crafted drains
sive of the lawsuits was one that The Lansing City Council’s Committee on Public Service on the front porch. The ability for
named Mark Dantonio and argued meets at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 to review appeals from about 30 water to quickly escape has helped
that Blackwell was wrongfully ar- property owners who are challenging winter tax assessments porches of this era last longer.
rested and accused of covering levied this year as part of the Ingham County drain commis- The current owner has lived
up a sexual assault complaint sioner’s $34.8 million Montgomery Drain reconstruction in the house for nearly 30 years.
against three football players. project. About $12 million in local tax assessments are slated In that time, the roof has been
to be rolled into winter tax bills this year. Appeals for those replaced twice, the wood siding
Developers eye $200M Delta Twp. project calculated assessments are no longer being accepted; those painted, and the original windows
Retail Construction & Development, the developers of the already filed will be decided at the virtual committee meeting maintained. This keen eye for detail
Delta Crossings site along I96 and West Saginaw Highway, are and then sent on to the full City Council final approval at a and the obvious care shown in the
envisioning a $200 million project that will take five years to upkeep of this historic house makes
meeting next year.
it a stand out.
complete, reports the Lansing State Journal. Apartments, a
— CARRIE SAMPSON
hotel, gym and grocery store could reportedly become part Thanksgiving weekend brings reports of four shootings
of the long-term plans, but first Delta Township officials will At least five people were shot in Lansing in four separate inci-
have to create a Corridor Improvement Authority. dents over the long Thanksgiving weekend, according to reports
“Eye Candy of the Week” is our look at some
in the Lansing State Journal. None of the five victims reportedly of the nicer properties in Lansing. It rotates with
suffered life-threatening injuries and no arrests have been made Eyesore of the Week and Eye for Design. If you
have a suggestion, please e-mail eye@lansing
in any of the shootings as police investigate. citypulse.com or call Berl Schwartz at 999-5061.
8 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 2, 2020 Emus are out as formed-based zoning takes shape Quarantine time on your hands? Comb through Lansing’s 300-page draft on form-based zoning code, avail- able for perusal on the city website, and spot the ban on keeping emus in your yard. The search will take you through a city that isn’t real — but might be someday. A decade in the making, the code is a citywide set of guidelines on building and land use designed to move Lansing in line with the “new urbanist” trend toward bustling, walkable, high density spaces. In contrast with former zoning schemes, form-based codes go beyond the traditional usage breakdown of res- idential, office and retail, and govern the actual look and layout of buildings. In denser areas of town, new develop- ments might sit right next to the side- Skyler Ashley/City Pulse walk, “holding the line” of urban activ- The 600 Block mixed-use development on Michigan Avenue is an example of the New Urbanist style of form-based zoning code ity, with parking in back or on the side that the Lansing City Council is considering to promote. of a building. There’s a lot more detail in the draft, suburban residential to high-density “Buildings were plowed down to pro- ones are redeveloped, for the vision in including the prohibition on emus, but downtown, with hybrid standards for vide parking in excess of what was ever the draft code to take shape. the code’s biggest aim is to reverse the transitional zones between the zones. needed,” he said. “We’re not going to flip a switch and haphazard patchwork of parking lots, Because of this fine-tuning, McGrain The draft code has been a long time everything changes overnight,” he said. strip malls and empty big box stores said, the code won’t plop mixed-use coming, starting with the Design Lan- “What’s already there is there. Logan that gradually accreted along urban projects on the scale of Michigan Ave- sing master plan adopted by the city in Square isn’t going to disappear over- corridors like South Cedar Street and nue’s Capital City Market or The Venue 2012. The master plan called for “regu- night. This allows us to move forward Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard over all over town. High-rise buildings won’t latory realignment to reflect new real- in a pattern that’s livable, better placed. decades of piecemeal, auto centric de- pop up in single-family neighborhoods. ities,” including “placemaking, quality It’s a turning point.” velopment in the city of Lansing. McGrain said it instead focuses on and community appearance.” Commenters on Monday also At Monday’s virtual City Council what’s “appropriate.” The philosophy behind form-based brought up concerns that there hasn’t meeting, the draft code got a public “Michigan Avenue isn’t the same codes is summed up by a quote from been enough public notice of the code hearing and garnered a smattering of as Edgewood,” McGrain added. “Our “smart growth” guru Fred Kent on the being under review. Councilwoman comments — both pro and con. Next, plans for Edgewood don’t involve mak- Design Lansing web page: “If you plan Carol Wood also briefly suggested ta- the draft will go to the council’s Com- ing it a dense, walkable urban neigh- for cars and traffic, you get cars and bling the issue for fear of genuine op- mittee on Development and Planning borhood. Nor are we going to show up traffic. If you plan for people and plac- position not yet having an opportunity for a closer look, and then back to the in, say, the Tecumseh River neighbor- es, you get people and places.” to voice complaints. full Council for a vote. hood and encourage hundreds of units When McGrain joined the city in McGrain contended that the draft Commenters Monday brought up of high rises.” 2018, he worked with former planning “has been presented to neighborhood several concerns about the draft, in- City Planner Andy Fedewa said like in director Bill Rieske to push the codes associations, Realtors, and the business cluding fears that a citywide code would corridors along South Cedar Street, the over the finish line. community,” and the public had the op- force disparate neighborhoods to con- new codes will bring buildings closer to Many of the features of form-based portunity to discuss it before the Plan- form to a single approach. Grand Rap- the road, making them more accessible codes are already familiar to Lansing ning Board before the board passed it ids, Birmingham, Midland, Traverse to bus travelers and pedestrians. development watchers. The most con- in February. City, Saginaw, Mt. Pleasant, Dearborn Some at Monday’s Council meeting spicuous new projects along Michigan He also cited multiple public meet- and Marquette are among the Mich- also expressed fears the dense devel- Avenue, including the new 600 Block/ ings leading up to the adoption of the igan cities that have adopted form- opment encouraged by the codes along Capital City Market project, already Design Lansing master plan, which based codes, some of them citywide. the city’s main arteries would push follow New Urbanist principles. includes form-based codes as a central Brian McGrain, the city’s director of parking into neighborhood streets. McGrain said that’s because “overlay principle. economic development and planning, “The code does not remove all park- districts” imposing guidelines similar “It’s been out there for 10 years,” he admitted the code is “daunting” to read, ing requirements, as I’ve read on Face- to form-based codes have already been said. “We finally have it ready to go.” but he urged people to at least look at book,” McGrain said. in place in Lansing for several years. But even McGrain was surprised the pictures. The form-based code, instead, sets “We’re already requiring things that to learn of the backyard emu ban. He “We’ve heard the criticism that it’s a range of parking minimums, de- come closer to the street, better quali- punted to Fedewa. one size fits all, but that’s just not true,” pending on the districts, but allows ty builds,” McGrain said. “Form-based “Lansing is not a farming commu- he said. for shared parking among neighboring codes will move us further in that di- nity,” Fedewa said tersely. “Livestock is Diagrams lay out different standards businesses. McGrain said the corrective rection.” just not appropriate.” for more than a dozen “transects,” or is needed to reverse the “auto-centric” But he cautioned that it will take a — LAWRENCE COSENTINO types of neighborhoods, ranging from decisions of recent decades. long time, as new buildings go up or old
City Pulse • December 2, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 9
Lansing ordinance enables tickets for COVID-19 rulebreakers
Greater Lansing charts The change doesn’t change much CORONAVIRUS IN MICHIGAN
operationally, officials said. Instead,
BY THE NUMBERS… WEEK 38
nearly 2,000 coronavirus it simply allows local police officers to
cases in one week exercise more flexibility on virus-re- MICHIGAN
lated enforcement of orders that re- WEEKLY
11/24/20 12/01/20 CHANGE
An ordinance approved this week quire face masks in indoor spaces,
by the Lansing City Council is de- limit household gatherings and are CASES 320,506 360,449 ^13%
signed to ramp up local enforcement keeping dining rooms closed.
of state health orders on face masks, Council President Peter Spadafore DEATHS 8,688 9,134 ^5%
social distancing and capacity restric- explained that codifying those broad
tions. regulations into the City Code enables
GREATER LANSING EATON CO.
The City Council voted Monday to local officers to pursue civil infrac- WEEKLY WEEKLY
formally codify misdemeanor charges tions handled by the city attorney, 11/24/20 12/01/20 CHANGE 11/24/20 12/01/20 CHANGE
for those in Lansing who are caught rather than only seek related misde- CASES 12,945 14,895 ^15% CASES 2,608 3,079 ^18%
willfully violating public health or- meanor charges through the Ingham
ders handed down by state officials County Prosecutor’s Office. DEATHS 155 186 ^20% DEATHS 33 44 ^33%
and the Ingham County Health De- Without the ordinance in place, the
partment, including those wrapped Lansing Police Department hasn’t INGHAM CO. CLINTON CO.
WEEKLY WEEKLY
11/24/20 12/01/20 CHANGE 11/24/20 12/01/20 CHANGE
into the latest lockdown orders. been able to issue a single ticket re-
Under the new ordinance, willful lated to the pandemic since it arrived CASES 8,006 9,149 ^14% CASES 2,331 2,667 ^14%
violations of state and county pan- in Michigan. A spokesman said 13 re-
demic orders are punishable by tick- ports were sent to the county prosecu- DEATHS 102 119 ^17% DEATHS 20 23 ^15%
eted civil infractions — as well as by tor, but none have resulted in crimi-
existing misdemeanor charges — that nal charges. Still, even after the recent
City Attorney Jim Smiertka said lo- received a response.
could rack up fines as high as $500 change, cops will continue to respond
cal cops will also soon be trained on MIRS News reports that vaccines
for each subsequent violation after a to calls with a foremost focus on ed-
enforcement procedures under the for COVID-19 are expected to become
warning is issued. ucation.
new ordinance, as well as under what widely available in Michigan by April
circumstances in which tickets can be or May. Health-care workers and
issued. nursing home rwsidents should get
Meanwhile, the Michigan Depart- the first doses, an advisory panel to
ment of Health and Human Services the Centers for Disease Control rec-
issued citations and the Liquor Con- ommended Tuesday.
trol Commission suspended liquor City leaders from across the coun-
licenses to several businesses that try called for state legislative action
flouted public health orders issued during what is known as the “lame
last month, including those that lim- duck” period before Jan. 1 in which
ited gatherings and indoor food ser- they could pass measures that would
vice. help prevent cuts to vital city services
Several businesses in Fremont, Ne- without requiring a state handout, re-
waygo and Fenton were named this ports the Detroit Free Press.
week for allegedly allowing non-resi- Whitmer asked lawmakers for a
dential gatherings, providing in-per- $100 million state relief plan last
son dining and failing to require face week. Attorney General Dana Nessel
masks. has also since joined a bipartisan co-
In related news … alition of attorneys general represent-
Ingham County Health Officer Lin- ing 43 states this week urging fed-
da Vail sent a letter Monday to re- eral lawmakers to extend the federal
mind state Senate leaders to follow CARES Act until the end of 2021.
COVID-19 protocols when they hold Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., D-East Lan-
hearings at the Capitol, reported the sing, is looking for nominations of
Detroit Free Press. In the letter, Vail “frontline heroes” to be publicly rec-
reportedly warned that she has re- ognized and thanked with a $100 gift
ceived multiple reports of safety vi- card to a local restaurant. Highlights
olations — like a failure to wear face will be featured twice weekly though
masks — during Senate hearings. Dec. 31 on Hertel’s Facebook page
Vail said she sent the letter more as and his online newsletter. To nomi-
a courtesy than a threat. The State nate a local frontline hero, send an
Capitol is beyond her purview as a email with details to senchertel@sen-
county health officer, though state ate.michigan.gov.
regulations still guide best practices — KYLE KAMINSKI
for employers statewide. Vail also told
reporters Tuesday that she hadn’t yet
10 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 2, 2020
Fighting a pandemic during a second pandemic
Lansing Area AIDS network adapts the agency’s conference room. That
— obviously — would not work in the
to a changing healthcare landscape midst of COVID-19.
LAAN staff and volunteers made
the decision to begin dropping off
Earlier this year, Sarah was expe- each individual client. food to clients. They also developed
riencing symptoms that she thought Now, clients register for appoint- limited curbside pick up, but because
might be related to HIV. With the ments online. The usual counseling of COVID, the staff was still unable
COVID-19 crisis still raging across session is then conducted via secure to make those face-to-face connec-
the country, she wasn’t sure if she communications in advance of the tions.
could get tested. testing. Only then do they come to “We had to call people and tell
But a quick Google search revealed the agency’s offices on Holmes Road, them we were coming to deliver the
that the local Lansing Area AIDS though Sarah — who requested her food,” she said. “But it also meant
Network was running contactless full name not be disclosed — said the telling them that they couldn’t come
HIV testing through a drive-up ser- counseling sessions aren’t as “inti- out to see us. That we couldn’t see
vice off Holmes Road. Sarah figured mate.” them.”
they would be closed, but online “It just didn’t feel the same,” she And Yang didn’t stop with creat-
appointments were — and are still — added. “I was originally worried that ing testing protocols for those with
being scheduled for secure testing. people would be less honest during Courtesy access to a car. She also worked with
The contactless drive-thru testing a phone or video counseling session. the Lansing Syringe Access, a private
Nhoua Yang, prevention manager for
option was the brainchild of Nhoua But that hasn’t been the case, at all. group that distributes sterile needles
the Lansing Area AIDS Network, which
Yang, prevention manager for LAAN. In fact, people are very open. I think to people who inject drugs, to identi-
offers contactless HIV testing at a
While on a conference call with other they are happy just to be having con- fy people in need of testing — anyway
HIV prevention leaders from across versations with someone.” drive-thru location on Holmes Road.
to expand outreach.
the country, Yang said she heard Sarah’s counseling session was a “We know that people in that risk
another agency’s experience with few days before her test. The earlier Sarah’s test was negative, she said.
But the drive-thru testing is just one group are less likely to seek testing,”
drive-thru testing. Then she called meeting helped alleviate many of she said. “So we started providing a
the state Department of Health and her fears and made the process less example of how staff and agency
volunteers are keeping up the fight limited number of at-home test kits
Human Services, which provides stressful, she said. to be distributed by the LSA. They
most of LAAN’s budget. On the day of her appointment, against HIV in the midst of another
pandemic. would pass out condoms, COVID
“They were really excited,” Yang Yang exited the building “dressed information, syringes, Narcan and
said. “We were the one of the first to very professionally” and wearing a It requires what care program
manager Ligia Romero called “out of the test kits.”
start offering the option.” mask. Sarah said she dragged a cart Activists and health officials have
In the pre-coronavirus era, testing with testing supplies with her. Yang the box” thinking.
“It really pushed us in new ways,” been ambivalent about home testing
required a small amount of blood, poked Sarah’s finger, took a little kits, pointing to the psychologi-
collected from a finger prick. That bit of blood and put it into the test. she explained.
Staff still can’t provide many hu- cal impact of a positive test result.
also required close quarters with Then, a 20-minute wait. Studies have reported that up to 65%
clients, and included a discussion “Then she texted me that my man elements of their job — touch,
smiles, being physically present. of newly diagnosed persons will be
about risk behaviors and prevention results were ready. She came out and diagnosed with post traumatic stress
options that are uniquely crafted for she gave me my results.” Those things may seem small, but
those living with HIV often struggle disorder within six months of their
positive diagnosis. The test result has
FRESH MEAT MARKET
with a sense of isolation and lack
of human connections as a result of been identified as the trigger for the
stigma related to the infection. trauma.
“We weren’t having clients come “We put out cards with those tests,”
in,” Romero said. “We were making Yang said. “We know that this group
calls. That’s just not LAAN. It threw of people is less likely to connect with
us for a loop. Face to face allowed us us, so if this gives them that opportu-
to discern how our clients were ac- nity, I’ll take it. They are encouraged
tually doing. They could tell us they to call us during the testing process.
$
5 OFF were fine over text or by phone, but And they have been.”
She also noted that some people
a $50 purchase
expires 12/14/2020
DELIVERY when they were there in person, we
could see they weren’t fine.” cannot participate in the drive-thru
AVAILABLE! With the economy mostly shut testing as a result of myriad barriers.
$
10 OFF down, and many of those clients in
low-wage service industry jobs, the
Some are in abusive relationships,
secretive about their sex lives or sim-
a $75 purchase SUPPORT need for the agency’s small food bank ply do not want others to know about
expires 12/14/2020 SMALL their risk. Others simply don’t have
BUSINESSES! also increased dramatically.
For years, the agency had hosted a transportation to the office. After
SUNSET FOOD MARKET biweekly pantry for its clients. That,
in turn, became an opportunity for
searching for other options, Yang will
release at-home testing kits to those
618 E. KALAMAZOO ST • (517) 485-2028 clients to stop, catch up with one clients as well.
— TODD HEYWOOD
another and have a cup of coffee in
9 AM-7 PMCity Pulse • December 2, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 11
Parking lot to replace iconic East Lansing building
Biggby’s departure paves ority site we’ll hang on to for a bit un-
til we get a gee-whiz-bang good idea.”
way for ‘concrete slab’ A demolition permit has not been
pulled. An incomplete construction
The iconic site of the first Biggby
permit for the parking lot, however,
Coffee shop in East Lansing is set to
remains under review within the city’s
be turned into another parking lot,
planning department.
despite concerns from public officials
Tom Fehrenbach, East Lansing’s
over the necessity of more surface
director of planning, building and de-
parking. And even the owners of the
velopment, said city officials have yet
property are starting to recognize that
to receive a complete application for
it may be an “atrocious” idea.
the project.
“Parking lots are a waste of space
The timeline of the demolition and
in my mind anyway,” explained Colin
parking lot replacement remained
Cronin, vice president and co-owner Courtesy
uncertain this week as officials waited
of DTN Management, the owner of
to gauge the environmental impact of
the former Biggby at 270 W. Grand
the would-be demolition. If accept-
River Ave. “A flat surface lot is about
ed, the application could head to the
the worst use of space for value as-
Planning Commission and later the
sessment and land use.”
East Lansing City Council.
The surface lot will replace what
However, some public officials are
Susan Bandes, an MSU professor and
already growing wary of the plan as
author of the history book “Mid-Mich-
it’s still being developed.
igan Modern,” praised for its architec-
Parking lot construction is bad for
ture. Built as an Arby’s in the 1950s, it
the environment, said Ingham County
became the first Biggby — then called
Drain Commissioner Pat Lindemann.
Beaners — in 1995.
And East Lansing already operates
“Style aside, this building is an im-
seven parking garages and six parking
portant community gathering place,”
lots.
Bandes said in 2013, when it was first
“One of the issues is the impervi-
reported that DTN might tear it down
ousness of it and the consistency of its
for a development.
runoff factors,” he said.
Architecture critic Amanda Har-
A busy parking lot creates pollution
rell-Seyburn said in 2013 that the
like rubber residue from tires, acid-
first cafe building is “iconic.”
ic emissions from car batteries and
“The vaulted roof arcs over the
tossed cigarette butts, just to name a
structure sheltering the activity with- Berl Schwartz/City Pulse
few examples, Lindemann explained. (Above) MSU Professor Susan Bandes, an expert on midcentury modern archi-
in, its weight supported by two stone
As a result, the environmental impact
pillars channeling the look of a Cones- tecture in mid-Michigan, singled out the home of the original Biggby as important
depends largely on how frequently the
toga wagon,” Harrell-Seyburn wrote for both its style and as a community gathering place. It was built in the '50s as an
parking lot gets used.
for City Pulse. “During the day, mate- Arby’s restaurant.
The city of Lansing last year earned
rials, textures and structural interplay (Below) The original Biggby Coffee shop at 270 W. Grand River Ave. in Lansing as
itself the title of the worst “park-
draws the eye. At night, the building it appeared last month. To the left is Biggby’s new home.
ing crater” in the nation, according
glows like a lantern. It is bold archi-
to a report from Streets Blog. The
tecture. The purpose-built structure Ingham County Commissioner will also have to be shut off long be-
local landscape, consumed by mas-
was born from a forward-thinking, Mark Grebner represents portions fore the building comes down.
sive swathes of street-level parking,
mid-century Arby’s restaurant. It rep- of East Lansing and Michigan State The building, Biggby’s first location
is a model of inefficiency and wastes
resents a complete departure from University’s campus. He said East in 1995, closed last December after 24
the city’s development potential, ac-
previous architecture styles and is an Lansing has always had a demand for years in business. Shortly after clos-
cording to the nonprofit news group.
example of the origin of today’s fast- easy parking options, but too often ing, Biggby opened a location across
Some fear that East Lansing could
food buildings.” those opportunities get “piled up” into the street at 300 W. Grand River Ave.
add to the problem.
Seven years later, the building is massive and unsightly garages. Before the coffee was brewing, it was
One person who wants fewer park-
set to be demolished in favor of a “East Lansing has too much — and originally built in the 1950s to house
ing spaces in East Lansing is James
39-space, 15,336-square-foot slab lot, too little — parking at the same time an Arby’s restaurant.
Anderson, a Michigan State Universi-
according to a construction permit because what people want is surface Fathy Shetiah, the former and new
ty history professor who said he has
filed by DTN on Nov. 12. A teardown parking and what they get is ramp location’s co-owner, said in December
long studied the parking issue in the
date isn’t set, but Cronin described his parking,” Grebner explained last that it was getting difficult to main-
city.
plans for rental parking as only tem- week. tain the space. He also said that he
“A slab parking lot is strictly a tran-
porary, at least until a better idea rolls While a construction permit from and his brother had been in conver-
sitional use. In other words, there’s
around. 270 W. Grand River LLC. remains sation with DTN Management about
something else coming down the line,
“The building is going down to the under review, company officials are moving out of the shop for the last five
whether or not it’s divulged,” he said.
concrete slab,” Cronin told City Pulse assessing the existing building for as- years.
“What’s the endgame for the struc-
on Monday. “This is kind of a low-pri- bestos and lead, city officials said last — SEAN BRADLEY
ture?’”
week. The electricity, gas and water12 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 2, 2020
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Virg and Teri Bernero at their home in Lansing.
Skyler Ashley/City Pulse
Exclusive Interview
Is Lansing ready for four more years of Virg Bernero?
He seems to think so.
A nother election season is quickly
approaching in Lansing, and two likely
April 27 deadline. But this week marks
eight months until the primary election.
The next several weeks could help voters
and both praise and criticism before he
stepped away from politics to “reinvest”
in his family in 2017.
challengers are already gearing up for determine how they’d like to set Lan- As a consultant for the cannabis in-
the campaign trail, sights set on block- sing’s political landscape for at least the dustry and executive director of the
ing a second term for Lansing Mayor next four years. Capital Area Manufacturing Council,
Andy Schor. Among them: Former state Bernero, a former Ingham County Bernero, 56, has quietly kept himself
legislator and three-term mayor Virg commissioner, state senator and state invested in Lansing’s momentum. But
Bernero. representative, succeeded Lansing May- next year, Bernero could be fully back in
Though both Bernero and City Coun- or Tony Benavides in 2006, going on to action. In a lengthy interview with Man-
cilwoman Patricia Spitzley have declared serve three terms as mayor. His brazen- aging Editor Kyle Kaminski, Bernero
a definitive interest, neither has actually ly unapologetic leadership style earned declared a “strong” interest this week in
filed to run with months to go until the him the title of Lansing’s “Angry Mayor” reclaiming the mantle from Schor.14 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 2, 2020
Exclusive Interview with Virg Bernero
Q: Are you running for mayor next year? headquarters — “one of the greatest economic A: Not everything is perfect. There are plus-
transformations in Michigan history,” as Bern- es and minuses. You try to do what is right in
A: I’m strongly leaning that way. I’m hear- ero described it.] the long run. I just read a thing about Harry
ing from a lot of community members that Truman. His approval rating was 22% when
want me to re-enter, and I’m sort of prepar- he left office. And yet now, he’s one of the most
ing for that eventuality. I’m concerned about “ We’re going to need an A popular presidents. I took a lot of heat, but I
where the city is headed, and our challenges think my decisions — like that beautiful new
are great, but I think they’re surpassed by our effort, and I think I’m up to it. driveway at Groesbeck Golf Course — stand
possibilities and our potential as a city. I have From day one, I’ve dreamed the test of time.
a proven track record, and I’ll stand by it, good
and bad. I think it’s mostly good. And I got to big for Lansing. The city is not in a privileged position where
admit that I’m excited at the prospect of com- I didn’t believe we can just keep doing the same thing the
ing back and leading the city through what’s same way and everything’s going to work out
promised to be some very challenging times. the naysayers. fine. It’s not going to be that way. We have a
lot of challenges and again, I’m a glass-half-
Q: Walk me through what changed since
When I came full kind of guy. I’m optimistic, I think we have
you decided against a fourth term? What in, our slogan tremendous assets to be leveraged, but we’ve
changed? got to begin working together and we have to
for the city be more bold.
A: I had to prioritize my family, and I’ve done was ‘Believe in
that. I don’t regret it. I celebrated 33 years of Q: Whom are you counting on to drive
marriage with my wife, Teri. I’m a new grand- Lansing’ be- support at the polls? Do you think you can
pa; I have a 6-month-old and a 6-week-old cause people were having a leverage enough support from the busi-
grandchild. Over the summer, I said goodbye ness community or the chamber or union
to my father, Giulio, who passed at 95 years hard time even believing in leadership? I think it’s worth noting that
old. I don’t regret the time that I’ve been able
to spend to really reinvest in and rebalance
the city. ” most of the major unions are actively
pouring cash into Schor’s campaign.
my personal life. My family had really taken a
backseat to political needs and the needs of the A: I’m not getting into campaign strategy. My
city. So, I reinvested, reprioritized and rebal- track record speaks for itself. Time will tell.
anced. I feel very good now about where that I’ve got a proven track record. I never got the
is. sense of any fatigue. I was not fatigued, and Q: Lansing has three cops on paid leave af-
we need that kind of bold leadership now. I’m ter a violent arrest involving an unarmed
The city is facing the greatest challenges since saying that people are hurting, that unem- Black man on Baker Street. We also have
the Great Recession. I’m deeply concerned ployment is on the rise. There’s a lot of bright a man who was choked to death in the
about the city and the people that I love. I think spots, and I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy. basement lock-up beneath City Hall, and
there were troubling signs before COVID, but Lansing has a bright future, but we have se- a mayoral administration that won’t sit
now the city budget is a pending disaster. I’m vere challenges and we’re going to need bold down for an interview on the topic. What
deeply concerned about Lansing families that leadership, and it’s not going to happen by just needs to be changed at the Lansing Police
are at the low end of the economic ladder. Food sitting around and waiting for something to Department? What would Mayor Bernero
security is a growing problem, especially with happen. do?
schools closed and grocery prices rising. I see
concerns in public safety and policing. Violent Q: Many residents and regional leaders — A: This is a crucial issue. The homicide of
crime and shootings are on the rise. I think even so-called Progressives — have sort George Floyd —it changed the national dia-
there’s a need to build on the community polic- of bristled at your “Angry Mayor” style logue. It awakened a lot of people who didn’t
ing ethic that is longstanding in Lansing and of governance. Lansing might have been realize the extent of just how bad it was for
to improve training. There’s also a need for ab- moving in the right direction, but to many people of color, who often live in fear of po-
solute transparency in the Police Department, you were seen as too mouthy, too in- licing. There’s a dichotomy out there in terms
as has been evidenced by Anthony Hulon’s your-face. Have you mellowed? of how people view policing. In my 12 years, I
death in the city lock-up. We need a vision for built on Lansing’s long tradition of community
the post-COVID economic recovery that is go- A: On national TV, I was angry about our auto engagement and community policing. I came
ing to have to be bold. Now, more than ever, in workers being left behind and people suggest- into a pretty professional department, where
the COVID and post-COVID economy that’s ing that we should just allow the auto industry some changes had already been made, and we
coming, we’ve got to end the go-it-alone men- to fade away. And I turned that anger into re- continued to build on that. We put body cam-
tality and focus on regionalism. sults. I turned it into hard work, which is what eras on our police officers. We all agreed that
I do. And as far as my style, I was able to get would lead to more accountability and trans-
It is time for one Lansing. We sink or swim to- things done. Mellowed? I’ll leave that for you parency.
gether. And when I say Lansing, I don’t mean to determine. Of course, grandkids have that
in the confines of the city. I’m talking about the effect. Lansing was not perfect by any means, but
region. If we’re not successful in convincing ahead of the curve. Because of a death in the
everybody that we’re all swimming in the same There’s a stylistic, image thing — a percep- jail and subsequent protests, Mayor David
direction, then I don’t know how well we’re go- tion — and then there’s reality. The reality is Hollister led some reforms. Those may seem
ing to survive beyond the pandemic. The old I worked very well with regional leaders. We tame now, but it led to the independent police
economic system is falling away, and we have accomplished a lot together. I’ll put my record investigator position in the city. It led to us
to figure out how Lansing fits in. Regionalism up against the current mayor anytime. They tracking racial demographics in our tickets. I
will be about our survival and thriving in our called me an angry mayor because I made a built on those reforms and the key is commu-
new economy. national splash to try to save the auto indus- nity engagement.
try. And I make no apologies for it. I tried to
Q: Many people have described a sense of work. I’m a guy that gets results, that gets in I can’t say that enough: community engage-
“Virg Fatigue” that struck Lansing toward and rolls up my sleeves. And I really think at a ment. Diversity in recruitment. Constant
the end of your third term. Regardless of time like this, when we’re going to have some training and accountability. We need trans-
whether people loved or hated you at the historic economic challenges, we’re going to parency. That, and some reform at the state
end, it seemed the city was ready for a need that kind of leadership. level with regards to officer immunity. Some-
fresh mayoral administration when Schor times, it can be difficult to try to hold officers
took office. Did you get that sense? Q: There’s a difference between a take- accountable because of the way the state law
charge approach to governance and be- is written. And then of course, we need more
A: I never got that sense. [Here, Bernero ram- ing a bully. You called then-Councilman investment in mental health from the state. At
bled a bit about various accomplishments Brian Jeffries a “pathetic piece of shit” two the mayoral level, transparency is key here. We
during his three-term tenure, including the months into your first term. Is that sort of need community and police on the same page.
Lansing Board of Water & Light’s removal of bullheaded approach something that you The police can only be effective if they’re seen
residential lead lines and the conversion of the think we really need in our next mayor?
Ottawa power station into the Accident Fund See Virg, Page 15You can also read
