December 4 - 10, 2019 www.lansingcitypulse.com Locally owned • A newspaper for the rest of us Melik Brown’s Lansing See page 11 2 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 4, 2019 Christmas Trees Available Now Wreaths, Grave Blankets, Grave Pillows and Kissing Balls, too! Early Prepay Discount Fertilization 15% Prebuy 10% Buy 6 OFF OFF applications Everything Irrigation by 2020 get Except Activation and 1 additional Limestone Winterization if application or Delivery Not Included, you sign up by Free Aeration. Must Present Coupon Jan 1st Excludes Floral Shop Contact the office at 517-322-2671 for Outdoor Beautification Services 1434 E. Jolly Rd., Lansing Garden Center 517.882.3115 City Pulse • December 4, 2019 www.lansingcitypulse.com 3 Absolute Gallery is hosting a meet and greet with local artists Stephanie Gregg and John Gregg on Saturday, December 7th from 12 - 4 pm Come meet them, talk about their work and select that perfect piece for yourself! We carry Michigan’s Own Absolute Gallery holiday hours will be Monday - Saturday 11 - 7 Sunday 11 - 5 307 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave Lansing (517) 482-8845 www.absolutegallery.net 4 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 4, 2019 VOL. 19 ISSUE 17 (517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: (517) 999-5061 or email [email protected] PAGE CLASSIFIEDS: (517) 999-6704 14 EDITOR AND PUBLISHER • Berl Schwartz [email protected] • (517) 999-5061 How one artist made the switch ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR • Audrey Matusz [email protected] • (517) 999-5068 EVENTS EDITOR/OFFICE MANAGER • Suzi Smith [email protected] • (517) 999-6704 PAGE PRODUCTION MANAGER • Skyler Ashley [email protected] 18 (517) 999-5066 Composition • Abby Sumbler STAFF WRITERS • Lawrence Cosentino Williamston man saves Christmas [email protected] • (517) 999-5065 Kyle Kaminski • [email protected] (517) 999-6710 PAGE SALES EXECUTIVE 27 Lee Purdy • [email protected] • (517) 999-5064 Contributors: Andy Balaskovitz, Justin Bilicki, Capital News Service, Bill Castanier, Ryan Claytor, Mary C. A craft cocktail for the cold winter days ahead Cusack, Tom Helma, Gabrielle Lawrence Johnson, Terry Link, Kyle Melinn, Mark Nixon, Dennis Preston, Carrie Sampson, Nevin Speerbrecker, Rich Tupica, Ute Von Der Cover Heyden, David Winkelstern, Paul Wozniak Distribution manager: Art Garrett Clinard • (517) 999-6704 Delivery drivers: Garrett Clinard, Dave Fisher, Dale By Lawrence Cosentino Gartner, Jack Sova, Gavin Smith Interns: Matthew Stine • [email protected] NOW AT 10:00 A.M. SUNDAYS on City Pulse • December 4, 2019 www.lansingcitypulse.com 5 C PULSE NEWS & OPINIONOF THE WEEK C Slide to the left OF THE WEEK Shifting dynamics on Lansing City Council Conservatives take a hit, but no revolution in sight as Betz replaces Washington As incoming Lansing City Councilman Brandon Betz prepares to replace Jody Washington in the Frist Ward seat, his views could shift the city toward a more progressive agenda — ultimately chang- ing the dynamic of how elected leaders conduct business in the capital city. “I’m looking to help constituents State Christmas tree rather than do political favors,” Betz Since at least 1913 there has been said. “I care about public services and a tree of some sort on the grounds at our economic future, but just not on the the State Capitol in Lansing during backs of our residents. I want to trans- X the holiday season. However, it form this city into the future. I’m a new was not until 1987 that the Capitol face with fresh ideas, and that puts me Christmas tree became a chance to in a position to think about things from Brandon Betz (far left, added to the photo) is in, and Jody Washington (marked showcase one of Michigan’s great a different perspective.” with an "X") is out, leaving the Lansing City Council in flux. trees. That was the third year of Betz, a 28-year-old economist with Silver Bells in the City and then- the Michigan League for Public Policy, Dunbar represent the more liberal end tus, lost her seat to Garza. Gov. Jim Blanchard had recently beat Washington, 62, by 10 points in of Lansing’s leadership spectrum. Betz’ Subsequent turnover could allow the returned from a trip to New York, November. The outcome showcased addition splits the Council 4-4 with the City Council to take an altogether differ- where he was inspired by the icon- diminishing support for Washington’s more conservative wing. ent stance on the issue, Betz contended. ic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree conservative tactics over the last eight The outgoing Washington predicted “Jody really dug in her heels and made to similarly display an official State years and highlighted a desire (largely a big change. a lot of enemies on the City Council,” Christmas tree. from younger voters) for a left-facing “You should see a major shift in the Betz explained. “I’m not building a coa- This year’s state tree is a 61-foot future. way this city does business and the lition with any particular people, but tall Blue Spruce, donated by the Betz takes office in January. Voters way the Council does its business,” I do think that with Jody gone, we’re Wolfenberg family of Iron Mountain will soon learn whether his campaign Washington said. “It’s OK if that’s the going to have a more progressive city in the Upper Peninsula. Michigan is promises — like fewer tax incentives agenda, but I’m not sure what they that represents the actual views of its third in the nation for live Christmas for downtown developers and a more mean when they say ‘progressive.’ I people. She was just overly conservative. tree production, with more than 1.5 conducive market for marijuana — think these are going to be interesting That’s the reason I won.” million trees each year. The Blue will match his performance as a City times. I fear for my city. I love this city Betz, for instance, said he would have Spruce is one of the most popular Councilman. with all my heart, but I’m worried.” also joined Spadafore’s lone rejection of varieties because its stiff branches “He’ll bring up some issues that Progressivism to Betz means fewer a redevelopment plan at the former Red can accommodate heavier weight perhaps Councilwoman Washington tax incentives for downtown devel- Cedar Golf Course. He contends that and its layered branches give it an wouldn’t bring up,” Council Vice opment, a renewed focus on the envi- developers — for $2.2 million — paid old-fashioned, traditional look. The President Peter Spadafore foresaw. ronment and another look at the city’s the city far too little for the property and Capitol Christmas tree is strung with “One person isn’t going to change the marijuana ordinances. He also wants to are reaping too many rewards with a nearly 10,000 multi-colored lights entire direction of the city, but it might revisit Lansing’s rescinded status as a $54 million tax reimbursement for over under the design and direction of change our focus to different issues that sanctuary city for immigrants. 30 years. the Michigan Capitol Commission might’ve just been non-starters with the Washington, Wood, Spitzley and He plans to provide a more judicious and Lansing Board of Water & Light. old group dynamic.” Hussain voted to overturn that symbol- review on the amount of tax incentives The tree is topped by a ten-point star That “old group dynamic” refers to a ic protection in 2017. Dunbar — with- flowing to future projects that would with a bluish cast. See it in front of conservative-leaning four-person bloc out Spadafore and Jackson, who were have otherwise continued seamlessly the State Capitol at Michigan and of Washington, her son, Adam Hussain, elected later in the year, to lend their without decades of financial commit- Capitol avenues through the rest of Patricia Spitzley and Council President support — was the only one who still ments from Lansing taxpayers. December. Carol Wood — with their views bol- remains on the City Council to have vot- Betz also differs from Washington stered by supposedly moderate support “Eye Candy of the Week” is our look at some ed to keep the designation. Progressive in his support for Lansing’s marijuana of the nicer properties in Lansing. It rotates each from Jeremy Garza. Councilwoman Tina Houghton, who industry. He said he’d soon like to revis- with Eyesore of the Week. If you have a suggestion, please e-mail [email protected] or call Berl Spadafore, Brian Jackson and Kathie strongly supported sanctuary city sta- See Council, Page 6 Schwartz at 999-5061. 6 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 4, 2019 Spadafore: Lansing’s next City Council president? First-term member Wood would seek a third year as pres- dency — including Spadafore — and ident. Wood hasn’t returned calls, but a anticipates that City Council will con- says he's ready for job review was unable to find a City Council tinue to see “new faces” in leadership president who remained at the helm for positions over the next few years. After a year at second-in-command, more than two consecutive years. “Leadership is about ensuring teams Lansing City Council Vice President “I always favor having new leadership stay together, working on problem Peter Spadafore this week announced once in a while,” Spitzley added. “It’s solving important issues and empow- a desire to take the gavel from Council important to have other Council mem- ering respective members for teams to President Carol Wood for a seat at the bers take those positions.