November 8-14, 2017 2 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • November 8, 2017 THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTORADAPTED BY JEFFREY HATCHER FROM THE ORIGINAL BY NIKOLAI GOGOL DIRECTED BY MARY MATZKE DART AUDITORIUM . NOV. 3-12 8 P.M. FRI. & SAT. | 2 P.M. SUN. NOV. 12 $5 STUDENTS . $10 LCC STAFF/SENIORS . $15 PUBLIC lcc.edu/showinfo City Pulse • November 8, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 3 MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE THEATRE.MSU.EDU WHARTONCENTER.COM OR 1-800-WHARTON The Misanthrope BY MOLIÈRE AdApted by conStance congDon november 10 - 19, 2017 arena theatre directed by Dan Smith The Misanthrope is produced by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC. DIVERGENT 2017 VOICES 2018 4 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • November 8, 2017 the treasurer, the clerk, they’re worried VOL. 17 about what you think. They care about ISSUE 13 Truth to power what you think.” No doubt some were thinking that it (517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com Bernero assails business leaders could have been done if Bernero were not for accepting mediocrity so tempermental, that he had become ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: (517) 999-5061 an obstacle to regionalism and had to go or email [email protected] PAGE CLASSIFIEDS: (517) 999-5066 As he prepares to leave office, the after three terms. He read their minds. Angriest Mayor in America is still angry. 11 EDITOR AND PUBLISHER • Berl Schwartz Very. “I’m in a pissing match with Lansing [email protected] • (517) 999-5061 In a farewell address to the Rotary Township,” he said. “Well, it must be Meridian Township eyes downtown renovation plan ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER • Mickey Hirten Bernero — he’s got some wild hair.” [email protected] Club of Lansing, Virg ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR • Eve Kucharski Bernero called out “No! They have screwed us contin- [email protected] • (517) 999-5068 community leaders uously because they are a client state. PAGE PRODUCTION MANAGER • for their willingness They represent Eastwood. They are the [email protected] • (517) 999-5066 Township of Eastwood.” 14 STAFF WRITERS • Lawerence Cosentino to accept mediocrity. [email protected] His talk was point- “All these people I can’t get along with. Todd Heywood edly titled “Mediocre I got the county to take the zoo, which I Discover Michigan’s Spartan-made cider [email protected] or Marvelous: Metro couldn’t afford anymore. I got the county SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR • Rich Tupica to agree to a new countywide millage for [email protected] Lansing at the PAGE ASSISTANT SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Crossroads.” He left a regional trail. But I can’t play well with Mandy Jackson • [email protected] BERL SCHWARTZ others. Seems like I have a pretty decent no doubt which he 17 Contributors: Andy Balaskovitz, Justin Bilicki, Daniel thinks it is. track record. E. Bollman, Capital News Service, Bill Castanier, “But Lansing Township — they’re dif- “There’s no reason I’m not going to Learn about local bar industry trends Mary C. Cusack, Tom Helma, Gabrielle Lawrence offend you today, just as I always have,” ferent,” he said sarcastically. “I guess we’ll Johnson, Eve Kucharski, Terry Link, Andy McGlashen, just put up with it and hope for the best Kyle Melinn, Mark Nixon, Shawn Parker, Stefanie Pohl, Bernero warned. “Strap yourself in.” Dennis Preston, Allan I. Ross, Dylan Tarr, Rich Tupica, With under two months left in — and hope that the tapeworm doesn’t Cover Ute Von Der Heyden, David Winkelstern, Paul Wozniak office, the mayor declared the condi- kill the host.” Interns: Kelly Sheridan, Shruti Saripalli, tion of the city “good.” Unemployment In Grand Rapids, the community lead- Art Sherry Min-Wang is nil. The city is safe. GDP is up. ers invest in the city. Here, he said, major Distribution manager: Paul Shore • (517) 999-5061 The population is growing, Michigan institutions such as the MSU Federal Andy Schor by McShane Photography Delivery drivers: Frank Estrada, Dave Fisher, Jack Avenue is coming alive. Credit Union and Delta Dental build out- Sova, Richard Simpson, Thomas Scott Jr. “Were solidly good.” side the city. “And we wonder why the city But not great. sucks.” The culprit: an unwillingness by “It’s what you want,” he told his power- Lansing’s Establishment — well rep- ful audience. resented in his audience — to demand Why? regionalism. “Change is scary. Without change, well, “Here’s the thing that really galls me. you get mediocrity.” This is why I yell at you. Because I know “Again, you don’t accept it in your busi- you. I know one or two or three or all of ness but you accept it in the community you at every one of these tables. And I because it’s working out OK, right now, know you to be people of excellence, that we’re able to grow and the bottom line strive. You don’t accept mediocrity from looks pretty good and so we’ll leave that yourself or your employees and your col- for somebody else.” leagues. But you accept this for your com- What’s needed is simple, if not simple munities. That’s what’s galling to me.” to achieve: metro government. “Why do we need all these govern- “In metro government, if the money ments? Why should we put up with ‘I am goes it comes back because we’re all in Delta’ banners? You are west Lansing, you one metro government. I’m willing to say, ain’t Delta. You don’t go travel and tell “OK, then, we won’t have a Lansing. If people you’re from Delta. You say you’re Lansing and East Lansing and Lansing from Lansing. I know you do.” Township were to merge, a few petty poli- Why is it called the Capital Regional ticians would lose their jobs. International Airport? The ticket says “We wouldn’t be twice the city, we’d be LAN. 10 times the city. “What is this bullshit?” yelled Bernero. “But we won’t even consider it. We “You are Lansing. Embrace it. Love it. You don’t even talk about it. You think merg- will be better because of it. I don’t under- ers are even discussed? We’re in a political stand and I don’t accept it. campaign and all I hear about is potholes. “You know what else?” Bernero contin- “Potholes. For some reason Bernero ued, the ballroom at the Lansing Center wouldn’t fix the potholes. I guess I must very quiet. “You don’t accept it for your love potholes. Thank God we’re going to businesses but you accept it for your com- get a mayor who’s gonna fix potholes. munity. You say, ‘It just can’t be done.’ “Have you listened to the dialogue But, he went on, “It would be done around here, for God sake? Where’s the if you demanded it. It would be done media? Where are the tough questions?” because township officials, the supervisor, Where, indeed. City Pulse • November 8, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 5 2017 ELECTION ISSUE Schor wins in a walk, 72% to 28% DUNBAR STAYS ON COUNCIL, JOINED BY SPADAFORE, GARZA AND JACKSON Todd Heywood/City Pulse Incumbent Lansing City Councilwoman At-Large Kathie Dunbar speaks with an unidentified supporter Tuesday night. While she won re-election for another term, her friend and 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tina Houghton lost her bid for re-election, Dunbar called the night “bittersweet” when considering both the win and the loss. Skyler Ashley/City Pulse Judi Brown Clarke (left), political consultant Scott Hughes (seated center) and her husband, 54-A District Judge Hugh Clarke (seated right) count votes at Gregory’s restaurant. Said Said Brown Clarke: “We were grassroots we were outspent, it’s a struggle, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s challenging coming off of the city council cause I love doing work for the city.” Berl Schwartz/City Pulse The new first family: State Rep. Andy Schor celebrates with percent to 42 percent. his family at the Lansing Brewing Co. after easily defeating Ingham Co. voters Lansing City Councilwoman Judi Brown Clarke for mayor. approved a county millage From left, Schor, son, Ryan, daughter, Hannah, and wife, Todd Heywood/City Pulse In other races: 51.6 percent to 48.4 percent. Erin. Schor beat Browne Clarke by landslide proportions, Brian Jackson (center), the 4th Ward Lansing City Clerk easily East Lansing voters defeat- 72.2 percent to 27.8 percent. Councilmember-elect, talks to a supporter won a fourth term, defeating ed an income tax proposal with clerk candidate Jerimic Clayborn III. Jerimic Clayborn III by 84 53 percent to 47 percent, and Jackson beat Jim McClurken, 67.8 percent to percent to 15 percent. approved a property tax pro- 32.2 percent. Clayborn lost his bid to unseat Newcomer Aaron posal, 64 percent to 36 percent. incumbent Clerk Chris Swope. Stephens, a Michigan State Final results in the Lansing University senior, upset City Council at-large race for Todd Heywood/City Pulse incumbent Susan Woods for two seats: Peter Spadafore, Lansing City a spot on the East Lansing 31 percent; incumbent Councilmember City Council. Incumbent Kathie Dunbar, 28 percent; At-Large- Ruth Beier led the filed of Guillermo Lopez, 23 percent; elect Peter three candidates for two and Kyle Bowman, 17 percent. Spadafore seats: Beier, 37.55 percent; In Lansing’s 2nd Ward, conducts an Stephens, 32.31 percent; and newcomer Jeremy Garza beat interview at his Woods, 28.73 percent. incumbent Tina Houghton, Todd Heywood/City Pulse campaign party Lansing voters approved 58 percent to 42 percent.