Elections & Politics

Changes occurring on the Lansing Township Board of Trustees

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By Grant Essenmacher
Lansing Township News Staff Reporter

The Lansing Township Board of Trustees has made changes at its supervisor position. Kathy Rodgers, who served as the supervisor for three years and held public office for 30 years, retired on Feb. 29. The board has elected Trustee Diontrae Hayes to serve the remainder of Rodgers term, which ends in November. They now have an open trustee position, and are accepting applications for that position until March 18.

Government

Interim supervisor looks to township’s future

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By Rachel Beard
Lansing Township News Staff Reporter

This November, Lansing Township voters will be voting for more than just a new president of the United States. They’ll also be voting for a new supervisor for the township. On Feb. 26, Kathleen Rodgers served her last day as the Lansing Township supervisor after more than 27 years in township government. Former board of trustees member Diontrae Hayes took her place on Feb.

Agriculture

Williamstown Board of Trustees approves Red Cedar River excavation

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The Williamston Post
Kelsey Clements

Builders have started unclogging a log-jammed section of the Red Cedar River in Williamstown Township as part of a construction project in Lansing. The Board of Trustees approved the wetlands project in a 4-1 vote on Feb. 10, ensuring that the complex of hotel, residential and retail planned for Clippert Street and Michigan Avenue can go forward. The law requires builders who disrupt a floodplain in one area — which is happening with the Lansing project — to improve wetlands in another area, which is where Williamstown comes in. Jason Hockstok is a civil engineer working for Continental Real Estate, the development company paying for the excavation in Williamstown.

Bath

Residents to Bath Township: Use the money you already get, or get it from elsewhere

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BATH — Bath Township leaders have a pretty clear idea as to how residents want to pay for community needs: using grants and existing township funds. That’s according to Bath Charter Township’s recently-published results of a community survey regarding the township’s strategic plan. Once sent out to the community, citizens recorded votes and opinions based on the plans and goals given and how to go about them. Citizen results showed that “grants” and “leveraging existing Township funds” were the most popular results as to how to pay for the goals. Ryan Soucy, the Planning Director of the Bath Township Board of Trustees discussed the strategic plan, the community survey and the goals the township is hoping to accomplish.

Holt-Delhi Township

Delhi passes Non-Discrimination Ordinance

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By Andrew Hayes
Holt Journal staff writer

The toughest non-discrimination ordinance in the state received unanimous approval from the Delhi Township board Oct. 1. The ordinance attempts to protect members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community from being denied service, employment or housing because of their sexual orientation or identity. The ordinance provides the most severe punishments in the state. It carries a $500 fine for a first offense, $750 for a second and $1,000 for a third.

Government

Board of trustees passes Human Relations Ordinance

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By Jordan Goltz
Meridian Times staff writer

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP- It is no longer legal in Meridian Township to discriminate against people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered after the board of trustees passed the Human Relations Ordinance on a 6-1 vote at Monday night’s board meeting. Members of the LGBT community gathered at the meeting to support the ordinance. The ordinance was introduced in July and brought up in several subsequent meetings. It outlaws discrimination or harassment against any residents, regardless of their sexuality. Meridian Township resident and LGBT rights supporter Joel Meredith spoke to the board about what this ordinance would mean.

Elections & Politics

LCC concerned about education

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Erica Zazo
Old Town Lansing Times Staff Writer

LANSING, MI- Lansing Community College students, faculty and administrators feel left in the dark during the presidential debates with regards to education policy. With two of three presidential debates completed, the LCC community thinks candidates should focus more on education policy. “I would like to hear them talk about education in community colleges, and how that will help with economic recovery,” said Todd Heywood, candidate running for an LCC Board of Trustee position. Matt Bedard, president of the LCC Republican Club said education is the bedrock of our nations future, and the current system is in need of dire reform. “Education seems to be the one thing that everyone can agree on, at least partially,” Bedard said.

Elections & Politics

Precedent dictates board will appoint new treasurer

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By Josh Sidorowicz
Holt Journal staff writer

After extensive debate at the Nov. 1 meeting, the Delhi Township Board of Trustees decided to continue ahead with its original plan in appointing a new township treasurer. In wake of the retirement of current township treasurer Harry Ammon, which will be effective at the end of the year, the board is tasked with appointing a replacement until the general elections in 2012. But Trustee Derek Bajema voiced concerns during last Tuesday’s meeting about whether the decision should instead be left up to the voting public, suggesting the candidates for treasurer be placed on the ballot in the upcoming primary. “I just think this is a decision that should be left up to the people to decide,” Bajema said during the meeting.