In the driver's seat The life and work of Lansing's Michael Burton - Creative Circle Media Solutions
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Locally owned February 3 - 9, 2021
www.lansingcitypulse.com A newspaper for the rest of us
In the driver’s seat
The life and work of Lansing’s Michael Burton
See page 15
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City Pulse • February 3, 2021 www.lansingcitypulse.com 3
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4 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 3, 2021
VOL. 20
ISSUE 26
(517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com
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City Pulse • February 3, 2021 www.lansingcitypulse.com 5
PULSE NEWS & OPINION
What a tangled web they weave.
A dose of deceit be held accountable.
Mayor Andy Schor, City Council President Peter To their credit, we note that six of the eight City
Spadafore and First Ward Councilman Brandon Betz Council members either missed or had the good sense
all got caught cutting the line for the COVID-19 vac- to decline the opportunity to get the vaccination offered
cine, putting themselves ahead of tens of thousands of by Sparrow. Although we don’t often agree with her,
frontline workers, vulnerable senior citizens and people long-time At-Large Councilwoman Carol Wood was the
with pre-existing conditions in getting the first of two most forthright, noting that she declined the vaccina-
injections that will protect them from the deadly dis- tion because she thought of the many senior citizens
ease. It was a profoundly selfish move. All three should in Lansing who have yet to receive the shot. Kudos to
know better. None has apologized. Instead, the three Wood, who is eligible for the vaccine by virtue of her
civic leaders chose to weave fanciful narratives and age, for putting the people she serves ahead of her
high-minded justifications to explain away their errors own interests.
in judgment. Even worse, their stories and excuses are This debacle also gives rise to more serious con-
mutating nearly as fast as the coronavirus itself. cerns about the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine
After City Pulse spilled the beans on his secret vac- in our community and across the state. For folks who
cination, Mayor Schor quickly dispatched his spokes- don’t have privileged access to the vaccine, signing
woman to issue a statement asserting that the mayor up to get a shot requires navigating a complex system
had received no “special treatment” even though it involving multiple agencies and multiple waiting lists. It
was obvious he got special treatment. Schor went on is far more complicated than it needs to be. The lack
to explain that he took the shot to set an example for of a coordinated, transparent and accountable system
others. Since he didn’t publicly disclose that he had for vaccine distribution also contributed mightily to
received the vaccine, we’re not sure who he thought enabling high-ranking public officials to cut the line, a
was going to see him setting that example. practice that we suspect is far more widespread than
Schor then claimed the vaccine that he and 199 the public is aware.
other city employees received would have gone to Michigan officials should look to West Virginia for
waste if they did not use them “within hours.” This is an example of how to do it right. Early on, the state
plainly false. We now know that the vaccination offer established a statewide pre-registry to sign up for
from Sparrow Health System was extended to the city shots. They recently rolled out a statewide appoint-
The CP Edit
by email on a Wednesday. The shots weren’t adminis- ment system that provides a one-stop shop for people
tered until the following Saturday. There is no plausible seeking the vaccination. Distribution of the vaccine is
scenario under which Sparrow could know that several based on five regional hubs across the state and the
hundred doses of the vaccine would be going bad Opinion National Guard is tasked with distributing the vaccines
three days ahead of time. Let’s call Schor’s claim what to each hub. From there, a network of local pharma-
it is — a lie. cies works to get shots in arms, a process that began
As for Council President Spadafore, because he weren’t eligible for it. You also had a moral obligation with the residents and staff of long-term care facilities
refuses to identify who provided him his shot, we are to ask your “private medical provider” to give the shot and was completed before many states had even start-
left to speculate about whether it was an urgent case to a senior citizen or essential worker. You failed on ed their vaccination programs. The efficiency of the
of having to use an expiring vaccine, or if it was simply both counts. West Virginia system is the reason for its successful
another case of preferential treatment. Spadafore’s Sparrow Health System also has some explaining approach.
lack of transparency on this point is yet another dis- to do. The idea that one of the region’s top health care Whitmer would also be wise to counsel Lynn Sutfin,
appointment, on top of his attempted deception over providers had to turn to the mayor and City Council a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Health
having received a shot at all. After first denying to this members for a vaccine “pilot project” is laughable. We and Human Services, who glibly excused public offi-
newspaper that he got the shot, Spadafore called us presume their real motive was using their access to cials cutting in line by saying it’s important to get shots
back and changed his story. On his Facebook page, he the vaccine to provide preferential treatment to pow- in arms, even if it means going outside the priority
then posted a lengthy rationalization — since deleted erful public officials as a way to curry political favor. system. This sends a dangerous message that vacci-
— which included the thoroughly absurd claim that he This sort of backroom dealing erodes public trust and nations for the privileged few are just fine, so carry on.
“ethically couldn’t say no” to taking the vaccine when falls far beneath the standards of integrity that should Let’s be clear: it is not fine. It is a travesty and it
it was offered. Quite the opposite, Mr. President. You govern the institution. Those who made the decisions needs to stop.
had an ethical duty to decline the shot because you to enable the bad behavior of our public officials should
Send letters to the editor to letters@lansingcitypulse.com.
Please limit them to 250 words
6 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 3, 2021
To become ‘the city on the hill,’ Racial equity requires risk,
we must fight systemic racism painful truths and compromise
By RON BACON By RANDY WATKINS of non-minorities. Black and brown
but we are definitely not receiving
Opinion Opinion drivers are still stopped and searched
the most complete picture.
Ron Bacon was at a rate higher than non-black and
In 2021, we are experiencing a (Randy Watkins is
appointed last year brown drivers. We knew these things
wave of people of color being the an associate pro-
to fill a vacancy on 10 years ago.
first to reach some new stations and fessor of political
the East Lansing So why should this time be differ-
heights in this country. This repre- science at Lansing
City Council, ent?
sentation demystifies and helps to Community
becoming the One difference is the apparent
unwrite some of the false and racist College, chairman
city’s first Black recognition by the government
narrative that permeate our culture of the Mayor’s
councilman. Bacon that something finally needs to be
and shape many of our systems even Inclusion and
is a Saginaw done. The creation of the Mayor’s
today. Many of these stations are Diversity Advisory
Valley State Inclusion and Diversity Advisory
arrived at with no clear path, with- Council, member
University graduate and a manager at Council and the Racial Justice and
out firm mentorship and achieved of the Mayor’s Racial Justice and
Genentech Inc. He has also chaired Equity Alliance are steps in the right
through great personal risk and loss. Equity Alliance and the first vice pres-
the East Lansing Human Relations direction. Problems will be identi-
I am always looking for ways to ident of the Lansing NAACP branch.)
Commission and has served on the fied and solutions proposed, but the
bring greater equity, particularly
Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of When I was first asked to pen an fundamental question remains: How
for young people and those without
Mid-Michigan. opinion piece on racism in Greater do you convince residents this is a
access to power. By this, I mean
Lansing, it was going to be optimis- problem that affects all of us; and as
How do you lead when a select seeking ways to lower the opportuni-
tic. I had a belief that Lansing is such, that we all need to work on a
group has decided that our common ty cost and shorten the journey. That
not as “bad” as similarly sized cities. solution?
rules, laws and norms do not apply is why I tend to focus my energy on
Growing up, I always heard that You can provide training to city
to them? This feels like the point of the system rather than “hearts and
Lansing is subtle in how racism is employees, but even they need to
inflection in history that we must minds.”
practiced compared to other areas. know why it’s important so the
meet with great intentionality and Systemic racism and inequali-
As I began to work on my draft, my training is not just window dressing.
an eye on the future. It appears that ty so acutely damage the fabric of
intent was to provide a look at racism Anyone who cares about the Lansing
the forces of the past and a very the American dream and destroy
as a social construct — something area needs to recognize that we are
dark history of America are literally so much of our collective potential
invented so one group could feel much better together. To achieve that,
on the march in this country. If we — particularly in the Black commu-
superior over another, a means by we have to be part of the solution.
choose to not meet this moment, nity. If we as a people are spending
which various myths could be perpe- However, we live in an age of mis-
I fear those forces will repeat the all of our time trying to figure out
trated. However, an incident occurred information and mistrust. How else
atrocities of the past. how to navigate systems of inequity,
that changed my direction. do you explain the armed intrusion
Based on my perception of where then we have squandered the oppor-
So, do Greater Lansing residents of the Capitol and attempted kidnap-
we actually reside at this moment, I tunity for that same ingenuity to
want to move the dial? Do they want ping of our governor and the insur-
will speak to the role that I need to solve some of America’s most daunt-
to see social equity? rection in D.C.?
play in my local community to pro- ing challenges.
I’m sure many do, but I’m not so Truth needs to be told, no matter
mote a fair and equitable system for I also want this to be the final
optimistic. In any endeavor, people how painful. We may be more aware,
those still willing to participate in generation of firsts. As a nation, we
need to understand why it’s import- but we are more fearful.
the system in an honest way that is have a great affinity for firsts. We
ant to them and others. We can’t con- Our country is more fractured now
also hinged in reality and facts. celebrate them and demarcate them
vince people to wear a face mask for than at any point I can remember.
When I consider my primary func- in our history. Unfortunately, some
their health and the health of others. It would be easy to write a piece cel-
tions within my family and for the firsts beg the question: How is this
How can we convince them to fight ebrating the achievements of Black
community of Greater Lansing more just now happening? If equity of
systemic racism? Americans and how through many
broadly, they are to lower the barri- opportunity and representation are
I became further depressed when adversities they carried on, how Black
ers to opportunity and to provide a the critical gateways to the future,
I read that 999 people were shot and white leadership in Lansing is
voice and representation for people how do we clear that path for mem-
and killed by the police in 2020. addressing the urgent issues facing
who do not have a seat at the table. I bers of underrepresented groups to
We should all be outraged when one us. The dial may have moved, and
take it rather literally that if you are dream bigger and often to escape the
person is shot, but we’re not. We find there may be more optimism. But we
not at the table, you are probably on gravity of their current circumstanc-
ways to justify the shooting or say have been here before.
the menu. es?
“they deserved it’’ because of the indi- The key with any problem is iden-
It has also become abundantly By lowering the systemic barriers
vidual’s history. Reports state that tifying what the real problem is and
clear that power will cede nothing to entry through representation,
3.9 million guns were purchased in what information you need to resolve
without a concerted and focused thus unleashing the untapped poten-
June 2020 during the height of the that problem. Further, you have to
effort. Therefore, in many situations tial of our diverse citizenry. Greater
Black Lives Matter protests. be willing to take risks to resolve the
either in business or politics, I may Lansing broadly and my constitu-
My heart sank further. problem. Compromise is a necessity.
be the lone representative for a dif- ents in the city of East Lansing have
So, is Lansing moving forward? If you’re not willing to compromise,
ferent racial or cultural perspective. a beautiful history of being out front
Possibly. It is taking steps to recog- then all the protests, councils or alli-
When a diverse orientation of people in the quest for true equality. I hope
nize the problems and create solu- ances will amount to nothing. And
is not represented in the halls of we can all be more intentional in our
tions that should have been done we will be protesting again and ask-
decision-making, the byproduct may efforts and truly live out the creed of
years ago. Minorities are still unable ing how we got here.
range from benign to catastrophic, a “shining city upon a hill.”
to get home loans at the same rate
City Pulse • February 3, 2021 www.lansingcitypulse.com 7
Whither our congressional
Kildee, would be thrilled with his new U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman’s Northern
bright blue district. Michigan 1st District is basically
5. Midland and points north. This immovable. Meijer’s district could go
is the most unlikely of the scenarios, north into Newaygo and Mecosta —
district? but it’s not improbable that U.S. Rep.
John Moolenaar, R-Midland, sees his
which is the same media market. That
pushes Moolenaar into Lansing, at
Five scenarios in play for Macomb County and the one held by district pushed a little further north least, potentially splitting the coun-
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib further south into Lansing from Clinton County, ty. There’s no good direct route from
Lansing into Wayne. which is in his 4th District. If the West Midland to Lansing, but it could be
We’ve known U.S. 1. Lansing stays with Slotkin. Since Michigan-based 2nd remains a shore- done.
line district, as it is today, Moolenaar’s (Kyle Melinn of the Capitol news ser-
POLITICS
Rep. Elissa Slotkin at least the 1930s, Ingham County and
for two-plus years Livingston County have been almost district is limited in where it can go. vice MIRS is at melinnky@gmail.com.)
here in Lansing, but always in the same district. Starting in
LETTERS
what are the odds the 1980s, northern Oakland County
we’ll get a chance to was added to the mix. The redis- Have something to say about
a local issue or an item that
to the editor
vote for her in 2022? tricting commission could use that
The short answer model, but Slotkin would need to lose
is more unlikely than
appeared in our pages?
Rochester Hills and possibly other
Now you have two ways to sound off:
likely. parts of Oakland as Lawrence’s district Not a joking matter
Every 10 years, after a swells northward. Under this scenario, Kyle Melinn should stop asking 1.) Write a letter to the editor.
OPINION U.S. census is conducted, Shiawassee and/or Clinton would need public officials to joke about their • E-mail: letters@ lansingcitypulse.
states need to rejigger their power. Last week, Melinn criticized com
to rejoin the 8th — as was the case in
former Secretary of the Department • Snail mail: City Pulse, 1905 E.
congressional lines in a way that better the 2001 maps.
of Health and Human Services Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912
reflects where people live. That’s this The question the commission will • Fax: (517) 371-5800
year. need to answer, however, is whether Robert Gordon for failing to chuckle
• At lansingcitypulse.com
Projections have Michigan losing one when Melinn asked if Gordon felt
northern Oakland County and Lansing 2.) Write a guest column:
“like you’re the most powerful per-
of our U.S. House of Representatives are “communities of interest.” Contact Berl Schwartz for more
son in the state.” Melinn’s question information:
seats, going from 14 to 13. That would 2. Ingham, Jackson and Eaton are was referring to Gordon’s signing
follow the downward trend we’ve seen publisher@lansingcitypulse.com
roped in together. As Tlaib’s district of orders to pause indoor enter- or (517) 999-5061
since the 1970s as population has is pushed south, U.S. Rep. Debbie tainment to prevent the spread of
increased in southern states. Michigan Dingell’s district is pushed more into COVID-19 after a decision by the (Please include your name, address and
had 19 members of the U.S. House in Washtenaw County, which is experienc- Michigan Supreme Court had limited telephone number so we can reach you.
the authority of Governor Whitmer Keep letters to 250 words or fewer. City
1971, 18 in 1981, 16 in 1991, 15 in 2001 ing exploding growth. If Dingell’s dis- Pulse reserves the right to edit letters and
and 14 in 2011. trict includes Monroe, the commission (“Why the Gordon Era Came to an columns.)
Redistricting warhorse Ed Sarpolus End,” Jan. 27).
could rope Ingham into what is now
On WKAR-TV’s “Off the Record”
a while ago drafted up a map of what the 7th District. Jackson and Ingham
Michigan’s congressional lines could are in the same media market, after
last week, Melinn asked a similar LSMFT means bad
question of state Sen. Curtis Hertel,
look like with 13 districts. His first all. Ingham and Jackson were together who is married to Gordon’s succes- news for CP
crack doesn’t have Slotkin representing in the 1960s and ‘70s maps, too. Can’t sor. Melinn asked if Hertel and his I have been very impressed
Ingham County at all. imagine conservative U.S. Rep. Tim wife were “the new power couple in with the progressive stances and
The 8th District would include Troy, Walberg would like it, but he doesn’t town.” Hertel did not laugh either. hard-hitting reporting you have
Madison Heights and Oakland County’s As Melinn recognized in City exhibited on your editorial pages.
get a vote … . Shoot, under this scenar-
Pulse, government officials are try- But then you seem to undermine
most southeastern suburbs. Ingham io, his Tipton home might not be in the
ing to navigate a pandemic that has them by accepting full-page
and Clinton counties would join U.S. district anyway. ads from, of all people, LUCKY
Rep. Peter Meijer’s 3rd Congressional killed thousands of Michiganders
3. Kent and Ionia grab Ingham and put thousands more out of STRIKE! My initial reaction was
District. through Clinton. Under the first work, not to mention extreme politi- that this was a setup for a story
It’s possible. The political consider- Sarpolus map, Grand Rapids would cal division and the continued threat on the continuing influence of big
ations about saving specific members’ join Holland, Muskegon and Grand of insurrection. There is no humor tobacco. How wrong I was.
territories is out the window with this Haven into a Super West Michigan dis- here. Melinn should find other ways As an old guy (83) I remember
new redistricting commission. trict. Suburban Kent County, Ionia and to question public officials. the ad campaigns for LSMFT.
Instead, “communities of interest” is Montcalm would stretch to the east and Dusty Horwitt There was a reason that cig-
a central focus. Lansing, being located Lansing arettes were known as “coffin
we’d all become the 3rd District, which nails,” even by those who were
in the center of the state will be swal- is represented by Meijer. This would hooked on them. As the son of
lowed up by a districts to the north, create a I96 district, which is a link. parents who died from emphy-
the west, the south, the east or even 4. Flint and Lansing. As recently as City Pulse compared sema, having been smokers all
the northeast. Lansing simply isn’t the 1950s, Ingham and Genesee coun- of their lives, I cannot believe
large enough to anchor its own district ties were in the same district through to dictators that the fresh voice of reason in
without causing geographical problems The January 13-19 City Pulse Lansing would bow to corporate
Livingston County. These days, that trio
opinion column “Only the beginning” advertising of this nature. I realize
elsewhere. would exceed the population threshold is truly great literature! that finances are very tough, but
Here are five scenarios that could for a congressional district, but link- It belongs next to several oth-
realistically play out as the commission you can and must do a lot better
ing the two with Shiawassee County er great writings such as “Mein than this.
breaks up the state into 13 different — creating an I69 district — would Kampf,” “Das Kapital” and “Mao’s Neil O. Leighton
areas. This assumes the commission probably not. Flint and Lansing has Little Red Book”! Professor of Political Science
keeps the two predominately Black some similarities although, again, this No quarter. No compromise. No Emeritus
districts in adherence with the Voting would merge a couple media markets. mercy. Uncle Joe Stalin would be University of Michigan-Flint
Rights Act, which splits Detroit in Considering the other alternatives out proud.
half and expands the district held by Earl Ruhf
there, our new U.S. representative, Dan
Lansing
U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence north into
8 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 3, 2021
CC OF THE WEEK
REWIND
OF THE WEEK NEWS HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LAST 7 DAYS
By KYLE KAMINSKI
Bernero plans another mayoral run public health uncertainties remain to confidently plan an
FFormer Lansing Mayor Virg in-person festival until later in the summer, according to a
Bernero said he plans to run for release.
a fourth term against Mayor Andy
Schor in November after his cam- Schor seeks vacant-land development
paign sent out a fundraising letter Lansing Mayor Andy Schor issued a request for develop-
over the weekend which included ment proposals this week for projects on three city-owned
properties. The initiative aims to dispose of and meaningfully
Campbell’s Market the new catchphrase: “Together,
develop a vacant lot at 1020 W. Hillsdale St, two parking lots
a better Lansing.” Besides
Basket Schor and Bernero, Lansing City
at 500 E. Kalamazoo St and the former Life O’ Riley property
at 6726 S. Washington Ave. Development proposals are due
547 E. Grand River Ave., Councilwoman Patricia Spitzley later this month.
East Lansing has also said she plans to run.
None has filed ahead of the April AG seeks sanctions for Trump lawyers
Bernero
This month’s Eye Candy is 27 primary election deadline. If Michigan Attorney General Dana
Campbell’s Market Basket on three or more candidates run, Nessel filed motions for sanctions in fed-
Grand River Avenue in downtown the top two vote-getters would face off against each other in eral court against four lawyers, including
East Lansing. The building in which November. Mayoral elections are nonpartisan. Scott Hagerstom of Lansing, who pushed
the new grocery store is located is false narratives of election fraud in recent
nondescript: a two-story painted Report: QD dinged over sanitation legal proceedings, including a lawsuit
brick structure built in the 1940s. A bombshell report from the against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that was
However, the aesthetic flourishes Lansing State Journal shows that deemed frivolous. Besides Hagerstrom,
that Campbell’s has added make it Nessel
federal regulators warned Quality the motion requests Novi attorney Greg
a standout. One of the first things Dairy last year to deal with unsan- Rohl, Detroit attorney Stefanie Junttila
visitors notice are the wooden trel- itary conditions at its central pro- and Texas attorney Sidney Powell be disbarred. Hagerstrom
lises framing the front window. In cessing facility after inspectors was the state director of Donald J. Trump’s campaign in 2016.
better weather, these host flowering found insects, bacteria and unclean
vines. The three panels of the store- conditions. Quality Dairy officials Groovy Donuts gears up for Fat Tuesday
front window between the trellises said they’ve worked with the FDA to resolve shortcomings at Groovy Donuts shops in East Lansing and Williamston
are used to showcase what the busi- its plant on Diamond Reo Way in Lansing, which reportedly are in the process of reorganizing their dining areas to allow
ness offers. In a bright blue-green included cockroaches, flies and a dead mouse and traces of for the largest socially distant amount of customers to pick
script, the top states that it is a listeria in food preparation areas. up donuts on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16. Last year, the company
market; the grab-and-go offerings
produced about 5,000 packzis for the holiday. Orders can be
are spelled out at the bottom of the Man freed after decades in jail for pot placed online at groovydonuts.com/products. Dine-in service
window (sandwiches, soups and The Michigan Cannabis Freedom Coalition and Lt. Gov. is not available.
salads). In between these words, Garlin Gilchrist celebrated the release of Michael Thompson,
the store’s wares--variously bushel an inmate who had served more than 23 years in prison on
baskets of local produce, seasonally Charlotte church named as ‘hate group’
marijuana-related charges and was granted clemency by Gov. A report from the Southern Poverty Law
appropriate pumpkins and gourds, Gretchen Whitmer in December. Thompson was arrested for
or a mass of houseplants--are on Center listed Christ the King Reformed
selling three pounds of cannabis to an informant in 1994 and Church in Charlotte as a white national-
display. It is almost like what is fea- while no guns were used during the sale, officers later found
tured is part of an exhibit in a side- ist group. Pastor Brett McAtee wrote in
guns locked in a safe at Thompson’s home — leading to a a blog that the white race is “without dis-
walk-level museum. But perhaps draconian sentence of 52-75 years in prison for the combined
that’s because also reflected in the pute superior,” also describing indigenous
charges. groups as “cannabals” and African people
window is the very real Broad Art
Museum, designed by the iconic brought in during the slave trade as “sav-
Potterville receives $25K landscaping grant age,” reports FOX 47. McAtee
Zaha Hadid, across the street. The
The city of Potterville received a $25,000 grant this week
fluted-edge farmhouse-style hang-
that will fund a large landscape project along Vermontville Lansing Council members dodge donations
ing lights inside the store, that can
Highway. The funding will cover more than 100 ornamental The Lansing City Council passed a nonbinding resolution
be seen through the front window,
trees, shrubs and perennials that will be installed along the last summer to donate 10% of their paychecks back to the city,
and outdoors above the front door
boundary between the city and Lake Alliance Park. but three of them have yet to do so, reports the Lansing State
further connect the store to its mis-
sion as a purveyor of locally pro- Journal. Council members Kathie Dunbar, Brian Jackson
duced foods. East Lansing postpones Art Festival and Brandon Betz hadn’t made those donations by Monday,
— CARRIE SAMPSON The East Lansing Art Festival has been which would have amounted to about an extra $8,000 for
postponed until the weekend of Aug. 7-8 the city.
“Eye Candy of the Week” is our look at some of “given the current status of the COVID-19
the nicer properties in Lansing. It rotates with Eyesore
of the Week and Eye for Design. If you have a sug-
pandemic and vaccination rollout,” city offi-
gestion, please e-mail eye@lansing cials said this week. The festival was origi-
citypulse.com or call Berl Schwartz at 999-5061.
nally scheduled for May, but far too many
City Pulse • February 3, 2021 www.lansingcitypulse.com 9
COVID-19 Town Hall coincides with State of the City address
ly as possible” while ensuring equitable
Ingham Co. Health access to shots and transparency in dis-
Department schedules tribution. CORONAVIRUS IN MICHIGAN
A batch of Moderna vaccines shipped
BY THE NUMBERS… WEEK 47
vaccines for ages 65-69 to Michigan in mid-January that was
Representatives from the Ingham believed to have been damaged after fall-
ing outside of its temperature range was
MICHIGAN
County Health Department will partic- WEEKLY
ipate in a “COVID-19 Town Hall” event deemed viable this week, adding another 1/26/21 2/2/21 CHANGE
8,900 doses back into Michigan’s supply
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today (Feb. 3),
giving local residents something else to amid concerns of a shortage. CASES 552,556 562,510 ^2%
watch instead of Lansing Mayor Andy In related news…
Schor’s annual State of the City address The East Lansing City Council adopt- DEATHS 14,405 14,672 ^2%
at 7 p.m. ed an emergency ordinance last week
Hosted by the “Merica 20 to Life” requiring compliance with public health
GREATER LANSING EATON CO.
show, which streams live on Facebook, orders after officials accidentally allowed WEEKLY WEEKLY
the event will include a panel discussion the existing ordinance to lapse. Those 1/26/21 2/2/21 CHANGE 1/26/21 2/2/21 CHANGE
on the coronavirus vaccine with Ingham who violate a public health order from CASES 23,552 24,169 ^3% CASES 5,239 5,394 ^3%
County Medical Director Dr. Adenike the state or county could also face a civil
Shoyinka, journalist Andrea King Collier fine of $500 under the newly renewed DEATHS DEATHS
431 455 ^6% 127 137 ^8%
and Dr. Alane Laws-Barker, a top official ordinance. This version is also set to
at Sparrow. remain in place indefinitely. INGHAM CO. CLINTON CO.
WEEKLY WEEKLY
Questions will be answered live and Michigan State University announced 1/26/21 2/2/21 CHANGE 1/26/21 2/2/21 CHANGE
can be submitted via email to meri- a two-week “enhanced physical distanc-
CASES 14,123 14,511 ^3% CASES 4,190 4,264 ^2%
ca20tolife@gmail.com. ing” period for both on- and off-campus
The Health Department started offer- students following reports of a rise in
ing COVID-19 vaccination appointments cases on campus this week. Students are DEATHS 245 255 ^4% DEATHS 59 63 ^7%
to people 65 to 69 years old on Friday, ordered to stay inside their homes and
but officials caution that the demand still avoid gatherings until at least Feb. 13.
CITY OF LANSING
outpaces current supplies. Local health officials reported a higher SUMMARY OF
The latest county data shows that raw number of cases and rate of positive ADOPTED ORDINANCE # 1272
about 12,500 vaccines have been distrib- tests in East Lansing than anywhere else Lansing City Council adopted an Ordinance of the City of Lansing, Michigan, to amend the
uted through the Health Department in Greater Lansing on Tuesday. Most Code of Ordinances of the City of Lansing by amending Chapter 1279, Appendix D of the
to first responders, teachers, healthcare infected are ages 20-29. Zoning Ordinance to expand the W. Saginaw Street Overlay District.
workers and those ages 70 and old- Violations of the order could result in Effective date: February 24, 2021
er. Still, officials estimate there are still $500 civil fines in the city and other dis-
cipline from MSU. Notice: The full text of this Ordinance is available for review at the City Clerk’s
about 80,000 people eligible for the vac- Office, 9th Floor, City Hall, Lansing, Michigan. A copy of the full text of
cine in Ingham County and the Health Students on University of Michigan’s this Ordinance may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, 9th Floor,
Department can currently only vaccinate Ann Arbor campus have also been told City Hall, Lansing, Michigan at a fee determined by City Council.
about 2,000 people each week. to stay home except to attend a reduced Chris Swope, Lansing City Clerk, MMC/MiPMC
People 65 to 69 and others who have amount of in-person classes for at least www.lansingmi.gov/Clerk
been waiting for appointments will the next two weeks. www.facebook.com/LansingClerkSwope CP#21-021
receive emailed links to schedule an Meanwhile, East Lansing Public
appointment on or after Feb. 9, provid- Schools announced that preschool and ABANDONED VEHICLE SALE
ed they registered to receive a shot. Visit elementary students can begin return- CITY OF LANSING, MICHIGAN
hd.ingham.org or call the vaccine hotline ing to in-person classes on Feb. 22. High Sealed bids marked S/21/059, ABANDONED VEHICLES will be accepted at the City of
at 517-887-4623 to set up an appoint- school and middle school students are Lansing Purchasing Office, 124 W Michigan Ave 8th floor, Lansing Mi. 48933 until but no later
ment. also set to return to physical classrooms than, 1:00 PM, local time in effect WED. MAR. 10, 2021.
Questions regarding this sale may be directed to Stephanie Robinson Buyer, at (517) 483-
About 4,700 more people are expected after several months of online learning 4128 or email: stephanie.robinson@lansingmi.gov- 30 DAY NOTICE – ALL VEHICLES
to be vaccinated in Ingham County with- on March 1. MUST BE TOWED OUT.
in the next week. National public health experts — like Vehicles may be inspected WED. MAR. 10, 2021, as follows:
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Dr. Anthony Fauci — are now recom- SHROYER’S, 2740 Eaton Rapids Rd., Lansing, MI 48911 8:30 AM
this week that the state has adminis- mending people layer up on two or even SWIFT TOWING, 2347 N. Cedar, Holt, MI 48842 9:30 AM
PJ’S, 1425 Rensen, Lansing, MI 48910 10:00 AM
tered over 1 million COVID-19 vaccines three masks to better protect themselves NORTHSIDE TOWING, 226 Russell, Lansing, MI 48906 10:45 AM
to date, ranking Michigan seventh in the against COVID-19 in the wake of sever- H&H MOBILE TOWING, 1500 Haslett Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 11:30 AM
country in vaccine distribution. In the al more contagious variants of the virus
ABANDONED VEHICLE SALE MARCH 10, 2021
announcement, Whitmer also called on from the United Kingdom, Brazil and NORTHSIDE SHROYERS PJS TOWING
lawmakers to pass a $90 million appro- South Africa. Guidance now suggests YEAR MAKE YEAR MAKE YEAR MAKE
priation of federal funds that would con- that wearing two masks (or a KN95 2011 BUICK 1997 TOYOTA 2005 SATURN
2020 OTHER 2007 CHEVROLET 2019 MOPED
tinue to ramp up distribution in hopes of mask) are better than wearing one. 2005 CADILLAC 2014 KIA 1996 OTHER
giving 50,000 shots daily. A CDC order issued late last month 2003 BMW 2012 NISSAN 2006 CHRYSLER
2010 FORD 2010 NISSAN
The state’s newly formed Protect also required face masks be worn on all 2009 DODGE
Michigan Commission also met for the public transportation systems, including 2011 FORD
first time this week, unveiling the state’s on rail, van, bus and motorcoach provid- 2004 GMC
2018 HONDA
strategy to get 70% of Michiganians ers nationwide. 2015 DODGE CP#21-022
ages 16 and older vaccinated “as quick- — KYLE KAMINSKI
10 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 3, 2021
200 city workers jump line, get vaccinated through Sparrow
None were eligible, cials. And while she “cannot guaran-
Hussain, 37, tee” that some vaccines administered
says county health officer declined the through the Health Department also
Two hundred city of Lansing employ- offer but is eligi- could have made their way to people
ees, including Mayor Andy Schor and ble for the shot who weren’t eligible to receive them,
two members of the City Council, through Waverly she stressed that multiple “checks and
jumped the line in January to be vacci- Community balances” are in place to prevent those
nated against COVID-19, putting them Schools. errors.
ahead of 40,000 other Ingham County Schor Betz Spadafore Schor, Spadafore The deep-cold-storage Pfizer doses
residents qualified to inoculate them. and Betz have each administered locally must be used in
Schor said that he and 199 other Greater Lansing are the only private described their pri- five days once refrigerated and with-
city employees accepted private invita- providers in Lansing with access to dos- vate invitations as time sensitive — sug- in seven hours once they reach room
tions last month from Sparrow Health es of the vaccine. The other source is the gesting doses would have been wasted temperature, Vail said. Unlike Sparrow
Systems to receive a COVID-19 vac- Ingham County Health Department. if not for their willingness to receive and possibly McLaren, the Health
cine. They did so despite failing to meet Officials at both hospital providers them. Schor said he also took one to set Department hasn’t had any issues find-
any state eligibility criteria for a shot, didn’t respond to questions about vac- an example, though he never publicly ing the right arms.
according to the Ingham County health cine distribution irregularities. announced his intention. Of late, the biggest concern has
officer. Like Schor and Betz, 35-year-old An email sent to Lansing employ- instead been focused on fueling a
Councilman Brandon Betz, who Spadafore failed to check the boxes that ees from the Human Resources steady supply of vaccine to meet the
represents the east side, and Council would have made him eligible for a shot Department appears to have offered demand. At least 40,000 eligible
President Peter Spadafore, an at-large last month. There is no specific carveo- vaccine appointments on a first-come, Ingham County residents were still
member, also received inoculations. ut in state guidelines on administering first-serve basis without regard for waiting in line for their appointments
Betz was one of the 200 city employees vaccines in the interest of continuity of whether they were considered “front- this week as state and federal officials
to receive it, while Spadafore apparent- government. Accordingly, East Lansing line essential workers” that had pro- scrambled to ship more doses.
ly received his apart from the Sparrow Mayor Aaron Stephens and other offi- longed contact with the public. Sparrow officials told the Lansing
program for city employees. cials at Meridian Township said they Schor has also said that list included State Journal that the hospital system
Sparrow officials told City Pulse last haven’t yet had vaccines. parking enforcement and code enforce- is doing its best to prioritize people
week that vaccines were offered to city Meanwhile, the six other members ment officers. who are actually eligible for the vac-
staff in a pilot program ahead of wide- of the Lansing City Council — Kathie In hindsight, city officials should cine, which reports vaccinating more
spread distribution. Schor also said the Dunbar, Jeremy Garza, Adam Hussain, have sought out senior citizens and than 22,000 people since December.
city was offered vaccines on a “use it or Patricia Spitzley, Brian Jackson and other at-risk people who had been It’s unclear how many of those people
lose it” basis, claiming doses would have Carol Wood — said they either didn’t waiting in line for the shot, Schor told fit priority guidelines.
otherwise gone wasted. receive or declined the recent invitation Dave Akerly at 1320 WILS on Friday. Sparrow officials told the Lansing
Ingham County Health Officer Linda from Sparrow to skip the vaccine distri- Spadafore also expressed regret, State Journal that the city “sent who
Vail has since labeled that invite-only bution queue. though noting he incorrectly thought they sent” to the clinic.
pilot program a “mistake,” noting that Dunbar said she had issues with her he was eligible at the time. Regardless, there also appears to
none of those 200 employees were email and missed the invitation till it Both have said that a shot in the arm be no real oversight — and no conse-
properly classified as Priority 1B indi- was too late but would have declined — regardless of eligibility — is a shot quences — from the state to ensure
viduals — like essential frontline work- the offer. Spitzley said she was invited put to good use. that healthcare providers bother to
ers and those over 75 — under federal on Wednesday, Jan. 13, to schedule an Before receiving the vaccine, all stay in line with the current prioritiza-
guidelines. appointment for the following Saturday, healthcare providers signed a “provid- tion schedule. A Department of Health
Schor and Betz are decades from but she didn’t check her inbox until er agreement” with the U.S. Centers for and Human Services spokeswoman,
senior status under vaccine distribu- after the shots had already been admin- Disease Control that spells out an obli- Lynn Sutfin, explained:
tion guidelines. In Ingham County, the istered to 200 employees. gation to administer doses “in accor- “We do not want providers to waste
focus is specifically on those over age Spitzley, 56, also said that she would dance with all requirements and rec- vaccines and would rather they pro-
70 because of the high mortality rate in have tried to give her appointment to ommendations” of the CDC — includ- vide vaccines to someone outside of
that age group. Shots for those over 65 her senior citizen mother or frontline ing the prioritization schedule. It also the prioritization groups as opposed to
only just started last week. Vaccines are employee sister and, at her younger age, notes that federal funding will be with- throwing it out if it comes down to it,”
otherwise only available for emergency would have declined to take the shot. held to any organization that fails to Sutfin said in a statement, refusing to
first responders — like healthcare per- “I wouldn’t have ever considered tak- comply with those priority guidelines. answer questions. “No shot in the arm
sonnel, firefighters, ambulance crews ing the vaccine before either of them Records show that nearly all of that is ever wasted as getting this vaccine
and police officers — and “essential could,” Spitzley said, labeling both the clinic’s 1,000 appointments for second is our way out of the pandemic and
employees” like teachers and grocery Sparrow invitation and the city’s distri- shots are booked. returning to some sense of normalcy.”
store staff. bution plan as a “missed opportunity” “I can’t speak to what they’re doing at Betz said he also plans to start
After that news broke, City Pulse con- and expressing disappointment that all,” Vail said of Sparrow and McLaren. knocking on doors later this month to
tacted all Council members to ask if any more effort was not taken to get those “I don’t know what they’re doing or discuss the economy with local resi-
had been vaccinated. shots in the right arms. how they’re handling their strategy, dents after he receives the second dose
Spadafore twice denied he’d been Wood, 69, said that she declined the but it’s imperative that we all stick to of his vaccine. Health officials encour-
inoculated, then called a reporter to shot and that she would “wait her turn.” guidance on vaccine priorities for these age everyone that received their first
“come clean,” as he put it. He said he But as the executive order of the senior groups. Usually, these doses are easy to dose to receive their second, regardless
received early access through an entire- citizens’ service organization RSVP, she manage.” of priority line. Those who have been
ly separate invitation from a “private would have “moved heaven and earth” Vail also said she doesn’t have insight vaccinated are still advised to stay six
healthcare provider” that he declined to to secure those vaccines for local senior into why top city officials have been feet from others under CDC guidelines.
identify by name. Sparrow and McLaren citizens rather than the city’s top offi- able to cut the line. — KYLE KAMINSKICity Pulse • February 3, 2021 www.lansingcitypulse.com 11
COVID-19 forces Michigan to face another crisis: Racial inequity
down the systemic barriers that cre- went from 30 percent to 20 percent,
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist ated an unequal health outcome in even as the number of tests ramped
discusses state action the first place. up in October.
To address the crisis immediately, But the task force also found that
to reduce disparities the task force drove recommenda- communities of color were also more
As the novel coronavirus began to tions to increase testing in commu- likely to be facing food and housing
hit Michigan last spring, the disparity nities of color by actually going into insecurity, work low wage frontline
of whom it was killing quickly came those communities instead of rely- jobs and to have less access to per-
into stark relief. Black Michiganians ing on the communities to come to sonal protection equipment to pre-
represented less than 14% of the them. Those neighborhood testing vent getting coronavirus. Leveraging
state’s overall population, but in that sites conducted nearly 25,000 tests federal dollars, the state partnered
first month they represented at least from the end of August and Nov. 16, with 31 community organizations to
41% of the deaths. when the task force interim report leverage $32 million to address those
“We were concerned about this dis- was released. The red tape associated needs.
parity potentially being present,” Lt. with testing — such as cost, insur- Data shows it is working. In the
Gov. Garlin Gilchrist said in an exclu- ance and the requirement that a doc- last three months of 2020, the task
sive interview with City Pulse, “and tor order the test — were all waived. force’s interim report tracked far
that’s why Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, our “We did this partnership with Ford fewer Black deaths than what was
chief medical executive, before we Motor Co. for these specially outfit- reported at the onset in March and
even had our first case, she worked Gilchrist ted mobile vehicles that could drive April. Gilchrist said that rate plunged
with local health departments and testing to a vulnerable community, from 41% to less than 10% of deaths
hospital systems to outfit our public calls and emails about friends, fam- to a church, to a jail, to a park, to a tracked among people of color.
health infrastructure to even track ily, former colleagues, passing away homeless shelter, a flexible platform, “Michigan has shown that when
demographic data that included race from COVID-19 every single day,” to a farm where migrant workers you focus on addressing racial dis-
and ethnicity. Then once we saw these he said. “Throughout this pandemic, needed to be tested,” Gilchrist said. parities, you can improve them,”
disparities that were so rampant and I’ve said goodbye to 27 people from And that wasn’t all. Using the state Gilchrist added. “So we’ve made
so deadly, Michigan became a leader COVID-19. So it was important that insurance program, the task force progress. That progress is fragile.”
in the nation.” we actually recommended and enact- developed systems to connect com- Gilchrist noted that state officials
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer quickly ed interventions in real time to stop munities of color with insurance are working to push out demographic
realized the disparate outcomes and people from getting sick and for sav- coverage and primary care. By doing data on vaccine distribution as well,
burden required a state response, ing lives.” that, the disproportionate impact of although no timeframe currently
leading to the creation of the The task force moved with speed, underlying diseases such as diabe- exists, he said.
Michigan Coronavirus Task Force identifying not only the underlying tes, high blood pressure and asthma “We have to remain vigilant,” he
on Racial Disparities. Gilchrist, structural causes of the disparate could be addressed, reducing the said. “We are making sure that we’re
Michigan’s first black lieutenant gov- outcomes, but finding ways to elim- potential impact on a person if they using the same source of targeting
ernor, was tapped to lead it. inate or reduce those barriers. got COVID-19. measures when it comes to social
Task forces like this often move Officials quickly realized they faced In June, the task force pushed the vulnerability and things like that
along doing the research and putting a daunting task of addressing not only Michigan Department of Health and with our vaccine rollout that we were
together reports with recommenda- the immediate inequities driving an Human Services to highlight the race using with our other strategies with
tions, but “people were dying in real extraordinary disparity between out- of people being tested and testing the task force. We hope that that will
time,” he said. It required some quick comes for people of color and white positive for the virus in weekly sta- bear fruit there as well.”
moves. people in Michigan who contracted tistical data updates. The percent — TODD HEYWOOD
“I was getting text messages and COVID-19, but that it was staring of people whose race was unknown12 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 3, 2021
It’s time for Schor’s fourth State of the City address.
How did 2020 pan out for him?
Analysis: Pandemic partially
stalls Schor’s progress since
the 2020 State of the City
address
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor deliv-
ers his fourth annual State of the
City address today (Feb. 3). Officials
said only a very small, socially dis-
tanced crowd will be allowed to watch
the event live from the city’s South
Washington Street office complex.
Two challengers have already sur-
faced as Schor faces the end of his first
term. And depending on how things
pan out in November, this could mark
his final State of the City speech.
But before the mayor can take the
virtual stage, let’s look back at 2020.
Last year’s remarks were delivered
about one month before the COVID-19
pandemic arrived in Michigan. It also
included several major announce-
ments. Here’s an overview of how those
have panned out: Kyle Kaminski/City Pulse
Mayor Andy Schor delivering is 2020 State of the City address at the old Michigan School for the Blind.
The city hired an environmental energy efficiency, reduced waste and announced the creation of BOLD local priorities, but the artistic culture
sustainability manager. We haven’t plans to “look at other areas” to save Lansing. It was billed as a “break- in Greater Lansing certainly hasn’t
heard much since. costs. Specific operational changes through concept” that brings together been lost in the fray.
Last year, Schor emphasized that were scarce. Schor is relatively skilled city programs and local partners to Schor’s wife, Erin Schor, has served
“something” still needed to be done to at planning to make plans. provide step-by-step financial educa- as chairwoman of the Mayor’s Arts and
address climate change in Lansing and And like many other city issues, any tion and planning for high school stu- Culture Commission, which has been
hoped a full-time sustainability man- real adjustments relied on recommen- dents and their families. busy since 2018 awarding Arts Impact
ager would help figure it out. dations and input from yet another The program essentially amounted grants and breathing new life into
In April, Lori Welch, an environ- mayoral advisory board. The plans also to a website that aggregated resourc- otherwise mundane concrete spaces
mental specialist for Capital Area included an executive order in which es for residents, like Lansing SAVE throughout the city. That included 19
Recycling and Trash, was promoted Lansing joined a “Global Covenant of — a partnership with MSUFCU that ARTpath installations over the last
to the new position to review, revise Mayors for Climate and Energy” — helps open savings accounts for kids year, which stretched over three miles
and implement the city’s sustainabili- an “alliance of more than 10,000 cit- and links to free financial counseling of the Lansing River Trail.
ty plans — like a grant-funded study ies” that will reportedly help hold city through the Cristo Rey Community Among them: A portrait of George
commissioned in 2016 to help create officials accountable to environmental Center. Schor’s office reports that 19 Floyd by Isiah Lattimore that was later
an energy management plan. The posi- goals. students attended 29 sessions. Seven damaged by graffiti.
tion pays $78,000 a year. Part of Welch’s role is tracking data of those participants earned $90. The Durant Park Tree Project was
In July, Schor asked local residents to better understand how the city can In September, the city also approved and initially set to proceed
to cut back on needlessly using water adjust its operations to reduce green- announced that 300 local high school over the summer, but has since been
as part of a competition between other house gas emissions. Much of that graduates had been awarded scholar- postponed until 2021. The commis-
cities that offered participants a chance initial work is about assessing bench- ships through the Lansing Promise sion also worked with the Lansing
to win a new Toyota. marks and setting goals. Additional program “in concert” with BOLD Economic Area Partnership for a per-
In October, the city rolled out a details will be provided as they become Lansing. Like sustainability efforts, the manent art installation at Reutter Park
27-page “Action Plan” on climate available, officials said. BOLD Lansing program wasn’t men- that hasn’t yet materialized.
change and Schor announced the The only mention of the word “cli- tioned in Schor’s annual report. Other projects included a stunning
Mayor’s Advisory Commission on mate” in Schor’s annual report in 2020 scale projection mapping that was dis-
Sustainability to build on Welch’s referenced the “heightened political More public artwork arrived in played downtown during an abbrevi-
planning efforts. It doesn’t appear that climate and racial tensions” that kept Lansing. ated Capitol City Film Festival. Schor
Schor ever appointed anyone to the Lansing in the headlines last year. Last year, Schor said that artwork — also announced the winner of the
commission. It may have never met. and especially public artwork — had 2020 Arts Impact grant for a ceramic
The plan itself included broad goals A flashy new program — BOLD been a “significant focus” of his admin- tile project that will cover parts of the
to reduce the city’s carbon footprint Lansing — was announced. istration. The pandemic and a tense
through obvious things like increased At last year’s address, Schor election might have shifted focus and See State of the City, Page 13You can also read
