November 14-20, 2012 - Lansing City Pulse
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November 14-20, 2012
City Pulse • November 14, 2012 www.lansingcitypulse.com 3
Ingham County Animal Shelter
To adopt one of these pets from the ICAS call (517) 676-8370. 600 Curtis St., Mason, MI 48854. ac.ingham.org “
A landmark theater event.” -TIME Magazine
Winner!
5 2011 Tony ®
Penelope Churchill
Penelope is a young basset/boston terrier mix who is A regal Russian Blue from the street of a local trailer park, Awards
equal parts play and cuddle. but he doesn't show any signs of being an "alley" cat.
Sponsored by: Dale & Matt Schrader In Memory of Whitey
NationalTheatre of Great Britain and Bob Boyett present
Liz Hayle
Liz is is curious and friendly. She can be quite feisty and Hayle is an older cat, almost 6 years old. She is declaswed
loves to play. A great choice for an active family. on all four feet, and needs a home without dogs.
Sponsored by: Sponsored by:
Everybody Reads Books & Stuff Diane Castle Realtor 517-327-5189
Pepsi Kanoa
Pepsi is your average cat. He is affectionate, loving, and Kanoa is a sweet, young dog who will need a family will-
enjoys a nice nap in a perch or windowsill. ing to help him become a confident, outgoing guy.
Sponsored by: Golden Harvest Sponsored by: Schuler Books
Sunshine Boscoe
Sunshine is an active girl but she calms quickly. A chubby puggle who snorts and grumbles. He hasn't had
She's is very people oriented. a lot of training, but he just wants a lap to snuggle in.
Sponsored by: Sponsored by:
Steve Miller Linn & Owen Jewelers, 517-482-0054
Sarabi
Sarabi is an older girl, but has plenty of energy still. She is
all 4 declawed and good with other cats.
In Memory of Betty
EXPERIENCE IT LIVE ON STAGE!
Okemos
Madeline 1802 W. Grand River
Madeline is a typical beagle: friendly, 517.349.8435
sweet, and loves to follow her nose! Dewitt
Sponsored by: 12286 U.S. 127
517.669.8824
Lansing
DECEMBER 5-9 MSU’s Wharton Center
5200 S. MLK
517.882.1611 TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
5206 W. Saginaw Hwy.
517.323.6920
Charlotte
WHARTONCENTER.COM • 1-800-WHARTON
515 Lansing Road
www.soldanspet.com 517.541.1700
East Lansing engagement welcomed by Demmer Corporation;
Farm Bureau Insurance; Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn;
and MSU Department of Radiology.
Sponsor a pet on the next Adoption Page for only $35 — $6 goes to the shelter.
To sponsor, call by Nov 3: 999-5061 Now!! Adopt a pet on this page & Soldan's will warhorseonstage.com
thank you with a $10 gift certificate. Contact (517) 999-5061 after you adopt.
4 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • November 14, 2012
Have something to say about a local issue or an item that appeared in our pages?
Now you have two ways to sound off: VOL. 12
1.) Write a letter to the editor:
• E-mail: letters@lansingcitypulse.com
2.) Write a guest column: ISSUE 14
Contact Berl Schwartz for more information:
• Snail mail: City Pulse, 1905 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912 publisher@lansingcitypulse.com
• Fax: (517) 371-5800 or (517) 999-5061 (517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com
(Please include your name, address and telephone number so we can reach you. Keep letters to 250 words or fewer. City
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: (517) 999-6705
Pulse reserves the right to edit letters and columns.)
PAGE CLASSIFIED AD INQUIRIES: (517) 999-5066
or email citypulse@lansingcitypulse.com
PUBLIC NOTICES 6 EDITOR AND PUBLISHER • Berl Schwartz
publisher@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5061
MANAGING/NEWS EDITOR • Andy Balaskovitz
City Council to consider new ordinance andy@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5064
after Niowave pole barn fallout ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • Allan I. Ross
Ingham County seeks proposals from experienced and qualified electrical firms or individuals for allan@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5068
the purpose of entering into a contract to install wiring for the installation of 55 County-supplied
video visitation units at the Ingham County Jail and the Human Services Building. The scope of PAGE PRODUCTION MANAGER • Rachel Harper
adcopy@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5066
11
this request can be found in the proposal document which is posted on-line at http://pu.ingham.org CALENDAR EDITOR • Dana Casadei
under the Current Bids link and assigned #65-12. See proposal document for details. To schedule dana@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5069
a date and time to view the worksite, please contact Mike Hughes at 517-676-8232. Proposals are
due on December 11th by 11:00 AM in the Purchasing Office. STAFF WRITERS
Lawrence Cosentino
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS lawrence@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5063
Drink and paint at new Lansing business Sam Inglot
EAST LANSING ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
sam@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5065
Notice is hereby given of the following public hearings to be held by the East Lansing Zoning Board MARKETING/PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR/
of Appeals on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the 54 B District Court,
Courtroom 1, 101 Linden Street, East Lansing:
PAGE SOCIAL MEDIA CONSULTANT • Rich Tupica
1. A public hearing will be held on the appeal of Joseph W. Goodsir, Jr. requesting a variation
for the property located at 121 Beal Street, in the RM-14, Low Density Multiple-Family
22 rich@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-6710
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Shelly Olson
Residential District from the following requirements of Chapter 50 - Zoning of the Code of shelly@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-6705
the City of East Lansing: ADVERTISING
New food column He Ate/She Ate rates Denise Dennis
a. Article VIII. Section 50-815(3), to permit new driveway paving to remain where all of the new East Lansing restaurant Red Haven denise@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 703-7130
on-site parking and access facilities do not comply with all applicable Code requirements; Michael McCallum
specifically, the driveway is not set back a minimum of three (3) feet along the entire north
(side yard) property line; and COVER michael@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 484-4072
b. Article VIII. Section 50-816(4), to permit a portion of the new driveway to remain less than
the required three (3) feet off the north property line (side yard).
ART Contributors: Justin Bilicki, Bill Castanier, Mary C. Cusack,
Tom Helma, Terry Link, Kyle Melinn, Dennis Preston, Joe Torok, Rich
Tupica, Paul Wozniak, Amanda Harrell-Seyburn, Ute Von Der
Heyden, Judy Winter
Delivery drivers: Abdulmahdi Al-Rabiah, Dave Fisher, Karen
The applicant is requesting the variances to remedy violations created as a result of paving without Navarra, Noelle Navarra, Brent Robison, Steve Stevens
the required permit. FUTURE OF CRISTO by RACHEL HARPER Interns: Hélène Dryden, Randiah Green, Andrea Raby
2. A public hearing will be held on the appeal of Joseph W. Goodsir, Jr. requesting a variation Editor & Publisher
for the property located at 614 Charles Street, in the R-2, Medium Density Single-Family
Residential District, from the following requirements of Chapter 50 - Zoning of the Code of CITY PULSE ON THE AIR Berl
Schwartz
the City of East Lansing:
THIS WEEK 7 p.m. Wednesdays
a. Article VIII. Section 50-815(3), to permit a gravel parking area to be paved where all Al Salas and Lorenzo Lopez on Cristo Rey Community Center
of the on-site parking and access facilities do not comply with all applicable Code Pat Lindemann, Ingham County Drain Commissioner
requirements; specifically, the driveway and the garage are not set back a minimum of
three (3) feet along the entire north (side yard) property line and the ground coverage is Yannet Lathrop, Policy Analyst Fellow, Michigan League for Public Policy
exceeded by 11%;
b. Article IV. Section 50-301, to permit the ground coverage to exceed the allowed ground
coverage by 11% and the garage to be set back less than the required three (3) feet;
c. Article VIII. Section 50-816(4), to permit the proposed driveway at the north property line
(side yard) to remain set back less than the required three (3) feet.
The applicant is requesting the variances in order to install paving where gravel currently exists.
3. A public hearing will be held on the appeal of Joseph W. Goodsir, Jr. requesting a variation
for the property located at 310 Beal Street, in the R-2, Medium Density Single-Family
Residential District, from the following requirements of Chapter 50 - Zoning of the Code of
the City of East Lansing:
a. Article VIII. Section 50-815(3), to permit new driveway paving to remain where all of the
on-site parking and access facilities do not comply with all applicable Code requirements;
specifically, the driveway is not set back a minimum of three (3) feet along the entire
property line; and
b. Article VIII. Section 50-816(4), to permit the new driveway at the south side property line
(side yard) to remain set back less than the required three (3) feet.
The applicant is requesting the variances to remedy violations created as a result of paving
without the required permit.
Call (517) 319-6930, the Department of Planning, Building and Development, East Lansing City Hall,
410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, for additional information. All persons interested in these appeals will
be given an opportunity to be heard.
The City of East Lansing will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as interpreters
for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to
individuals with disabilities upon request received by the City seven (7) calendar days prior to the
meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring aids or services should write or call the Department of
Planning, Building and Development, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. Phone: (517) 319-
6930. TDD Number: 1-800-649-3777.
Marie E. McKenna
City Clerk
City Pulse • November 14, 2012 www.lansingcitypulse.com 5
news & opinion
Fecal matters pegged as another source. Both are said But that doesn’t square with findings
C
to “involve animal waste from various by the county Health Department, the
sources (including waterfowl, camels, state or a report by an independent envi-
State, county officials identify monkeys, and a Patagonian hare) and ronmental engineering firm.
Potter Park Zoo as a potential potential sanitary cross connections,” the Mark Piavis, of the Public Health
source of elevated E. coli levels in report says. Division at the Ingham County Health OF THE WEEK
the Red Cedar River due to run- Lindemann suspects that the entire Department, said that a storm water con-
off from animal enclosures zoo will need new plumbing, but nobody nection, such as the one at Potter Park
knows what the costs for such a project Zoo, would “certainly add an additional
As visitors marvel over the more will be until the location of all the pipes is E. coli loading to the river.” He added
than 500 different creatures at Potter confirmed. Payal Ravani, the marketing that the Elm Street water-sampling site
Park Zoo, they probably aren’t con- coordinator for the zoo, said that the zoo downstream of the zoo consistently has
cerned about where all that critter feces will work with the Drain Commissioner’s high levels of E. coli, but that further
goes. Which is to say, they are prob- Office to address the issue, but she said testing would be needed to verify that
ably unaware of the out-of-date maze of the zoo takes active measures to keep the discharges from the zoo are a sub-
sewer pipes beneath their feet that lead feces out of the river, such as throwing it stantial contributor to the high levels.
directly from animal enclosures to the away in the trash, and disputes that ani- There are a number of different
nearby Red Cedar River, possibly con- mal enclosures are causing spikes in E. strains of E. coli bacteria, most strains
tributing to elevated levels of E. coli in coli levels in the river. of which are harmless to humans, Piavis
the water. said. One strain of the bacteria, E. coli
“It’s the way the zoo was built,” said O157:H7, can cause severe bloody diar-
Ingham County Drain Commissioner rhea and abdominal cramps. Children
Pat Lindemann. “Nobody was concerned under the age of 5 and the elderly are
about a little coyote poop getting in the prone to developing hemolytic uremic
river. We know there’s a problem and syndrome, a potentially deadly condition
we’re working toward fixing it. This is that causes the destruction of red blood
not simple stuff. We have no clue where cells and subsequent kidney failure. Property: 6268 Ridge St., Haslett
the pipes are.” A recent report by Malcolm Pirnie Owner: Werner and Barbara Hollstein
Not knowing the scope of the prob- of the water division of ARCADIS, an Assessed value: $33,700
lem is a major challenge for Lindemann: engineering and consulting firm, said
The drain system has been augmented the firm found “several outdoor exhibits
numerous times over the decades to [that] can contribute animal waste to
fit the zoo’s needs — he only has “rudi- the storm water system” and “significant
mentary maps” of the system. He esti- solids deposition in storm sewers.”
mated that it could take up to two years Zoos around the country handle One of the most easily recogniz-
to assess the full extent of the drainage their excess feces in a variety of ways. able architectural styles is the A-frame,
problems and possibly another decade to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has a com- ubiquitous in the construction of lake
fix the issues. posting program called ZooPoo, in and mountain homes. This style of
The crowded waterfowl pond is just a which the zoo sells the compost for $40 architecture, which has been utilized
few feet away from the banks of the Red a cubic yard. The Woodland Park Zoo in throughout history, was incredibly
Cedar River and has an overflow pipe Photos by Amanda Milstead Seattle has a similar program where it popular in the U.S. during the 1950s.
that discharges directly into the river. State and county officials know there’s sells the compost at the Fall Fecal Fest, It is no surprise to find a quintessential
Drains can be seen in the floors of many an antiquated sewer drainage system an annual fundraiser. A “poo-powered” A-frame house among the lake homes
of the animal habitats at the zoo, includ- at Potter Park Zoo that empties from vehicle roams the grounds at the new of Lake Lansing, such as this one on the
ing the pig, donkey and Patagonian hare animal enclosures — like this one in the elephant exhibit at the Denver Zoo. The west side of the lake. Note the distinc-
habitats. During a recent visit to the zoo, Guinea Hog enclosure — into the nearby zoo expects to convert 90 percent of the tive steeply angled roof that extends
an employee was seen hosing the interior Red Cedar River. It’s uncertain how feces and trash from the zoo into clean nearly to the ground, forming the two
of the monkey house into a floor drain. much the system may be contributing energy. Ravani said that the Potter Park sides of the A.
However, the zoo’s contribution to the to elevated E. coli levels in the river. Zoo would consider a composting pro- This rustic style architecture is inex-
overall E. coli level of the river is not easy gram, but it would be difficult to manage pensive to build and maximizes the inte-
to estimate. because the park lies on a flood plain. rior volume on a small footprint. The
The water resources division of the “We believe in the Federal Clean While officials recognize drainage interior is open to the rafters, allowing
Michigan Department of Environmental Water Act and complying with its stan- problems at the zoo, plenty of unknowns for loft-space and an open floor plan. A
Quality stated in a June 29 report that dards,” she said in an email. exist in the area. typical A-frame has a concrete floor and
the zoo has “known storm water con- Ravani said “all animal feces are “There are a variety of discharges knotty-pine wall finish.
tamination issues.” This Total Maximum manually removed from the exhibits and occurring near the zoo,” said Christe
Daily Load for E. coli report was gener- put in the trash which is emptied several Alwin in the Lansing district office of — Amanda Harrell-Seyburn
ated in response to elevated levels of the times a week by Granger. The feces of the DEQ. “That is a very old area of the
bacteria in portions of the Red Cedar animals from Potter Park Zoo’s collec- city and there are a lot of unknowns as to
River and Grand River watersheds. tion do not go into the river.” According where the discharges are coming from.”
Page 12 of the report identifies two to Ravani, the source of the elevated E. Since the Red Cedar River flows from
potential sources of E. coli at the zoo: coli levels in that portion of the river are east to west, Alwin said the water absorbs “Eye Candy of the Week” is our look at some of the
Runoff that occurs as a result of rainwa- possibly from the feces of a large white- pollutants from multiple sources before nicer properties in Lansing. It rotates each week with Eyesore
of the Week. If you have a suggestion, please e-mail eye@lan-
ter is identified as one source, and the tail deer population and an abundance of singcitypulse.com or call Andy Balaskovitz at 999-5064.
zoo’s illicit storm water connections are Canadian geese outside the park’s gates. See Potter Park, Page 6
6 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • November 14, 2012
Potter Park lems under his jurisdiction, and the prob-
lems at the zoo are on his list.
“We are aware that it is an illicit discharge
affect roughly 3,000 kids and cost 940
jobs around the state. The report also says
Title I money would take a big hit in the
to announce the Fix the Debt Michigan
coalition, which is asking policymakers
to solve the nation’s long-term debt and
from page 5 and it has to be fixed,” he said about the state — to the tune of $45.5 million. warns that falling off the fiscal cliff could
storm drain system at the zoo. “Is it an issue? Craig Thiel, a senior consultant for mean another recession.
it flows past the Potter Park Zoo. According Yes. Are we going to fix it? Yes.” the East Lansing-based consulting firm Mitch Bean, a principal at Great Lakes
to Lindemann, “seeking and finding” these Anderson Economic Group, said while Economic Consulting in Eaton Rapids,
pollution sources is no small task. — Amanda Milstead Title I cuts may not drastically affect along with Thiel at the Anderson Economic
Ruth Kline-Robach, the outreach special- school districts like East Lansing, Haslett Group, believes the reelection of President
ist for Michigan State University’s Institute and Okemos, it would definitely be felt by Obama will help move the negotiations
of Water Research, said the only way to districts with more low-income students along.
determine the exact source of E. coli is to like the Lansing School District, which “If (Obama) had not been reelected, it
test the DNA of the bacteria. The institute, receives $2.5 million in Title I money would have been more likely that we would
‘Worried’
which is working on a water management annually. That money has been used in the have had an extension where they kick the
plan for the Red Cedar watershed, moni- past to help pay for all-day kindergarten. can down the road six months to a year,”
tors bacteria levels in rivers and streams Lansing School Board member Peter Bean said. “That’s less likely now, President
throughout the watershed. Kline-Robach Spadafore said the cuts could go way Obama will hold the fire to people and get
said that E. coli is a “bacterial standard,” What going over the fiscal cliff would beyond Title I money. Other funding on a deal sooner rather than later, which I
which means that if the bacteria is present, mean for Lansing the table includes money for lunch pro- think is the right thing to do.”
other unsavory organisms may be lurking in grams, class size reduction funds, special
the waters as well. Lots is at stake in Lansing in the fight education and English language learner — Sam Inglot
“The levels for total body contact, which over the fiscal cliff. programs.
means if we were going to dive right into the The term is used to describe feder- “It’s our most vulnerable populations
water, shouldn’t be over 300 bacteria per al sequestration, a series of automatic, that will be affected,” he said. “We can’t
100 mL of water,” Kline-Robach said. “The across-the-board spending cuts and tax take another hit. We’re already dealing
levels for partial body contact are 1,000 per increases that could take effect in January with state reductions, another cut in fund-
100 mL of water. The levels in the river are if Congress can’t enact a plan that would ing would be a devastating blow to our
not really egregious. We shouldn’t all be
panicking.”
According to the data in the MDEQ’s
reduce the national deficit by $1.2 trillion.
If Congress fails, then $1.2 trillion would
be cut over the next nine years at about
already fragile budget.”
Lansing Community College would
also be hit if the spending cuts go through,
From pole
barn to policy
June report, the E. coli count hovers around $109 billion a year from military and non- but it would be the students that would
the range of 600 bacteria per 100 mL down- military programs. Dozens of programs in wind up carrying most of the burden,
stream of Potter Park Zoo. These numbers Michigan and in Lansing would be affect- said Stephanie Bogard Trapp, director of
can spike into the thousands throughout ed. The exact cuts to local agencies are financial aid at LCC. Student grant and
the watershed after it rains due to the high unknown at this point, but states are look- loan programs would be hit with cuts, Lansing City Council to consider
volume of pollutants carried to the water ing at between 7 percent to over 9 percent which would force them to pay more for new ordinance after Niowave pole
via storm water runoff. While diving into cuts for federally funded programs across tuition out of pocket. She said pools of barn fallout
the water may be hazardous to one’s health, the board — which means the money students who receive need-based grants
Kline-Robach said that monikers like the going from the federal government to the would likely shrink and interest rate and The Niowave pole barn fiasco has
“Dead Cedar River” are unwarranted and states will decline, leading to less money loan fees could rise. prompted the Lansing City Council to
that any body of water that is near an urban allocated by states for local programs. “It is very serious, and we are definitely consider new legislation that would
area is bound to have pollution issues. A report released last month by the worried about it,” Trapp said. require notifying the Council about any
Monitoring the levels of bacteria will Michigan League for Public Policy outlines Health services would also be chipped new construction on sites with an already
continue with the goal of improving the programs that would be affected if we end away at if the sequestration comes to frui- approved special land use permit.
water throughout the Red Cedar and Grand up tumbling off the fiscal cliff. Community tion. Jake Distel, executive director of the Niowave, which is headquartered in the
River watersheds. Lindemann said that he is health, education and job training pro- Lansing Area AIDS Network, said the old Walnut School north of downtown,
working to repair all the storm water prob- grams are all on the table. funding reduction could be “potentially built a 14,000-square-foot pole barn as
Federal funding for Lansing educa- devastating.” part of a $10 million expansion earlier
tional services like Head Start and money Distel said the LAAN helps provide this year in the neighborhood. Nearby
for programs for at-risk youth like Title medical treatment to 337 people and pro- residents were surprised by the develop-
I grants would be trimmed back, said vides prevention services to over 1,000 ment — some called it a “monstrosity” and
Yannet Lathrop, a policy analyst fellow residents in the Lansing area. He said have installed signs in yards that read: “Fix
with the MLPP. LAAN’s budget, which is about $820,000 the Façade.” City planning officials said the
Lucy McClintic, director of the a year, has already taken a “consistent hit” expansion fit within conditions of a special
local Head Start branch, Capital Area from other spending cuts. land use permit approved by the Council
Community Services Inc., said there’s “no For the Ingham County Land Bank, in 2006.
way” CACS could absorb the budget reduc- sequestration isn’t a major concern. ”When we looked at issuing the SLU,
tion without cutting back on services. She However, the program stands to lose half it covered the entire property, not just the
said if sequestration happens, salaries and of its funding after this year when $5 mil- footprint of the building,” City Council
37 positions would likely be cut and it might lion of Obama stimulus funds dry up, said President Brian Jeffries said. “Since
come down to limiting the number of chil- Land Bank Chairman Eric Schertzing, the SLU covered the entire property,
dren CACS serves. who is also the Ingham County treasurer. (Niowave) didn’t have to come to Council
“Yes, we are worried,” she said. “We cer- He said 2013 will be a “transition year” for other land use permission.”
tainly would hate to have to eliminate ser- with a heavy focus on marketing the 70 That won’t be the case under the draft
vices to any children and families.” properties the Land Bank has in its stock- ordinance.
CACS spans four counties, employing pile. He said income from those home For Jeffries, the pole barn fallout
about 300 and serving 1,617 children with sales and getting “creative” in trying to became: “How can we prevent this from
a budget of about $12.5 million. McClintic find other funding sources would be key. happening in the future?” he said. He
said 1,076 of those children live in Ingham For all of these potentially drastic cuts, called the ordinance a “proactive measure.”
County. though, some say it appears unlikely that Jeffries said the ordinance language
According to the MLPP report, the country’s headed off the fiscal cliff. makes it so that no construction on a site
Michigan would lose about $22.6 million Even local business leaders are holding a
in funding for Head Start, which would press conference this morning in Lansing See Niowave, Page 7
City Pulse • November 14, 2012 www.lansingcitypulse.com 7
Niowave “Obamacare” will be fully implemented;
Ingham County voters overwhelmingly
agreed to pay slightly higher taxes in sup-
failing to even have a candidate in two
districts. Sterling Group struck out with an
attempt to use a legal technicality to keep
Now, state Democrats appear poised to
take on long-term minority party status
with a small and generally weak list of
from page 6 port of the Ingham Health Plan. Add to Proposal 2 off the ballot. Working together, potential statewide candidates, minimal
IHP the superb work of Care Free Medical they managed to corral just 37 percent of influence in state government and a coali-
with a special land use permit can happen Center and other community-based health the vote in favor of the Renewable Energy tion of support groups (labor, environmen-
without first notifying the Council. He services and you have a healthier future for Proposal 3. The latter failure could prove talists, women’s groups and LGBT groups)
said Council members could then corre- our area’s working poor. especially damaging to Sterling as it infuri- which no longer can reliably deliver elec-
spond with people in the affected neigh- Honorary mid-Michigan winner status ated some in its Republican-leaning client tion victories.
borhoods. goes to two local alumni, Lansing School base. On the plus side, both were well paid Yet locally, the Ingham County
T he Council ’s Planning and for the Blind graduate Stevie Wonder for their efforts. Republican Party (and local Tea Party
Development Committee will look at the and East Lansing High School alum Nate They are joined in the pantheon of losers movement) lost big. The GOP is now virtu-
draft in the coming weeks, Jeffries said. Silver. The former was front-and-center by unions and the Michigan Democratic ally extinct in Ingham County (and fading
Walnut Neighborhood resident Mary throughout the Obama campaign, help- Party. In a year when President Obama quickly in Eaton County) after losing just
Elaine Kiener said that neighbors met ing draw huge crowds for key presidential and Sen.Debbie Stabenow easily carried the about every local election. The Tea Party
with Niowave in early October, and it’s campaign rallies. Silver, the founder of The state, state Democrats managed to snatch insurgency in Delhi Township was short-
her understanding that Niowave is still New York Times blog FiveThirtyEight.com, defeat from the jaws of victory. lived as its candidates lost their effort to
waiting on “scaled plans” by a landscape is now the nation’s most-quoted and cred- Rather than focusing on electing can- takeover the township’s government by
architect to fix the building’s facade. ible political statistics nerd after his near- didates down-ticket, party Chairman hefty margins.
Niowave’s spokesman on the issue, perfect projection of the presidential and Mark Brewer and his labor-leader cohorts Sadly, our loser list concludes with state
Chief Financial Officer Mark Sinila, was U.S. Senate results. focused their money and energy on ballot Rep. Mark Meadows. His 20-years of ser-
unavailable for comment. proposals plus an expensive, unsuccessful vice in state and East Lansing government
Losers campaign to oust ethics-challenged House comes to an ignominious end with his loss
— Sam Inglot Without doubt, the biggest individual Speaker Jase Bolger. That money could to Andrea Larkin for district judge. Like
non-candidate election loser was billionaire well have tipped the scales in the Supreme Muhammed Ali, “the champ” fought one
Matty Maroun. He spent upwards of $35 Court races (where the GOP held its 4-3 fight too many.
million to protect his Ambassador Bridge advantage), or made a difference in a cou- (Sorg can be reached at sorg@lansingci-
monopoly and make it harder to raise taxes. ple of congressional districts. typulse.com.)
Both ballot proposals went down 2:1.
All hail the winners
Close behind in the losers list are
Lansing-based political consultants PUBLIC NOTICES
Byrum/Fisk and the Sterling Group. Both CITY OF LANSING
He wasn’t on the ballot, but the biggest took double hits. Byrum/Fisk was charged NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
political winner in Michigan last week was with regaining a Democratic majority in the Z-5-2012, 600 E. Michigan Avenue
Gov. Rick Snyder. “One Tough Nerd” held Michigan House and fell five seats short, Rezoning from “H” Light Industrial District to “G-1” Business District
his majorities in the state House and on
The Lansing Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, at 6:30 p.m.,
the Supreme Court. With GOP control of Neighborhood Empowerment Center Conference Room, 600 W. Maple St. (Corner of W. Maple and
all three branches, Snyder will easily get Libraries N. Pine Streets) to consider Z-5-2012. This is a request by Studio Intrigue Architects on behalf of the
around his only “loss”: the narrow defeat Ingham County Land Bank to rezone the property at 600 E. Michigan Avenue, legally described as:
of the emergency financial manager law. MSU Libraries Colloquia Series W 18 FT LOT 13, ALSO LOTS 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19 CONNARDS SUB OF LOT 1
Expect quick enactment of a new law only cosponsored by Our Daily Work Our Daily Lives BLOCK 242, CITY OF LANSING, MI
slightly less draconian
than the law rejected Changing the World from “H” Light Industrial District to “G-1” Business District. The purpose of the rezoning is to permit
the construction of a mixed use building on the site.
by voters. Snyder’s
toughest challenges
One Song at a Time: If you are interested in this matter, please attend the public hearing. Written comments will be accepted
will be dealing with the Songs of Work and Struggle between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on city business days if received before 5 p.m., Tuesday, December 4, 2012
at the Lansing Planning Office, Dept. of Planning and Neighborhood Development, Suite D-1, 316 N.
Tea Party wing of his Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI 48933-1236. For more information, call Susan Stachowiak at 483-4085.
own party and perhaps Sparky & Rhonda Rucker
Writers and Performers NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
heading off a right- EAST LANSING PLANNING COMMISSION
wing primary challenge Friday, November 16, 12:00 p.m.
in 2014. Notice is hereby given of the following public hearings to be held by the East Lansing Planning
WALT SORG W449 Main Library Commission on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., in the 54-B District Court, Courtroom
Also winning big 2, 101 Linden Street, East Lansing.
were Michigan television stations. The James “Sparky” Rucker
record $150 million spent on ballot propos- has been singing songs 1. A public hearing will be held to consider an application from City Center Two Project, LLC
and telling stories and Cada Investment Group, LLC for Site Plan and Special Use Permit approval for the
als, along with the usual candidate advertis- about African American properties at 100 and 124-140 West Grand River Avenue to construct two, four story mixed-
ing, went primarily directly to their bottom history for over forty use buildings. The property is zoned B-3, City Center Commercial District.
line. years. He plays guitar,
banjo, and spoons, and 2. A public hearing will be held to consider an application from City Center Two Project, LLC
Big Business scored big in the bedsheet- has released fourteen for Site Plan approval for the properties at 341 and 345 Evergreen Avenue. The applicant
ballot battle. The combined financial clout recordings. Rhonda is proposing to renovate the existing structures to bring them back into productive use. The
of the Michigan State Chamber and two Hicks Rucker plays property is zoned RM-32, City Center Multiple Family Residential District.
blues harmonica, piano,
electric utilities (aided by the Koch broth- banjo, and bones. The Call (517) 319-6930, the Department of Planning, Building and Development, East Lansing City
ers, Van Andel family and casino billion- Rucker’s performing Hall, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, for additional information. All interested persons will be given
aire Sheldon Adelson) crushed organized credits include the an opportunity to be heard. These matters will be on the agenda for the next Planning Commission
Kennedy Center in meeting after the public hearing is held, at which time the Commission may vote on them. The
labor and environmentalists in defeating Planning Commission's recommendations are then placed on the agenda of the next City Council
Washington D.C., the International Storytelling
Proposals 2, 3 and 4. They were joined Center as well as NPR’s On Point. Their recording, meeting. The City Council will make the final decision on these applications.
in the winners’ circle by Lansing-based Treasures & Tears, was nominated for a W.C. Handy
Award, and their music is included on the Grammy- The City of East Lansing will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as interpreters
PR firms Truscott/Rossman, Marketing for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to
nominated anthology, Singing Through the Hard
Resource Group and Martin/Waymire. Times. (from http://www.sparkyandrhonda.com) individuals with disabilities upon request received by the City seven (7) calendar days prior to the
Each played key roles in the campaigns meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring aids or services should write or call the Department of
Planning, Building and Development, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. Phone: (517) 319-
against the three ballot proposals. The Main Library is located at 366 W. Circle Drive.
6930. TDD Number: 1-800-649-3777.
Visitor parking is available in lot 62W
Major winners locally were work- on Red Cedar Road near Spartan Stadium.
ing people lacking medical insurance. Marie E. McKenna
President Obama’s victory means that www.lib.msu.edu City Clerk
8 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • November 14, 2012
‘Now we have nothing’
Photos by Sam Inglot, Illustration by Rachel Harper/City Pulse
The future is murky for Cristo Rey Community Center
By LAWRENCE COSENTINO decline started when Tony Benavides has “stayed out” of Cristo Rey’s affairs. “That’s no secret.”
Eustacio Lozano’s workload has stepped down after 33 years as director of In recent months, mounting reports of Allen Johnson of Okemos stops at Cristo
gotten lighter in the last few years, but he Cristo Rey to become mayor of Lansing in service cutbacks and bad morale at Cristo Rey most days, sometimes to use a public
doesn’t sound happy about it. “Tacho,” the 2003. Rey got his attention. phone with a directory of low-income
custodian since 1989 at Lansing’s Cristo Rey “When Mr. Benavides was here, oh my “I offered my services, free, two or three services. He also goes to the free breakfast
Community Center, at 1717 N. High St., loves God, it was beautiful.” Lozano said. “We had months ago, to the diocese to go in and bring program Tuesday and Thursday.
his work. dances, we had everything. Now we have [Cristo Rey] back up to par,” Benavides “Frequently, there’s disagreements among
But he thinks that Cristo Rey, a focal point nothing.” said in a phone interview Monday. “I’ve staff,” Johnson said. “The life isn’t here like it
for North Lansing’s Hispanic and Latino Lozano paused to consider whether gotten quite a few contacts in 25 years of used to be. A lot of clients haven’t come back.”
community for 45 years, is sliding downhill. Cristo Rey would last two more years. public service.” Some, he said, are former “People are going for help and they’re
“Before, I had to put chairs in the hall for “The way I see it, no.” supporters of Cristo Rey who left the fold being rudely treated,” Salas said. “It’s not a
people to sit down,” Lozano said. “Now it’s However, diocese spokesman Michael “for whatever reason.” friendly environment, the way it used to be.”
dead here. Sometimes nobody uses the rest Diebold and Vogel promise that the Hispanic “I feel we can bring back Cristo Rey to its On Sept. 18, Salas wrote to Vogel
rooms. I don’t have to clean it.” heritage of Cristo Rey will not get lost in a fullest and be a community center like it was and Christopher Root, chairman of the
Isn’t that better for him? potential shuffle. before,” he said. Department of Catholic Charities, requesting
“Si,” he said with a laugh. “But I do it the “I have been assured one thing by the He isn’t the only one waiting for the a meeting. Salas wrote that Cristo Rey needed
same way every day anyway.” bishop through his director of Catholic diocese to answer a call. “rejuvenation, a new direction and increased
Lansing’s Roman Catholic Diocese is Charities: The Hispanic aspects of the center Alfonso Salas is a Hispanic community community support” and offered to help.
exploring a consolidation of Cristo Rey will never change,” Vogel said. “My goal is to leader, member of the Lansing for César He got no answer. Vogel said he never
with St. Vincent Catholic Charities into an make sure (the center) runs efficiently day to Chávez Committee and the owner of Lansing received the letter.
umbrella organization, most likely with one day; that the Hispanic nature of the center Athletics on the southwest corner of town. On Oct. 5, Salas wrote again, this time to
director. The plan hasn’t allayed fears of continues to go on as it has in the past; In recent months, Salas heard from Cristo Bishop Earl Boyea of the Catholic Diocese
more decline. and that all of the Hispanic community is Rey staffers and community members who of Lansing. He asked for details about the
On the contrary, community members are welcome and comfortable here.” were worried about problems there. center’s bylaws, personnel policies, legal ties
worried that the center will lose its identity In September, a group of four senior between the city of Lansing and Cristo Rey,
as a Hispanic center. This year, the diocese ‘We’re stuck’ citizens went to Salas with complaints the “chain of command,” and contractual
recommended to the board that it appoint “I’m waiting for the diocese to call me,” about cutbacks in services. Up to 2003, services at the center.
as interim director Robert Vogel, who is not Tony Benavides said. Cristo Rey’s senior program offered daily Salas cited intimidation and hostility
Hispanic, nor does he speak Spanish. Benavides is retired, with time on his breakfasts and lunches for seniors and of employees at the center and “a lack of
“There’s no communication,” Lozano hands and a big book of phone numbers he offered transportation to and from their desperately needed programs.” Again, he
said. “We’re not united like we were before.” accumulated while serving as Cristo Rey’s homes. Now the meals are confined to requested a meeting.
Board member Tony Baltimore said 33-year director, Lansing mayor and 22-year Tuesdays and Thursdays. Deacon Michael Murray, the legal counsel
the board approved Vogel “because he was Lansing City Councilman. Salas also heard from Cristo Rey staffers and chief of staff of the diocese, answered
capable” and did not need training. Vogel The Catholic Diocese founded Cristo Rey about worsening morale. the letter, after a fashion, on Oct. 30. The
had been workforce development director Parish in Lansing in October 1961 to serve Vogel said he is unaware of any declining diocese, Murray wrote, was “working on
for four years. the Spanish-speaking people of the city and morale at the center. “No one has come and an organizational consolidation of Cristo
(But Baltimore expressed shock when its environs. The community center was complained to me,” he said. “As a matter of Rey Community Center and Saint Vincent
he was informed last week that Vogel is added in 1968, with Benavides as its first fact, I have strong personal relationships Catholic Charities” that would help the center
a convicted embezzler and a disbarred director. The community center is a diocesan with every one of my employees.” He is “consolidate structures” and “flourish.”
attorney. See related story on P. 9.) charitable organization and its board also unaware of anyone complaining to the This was news to Salas. He hadn’t heard
John Roy Castillo, director of Cristo Rey members are appointed by the bishop of the board. of the proposed merger. He was frustrated
from 2003 to May of this year, is “concerned Catholic Diocese of Lansing. The diocese Lozano is the only Cristo Rey staff that the diocese ignored the issues he raised
that the Hispanic identity and Cristo Rey also helps fund the community center, which member who would go on record for this in his letters.
doesn’t get lost with the merger.” in 2010 totaled just over $100,000 of a $2.5 story. Two other staffers told City Pulse there Lorenzo Lopez, a Hispanic community
“I really hope it continues, because there million budget. were “issues” but didn’t want to talk for fear leader and member of the Lansing for
is no advocacy for the Hispanic community Since 2005, Benavides has helped the of retaliation. César Chávez Committee, was director of
other than Cristo Rey,” Castillo said. center with three improvement projects, “You can see that services have declined education at Cristo Rey for 13 years, until he
From Lozano’s perspective, the center’s including fixing a leaky roof, but he said he when you walk in,” one longtime staffer said.
See Cristo Rey, Page 9
City Pulse • November 14, 2012 www.lansingcitypulse.com 9
Cristo Rey
Cristo Rey earlier this summer. After as a result of the sign-in policy. this center,” Salas said. He said he is hearing
running the place for 33 years, he said he “Ask them to sign in and they’ll run away,” the same complaint from the Hispanic
had to sign in. Lopez said. community. “They used to have one of
from page 8 “They have changed Cristo Rey around Vogel said the sign-in policy came their own as leader, a Hispanic, a Mexican-
quite a bit, and one of those things is signing about shortly after he was appointed American. Now that they don’t have one, we
left the center with Benavides in 2003. in and out, like you do in a government interim director. “It’s a matter of greeting feel like it’s going a different way.”
“It was the hub of our community, and it no building,” he said. people, making sure they’re welcome and Benavides, whom Vogel said he met
longer is,” Lopez said. “Nothing’s functioning Lozano said there are surveillance cameras comfortable when they walk in,” Vogel said, “briefly” once, is opposed to a potential
at the center today. It’s in disarray.” in the building. The kitchen, pantry and some adding that the sign-in table is “always consolidation of Cristo Rey and St. Vincent.
Lopez and Salas don’t understand the rooms have been padlocked, even to him. voluntary” and that visitors do not need to “I’m against merging with anybody,”
diocese’s response. When Benavides was director, employees sign in in order to enter the building. Benavides said. “I think Cristo Rey can stand
“We feel the diocese has slighted us, and we clocked in and out of the building to track If the sign-in policy shows insensitivity for itself.”
don’t know why,” Lopez said. “The questions their work hours, but the public moved in to the needs of the Hispanic community, the Castillo said the Catholic Diocese has let
we’ve asked are not so difficult to answer.” and out freely. Castillo said that the sign-in appointment of the non-Spanish speaking other Hispanic centers in the state wither
“The community is crying out to us, and policy did not start while he was director. Vogel as interim director in May did nothing on the vine, including the Spanish Speaking
we’re stuck,” Salas said. Lopez, Salas and Benavides fear that to reassure Salas that Cristo Rey would Information Center in Flint.
many people who need Cristo Rey’s services, survive as an independent Hispanic entity. “At one time it was a big agency, and it
‘They’ll run away’ including people with unsettled immigration “They’re trying to say that we don’t have See Cristo Rey, Page 10
Benavides got a surprise when he visited status, are likely to skip a visit to the center a Hispanic leader that’s smart enough to run
license. He also pleaded guilty to forging a “best friends,” he said. place” that would prevent such crimes
Director’s $10,300 check without the consent of the
payee and forged a settlement amount for
$19,500 from a personal injury action.
While Dama does not have a “very high
opinion” of Vogel, the Catholic diocese
believes Vogel is qualified for the Cristo
from happening in the future. He said all
schools and churches affiliated with the
diocese, which spread across 10 counties
past Vogel was later sentenced to three to 14
years in prison.
When contacted, Vogel declined to
Rey position in which he oversees a $1.6
million budget.
“For the Catholic church, one of the
in Michigan, are “all audited on an annual
basis” by outside accounting firms.
Al Salas, the owner of Lansing
comment on the charges, saying, “Those are four main tenets is forgiveness,” diocese Athletics, who has expressed concerns
personnel matters.” Prior to being appointed spokesman Michael Diebold said. “We look about a possible merger between Cristo
interim director, Vogel managed workforce at people as a whole.” Rey and St. Vincent Catholic Charities
development at Cristo Rey for four years. While he declined to comment further (see page 8), said it is a “big concern”
An attorney who had worked with on Vogel’s past and how his appointment that Vogel was appointed to head the
Vogel said Vogel joined a private law firm, came before the board without all directors community center, even though he was
Scodeller, DeLuca and Schober, where he being told, Diebold said the diocese is charged 23 years ago, because of fears
was put in charge of the business end of the “confident in the internal controls in that it could happen again.
firm, which included investing in pension
and trust funds. Before that, he was an
CAPITAL AREA DISTRICT LIBRARIES
assistant prosecutor for Ingham County,
where other members of the firm had also
been on staff. A bad investment led Vogel 5–8:30 p.m.
to keep “borrowing” money to cover it, the Model Railroad Exhibit
attorney said. (1st floor Teen area)
Because of the recidivism rate among
embezzlers, the attorney who worked with 5–8:30 p.m.
Vogel added: “I would never put him in a
Courtesy Photo position of handling money.”
Face Painting
A Lansing State Journal news John Dama, who was the executor to & Balloon Animals
clipping from Jan. 12, 1990, about the one of the estates from which Vogel took Around the Town Clowns
sentencing of Robert C. Vogel, who is money for his own use, said Vogel served & Sally May Britton
now interim director of the Cristo Rey about two-and-a-half years in prison. (1st floor Children's area)
Community Center. When contacted about this story last
week, board members Tony Baltimore, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
By ANDY BALASKOVITZ Frank Ferro and Rick Olivarez said they
The interim director of the Cristo were unaware of Vogel’s history. Baltimore,
Instant Photo Booth
Rey Community Center has a criminal who runs U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers’ Lansing Capture memories in an instant
record for embezzlement that at least office, said he was “shocked” when told (1st floor Adult Fiction area)
three members of the center’s board about Vogel’s background.
say they were unaware of when they The 10-member board appointed him 7:30–8 p.m. & repeated at 8:15–8:45 p.m.
appointed him. as interim director about six months ago Joel Tacey’s Comedy
Robert Vogel, who has served as the
financially struggling center’s interim
on the recommendation of the Catholic
Diocese of Lansing. At least one board
& Magic Show (Basement Auditorium)
director for about six months, pleaded member, Norm Shinkle, was aware of
guilty in 1989 to seven felony counts of Vogel’s past and said in an interview that
taking money from clients he represented as
an attorney. Vogel, who was 42 at the time,
he had “paid his dues” to society.
Dama, who retired from the Lansing Friday, Nov. 16 • 5–9 p.m.
pleaded guilty to embezzling more than Police Department as a lieutenant in 2000,
$250,000 from estates pending in probate said he knew Vogel since high school. As a
court, as a trustee of a living trust and as the private attorney, Vogel was the “first person
custodian of his law firm’s trust account, I turned to for legal advice,” Dama said
according to the Attorney Discipline Board after being asked to be the executor of an 401 S. Capitol Avenue
of Michigan, which revoked Vogel’s law estate. Dama’s wife and Vogel’s wife were 517-367-6363 | cadl.org
10 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • November 14, 2012
Career Education Cristo Rey diocese.
Olivarez said John Roy Castillo’s dismissal
as Cristo Rey director in May grew from a
Are you ready for a “work situation” that was “a molehill that
from page 9
hands on career? turned into a mountain.”
slowly dwindled until it became virtually Olivarez said the board did an internal
Students in the Cosmetology nonexistent,” Castillo said. investigation of Castillo, but did not say what
program receive extensive
hands-on training
It may be an accident or plain neglect, but it was about. Olivarez said no wrongdoing
to perform: if you look under “Great Hispanic Links” at was found, but the diocese still removed
• Facials the bottom of the Cristo Rey Church website Castillo a few days after coming back to work.
• Hair Styling, and click on the Cristo Rey Community Olivarez suggested that the diocese is “pulling
Coloring Center link, you are routed to a bathroom the strings” at the community center.
and Trends lighting shop. “It’s very frustrating,” Olivarez said. “My
• Manicures St. Vincent Catholic Charities issued a concern, as a board member, of the merger,
and Pedicures statement about the proposed merger last week. is that it may eliminate the Hispanic variable
• Scholarships Available • Financial Aid*
• Flexible Class Hours • Career Services “Bishop [Earl] Boyea wishes for Cristo out of the question.”
Rey Community Center to consolidate their Former Cristo Rey board member Victor
Join thousands of successful graduates! services with St. Vincent Catholic Charities,” it Diaz said the consolidation is understandable
Call Now! reads, but the boards of the two organizations from the fiscal point of view.
888.376.8234
www.dorsey.edu
have not yet met to vote on the merger.
“There is nothing yet official in place,” the
“This is just part of the church cutting back,”
he said. “They’ve got their own issues. They’re
6250 South Cedar Street, Suite #9, Lansing, MI 48911 statement cautions. The aim of the proposed not going to get donations they used to.”
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.dorsey.edu/disclosures.php. merger is to “review duplications in the His biggest concern is the “wish to have
*Financial Aid available for those who qualify.
community, maintain a strong emphasis on Hispanics lead Hispanics.”
Hispanic ministry.” “That’s the real goal here,” Diaz said.
Christopher Root, chairman of the “Ethnic cultures move together and
Department of Catholic Charities, said the congregate. This is really what this is about.”
two groups have “have been talking for a This is not the first time a group of Cristo
few months” on the merger, and there is no Rey supporters have felt too strongly crushed
timetable for action. to the bosom of Mother Church. Against the
Root described the relationship between backdrop of 1960s civil rights turmoil, a split
the diocese to both St. Vincent and Cristo formed at Cristo Rey between conservative
Rey as “sponsorship.” members and activists. In 1970, labor activist
“They’re both Catholic organizations Gilberto Martinez split from Cristo Rey to
working in collaboration with the diocese to start Quinto Sol, an alternative cultural and
serve people,” Root said. political center for Latinos in Lansing, in 1970,
The diocese’s Diebold said consolidation on East Grand River Avenue in North Town.
is “part of a long-range plan,” which includes Along with educational and cultural
consolidations of Catholic charity programs programs, Martinez went into prisons to
elsewhere. “If we can streamline the educate inmates and drug addicts (“the
mechanics of running these agencies, we are people Jesus helped,” Martinez said).
able to direct more funds to folks who need The rhetoric then was hotter than it is
those direct services,” Diebold said, adding now. Angered that Lansing’s Bishop Joseph
that Boyea is looking for “a workable solution.” Albers bought two marble angels for his
MaryLou Mason, chairwoman of the lavish west Lansing home, Martinez declared
Cristo Rey Board of Directors and director in a press conference that the bishop “cared
of the Michigan Commission on Spanish more about stone idols” than the well being
Speaking Affairs, said the exploratory of the migrant workers the center served.
committee is made up of two people from But Cristo Rey is impossible to imagine
each organization: herself, Father Fred outside the church. Benavides pointed
Thelen, Christopher Conner, chairman out that in the 1970s, three community
of St. Vincent Catholic Charities Board of centers served Lansing’s Spanish-speaking
Directors, and Patricia Hepp, retired vice population, but only one has survived.
chairwoman of the St. Vincent board. Mason “Everybody else is gone except Cristo Rey,”
said they have met two times over the past Benavides said. “Quinto Sol is gone, Razas is
three months to discuss the merger. gone. Cristo Rey has remained. We have God.
“There’s just a lot — too many programs The diocese has always been a part of us.”
from each agency,” Mason said. “We’re all Since retiring from public service,
under the diocese; we’re a diocesan agency.” Benavides has kept busy doing pro bono work
Cristo Rey board member Norm Shinkle helping immigrants find legal help and health
said the merger “makes sense.” care. He said he’s willing to go back to work
“Obviously, we work hand in hand with for Cristo Rey until the slide is stabilized and
the diocese,” Shinkle said. “We are a division a permanent director can be found.
of them. If they want to make a change they “Cristo Rey needs to get back into business
have the ability to do it.” again,” he said. “They can do that. I don’t
Shinkle said consolidating Cristo Rey and need their money, I’m OK. I can volunteer
St. Vincent under an “umbrella organization” until they hire someone to do the job.”
was “a matter of time.” If that call comes, Eustacio Lozano may
“Eventually, the agencies are going to change his retirement plans. He turns 62
have one director,” he said. next year and said he would leave if things
But Cristo Rey board member Rick stay as they are at Cristo Rey.
Olivarez isn’t pleased with some of the deus “If Mr. Benavides came back, I’m not
for more information contact: 517-515-5634 or peaceedcenter@gmail.com
ex machina decisions handed down by the retiring,” he said.You can also read
