Two years of pandemic survival - in Greater Lansing A special issue - www.lansingcitypulse.com
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
www.lansingcitypulse.com March 9 - 15, 2022. Locally owned A newspaper for the rest of us Two years of pandemic survival in Greater Lansing A special issue City Pulse Ads.qxp_Layout 1 5/11/21 2:24 PM Page 2
Do you care about your drinking water? So do we. That’s why we hired Detroit-based environmental reporter Tom Perkins, who broke the story that federal and state regulators feared that BWL is polluting drinking water with dangerous chemicals. BWL pooh-poohed his reporting — until tests showed six wells were polluted. Now 60 more wells are being tested. Help us keep this kind of reporting alive in Lansing. Support the City Pulse Fund for Community Journalism. Donate online at lansingcitypulse.org/support-us or call Suzi Smith at (517) 999-6704 Donate by mail at City Pulse, 1905 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912. Please make checks payable to City Pulse. * For a tax-deductible contribution, make checks payable to the City Pulse Fund or select City Pulse Fund online for credit card gifts. Questions? Please call Suzi Smith at (517) 999-6704.
NOW OPEN New Hospital. New ER. 2900 Collins Road │ Lansing, MI 48910 mclaren.org/lansing Near the intersection of Forest and Collins Roads. Off of I-496/US 127 near Dunckel/Jolly Road Exit 11.
4 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • March 9, 2022 VOL. 21 ISSUE 31 (517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: (517) 999-5061 or email citypulse@lansingcitypulse.com PAGE CLASSIFIEDS & OBITUARIES: (517) 999-6704 EDITOR AND PUBLISHER • Berl Schwartz 5 publisher@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5061 MANAGING EDITOR • Kyle Kaminski kyle@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-6710 Marking the pandemic’s second anniversary ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR • Chloe Alverson chloe@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5068 PAGE EVENTS EDITOR/OFFICE MANAGER • Suzi Smith suzi@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-6704 14 PRODUCTION • Skyler Ashley skyler@lansingcitypulse.com They braved the pandemic with new businesses (517) 999-5066 STAFF WRITER • Lawrence Cosentino lawrence@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5065 PAGE SALES EXECUTIVE Lee Purdy • lee@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5064 34 SALES ASSISTANT Caleb Woloszyn-Duffy “An innovative St. Patrick’s Day meal caleb@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-6707 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Todd Heywood Cover heywood.reporter@gmail.com • (517) 899-6182 Contributors: Andy Balaskovitz, Capital News Service, Art Bill Castanier, Ryan Claytor, Mary C. Cusack, Tom Helma, Dedria Humphries Barker, Ari LeVaux, Gabrielle Law- rence, Kyle Melinn, Tom Perkins, Dennis Preston, Carrie Photo illustration by Design2Pro Sampson, Jen Sorensen, Nevin Speerbrecker, Tom Tomorrow, Rich Tupica, David Winkelstern, Paul Wozniak Delivery drivers: Dave Fisher, Michael Gross, Garrett Clinard, Melodee Mabbitt, Curtis Lauck NOW AT 10:00 A.M. SUNDAYS on
City City Pulse Pulse •• February March 9, 23, 20222022 www.lansingcitypulse.com www.lansingcitypulse.com 55 PULSE NEWS & OPINION Experts skeptical of BWL’s ‘naturally occurring’ boron claim Regulators order tests water wells that BWL has so far tested. Site tests detected boron levels be- wells located near and away from the Significant questions about the tween 2.48 mg/L and 4.17 mg/L. coal ash site is a quite simple task and on 60 more wells after problem’s scope also remain: BWL still Michigan hasn’t set specific health lim- (regulators and BWL) should provide doesn’t have a handle on the pollution its on the amount of boron allowed in that data rather than using ‘literature’ chemical found in six plume’s size or location, precisely how drinking water, though groundwater to prove their point,” he added. Regulators have ordered the Lansing many drinking water wells are contam- limits of 0.5 mg/L are in place — but EGLE said it’s up to BWL to deter- Board of Water & Light to test anoth- inated in the nearby vicinity or how that is based on plant toxicity, not hu- mine the boron’s source and that EGLE er 60 drinking water wells for boron long its neighbors have been drinking man health, officials at EGLE said. will “vet” BWL’s science and enforce and other contamination suspected to contaminated water supplies. The EPA has an unenforceable state regulations. be stemming from the Erickson Power BWL repeatedly claimed to be “pro- “health advisory” drinking water limit Experts who reviewed the data also Station’s toxic coal ash ponds. actively” investigating the pollution, expressed some skepticism of BWL’s The decision comes as BWL has be- but the utility knew about toxins leak- theory because available evidence sug- gun to claim the boron may be natural- ing from its ponds as early as April “There needs to be a serious gests the coal ash pond’s boron is be- ly occurring in mid-Michigan’s Sagi- 2020 and never alerted the public or investigation hind the contamination. naw aquifer from which the wells draw, its neighbors. that would Evans said the boron may be natu- not leaking from coal ash. It’s possible It only began testing after the En- rally occurring in the deeper aquifer that the boron is naturally occurring, vironmental Protection Agency and include water but said it’s already clear that the shal- experts who have reviewed test results Michigan Department of Environ- quality tests.” low aquifer is contaminated from the and aquifer data said, but they said the ment, Great Lakes and Energy De- — Avner ash, and she stressed that BWL and evidence — at least so far — suggests partment began enforcement action BWL’s coal ash is the source. on the pollution and BWL’s failure to Vengosh, Duke University EGLE are legally obligated to “aggres- sively test wells until they determine Though drinking water wells are be- respond. EGLE officials told City Pulse expert on coal ash the extent of the contamination.” COVID-19 IN REVIEW ing tested, public health advocates said that BWL is not acting proactively; It’s also extremely rare to find nat- that’s insufficient. the agency is actually requiring BWL of 6 mg/L for adults and 3 mg/L for urally occurring levels of boron as Water samples from around the to test and provide drinking water to children. Boron is linked to develop- high as what has been detected in the aquifer must be analyzed for chemical impacted homes and businesses as part mental and reproductive toxicity, low drinking water wells, Vengosh said. markers that will clearly determine the of a draft consent order that will legally birth weight and testicular shrinkage. And though the aquifer from which the boron’s source, but state regulators ha- mandate the utility to take the steps it’s Naturally occurring? wells are drawing does have a history ven’t required BWL to take that step, taking. EGLE spokesman Hugh McDiar- of high levels of naturally occurring bo- and the state and utility may instead Regulators said BWL violated a lit- mid wrote in an email that the agency ron, a “statistically valid” sample of wa- Photo by Nicole Rico base their analyses on previously pub- any of state and federal clean water is “not sure if the elevated boron in the ter collected from around the aquifer Eerily quiet downtown East Lansing at noon Monday, May 25, 2020. lished scientific literature. rules, and it faces the possibility of residential wells is due to contamina- around 20 years ago found those levels Rewinding two years of pandemic survival in Greater Lansing That would leave the boron’s source fines or other penalties. Among vio- tion from the Erickson site or not” be- near Williamston — not near the plant, in doubt, experts said, and could al- lations at the state level are a failure cause boron is also a naturally occur- he noted. low BWL to use its theory to shield it- to prevent groundwater contamina- ring element that has been detected at Evans also said BWL’s monitoring self from any responsibility to actually tion, obtain proper licenses and keep a higher-than-normal levels in the Sagi- wells that check for the “background” clean up the water contamination. Tri-county properregion distancetracks between the two-year ponds and tally: 88,000 cases, 1,200 deaths naw aquifer. levels of toxins near Lansing showed “It could be that those claims are groundwater. The state also cited the The aquifer once held salt water, much lower levels of boron than what’s true, but given that two It’s been we years are talking utility company since COVID-19 was de- for eneda failure to install public health whichstatewide. precautions can have higher levels 1,300ofcases boron. and 15indeaths. the drinking water wells. Meanwhile, about human health and people are liv- proper tected in Michigan. Since then, more than 2 pond liners, which are designed McDiarmid Michigan State University called off in-per- pointed to scientific liter- monitoring Retail associations advised storeswells to placed stop ac-between the ing here, wemillion can’t leave it as an academ- to prevent pollution near the Erickson ature that found naturally occurring residents — including at least 88,000 son classes. Students celebrated at local bars. cepting empty beer and soda containers. Toilet pond and wells show elevated levels ic question.people There in needs to be a serious Power Station site. levels as high as 6.4 mg/L. Determin- Greater Lansing — have caught the By Thursday, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor sus- paper and paper towels start to become scarce of boron, suggesting the presence of a investigation that would include water Federal rules also required utilities ing the source will require “additional virus, and nearly 35,000 Michiganders have pended employee travel. Residents were asked as local residents needlessly hoarded supplies. plume. quality tests,” said Avner reportedly died Vengosh, a to test water from complications tied toin 2017, but BWL to watch did not Council investigation,” meetings from home. heCops said. On April 1, Ingham But without County the appropriate reported its testing, Duke University geochemistry their infections. and wa- do so until 2020. “To do this, BWL is installing addi- stopped responding in person to certain crimes first COVID-19 death: a homebound man inand extent the contamination’s source ter quality researcher who studies coal “BWL’s three-year The two-year death toll in Ingham, Eaton and to reduce delay in sampling exposure. tional was Michigan monitoring tracking wells 50 his onsite, as wellwithmay mid-50s never be known. underlying health issues. ash ponds across the country. the groundwater, in violation of the Clinton counties topped 1,200 this week. As we cases by Saturday — three in Ingham County. as searching for additional existing “The Two weeks later, Beaumont lawHealth, requires thethem state’sto test, so Meanwhile, others have also ex- federal move past the grim second anniversary of the rule, endangered nearby res- data for boron occurrence in the Sagi- why Over the next few weeks, executive or- largest healthcare system, announced it was are they going to the library when pressed concern over drinking water idents,” pandemic, let’s take a look at how we got here. said Lisa Evans, an attorney naw aquifer, and other potential sourc- ders from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shuttered nearing capacity with nearly 450 COVID-19 or testing they need to be sinking wells wells’ “unhealthy” lithium levels, which with national environmental restaurant dining group es movie rooms, of boron in the area,” theaters, sa- he added.in its hospitals. patients drinking water?” Evans said. are just inside2020 the federal water quality Earthjustice, which has been moni- But Duke’s lons, libraries, casinos, gyms and just about ev-Vengosh said the investi- Meanwhile, BWL’s spokeswoman, standard, and could be naturally occur- toring the issue. ery “BWL’s subsequent gations should other venue. Business leaders were quickly also include water sam- Wednesday, April 15Adamy, Amy said it of — Thousands will no longer an- beep- ring. failure to comply with the federal rule’s Thursday, March 10 — The coronavirus ar- up in arms over the newly restrictive rules. pling that checks for salinity, isotope swer questions from ing vehicles swarm downtown Lansing, jam- City Pulse. Officials discovered in early February mandate rives in Michigan with the first two cases in to immediately determine the ratios and other markers that would By month’s end, Whitmer ordered closed all ming up intersections, blocking roads andplease visit (For more on this story, that boronsoutheast suspectedMichigan. to have Theleaked nature and extent announcement was other of thebusiness pollution, and clearly operations tell“not that were whether neces- thecrowding boron came www.lansingcitypulse.com.) the Capitol lawn to protest Whitmer’s from the coal ash ponds had contam- warn nearby residents, is at the core of from ash or was made just after polls closed for the primary elec- sary to sustain or protect life” and directed res- directives. naturally occurring, — TOM PERKINS inated six tion out of six nearby drinking the present problem.” and almost immediately triggered height- idents to stay home. The state tracked at least “Evaluating the water quality of See COVID, Page 6
6 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • March 9, 2022 Skyler Ashley/City Pulse Berl Schwartz/City Pulse A protester climbs atop his car in downtown Lansing Ignoring mask requirements, Michigan State University students in line to enter at the “Operation Gridlock” protest on April 15, 2020. Harper’s Restaurant and Brew Pub in East Lansing the first night bars could reopen on June 8, 2020. Harper’s cracked down after complaints. COVID-19 A trickle of revised executive orders over the summer made small social gatherings legal again, though those from page 5 mandates were rarely enforced. Shut- By then, health officials had tracked tered sections of the state’s economy nearly 30,000 cases and 2,000 deaths were allowed to reopen. Cranes were in Michigan. About 500 people tested also back in the sky above Lansing. positive for the virus in Greater Lan- Companies wasted no time getting their sing; the local death toll rested at 17. builders and manufacturers back to Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wrig- work — though many companies and gelsworth reported that most local en- offices were still reluctant to restart trepreneurs had fallen in line with state business as usual while viral fears lin- orders, though a few businesses were still gered. “pushing boundaries” on restrictions. An outbreak in the South Lansing On April 30, thousands more protest- Asian community showcased racial ers arrived at the Capitol, rallying in the disparities tied to the pandemic. Her- rain against Whitmer’s orders before bruck’s Poultry Ranch and the Mei- unsuccessfully attempting to breach the jer warehouse were identified as the House floor. epicenter. Health officials also tagged By the summer months, disputes over Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub, in emergency powers had reached a boil- East Lansing, as a viral hotspot. ing point after Whitmer refused to dele- Sparrow Health System opened a Photo by Nicole Rico gate to lawmakers her executive powers testing site at the Frandor Shopping Jon Howard, Flat, Black & Circular manager, reopened the East Lansing to declare and extend a state of emer- Center. A legal battle between Whit- vinyl and CD shop after weeks of being closed. He and his customers gency in Michigan. mer and the Legislature over her public were required to wear masks and capacity was limited. George Floyd’s murder in May also health protections continued. And by created a renewed disdain for police of- July, at least two dozen other bars and Whitmer’s executive authorities had be a few months until they were avail- ficers, heightening societal tensions and restaurants were ordered to again limit also then been defeated in court, but able to anyone who wanted them. political discourse on both sides of the capacities. the state Department of Health and aisle. An unusually quiet Welcome Week- Human Services enacted new restric- 2021 end followed at MSU. City Pulse count- tions to slow the spread — another Monday, June 8 — Michigan is riding ed at least 70 local businesses that had “three-week pause” on social gather- Greater Lansing (and much of Michi- high: Caseloads are decreasing and state closed through August. And by Septem- ings, along with more dining room gan) escaped an anticipated holiday-re- officials recorded for the first time that ber, Ingham County was back in “crisis closures for bars and restaurants. It lated case surge. State officials were still more than half of all patients have re- mode” again after tracking the highest was crippling for the industry, but the on high alert after the first B117 variant covered from the illness. It was a slight case transmission rates anywhere in the rules appeared to serve their purpose. case was detected in January. sign of hope and a trigger for freedom. state. County health officials remained hope- Early vaccine supplies were carefully Some bars and restaurants reopened ful while daily caseloads — as high as prioritized after the holidays to those for the first time, though many were Thursday, Nov. 12 — The pandem- 10,000 in mid-November — sharply most at risk, but City Pulse discovered still closed or limited to carryout orders. ic reached new levels of uncontrolled declined into December. that Schor and City Councilmen Pe- Massive crowds again formed at Harp- spread following a tumultuous election The first emergency use vaccine au- ter Spadafore and Brandon Betz had er’s Restaurant and Brewpub in East cycle, surging past 220,000 COVID-19 thorizations from the FDA were issued jumped the line — an issue that became Lansing. cases and 7,700 deaths. before Christmas, though it would still See COVID, Page 7
City Pulse • March 9, 2022 www.lansingcitypulse.com 7 COVID-19 from page 6 less controversial as supply caught up with demand. Despite the circulation of more con- tagious variants, caseloads only tum- bled into February — triggering state officials to again reel back epidemic restrictions in March to allow for larg- er household gatherings and expanded capacity limits at bars, restaurants and other venues. The shift was met about a week later with yet another rise in caseloads: the Photo by Nicole Rico Photo by Nicole Rico state’s “third wave.” Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, pictured with his son, Scott Keith, the president and CEO of Lansing Entertainment Ryan, as both worked at home during the early and Public Facilities Authority, inside an empty Jackson Field Wednesday, March 10 — The virus’ days of the pandemic. on June 1, 2020. All Lansing Lugnuts games, and other spe- one-year anniversary in Michigan was cial events, were on hold due to the virus. marked by a statewide death toll of 17,000 — including 276 people who had children ages 2 to 4 to wear face coverings Mask mandates stayed contentious. Vail tied the increase in cases and hos- died in Ingham County. while in gatherings at schools, camps and Several lawsuits were filed against sev- pitalizations to networks of unvaccinat- In an interview with City Pulse, Whit- other childcare facilities. Political tensions eral districts across the country over ed people. Fully vaccinated individuals mer looked back at the year with relent- lingered, as did a dangerous pattern of decisions on COVID-19 protocols that then represented only about 25% of all less optimism. misinformation about the safety and effi- fall — including a now-dismissed case cases of COVID-19. And since January, “What happens in the next couple of cacy of COVID-19 vaccines. from an “anti-masker” father at Dewitt fully vaccinated people represented only months is going to decide how well we Public Schools who wanted the mask about 1.7% of cases and 0.02% of deaths. actually rebound,” she said. “As we come Monday, May 25 — The curve flat- mandates dropped. About a week later, the first Michigan out of this, I know I'm going to continue tens. At the onset of that “fourth wave” in case of the omicron variant was detected trying to engage in dialogue with people With at least 55% of Michigan residents October, Sparrow Hospital nurses pick- in Michigan. The state ended up track- who don't automatically see the world ages 16 and older vaccinated against the eted in Lansing, calling on administra- ing a total of about 1 million more cases the same way as me. I want to learn coronavirus, the state reeled back precau- tors to fix staffing shortages and poor in 2021 — bringing the statewide total from them.” tions and allowed all in-person work to working conditions as cases rose. caseload to about 1.5 million since the Later that month, the state again re- resume across all sectors of employment. “The pandemic has shown us the pandemic arrived in the state. Ingham, stricted indoor gatherings to no more The daily commute resumes for thou- flaws in our healthcare system and how Clinton and Eaton counties collective- than three households at a time while sands of people. The return to in-person vital it is that these flaws be fixed. Spar- ly accounted for about 65,000 of those case rates pushed to new extremes. East work across all sectors marked the first row executives cannot keep choosing to cases and 1,000 deaths. Lansing also ordered masks in outdoor official milestone of Whitmer’s “MI Vacc skate on thin ice with our staffing lev- spaces across most of the downtown to Normal” plan, triggered by at least els,” said Katie Pontifex, a local nurse 2022 area. The county followed suit with 4.45 million Michigan residents having and president of the Professional Em- fresh capacity limits. received both doses of vaccine. ployee Council. Tuesday, Jan. 25 — The Ingham By April, anyone over age 16 could get The following weeks saw curfews and By November, both McLaren and County Health Department tracked vaccinated. The state set a goal to jab at capacity limits lifted at restaurants and Sparrow hospitals were again at or close enough cases to represent about one least 70% of the population — a finish bars. Restrictions on face masks also loos- to full capacity. infection for every five county residents line that still remains uncrossed with a ened: Fully vaccinated people were no Lansing Mayor Andy Schor lifted a while the omicron variant spread. vaccination rate of about 66%. longer required to wear masks or socially universal mask mandate at City Hall in January marked a month-long aver- distance in most settings. Most local busi- November, a controversial move that he age of about 555 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, April 15 — The “third nesses stopped requiring them at all. reversed days later after local health offi- tracked daily — the single highest rate wave” of the pandemic makes Greater Lingering uncertainties (and overall cials pushed back. of case positivity since the pandemic be- Lansing among the metropolitan areas hesitancy to get back to work) also pro- Every Michigan county ranked “high gan in March 2020. with the fastest climbing rates of coro- duced staffing shortages at a vast num- risk” under the CDC’s standards for covid Over the last few weeks, caseloads navirus transmission in the country. ber of local employers. Experts estimated transmission as winter arrived. In Ing- and positive rates plummeted near all- “We are not through this. Don’t give that the Lansing area alone saw more ham County, that spike was evidenced by time lows. up now,” said Ingham County Health than 22,000 new job postings in August more than 1,000 COVID-19 cases and 10 Face masks became less common — Officer Linda Vail. — up about 44% from over the prior year. related deaths tracked in one week. either through optimism or pandemic Mass vaccination efforts railed on at fatigue. MSU facilities and the Ingham County Wednesday, Sept. 22 — The FDA au- Wednesday, Dec. 1 — County health And as of last week, about 73% of In- Fairgrounds. The Lansing City Council thorizes booster vaccines for older adults officials were “troubled” and “perplexed” gham County residents who are eligible announced it would meet virtually un- and others at higher risk of COVID-19 by a recent increase in cases across In- to receive the vaccine had one, officials til caseloads begin to decrease. A brief complications while the Delta variant gham County, a statistic that also was said. Some age groups fared better than pause on the Johnson & Johnson vac- begins ratcheting up caseloads. borne out across Michigan. others: About 98% of those over age 65 cine created continued concerns over While a handful of Michigan schools Percent positivity rates had doubled were vaccinated. But only about 39% of vaccine hesitancy after it was found that had closed due to widespread illnesses, since October. Greater Lansing was in children between ages 5-11 were vacci- some women developed blood clots af- teachers hoped digital learning would trouble — again. “I didn’t expect a surge nated, in part because those shots were ter getting their shots. keep schools on schedule for yet another this time around,” Vail said. “I figured only available since mid-November. Before month’s end, the state ordered virtual year of education. with the vaccine we’d be OK.” — KYLE KAMINSKI
8 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • March 9, 2022 Dates that matter in Michigan’s response to COVID By KYLE MELINN fast enough for Republicans. For some Within the two years since the corona- in her own party, she moved too fast. virus blew into Michigan, Gov. Gretch- Along the way, the following dates en Whitmer has gone from aggressively provide the best review of the dates managing a response to barely acknowl- that mattered in Michigan's response to edging its existence. COVID-19. The vaccines allowed Whitmer to March 10, 2020—State's emergen- push personal responsibility as the best cy management folks report the first way to keep folks safe from dying or two presumptive cases of COVID-19 in falling seriously ill from COVID. Still Michigan two hours after gubernatorial the Governor was consistently criticized candidate Joe Biden was declared Mich- with playing politics with her decisions. igan'spresidential primary winner. She never loosened up restrictions The cases in Oakland and Wayne NOTICE THE CITY OF LANSING BOARD OF REVIEW WILL HOLD AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING ON TUESDAY, MARCH 8TH AT 2:00 PM. THE BOARD OF REVIEW OF THE CITY OF LANSING WILL MEET IN REGULAR SESSION TO HEAR APPEALS ON: MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022 AND TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2022 – 9AM TO 12 PM & 1:30 PM TO 4:30 PM; WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022 – 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM AND 5:30 PM TO 8:30 PM; THURSDAY, MARCH 17,2022, AND FRIDAY MARCH 18TH FROM 9AM TO 12 PM & 1:30 PM TO 3:30 PM AT LANSING CITY HALL, 124 W MICHIGAN AVE, 3RD FLOOR. Courtesy IF YOU WISH TO APPEAL YOUR ASSESSMENT OR SIMPLY WANT MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE ASSESSING OFFICE AT 517 483-7624. APPOINTMENTS ARE NOT Gov. GretchenWhitmer (left) and her chief medical executive, Dr. Joneigh REQUIRED BUT STRONGLY RECOMENDED TO AVOID WAIT TIMES. TAXPAYERS MAY Khaldun, at a news conference on May 29, 2020. SUBMIT AN APPEAL IN WRITING. ALL WRITTEN APPEALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THURSDAY, MARCH 17TH, 2022. PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR FORMS AND INFORMATION AT WWW.LANSINGMI.GOV all Michigan K-12 school buildings counties spark questions about the 2022 Ratios and Tentative Multipliers announcement’s timing. Anecdotally, closed from March 16 to April 6. The Michiganders were coming down sick order triggers the first of 95 executive Clinton County orders Whitmer signed in 2020 as a more than a week before.Now, two Property Class Tentative Ratio Multiplier years later, the Department of Health way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Agricultural 46.37 1.0783 and Human Services is chronicling Schools stay closed for the rest of the 14 COVID cases from March 1, 2020, academic year.Within days, every Commercial 47.47 1.0533 and two COVID deaths from February "non-essential" industry is ordered shut Industrial 47.39 1.0551 2020. through government action. Residential N/C March 12, 2020— Whitmer orders See State, Page 9 Timber Cutover N/C Developmental N/C NOTICE TO Eaton County RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS Property Class Tentative Ratio Multiplier CHARTER TOWNSHIP of LANSING NOTICE TO RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP Agricultural N/C OF LANSING OF THE INTENT OF THE TOWNSHIP TO CAUSE THE DESTRUCTION Commercial 47.23 1.0586 OF NOXIOUS WEEDS IN SUCH CASES WHERE RESIDENTS, AND/OR PROPERTY OWNERS FAIL TO CONTROL OR ERRADICATE SUCH WEEDS ON THEIR Industrial 43.36 1.1531 PROPERTIES. Residential 45.54 1.0979 This notice is published in lieu of notice to individual property owners. In the event that any property owner shall fail or refuse to destroy any noxious weeds by cutting them or Timber Cutover N/C by other means of control before the first day of May, 2022 or fail to keep them cut and/ Developmental N/C or controlled at any time thereafter during the growing season, the Commissioner of Noxious Weeds of the Township shall have the duty of entering such lands, and such weeds will be caused to be cut or destroyed by the Township. The owner or owners Ingham County of such lands shall pay the expense incurred in such destruction to the Township. The Township shall have a lien against such lands for such expense, which lien shall be Property Class Tentative Ratio Multiplier enforced in the manner now provided by for the enforcement of tax liens against the lot to be charged and will be collected as in the case of general property tax against Agricultural N/C lot or lots in question in the event the charges involved are not paid by the owner, Commercial 46.43 1.0769 agent, or occupant of said lot within thirty (30) days from the date of billing to said person by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. Charges will be made Industrial 47.25 1.0581 in accordance with Section 52.5 of the Code of Ordinances of the Charter Township of Lansing. Residential 46.44 1.0767 This notice appears by authority of Public Act 359 of 1941 of the State of Michigan and Timber Cutover N/C the Code of Ordinances, Title V, Chapter 52 of the Charter Township of Lansing. Developmental N/C Maggie Sanders, Clerk CP#22-056 Charter Township of Lansing CP#22-063
City Pulse • March 9, 2022 www.lansingcitypulse.com 9 March 23, 2020 — Michigan be- nue from the Capitol to near Frandor at Michigan Capitol Commission to ban ordering schools shut. Some general comes the 11th state to lockdown or one point. long guns from the Capitol. policies remain in place, but any school stay-in-place. The three-week order The day prior, one public survey May 20, 2020 — Michigan’s unem- closings or mask mandates were han- bans all out-of-movement to operations found 71% of Michigan voters approv- ployment rate in April soars to a record dled — from that point on — by county that weren’t necessary to “sustain or ing of Whitmer’s handling of the coro- 22.7%. The number is later revised to health departments, local governments protect life.” Whitmer ends up extend- navirus outbreak. April 16 was the high- 24%. or school districts. ing the order to April 30, May 28 and, est number of COVID-related Michigan May 21, 2020 — Attorney General Aug. 22, 2021 — Board of Educa- finally, to June 19. deaths reported for any day of the pan- Dana Nessel bans Trump from visiting tion member Pamela Pugh, the former Police are told to issue $1,000 tickets demic at 164. another indoor Michigan facility after chief medical adviser of Flint, asks the to anyone caught violating the execu- April 29, 2020 — The Legislature he shows up unmasked to the Ford plant administration to impose a mandato- tive order, but relatively few were ever declines to extend the governor’s emer- in Ypsilanti. Trump visited Michigan ry mask rule in every Michigan school issued. At the time, an independent gency executive order authority anoth- five times in one week as the election building. She accuses the governor of 501(c)3 nonprofits called “Act Now Co- er 30 days, spurring Whitmer to sign neared, but all events were outdoors. putting politics before safety. Hertel alition” projected that if Michigan had new EOs the next day anyway, claim- June 19, 2020 — The Unemployment says it is now up to local control. poor compliance with the “Stay Home, ing a 1945 state law gave her the pow- Insurance Agency reported that 93% of Sept. 29, 2021 — A $70 billion bud- Stay Safe” order, 59,000 people could er to do it without lawmakers’ OK. The everyone eligible for benefits were ap- get, the largest in history, is signed into die. As of March 6, 2022, Michigan’s move ignites a showdown. The gover- proved and most of the remaining 7% law, bolstered by an extra $5 billion in death toll from COVID was 32,118. nor wins short term, but the Legisla- who were not were suspected of fraud. federal COVID-19 relief money and March 27, 2020 — President Donald ture ultimately prevails before the state The beleaguered agency struggled to a huge influx in the sales tax collected Trump’ steady stream of insults toward Supreme Court in October. Lawmakers keep up with new claims during the from online sales. Only 16 months pri- Whitmer reaches a peak when he re- later repeal the ‘45 law. height of the pandemic, costing Direc- or, state budget estimators projected a ferred to her as “the woman in Michi- April 30, 2020 — A couple dozen tor Steve Gray his job. massive $6.2 billion budget hole. gan” and tweets “Gretchen ‘Half ’ Whit- armed protesters roamd the Capitol Jan. 22, 2021 — DHHS Director Jan. 3, 2022 — Omicron peaks in mer.” At the time, Whitmer was being and the state Senate gallery during Robert Gordon abruptly resigns after Michigan. A total of 24,788 cases were considered as Biden’s running mate the now-infamous “pro-liberty patri- conflicting with the governor behind reported while 23,117 were reported Whitmer responds by wearing a “That ot” rally. While some now frame it as a the scenes over stricter COVID-19 or- the day after, likely a result of New Year Woman From Michigan” T-Shirt on “dress rehearsal” for the Jan. 6, 2021, ders. Whitmer pushes to loosen youth parties spreading this highly contagious The Daily Show. U.S. Capitol insurrection, police force sports restrictions sooner than Gordon but less deadly variant. April 15, 2020 — Between 3,000 was only used to remove two protesters wanted amid stiff public pressure. Eliz- Jan. 12, 2022 — Michigan’s auditor and 4,000 pickups, 18 wheelers and from the House gallery. Four protesters abeth Hertel, of East Lansing, replaces general reports 8,061 COVID deaths cars jammed Lansing’s streets leading are later charged with plotting to kid- him. came from nursing homes or other to the Capitol to protest the governor’s nap Whitmer. The jarring presence of March 12, 2021 — Records show the long-term care facilities, making up “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. Operation weapons inside the Senate chambers governor flew to Palm Beach to visit her about a quarter of all Michigan-related Gridlock stretched down Michigan Ave- during a politically tense time spurs the ailing father. Outside the “Stay Home, COVID deaths. The number became a Stay Safe order,” Michigan never had flashpoint for Republicans, who claim any travel restrictions, per se, but extra- DHHS was purposely undercounting neous travel was frowned upon. the results, but the auditor’s percentag- Vehicle Auction Tuesday, March 22, 9am May 23, 2021 — A complaint is filed es were right around the 34% of COVID 2010 Toyota Yaris JTDJT4K35A5286037 against the Landshark in East Lansing deaths that DHHS reported back in Swift Towing, 2347 N. Cedar, Holt after a photo of Whitmer seated un- June 2020. Also, the auditor used a No calls CP#22-064 masked with 12 other guests surfaces on much broader definition of long-term social meetings. At the time, restaurants care facilities than DHHS, which had were limited to only seating six guests been sticking with federal definitions in per table. their reporting. NOTICE TO PUBLIC OF AVAILABILITY CITY OF LANSING June 22, 2021 — The governor ends (Kyle Melinn is an editor and reporter CONSOLIDATED PLAN, FY 2022 – 2026 COVID-era restrictions 463 days after for the Capitol news service MIRS.) ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, FY 2022-2023 Notice is hereby given that the City of Lansing proposes to present notice of availability on the Five-Year Consolidated Plan, 2022-2026 and the Annual Action Plan for FY 2022 (7/1/22- 6/30/23). A draft of the document will be available for public review and comment during the CITY OF LANSING 30-day comment period from March 10 – April 8, 2022 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Copies of the document and the proposed use of Community Development funds are NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held on Monday, March 14, 2022 at available for review at the City Clerk's office, Ninth Floor, City Hall, 124 W. Michigan Ave.; the 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 10th Floor Lansing City Hall, 124 W. Michigan Ave., Capital Area District Library, 401 South Capitol; the Department of Economic Development Lansing, MI for the purpose of considering: and Planning Office, 316 N. Capitol, Suite D-1, Lansing, MI or on the Development Office website at: www.lansingmi.gov/development An Ordinance of the City of Lansing, Michigan, amend the Lansing Codified Ordinances by amending Chapter 696, Section 696.07, to provide requirements for owners of All written comments submitted by citizens of Lansing will be considered and reviewed for firearms to report the theft thereof and provide penalties for failure to make a report. possible inclusion in the final Five-Year Consolidated Plan, 2022-2026 and the Annual Action Plan for FY 2022 to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation to fully participate in these meetings (HUD) no later than May 14, 2022. A summary of all comments received will be attached to should contact the City Council Office at 517-483-4177 (TDD (517) 483-4479) 24 hour notice the final document. may be needed for certain accommodations. An attempt will be made to grant all reasonable accommodation requests. For information regarding the Consolidated Plan/Annual Action Plan Action Plan please contact: For more information, please call 517-483-4177. If you are interested in this matter, please attend the public hearing or send a representative. Written comments will be accepted Doris Witherspoon, Senior Planner between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on City business days if received before 5 p.m., on the day of City of Lansing, Michigan the Public Hearing at the City Clerk’s Office, Ninth Floor, City Hall, 124 West Michigan Ave., Department of Planning and Neighborhood Development Lansing, MI 48933 or email city.clerk@lansingmi.gov. 316 North Capitol, Suite D-1 Lansing Michigan 48933-1236 Chris Swope, Lansing City Clerk, MMC/MiPMC Telephone (517) 483-4063 www.lansingmi.gov/Clerk doris.witherspoon@lansingmi.gov CP#22-060 www.facebook.com/LansingClerkSwope CP#22-061
10 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • March 9, 2022 Lansing Legend: Dr. Surae Eaton-Sangster By AUDREY MATUSZ equipment to us as far as microscopes, One thing they don’t tell you about medical beds and ophthalmoscopes. Dr. being a doctor is that your job doesn’t Roux was my supervisor at the center end once you retire. Dr. Surae Ea- and one day he said, “Surae, you can’t ton-Sangster, 72, is one of Lansing’s practice medicine without a license.” It most remembered family doctors. She was that impetus that made me want sees her time working at Sparrow as a to return to school. I applied to Howard blessing and continues to view her pro- and Michigan State, got into both, and fession as a means to connect with her decided to come back to Michigan State greater community. where my support system was. How long have you lived in Lansing? How long did the Center for Black I was born at Sparrow Hospital. I was Education last? gone for 17-18 years but been back for I’d say at least five or six years. In the 38 years or so. end, we ran out of funding, and all went What got you into family medicine? our separate ways. D.C. really changed Courtesy I went to Howard University plan- things for me. I tell my kids today, I Dr. Surae Eaton-Sangster ning to go into physical therapy, howev- used to not see white people for weeks. er Howard did not offer such a program It was my first time seeing abject pov- churches. Protect Michigan was only nephew who had a stroke a few years (laughs), but I was accepted to How- erty. Coming from Lansing, to see the commissioned for a year, but we ended ago and needs a lot of advocating in ard! I knew I would figure it out. It was dichotomy of poverty there was just an with 88% vaccination rate for ages 65+ hospitals. the ‘60s and the peak of the civil rights eye opener for me. statewide. The reason flu season was basical- movement and I ended up with a group Where were you during the King as- What was the biggest barrier in out- ly nonexistent in 2021 was because we of students who would lead demonstra- sassinations? reach? were wearing masks. I was at a Mich- tions and organize student sit-ins. Then I don’t know if I want that on tape Probably the biggest barrier in terms igan State basketball game, and they I suddenly decided that I didn't need (laughs). It was a wild time up and of COVID outreach was technology. have discontinued mask wearing, which to go to school. I dropped out. I want- down Georgia Avenue and 14th Street. Because in most cases you had to reg- surprised me. I still wore my mask. We ed to help people in my community and All the main streets in D.C. ister to get a vaccine, and that registra- went from you couldn’t get in without helped start a space called the Center Has your opinions on rioting changed tion was online. At least in Ingham and your immunization card and wearing a for Black Education. We took over an over time? Eaton County we primarily focused on mask to just “come on in.” But it’s still old house in a ghetto of D.C. and offered As I’ve matured, I no longer think African American churches and setting an issue because you don’t know who a lot of programs: educational, child- there is a reason for rioting for civil dis- up walk-in clinics, such as the Lansing is vaccinated, and even if they are, they care and of course a medical program. cord or as an outlet. For several reasons. Mall. could be asymptomatic carriers. Howard medical students and faculty It’s often in our own communities where What clubs are you in? Can community help you stay health- volunteered and a local doctor donated we’re destroying businesses. We’re ri- I’m the treasurer of the Greater Lan- ier? oting for our own gains, like stealing sing Area Club of the Negro Business It does! I think I’ve always enjoyed TVs for own personal reward. Certain- and Professional Women’s Club Inc. It’s exercise. I play pickleball at least once ly, demonstrations are something we a chapter of a national organization that a week and like going on walks with should continue to do, but rioting does has been around since 1935. My moth- friends. My son’s a runner and my not lead to any progress at all. er started the Lansing club in 1982, daughter owns a spinning gym studio What was the pandemic like for you? which is known as the Greater Lansing while working for the Pacers. My sister Last January, the governor developed Area Club. GLAC, as well as the nation- is amazing, she’s 83 and still runs 5Ks. a program called Protect Michigan for al association, does a lot of community She just did the Turkey Trot and came COVID though Michigan Department outreach like back-to-school backpacks to Thanksgiving dinner with her first- of Health and Human Services. It was for kids. Every year we have a Founder’s place medal. She is my inspiration. divided into 19 workgroups. I was the Day, which is coming up next month, We lost quite a few people in the Lan- chair of the senior health workgroup, and we give out the Sojourner Truth sing area to COVID and the individuals which had people from different coun- award to recognize some outstanding that we lost were primarily unvaccinat- Audrey Matusz, the author of this ties working in nursing homes or AAA individual in the Lansing area. We also ed. I didn’t take care of COVID patients, series, is a former arts and culture (Aging Assistance Agency). Within Clin- have a community service award and however, experts on TV did speak often editor of City Pulse who was born ton, Eaton, and Ingham we would put other things based on what people have of premorbid conditions and people in Lansing and grew up in Okemos. on clinics and with both AARP and the done in the community. didn’t do so well when they had obesity, She is a graduate of the Residential Protect Michigan workgroup. We cre- What was 2020-‘21 like for you as a cardiovascular disease, hypertension — College of the Arts and Humanities ated phone trees and called people to care provider? things that are often preventable with at Michigan State University. She is collect questions people had about the First, my husband has a chronic lung good health maintenance. A sense of a digital and instructional designer vaccine. We focused on Southeast Mich- condition and needs a lung transplant, spirituality is also important for good for the Michigan Victim Advocacy igan, which was a void in the number of so my biggest concern was keeping him health, whether you call that God or Network. vaccinated people. In Ingham County, away from COVID. I do a lot of consul- not. You need to feel connected to the we focused on housing clinics in Black tation with friends and family. I have a world.
City Pulse • March 9, 2022 www.lansingcitypulse.com 11 City Pulse • March 2, 2022 www.lansingcitypulse.com 11 to have any chance to win reelection immunity evidently doesn’t last very 24 months Maybe ofproblem Peffley is the Covid this year. tively” Of course, tested we want six drinking wellsherintothe long. claimed to be in compliance with win. It area. ThewasRepublican a sweetheart alternatives move forare a As a result, federal some coal ash experts rules, butnow say said experts a disturbing utility company mixcaught of Trumpianin the tools midst itthose will take rules better werethan violateda 90% vacci- back in 2017 ofand self-aggrandizing, a possible cover up. nouveau riche nation when rate,BWLplus those failed to testwhofor have ac- contam- Lansing Board of Water & Light building a media firewall around This week marks the second and turn everyone into compliant weirdos Except, running it wasn’t. vanity BWL campaigns wasn’t pro- quired ination. immunity by getting a COVID general manager Dick Peffley is start- Peffley and other top executives anniversary of the first COVID-19 sheeple. that activelypump doingup their inflated anything. sense infection, BWL has to conceivably also repeatedly reachmadeherd ing to have some real problems on his to answer our questions. She has diagnosis in Michigan. It’s been a The pandemic brought out both ofThe their immunity. hands, even though company, instead, hadstate qualifications to run actually claims about the investigation long, strange andhepainful refusesride.to look The learned well the best infrom longtime America and theLansing worst. government. Still, we think she could Experts also say that COVID will downincalculable and acknowledge that he’s still been ordered by state regulators to process that directly contradict loss of human life, the public The relations practitioner list of heroes Steve is long, starting and should have stayed the course, soon transition from pandemic to holding them. devastation, the collapse of Serkaian, get a handle on the pollution situa- statements from EGLE. In other in- economic with ourexecutive frontlinedirector healthcareof public workers saved more lives, and won reelection endemic, slowly fading into the back- State environmental recordsthe abject affairs at BWL and a holdover from tion. Moreover, those reactive results stances, Adamy and Peffley have only comity among Americans, ground but still claiming victims like released in January failures revealed of our political that leadership the Bernero days. spelled out some really bad news: downplayed the issue. other diseases we don’t think about Peffley hasofknown — all for us it has left nearly two shell-shocked, veryEvenmuch. BWL Board Chairman yearstattered about dangerous and torn. chemical David We’re sure it—will Price someone who should be a thrilling if contamination The goodleaking news is from the large we finally may misplaced validation for the—COVID definitely be in the know wasn’t toxicbecoal ash aponds seeing glimmer thatofsurround light at the informed deniers when of the contamination the ailment is finally the Erickson end of thePower pandemic Station in Delta tunnel. Case problems before declared to be no worse January. thanHe thewasflu. Township numbers — which for decades are dropping may precipitously. Oftold the ponds course, weren’t this means thatcontaminating lots of haveMask mandatesnearby also poisoned are falling away like drinking groundwater, people will continuewhichtowas get also sick, directly and water autumn supplies leaves on aprivate feeding blusterywellsday. contradicted the most vulnerable by regulatory will continue docu-to It feels like and municipal we are in the home systems. ments. die, just like the flu. stretch, High levels but of we have toboron, lithium, wonder TDSif we And when Sadly, presented the pandemic willwith neverEGLE’s be are setting ourselves and molybdenum have beenup for yet anoth- leaching statements, over for thoseAdamywith thehas still insisted misfortune of fromerthedangerous three ponds variant, since yet2020 another and acquiring the agency theismysterious wrong. and debil- spike that again overwhelms still neither BWL nor state regulators our itating long formPeffley Meanwhile, of COVID. Signif-to be still claims knows hospitals. how long We’ve the been problemherehasbefore and icant resources need to be “proactively” investigating the situa- dedicated existed — though the plant, whichnot had our hopes crushed, so let’s is totion studying despite why it happens having knownand howthe about plan the pandemic closing ceremo- toissue treatatit.the Erickson Power Station as off Canal Road in Eaton County, has nies just yet. We also early need2020, as April to recognizerecords andshowed. operated the ponds since 1974. Worldwide, the official estimate is redress the disparate While the state has ordered impacts of the at least When City Pulse broke that news, that 6 million people have lost their pandemic another 60 on wells communities to be tested, of color BWL Peffley and his PR team quickly lives to COVID-19, but the true num- — nurses and doctors and EMTs and by pouring some jumped by standing BWL firm six only tested on herwells.principles. And all of still doesn’t haveofathe handlebillionson in the bersinto action — except are undoubtedly much thelarger. Instead support of an — staff interview, but it also Peffley includes The executives leading our local federal aid into support for fami- damage control wasn’t centered on responded only in a polished op-ed them came back for potentially dan- pollution plume’s size or location, A recent review by The Economist the everyday workers who drove the healthcare systems were another lies and children who continue to assessing environmental and public in which he repeatedly questioned gerously high levels of boron. how many drinking water wells are estimated the global death toll at trucks that kept critical supply chains disappointment. It is beyond our struggle with the aftereffects of the health That’s a six for six, Dick. contaminated in the nearby vicinity 14 risks. million Instead, to 23.5itmillion. was about Here in assessments moving, the from environmental grocery store workers ex- comprehension that neither Sparrow economic meltdown. Some of the protecting Michigan, BWL’snearlypublic image. 35,000 lives have perts who and didinsisted their bestthatto drinking water keep the shelves Michigan doesn’t set health limits nor McLaren proactively required or how long its neighbors have been heaviest burdens of the pandemic fell Andbeenthat’s lost,simply but many not more the typecontinue is safe and that stocked, and BWL’s water supplies on boron in drinking water, their em- though onsipping on andamong the youngest showering us asin boron schools of leadership to suffer the we consequences need at a publicly of the continue the food toser- “meet or exceed” all reg- groundwater limits of 0.5 mg/L ployees to get are water. and families struggled to cope with owned utility company. disease. ulatory safety vice industry in place. vaccinated. Of EPA Fromdisruptions massive Day One, BWL in thehas not been education- The CP Edit In a What January haveop-ed, Peffleyover we learned attacked the past standards. personnel also all the has an people al enterprise. They will need our health forthcoming about this public sup- City 24 Pulse’s months?credibility That’s for sounding a tricky ques- While who put tech- up unenforceable who conceiv- calamity port to get— backdenying on track ouremotionally reporters the alarm about the tion because potential it’s clear that afor con- nically signif- with true, unap- “advisory” ably could lim- an opportunity and academically.to conduct basic icant swath of Americans taminated groundwater and drink- learned preciative his statements and Opinion it of 6 mg/Lbe and should interviews and then In the meantime, thefailing rest ofto theanswer absolutely nothing. ing water supplies — even outright Drowning in sometimes completely for adults required toand get several world emailed is still a giant questions. incubatorThe for latest misinformation and denying that drinking water could parading the abusive ignored the cus- 3 the mg/L jab, for hospi- PR variants new tactic seems to be centered that could be mild, but on righteous indignation be contaminated that stems despite experts tomers for potential while putting themselves contamination and children. at dozens BWL’s tal personnel who well aretests charged detected with simplynot. maybe ignoring That’s City why it’s Pulse altogether imperative from a dangerous who have suggested otherwise. The combination of their families in jeopardy by of private wells that provide drinking working caring boron for levelsthe sick between — not 2.48 making mg/L and for and thehoping U.S. and theour global partners problem — or at least to ignorance and defiance, experts similarly poured cold water scores of our in close contact with the water for hundreds of people near public. people 4.17 mg/L.sick — top the list. accelerate distribution public awareness of the of vaccines problemand — fellowlatest on BWL’s citizens remain convinced, contention that the For the Erickson. Hisfirst 18 months, statements wedidn’t also were Where doshows Research we go thatfromboron here? Earlyis treatments just evaporates.around the planet. despite pollution is overwhelming occurring naturally evidence to the offer deeply much impressed with Gov. Gretch- acknowledgement that in the pandemic harmful to plant we lifewere told we at lower levels. As we hopefully We’re reluctantapproach to say this thenext end contrary, that Groundwater the pandemic feeds drinking water en Whitmer’s is a hoax, a problem resolve. We’ll even existed, muchfollow less could achieve Boron has alsoherd beenimmunity linked toafter devel- ofstatement our long national given thenightmare, inadequate let’s lead- that COVID-19 is no worse than the the science, she said, and she did. At a certain portion opmental and reproductiveof the population toxici- do everything ership also tiedwe to canhis topredecessor: close the supplies. At best, it was unclear then explain why BWL officials seemed flu, and that it’s all part of a conspir- least until she embraced the political ty, waslowvaccinated. birth weight Omicron pushed that and shrunken door But behind if Peffley usandandthe ensure restthat this of his team whether contaminated groundwater to have alerted nobody of the public acy by Democrats and the Washing- winds that counseled pulling back day farther testicles. out due to its incredibly tragic and senseless chapter don’t start prioritizing public safety in our was reaching drinking water drawn health concerns. ton deep state to divide our country on statewide mandates if she hoped high transmissibility Peffley, apparently,and hasn’tbecause been our nation’s over their history public is never image, repeated. then perhaps by wells. Meanwhile, utility docu- About a month later, without hav- ments didn’t show any plans to test ing directly addressed any problems, drinking from those taps. His ballsy it’s time for him to seriously consider drinking water and BWL spokes- the PR campaign continued with the PR campaign only continues. resigning from the post. Have something to say about a local issue or an item that appeared in our pages? Now you have two ways to sound off: woman Amy Adamy was too busy announcement that BWL had “proac- EPA documents showed that BWL 1.) Write a letter to the editor. • E-mail: letters@ lansingcitypulse.com • Snail mail: City Pulse, 1905 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912 • Fax: (517) 371-5800 • At lansingcitypulse.com Have something 2.) Write to say a guest column. about a local issue or an item that appeared in our pages? Now you have two ways to sound off: Contact Berl Schwartz for more information: publisher@lansingcitypulse.com or (517) 999-5061. (Please include your name, address 1.) Write a letternumber and telephone to the so editor. we can reach you. Keep letters to 250 words or fewer. City Pulse reserves the right to edit letters and columns.) • E-mail: letters@ lansingcitypulse.com • Snail mail: City Pulse, 1905 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912 • Fax: (517) 371-5800 • At lansingcitypulse.com 2.) Write a guest column. Contact Berl Schwartz for more information: publisher@lansingcitypulse.com or (517) 999-5061. (Please include your name, address and telephone number so we can reach you. Keep letters to 250 words or fewer. City Pulse reserves the right to edit letters and columns.)
You can also read