Where mayoral candidates stand on Lansing's key issues

LANSING -- There's a lot at stake in this year's city election. 

A new mayor takes office on Jan. 1 and could be accompanied by up to four new City Council members. The primary is Aug. 8; the general election is Nov. 7. 

The State Journal asked eight questions of Lansing's five mayoral candidates. Answers were limited to 100 words.

Four of the candidates responded. Messages left with candidate Danny Anthony Trevino weren't returned. 

The candidates who responded: 

• At-Large City Council Member Judi Brown Clarke
• State Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing
• Harold Leeman Jr., former council member 
• Michael Joseph Gillenkirk

The questions and their responses: 

1. What would be your top three priorities if elected?

Clarke: Infrastructure improvements - specifically roads and sidewalks; education and workforce development; neighborhoods and business corridor development. 

Schor: I have an extensive 25-page vision statement on my website at www.andyschor.com. The summary of the vision for Lansing's future statement focuses on revitalizing and rehabilitating neighborhoods, (effective and maintained parks, fixing local roads and sidewalks, housing options and assistance) economic and community development, (jobs, small business, development in our downtown as well as commercial districts and corridors, riverfront development, grocery options throughout the city), infrastructure and services (road fixes and maintenance, sidewalk fixes, police and fire) city and schools (reverse negative perception of Lansing schools, provide academic resources, human services in schools). 

Leeman: Number one: grow the economy. Two: open and ethical government. Three: clean up the neighborhoods and business corridors. 

Gillenkirk: Reduce taxes, including replacement for retirement packages. Free teachers to really teach much higher levels of academic/technical levels of achievement. Return Lansing to a model city, hosting and providing quality living circumstances here. "Let's LET LANSING LIVE AGAIN!" 

2. What should the city do to fix its pension and health care shortfall?

Schor: The city has a $128 million annual budget, but a $600 million unfunded liability. We have been paying into this yearly, but are still significantly unfunded over the next several years. As mayor, I will utilize (former) Mayor Hollister and the current Financial Health Team, as well as bring together all parties involved (employees, retirees, etc.) to work through solutions. I will also utilize the relationships that I have in the legislature and governor's office to craft a plan including state involvement, as they are a big part of the creation of the problem. 

Leeman: Continue to deal with issue every fiscal year a little bit at a time. 

Gillenkirk: We must replace the reasons for the shortfall with a comprehensive 401(k) plan for all retirees. If the man or woman moves on to other employment, the need for a retirement package would not be needed until that individual is really retired. 

Clarke: Lansing's unfunded pension and health care shortfall is well over $600 million. Bankruptcy is a possibility if we do not continue the fiscal prudency of the Hollister and Bernero administrations. I would not sell the BWL because we would be sacrificing a long-term, sustainable revenue source for a short-term, one-time payment. Lansing hired the Segal Consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive study that identified potential cost-saving solutions. Working with Segal Consulting and the Financial Health Team, the city will assess the different solutions and create an effective strategic plan that addresses the shortfall. 

3. What is your stance on commercial and residential regulations for medical marijuana?

Leeman: I will respect the laws of the federal, state and local governments. 

Gillenkirk: All drugs are not part of Lansing and needs to be in place for our regrowth. The idea "drugs" are a good thing because someone says so is the same as saying eating a human being is 'another source of red meat.' ... Really? 

Clarke: Every city that addresses the medical marihuana industry needs to respect the vote that made this market possible. As a city council member, I proposed a medical marihuana ordinance that aligns with current state laws and reflects best practices of other national cities. It is my desire to create a safe and fair process that provides Lansing's patients access to quality businesses and safe products. Key aspects include the establishment/oversight of a Lansing Medical Marihuana Commission, reduction of dispensaries from 75 to 25, and buffering zones aligned with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. 

Schor: The mayor and City Council must work together to create an ordinance. As state representative, I voted for the law passed in September allowing Lansing to create a regulatory framework for dispensaries. We must now accomplish this regulatory framework and adequately regulate these dispensaries (safe product, financial ability to operate, proper maintenance of property, etc.). We must also regularly inspect these dispensaries to ensure compliance. Bad actors should be fined or closed. I am also concerned about clustering of dispensaries and would rather see them more spread out to prevent "marijuana districts" in Lansing. 

4. How would you improve relationships among the city's elected officials?

Gillenkirk: This is a good question. Improve the educational quality and educational expectations; bring factory and other manufacturing opportunities back to Lansing; improve small businesses all across the city; consolidate offices and "welcoming" into CIty Hall. 

Clarke: Since the city council members and city clerk are my current colleagues, I already have relationships with each and look forward to continuing to work positively with them. There will be times of disagreement; however, it will always be about the issues and not personal attacks. The bottom line is that neither the mayor, city council members, nor the city clerk can effectively and efficiently serve the community working alone. It is important to keep the "community first" in all matters, and ensure that the lines of communication remain open and receptive to discourse. 

Schor: I am not part of the current divisiveness in city government. I have excellent relationships with current City Council members and with City Council candidates. I come in to the mayor's office with a clean slate and ablity to work well with the City Council. As state representative and county commissioner, I worked closely with both Democrats and Republicans to pass laws and lead on important issues. I will bring this relationship building to the city. I will re-institute regular meetings with City Council, share my ideas with council members and hear their individual thoughts. We will work together.   

Leeman: I get along with everyone, and if elected my administration will be open and not into personal attacks with any elected official. 

5. How can the city improve its infrastructure given the funding limitations? 

Clarke: Due to inadequate levels of state infrastructure funding, estimates are that it will cost over $211 million to restore Lansing's streets to just an average condition. Mayor Bernero recommended a ballot measure be taken to the voters this November to provide a 1.0 dedicated millage for additional road funding. I support this millage. If passed by the residents, as mayor, I will ensure these funds are added to our limited state funds and used specifically for road repairs. While this funding is not adequate to repair all roads, but it will make a significant and positive impact with the city. 

Schor: Roads and sidewalks are our biggest infrastructure need. Lansing receives road dollars from the state and generates road dollars from our millage. I will meet with residents throughout the city to identify priority needs for roads and sidewalks neighborhood-by-neighborhood. We will cost out these priority needs and set a plan to match the existing dollars with these priority  needs. I will also maintain the fixed and existing infrastructure so we don't have good roads or sidewalks that deteriorate prematurely. We will also update other infrastructure such as public safety equipment and buildings through the existing budget. 

Leeman: I will prioritize by ward, cut the general fund budget for police and fire to make it all happen. 

Gillenkirk: We must make budget changes; BWL becoming a department of Lansing government; eliminate the current irrational retirement difficulty by replacing those existing and current packages with 401(k) programs; elimination of environmental controls, especially as applicable to the BWL. The restoration of our streets and sidewalks must be a top priority. With the elimination of budget ove rsights, Lansing will have the needed money for beginning the full restoration of streets and sidewalks and other "needed" maintenance. 

6. What's your take on tax breaks/incentives for businesses or developers? 

Schor: Tax incentives are important to entice necessary jobs and development to Lansing. I support ensuring incentives are used for projects that wouldn't happen without that incentive. We must forego some future revenues to ensure new jobs will be created for small business and retail, and for economic benefit. These incentives, though, must be used for gap financing and to ensure projects will actually happen - not as future tax giveaways. Our economic development experts will weigh the metrics and make sure projects are a net gain for Lansing, and that our residents have the ability to benefit from them. 

Leeman: I have a 12-year City Council record of supporting proper tax breaks and incentives to business and developers that will follow the laws. My administration will follow up when giving any kind of tax breaks to make sure the developers are delivering what they promised. 

Gillenkirk: First are Lansingers tax bills. These must be reduced at least by half - all applicable taxes. Secondly, incentivize small businesses within neighborhoods, including protection from governmental overreach. Lastly, for developers, Lansing is overwhelmed with monstrous buildings without protection for our historic buildings (the old LSJ and the YMCA and the School for the Blind, among others). 

Clarke: I believe a key component of an economic development strategy is to use tax incentives as an economic development tool to compete against other states and globally for investment, jobs and income. Additionally, we need to diversify our efforts and provide incentive opportunities that include small businesses and corridor/neighborhood development. 

7. Do you support efforts to increase shared services across the region? 

Leeman: I believe in regional services. I have a City Council record of supporting regional issues.  

Gillenkirk: My first priority is the health and safety for Lansing, which is in current difficulty. Let us restore our own city, then other considerations will follow. 

Clarke: Yes. I value regionalism and some shared services. I am fortunate to have been supported by my tri-county regional colleagues, who voted me as the current chair of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission and the current chair of the Capital Area Michigan Works Administrative Board. Both leadership roles have provided me with valuable insight and a tremendous vantage point on key regional challenges (e.g., transportation planning, environmental planning, economic development, land-use management and education and workforce development) requiring collaborative partnership leveraging/blending of funds, and opportunities for shared services. 

Schor: Yes, we must work with our neighbors to do our best to share services and be more efficient as governments. I am proud of the support that i have from elected officials in neighboring communities and at the county, and will leverage these relationships to create partnerships for service sharing. Regionalism should mean that governmental bodies work together for the benefit of citizens of the region. There is much we will do with our regional neighbors and with organized labor and the business community to create efficiency and propel our entire region forward.  

8. Are you current on all city, county and state taxes? 

Gillenkirk: Personally, I am up to date. However, I will need to receive the taxes in place at these three levels. 

Clarke: Yes. 

Schor: I am current on all city, county and state taxes. I am current on federal taxes as well. 

Leeman: Yes, I am current on all my city, county and state taxes. 

Coming up: Candidates for at-large council seats and 2nd and 4th Ward seats.

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.