Meet this Year's Candidates for City Council and Catch Up With Other Reporting From ELi
This week, ELi delivered its candidate series that reports on the goals and backgrounds of the six candidates for City Council.
We’ve officially reached campaign season, about two months ahead of November’s City Council election.
This week, Reporting Intern Allison Treanor helped us get to know the six candidates who will be competing for two open spots on City Council this fall. Start your weekend by reading ELi’s candidate series and catching up with our other reporting.
Meet Adam DeLay
Adam DeLay currently sits on the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, has served on the Community Development Advisory Committee and previously served on the Lansing Township Board of Trustees. If elected to City Council, DeLay would look to improve the city’s budget by encouraging development and cutting unnecessary expenses. Read more about DeLay and his platform here.
Meet Liam Richichi
At just 22 years old, Richichi is the youngest candidate in the field. However, the recent Michigan State University graduate started building his political resume at just 15 years old. If elected, Richichi would encourage housing developments in the city and look to improve relationships with MSU and nearby municipalities. Learn about Richichi here.
Meet Kath Edsall
With more than a decade of experience serving on the East Lansing school board, Kath Edsall is hoping to make the switch to city leadership. If elected, Edsall would work to make the city more equitable, aim to add affordable housing and look to implement new strategies to address the root causes of crime. Read more about Edsall here.
Meet Chuck Grigsby
After nearly being elected to City Council in 2021, Chuck Grigsby is hoping to earn a seat on council this time around. Grigsby has served as chair for the city’s Human Rights Commission and the study committee that created the independent police oversight commission. If elected, Grigsby would push for a transparent budget process and look for ways to help small businesses and families get a footing in East Lansing. Read more about Grigsby here.
Meet Steve Whelan
Steve Whelan spent 25 years working for the East Lansing Police Department, and the recently retired cop is now hoping to bring his knowledge about the city to council. If elected, Whelan would continue to prioritize investing in public safety, while looking for ways to address the city’s budgetary challenges without raising property taxes. Find out more about Whelan here.
Meet Joshua Ramirez-Roberts
Another young candidate at 24 years old, Joshua Ramirez-Roberts has served on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, Community Development Advisory Committee, Folk Festival Study Committee, Bailey Community Association and more. On City Council, he would encourage adding owner occupied housing units in the city and try to work with MSU to address the city’s budget challenges. Read about Ramirez-Roberts here.
Teachers’ union votes in favor of contract.
After seven months of negotiations, the East Lansing teachers’ union voted in favor of a proposed contract that will likely be approved by the school board at Monday’s meeting. The new contract addresses some of the glaring concerns that teachers have spoken about, but does not offer a large raise. Read more about the contract in Reporter Dustin DuFort Petty’s story.
Regional reading initiative “One Grand Read” connects community through shared story.
Throughout September, the East Lansing Public Library, Capital Area District Libraries and area book stores will be hosting events centered around Christian Cooper’s “Better Living Through Birding: Notes From a Black Man in the Natural World.” Community members are encouraged to read the book and attend activities that will include an author talk featuring Cooper on Sept. 20. Read more about One Grand Read in Arts and Culture Reporter Sarah Spohn’s story.
City meetings are back in full swing next week.
With summer coming to a close, city government will be back to running at full speed. Monday (Sept. 8), the Human Rights Commission and Seniors Commission each meet. Tuesday (Sept. 9), City Council will have both a regular meeting and special meeting, and the University Student Commission will gather. Wednesday (Sept. 10), there is a Police Oversight Commission meeting. Then on Thursday (Sept. 11), the Downtown Development Authority and Historic District Commission will each convene.
When meeting agendas are posted, they can be found here.
Also next week, the East Lansing Board of Education will have a meeting at 7 p.m. Right now, school board meetings are being held in the MacDonald Middle School auditorium. The agenda for that meeting can be viewed here.
Enter the East Lansing community photo contest!
The city is now accepting applicants for its annual photo contest. Submit up to five photos taken in East Lansing by the end of the day on Oct. 12 and you’ll be in the running for several prizes–including a $150 Downtown East Lansing eGift Card. Read more about the contest and view last year’s winners in this release from the city.
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