LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – The Metropolis of Lansing may see some modifications to its authorities construction and now it is as much as voters to determine if they’re carried out.
The Lansing Constitution Fee met on Wednesday night to tell the general public on what is going to change within the Metropolis Constitution if voters go it. The Constitution is a authorized doc that outlines the construction and features of Lansing’s Authorities and the rights of residents. The Chairperson of the Fee, Brian Jeffries, mentioned the doc is principally the Metropolis’s structure.
“We considered, separately, every line item of the Charter,” mentioned Jeffries.
Dozens of individuals attended the assembly on the Foster Group Heart and had questions on a number of the modifications, like holding all Metropolis Council elections on the similar time each 4 years, as an alternative of bringing in just a few new members each different 12 months. Loretta Stanaway, who attended the assembly, pushed again on this proposed change.
“You lose all of your experience, your historical knowledge, your institutional knowledge goes out the door every 4 years,” mentioned Stanaway.
Lansing Constitution Fee shares potential modifications to authorities construction (WLNS)
Chair Jeffries defined that the Fee got here to the choice that it did as a result of elections each 4 years will assist with transparency and save town cash.
“By ensuring results reflect broader public participation by aligning with higher turnout elections,” mentioned Jeffries.
The Fee additionally agreed to maintain a robust mayor type of authorities, protecting mayors accountable for operations and appointing division heads somewhat than switching to a metropolis supervisor. Members did add a requirement for mayors to current strategic plans for his or her time period of workplace, saying this can enhance accountability. Commissioner Lori Adams Simon shared what she heard from the neighborhood on this concern.
“I think 75% of the feedback, people wanted to elect a mayor,” mentioned Simon.
A couple of folks on the assembly mentioned they want to have a metropolis supervisor as an alternative, although. Others on the assembly, like Don Dean, got here out feeling optimistic after studying extra.
“Based off the misinformation I heard, I was going to vote against it, , but you’ve kind of changed my mind and I’m rethinking,” mentioned Dean.
One other change to the Constitution would permit folks with felony convictions to run for workplace so long as they weren’t convicted of something associated to dishonesty, deceit or fraud whereas serving as an elected official.
“It’s the exact same language that’s in the Michigan constitution; it’s the exact same language that every city has to abide by,” mentioned Jeffries.
Commissioners mentioned the aim of Wednesday’s assembly was to coach voters, to not sway anybody’s choices. The Fee is holding 3 extra conferences all through Lansing.
