By Melissa Benmark, WKAR News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-992426.mp3
EAST LANSING, MI – Mid-Michigan voters go to the polls next Tuesday to choose from a variety of candidates for city councils and school boards. In East Lansing, five candidates are running for three seats on the City Council. Three incumbents and two challengers will compete for the spots.
Incumbent Diane Goddeeris has served on the council since 2006, and has been Mayor Pro Tem since 2007. Roger Peters was elected in 2007 at the same time as the other incumbent, Nathan Triplett.
Challenger Hans Larsen previously ran for East Lansing City Council in 2009, and has campaigned against the City Center II project because of the tax expenditures involved.
The other challenger, Donald Power, has also been a vocal critic of City Center II. The Lansing State Journal recently reported that Power has been endorsed by East Lansing Mayor Vic Loomis in a somewhat unexpected move.
Loomis and Kevin Beard were both re-elected to the council in 2009 and are serving four-year terms.
In addition to facing continuing budget issues, the next council will be tasked with selecting a new city manager after the departure this fall of Ted Staton after 16 years on the job.