Check out tomorrow's edition of the paper to see where the E.L. City Council candidates stand on two more issues.
Forum To find out more about these issues and hear from the four candidates running for East Lansing City Council, a public forum will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the East Lansing Public Library Meeting Room, 950 Abbott Road.
The election takes place on Nov. 8.
East Village Master Plan
A proposed plan to redevelop 35 acres of land south of Grand River Avenue, north of the Red Cedar River, east of Bogue Street and west of Hagadorn Road. The plan would mix housing, offices, shopping and dining in a university-oriented atmosphere that would replace apartments and houses inhabited mostly by students.
Independent Review Commission
Commission reviewing April 2-3 disturbances. The commission is reviewing testimony, videotapes and other evidence to compile a report to submit to East Lansing City Council.
Kevin Beard challenger
Age: 49
Job experience: Eight years on the East Lansing Planning Commission, six as chairman; eight years as an officer on the Southeast Marble Community Association; involved with the East Village Master Plan team; worked with the Northern Tier Master Planning.
East Village Master Plan: Believes it is "sound urban planning." Wants the student population living there now to be accommodated, if and when the East Village is redeveloped. "The East Village plan would look at developing a significant share of residential units specifically targeting that demographic. You need a residential population to increase business and when you start getting a lot of activity, it's fun and vibrant to be down there."
Independent Review Commission: Did not witness the disturbances but believes the report will come out with solid recommendations that need to be put into effect. Police identification was questionable. "The bad rap students are getting in some ways are guilt by association. We don't want to paint this with too broad a brush. We don't want to vilify students in this. We need to target offenders wherever they come from."
John Fournier challenger
Age: 21
Job experience: Member of the East Lansing Commission for the Environment; worked for Gov. Jennifer Granholm for two years as a writer and acquired policy research used in her speeches.
East Village Master Plan: Supports the redevelopment of East Village but thinks it's an example of "poor urban planning." "I don't support tearing down fraternities or independently-owned houses or businesses, but I do support tearing down apartment complexes owned by land companies who make their money by taking advantage of a captive market of students offering substandard housing. That does not serve the public well."
Independent Review Commission: Believes the police used too much force during the April 2-3 disturbances. "The report will help internally, if the situation should ever arise again, they'll be able to handle it differently. Our police chief has apologized in front of the commission and that in itself shows that the police response did not match the behavior of the students."
Vic Loomis incumbent
Age: 59
Job experience: Grew up in East Lansing and graduated from East Lansing High School and MSU; spent 35 years in the commercial banking industry and commercial finance; spent three years in the Army; member of the Salvation Army for 25 years; involved in community service.
East Village Master Plan: Hasn't seen anything in the plan that has prepared him to consider how he will vote. "(There is) a lot of thought and planning that has yet to be done. There is a concern that it is an attempt by the city to move fraternity housing and student housing out of that area. It is not. It is an opportunity for the city to look at itself and to say where might we, over the next decade, want to do some redevelopment."
Independent Review Commission: Waiting for the report from the commission before forming an opinion. "I have purposely stayed away from discussions and debate because I want to approach this not having been influenced from listening and observing and so forth. (The report) is going to be an important document — one we need to understand to implement its recommendations."
Bill Sharp incumbent
Age: 77
Job experience: Twelve years on East Lansing City Council and 12 years on the East Lansing school board; lived in East Lansing since 1948.
East Village Master Plan: Believes it is a good concept, but wants to do more research before developing a more formal opinion. "There's something about that that doesn't set right with me. There's a lot of unanswered questions. I think we maybe have been moving too fast."
Independent Review Commission: Was not in town at the time of the disturbances and "will make no comment whatsoever until I read the final report thoroughly. I don't want to comment on something I didn't witness with my own eyes. There's no way of telling; I've stayed completely away from that because I want to have an open mind when it comes down."
Kristi Jourdan can be reached at jourdank@msu.edu.
