East Lansing residents will have the opportunity to determine the city’s next generation of leaders today during the 2007 City Council elections. The event features four candidates — incumbents Beverly Baten and Diane Goddeeris, and challengers Roger Peters and Nathan Triplett — vying for three vacant four-year terms.
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It's election day. Go out and vote.
Beverly Baten, 70
Seeking third term on the City Council
Professional Staff member for a national retailer
City experience City council member since 1999, East Lansing Transportation Commission member since 1992.
“On the council, I try to provide a historical perspective. Where were we 20 years ago and where will we be 20 years from now? We can’t just look at today and tomorrow, we have to look way into the future.” (SN 10/1)
Diane Goddeeris, 52
Seeking first full term on the City Council
Professional Nurse at Sparrow Hospital
City experience City council member since 2006, former chairwoman of the East Lansing Planning Commission, former member of East Lansing City Comprehensive Plan Committee.
“The one thing that’s going to ride all decisions is the budget. You see what’s happening at the state level and it trickles down to us. We have to be very careful about planning.” (SN 10/1)
Roger Peters, 59
Seeking first term on the City Council
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Professional Attorney for Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth
City experience Four years on the East Lansing Planning Commission, two terms as East Lansing Public Library Board of Trustees president.
“I have developed a fairly good perspective as to how this community wants its city business conducted — in a manner where an open, thoughtful, decision-making process is employed to resolve the issues before it.” (SN 8/30)
Nathan Triplett, 24
Seeking first term on the City Council
Professional Legislative aide in the Michigan House of Representatives
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City experience Vice chairman of East Lansing Human Relations Commission, member of the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee.
“I’ve always wanted to work in public policy. There’s a real opportunity there to affect positive change, and it’s always something that I’ve been passionate about.” (SN 8/30)
Voting info
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
There are 17 voting precincts. To find where you’re supposed to vote, visit www.michigan.gov/vote.
There are 29,965 registered voters in East Lansing — 4,026 more voters than there were during the last election.
Other items on the ballot
Lansing Community College Board of Trustees election
12 candidates running for two regular-term seats.
Four candidates running for one partial-term seat ending Dec. 31, 2009.
Lansing School District Board of Education election (only on the ballot in precincts 1, 5 and 17)
Nine candidates running for three seats.
Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) millage proposal
The proposal calls to raise the tax that property owners in the Greater Lansing area pay CATA. It would up the tax to almost $1.9 million this year.
To see a copy of the ballot, visit the city clerk’s page at www.cityofeastlansing.com.
What to bring
Every voter must show photo identification or sign an affidavit claiming that he or she is not in possession of picture identification in order to submit a ballot.
New mayor
In August, Mayor Sam Singh announced he would not seek re-election. That decision opened up the third seat. Mayor Pro Tem Vic Loomis and Councilmember Kevin Beard remain on the council. The three victorious City Council candidates will be sworn in Nov. 14 during a public hearing at City Hall, 410 Abbot Road. Afterward, the council members will appoint the new mayor.
