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Topic: Civil Racketeering case against RTAB member
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

I have to admit that I am becoming a big fan of "No Secret Deals" In my opinion the "pay to play" mentality is going strong in both Flint and Genesee County. When will the FBI bring a "new sheriff" so to speak to corral some of these abuses?
Post Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:44 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

No Secret Lansing Deals Saddened By Desperate Antics Targeting Ingham County Officials To Fund Red Cedar Project
December 8, 2016



No Secret Lansing Deals is disappointed with pathetic antics by local developers to approve funding for the Red Cedar Renaissance project, when it has been clear county commissioners will not support putting taxpayers on the hook for their work.

In October 2016, Ingham County Controller Tim Dolehanty declared in a letter to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners that the deal to fund millions of dollars in bonds for the Red Cedar project – a scheme proposed by Lansing area developer Joel Ferguson – did not make fiscal sense for the county.

“This new scheme by Ferguson is just more typical shady, last minute antics to get funding for this fantasy project,” said Jen Eyer, spokeswoman for No Secret Lansing Deals. “Our county commissioners and Controller Dolehanty deserve accolades for their ability to see through the façade and should not vote in favor of this boondoggle.”

Under the guise of his own legal opinion, Ferguson has proposed a pitiful ruse that would allegedly hold his company accountable to pay off any bond revenue shortfalls from the project, when in reality taxpayers would likely be on the hook.

Ferguson has now told officials that $45 million of publicly backed bonds would be needed to build on the property in order to make a solid surface to lift out of the floodplain – another increase from previously stated estimates.

According to Eyer, No Secret Lansing Deals and the coalition that stands for honesty and transparency from our elected officials expect and demand that taxpayers not be responsible for the costs associated with for-profit business deals.
Post Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:49 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

No Secret Lansing Deals: Lansing Mayor Pledges To Bust Lansing’s Budget On Backs Of Taxpayers In Last State of the City Address
March 15, 2017



Last night, Mayor Virgil Bernero gave his final state of the city address where he pledged to bust Lansing’s budget wide open on the backs of taxpayers.

“Like the end of a Wheel of Fortune episode, Mayor Bernero seems to want to go on a reckless spending spree with our tax dollars until nothing is left,” said TJ Bucholz, director of No Secret Lansing Deals, a coalition of small business owners and citizens tired of the shenanigans flowing out of City Hall.

Bucholz said over the span of the Mayor’s speech, Bernero announced plans to build a new city hall, have the city invest tens of millions of dollars into the irresponsible Red Cedar project, which would subsidize wealthy developer Joel Ferguson, work to impose a new regional sales tax on citizens, all while fully funding all roads and unfunded liabilities.

“Mayor Bernero seems intent to bust the Lansing City budget wide open as he waltzes out the door, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for his boondoggles,” Bucholz said. “With all of the reckless spending he has planned this year, perhaps Mayor Bernero also has a plan to build a factory somewhere in the city of Lansing that produces fairy dust.”

No Secret Lansing Deals is urging Mayor Bernero to stop using his last months in office to reward donors who funded his campaign efforts through his tenure.

“There is no need to destroy Lansing’s budget in a last ditch effort to spend down surpluses and reward his friends and allies,” Bucholz said. “We urge Mayor Bernero to act responsibly and spend taxpayer money more wisely and end the special interest deals.”
Post Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:51 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

No Secret Lansing Deals: Lansing Mayor Pledges To Bust Lansing’s Budget On Backs Of Taxpayers In Last State of the City Address
March 15, 2017



Last night, Mayor Virgil Bernero gave his final state of the city address where he pledged to bust Lansing’s budget wide open on the backs of taxpayers.

“Like the end of a Wheel of Fortune episode, Mayor Bernero seems to want to go on a reckless spending spree with our tax dollars until nothing is left,” said TJ Bucholz, director of No Secret Lansing Deals, a coalition of small business owners and citizens tired of the shenanigans flowing out of City Hall.

Bucholz said over the span of the Mayor’s speech, Bernero announced plans to build a new city hall, have the city invest tens of millions of dollars into the irresponsible Red Cedar project, which would subsidize wealthy developer Joel Ferguson, work to impose a new regional sales tax on citizens, all while fully funding all roads and unfunded liabilities.

“Mayor Bernero seems intent to bust the Lansing City budget wide open as he waltzes out the door, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for his boondoggles,” Bucholz said. “With all of the reckless spending he has planned this year, perhaps Mayor Bernero also has a plan to build a factory somewhere in the city of Lansing that produces fairy dust.”

No Secret Lansing Deals is urging Mayor Bernero to stop using his last months in office to reward donors who funded his campaign efforts through his tenure.

“There is no need to destroy Lansing’s budget in a last ditch effort to spend down surpluses and reward his friends and allies,” Bucholz said. “We urge Mayor Bernero to act responsibly and spend taxpayer money more wisely and end the special interest deals.”
Post Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:54 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Lansing Deserves More Than a Pinky Swear
April 4, 2017

For Immediate Release: April 4, 2017
Contact: TJ Bucholz, 517.657.3944

The city is looking at another budget surplus for the fourth year in a row and lame duck Bernero thinks he can still make critical fiscal decisions by misusing the city budget at his whim.

The mayor’s spending agenda reveals major planned expenditures that will affect Lansing well beyond his term as mayor. Judging by his past performances, the citizens of Lansing are not really interested in seeing their tax dollars wasted on crooked payouts and ridiculous backdoor deals again.

Basically, he thinks he can ask the citizens of Lansing to trust him off the strength of a pinky swear.

“Mayor Pinky Swear has shown time and time again that he answers first to his friends and not the taxpayers of Lansing,” said TJ Bucholz, director of No Secret Lansing Deals, a coalition of small business owners and citizens tired of the repeated nonsense that come out of city hall. “He has done little to actually earn the trust of his constituents so he should not be gambling hard earned taxpayer money to deepen the pockets of his colleagues.”


No Secret Lansing Deals is urging Mayor Bernero to keep spending to a minimum until newly elected officials to the Mayor’s Office and the City Council can make budget decisions in the best interest in the people who elect them to office.
Post Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:55 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Bernero Still Trying to Jam $380 Million Red Cedar “Complicated Matter” Before His Term Ends
May 17, 2017


For Immediate Release: May 17, 2017
Contact: TJ Bucholz, 517.657.3944

Years have passed, yet the infamous Bernero and Ferguson duo won’t let go of their absurd development dreams. This morning, the Lansing State Journal reported that “Developers of a proposed $380 million project called Red Cedar Renaissance are still working on a plan to finance what’s been a complicated matter with public land that sits on a flood plain.”

No Secret Lansing Deals, a group comprised of concerned citizens and business owners, is committed to eliminating the culture of cronyism and back-door deals that has infested Lansing during Bernero’s administration.

Unfortunately, the Red Cedar project is just another product of the mayor’s friendly relationship with wealthy developers like Joel Ferguson, at expense of everyday Lansing residents.

“The Red Cedar development is extremely complicated and puts an unnecessary amount of risk on the backs of Lansing taxpayers,” said TJ Bucholz, director of No Secret Lansing Deals. “It isn’t worth the $380 million cost just so Bernero can help out a friend.”

The Red Cedar project has been riddled with issues since Ferguson began to seek public funding in the form of bonds from Ingham County taxpayers more than a year ago. He was not successful because of the complications with developing the project and uncertainty about its financial feasibility.

It’s time to for Ferguson and Bernero to let go and move on. The city needs leaders focused on the problems Lansing is facing now, not failed developments of the past.

“The fact that that the city revealed its $675 million crisis with unfunded liabilities and Bernero still wants to spend tax dollars on a pet project is ridiculous,” said Bucholz. “City leaders should be dealing with that disaster and invest into crumbling roads and infrastructure instead of wasting public funds on failed projects.”


It’s time for a change. It’s time for the Angry Mayor to finally release his grip on the City of Lansing and let the people choose a leader that always puts the taxpayer first.
Post Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:58 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Great Lakes Renaissance was one organization that placed some anti-Weaver ads on TV. Vanguard was the company that produced the ads and I have to say they were some powerful ads. The company is good in my estimation!
Post Thu Nov 23, 2017 11:05 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

It is no surprise that the Governor would support someone to a position requiring ethics while they are under investigation for the lack of ethical behavior. Seems to be his M.O.





Gov picks Flint water defendant to lead new panel looking at public health threats
By STEVE CARMODY • NOV 20, 2017

Dr. Eden Wells
STEVE CARMODY / MICHIGAN RADIO
Gov. Rick Snyder has appointed a top state official criminally charged in the Flint water crisis investigation to head a new council tasked with improving Michigan’s response to emerging public health threats.

Dr. Eden Wells is Michgan’s chief medical executive.

Wells will be in court tomorrow for a hearing on charges of obstruction of justice and lying to an officer in connection to the Flint water crisis. Prosecutors say an additional charge of involuntary manslaughter will also likely be added.

Wells allegedly interfered with efforts by independent researchers studying a deadly Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Genesee County.

Despite the charges against her, on Monday, the governor tapped Wells to lead the Public Health Advisory Council. The council, which was recommended by the Michigan Public Health Commission, will develop an action plan for implementing the recommendations of the commission. It also is tasked with providing advice about emerging issues in public health, monitoring the effectiveness of Michigan’s public health response system, and reviewing multi-agency efforts to support collaboration and a unified approach on public health responses.

“The creation of this new Public Health Advisory Council is a vital step forward for Michigan in preparing for and responding to emerging public health issues,” Wells said in a written statement.

Wells is one of 15 current and former government officials charged criminally in the Flint water crisis. A spokeswoman for Michigan's attorney general declined to comment on Wells’ appointment, citing the charges pending against her.

A governor’s spokeswoman defends the choice of Wells to head the panel, saying, “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.”
Post Thu Nov 23, 2017 11:35 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

S THIS WHY WEAVER AND GICREAST WANTED THE 527 THEY CREATED?

Christman Company, likely builder of Lansing casino, gave Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero's 527 $10,000 during negotiations

Print Email Angela Wittrock | awittroc@mlive.com By Angela Wittrock | awittroc@mlive.com

on February 17, 2012 at 2:57 PM, updated February 17, 2012 at 3:44 PM
Virg-Bernero.jpg
AP photo
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero
LANSING – A Lansing construction firm expected to build a proposed $245 million casino gave Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero's 527 account $10,000 during the time it was in negotiations to bring the casino to town, records from the Internal Revenue Service show.

The Christman Company, a Lansing-based firm that recently completed the renovation of the Ottawa Street Power Station into the new headquarters for The Accident Fund, is almost certain to be named the builder of the project, Lansing Future LLC's managing director Bill Martines said.

Lansing Future, a newly formed development company, has been hired by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the owner and operator of the proposed casino.

Martines also said Christman had been involved in the negotiations since early spring, 2011.

Jim Cash, executive vice president of The Christman Company, said confidentiality agreements signed at the beginning of casino negotiations prevented him from confirming when he became involved in the process, but said he did not dispute Martines' recollection.

He also said he didn't recall the contributions overlapping with the negotiations, but IRS records show the contributions were made March 3, 2011 and Aug. 8, 2011, both times for $5,000.

Cash said he authorized the contributions. He said Christman has given to the mayor's account to support him and help defray costs that aren't covered by other funds; he added that he didn't follow up on how the money was spent.

In 2008, Christman gave the 527 account $1000; in 2010, the company donated $4,000.

The account was formed to cover the costs of Bernero's inauguration and used later to "defray costs incurred by Mayor Bernero that would otherwise be borne by Lansing taxpayers," including his personal vehicle.

"I would also like to emphasize, there is certainly no correlation between our support of the Mayor and the relationship between Christman and our private client, Lansing Future, LLC., which has its roots dating back some 20 years," Cash said in an email.
Cash said the firm was brought into the project by Jerry Campbell, one of Lansing Future LLC's investors.

He said Christman was involved in the process early on because of the firm's expertise — Christman built the Hall of Justice and several buildings in the state office complex, as well as the landmark Knapp's Building in downtown Lansing.
But the hope, he said, was always that Christman would be awarded the contract.

"We are glad to play a role in the growth and further development of the downtown," Cash said in an email. "We feel that we have added value and been part of a great team with our clients, our new offices, and the City, and very much hope to continue to play an important role."

"It's very early in the process," Cash said. "We don't know the scope of what we'd build. We're not even sure who the final client is."

The contract hasn't been finalized, and Cash couldn't say when it would be.

E-mail Angela Wittrock: awittroc at mlive dot com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/AngelaWittrock and Facebook, or reach her by phone at 517.908.0712.
Post Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:28 am 
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