Latest news with #Ward2
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sanitation fee passes, begins July 1
The sanitation fee resolution, which caused many conversations and criticisms within Lebanon, was passed by the City Council in a 4-2 vote during Tuesday's meeting. The structure of the fee will be $20 for residential customers and $40 for business customers. The city's sanitation department does not pick up dumpsters used by businesses, only bins specifically used for the city service. Geri Ashley and Camille Burdine, Councilors for Ward 2 and 3 respectively, stuck to their votes against the fee for the second reading. Both raised concerns of how residents at or below the poverty line or seniors on fixed incomes may be impacted by the $20 per month fee. Questions regarding how the sanitation department is funded were asked as confusion rippled through the community. 'This was an unadvertised discussion in a work session. It was a 15-minute discussion,' Ashley said. 'I still don't have all my questions answered. I don't feel like I have the economic information.' 'I think that we should, as a City Council, have spent more time talking about it and seeing if we could come up with any other solutions,' Ashley added. 'If in fact we are paying for garbage in our city's taxes, and now we're incorporating a fee, then what happens next year when we get our taxes? Are our taxes going to be reduced at that point, because that is a double dip.' On Wednesday, Burdine reiterated her thoughts that the city should be more proactive in studying the impact on the citizens before a fee was implemented. She said the response to rising costs caused the city to be 'reactive instead of proactive.' Burdine said she is not opposed to a sanitation fee, but feels that more time should have been spent researching it. Also on Wednesday, Ashley called the fee a 'knee-jerk reaction' and likewise felt that not enough research was done. She also said instead of a flat fee, a property tax increase would take into account the property values and Wards 1, 2 and 3 would not have to deal with a monthly fee which might be a burden. Ashley said she wants to see if the sanitation fee will disappear from the property taxes. Ward 1 Councilor Joey Carmack said he supported the fee because it's a flat fee that all residents pay, which doesn't fluctuate. 'I do not feel it's fair for the sanitation fee to be a property tax,' Carmack said. 'A property tax would be unfair, because for example, person one has a $1 million house, and [may] only have one can of trash. They would pay more taxes than person two [who has] a $350,000 home.' 'We dump the trash from the city at Walter Hill (in Murfreesboro), which has been in the news about closing soon,' Carmack added. 'When that does happen, we will be paying even more to dump trash.' Middle Point Landfill has been working with Rutherford County to increase fees for 'out-of-county' tipping fees, as well as downsizing the number of counties allowed to dump there. During a meeting earlier this year, it was proposed to double the fees for non-Rutherford County clients from $1.20 per ton to $2.50 per ton to generate more revenue for that county. The town meeting hall had more residents in attendance than usual, which was commented on by the Councilors, who expressed gratitude for the increased attendance. Burdine, Chris Crowell, Councilor for Ward 4 and Phil Morehead, Councilor for Ward 6, particularly welcomed the attendance and interest in city business. During the public comment period, nearly a dozen people spoke to the City Council. One resident, Stephen Lawson, said he and others should have the option to opt out of the fee, and that he would rather pay a private company $30 to support that business than give the city $20. He also asked if there were other landfills which could be used. 'I thought there was a landfill in Wilson County. Is that one full?' Lawson asked. 'That's owned by the Wilson County government, and it's just open to construction materials,' Mayor Bell responded. 'It's not open to us.' Alex Buhler, former Ward 1 Councilor who stepped-down in 2012, also spoke. 'They should have that option to opt out,' Buhler said. 'If a thousand people opt out, that's a thousand houses you don't have to go to.' Bell responded by saying that wouldn't save as much money as people think because the sanitation trucks will still be driving by those houses anyway. Some of the Councilors said they don't know if private companies would have the same quality of work that the city does, as officials believe sanitation is a public health matter which the Council 'takes seriously.' Another resident wondered if the sanitation fee would lead to the start of 'nickel and diming' the residents of the city. Glenn Denton, County Commissioner for District 20, which covers the downtown Lebanon region of the county, criticized the growth of the city, which he thinks sparked the need for growing services and the fees to pay for them. 'Enough is enough. We have overbuilt in our city beyond what our infrastructure can handle,' Denton said. 'When do we stop building to where we cannot service and when we cannot pay for the infrastructure around it?' Nearly an hour and a half was spent discussing the sanitation fee and budget for the next year. With the passing of the resolution, the sanitation fee goes into effect July 1.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Voters return to the polls today for general election
TUPELO — Voters will return to the polls today for the final municipal election of the year, with two of Tupelo's seven seats still up for grabs. The polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents from Ward 3 and Ward 5 have their chance to decide who will represent their area for the next four years. In Ward 3, incumbent Republican Travis Beard, a retired teacher, will face Democrat Shirley Hendrix, owner of R&B Specialty Printing. Beard is running for a third full term. Neither opponent had challengers during the April 1 primary elections, which secured their seats without need for voting. In Ward 5, Democrat Candria Lewis and Republican Bentley Nolan both hope to take the seat left vacant when incumbent Republican Councilman Buddy Palmer, who decided not to run for reelection, leaves the council in July. While Nolan defeated two Republican opponents in the primary and subsequent runoff election, Lewis had no primary opposition. Whomever claims the reins for Ward 3 and Ward 5 will join the other candidates who either won in the primary election or ran unopposed. They include Republican Ward 1 Councilman Chad Mims, Republican Ward 2 Councilman Lynn Bryan, Democrat Ward 4 Councilwoman Nettie Davis, Republican Ward 6 Councilwoman Janet Gaston, Democrat Ward 7 Councilwoman Rosie Jones and Republican Mayor Todd Jordan. New terms will begin July 1, giving Palmer one more month as part of the council before becoming councilman emeritus.
Calgary Herald
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Former Calgary councillor Joe Magliocca apologizes for filing false expense claims
Disgraced former Calgary city councillor Joe Magliocca apologized Thursday for filing false expense claims that led to his fraud conviction. Article content Article content 'I'm very sorry that these were submitted,' he told Justice Gord Wong. Article content 'I apologize to the citizens of Calgary, who I was honoured to serve for eight years. I am sorry if I have caused them to lose trust in public service,' Magliocca said. Article content Article content 'I did not set out to mislead or hurt anyone.' Article content Article content Rankin suggested a longer conditional term and told Wong that Magliocca's conduct could have justified a three- to six-month period of incarceration. Article content Sankoff had sought a six-month conditional sentence. Article content 'I'm not asking for a ridiculous sentence,' Sankoff said. Article content The lawyer took issue with Rankin's submission that there was a significant level of premeditation in Magliocca's crime. Article content Rankin noted Magliocca sought out individuals at trade fairs he attended in his role as a council member so he could get business cards and include them in expenses he later claimed. Article content 'I'm not denying there was a fraud,' Sankoff responded. Article content Article content 'But there are different types of frauds,' said the Edmonton-based lawyer, who did not act for Magliocca at trial. Article content In January, Wong convicted Magliocca of fraud over his false expense claims, but acquitted him on a charge of breach of trust. Article content Magliocca filed 19 separate expense claims in which he included the names of other politicians who attended conferences. Those individuals later denied attending meals or other functions in which the former Ward 2 council member claimed he bought food or drinks.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Here's who's running for Lansing City Council in a crowded field
LANSING — It may be a very busy campaign season this summer, with yard signs, mailers and other campaign activities deluging Lansing residents. In addition to five candidates running for mayor, 15 people are seeking seats on Lansing's eight-member City Council. Ten people are competing for two at-large seats on City Council in a packed race that could help shape the city for years to come. Two of the city's four ward seats also are up for election, meaning half of the city's eight council seats could change. It could be a significant change: No incumbents will take their own seat next year, however, two sitting council members could be re-elected to different seats. Peter Spadafore, an at-large City Council member, is running for a Ward 4 seat being vacated by Jeffrey Brown, who is running for mayor. Jeremy Garza, the Ward 2 council member, is running for an at-large seat. The at-large races and the Ward 4 race have enough candidates for an August primary election, the top four vote-getters in the at-large race will advance to November's election and the top two of the three candidates in Ward 4 will as well. Wards 2 and 4 are the southeast and northwest quadrants of the city. Voters will be able to begin voting in late June. There are 10 candidates in total for the two slots. They include: Nick Pigeon – A former executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network and a musician, Pigeon said he is running for a more transparent and accountable government. He wants to pursue affordable housing, reduce exclusionary zoning and invest in public transit and infrastructure. Olivia Vaden – President of the Southwest Action Group, a local neighborhood organization, Vaden is a queer Black woman who wants to fight for 'policies that create opportunity, promote justice, and ensure that everyone in our community is heard and valued.' Their priorities include housing, lifelong learning, transportation and the arts. Jonah Stone – He is a forensic scientist for the Michigan State Police. He did not immediately respond to a phone message from the State Journal. Jeremy Garza - A plumber and union official, Garza is a sitting City Council member looking to move from his Ward 2 seat to an at-large seat. He plans to focus on bread-and-butter priorities, putting regular people before special interests, and building a fair economy that works for everyone. Tirstan Walters – Walters is a projects coordinator with the Michigan State Police and a member of the Lansing Parks Board. He wants to help build strong neighborhoods, improve housing options and support small businesses. Julie Vandenboom – Vandenboom is a state government worker who has worked on policy analysis and planning and is a member of the Capital Area District Library board. She believes in community-driven changes and wants to work for better housing, more pedestrian-friendly efforts, sustainability and boosting local food production. Clara Martinez – Martinez is a dance director at Everett High School and is her building's union representative. Her website says people-first policies – from trash pickup, safe streets and better infrastructure – are important and she plans to work on affordable housing and making sure every resident feels safe, valued and supported. Miles Biel – Biel is a Consumers Energy waste specialist who wants to see improvements in housing and affordability and sees potential reforms to the Lansing Board of Water & Light. Aurelius Christian - Christian is a development program coordinator with the Lansing Economic Development Corporation and a former member of the Ingham County Health Centers board. Robin Jones - Jones filed Tuesday and did not immediately return a phone call from the State Journal. Gloria Denning - Denning retired from a career of doing constituent services in the Michigan and U.S. Senates. She said she looks at things broadly to get the scope and in depth to find the solutions. She said she is a person of integrity, family and faith. Heath Lowry - Lowry is an indigenous law attorney and policy specialist. He wants to focus on responsive local government, revitalizing economic corridors and having safe communities. Peter Spadafore - Spadafore is a sitting at-large council member who is running for a ward seat. He aims to work with constituents, cut red tape and work block by block on issues like public safety, development, roads and parks. Zacharie Spurlock - Spurlock, a bartender at American Fifth, said he will focus on local and neighborhood issues that are often ignored and he would work on constituent services. Deyanira Nevarez Martinez, a Lansing School District board member, and Erik Almquist are running for the Ward 2 seat, which is being vacated by Garza, who is seeking an at-large seat. Martinez and Almquist will advance to the November general election barring a successful write-in campaign by another candidate. Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@ or 517-267-0415 This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 15 file to run for Lansing City Council
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jackson mayoral, council Democratic results are official. Who's on April 22 runoff ballot?
The official results of Jackson's municipal primary elections have been certified and posted online at the Mississippi Secretary of State's website. The official results were certified April 10, but it's unclear when they were posted online, according to Kyle Kirkpatrick, assistant secretary of state for the MSOS' elections division. This includes results for both the Democratic mayoral primaries, as well as the Democratic primaries for the seven seats on the Jackson City Council. The official Republican mayoral primary results have not been posted to the MSOS website at the time of this publishing. Republican primaries were not held for any council seats. Below are the official results. In a few days, State Sen. John Horhn will face off again against incumbent Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba in the Tuesday, April 22 Democratic runoff election. Horhn dominated with 48.4% of the vote compared to Lumumba's 16.8%. Horhn fell just shy of the 50% plus one needed to win outright. Lumumba is seeking his third term in office. In total, 25,558 ballots were cast in the Democratic mayoral primary, an increase from the 2021 primary but not by much. In 2021, a total of 19,997 ballots were cast in the Democratic primary, according to previous Clarion Ledger reporting. The 2025 municipal election saw a massive field of Democratic candidates, including two who were disqualified earlier this year. Here's a look at the Democratic mayoral candidates' official totals, according to certified results from the MSOS website: John Horhn: 12,359 votes; 48.4%. Chokwe Antar Lumumba: 4,285 votes; 16.8%. Tim Henderson: 3499 votes; 13.7%. Delano Funches: 2,118 votes; 8.3%. Marcus Wallace: 1,041 votes; 4.1% Socrates Garrett: 684 votes; 2.7%. David Archie: 552 votes; 2.2%. LaKeisha J. Crye: 361 votes; 1.4%. Albert Wilson: 281 votes; 1.1%. James Hopkins: 264 votes; 1.0%. Kourtney Christopher Paige: 85 votes; 0.3%. James "Blue" Butler: 29 votes; 0.1%. Democratic candidate Jasmine Barnes won the Democratic primary in Ward 1, according to the official results. She dominated the field with over 60% of the vote. Barnes will face Independent candidates Grace Greene and incumbent Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote in the June 3 election. Foote normally runs as a Republican, but decided to run as an independent this year. In total, 4,051 ballots were cast in Ward 1's Democratic primary election. Below is a look at the official results: Jasmine Barnes: 2,535 votes; 62.6%. Stephen Thompson: 792 votes; 19.6%. Jessica Carter: 481 votes; 11.9%. Rhoda Barnes: 243 votes; 6.0% It was a rematch between Incumbent Ward 2 Councilwoman Tina Clay and candidate Marcus Cheatham in the Democratic primary elections. The two faced off in Ward 2's special election held in October after the resignation of former councilwoman Angelique Lee. And once again, Clay bested Cheatham. Clay will face-off against Republican challenger Bethany Williams-Sherif in the June 3 general election. Williams-Sherif ran unopposed in the Republican primary. In total, 4,656 ballots were cast in Ward 2's Democratic primary election. Below is a look at the official results. Tina Clay: 3,011 votes; 64.7% Marcus Cheatham: 1,645 votes; 35.3%. Longtime Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes didn't have to worry about a thing as he was running unopposed in the Democratic primary. But come the June 3, Stokes will be challenged by Independent candidate Marques Jackson in the general election. In total, Stokes received 3,080 votes in the Democratic election. Incumbent Ward 4 Councilman Grizzell cruised to an easy victory in the Democratic primary, easily defeating challenger Malcolm May. With no Republican or Independent candidates challenging him in the June 3 general election, Grizzell has secured a second term serving on the Jackson City Council. In total, 3,407 ballots were cast in Ward 4's Democratic primary. Below is a look at the official results: Brian Grizzell: 2,421 votes; 71.1% Malcolm May: 986 votes; 28.9%. Incumbent Ward 5 Councilman Vernon Hartley secured his party's nomination after winning the Democratic primary. He is seeking his second term on the council. Hartley defeated two Democratic challengers ReJohnna Brown-Mitchell and Charles Alexander. Hartley will now head to the June 3 general election where he will face Independent candidate Raymond McCants III. In total, 2,460 ballots were cast in Ward 5's Democratic primary. Below is a look at the official results: Vernon Hartley: 1,362 votes; 55.4%. ReJohnna Brown-Mitchell: 724 votes; 29.4%. Charles Alexander: 374 votes; 15.2%. The council primary race with the most amount of candidates is unsurprisingly headed to an April 22 runoff election. Nine Democratic candidates faced off Tuesday with the winner receiving nearly 23% of the vote. The winner of the Ward 6 Democratic primary was Emon Thompson. He will be facing Lashia Brown-Thomas in the runoff. The winner will become the next Ward 6 council member as no Independent or Republican candidate is challenging in the general election. In total, 3,120 ballots were cast in Ward 6's Democratic primary. Below is a look at the official results: Emon Thompson: 716 votes; 22.9%. Lashia Brown-Thomas: 656 votes; 21.0%. Jonathan Cottrell: 422 votes; 13.5%. Lee Bernard: 380 votes; 12.2%. Daniel LaPatrick Walker: 320 votes; 10.3%. Lee Scott: 219 votes; 7.0%. Brad Davis: 206 votes; 6.6%. Antonio Porter: 131 votes 4.2%. George Monroe: 70 votes; 2.2%. Kevin Parkinson will face off against Quint Withers in the April 22 Democratic runoff. Parkinson received the most amount of votes out of the five Democratic candidates, with Withers following closely behind. The winner of the runoff will face independent candidate Ron Aldridge and Republican Taylor Turcotte in the June 3 general election. Turcotte did not have any challengers in the Republican primary. Independent candidates do not hold primary elections. In total, 2,930 ballots were cast in Ward 7's Democratic primary. Below is a look at the official results: Kevin Parkinson: 1,125 votes; 38.4%. Quint Withers: 939 votes; 32.0%. Corinthian "Corey" Sanders: 305 votes; 10.4% Turner Martin: 302 votes; 10.3%. Bruce Burton: 259 votes; 8.8%. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson, MS, vote: Mayor, council Democratic primary totals now final
