FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

Contact: Ross Woodstock
Kolt Communications, Inc 
November 9, 2011                                                                             
517-706-0001/517-410-7636
Ross@Koltpr.com
   
                                                     Lansing Chamber Urges Lansing City Council to Begin a
                                                          New Era of Collaboration and Improved Relations
 
(Lansing, MI) – The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) today called on Lansing City Council to put an end to its history of infighting and bickering and begin a new era of collaboration with an emphasis on improving relations with Mayor Virg Bernero. Though City Council incumbents Carol Wood and Derrick Quinney won reelection to office, newcomers Rory Neuner and Thomas Stewart made extremely strong showing at the polls, which Chamber officials say reflect a level of voter unrest with politics as usual in Lansing City Hall.
 
 “We knew it would be an uphill battle for Rory and Tom, given they had zero name recognition going against two well established incumbents,” said Tim Daman, LRCC President and CEO.  “The fact they both received so many votes further underscores that voters are tired of the dysfunction at Lansing City Council and want to see a more conciliatory and cooperative approach in the future.”
 
Chamber officials expressed a desire to join together with Lansing City Council and Mayor Bernero to identify and support important policy initiatives that will lead to growth and investment in the City, and help the region grow.
 
“We should all recognize that this election has changed the dialogue in Lansing and everyone involved needs to approach the future with a willingness to put the interests of the region first and end the negative partisan bickering,” said Kristin Beltzer, LRCC senior vice president for government relations and public policy.  “The Chamber will continue to aggressively participate in these policy discussions and look forward to working with all our elected officials in that process.”
 
City Council President A’Lynne Robinson, who was supported by the Lansing Regional Chamber, was reelected in the Third Ward. LRCC endorsed candidates Nicole Armbruster and Peter Spadafore were elected to the Lansing School Board.
 
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in the tri-county region, serving a business population of more than 14,000 companies.  LRCC is dedicated to making business in the region more profitable by providing programs that create new customers, enhance member visibility and create a prosperous economic environment.  LRCC members rely on four key areas to help them succeed: Business Advocacy, Business Expansion, Business Savings & Business Exposure.
 
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