Virg Bernero or Carol Wood.  Hard times make it difficult for an incumbent, and we are definitely in hard times.  I’m the first to admit that I’m not the biggest Bernero fan – I voted for Benavides – but I’m definitely not a fan of Carol Wood.  I, like everyone else, like you, have preconceptions and biases that will play a large part in how I vote.

Sure, it’d be more noble to approach the election as a blank slate, but I think it’d be less wise, not to mention damn near impossible.

It’s important to consider a candidate’s past actions, even if things have changed in recent years.  It’s relevant to consider what’s relevant to you and why.  These biases should then be thoughtfully compared.  What, in the long term, will be the candidate’s effect on you, your family, and your city?  On our city?

I’ve never met Virg Bernero in person, but I’ve heard about his temper.  According to my ex-wife, he blew up while giving a presentation to her class at LCC.  I remember the City Pulse reporting about expletive-filled voice mails left to a City Council member.  He’s known to be volatile.  Has that taken a toll on his ability to do his job?  It’s certainly put a dampener on his relationship with the City Council.  It’s put him at odds with other strong personalities.  Did it push Carol Wood to run against him?

I’ve only been to a few City Council meetings over the years.  The regular speakers, addressing whimsical and often nonsensical concerns to the governing body, only provide so much entertainment.  I got bogged down with the hours of worthless referendums and acknowledgement ceremonies.  Every time that I attended, though, Carol Wood stuck in my mind.  The impression that I got was one of micro-management, of a need to control at every level, and to apply too much makeup.

Something bothers me about her, and while I’m hoping not to find out what she’ll be like as Mayor, I’ve got reservations about Virg as well.  I’m going to be devoting some serious thought to this, as it might make or break Lansing’s recovery from Michigan’s sinking economic trend.