Lansing City Council President Peter Spadafore has his eyes set on a second year with the presidential gavel as the Council prepares to elect its leaders for 2021.
And so far, it doesn’t appear that any of his colleagues are planning to shake up the status quo.
Spadafore, 35, was elected at-large to the City Council in 2017 and was unanimously elected by his colleagues in January to serve as its president — taking the gavel from Councilwoman Carol Wood, who has said that she doesn’t plan to seek re-election when her term expires in 2024.
In an interview with City Pulse this week, Spadafore expressed his interest in another year as president, largely to maintain some semblance of “consistency” after a turbulent year, he explained. And with less than a month before the vote, he’s the only one who wants the gig.
The Council is expected to elect its next president and vice president on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.
“I’ve made it no secret to my colleagues that I’d like a second term as president,” Spadafore added. “That’s really what I’ve been asking: Do you think I did a good job and do you think I can do it again next year? For consistency, and also because I think we’ve all worked well together.”
Councilwoman Patricia Spitzley, with plans to launch a mayoral campaign against Mayor Andy Schor next year, said she isn’t interested in serving as president or vice president. Council members Brandon Betz and Brian Jackson also said they don’t want leadership positions.
Wood, as usual, didn’t return calls to City Pulse for this story. It’s unlikely, however, that she would be interested in rising to the occasion — especially after having already served two years as City Council president before passing the torch to Spadafore at the beginning of the year.
Vice President Adam Hussain has also voiced support for another year under Spadafore.
“It would be wise to support President Spadafore in serving a second year as president,” Hussain said. “He’s done a nice job during what was a very difficult year and, when things are stormy and the road ahead is challenging, I believe it is beneficial to lean on consistency.”
As for keeping his role as vice president? “I am looking forward to the discussion,” he added.
“The position is at times about having future leaders mentored by more seasoned members of the Council, and other times it is about making sure you have the strongest individual in the position at the current time in order to tackle the issues facing the Council and the community.”
Spitzley and Betz each said they’d be willing to support another year with Spadafore as president. Jackson said he hadn’t given it much thought, but also suggested Hussain as president. Council members Jeremy Garza and Kathie Dunbar didn’t return calls this week.
If re-elected president, Spadafore would wield more than ceremonial gavel authorities. The president is also empowered to appoint committee members and control the city government agenda, ultimately deciding what specific issues land on the Council’s radar over the year.
The vice president and president are also paid more than other Council members. Hussain collected $26,772 this year. Spadafore made $28,369. Next year, those salaries will increase to $27,334 and $28,965, respectively, while the other six Council members earn $26,552 annually.
