Faces in the Community Archives - Cafecito Caliente

Aurelius Christian is from Lansing, Michigan. He has a Bachelor of Science in advertising management from Michigan State University.

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Aurelius is a development programs coordinator with Lansing Economic Development Corporation.

Aurelius Christian - Ballotpedia

Lansing Region's Top Young Professionals Recognized at 10 Over ...

Aurelius’s campaign for a seat on the Lansing City Council is his first entry into politics. He is one of the youngest public officials in Greater Lansing appointed by the Ingham County Board of Commissioners to serve on the Board of Directors for the Ingham County Community Health Centers.

Believes economic prosperity is achieved through good-paying jobs, support for small businesses, workforce training, and equitable development.

- Believes economic prosperity is achieved through good-paying jobs, support for small businesses, workforce training, and equitable development.

Economy

Believes quality housing is safe and affordable housing that meets the needs of families, seniors, and individuals.

- Believes quality housing is safe and affordable housing that meets the needs of families, seniors, and individuals.

Housing & Urban Development

Believes a safe community is created through strong first responders and proactive, community-led initiatives that prevent violence, promote safety, and strengthen neighborhood trust.

Believes a safe community is created through strong first responders and community-led initiatives that prevent violence, promote safety, and strengthen neighborhood trust.

- Believes a safe community is created through strong first responders and community-led initiatives that prevent violence, promote safety, and strengthen neighborhood trust.

Public Safety

As of June 5, 2025, Aurelius Christian’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Believes strong neighborhoods require clean parks, walkable streets, well-maintained public spaces, and active community involvement.

- Believes strong neighborhoods require clean parks, walkable streets, well-maintained public spaces, and active community involvement.

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Aurelius Christian

Aurelius Christian is from Lansing, Michigan. He attended Lansing Eastern High School. He has a bachelor of science in advertising management from Michigan State University. He is the son of a United States Marine Corps Sergeant and a dedicated healthcare and service professional, and learned early the value of service to others.

Aurelius Christian’s campaign for an at-large seat on the Lansing City Council in Michigan is his first entry into politics. He is one of the youngest public officials in Greater Lansing appointed by the Ingham County Board of Commissioners to serve on the Board of Directors for the Ingham County Community Health Centers.

As of June 6, 2025, Aurelius Christian’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Buket Urgen

Clara Martinez has a bacehlor's degree in dance from Ohio State University.

Clara is a dance director. She works at Everett High School, where she has been a public school educator for the past decade. She previously served as her building’s union representative, negotiating for fair treatment, better working conditions, and strong city services.

Announcing the 2022-23 Midwestern National Leaders of Color ...

Clara Martinez: Empowered through dance | City Pulse

Clara's campaign for Lansing City Council at-large member is her first entry into politics. She was appointed by Lansing City Council to serve on the City of Lansing Arts & Culture Commission representing the 1st Ward. 

Supports creating youth employment and volunteer opportunities by strengthening city partnerships to connect young people with job training, internships, and meaningful service experiences.

Supports increasing affordable, high-quality childcare options for working families.

- Supports creating youth employment and volunteer opportunities by strengthening city partnerships to connect young people with job training, internships, and meaningful service experiences.
- Supports increasing affordable, high-quality childcare options for working families.

Supports creating and preserving quality, affordable housing and investing in resources to help residents secure stable housing, including homelessness prevention efforts.

Supports creating and preserving quality, affordable housing and investing in resources to help residents secure stable housing.

Supports working with residents to improve and maintain homes, ensuring Lansing’s housing stock remains safe, stable, and vibrant.

- Supports creating and preserving quality, affordable housing and investing in resources to help residents secure stable housing.
- Supports working with residents to improve and maintain homes, ensuring Lansing’s housing stock remains safe, stable, and vibrant.

Supports community-driven safety initiatives by ensuring exceptional emergency services, proactive neighborhood engagement, and strong partnerships.

Supports community-driven safety initiatives.

- Supports community-driven safety initiatives.

As of June 5, 2025, Clara Martinez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports maintaining and improving Lansing's parks to provide free, accessible recreational opportunities that promote healthy lifestyles and strong community connections.

Supports investing in after-school programs to help students learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

Supports improving access to community centers, parks, and recreational programs for youth.

Supports hiring and retaining public service workers to ensure timely, effective city services.

Supports reliable snow removal, trash collection, and seasonal upkeep to maintain safe and livable streets and neighborhoods.

- Supports maintaining and improving Lansing's parks to provide free, accessible recreational opportunities that promote healthy lifestyles and strong community connections.
- Supports investing in after-school programs to help students learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
- Supports improving access to community centers, parks, and recreational programs for youth.
- Supports hiring and retaining public service workers to ensure timely, effective city services.
- Supports reliable snow removal, trash collection, and seasonal upkeep to maintain safe and livable streets and neighborhoods.

Supports investing in neighborhood road repairs and improving sidewalks and bike infrastructure to ensure safer, more accessible transportation options.

Supports investing in neighborhood road repairs and improving sidewalks and bike infrastructure to create safer, more accessible transportation options.

- Supports investing in neighborhood road repairs and improving sidewalks and bike infrastructure to create safer, more accessible transportation options.

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Clara Martinez

Clara Martinez’s campaign for Lansing City Council at-large member is her first entry into politics. She was appointed by Lansing City Council to serve on the City of Lansing Arts & Culture Commission representing the 1st Ward. Martinez declared her candidacy in this fall’s election, emphasizing her belief that leadership should be about listening, advocating, and fighting for the people who make Lansing great.

As of June 6, 2025, Clara Martinez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Schor draws 4 Lansing primary challengers; 14 seek Council ...

Here's who's running for Lansing City Council in 2025

Gloria Denning is a cake decorator, designer, and caterer. She is the president of Grand Occasions by Gloria Denning. She is also a constituent services specialist. She spent her career working in constituent services for the Michigan Senate and the U.S. Senate, helping residents address their concerns, guiding them through government processes, and resolving problems.

As of June 5, 2025, Gloria Denning did not have a website or any information online.

Gloria Denning

As of June 6, 2025, Gloria Denning did not have a website or any information online.

Information on Gloria Denning’s personal background is not available at this time.

Gloria Denning is a constituent services specialist. She spent her career working in constituent services for the Michigan Senate and the U.S. Senate, helping residents address their concerns, guiding them through government processes, and resolving problems. She said she looks at issues broadly to get the full scope and dives in deeply to find solutions. She describes herself as a person of integrity, family and faith.

Information on Gloria Denning’s political background is not available at this time.

As of June 6, 2025, Gloria Denning’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jeremy Garza is from Lansing, Michigan. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University. He is married to Alicia and they have two kids together. 

Jeremy is a current city council member for the City of Lansing. He was first elected in 2017 and is currently serving his second term. 

Jeremy is a plumber and pipefitter. He is a member of United Association Local 333 and serves as his union's safety director. 

Believes companies and developers should be required to hire local, qualified workers at decent wages and benefits when receiving tax incentives.

Believes companies and developers should be required to hire local, qualified workers at decent wages and benefits to receive tax incentives.

- Believes companies and developers should be required to hire local, qualified workers at decent wages and benefits to receive tax incentives.

As of June 5, 2025, Jeremy A. Garza’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As a councilmember, led investments in public safety by funding speed radar trailers, additional officers, community policing, social workers for high-stress calls, and life-saving equipment for firefighters.

- As a councilmember, led investments in public safety by funding speed radar trailers, additional officers, community policing, social workers for high-stress calls, and life-saving equipment for firefighters.

Believes investing in local priorities, such as infrastructure, public safety, and community maintenance, is essential to retain residents and workers in Lansing.

Believes investing in local priorities, such as infrastructure, public safety, and community maintenance, is essential to keep residents and workers in Lansing.

Believes "rich developers and corporate special interests" influence government, harming working families with neglected public services.

- Believes investing in local priorities, such as infrastructure, public safety, and community maintenance, is essential to keep residents and workers in Lansing.
- Believes "rich developers and corporate special interests" influence government, harming working families with neglected public services.

Supports increased funding for street reconstruction and sidewalk repairs, particularly in underserved areas.

Advocates for modern equipment and traffic calming strategies to enhance neighborhood safety.

Advocates for modern equipment and traffic calming strategies to improve neighborhood safety.

- Supports increased funding for street reconstruction and sidewalk repairs, particularly in underserved areas.
- Advocates for modern equipment and traffic calming strategies to improve neighborhood safety.

Jeremy A. Garza

Jonah Stone is from Muskegon, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University. 

Jonah Stone is a forensic scientist at the Michigan State Police. He previously taught graduate students at Michigan State University.

Believes urban corridors should be modified to support local creators and businesses.

- Believes urban corridors should be modified to support local creators and businesses.

Supports raising red tag fees and implementing per unit fees for noncompliant properties.

Supports raising red tag fees and charging per unit for properties that are unlivable. 

Believes landlords should be billed for temporary housing provided by the city if a property becomes unlivable due to negligence.

Believes landlords should be billed for temporary housing provided by the city if a property becomes unlivable due to neglect.

Believes Lansing needs more housing and amenities and supports developing new housing and renovating empty buildings for housing and businesses.

Supports building more housing and amenities and restoring empty buildings.

Believes in encouraging the growth of new walkable, mixed-use housing developments.

Supports constructing additional homeless shelters and warming centers.

Supports a "housing first approach" to homelessness, believing that more shelters will increase access to services and reduce exposure to the elements.

Supports a "housing first approach" to homelessness.

Opposes using technology to collude with other companies to raise rents.

Wants to ban companies from artificially raising rent prices.

- Supports affordable housing.
- Supports raising red tag fees and charging per unit for properties that are unlivable. 
- Believes landlords should be billed for temporary housing provided by the city if a property becomes unlivable due to neglect.
- Supports building more housing and amenities and restoring empty buildings.
- Believes in encouraging the growth of new walkable, mixed-use housing developments.
- Supports constructing additional homeless shelters and warming centers.
- Supports a "housing first approach" to homelessness.
- Wants to ban companies from artificially raising rent prices.

As of June 5, 2025, Jonah Stone’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports preserving public land in Lansing.

Supports preserving public spaces and land in Lansing.

Believes "food deserts should not exist in Lansing."

Supports developing new food sources for families in Lansing who do not have access to a car.

Believes in maintaining Lansing's public parks and trails.

Wants to hire more people to walk the river trail, local streets, and public parks to keep these areas inviting to residents.

Wants to hire more people to walk the river trail, local streets, and public parks to keep these areas clean for residents.

Supports providing trash bags and increasing access to trash bins for homeless people.

Wants to hire artists to beautify public spaces along the river trail by creating unique art and sculptures on bridges, pillars, walls, and walkways.

- Supports preserving public spaces and land in Lansing.
- Believes "food deserts should not exist in Lansing."
- Supports developing new food sources for families in Lansing who do not have access to a car.
- Believes in maintaining Lansing's public parks and trails.
- Wants to hire more people to walk the river trail, local streets, and public parks to keep these areas clean for residents.
- Supports providing trash bags and increasing access to trash bins for homeless people.
- Wants to hire artists to beautify public spaces along the river trail by creating unique art and sculptures on bridges, pillars, walls, and walkways.

Supports expanding public transportation beyond current CATA services, believing that an East/West and North/South rapid transit system would reduce street congestion and make Lansing more inviting for visitors.

Believes Lansing needs to improve infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.

- Supports expanding public transportation beyond current CATA services, believing that an East/West and North/South rapid transit system would reduce street congestion and make Lansing more inviting for visitors.
- Believes Lansing needs to improve infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.

Jonah Stone

Jonah Stone is from Muskegon, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University to broaden his horizons and challenge himself. He grew up experiencing poverty firsthand, relying on food stamps to keep him fed, free school lunches to stay engaged, and Medicaid to maintain his health. That legacy of community support has motivated his career, from teaching graduate students to working in forensic science to help provide closure to families in need.

Jonah Stone is a forensic scientist at the Michigan State Police, where he examines physical evidence, forms hypotheses about causes, and conducts tests to help provide closure to families. He previously taught graduate students at Michigan State University, guiding them through advanced topics and research methods.

As of June 6, 2025, Jonah Stone’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Lansing's charter revision process a hot topic as first few candidates ...

Julie Vandenboom has been in the Lansing area since the third grade and has lived in the city proper since 2000. She has a son. She currently serves as one of Lansing’s representatives on the board of the Capital Area District Libraries and is an active member of Lansing Rent is Too Damn High.

Julie is a public sector professional specializing in state government policy and program management. She has worked in Michigan state government for over 15 years, where she has conducted policy analysis, led planning and evaluation efforts, and carried out program re-engineering projects.

Supports hiring local labor for housing developments.

Plans to partner with local organizations to address food deserts and ensure equitable access to healthy food options.

Supports expanding access to farmers markets and farm-to-table programs.

Supports down payment assistance programs and financial literacy initiatives for first-time home buyers.

- Supports hiring local labor for housing developments.
- Plans to partner with local organizations to address food deserts and ensure equitable access to healthy food options.
- Supports expanding access to farmers markets and farm-to-table programs.
- Supports down payment assistance programs and financial literacy initiatives for first-time home buyers.

Supports ensuring that every Lansing resident has safe, affordable housing that meets their needs.

Supports developments that hire local labor and create permanently affordable, quality housing without massive tax giveaways.

Supports creating a "compassionate campus" to provide services for the unhoused community instead of criminalizing them.

Supports preserving existing affordable housing by establishing programs to maintain and rehabilitate aging housing stock, preventing displacement.

Supports preserving existing affordable housing by establishing programs to maintain and rehabilitate aging homes.

Supports tenant protections, such as the right to legal representation, right to repair, and right to organize.

- Supports ensuring that every Lansing resident has safe, affordable housing that meets their needs.
- Supports developments that hire local labor and create permanently affordable, quality housing without massive tax giveaways.
- Supports creating a "compassionate campus" to provide services for the unhoused community instead of criminalizing them.
- Supports preserving existing affordable housing by establishing programs to maintain and rehabilitate aging homes.
- Supports tenant protections, such as the right to legal representation, right to repair, and right to organize.

Supports removing the 20-year felony conviction disqualification for elected officials.

- Supports removing the 20-year felony conviction disqualification for elected officials.

As of June 5, 2025, Julie Vandenboom’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports increasing tree canopy coverage, expanding parks, and creating community gardens to improve air quality and combat urban heat.

Plans to work with local schools to implement farm-to-school programs and integrate gardening into educational curricula.

Supports moving city elections to even years to increase voter turnout and save the city money.

Supports increasing the number of wards in the city to 8 or 9 to improve resident access to council representatives and make campaigning more affordable for those with limited resources.

- Supports increasing tree canopy coverage, expanding parks, and creating community gardens to improve air quality and combat urban heat.
- Plans to work with local schools to implement farm-to-school programs and integrate gardening into educational curricula.
- Supports moving city elections to even years to increase voter turnout and save the city money.
- Supports increasing the number of wards in the city to 8 or 9 to improve resident access to council representatives and make campaigning more affordable for those with limited resources.

Supports partnering with utilities and community organizations to increase access to solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources.

Supports green building codes and incentivizing retrofitting homes and businesses with energy-efficient technologies.

Supports enhancing recycling and composting programs to reduce landfill waste and promote a circular economy.

Supports enhancing recycling and composting programs to reduce landfill waste.

Supports developing a comprehensive strategy to reduce Lansing's carbon footprint and prepare for climate impacts.

- Supports partnering with utilities and community organizations to increase access to solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources.
- Supports green building codes and incentivizing retrofitting homes and businesses with energy-efficient technologies.
- Supports enhancing recycling and composting programs to reduce landfill waste.
- Supports developing a comprehensive strategy to reduce Lansing's carbon footprint and prepare for climate impacts.

Supports building and maintaining protected bike lanes, bike-sharing stations, and safe bike parking throughout the city.

Supports enhancing crosswalks, sidewalks, and street lighting to ensure safe and accessible pathways for pedestrians of all abilities.

Supports improving crosswalks, sidewalks, and street lighting to ensure safe and accessible pathways for pedestrians of all abilities.

Supports working closely with public transit authorities to integrate walking and biking routes with transit hubs, encouraging multimodal transportation.

Supports adopting "Complete Streets" policies that prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit over vehicle traffic in new road projects.

- Supports building and maintaining protected bike lanes, bike-sharing stations, and safe bike parking throughout the city.
- Supports improving crosswalks, sidewalks, and street lighting to ensure safe and accessible pathways for pedestrians of all abilities.
- Supports working closely with public transit authorities to integrate walking and biking routes with transit hubs, encouraging multimodal transportation.
- Supports adopting "Complete Streets" policies that prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit over vehicle traffic in new road projects.

Julie Vandenboom

Julie Vandenboom is from Lansing, Michigan. She has been in the Lansing area since the third grade and has lived in the city proper since 2000  on the Eastside, in the Turner Dodge neighborhood, and now again on the Eastside. She raised her family in Lansing, and her son graduated from Lansing Eastern in 2019. She has worked in state government for over 15 years and serves as a program reengineering specialist at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She currently serves as one of Lansing’s representatives on the board of the Capital Area District Libraries and is an active member of Lansing Rent is Too Damn High.

Julie Vandenboom is a public sector professional specializing in state government policy and program management. She has worked in Michigan state government for over 15 years, where she has conducted policy analysis, led planning and evaluation efforts, and carried out program re-engineering projects.

As of June 6, 2025, Julie Vandenboom’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Supports increasing tree canopy coverage, expanding parks, and creating community gardens to improve air quality and combat urban heat.
- Plans to work with local schools to implement farm-to-school programs and integrate gardening into educational curricula.

Supports promoting pathways to homeownership through down payment assistance programs and financial literacy initiatives for first-time buyers.

Supports creating a "compassionate campus" to provide services for unhoused individuals.

Supports upgrading recycling and composting programs to reduce landfill waste.

Miles Biel has lived in Lansing since high school. He has a bachelor's degree in environmental economics from Michigan State University and a master's degree in business administration with a focus on sustainable business from Unity College. He is married to his wife, Emily, and they live in Lansing's Grosbeck neighborhood. Miles was born in Lewisville, Texas.

Miles Biel - Ballotpedia

This is Miles's first campaign for public office.

Miles is a project manager in the energy efficiency sector. 

Supports income-graduated fixed charges and reasonable payment plans capped at fair income portions.

Supports fixed payments based on income to help residents pay for their water and light bills.

Supports ending shutoffs for residential customers behind on their bills.

Supports ending shutoffs for customers behind on their bills, believing water and light should always be on for residents.

Supports offering tax breaks, improving entrepreneurial incubators, enhancing public-private partnerships, and creating talent retention programs to attract businesses to Lansing.

Supports offering tax breaks, improving entrepreneurial incubators, better public-private partnerships, and creating talent retention programs to attract businesses to Lansing.

- Supports fixed payments based on income to help residents pay for their water and light bills.
- Supports ending shutoffs for customers behind on their bills, believing water and light should always be on for residents.
- Supports offering tax breaks, improving entrepreneurial incubators, better public-private partnerships, and creating talent retention programs to attract businesses to Lansing.

Supports the construction of more housing units in Lansing to reduce housing costs.

Supports providing more assistance for those struggling to buy their first home or maintain housing.

Supports simplified zoning regulations and expedited permitting processes to allow developers to build more housing quickly and in more locations.

Supports simplified zoning regulations and better permitting processes to allow developers to build more housing quickly and in more locations.

Supports creating new public housing for those facing economic hardships.

Supports the creation of a city rental subsidy program to address rising rents and decreasing federal housing resources.

- Supports the construction of more housing units in Lansing to reduce housing costs.
- Supports providing more assistance for those struggling to buy their first home or maintain housing.
- Supports simplified zoning regulations and better permitting processes to allow developers to build more housing quickly and in more locations.
- Supports creating new public housing for those facing economic hardships.
- Supports the creation of a city rental subsidy program to address rising rents and decreasing federal housing resources.

Believes in refocusing efforts on street safety and providing assistance to at-risk community members.

Supports improved policing outcomes, including faster 911 response times, better resource allocation, and increased neighborhood visibility.

- Believes in refocusing efforts on street safety and providing assistance to at-risk community members.
- Supports improved policing outcomes, including faster 911 response times, better resource allocation, and increased neighborhood visibility.

As of June 5, 2025, Miles Biel’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes addressing homelessness requires not only housing reforms but also job training, placement, and substance abuse prevention.

- Believes addressing homelessness requires not only housing reforms but also job training, placement, and substance abuse prevention.

Supports subsidizing rooftop solar for low-income customers and offering bigger rebates for electrifying home heating.

- Supports subsidizing rooftop solar for low-income customers and offering bigger rebates for electrifying home heating.

Miles Biel

Nick Pigeon - Ballotpedia

Nick Pigeon is from Lansing, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University. He has a master’s degree in public policy from Michigan State University. He lives with his partner in the Eastside neighborhood of Lansing.

Nick worked as the executive director for Michigan Campaign Finance Network between December 2022 and February 2025.

Nick's campaign for an at-large seat on the Lansing City Council is his first entry into politics. 

As of June 5, 2025, Nick Pigeon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports expanding state and city programs to build affordable housing and eliminating exclusionary zoning.

- Supports expanding state and city programs to build affordable housing and eliminating exclusionary zoning.

Plans to invest in systems that streamline access to city services.

Plans to invest in systems that streamline access to city services such as work on snow, streets, and sanitation.

- Plans to invest in systems that streamline access to city services such as work on snow, streets, and sanitation.

Nick Pigeon

- City council members in Michigan help make city-level laws, approve budgets, and oversee city services to serve the community’s needs. 
- Council members attend regular meetings, listen to public concerns, and vote on city issues like zoning, public safety, and spending. They also appoint and direct officials, like the city manager.
- City council members may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. They may represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Terms for city council members often last two or four years, depending on the city.

Passes laws and regulations for your city.