Commissioner Thomas Morgan

UPDATE: The Ingham County Commission's Human Services Committee last night unanimously approved a six-week funding extension for homeless people who were displaced from encampments. This will allow them to get through these last six weeks of winter (knock on wood) while they look for stable housing. Given the speed and bipartisan nature with which this passed the Human Services Committee, I fully expect it will be finalized at the full Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 10.

Homeless advocates argue city needs to do more to help displaced camp residents Representatives from some of Lansing's nonprofits that address homelessness remain critical of how the city cleared a homeless camp in the city.

Critical ❄️ information below, including a comprehensive list of warming centers. DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP!

[Note: This post was written by an actual living, breathing human using a real-life central nervous system.]

I look at a lot of internal polling and crosstabs for work. Like, a lot. So it's remarkable when — especially these days — there’s a political issue that Republicans, Democrats and independents agree on *and* with nearly matching intensity. That’s what’s happening with the proliferation of AI data centers.

According to a Lake Effect/PPP poll conducted of Michigan voters last month:

• 67% of Michigan Democrats oppose “more data centers being built in Michigan,” including 47% who are “strongly” opposed.

• 54% of Michigan Republicans are in opposition, including 32% who are strongly opposed.

• 58% of independents oppose more data centers, including 40% who are strongly opposed.

• Even when reminded of the temporary construction jobs, only 10% of Michigan voters strongly support building more data centers.

• That includes 0% of Black voters.

• Yes, zero.

Read more: https://progressmichigan.org/2025/12/new-poll-majority-of-michiganders-opposed-to-controversial-data-centers/

This is another example why elected officials shouldn’t try to moonlight as property speculators on the public dime. (Also see the Lansing Township DDA and its resulting financial crisis.)

There’s no grand conspiracy here. The vast, vast majority of public servants really do mean well. Many are my friends, and many might disagree with me on this particular philosophy. That doesn’t make them (or me, hopefully!) bad people.

However, I just want to implore to anyone who cares about this stuff that there’s a good reason why reasonable people seek surgeons for surgery, CPAs for tax issues, auto mechanics for car repairs, immunologists for immunotherapy, and commercial real estate investors for commercial real estate investments.

City’s Evergreen Avenue Land Deal Will Leave Significant Debt Even After Sale - East Lansing Info Taxpayers have lost more than $2 million on the Evergreen Avenue properties, even before the DDA has started to pay down the more than $5 million owed on the properties.

I’ve made it no secret how I feel about the proliferation of AI and how we’re careering toward an existential crisis on multiple fronts. One of those fronts is the devastating impact data centers have on our natural resources. To that end, check out my colleague Commissioner Chris Trubac’s resolution that the Ingham County Commission passed last night.

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RIP to a tremendous advocate for people with disabilities, Norman DeLisle. Norm *just* retired after a long career of helping improve access and opportunities for disabled Michiganders and fighting to ensure people are treated with the dignity they deserve. He was dedicated to this most just of causes to the very end.

Update: October 9th

It is with profound sadness that we share Norman G. DeLisle, Jr. has passed away.

For over 50 years, Norm was a fierce advocate, a truth-teller, and a champion who challenged every system that tried to control people with disabilities. His impact on Michigan's disability community is immeasurable - whether you knew him personally or were touched by the policies he fought for, the barriers he tore down, or the movements he helped build.
The staff at MDRC are grieving the loss of our leader, mentor, and friend. We will share more about Norm and his incredible legacy and opportunities to honor him in the near future, but today we simply want you to know that we mourn with you. We've lost a giant in our community.
Please hold us, his beloved wife Jill, and all who loved Norm in your thoughts as we navigate this tremendous loss.
Norm, you taught us to always challenge power and control. We promise to keep fighting.

Announcing the Retirement of Norman G. DeLisle, Jr.

After more than five decades of unwavering advocacy in the disability community, Norman G. DeLisle, Jr. has retired from Michigan Disability Rights Coalition. We know Norm has influenced, advocated for, and impacted so many of you. Please join us in thanking Norm for his advocacy and commitment to disability justice and rights.

Since 1970, Norm has been a fierce champion for disability rights, bringing his lived experience and combat veteran perspective to every aspect of his work. A combat veteran who served with the First Air Cavalry Division, Norm's career included 13 years with Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services, 18 years as MDRC's director, and continued service as a consultant. His impact spans medical, educational, substance abuse, mental health, and developmental disability programs across Michigan.

But numbers and titles don't capture who Norm truly is. If we could summarize Norm to people who didn't know him, we would describe him as authentic and a deep challenger of any person, cultural norm, or policy that tries to control individuals—a leader who believes deeply that people with disabilities deserve choice and possibility in every aspect of their lives.

A Note from Executive Director Theresa Metzmaker:

"I started my career under Norm's leadership, and I am so incredibly proud to have worked for him. Norm was the kind of leader who led with and for the people. He didn't just talk about peer support—he lived it, attending trainings, participating in the movement, and sharing his own experiences. He centered disability and questioned power at every single interaction. And he had our backs as staff. He trusted us to make decisions in the community and to advocate boldly, knowing he would support us no matter what pushback we faced.

Norm showed up to work in his own uniform—his jean MDRC logo shirt, blue jeans that matched the shirt, belt, and those white sneakers (sometimes black). I remember when someone once questioned his clothes, and I thought they really didn't understand Norm at all, they don't understand MDRC. That outfit wasn't casual—it was authentic. It was his brand, like Steve Jobs and his turtleneck. You don't mess with something that real, that genuine. When Norm entered the room, the people we worked with, the people we worked for, our community, knew Norm was there to advocate, using his power as the director of MDRC, but he was one of us, and he didn't forget it.

Under Norm's leadership, MDRC became truly intersectional. When we launched our Building Bridges initiative in 2006-2007, fostering alliances between disability rights and LGBTQ+ communities, we faced pushback from some who felt we were 'taking focus off disability.' But Norm—a true ally—refused to back down. That pivotal moment transformed MDRC into the intersectional, anti-violence organization we are today.

Those who know Norm know how often and how beautifully he speaks about his wife Jill. As he begins this new chapter with Jill and their dogs, we are a bit sad for ourselves but truly happy for them.

Norm, it has been the greatest honor of my professional life to work for you. I am the advocate I am today because of working with you, learning from you, watching you lead with such integrity and courage. Your legacy will live on in every policy we fight for, every barrier we tear down, and every person with a disability who gets to live the life they choose because you never stopped believing it was possible. We will all remember to challenge power and control.

With the deepest gratitude and admiration,
Theresa Metzmaker"

To honor Norm's legacy, consider making a donation to MDRC: https://tinyurl.com/wbv6emrj



[Image Description: A graphic announcement featuring a circular photo of Norman G. DeLisle, Jr., a white man with white hair wearing a blue button-up shirt, smiling at the camera. . The background is purple with orange accents. The Michigan Disability Rights Coalition logo appears in the top left corner. The main text reads: "After 50+ years of fierce disability advocacy, Norman G. DeLisle, Jr. has retired. Thank you, Norm, for challenging power and fighting for choice and possibility." Website: www.mymdrc.org. A white speech bubble contains "NORM" in bold letters.]

MSU Extension, 4-H and the Master Gardener program are near and dear to the hearts of many in our community, who’ve shown up and shown out at recent County Commission meetings to urge the county's continued financial support. That's why County Commissioner Mark Polsdofer deserves a huge shout-out for working tirelessly to find a way for Ingham County to continue supporting MSU Extension — despite the county’s budget challenges brought on by federal and state cuts. Thanks to Commissioner Polsdofer’s creative solution, MSU Extension will be able to continue administering 4-H, the Master Gardener program and other key initiatives in Ingham County through 2026.

Tonight at our Finance Committee, I offered an amendment to our 2026 County Recommended Budget to fund 4-H, which is part of MSU Extension.

I was glad that all my colleagues supported my amendment.

Traditionally, we have always supported the efforts of 4-H and MSU Extension in our county, but with the reckless program cutting from the administration in Washington to well-known programs like Head Start and Americorp and the numerous others that affect our budget, along with negative revenue estimates due to self-imposed tariffs and other things, we were faced with making $10m in cuts, and initially, MSU Extension was not going to be able to be funded.

$154,175 to ensure the continued administration of 4H and other community events passed unanimously, along with another $60,716 to support the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program which provides thousands of pounds of produce to local food pantries.

Total funding is $214,891.

It’s been a tragic couple of days at the zoo. The zoo staff pour their hearts into their work, and the this hits them particularly hard.

We are utterly devastated to inform you that Doppsee, our beloved female rhino, passed away yesterday. As many of you know, Doppsee received immediate and around the clock medical treatment by a team of veterinarians and animal care staff led by our Director of Animal Health, Dr. Ronan Eustace over the past month following a sudden decline in her health.

At the onset of Doppsee’s symptoms the veterinary team conducted an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy examination and they found signs of an obstruction and treatment was initiated. She began eating and defecating and her health appeared to be improving. She later showed symptoms of gastric ulcers and treatment was initiated for this condition. She improved for a period of time and then declined significantly. An endoscopy procedure was done to identify the cause of her continued discomfort and another obstruction was identified. Aggressive treatment was started including a nasal gastric tube for fluids for many days. Following the procedure Doppsee continued to decline and the incredibly difficult decision was made to euthanize her. This decision was only made after the veterinary and animal care teams agreed that further treatment was not feasible or possible and Doppsee’s quality of life was such that euthanasia was the only humane option remaining. She passed away surrounded by those who love and care for her.

A necropsy will be performed and samples will be sent out to histology for detailed evaluation of the cause of her decline. It will take weeks to have the results from those tests.

Doppsee was an incredible ambassador and meant the world to our team and our community. In addition to the tremendous amount of information she provided to benefit her species through multiple research studies, her interaction with zoo guests young and old was an inspiration to all. Her sweet disposition and love for attention touched so many hearts and inspired many to care about the future of black rhinos in the wild. She will never be forgotten.

Thank you to our animal care team for providing her such wonderful care for the past 14 years while she has been at PPZ including monitoring her 24 hours a day for the past month. She was well loved each and every day.

This loss is devastating to so many. While support services are being provided for our team, they would also appreciate hearing how Doppsee impacted your life, feel free to share your memories below or at [email protected].

In the interest of transparency and disclosure, I am sharing an email received by myself and other Ingham County officials that proposes replacing *911 dispatchers* with AI technology via an “AI solutions” vendor.

Please note that my response is included in the final attachment.

GREAT NEWS! Doppsee the Black Rhino is showing signs of improvement and starting to act like her old self again. Staff at the Potter Park Zoo are cautiously optimistic and continue to provide 24/7 colic treatment.

‘We’re crossing our fingers’: Potter Park Zoo gives medical update on Lansing’s rare black rhino LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The rare black rhino at Potter Park Zoo named Doppsee had a “medical emergency” on Monday after a “very sudden decline in her health,” accordin…