t

Pioneer For Cultural Sensitivity

Southfield's longtime Jewish councilman keeps on going.

Sheryl Zimberg
I Special to the Jewish News

t 92, Sidney Lantz is one of the
oldest elected officials in the
United States. For the past 28
years, he has served as councilman for the
city of Southfield.
Throughout those years, he has fre-
quently encountered anti-Semitism. "It's a
tough road I've had here," says Lantz, who
attends Congregation Shomrei Emunah in
Southfield. "I don't want to take, though;
I'm here to give'
He wouldn't have it any other way.
Lantz, who will turn 93 on July 9 and has
superb health, plans to run for his seat
again in 2015.
Public service was not his original career
goal. His parents raised him on the Lower
East Side of New York City to be a proud
Jewish American citizen and doctor. After
studying as a pre-med student at City
University of New York (CUNY), however,
his goals were interrupted with World War
II and his future plans changed.
Growing up in the melting pot of
Manhattan with its wide spectrum of
immigrants and ethnicities — and also
while serving as a medic during the war
— Lantz developed keen cultural sensitivi-
ties that would serve him well in his role
in city government.
Soon after returning from duty, Lantz
married Toby Brandman, and together
they raised three beautiful children: Lisa,
Phillicia and Scott. Lantz worked in New
York's thriving apparel business, and in
the early 1970s, his employer, Fruit of the
Loom, transferred him to Detroit. The
Lantz family settled in Southfield.
Even with his growing family and full-
time job, both Lantz and Toby became
very active in their community. They
joined Volunteers In Service to America
(VISTA), a domestic arm of the Peace
Corps. He was awarded the Kennedy/
Shriver medal for service to the federal

A

20 June 20 • 2013

government and received the Medal of
business district. Southfield is home to
Detroit for his extensive contributions and
more than 9,000 businesses, including
improvements to its school system.
more than 100 Fortune 500 companies.
When Lantz learned that the Southfield
Even with this growth, Lantz avoided
School District was burning excess books,
big incentives for big business if they came
he and Toby shipped the
at the expense of the
books overseas to U.S.
average homeowner.
Left: Sidney Lantz with
soldiers, hospitals and
When asked why he
Southfield treasurer Iry
even Native American
chose politics, Lantz
Lowenberg
reservations, rescuing
simply says, "I wanted to
more than 500,000 books
right what was wrong for
Center: Michigan Gov. Rick
in five years.
the people'
Snyder, Lantz, U.S. Sens.
The couple enjoyed
Debbie Stabenow and Carl
Helping The
serving together. "Toby
Levin
Community
would join different
Even now, Lantz remains
volunteer causes and I
Right: Maj. Gen. Gregory
would back her up and
an advocate for busi-
Vadnais, State Command
we'd work together:'
ness owners in the city
Sgt. Maj. Daniel G. Lincoln,
Lantz said. "We helped
and the people who call
Lantz and Jim Scharret,
Jewish causes like
Southfield home. He
administrator for the city
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah,
advises citizens on legal,
of Southfield, this past
Congregation Shaarey
medical and personal
Memorial Day
Zedek and Yeshivat
issues on a daily basis;
helping personally or
Akiva."
His philanthropy ben-
referring them to the
efited many other cultures as well, includ-
appropriate department or agency.
ing African Americans, Native Americans
Former Southfield resident Greg
and Filipino Americans.
Thrasher said, "Sid's actions and sincere
love for the city of Southfield is beyond
Lantz's other projects included vol-
approach. His honesty and value for
unteering on the Art Council, the Youth
inclusion and diversity is sincere and has
Commission, helping out with emergency
housing programs and organizing the
always been strong. I publicly endorse
Sidney Lantz in any political endeavor he
Committee of Senior Citizens office.
engages in:'
Eventually, Lantz's desire to help people
Lantz was instrumental in the build-
of all faiths motivated him to become a
ing of Southfield's Memorial Garden. He
public servant. In 1983, when he decided
raised the mostly private funds needed
to run for Southfield councilman, these
to realize his vision of honoring United
same groups helped support his campaign
with mass mailings and yard signs. Once
States war veterans and creating the Police
Memorial monument. He even helped to
he was elected, Lantz never looked back.
create Southfield's first public menorah.
As a councilman, Lantz played a vital
He also earns high praise from the vet-
role in the transformation of Southfield
erans' community.
into one of Michigan's fastest-growing and
"When I think of Sid Lantz, I think of a
most successful business centers. In fact,
with more than 27 million square feet of
man who is wise, intelligent, insightful and
inspiring," said Tyrone Chatman, executive
office space and 7 million square feet of
director of Michigan Veterans Foundation.
retail and industrial space, Southfield has
more rental space than Detroit's central
"Sid has not only served his community as

the longest-serving city council member
of the great city of Southfield, he has also
served his country as a highly decorated
veteran of World War II. He is truly our
national treasure:"
This past Memorial Day, Lantz was
presented two gold coin awards for his
service to the country during WWII by the
adjutant general of Michigan and the com-
mander of the Michigan National Guard.
Lantz's priorities for the city of
Southfield are clear. "Public safety is most
important:' he says.
When two people were killed at a dan-
gerous intersection on Southfield Road
near his shul, he worked to get a traffic
light installed. He's also committed to
ensuring public safety in the city, support-
ing police, fire and EMS services.
Lantz adds that keeping the city friendly
to business is also important to him. "It's
the only way to create jobs and prosperity:'
he said.
Throughout the years, Lantz has con-
tinued to support and mentor younger
political candidates who he believes are
qualified and share his vision for public
service, such as Southfield city treasurer
Iry Lowenberg.
"Sidney was a mentor to me. He worked
around the clock during my campaign,"
Lowenberg said.
Lantz is currently mentoring Ari
Mandelbaum and Sunsaria Baldwin, who
will be running for seats on the Southfield
City Council this November.
Of his accomplishments, he is most
proud of his drafting the Resolution of
Togetherness in 1998, thereby bringing all
in the city of Southfield together in a spirit
of warmth and unity.
It reads, in part, "a community meets its
challenges when all diverse groups within
it cooperate to enhance mutual respect,
positive attitudes and understanding
through education, programming, com-
munal forums, task forces and other solu-
tions:'

❑

