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EastMagazine
Village
August 2021
Photograph ByLocated inside the Flint Farmers’ Market
FREE Home
Warranty
Flint’s Resident Realtor
The Name Trusted in
More Neighbohoods Ryan Eashoo
(810) 234-1234
www.RyanEashoo.com
2Commentary
After the water crisis and the pandemic,
what’s next?
By Paul Rozycki
It looked like the Flint water The pandemic
crisis was over…and it wasn’t.
Vol. LIX No. 8 August 2021 It looked like the pandemic As we entered the summer
was over...and it wasn’t. many of us were ready to drop our
Founder Gary P. Custer masks, get out of the house, and
Managing Editor Tom Travis The water crisis resume something that resembled
Consulting Editor Jan Worth-Nelson a normal life. The dramatic drop in
Consulting Editor Ted Nelson In Flint, as July ended, nearly the number of new COVID cases
Reporters Harold C. Ford all of the lead pipes in the city had and hospitalizations seemed to justi-
Madeleine Graham
Patsy Isenberg been replaced, a court settlement fy that view.
Melodee Mabbitt was on track, lead levels were at Then along came the delta
Coner Segren record lows, and it seemed that the variant, which is more contagious,
Columnist Paul Rozycki seven years of the Flint water crisis that began to infect those who had
Photographer Edwin D. Custer not been vaccinated. A surprising
might be behind us.
Then the newly installed number of young people were being
Distribution Staff pipes on Court Street began fail- hit with the virus, in sharp contrast
Director: Edwin D. Custer. Staff: Sue Bailey, Kim
Bargy, Jacob Blumner, Connor Coyne & Ruby ing, flooding the neighborhood to last year, when it was mostly
Coyne, Casey Custer, Caroline Fechik, Christine
& Patrick Figgins, Marabeth Foreman, Charlie &
with water, and creating huge sink- older individuals who had to worry.
Linda & Patrick & Terrance & Christan & Jillianne holes in the middle of the newly As vaccination rates lagged, there
Goldsberry, Patsy Isenberg, Carol Larzelere Kell- was a fear of a fourth wave of the
ermann, Stephen Kellermann, Jo Larzelere, Mary
paved road. Arguments over who
LeRoy, James & Lillian & Livia Londrigan, Alan & is to blame, and who is to pay may virus. Distrust caused as many as
Julie Lynch, Ron & Mary Meeker, Robert & Nancy go on for some time. a third of all Americans to remain
Meszko, Ted Nelson, Dave & Becky Pettengill,
Dick & Betty Ramsdell, Julian Rodriquez, Paul Then a group of Flint resi- hesitant about getting the vaccine.
Rozycki, Mike Spleet, Kim & Ronan & Jude Streby, dents, led by former Mayor Karen Los Angeles and other cities began
Holly West, and Karen Wilkinson.
Weaver, objected to the proposed to require masks again, and many
Board of Trustees worried about what the start of the
• FaLessia Booker • Edwin D. Custer $641 million water crisis settlement
• Alec Gibbs • Jack D. Minore as it went to U.S. District Court new school year might bring for
• Paul Rozycki • Jan Worth-Nelson young students, who hadn’t, or
Judge Judith Levy for approval.
720 E. Second St.
Flint, Mich. 48503 They felt that the amount of money couldn’t, get the shot.
(810) 233-7459 allocated wasn’t truly enough to The distrust between the
Website: compensate those Flint residents Democratic governor and the
eastvillagemagazine.org who had been harmed by the water Republican state legislature caused
E-mail:
eastvillagemagazineflint@gmail.com crisis. They also objected to the the lawmakers to approve proposals
proposed $202 million in fees for that would limit the governor’s abil-
Layout by Patsy Isenberg. Printing by Riegle Press
Inc., 1282 N. Gale Rd., Davison, Mich. 48423. the attorneys who led the lawsuits ity to react to future emergencies or
East Village Magazine is a program of the Village
against the city and others involved pandemics.
Information Center Inc., a nonprofit corporation. We in the litigation. It looked like the pandemic
welcome material from readers, but all submis-
sions become the property of the publication and if Recently, when announcing was over … and it wasn’t.
published will be edited to conform to the editorial the positive news of lower lead
style and policies of the publication. All inquiries
about the publication should be mailed to East Vil- levels for Flint water, Liesl Clark, What’s next?
lage Magazine, Village Information Center, 720 E. director of the Michigan Depart-
Second St., Flint, Mich. 48503. Distribution is the
first Thursday of each month. Display advertising ment of Environment, Great Lakes With those things in mind,
rates are $34 a column-inch plus any other costs. and Energy (EGLE) said “We it may be even more unsettling to
Unclassified ads are $2.50 a printed line or part of a
printed line. Rates subject to change without notice. know that trust was broken.” look at other worries on the hori-
The deadline for advertising is 10 days before each zon. And as we try to move beyond
publication date.
It looked like the water
crisis was over … and it wasn’t. the pandemic, and the water crisis,
© 2021 East Village Magazine
(Continued on Page 16.)
Cover: Charles W. Parker Carousel at Crossroads Village
3Photo of the Month: Battle Alley, Crossroads Village (Photo by Edwin D. Custer)
Education Beat
Mott Foundation CEO White pauses, then restores, grants to
Flint Schools. Public comments at packed ed board meeting
signal community division.
By Harold C. Ford
The dramatic twists and turns White then reversed himself and from Board members relating to her
reflected by and from the leadership announced a restoration of FCS grant communications with, and dissemi-
teams — elected and appointed — funding the next day on July 22. nation of information to, the Board of
at Flint Community Schools (FCS) Education members …”
deepened when Ridgway White, CEO FCS board’s restrictions on The board “further resolved
of the Flint-based C. S. Mott Founda- its superintendent leads to that the Superintendent must cease all
tion, announced a pause of FCS grant grants pause communication, as well as meetings
funding on July 16. (in-person, virtually, or over the tele-
A plan titled the Flint Educa- “We must reluctantly pause phone), with all partners and commu-
tion Continuum (FEC), spearheaded all grants,” wrote White in a July 16 nity foundations as well as affiliates of
by the Mott Foundation, aiming to memo to Carol McIntosh, FCS board partners and community foundations,
renovate or replace all of Flint’s president. without the presence of the Board
school buildings and provide sup- White reasoned that “commu- President and his or her designee.”
portive programming, led indirectly nity partners must be able to commu- During a July 1, 2021 interview
to the pause. nicate with district leaders to ensure with East Village Magazine, Steward
The Flint Community’s division smooth and effective programming.” said: “I am extremely disappointed
over these developments was evident A June 16, 2021 document titled that we are in this space that we are
during a five-hour FCS Board of Edu- “Flint Expectations of Superinten- now. I have been completely transpar-
cation meeting in a packed auditorium dent” signed by McIntosh, indicated ent … I’m in a difficult space with at
of some 200 persons at FCS’ Acceler- “Superintendent (Anita Steward) may least four board members.”
ated Learning Academy on July 21. not fully understand the expectations (Continued on Page 5.)
4Clause, Jack the Ripper, Batman and • Sonyita Clemons, Flint
... School Grant the Joker by herself … And if you Central HS grad: I implore each of the
(Continued from Page 4.) can’t come together President McIn- (board) members to come out to the
A July 20, 2021 memo posted tosh, with the superintendent being schools to see what the school direc-
by Steward at the district’s website your blood, and you all can’t agree, tors are doing, to understand from the
titled “FCS Programming Update,” there’s something wrong with that mouths of children how the program-
acknowledged that, “Grants that sup- … If you don’t get on the ball and ming is impacting them … We just
ported four of the district’s programs put your pride and egos aside, you’re want an opportunity for the children
and services have been paused.” As a gonna’ lose, and these babies are that attend Flint Community Schools
result, programming provided by the losing … Care about our babies!” … that matches, that rivals, that equals
Crim Fitness Foundation and Youth- • Malique Forward, 18: everything else that is going on in the
Quest would not be available for county.”
the 2021-22 school year that starts • Margaret Fox, Flint
on Aug. 4 for FCS students. Education Foundation board
member; former FCS educator:
Divided public packs “I’ve watched Flint’s student
board meeting enrollment decline from 25,000
students to under 4,000 students.
Some 200 persons packed Students have left for other dis-
the July 21 meeting of the Flint tricts and charter schools causing
school panel at FCS’ Accelerated the district to close buildings
Learning Academy (formerly … Currently, 10,000 kids, or
Scott School). The FEC may not 78 percent of the City of Flint’s
have been on the agenda but it students are choosing to attend
was on the minds of citizens who A packed house of 200-plus crammed into the other schools … We must stop
chose to address the board at the auditorium of Walter Scott School on a hot and allowing this district to bleed
five-hour meeting. sticky July 21 evening. students and funding … We can
(Photo by Tom Travis)
Speakers supportive of create a solvent district but we
a FCS-Mott Foundation part- have proven time and again we
nership: cannot do it without commu-
• Marla Settle, grand- nity partners willing to help. I
mother that enrolled her grandson implore this board to work with
at Brownell where she works as the Mott Foundation … Families
an attendance clerk: “That last want stability, decent buildings,
meal from YouthQuest could good teachers, competitive
be their only meal … That one technology, and opportunities for
YouthQuest worker could keep a their kids … We have an oppor-
student from committing suicide tunity to provide these things for
… It is not fair to the parents nor our students if this board would
to the students to rip YouthQuest allow the district to engage in
and Crim from them because we conversations with the Mott
can’t come together and agree Flint Community School Board members listen Foundation.”
on something … give them as residents share their comments. Board Mem- • Lauren Holaly-Zembo,
schools that have air because we bers Diana Wright (front), Adrian Walker (black Crim Fitness Foundation CEO:
have asthmatic babies that could mask), Joyce Ellis-McNeil (background). “As part of the 2012 Flint
pass out … That’s all Flint’s (Photo by Tom Travis) Master Plan in which over
board has been for our babies 5,000 residents participated,
is unstable … How do you think “What I’m hearing is the board is the community requested the return
we feel bringing our babies in them taking away (funding) from us, the of community education. Then-su-
hot, boiling schools? They deserve future … we are products of Flint perintendent Larry Watkins asked
to walk into a building and have air Community Schools and we’re the Crim to lead this effort … In
… They deserve fine arts … They doing good for ourselves … (Youth- 2014 with a grant provided by the
deserve a STEM lab. They deserve Quest) that’s a big help in kids’ life C. S. Mott Foundation we were able
computer labs … I don’t care if Su- … That extra time could change to pilot community education at the
perintendent Steward met with Santa someone’s life after school.” (Continued on Page 12.)
5Flint’s Housing Crisis predates recent crises, according to report
by UM – Flint professor
By Madeleine Graham
The Flint water crisis had no housing here in Flint. Rather, the homes with the intent to eventu-
discernible effect on Flint’s hous- issue is more so one of income and ally abandon them. They’ll rent
ing market, according to a recent employment opportunities. In other them out as long as possible with
report released by the University words, it’s not that the homes are a minimum level of maintenance,
of Michigan - Flint’s Victoria too expensive, it’s that incomes are then abandon once the properties
Morckel and Bernadette Hanlon too low,” Morckel stated. become uninhabitable — say, when
in the academic journal Housing Morckel explained that something expensive like a roof
and Society. for housing to be affordable, the needs to be replaced,” Morckel
amount spent should not be more stated.
than 30 percent of one’s income. Blight is symptomatic of
“The more housing costs, depressed neighborhoods. “There is
the fewer resources people have not wide-spread blight (things like
for other important things like vacant homes missing windows) in
transportation, health care, and healthy housing markets,” Morckel
education. It is also an issue when stated.
people, especially younger people,
cannot afford to purchase a home. Shrinking cities and the lasting
They miss out on the financial ben- impact of redlining
efits of homeownership, like home
equity, that accrue over time,” “Also because Flint is a
Morckel said. shrinking city located in a shrinking
metropolitan area, rehabilitating
Flint’s impaired housing market
exacerbates residents’
Victoria Morckel ability to move
Photo source: U of M - Flint Website
Flint’s impaired housing mar-
According to the report, ket exacerbates residents’ ability
published in March 2020, income to move. “This decrease in relative
limitations, residential segregation, value is a problem when a Flint
and past practices like redlining homeowner decides to move to
restricted some Flint residents’ mo- another community. The proceeds
bility long before the water crisis. from the home sale may not come
Hanlon is the associate professor of close to covering the cost of a simi-
city and regional planning at Ohio lar home elsewhere,” Morckel said.
State University. Flint’s oversupply of housing
Morckel is associate professor is not unique. “Many small-to-mid-
of urban planning and public policy sized cities in the Midwest face Bernadette Hanlon is the associate
at UM-Flint. In an online interview similar challenges with vacancy professor of city and regional
planning at Ohio State University.
with East Village Magazine, she ex- that stem from population loss, Photo source: OSU website.
plained that prior to the water crisis, deindustrialization, and suburban
Flint already had a severe lack of sprawl,” Morckel said. homes does not solve the larger
housing demand, which contributed There are many difficulties problem. In some cases, rehabilita-
to residents’ perceptions of con- with a shrinking city where popula- tion merely shifts vacancy around
strained mobility. tion has declined. Developers have from one neighborhood to another.”
“Flint’s housing market is no incentives to build new homes Morckel stated.
one of the most affordable in the due to supply costs exceeding po- Redlining practices that
country, for an urban metropolitan tential sales price. began in the 1930’s also have a
area,” said Morckel. “This is not “When housing values are lasting impact in cities like Flint.
to say that everyone can afford extremely low, some investors buy (Continued on Page 18.)
6THIS MONTH IN THE VILLAGE
“This Month” highlights a selection of events available to our readers — beginning after our publication date of Aug 5. It is not an exhaustive
list, rather a sampling of opportunities in the city, which, because of the restrictions starting to be lifted, are beginning to expand.
To submit events for our August issue, email your event to pisenber@gmail.com by August 20.
Flint Mural Plays The Ultumate Led Zepplin Experience Buckham Gallery
Presented by Flint Repertory Theatre and at The Capitol Theatre July 30 through Aug. 28
The Flint Public Art Project Friday, Aug. 13, 8 p.m. “Beastly Luster” by Kelly Boehmer shows
Continues through Aug. 31 Zoso “perform the most accurate and her soft sculptures with tragic humor.
All around the city. captivating Led Zeppelin live show since “No Dark in Sight” by Bill Davis
Listen to 25 new micro audio plays by the real thing.” demonstrates how artificial light occupies the
various playwrights, each corresponding The Capitol Theatre night with his photographs.
with a different mural around Flint. Listen 140 E. Second St., Flint “Penchant” is Devan Horton’s work
on the PixelStix app on phones or online at For more info visit capitoltheatreflint.com informing how waste is damaging our planet.
FlintRep.org. For more info or call 810-237-7333. Open Wed 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
visit flintrep.org/flintmuralplays. Tickets are $23-$41. Thurs and Fri 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Flint City Bucks Soccer Game Back to the Bricks Sun. 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 14 and 21, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 For more info visit buckhamgallery.org
National Champion (2019) Flint City This popular event returns in downtown Flint. or call 810-239-6233
Bucks against Inter Detroit FC on 8/14 There’s an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. hon-
and Detroit United on 8/21. oring veterans with patriotic music and a mili- Art Walk
Atwood Stadium tary fly-over. A Corvette Reunion at the Durant This popular event continues in downtown
701 University Ave., Flint 48503 Hotel with celebrity guests is planned. and the Flint on the second Friday evening of
For more info visit classic cars displayed along Saginaw St. each month from 6 to 9 p.m..
flintcitybucks.com/2021-schedule. For more info visit
backtothebricks.org
Flint Public Library Used Book Sale
Thursday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at
Flint Farmers’ Market, Pavilion
The Friends of the Flint Public Library are
selling a variety of used books, CDs, DVDs
on the third Thursday of every month.
Flint Farmers’ Market
300 East First St., Flint
For more info visit fpl.info.
Ed Custer’s East Village Magazine logo
is reimagined for each issue by Patsy Isenberg.
7Sports Beat
Bucks booted From USL2 postseason playoffs
by 1-0 loss to Des Moines
By Harold C. Ford
“The reigning champions Flint Reading United AC (PA) at Flint’s the Bucks’ goal narrowly missing a
City Bucks have been eliminated out Atwood Stadium on Aug. 3, 2019. chance to give the Menace an early
of this year’s United States League There was no league play in 2020 lead. Another shot by a Menace
Two.” —Ami Rabiai, game an- due to the COVID-19 pandemic. player went just wide right of the
nouncer, CISN (Central Iowa Sports Des Moines entered the Flint goal.
Network) playoffs as the top-ranked team in A paucity of goalscoring in the
The hometown team was the USL2 Central Conference. Flint first half of the Bucks’ 2021 regular
booted from the USL2 postseason was seeded number five. Des Moines season (seven games) resulted in a
playoffs by Des Moines 1-0, end- finished the regular season with a mediocre 3-2-2 record at the halfway
ing the Bucks’ chances for a repeat record of 11-1-0 (wins-losses-ties) in mark. The Flint club scored only nine
championship. the Heartland Division of the Central goals in its first seven matches.
A booming shot from the right Conference. The Bucks solved the offen-
foot of the Des Moines Menace’s Flint’s regular season con- sive drought in its last seven matches
Sivert Haugli evaded Flint goalkeep- cluded at 9-3-2 in the Great Lakes outscoring opponents 26-5 while
er Isaac Walker and landed in the Division of the Central Conference. posting a record of 6-0-1.
Flint City Bucks’ net at 52 minutes Des Moines advanced to the
(52’) of the second half, eliminat- semifinal match after winning its
ing the United States League Two quarterfinal contest, 5-0, against
(USL2) champions from the postsea- Texas United from the Mid South
son playoffs. Haugli’s goal was the Division of the Central Conference.
only score of the match played July The Bucks advanced with a 3-1
18 at Valley Stadium in Des Moines. quarterfinal victory over Great Lakes
Division rival Chicago FC (Football
Club) United.
Des Moines will now go to the Friendlies remain
Central Conference championship
match against Kalamazoo FC which Five friendly matches --
prevailed against Mississippi Brilla matches that don’t officially count
FC on penalty kicks (4-1) after the in league play -- remain for the Flint
clubs were tied at the end of regula- football (soccer) club in the 2021
tion and two extra periods. season:
• July 24, vs. Rebels FC,
Lack of scoring dooms Flint’s 7:30 p.m.
chances of advancing • July 14, vs. Inter Detroit
FC, 7:30 p.m.
An inability to create solid • August 21, Detroit United
scoring opportunities in the match FC, 7:30 p.m.
against Des Moines doomed Flint’s • September 11, Rebels FC,
chances of advancing in postseason 7:30 p.m.
play, The team achieved only one • September 25, Detroit
Sivert Haugli, Des Moines Menace; shot on goal and one corner kick for Union, 7:30 p.m.
his score at 52’ eliminated
the Flint side (club) in 90 minutes
Flint from USL2 playoffs
Photo credit: twitter.com; of play. Flint’s home matches are
https://twitter.com/hauglisivert Conversely, Des Moines played at Atwood Stadium, 701
registered three shots on goal and University Ave., Flint, MI.
The Bucks entered the playoffs two corner kicks. And in the 29th
as the defending USL2 champi- minute of the first half, Des Moines’ EVM Reporter Harold C. Ford can be
ons after a 1-0 extra time win over Rechaun Walkes hit the left post of reached at hcford1185@gmail.com.
8Flint Home Improvement Fund offers low- and no-interest loans
up to $20,000 to homeowners of all income levels
Flint residents of all income breaking partnership that I am so residents and to support Habitat’s
levels can now apply for low- or proud is being launched in our city management of the program.
no-interest loans of up to $20,000 to help families, neighborhoods In addition, Michigan State
to make repairs or improvements and the overall community.” Housing Development Authority
to their homes. After Flint homeowners (MSHDA) contributed $500,000
Flint Home Improvement apply to the Flint HIF, Genesee from its Neighborhood Stabiliza-
Fund (Flint HIF) applications are County Habitat for Humanity will tion Program funds, which will be
available to pick up at the Habitat used to help homeowners with low
Restore at 101 Burton St. in Flint to moderate incomes make im-
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays provements and repairs.
through Saturdays, or may be Community Foundation of
downloaded from Flint-HIF.org. Greater Flint granted $15,000 in
To be eligible, appli- work with them to see which fund- funding for staff support to facili-
cants must own and occupy a ing applies to their income level tate the loan program. In addition,
single-family home in the city of and situation, as well as to answer Huntington National Bank will
Flint as their primary residence. questions. provide low-interest, unsecured
Funding is available for homeown- “With sliding scale repay- home improvement loans for all
ers of all income levels and is not ment options on these low- to income- and credit-qualifying bor-
contingent upon the assessed value no-interest loans, there is no rowers.
of a home. reason not to apply. Even if you Partners from the public,
In addition, homeowners don’t qualify now, we will work to private and nonprofit sectors have
may not have to pay back the en- find a way to put you in a position come together to create and pro-
tire amount borrowed. The amount where you can access these or mote the Flint HIF, which will be
to be paid back will be determined other funds to repair your home,” managed by Genesee County Hab-
on a sliding scale based on house- said Thomas Hutchison, executive itat for Humanity. Other partners
hold income. director of Genesee County Habi- include the City of Flint, Genesee
“This is a golden opportuni- tat for Humanity. County Land Bank Authority, and
ty for residents to be able to make The fund draws funds from a the Neighborhood Engagement
home improvements at a fraction pool of resources. The Mott Foun- Hub.
of the cost,” said Flint Mayor dation granted $661,878 to pro- “This is a monumental step
Sheldon Neeley. “The Flint Home vide funding for no-interest home toward creating a system where
Improvement Fund is a ground- repair loans for low-income Flint all homeowners in the city of Flint
EVM file photo from the east side of Flint. (Photo by Tom Travis)
9At five-year milestone Flint water tests at 3 ppb for lead - the lowest yet:
EGLE says, “We know that trust was broken”
By Tom Travis
“From EGLE’s perspective and
my own perspective, we know that
trust was broken. We know that what
we need to do is to deliver results to
the people of the City of Flint,” said
Liesl Clark, director of the Michigan
Department of Environment, Great
Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
Clark made these comments
at a press conference Thursday on
the grounds of the Flint Water Plant,
4500 N. Dort Hwy. to announce the
lowest lead levels in the city’s drink-
ing water since the crisis began.
Five-year milestone reached:
“We won’t stop until the
job is done”
-- Mayor Sheldon Neeley
Flint has reached “a five-year
milestone” by meeting drinking wa-
ter standards for lead and “recording Mayor Sheldon Neeley announces Flint water tests at lowest point
in last five years coming in at 3 parts-per-billion.
its lowest lead levels since 2016,”
(Photo by Tom Travis)
Mayor Sheldon Neeley and Clark an-
nounced. Neeley added, “We won’t done. We have work to do with and Copper Rule) Michigan law
stop until the job is done.” lead line replacement and mak- passed in 2018.
“Let me be clear: no amount ing sure we have potable water “The purpose of the Lead
of lead is safe. EGLE is committed that our residents can feel safe to and Copper Rule (LCR) is to protect
to Flint to make their water among drink. It’s a long journey but we’re public health by minimizing lead and
the safest and most reliable in the getting there, every single day.” copper levels in drinking water,” ac-
nation,” Clark said. “These measurements were cording to the EGLE website. “Lead
Clark said the City of Flint is made using Michigan’s stricter mea- and copper enter drinking water
testing (lead) at three parts-per-bil- suring protocols that detect possible mainly from corrosion of lead and
lion(ppb), in the 90th percentile. The lead exposure from the service line as copper containing plumbing materials.
federal regulation lead level is 15 ppb.well as immediately in the home,” she The rule establishes action levels (AL)
Neeley added, “We won’t stated. for lead and copper based on a 90th
stop until the job is completely The City collected 71 samples, percentile level of tap water samples.”
of which 51 were “LCR monitoring was held
from so called “Tier to a higher standard than any city in
One” sites (single the State. To be included in the final
family residences) calculation the service line material
and 12 samples from had to be physically confirmed to
Tier Two sites have lead,” Clark explained.
(multi-family resi- “Flint’s on track to complete
dences, apartment the effort to eliminate lead from
buildings or business- service lines later this year as part of
es). The Flint samples a $97 million effort,” Clark stated.
were in compliance She added that as of April 9, 2021
Graphic source: EGLE’s July 22, 2021 press release with the LCR (Lead (Continued on Page 11.)
10... Milestone to have their service lines checked
and replaced to Friday, July 23. Clark
a “monitoring period” is every six
months from January to June and
(Continued from Page 10.)
urged residents to participate in the July to December.
Flint had completed 26,819 excava- opt-in period.
tions and replaced 9,941 service lines Flint’s water testing results can $6 million chemical feed building
that were found to be lead. be found at www.michigan.gov/flint- will receive 500,000 gallons
“More than 90% of the lead and water. of water per day - DPW director
galvanized steel service lines have More information about Mich-
already been removed and replaced igan’s new testing requirements and Thursday’s press conference
with 9,912 copper service lines. In results state-wide can be found at took place in front of a new $6
addition, 16,838 existing lines have www.michigan.gov/mileadsafe. million Chemical Feed building that
been identified as being constructed Michael Brown, director of the city’s
Anticipated developments
in the service line replacement
EGLE Director, Liesl Clark, Department of Public Works Water Plant Supervisor, Scott
commends the City of Flint Director, Michael Brown, Dungee, explains the purpose of
for their work at reducing speaks to reporters inside the the new $6 million chemical feed
lead in Flint’s water. new $6 million chemical feed facility (seen in background).
(Photo by Tom Travis) facility at the Dort Hwy. (Photo by Tom Travis)
Water Plant.
with copper pipe so replacement was (Photo by Tom Travis) Department of Public Works (DPW),
not necessary,” she said. said is expected to be “fully opera-
Former Mayor Karen Weaver’s Referencing the five-year mile- tional by the end of the year.”
administration launched the FAST stone, Clark listed future anticipated DPW Director Brown ex-
Start pipe replacement project in announcements forthcoming: “We plained that the new water feed
March 2016, funded by $100 million expect to announce the start-up of a filtration building will be “taking
from the federal Water Infrastructure safe, reliable second pipeline to Lake about 500,000 gallons a day” from
Improvement for the Nation (WIIN) Huron ... later this year we expect to the Genesee County Drain Commis-
Act. see the completion of the water ser- sion water treatment plant (GCDC)
The project continued with vice line replacement program, and in beginning August 2021.
Mayor Neeley’s administration in the the Fall we expect to see the comple- “In September we will change
Fall of 2019. Then the project was tion of several other projects that will that over to taking the full amount
waylaid by the coronavirus pandem- help modernize the water treatment of water through the plant to be able
ic. The FAST Start project resumed system and distribution system.” to isolate the GLWA [Great Lakes
in June 2020, as reported by EVM in Flint has logged ten consec- Water Authority -- the source of Flint
April 2021. utive monitoring periods, spanning water] so we can do some repair on
five consecutive years of lead and valves on the GLWA side. We hope
Opt-in period for service line copper results that have consistently that this plant will be up and running
replacement extended been below the EPA’s 15 ppb action by the end of this year,” he said.
to Friday, July 23 level for lead. These results also Brown explained, as he con-
meet future standards in Michigan ducted a tour for the media through
The City of Flint has extended that will reduce the action level to 12 the new chemical feed plant, that the
the opt-in period allowing residents ppb. According to the EGLE website (Continued on Page 18)
11... School Grant going for the children … Our kids that this board … is a middleman …
(Continued from Page 5.) are not going to stay in a school Why Mott can’t give us the money
that doesn’t even provide the basic, and we can hire the people we want.
Brownell-Holmes STEM Academy essential services.” Why we gotta’ go through Crim. Crim
and soon other school principals Speakers critical of a FCS-Mott ain’t nothin’ but a pimp … Let’s get
requested funding at their buildings Foundation partnership: off that plantation.”
… We support educators by allow- • Victoria Marx: “I want to • Claire McClinton, FCS
ing them to focus on teaching and tell the board members, the four of graduate, community activist:
learning while we support them by you, to stand your ground. You’re not “Would a partner pull the plug on a
focusing on services and programs to being unreasonable in your request to program you love? Nobody on this
help overcome barriers to learning.” have someone else in these meetings.” board decided to pull the plug on a
Holaly-Zembo said that Crim helps She likened Ridgway White to a program you love. Ridgway White
provide basic needs like food, clean “benevolent puppeteer … schoolyard, at the Mott Foundation pulled that
clothes, health care, toiletries, and rich-kid, bully taking his ball home plug. That is not partnership. When
transportation at low to no cost. She because he doesn’t like the way the the partner takes over your assets,
noted that during 2012-20 school game is played. Mott has got its dirty that’s not a partnership; you’re
year, nine of every ten FCS students finger in everything in Flint and it being controlled. We need to figure
were served by Crim programs. needs to stop.” out who our friends are and our
• Skyler Kelly: “My kids • Arthur Woodson: “Anita enemies are.” McClinton and others
have been in Crim sports, they’ve Steward, why are you not transparent? advocated use of federal funds to
been in YouthQuest … and it was If Ridgway cared about the students, support programming.
all at no cost … We need to find he wouldn’t have used this funding as • Audrey Young, occupation-
a solution ... that keeps services a puppet, as a tool … the sad part is (Continued on Page 14.)
“This collaboration fits our and work with outstanding part-
... Home Improvement guiding principle of engaging ners to empower residents and
(Continued from Page 9.) partners in creating innovative, build stronger communities,”
can access funds to improve their sustainable housing solutions,” commented Greg Viener, president
homes,” Hutchinson said. By said Gary Heidel, acting executive of Huntington’s Mid-Michigan re-
helping residents access capital to director at MSHDA. “We’re glad gion. “We look forward to seeing
improve their homes with flexible to pilot the program in Flint with what homeowners will accomplish
and affordable repayment options, such strong partners and hope to with more access to affordable
the Flint Home Improvement Fund replicate it in communities across options to repair or improve their
strives to create strong neighbor- the state.” homes.”
To support even more
homeowners, Flint HIF partners
are looking to bring additional
resources to the fund. “This is an
exciting partnership that will re-
move the barriers many residents
have faced in making repairs and
improvements to their homes,”
said Ridgway White, president
and CEO of the Mott Foundation.
“And that positive change will
add up, home by home, to help
strengthen neighborhoods across
the city.”
Flint Home Improvement Fund website To learn more or apply, visit
Flint-HIF.org or call 810-766-
hoods where residents can main- “Homeownership is a pow- 9089, ext. 213.
tain their homes while avoiding erful tool to help people improve
burdensome debt.” their lives and build wealth. That’s EVM reporter Melodee Mabbitt
It’s an approach MSHDA why we’re proud to support the contributed to this article and can be
hopes will extend beyond Flint. Flint Home Improvement Fund reached at melodee.mabbitt@gmail.com.
1213
... School Grant Foundation. And about the same Flint school system … Crim Fitness
(Continued from Page 12.)
number of speakers were critical of Foundation YouthQuest, MSU are
al therapist: “Be transparent. Don’t the partnership. organizations that are dependent
come in here with some other kind The final speaker, Dwayne upon that (Mott) money … and are
of objective … You wouldn’t part of that village to help raise
pull your money to hurt the chil- these children … I’m not telling
dren because you can’t control you to take the money. I’m not
them (board members). Bring telling you not to take the mon-
us the correct information so we ey … I’m telling you to make a
can sit down and talk about it … good, sound business decision
It’s the Mott Foundation holding … You’ve got to think of a way
our children hostage.” for both sides to win.”
• Beth Hazard: “Mr.
White… wanted them (school White announces restoration
board members) to blindly of grant funding
to approve a contract. Hazard
claimed a White family busi- On the very next day follow-
ness, Lurvee-White Ventures, ing the five-hour board meeting
a local real estate and develop- Trishanda Williams, a Flint Community Schools on July 21, White announced the
ment company, has benefitted teacher for 20 years who presently teaches restoration of FCS grant fund-
from local construction projects at Southwestern High School Academy proudly ing for YouthQuest afterschool
like Michigan School for the displays her United Teachers of Flint, programs and the Community
Deaf. “His actions … of pull- “Flint Kids Deserve the Best.” Education Initiative adminis-
ing funds … makes me wonder (Photo by Tom Travis) tered by the Genesee Area Focus
what his plans are for Central.” Fund and the Crim Fitness
She suggested that construction Foundation.
contracts and property owner- “We’ve all been through a lot
ship are underlying issues to be in the past decade,” said White,
scrutinized. “and I will do my best to keep the
• Laura Sullivan, Ket- Mott Foundation’s support posi-
tering University instructor: tive and beneficial for Flint kids
“Non-profits are directed to and families …” White issued a
throw business to companies public apology for “creating this
in which the foundations have instability.”
investments and the whole
purpose of their presence is MOU and FEC sparked
not to lift up the poor ... it’s the recent chain of events
to profit … There is an inten-
tional lack of transparency … Over 200 residents crammed into the A Memorandum of Un-
It’s nice to know that we live auditorium of Walter Scott School. derstanding (MOU) proposing
in a society where decisions The school board sat on stage at tables. a massive several hundred-mil-
(Photo by Tom Travis)
are made by people who are lion-dollar plan to rescue Flint
elected, not by wealthy foun- schools—the Flint Education
dations.” Clemons, praised the work of the Continuum (FEC)—was revealed by
• Gina Luster: “We don’t Crim Fitness Foundation, but urged a EVM in May 2021. The FEC would
need these foundations. Why fix it middling course of action: include three levels of government,
if it ain’t broke?” “I’m a businessman. When several Flint-area nonprofits, and all
• Claudia Perkins, union rep- I look at any situation, I look at it three of Flint’s major institutions of
resentative: “It’s time to stand up and from a business perspective first … higher learning.
stop letting any one person or entity I ask myself, ‘Do I want to repeat The centerpiece of the FEC
rule your lives.” the past?’ Those who don’t learn would be the construction of new
Approximately a dozen from history are doomed to repeat school buildings—four new elemen-
speakers spoke in support of a part- it … The C. S. Mott Foundation has tary schools and a new high school—
nership between FCS and the Mott built a small economy around the (Continued on Page 18.)
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15... What’s next? non-partisan commission to redraw
the state’s election districts. Every
proposed by the governor, and the
COVID relief funds may provide
(Continued from Page 3.) ten years, after the census, elec- a financial cushion, at least for a
the challenges of the future arise tion districts are redrawn to assure while.
from a similar cause …. a lack of that there are an equal number of Another bright light on the
trust. people in every district. But in the horizon for the Flint schools, is the
past, how those districts are drawn proposed Memo of Understanding
The city council elections has been a source of much partisan (MOU), led by the Mott Founda-
conflict. Whichever party has the tion. It would provide a dramatic
The recent August primary has majority in the state legislature increase in funds and new programs
chosen the city council candidates for has been able to design districts to to rebuild the Flint Community
the November election. City council elect their own people — what is Schools. But that MOU has a long
elections, in an off-year, typically commonly called Gerrymandering. way to go before everyone buys
receive little attention from the vot- Michigan’s new commission hopes into it, and it’s already facing crit-
ers or the public in general. But this to avoid that. icism from those who distrust the
year’s choices will determine wheth- However, with the census motives and the Mott Foundation.
er the Flint City Council continues being delayed by the pandemic, they Recently, the friction between the
with the divisive, rancorous habits of will be under a very tight deadline school board, the superintendent,
recent years, or whether it becomes to create Michigan’s new districts and the Mott Foundation caused the
a more civil governing body that can by Nov. 1, as required by law. Right foundation to briefly pause its fund-
be trusted to lead Flint. now a judge has ruled that there is to ing until communication and trust is
be no delay because of the pandemic restored.
The city budget and late census numbers. That may
lead to complaints about the fairness Donald Trump, the election,
The most important duty of the process if later census numbers and trust
of the city council is to approve a are different that those initially given
budget. They missed the deadline to the commission. Will that lead to And finally, it looked like last
required by the charter in June, and distrust of future elections held in year’s election was over … and, at
just barely passed a budget by the those districts? least for some, it wasn’t. It’s aston-
end of the month as required by law. ishing that nine months after the
But the dry columns of numbers in The future of Flint Community election, and seven months after the
a city budget underscore a major Schools and the MOU inauguration, there are still many
problem for the future of Flint. In a who refuse the accept the results of
city with a shrinking population and It’s no exaggeration to say the 2020 election. In spite of end-
tax base, how do you provide for the that the Flint Community Schools less recounts, audits, challenges,
increasing needs of its people? Like are facing a crisis even more press- and more than 60 court rulings, the
most cities that have lost population, ing than the city of Flint. As shown previous president and his followers
Flint has a large number of retirees, in Harold Ford’s extensive cover- still contend that they won last year’s
and a shrinking number of current age in East Village Magazine, they contest.
workers. are losing students at an alarming The implications of that denial
That doesn’t leave a lot of rate, and currently enroll less than a is about more than Joe Biden or
money for more police, better streets, quarter of the students within Donald Trump being president. It’s
efficient garbage service, or lower the city. about whether or not we can trust the
water rates. Right now some of the The relationship between the whole system that we have created.
pandemic funds will buy the city Flint School Board and Superin- That same distrust lies behind many
some time, but the council will need tendent Anita Steward is growing of the challenges we face with the
to make hard financial decisions in more combative by the month. The Flint water crisis, the pandemic, the
the not too distant future. Will those system has had seven superinten- city council, the city budget, redis-
decisions be accepted and trusted by dents in the last 15 years. On top of tricting, and the revival of the Flint
Flint residents? all that, the Flint schools are facing schools.
financial challenges as the enroll- Until we can restore that trust,
Redistricting commission begins ment shrinks, and demands increase none of these crises will truly be over.
to repair and maintain its aging
A few years ago, Michigan buildings. One positive note is the EVM Political Columnist Paul Rozycki
voters approved the creation of a new education funding package can be reached at paul.rozycki@mcc.edu.
16Tom Hardin artist/author
Support community journalism!
Donations to
East Village Magazine
are tax deductible.
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EVM welcomes back Cartoonist Pat Hardin after 45 years.
WRITERS
Pat presented a cartoon for EVM’s very first issue in July 1976.
WANTED
Writers are the life-blood of East
Village Magazine. They are the story
tellers, the analysts, and the truth
tellers.
If you have writing skills, we need
you. We publish daily in our online
edition and monthly in our hard copy
edition. As an EVM writer, you would
work with other staff members to de-
termine writing assignments, report on
SHOWING THROUGH SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 community events, and improve your
4:00 PM TUESDAY-SUNDAY skills through training, feedback, and
7:00 PM THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY editing.
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17in the planning process. FCS Board of Education is a Com-
... School Grant However, Steward told EVM: mittee of the Whole meeting starting
(Continued from Page 14.) “Board members have been invit- at 6:30 on Aug. 11.
and the renovation of two other ed to participate in these (FEC) A timeline of the recent events
buildings. All buildings would be conversations. Some of them have of the FCS Board and community
operated by FCS and located within participated. Some of them have partners can be found in the online
the City of Flint. elected not to attend the meetings.” version of this story at eastvillage-
White told EVM that the FEC, The entirety of the five- magazine.org.
inspired by Flint’s water crisis, had hour July 21 FCS Board of Edu-
been in the works for at least five cation meeting can be viewed on EVM Reporter Harold C. Ford can be
years. Some FCS board members YouTube. reached at hcford1185@gmail.com.
complained they were not included The next meeting of the
... Milestone ... Housing should be noted) are the ones that
(Continued from Page 11.) (Continued from Page 6.) are in the worst condition today,”
pipeline from Lake Huron feeds into The U.S. government created maps Morckel stated.
the new facility below the building. of urban neighborhoods identifying Policy interventions that have
Scott Dungee, water plant race, religion, and ethnicity to help worked to create affordable housing
supervisor, was invited to the determine the creditworthiness of include “rent controls and set-aside
podium by the Mayor and stated, neighborhoods, and these maps programs, where developers are
“This building is the new chemical were used in cities like Flint by required to build affordable hous-
feed building to take the place of realtors, lenders, developers, and ing alongside market rate hous-
the temporary building where we planners. Though redlining is now ing,” Morckel explained. “Some
feed chemicals [into the drinking illegal, the practice has a lasting places are exploring for ADUs
water]. impact. (accessory dwelling units, like
Dungee said he has worked garages and sheds) to be turned into
at the Flint Water Plant since 1997 Historically redlined small homes, to create more housing
and has been the supervisor since neighborhoods among supply. There is an increased interest
November 2020. He explained the the worst, still today in tiny homes -- very small homes
new building will house “modern, that are affordable because they are
fully automated pumps that can be “Historic housing discrimi- so small.”
controlled by monitoring systems nation (say, through the denial of Several agencies are working
in the old building. The old pumps home repair loans) and the resulting to try to mitigate the problems in
are all manual and it takes a lot of disinvestment can contribute to a the housing market. Future articles
man hours to operate them. The au- long-term trajectory of neighbor- will explore Metro Community
tomated pumps can respond much hood decline. Many of the neigh- Development and The Tiny Homes
quicker to changes in the water.” borhoods that were redlined in Flint project.
(neighborhoods that experienced
EVM Managing Editor Tom Travis can additional forms of disinvestment EVM reporter Madeleine Graham can be
be reached at tomntravis@gmail.com. thought-out the 20th century, it reached at madeleine4841@gmail.com.
(Photo by Mike Naddeo)
18San Francisco where she would like that sporty Chevy coupe.
... Chevy Coupe be married. Her brother let her I’m still in Flint. My mother
(Continued from Page 20.) died here in 2008. I learned how
take the car --- he was headed to
east by train. The Great Northern Washington, D.C., to work in the to be one of those grown-ups who
Empire Builder ran daily from Office of Strategic Services (OSS) can tell stories on themselves.
Portland to Chicago’s Union established by Roosevelt in 1942. And the Chevrolet Plant
Station where they could pick up Off to a glamorous career in the Number Four where my mother’s
Grand Trunk Western mainline capital, my uncle readily signed Chevy coupe was likely made?
and get off at Flint. My mother over the title to the Chevy. He After Delphi demolished the last
remembered waiting on a gusty threw in the jazz records, heavy remaining buildings in 2004, a
Saginaw Street corner for a man 78s in brown paper sleeves, as a phased redevelopment restored the
who would take them out to the wedding present. resulting brownfield into grass-
factory --- which must have been The coupe became my par- lands, meadows, and woodlands
Chevy-in-the Hole. ents’ first car. with walking trails. The entire area
On the drive back to Port- By 1955, my parents needed was re-christened Chevy Com-
land, brother and sister saved a newer, more practical family mons in 2012. This week (July
money by sharing a motel room; ride. One summer evening my 14, 2021) Governor Whitmer
my mother remembered sleeping dad pulled into the driveway in announced a plan to make the ex-
on a trundle bed. My uncle --- a a 1950 4-door Ford custom six panse Michigan’s 104th state park.
jazz lover --- looked for towns “executive sedan.” A deep forest
along US 30 where he could green, in the center of its grill a EVM occasional columnist Teddy
search record stores. “bullet” jutted out that only under- Robertson, associate professor emer-
In 1944, my mother got scored the car’s roomy boredom. ita in history at UM - Flint, can be
engaged and planned to move to We never again had a car reached at teddyrob@umich.edu.
19Village Life
From San Francisco to Chevy-in-the-Hole — the Chevy Coupe
helped to move America
By Teddy Robertson
“Jee-zus Christ!” Stress on roads where we lived. Kids in grade school never
the first syllable and heavy elon- Our destination was 450 did that.
gation of the “z” sound. I blurted Sutter Street, a medical and dental Grown-ups telling stories
out one of my father’s favored office building a few blocks uphill --- when not at my expense ---
expletives. from Union Square. At 26-floors brought relief from my well-be-
My mother had slammed on and one of the tallest buildings in haved boredom. I watched as the
the brakes and I tumbled off the the city at the time, its art deco launch of some tale snagged the
bench seat of our old Chevy coupe entry doors were recessed beneath other conversations scattered about
and hit the floor mat beneath. The a gold fan-shaped portico. the room, reeled in the attention of
brown and red threads of the tan Waiting for the elevator in highball-clutching adults. I listened
plaid upholstery prickled as I clam- the black marble hallway, I craned to half-understood words about
bered back onto the bench seat. my neck to look up at the bronze opaque situations: the suspense
It was 1951 and I was six and silver ceiling decorated in was exciting. I sensed the drama
years old. Mayan revival motif designs. The of any weave or wobble in the
The car was a 1940 Chevro- dimly lit zig zag shapes made me story, a gasp of surprise, a sigh
let, a 2-door business coupe, of let-down, or a hoot of
trim and sporty even with laughter at the end.
its faded cream finish. A red The work of what I
pin stripe was still visible later learned to call literary
along its sides. My mother devices seeped into my
loved that Chevy and de- brain.
cades later I learned why. Sixty years after I
The day of my star- banged into the Chevy
tling outburst we were dashboard, my mother
headed into the city --- to Virginia came to live with
San Francisco, a 40-minute me in Michigan. At age
drive from Mill Valley, our Photo source: www.oldcarbrochures.com 81 she pulled up stakes on
small town north of the the west coast and moved
Golden Gate Bridge. I watched dizzy. I thought my family dentist east to live with me and
my mother grip the gearshift with lived in a temple on the 16th floor. my son.
its milky bakelite-tipped handle For years my mother regaled Of all places, in Flint.
as she pressed in the clutch in one friends and relatives with the story The back story to the Chevy
smooth, deft motion. She was a of precocious mimicry. I cringed, coupe emerged, this time minus
good driver. but got used to it. my expletive. Instead, my mother
Trips into the city in the As an only child I lived told how she and her older brother
1950s were expeditions that among adults. My parents had--- Sam had bought the car new in
entailed coat, hat and gloves. A and now it puzzles me --- mostly their hometown, Portland, Oregon.
deckle-edged Kodak shows me childless friends, so I listened as In the course of the purchase, the
in a gray and white checked coat grown-ups told stories. But they dealer off-handedly mentioned
with a matching tam that my seemed willing to tell stories on that delivery charges could be
mother had sewed. I wore white themselves, too. I realized that the saved if the car were picked up at
gloves in little kid sizes that seem best talkers knew how to become the factory in Michigan.
unimaginable now --- clothes a character in a story, become the Brother and kid sister set out
for city sidewalks, not the gravel butt of a good joke. (Continued on Page 19.)
20 LIX: 7 (700 issues, 7,288 pages)You can also read
