East Village Magazine - January 2020
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East
Village
Magazine
January 2020
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2Commentary
A few New Year’s resolutions for 2020
By Paul Rozycki
The holiday decorations are put For the rest of the council, let’s hope
away, the presents have been opened, they resolve to end the meetings at a
Vol. LVIII No. 1 January 2020 and the relatives have all gone home. decent time, and then go home and get
New Year’s Eve is history, and the next some sleep. It will serve all of us well
Founder Gary P. Custer
year welcomes us. It’s a time for new — especially East Village Magazine
Editor Jan Worth-Nelson hopes, new dreams, and all those reso- reporters.
Editor-at-Large Ted Nelson lutions that we hope will make 2020
Copy Editor Danielle Ward better than 2019. Unfortunately, for 4. For the Flint Community Schools,
Reporters Darlene Carey
Jeffery L. Carey
most of us, we find that the resolutions Genesee County and the City of Flint:
Harold C. Ford we make in January are, all too often, Resolve to make this the year you finally
Madeleine Graham forgotten by February. With that caveat start taking care of your budgets. Each of
Luther Houle in mind, here are a few suggested reso- you face serious financial challenges that
Patsy Isenberg lutions and hopes for those who will be won’t be easy or painless to fix. But if
Melodee Mabbitt
Tom Travis leading us into the next decade. they are not resolved in 2020, then in
Columnists Jan Worth-Nelson 2021, and the years beyond, they will be
Teddy Robertson Local resolutions even more difficult to correct. In Genesee
Paul Rozycki County, all local governments need to
Business Manager Casey Custer
1. For Mayor Sheldon Neeley, let’s resolve to cooperate much more than they
Photographer Edwin D.Custer
hope he resolves to reach out to all mem- have in the past.
Distribution Staff bers of the Flint community, with the goal
Director: Edwin D. Custer. Staff: Sue Bailey, Kim
Bargy, Jane Bingham, Jacob Blumner, Connor Coyne
of restoring trust and sound management. State resolutions
& Ruby Coyne, Casey Custer, Caroline Fechik, May he find the resources and coopera-
Christine & Patrick Figgins, Marabeth Foreman, tion to continue the rebuilding of Flint. 5. For Gov. Whitmer and the state
Charlie & Linda & Patrick & Terrance & Christan &
Jillianne Goldsberry, Ingrid Halling & Bob Thomas, Let’s hope he earns the support of the legislature, let’s hope they resolve to “fix
Robert Jewell, Carol Larzelere Kellermann, Stephen public, area foundations, and local busi- the damn roads,” without relying on par-
Kellermann, Jo Larzelere, Mary LeRoy, James &
Lillian & Livia Londrigan, Alan & Julie Lynch, Ron
nesses as he begins his first year. liamentary tricks, stunts, or games. We
& Mary Meeker, Robert & Nancy Meszko, Ted know it’s going to cost more money, and
Nelson, Walt & Edythe Peake, Dave & Becky 2. For former Mayor Karen it won’t be cheap or easy. But let’s get it
Pettengill, Dick Ramsdell, Julian Rodriquez, Mike
Spleet, Kim & Ronan & Jude Streby, Holly West, and Weaver, may she realize that while she done without each party blaming the
Karen Wilkinson. lost the election, she has contributed other, or trying to take all the credit. It
Board of Trustees much to the city, and could have more to won’t be any easier to do it in 2021, and
• FaLessia Booker give. Let’s hope she resolves to join in the roads will be even worse.
• Edwin D. Custer • Jack D. Minore the effort to unite the city and build a
• Paul Rozycki • Robert R. Thomas
• Jan Worth-Nelson, ex officio
working relationship with those who 6. For the state legislature: Resolve
have been elected, and those who may to honestly reflect the voters’ wishes.
720 E. Second St.
Flint, Mich. 48503 have voted for other candidates. That’s what you were elected to do. But
(810) 233-7459 don’t use odd stunts or tricks, like doing
Website: 3. For the Flint City Council: most of your work in lame duck sessions,
eastvillagemagazine.org
E-mail: Obviously, let’s hope they all resolve to attaching appropriations to bills to avoid a
eastvillagemagazineflint@gmail.com find at least a shred of civility and com- public referendum, limiting voting, or ger-
Layout by Ted Nelson. Printing by Riegle Press Inc., mon courtesy as they begin 2020. For rymandering districts. Those may give
1282 N. Gale Rd., Davison, Mich. 48423.
East Village Magazine is a program of the Village councilmembers Eric Mays, Kate one party a temporary advantage, but
Information Center Inc., a nonprofit corporation. We Fields, and Eva Worthing, (and others), democracy is the loser in the long run.
welcome material from readers, but all submissions
become the property of the publication and if published 2019 has been a contentious year. Let’s
will be edited to conform to the editorial style and poli- hope they resolve to make 2020 better. 7. For Attorney General Dana
cies of the publication. All inquiries about the publica-
tion should be mailed to East Village Magazine, Village If the Christmas spirit didn’t affect Nessel: As you open your Flint office,
Information Center, 720 E. Second St., Flint, Mich.
48503. Distribution is the first Thursday of each month. them, Valentine’s Day isn’t that far resolve to either begin serious prosecu-
Display advertising rates are $34 a column-inch plus away. Maybe a card, and a heart-shaped tions of those who created the Flint
any other costs. Unclassified ads are $2.50 a printed
line or part of a printed line. Rates subject to change box of candy between the three of you? (Continued on Page 15.)
without notice. The deadline for advertising is 10 days
before each publication date.
Cover: stone, ivy, evergreen — hallmarks of Woodlawn Park
© 2020 East Village Magazine
3Photo of the Month: Gilkey Creek (by Edwin D. Custer)
Fifteen small businesses receive grants from
MovingFlintForward program
By Jan Worth-Nelson
From an espresso machine to snow ing the grants at the Sylvester Broome instead to invest in small businesses, to
plows, from drywall to parking lots, from Empowerment Village. help stabilize neighborhoods that are
a kayak launch to a flattop grill, from “But we know that Flint’s rebound then more vibrant.”
beauty supplies to fabrics, from TV mar- must extend beyond downtown and into
keting to landscaping, from outdoor our neighborhoods to see long-term,
lighting to pizza stones. sustainable change,” he said, adding that
All these are among a diverse batch the small business program “will create
of practical projects awarded $10,000 an important pathway.”
each to 15 small businesses through a One aspect of the plan, designed to
new General Motors-funded small busi- create expanding layers of sustainabili-
ness program of the Flint & Genesee ty, is that businesses receiving grants are
Chamber of Commerce, under the required to partner with a local nonprof-
MovingFlintForward (MFF) umbrella. it organization serving the community,
The small grants are an acknowl- or to address an ongoing need from a
edgement that the city needs more than long list of neighborhood issues, includ- Barbara Culp with Terry Rhadigan,
downtown development, according to ing transportation concerns, blight, GM director of corporate giving
Tim Herman, Chamber of Commerce infrastructure, housing, youth and senior (Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson)
CEO, and needs to focus additionally on services, education and health. Mike Perez, plant executive direc-
neighborhoods. “Neighbors will be helping neigh- tor for GM Flint Assembly, agreed.
“Over the past two years, we have bors,” Herman said. “We now have a business that is real-
focused much of our efforts on redevel- Terry Rhadigan, GM executive ly thriving,” he said, “and it is really impor-
oping the downtown area, creating a director of corporate giving, said, “In tant that the community thrives with us.”
more vibrant entertainment and busi- corporate philanthropy, we’re used to “Partnerships like these will allow
ness district,” he said in opening donating money to nonprofit organiza- residents of our city to have hope again,”
remarks at a press conference announc- tions. This is a rare chance for us (Continued on Page 5.)
4... Grants efforts specifically to be part of revitaliza-
tion of the MLK business district. She
coordinating events and provide the
business office for her shop.
(Continued from Page 4.)
will use her grant to help sustain a peace Oaklin Mixon, owner of GoodBoy
said Skeeter Holmes, owner of Holmes garden and to move her business from her Clothing at 522 Saginaw St. #2, said the
Building and Construction at Clio and home into a repurposed garage. grant will “give us the supplies we need to
Carpenter roads, and one of the recipients. “I believe in Flint, bringing people get to the next level.” He said his compa-
to our neighborhoods,” she said. “I can ny, which has four employees, recently
make changes for myself and many oth- expanded its retail to the Dryden Building
ers,” noting that “N’Dapanda” means and can now use his flagship location for
“I’m happy” in Swahili. production, cut and sew.
“We are committed to revitalizing The neighborhood emphasis of the
King Avenue and its neighborhood,” she new program fits in well with his aims,
said, noting that all over the country, “King Mixon suggested. What GoodBoy repre-
Avenues are very neglected. And we in sents, he said, is “the restoring of good cul-
Flint, Michigan, we want to change that.” ture — families, community. As a business
When she first moved her business we want to use fashion as a megaphone to
from a prior location, she said from her push that culture forward.”
Skeeter Holmes (l) with Mayor front window she could see 12 vacant Mayor Sheldon Neeley recalled he
Sheldon Neeley lots on King. used to ride his bike near the Broome
(Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson)
“I challenged the group I was working Center, and welcomed the return of a
He said the grants would help — with to do a Peace Garden that honors Dr. neighborhood focus. “Small business
“build, develop, restore and bring our King. Now those vacant lots are a com- growth is important to the resurrection
city to the wealthy place it once was. munity space used for library story reading, of any particular community,” he said,
We can do this together.” weddings, readings and pulling weeds.” adding the grants will help the recipients
Barbara Culp, owner of N’Dapanda The funds will help sustain and “get a great start” with their ideas.
Consignment Shop on Martin Luther develop the garden, and her renovated Recipients announced at the
King Blvd., said the grant supports her space will provide a clearinghouse of (Continued on Page 6.)
Banner photo: Grant recipients with Mayor Sheldon Neeley and officials from the Flint & Genesee Chamberof
Commerce and funder General Motors. Seeking ID confirmation on several of the below. From left:
1. Fletcher Rheaves, Great Lakes Facilities Management 2, Cordell Beck, Beck’s Barber and Beauty 3. Mike
Perez, plant executive director for GM Flint Assembly 4. Tim Herman, Flint & Genesee Chamber CEO 5. Bernard
Drew, Liberty Way Holdings 6. Terry Rhadigan, GM executive director of corporate giving 7. Ellen Burgess,
FlintPrints 8. Emily Burns, In & Out Complete Services 9. Josh Minore, FlintPrints 10. FlintPrints employee 11.
Barbara Culp, N’Dapanda Consignment Shop 12. Kelly Sanders, FlintPrints 13. Pastor Dr. Herbert Miller II,
Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle 14. Skeeter Holmes, Holmes Buiding & Construction 15. Dean Yeotis, Totem
Books 16. Michael Herriman, Vern’s Collision 17. Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley 18. Teyana Sprinkle, Honey Bee
Palace 19. Deborah Sprinkle, Honey Bee Palace 20. Oaklin Mixon, GoodBoy Clothing 21.Sisco Catering employ-
ee. 22. Jason Caya, Tenacity Brewing 23. Thurmond Sisco, Sisco’s Catering 24. Deria Brown, Glam Box
Boutique 25. Antoine Brown, Glam Box Boutique (Photo by Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce)
5advertising, marketing.
... Grants
(Continued from Page 5.) In & Out Complete Services,
3010 Wilton Pl., purchase equipment
Thursday press conference, along with
for lawn and car/snow removal, includ-
their project summaries, are:
ing double-axle enclosed trailer snow
plow, bagging system, snowblower.
Totem Books, 620 W. Court St., to
pay for a new espresso machine, refrig-
Holmes Building & Construction,
erator, HVAC maintenance and water
7014 Clio Rd., complete renovations to
filter installation.
open to the public — roofing, wood
Mayor Neeley congratulating
sheeting, flat wall panels, continue edu-
Honey Bee Palace Child Care Mike Herriman, longtime owner
of Vern’s Collision on Davison cation course for Michigan Builders’
Center, 642 E. Pierson Rd., buy equip-
Road and an active member of license, promotional banner.
ment and furniture, including child
the College Cultural
lockers, tables, sleeping cots, teacher Neighborhood Association. Chamber officials said they received
floor chairs and infant cribs. Herriman expects to use the more than 100 applications. Grant review
grant to upgrade the shop’s paint
booth and improve outside light- coordinator Dr. Herbert Miller, pastor of
Great Lakes Facility Management,
ing Metropolitan Baptist Church, asserted,
1428 W. Court St., parking lot repairs and
(Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson) “These types of funds can make a differ-
landscaping.
GoodBoy Clothing, 522 S. ence when you are struggling to survive
Saginaw St., expand merchandise line — to a positive effect” and urged those
N’Dapanda Consignment Shop,
with fabric, supplies labor, overhead whose proposals were not accepted to try
3022 Martin Luther King Ave., bring a
costs, table, display improvements, light- again in a hoped-for next round.
garage/outbuilding up to code to relocate
ing, electrical, and marketing signage. Recipients will receive the money
business from its current location in the
in three installments, the last third deliv-
home. Electrical work, labor, materials;
ered after final reports at the end of the
carpentry, installing insulation and fire-
first program period, May 31, 2020.
brick; drywall and painting.
EVM Editor Jan Worth-Nelson can be
Beck’s Barber and Beauty, 1818
reached at janworth1118@gmail.com.
S. Averill Ave., to continue renovations
at current facility, purchase salon/furni-
ture and hot water heater; repave park-
ing lot.
Tenacity Brewing, 119 N. Grand
Oaklin Mixon, owner of GoodBoy
Traverse Ave., add gas fire pit in its bier-
Clothing, said the grant will help “get
garten; build landing base for kayak us the supplies we need to get to the
launch, upgrade Kayak Flint’s shipping next level.”
containing, upgrade Vehicle City Taco (Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson)
Truck; resurface and expand parking
lot; improve building facade, outdoor Liberty Way Holdings; 1200 W.
lighting, landscaping and fence. Court St., exterior lighting and cameras, Lead/galvanized tainted pipes
parking lot repair and expansion, land- replaced so far in Flint:
FlintPrints, 615 S. Saginaw St., to scaping; neighborhood cleanup event,
general contractor/consultant.
9,483
purchase a wide-format printer, hire Numbers provided by pipeline con-
part-time staff, expand location in the tractor ROWE Engineering are post-
Ferris Wheel. Sisco’s Catering, 2202 Proctor Ave., ed at cityofflint.com under Fast Start
down payment on a commercial kitchen Replacement Program. Totals as of
Sherman’s Lounge, 4211 Fenton loan; provide cooking and meal prep cours- Dec. 6 were 24,594 pipes excavated
Rd., purchase flattop grill, countertop es, pop-up inventory to cater at special (wording changed to “explored” since
fryer, fire suppression unit, exhaust sys- events; marketing/promotional materials. returning to the “predictive model”)
tem and four pizza stones. and 9,483 replaced.
Glam Box Boutique, 620 S. Saginaw The city aims to have all of Flint’s
lead-tainted service lines replaced by
Vern’s Collision, 2409 Davison Rd., St., outdoor speakers, inventory, win- 2020.
upgrade its paint booth and outside lighting. dow vinyl, product development,
6AG Nessel rolls out legal team at new
Flint office. Now what?
By Harold C. Ford
A reminder: view of the Flint River from the new AG’s office (Photo by Harold C. Ford)
“The Flint water crisis is not over.” this community was about delivering against the final eight water crisis defen-
—Fadwa Hammoud, Michigan justice,” said Neeley. dants in June 2019.
Solicitor General, Dec. 19, 2019 “I want to make sure that our crim- Hammoud also thanked the police
inal team can utilize these premises departments of Dearborn and Detroit.
In front of several dozen citizens because they have a lot of work ahead of
and a scrum of media, and with a them,” advised Nessel. “You’re not
panoramic view of the Flint River five going to have to go to Lansing to see
stories below, Michigan Attorney somebody from the Department of
General (AG) Dana Nessel rolled out a Attorney General. The Department of
large team of lawyers and support staff Attorney General is going to come to
at a new office in Flint on Dec. 19. you here in Flint.”
The office, a first of its kind in Flint, is
located at the State of Michigan Office Large legal team and support staff
Building, 125 E. Union Street.
Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa
Hammoud introduced a 22-person
legal team and support staff. “Words
are only meaningful when they are
backed up by action, and today is
action,” Hammoud said.
Attorney General Dana Nessel
The AG’s team included: two vic- in Flint
tim advocates “to be rooted in this (Photo by Paul Rozycki)
community as advocates for your
needs and to be a bridge to your gov- “This has really been a statewide and a
Michigan Attorney General Dana ernment”; eight attorneys; one mem- team effort,” she said.
Nessel (left) cutting the ribbon to the ber of a “public integrity unit”; five “If we’re doing the work of gov-
new AG office in Flint opened Dec. 19 investigators; a senior management ernment faithfully, our work should
with Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley and assistant; three data analysts; and a continue even after our investigation,”
Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud. communications specialist. said Hammoud, signaling a new phase
Part of Nessel’s 22-person team Wayne County Prosecutor Kym in Flint’s water story. “This incredible
looks on (Photo by Paul Rozycki) Worthy, not present at the event, was community is a priority and our hope
Newly elected Flint Mayor introduced as a “partner in this investi- is that our actions will say that even
Sheldon Neeley introduced Nessel. gation. Worthy headed up the prosecu- louder.”
“She said one of those commitments to tion team when charges were dropped (Continued on Page 8.)
7... AG ceration for offenses committed during In 2016, during her campaign for
(Continued from Page 7.) the water debacle. the AG office, she told listeners of
A statement by Fadwa and Worthy WDET’s “Detroit Today,” “Whether or
Now what? at the time of the June 2019 dismissals not there are bad actors that should have
attempted to explain the restart: been charged or not, including the gov-
Despite the high profile ribbon cut- “Legitimate criminal prosecutions ernor, I think that has to be reevaluated
ting ceremony, Nessel and her team require complete investigations. Upon and reexamined.”
members have been tight-lipped about assuming responsibility of this case, our After taking office, Nessel issued a
their next steps with regard to water cri- team of career prosecutors and investi- public statement on June 28, 2019, that
sis prosecutions. “A lot of questions gators had immediate and grave con- read, in part: “As essential as it is for the
you’ll have, we’ll not be able to cerns … After a complete evaluation, people of Flint to have their questions
answer,” said Hammoud. our concerns were validated. Contrary answered, it is equally important that they
Nor does the AG’s website offer up to accepted standards of criminal inves- are assured they will receive justice.”
clues about where it’s headed. Nearly tigation and prosecution, all available It was noteworthy that the first
all of the “press releases, memos, and evidence was not pursued.” attorney introduced to the public by
reports,” “news clips,” and other infor- Conversely, that same June 2019 Hammoud on Dec. 19 was Molly
mation items currently posted were statement by Fadwa and Worthy also Kettler, a principal attorney in the
placed there during the reign of former indicated that their prosecutorial team Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office
AG Bill Schuette and are dated from had obtained electronic devices and headed up by Worthy. Kettler arrives at
2011 through 2016. uncovered millions of documents that her new task with an impressive prose-
The site reminds the reader that a were previously overlooked. cutorial record in southeast Michigan
total of 51 criminal charges were filed spanning more than two decades.
against 15 state and local officials in Nessel signaled intent all along Another Detroit-area attorney,
addition to a civil suit brought against David Cripps, told the Detroit News,
multi-national corporation Veolia and A review of Nessel’s public state- “She’s a zealous advocate for the prose-
Texas-based LAN. However, not a sin- ments shows her intent to pursue prose- cutor’s office … She is smart on her
gle person served a single day of incar- cutions all along. (Continued on Page 14.)
89
City Council Beat
Last Flint city council meeting of 2019
a panoply of democracy
By Tom Travis
Impeachment demonstration in front of City Hall (Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson)
It was a jam-packed evening of activ- meeting of the Council as a whole.
ity at City Hall on a chilly and snowy Gerard Burnash, executive director
December Monday night, the last City Council competed with pro- of the Downtown Development
Council meeting of a tumultuous year for impeachment demonstrators. Authority (DDA), arrived with one of
the city’s legislative body. the new parking meters that have been
The Council meetings this year Some drama at the last meeting did installed in downtown Flint over the last
have been five, six, seven, eight and not occur in the Council chambers, for few months.
even nine hours long, some stretching once; this time there was action outside Burnash set up the machine,
past midnight. This year, there have on the front sidewalk of City Hall. It plugged it into an outlet and fired it up
been arms raised, voices yelling, threats was the day before the U.S. House of for a demonstration. He summarized
made, name calling and numerous Representatives voted to impeach the that the meters were installed downtown
points of order and points of informa- 45th President of The United States, and during the late summer and fall, and
tion — too many to count. citizens of Flint gathered to voice their acknowledged the new meters have
Beginning in January 2019, the then support and disdain for the impeach- been fraught with complaints and frus-
Finance Committee chairperson, Eric ment hearings and process. trated residents complaining about them
Mays (1st Ward), was ousted from that Members of the press left their seats on social media.
role. Fast forward to the fall of 2019, several times to check the action from Council members raised one specif-
when he was reinstated and re-appoint- the Council’s third-floor windows.
ed as chair of the Finance Committee: The two sides of the issue — anti-
he had been ousted from, by Council and pro-Trump — bantered back and
President Monica Galloway (7th Ward). forth outside on the sidewalks, lining
Some citizens voiced weariness about Saginaw Street. The overall Council
the Council’s frequent squabbles, among proceedings lasted just over six hours,
them resident Mezon Green, who donned while the protest took up half that
a clown outfit at one meeting to make a time.
point about a Council that struggles to get
business done in an efficient way. Meanwhile …
Now with a new mayor in the exec-
utive branch and a new Council presi- Meanwhile, the Council saw a
dent and vice president, the watchful cit- demonstration of the contested new
izens of Flint will have an opportunity parking meters, heard concerns from the
to hold the Council accountable for its ACLU and a private citizen about a pro-
actions in the new year. posed camera surveillance ordinance,
The Council year ended with three received a summary of Mott
Council sub-committees — legislative, Community College’s strategic plan,
DDA Director Gerard Burnash
governmental operations, and finance, on and reviewed information from the city demonstrating new parking meters
which all members participate — meet- administrator about leadership positions (Photo by Tom Travis)
ing one by one in the Council chamber, in the new administration. ic concern and proposed one resolution
followed by a mere one-hour official About those parking meters about the meters. They noted that in
(Continued on Page 11.)
10... Council the camera system is used.
Another problem Simmington
Mott Community College’s
“Mott Strong” plan
(Continued from Page 10.)
raised is that the ordinance would
years past, residents had one hour free to require 24/7 camera coverage from the Mott Community College President
park in front of City Hall to pay water surveillance system. The ACLU is con- Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, the seventh
bills or do short drop-in business. cerned about business’ rights to privacy. president and first African American and
The new parking meters, in contrast, The ordinance would require cameras to first woman to lead the college, presented
begin charging as soon as the driver pulls be running even after the business is a three-year strategic plan, titled “Mott
into the spot. The new system is high- closed and no one is in the building. Strong,” for the future of MCC.
tech and has a camera system that takes a Simmington raised privacy and 4th Representatives of MCC have been mak-
picture of the vehicle license plate. City Amendment issues that the ACLU sees as ing the strategic plan presentation through-
Attorney Angela Wheeler clarified that problematic throughout the ordinance. out the community.
the City Council, not the DDA, sets the The14th amendment, part of the Walker-Griffea noted that among the
time for the parking meters. Bill of Rights and sometimes referred to 1,100 community colleges in the country,
Councilperson Jerri Winfrey-Carter as the “Search and Seizure” amendment, MCC ranks among the top 150. She
(5th Ward) moved to extend the free time covers “The right of the people to be explained funding for MCC is tuition-dri-
for parking meters in front of City Hall secure in their persons, houses, papers, ven, even more so as state appropriations
up to three hours. Councilperson Eva and effects, against unreasonable search- have declined and because of shrinking
Worthing (9th Ward) seconded the es and seizures, shall not be violated, and local property taxes.
motion. Councilperson Maurice Davis no warrants shall issue, but upon proba- She stated, “We do not want our
(2nd Ward) then made a substitute ble cause, supported by Oath or affirma- tuition to increase so that it becomes
motion upping the amount to four hours tion, and particularly describing the unmanageable for our students.”
and Councilperson Kate Fields (4th place to be searched, and the persons or She noted the college adds $440
Ward) seconded. Council President things to be seized.” million dollars to the Genesee County
Monica Galloway (7th Ward) moved that Councilperson Eric Mays (1st Ward) economy each year and provides over
resolution to the next council meeting for stated the proposed ordinance is being 6,800 jobs to the area. For every dollar
a decision. properly processed through City Council MCC spends, taxpayers in Genesee
committees. The surveillance system, he County receive $2.90 in return. “It’s a
Concerns raised on business surveil- noted, was brought to Council by the pre- better bet than the lottery,” she said.
lance system proposal vious mayor and police chief. Wearing MCC logo colors of
Councilperson Kate Fields (4th black and gold, Walker-Griffea
Attorney Glenn Simmington voiced Ward) moved to postpone deciding on the explained the three-point strategic plan
concerns, along with Genesee County and resolution until the new mayor and new is built on the words “Commitments,
State of Michigan representatives of the administration bring it back to Council. (Continued on Page 14.)
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU),
regarding a pending ordinance calling for
mandated camera surveillance at every
business in the city.
Simmington said, “I’m not here to
threaten a lawsuit. I’m here tonight
because I’ve examined the ordinance and
others with the ACLU have examined the
lawsuit and there are some concerns.”
Simmington said he and the ACLU
as a whole believe the ordinance is prob-
lematic because as written it is mandatory
that businesses install cameras.
According to Supreme Court rul-
ings and other cases, he said, there is a
distinction made in the level of scrutiny
of businesses that do have mandatory
surveillance with cameras compared to
those using non-camera or non-mandat-
ed surveillance techniques. These two
types of businesses are dealt with in
legal matters when a crime occurs and
11Education Beat
Facing serious red ink,Flint schools coming to
voters with millage request; considers closures
By Harold C. Ford
Following four meetings of its $1.00 of tax for each $1,000 of assessment. Advisory committee to develop plan
board of education in December, Flint Thus, 2.82 mills is equal to $2.82 for every for abandoned properties
Community Schools (FCS) will ask $1,000 of assessed property value; 1.18
Flint voters to approve a March 2020 mills is equal to $1.18 for every $1,000 of The Flint board approved language
millage proposal designed to eliminate assessed property value. that will establish an “advisory committee
the district’s massive deficit within FCS officials are working to reduce for development of plans for the disposi-
seven years and provide funding for a massive debt that began with a nearly tion of vacant and unused school district
infrastructure. $20 million loan taken out by the district buildings and property.” As of Dec. 1,
The FCS board also inked a new in 2014. Lopez told the FCS board in 2019, FCS possessed 22 closed school
contract with its paraprofessionals as November, “We’ve run about a $5.7 buildings and 16 vacant property parcels.
staff attrition seemed to slow. Diana million deficit every year … for about Those numbers may soon increase.
Wright announced she would not seek five years.”
another term as the board’s president. The district’s red ink has further Flint millage to compete with Mott
The district will move to develop a plan been exacerbated by increased costs for CC millage
for its growing list of vacant buildings special education and declining enroll-
and unused properties. ment. According to Lopez, the FCS stu- The proposed Flint millage will com-
dent count as of Oct. 31 was 3,809 stu- pete with a countywide millage proposal
March millage dents. Each lost student costs the by Flint-based Mott Community College
district about $8,100 in state aid. on the March 10 ballot. MCC’s board of
FCS will ask voters to approve a 4.0 Poring over student enrollment fig- trustees voted Nov. 25 to submit to voters
millage proposal headed for the March ures not released to the public, the board’s a proposal that would continue the col-
10 ballot. The millage proposal is vice president, Blake Strozier, noted “sub- lege’s authority to issue bonds for capital
designed to pay off the district’s massive stantial losses” of students at Neithercut, improvements.
deficit within seven years and provide Brownell, Eisenhower, Holmes, and “The new bond millage,” according
funding for infrastructure. Durant-Tuuri-Mott. “That’s just a lot,” to an MCC press release, “ is estimated to
The ballot language had to be submit- said Betty Ramsdell, the board’s secretary. be .79 mills for the life of the bonds. This
ted to the City of Flint City Clerk’s office “It’s very, very sad.” means a homeowner whose house is val-
by Dec. 17 and then sent on to the Genesee District officials expect to decide the ued at $80,000 would pay $31.60 per year
County Clerk’s office by Dec. 19. fate of several buildings by February under the proposed bond millage levy …”
The proposal, according to FCS 2020. Buildings targeted for closure And the FCS millage proposal will
Superintendent Derrick Lopez, would not include Scott School, Pierce Elementary, confront Flint voters only four months
increase the current 4-mill rate assessed Eisenhower Elementary, and the former after they approved “both a renewal of the
district taxpayers. “(The proposal) would Northwestern High School that currently current Flint Public Library millage, and a
keep the bonding at the same amount of 4 houses Flint Junior High. new millage for a $12.6 million bond
mills but 2.82 of those mills would actu- issue to redo the (Flint Public Library).”
ally be put towards debt elimination and Board members urge caution
1.18 of those mills would be for the sink- Paraprofessionals get first pay raise
ing fund.” “We need to look really hard before in 15 years
Sinking fund millage is applied to we vote to put a new roof on a building,”
business/commercial properties only, said Vera Perry, board trustee, “because FCS paraprofessionals inked a new
said Lopez. “The sinking fund is actual- we have voted to put new roofs on build- contract that provided them their first
ly for infrastructure you cannot see; it’s ings and the next year we close them. pay raise in 15 years. The previous con-
for your boilers, technology … We’ll That school has to stay open.” tract for the 67 members of Local 517 of
actually replace all of the boilers in our “I wouldn’t say it’s mismanagement,” the Service Employees International
district (except for the Southwestern and judged Strozier. “It was just improper Union (SEIU) expired in June 2018.
Scott buildings where boilers have planning.” He recalled earlier decisions to Flint’s SEIU members will receive a
already been replaced).” install air conditioning and a new gym 5 percent pay raise this year and an addi-
A mill is one one-thousandth of a dol- floor at the Northern High School building tional 5 percent raise next year. The new
lar, and in property tax terms is equal to that was closed two years later. contract also provides improvements in
(Continued on Page 13)
12... Education or quit two months later (after hiring in).”
“We have seen a significant decline
Funding for math and reading
interventions
(Continued from Page 12.)
in individuals leaving the district,”
longevity pay, more paid days when responded Washington. The board approved the adoption of
school is cancelled due to weather, and a reading intervention program by the
more money when paraprofessionals sub- Distraught stakeholders plead Baltimore-based Success For All
stitute for absent teachers. with board Foundation at a cost of $752,229.
“It has been a very successful and Three math literacy programs pro-
collaborative process,” said Cassandra Kathy Moore, a former Flint student vided by Young People’s Project, Ohio
Washington, FCS executive director of and FCS employee since 1993, pleaded Math Literacy Initiative, and The
human resources. “I want to say how with the board to address the challenges of Algebra Project, Inc. was approved at a
important they are for the work they do working in FCS buildings. cost of $773,081.
in the classroom assisting the teachers “I love what I do,” said an emotion- Title 1 monies from the U.S.
and providing those services that are so al Moore, “but I found myself in the cor- Department of Education will provide
greatly needed.” ner crying like a baby. My heart hurts.” funding for all four programs.
“You can’t pay me my worth,” said
(Writer’s note: A most sincere apol- Moore. “There ain’t been no teacher in Superintendent’s New Year’s
ogy is extended from this writer to my room all year. You want me to be message
Cassandra Washington, FCS executive the teacher but you don’t want to pay
director of human resources, for inexpli- me to be the teacher.” Lopez sent board members and
cably misidentifying her in several pre- “I’m asking you (board members administrators off to a winter break with a
vious stories despite accuracy in note- and administrators), what we going to holiday message. Some excerpted pas-
taking. During her short six-month do about all of these teachers that ain’t sages:
tenure with Flint Community Schools, in these buildings?” “Let us remember the principle,
Washington has settled two major con- Flint resident Alonzo Price fol- ‘Peace to all and good will toward men.’
tracts with district employees.) lowed Moore to the speaker’s table. “I What does that mean in our community
went to Northwestern as a volunteer,” and how can that feel and look?”
Paraprofessionals as said Price. “I went over there and seen If you see a child, just greet him,
substitute teachers how these kids they say is challenging. because kids want to be seen and they
Some of ‘em ain’t just challenging, they want their humanity to actually be valued.
Apparently, paraprofessionals are just disobedient, hardheaded.” Show them a little love and kindness.”
being utilized as substitute teachers in “The teachers over there are suffering “So give ‘em a shovel to shovel
Flint classrooms with increased fre- because somebody say you can’t say noth- your snow and give ‘em a few dollars.
quency, as evidenced by recognition of, ing,” reported Price. “When you get to a They’ll respect you more. They’ll listen
and remuneration for, subbing in the point when you can’t say nothing to our to you even better.”
just-settled contract. kids, that’s ridiculous … It ain’t right.” “This will demonstrate the value of
The tactic of utilizing paraprofes- work and the value of community. And
sionals as substitute teachers is in addi- Wright won’t seek reelection to this is important for their personal
tion to the newly adopted approach in presidency growth and their development.”
2019 of staffing classrooms with “guest “Just be mindful of our influence on
teachers,” many of whom are college Diana Wright, board president, our children within our community dur-
students completing classes to achieve announced that she will not seek reelec- ing this time. Your individual act may
certification. tion as president at the board’s organiza- spark a flame in that child that will burn
tional meeting on Jan. 8. “It has been a for a lifetime.”
Staff attrition may be slowing very difficult, but rewarding experience,” Students and staff return from the
she said. She noted that among the first holiday break on Jan. 6.
Board documents reported the resig- duties as the board’s president was the fir-
nations of four more FCS educators with ing of one superintendent (Bilal Tawwab) EVM staff writer Harold C. Ford can be
32 years of experience. That brings to 76 and the hiring of another (Lopez). reached at hcford1185@gmail.com.
the total number of departures in the first Wright, with three years remaining
11 months of 2019 (including one death), on her term, does not plan to leave the
representing 965+ years of experience in board. “My goal is that I will not sit on
Flint schools. this board and plan our (FCS) demise,”
“This is a reciprocating issue,” said she said. “My goal is to advocate for the
Strozier in reference to two employees advancement and improvement of Flint
with very short tenures. “They just resign Community Schools.”
13... AG alleged “crime” was first committed.
“The Flint water crisis can make
(Continued from Page 8.)
Flint the ‘arsenal of democracy’ for a
feet. She’s well prepared and puts her second time,” Haley said with obvious
blood into a case.” reference to Flint’s manufacturing role
And Kettler has roots in Flint and during World War II in the 1940s.
mid-Michigan. She served as office “It was Bill Schuette’s strategy to
manager for Michael Moore’s Michigan blame low-hanging fruit in the depart-
Voice in the mid-1980s alongside this ments of Environmental Equality and
writer. She has degrees from Michigan Health and Human Services and not
State University and Howard University more powerful decision-makers of the
School of Law. state bureaucracy (such as former
A quote from Martin Luther King Michigan Governor Rick Snyder),”
presently displayed at Kettler’s twitter Haley said.
site reads, “The time is always right to Haley suggested a new round of pros-
do what is right.” ecutions may target fruit hanging higher
on the tree. “The voters wanted a ‘tough
Flint as an “arsenal of democracy” nerd’,” he recollected, “and this ‘tough
nerd’ (Snyder) poisoned 100,000 people.”
In an interview with East Village
Magazine, Flint water activist Mike EVM Staff Writer Harold C. Ford can
Haley hinted the time might be right for be reached at hcford1185@gmail.com.
a new round of prosecutions.
April 2020 will mark the sixth
anniversary of Flint’s infamous water Unclassified ads
switch. Barring new legislation or legal
maneuvering, the statute of limitations WANTED: Garage Space, approx.
10’X10’ to store display shelves for FIA stu-
for Flint water prosecutions would run dent Art Fair ceramics. Access needed only Support community journalism!
out April 25, the date the Flint River once or twice per year. Email John at: For tax-deductible easy-giving, go to:
applegroveclayworks@gmail.com. eastvillagemagazine.org
water was turned on, and thus when the
... Council City Hall leadership questions Council President Monica
Galloway (7th Ward) asked Edwards
(Continued from Page 11.)
City Administrator Clyde Edwards and the City Finance Department to find
Civility and Compliance.” was present and has been present for out if there is budget money for two
“Commitments are to our students’ every City Council meeting since DPW directors.
success. Civility means that we have to assuming his role for new Mayor Also, Council members asked
work with each other with mutual Sheldon Neeley. Edwards was called about Tyree Walker, presently serving as
respect and we have to trust each other. forward to answer Council’s questions the city’s interim human resources
Compliance means that we are always and clarify roles and appointments in director. Walker presently works as VP
seeking that we are legal and have phys- the new administration. of Human Resources at Hurley Medical
ical obligations met and are at par with Edwards said Amanda Trujillo is Center and is on loan to the city of Flint,
where they need to be,” she said. the acting finance director. Tamar Edwards said.
In the March 10, 2020, election, Lewis, who had been in that position, is The City Council challenged the
MCC will come to voters to support an no longer employed by the City of Flint, reasoning for Walker being paid
$80 million bond proposal, spread over 20 according to an email from Marjory $136/hour and working 28 hours a
years. The .79 mil proposal will cost Raymer, City of Flint director of com- week for 60 days. Galloway said
about $31.60 per year for the life of the munications. she’s not judging if he’s worth that
bond for the owner of an $80,000 Edwards also clarified that there are amount of money, but just concerned
Caution-home. two Department of Public Works that for a city like Flint in serious
According to MCC officials, the (DPW) directors: Rob Bincsik is DPW financial situation, if it is a wise
bond money will be used to renovate, director over water, and John Daly is expenditure.
remodel, improve, equip, and re-equip interim DPW director — newly
college buildings and sites for instruc- appointed by Mayor Neeley — in EVM Staff Writer Tom Travis can be
tional purposes. charge of roads and transportation. reached at tomntravis@gmail.com
14... Resolutions ing? If you are not registered, resolve to ... Wood
(Continued from Page 3.) get registered. Unfortunately, those (Continued from Page 16.)
who don’t vote are a larger group than Karina, and new baby, Aurelia.
water crisis, or offer an honest explana- either the Democratic or Republican So he knows a lot about the place
tion of why it hasn’t happened. voters, and they have been for a long that is yielding raw materials for his art.
time. It’s time to resolve to change that, “We love our trees,” he said. “I like the sto-
National resolutions and let your voice be heard. Voting ries behind them. They all have a story.
keeps democracy alive. Once somebody’s had a tree in their yard
8. For the Democrats, as you select a for 50 or 60 years … they’re part of our
nominee from the dozen or more potential And a few others home. We’re accustomed to them. Losing
candidates, resolve to pick a winner. Even a tree is like a missing tooth.”
if your favorite candidate didn’t win, be 15. For everyone in Michigan: Taking a piece of a downed tree and
willing to work with others. Don’t divide Resolve to answer the census this year. making something of it — you can keep
your party. This election is too important. There are some who will discourage indi- that forever,” Dotson says. “It’s like
viduals from replying, but responding to bringing a piece of that tree back.”
9. For the Republicans, resolve to the census means a stronger political voice In the meantime, Dotson has gotten to
remember who you are. You are the party for our state, and your local government, know his materials well and revels in
of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and more funds to support your communi- their sensory idiosyncrasies.
Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. ty. Michigan may lose one member of Cherry and walnut are his favorites:
Much of what they stood for is missing Congress if our population hasn’t grown, walnut “looks like chocolate when you’re
from the party today. Get some backbone. and each person who fails to respond could working it,” and when finished has a deep,
Trump will be gone someday. You are the cost his or her city between $2,000 and dark glow; and cherry as a hard wood is
Republican Party, not the Trump Party. $5,000 annually in federal funds. resilient and strong but easy to work with.
“And I love how it smells,” he says.
10. For the president, the Congress, 16. For the Detroit Lions and the Unlike apple wood, which does not
and the media: Resolve to make the phrase Detroit Tigers: I’m afraid your resolu- smell like apples, cherry wood actually
“quid pro quo” one of the most overused tion will be the one used by loyal smells like cherries on the lathe.
mantras that should be banned for 2020. Chicago Cubs fans for decades — Walnut, if it’s wet, smells like horse
“Wait until next year.” manure, and maple smells “terrible,” he
11. For both parties, resolve to says, — “like dog pee.”
remember that while you were elected as a 17. Finally, for all of us, let us resolve As a matter of principle, Dotson
member of your party, you are also elected to remember that while politics is impor- never buys his wood, only using wood
to speak for the nation, both those who tant, it isn’t everything. In this divisive year, he finds or what is donated to his work.
voted for you, and those who did not. give yourself a break from the conflict and A local lumberyard sometimes lets him
Winning for your party should not be more turmoil of impeachments, tweets, commit- select from scrap wood about to be dis-
important than winning for the nation. tee hearings, elections, charges, and coun- carded. Friends and neighbors bring
tercharges, and take time to enjoy all that him burls and slices of stumps.
12. For Supreme Court Justice life offers beyond the political arena. And when trees fall down, as in my
Ruth Bader Ginsberg: Take your vita- own backyard, when a Bradford pear
mins and do your exercises. Resolve to Happy New Year! cracked and split onto my garage and
be around well beyond 2020. had to be chopped up, Dotson — my
Political columnist Paul Rozycki can neighbor — came over and got a chunk
Voter resolutions be reached at paul.rozycki@mcc.edu to turn. Several weeks later, he deliv-
ered us a bowl so beautiful I can’t bring
13. For the voters: This will be a big myself to put anything in it.
election year on the national, state, and FOR RENT: Large 1 BDR APT in his- He likes the functionality of bowls and
local level. There are important elections toric residence. $550/mo plus lights avoids coating them with anything more
and gas for one person. Free internet,
coming up in January, March, August, cable ready, hardwood floors and trim, intrusive than linseed oil. “I want people to
and November. Make a resolution to end fresh paint thru out, ceiling fans in be able to feel that bowl,” he says, “and
all rooms, sliding oak doors into bdr.
the apathy that we have seen in recent Bdr looks out over garden/deck. knowing that they’re touching wood.”
years. Voting is easier and more accessi- Anderson windows, fireplace, modern More information on Dotson’s
kitchen, 1st floor unit, inside mail deliv-
ble than ever, and this election matters ery, off street parking. Partly furnished. exhibit is available from Flint Trading
more than ever. Ready for January. Perfect for student Company, 810-820-7119.
or education staff member.Deposit
$550 with background check.
14. For the non-voters: Are you Landlords live onsite. 810 813-1287, EVM Editor Jan Worth-Nelson can be
John and Valentyna Freeman. reached at janworth1118@gmail.com.
sure you want to sit back and do noth-
15Village Life
Flint’s “found beauty” sculpted with love
from city’s cast-off trees
By Jan Worth-Nelson
Bowl in the middle made from the downed pear tree in Worth-Nelson’s backyard
(Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson)
After 22 years in the Navy, includ- dreds and hundreds” of wooden bowls yards or woods and sometimes beloved
ing tours of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, — cherry, walnut, maple, apple, oak — trees that have to be cut down because
and finally, Ethiopia, in 2015, Flint and has given so many to family and they’ve reached their expiration dates.
native Russ Dotson came home. friends, “They are sick of them — they Sometimes the beauty is “hidden,”
Casting about for things to do, he don’t want anymore.” Dotson says.
found himself watching a YouTube series He stays with it, he says, because it’s “Somebody might see a hoary old tree
called “Strangely Satisfying Videos” — relaxing and also, “If your wood is dry, in a yard and just think, it’s dead. I see a tree
described as “mesmerizing and hypnotiz- you can finish a bowl in one sitting. If you that might have been in that yard for 200
ing” clips of the actions of (for example) like instant gratification, it’s fairly instant.” years … think of all the things it’s seen.”
weaving, frosting a cake, painting a per- The process requires a steady hand,
fect stop sign, peeling cellophane wrap — a face shield (splinters dangerously fly)
and turning a wooden spindle, the shav- and sometimes time — to get the mois-
ings dropping off, curled and serene. ture out of the wood as needed (he
Something about the wood turning sometimes uses a microwave, in careful
caught his eye. “I could do that,” he said. spurts) without cracking and to select
He collected an armload of cast-off wood just the right balance and shape.
and bought a $100 Craig’s List lathe. “I’m not creating anything,” he says.
He picked up more wood, “destroyed “I’m just revealing something — some-
most of it,” and the cheap lathe broke, he thing that has been there all along. To
recalls with a chuckle. He bought a sec- take something that somebody was going
ond cheap lathe, collected more wood, to throw away at worst, or burn at best, to
practiced his craft for hours, destroyed cut it up and burn it into a fireplace —
most of it, and broke that lathe, too. well, I can make something nice.”
Russ Dotson
“The things I was making were hor- (Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson) Dotson’s appreciation of Flint’s histo-
rible — ugly and small,” he said. But ries of abandonment and recovered dignity
he found it relaxing and addicting, and Even more to the point, Dotson loves runs deep. His father worked at Fisher One,
kept going. the act of rescuing and honoring the blow- as did his grandfather, who participated in
“It takes a long time to practice,” he downs and remains of Flint’s old trees. His the Sit-down Strike. His mother grew up
said, but in time, “I found a groove.” Flint Trading Company show is called on Dakota at Franklin streets and went to
He finally bought a quality lathe and “Flint’s Found Beauty,” and Dotson, who St. Mary’s. He himself attended the recent-
gradually perfected his craft — creating has seen the world and now works in ly demolished Holy Redeemer school and
smoothly sensuous and gorgeous wooden human resources at Diplomat Pharmacy, graduated from Grand Blanc High.
bowls, plates and vessels, a stunning col- asserts his hometown offers pleasures and And when he came back he deliber-
lection of which are on display now rewards often little-known to outsiders. ately chose the College Cultural neigh-
through Jan. 4 at Flint Trading Company, Its trees, for one. He has a special eye borhood, known for its leafy canopy of
629 1/2 Saginaw St. and respect for trees cut down by the city trees, where he lives now with his wife,
Dotson figures he has made “hun- and left at the curb or blowdowns in back- (Continued on Page 15
16 LVIII: 1 (681 issues, 6,980 pages)You can also read
