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Political Talk :: RE: We appreciated the quick police response

Author: Dave Starr
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:49 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4

Updates

1. It was officer THROWER, not Thrasher. My bad.

2. Son noticed a broken window on the house next door, and evidence similar to what was left in his house on the ground by the window. Called 911 & 2 officers responded. They basically blew him off, saying the house was abandoned; it's, NOT! They acted like he was wasting their time, refused to take the evidence. He'll hold on to it & hopefully the detective will be interested.
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Political Talk :: FLINT I - 69 SMASH UP

Author: untanglingwebs
Subject: FLINT I - 69 SMASH UP
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 5:00 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 0

Traffic being diverted off Interstate 69 near Dort Highway following traffic accidents; officer's vehicle struck while responding to area

Published: Sunday, January 29, 2012, 11:23 AM Updated: Sunday, January 29, 2012, 1:10 PM

By Roberto Acosta | racosta1@mlive.com

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan � An officer's vehicle was struck around 10:30 a.m. on westbound Interstate 69 and traffic is being diverted off the Dort Highway entrance ramp.

Lathan Goumas | The Flint Journal January 29, 2012 - Flint Police officers, Genesee Count Sheriff officers and emergency medical technicians at the scene of an accident on westbound Interstate-69 near Dort Highway in Flint on Sunday. Flint Police rerouted traffic on I-69 around this accident scene.
Police were called to the scene for a personal injury accident when an officer's patrol car was struck by another vehicle. The officer has been taken to the hospital for injuries.

(Flint police vehicle struck during early afternoon accident)

The road has been shut down on Interstate 69 at Dort Highway, with westbound traffic rerouted down the Dort Highway entrance ramp from the interstate.

(Snow expected to accumulate in Flint area through this evening)

Several other accidents are being reported across the county, with 24 incidents listed on the Genesee County 911 website.

THERE WAS SO MANY ACCIDENTS LAST SUNDAY ON WEST BOUND I-69 THAT FLINT POLICE SHUT THE XWAY DOWN FOR 2 HOURS.

TWO FLINT POLICE OFFICERS, ONE A SGT., WERE INJURED AFTER BEING STRUCK DOING ACCCIDENT REPORTS.

EVERY OFFICER THAT WAS ON DUTY WAS ON SCENE. MANY OF US WERRE SURPRISED WHEN A POLICE SUPERVISOR ANNOUNCED OVER THE 911 THAT HE WAS MAKING AN EXECUTIVE DECISION AND BRING IN SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT ON OVERTIME.

WITH ALL OFFICERS ON THE SCENE AT I-69 THERE WERE NO OFFICERS TO COVER ANY OTHER PORTION OF THE CITY. SEVERAL OF US HAVE COMMENTED TO ONE ANOTHER THAT THE ACTIONS OF THIS SUPERVISOR NEEDS TO BE COMMENDED. COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF A LACK OF POLICE CREATES AN OVERWHELMING SENSE OF DOOM AMONG THE RESIDENTS.

WHILE WE KNOW THE CITY IS TRYING TO PREVENT OVERTIME, WE SINCERELY HOPE THERE WILL BE NO BACKLASH FOR ACTIONS THAT WERE SO JUSTIFIABLE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE 24 ACCIDENTS IN THAT SHORT TIME HAD THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE FLINT POLICE STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT.

Political Talk :: RE: 16 days, 4 homicides!

Author: untanglingwebs
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:14 am (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 13

The Prosecutors Office always functioned best with their own investigators.

Murder trial delayed against Flint man accused in 2008 killing of 14-year-old boy

Published: Friday, February 03, 2012, 10:00 PM

By Gary Ridley | gridley@mlive.com
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FLINT, Michigan -- Unable to find witnesses in the trial for a man accused of killing a 14-year-old boy four years ago, a judge on Friday dismissed the charges.

But the man isn't going free.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said his office immediately re-filed the charges against the suspect, Francisco Javier Sanchez.

Sanchez's trial was set to begin Wednesday but prosecutors could not locate key witnesses in the case. Genesee Circuit Judge Joseph Farah then dismissed the charges, said Leyton.

Francisco Sanchez
Sanchez, 24, is charged with first-degree murder for the July 26, 2008, death of George E. Green Jr.

"We've already sworn the warrant back out," Leyton said Friday. "Mr. Sanchez has already been recharged."

Sanchez's defense attorney, Glenn Cotton, said he expected the charges to be reauthorized.

Leyton said his office has had to rely on the police to track down subpoenaed witnesses since the prosecutor's office no longer has funding for its own investigators.

Green was struck by a gunshot near his left eye during a shootout on the city's east side, according to witness testimony at Sanchez's preliminary hearing two years ago.

Green died two days after the shooting.

Gavin Thomas Won, 33, of Flint, who was also charged with murder and later pleaded guilty to manslaughter, testified that the evening of the shooting he had intended to confront and fight a drug dealer who provided him with phony crack cocaine.

The drug dealer, driving a maroon Lincoln Navigator, went to meet Won near Iowa and Jane streets. During the meeting, a man exited the back of the SUV and began shooting, Won testified.

Won said he returned gunfire, adding that Sanchez also began firing from behind him.

Sanchez's brother, Valentin Sanchez, 27, of Flint, also faced murder charges in the incident. He pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence for picking up shell casings after the shootout.

A new court date for Sanchez has not been set.

Political Talk :: RE: The assault on the Black churches

Author: untanglingwebs
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:01 am (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 14

Thieves target air conditioners at Flint-area churches to steal copper

Published: Saturday, February 04, 2012, 8:00 AM

By David Harris | dharris5@mlive.com

View full sizeRyan Garza/The Flint JournalKingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses Coordinator James Campbell (left) and Elder Lavarne Ross stand next to empty spots where two large air-conditioning units were stolen from behind a tall fence. The thieves who stole the units didn't leave any damage that would affect the attached heating units.

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- Area churches say air conditioning units continue to be ransacked for copper despite calls for the thefts to stop.

Barry Turner, a trustee at New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church on Saginaw Street in Genesee Township, said thieves caused about $50,000 worth of damage after they broke apart two air conditioners. Church members discovered the damage on Jan. 20.

Thieves are tearing apart the units in order to get the copper inside. They then go to scrap yards to turn it in for cash.

It came less than a month after church and business leaders in the area held a press conference to call for a stop to the thefts. All 11 air conditioners have been broken into during the last year, causing about $175,000 in damage, Turner said.

"It's frustrating and disappointing," said Turner. "I can't imagine why someone would do this to a church."

Genesee Township Police Lt. John Mullaly said there are no suspects in any of the thefts.

New Jerusalem isn't the only church impacted. Members at Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall on Stedron in Flint noticed their air conditioning unit had been broken into about three weeks ago, said Lavarne Ross, an elder at the church.

"We have never had any problems," said Ross. "The (thieves) that got these air conditioners are professional. They knew what they were doing."

Ross said he would like to see police do more with scrappers. The city devoted two officers to scrap metal detail, and the Flint City Council temporarily suspended the license of two scrap metal dealers in the city last summer.

Mullaly said churches in Genesee Township, north Flint and Mt. Morris Township have been hit hard in recent months, particularly when it came to air conditioners. Copper prices remain high, Mullaly said.

Turner said churches used to be sacred, and thieves would stay away.

"In this day and age, (a church) seems to be fair game for any common thief that wants to make a dollar," he said.

Businesses also have been robbed. The Village, a mix of businesses on Saginaw Street near Coldwater in Mt. Morris and Genesee townships, as been hit about five times in the last year, causing $200,000 in damage.

Owner Lela Mcgee-Johnson said when the thefts occur, insurance costs go up. She blames the scrap yards for accepting the materials.

"The real thief is the scrap yards," she said.

Politically Correct February 04, 2012 at 8:39AM

When is Flint going to get the fortitude to stop these types of crime? The people that buy this copper are just as guilty as the thief who stole it. Some half brained nitwit shows up with a truck load of copper and nobody questions it.....duh. They could put a stop to these copper thefts in a week if they wanted to. This is another example of why Flint is nothing but a cesspool of ignorant police and politicians and infested by criminals. Nobody would miss Flint Michigan if it disappeared from the face of the earth except the criminal element and that includes the political criminals.

tmonahan01 February 04, 2012 at 9:08AM

"causing about 175,000 in damages." for 20 bucks worth of copper. The "calls for it to stop" is as big of a joke as the "Ceasefire Flint." The thugs are going to satisfy their needs until we put them in jail. Since there is no jail space and we didn't pass the jail millage so we are getting exactly what we are willing to pay for, nothing. Good luck churches, and community centers, vacant structures, rental units, private homes; none of our stuff is safe in Flint at the moment so stay vigilant and shoot first.

turnFLINTaround February 04, 2012 at 9:28AM

I agree 100% with Politically Correct and tmona... except that the scrappers get more than 20 bucks for what they bring in. If it's fairly clean copper, as in the case of plumbing pipes, it's very lucrative. But yes, I believe that if the city and county wanted to stop it, they could. Do they favor crimes against structures over crimes against people? Could they be afraid of more robberies if thieves couldn't get money for metal? The thieves are scrapping the city one shopping cart or pick-up bed at a time. Maybe it's Walling's plan to downsize the city. Let the scrappers start the demolition process, and then get grant money to tear the houses the rest of the way down. I was in meetings with the Mayor, city prosecutor and attorney, police dept, and sheriff dept. to try to stop this. All to no avail. Some people poo poo what the financial manager is doing. I like what he's saying about opening up the city lock-up and other things related to law enforcement.

spaul1960 February 04, 2012 at 9:33AM

Sad to say but the churches would probably be better off to tape an envelope with $20.00 in it, along with a note asking the the theives to take the money and leave the air condition alone, to the units then keep paying to fix the units.

truckinvan February 04, 2012 at 10:22AM

Spaul1960, sorry to say, but you are wrong. They wouldn't be better off taping $20 to the air conditioner with a note.

The guys who are stealing this copper are drug (probablly meth) addicts. You would have to tape a $20 to the air conditioner every hour on the hour, 24/7/365. Add that up. That is just for one addict. The first hour you missed - they would still take the air conditioner.

And, no, I don't have the answer. I'm not sure there is a good one. This church looked like they had taken precautions of fencing off the units.

Political Talk :: RE: How High will our water bills go?

Author: Adam
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:32 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 18

Awesome! These water bills are horrible! Let's turn on the plant! That might be a lot of revenue for Flint.
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Political Talk :: RE: How High will our water bills go?

Author: untanglingwebs
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:54 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 18

Genesee County drain commissioner says Flint should explore all its drinking water options

Published: Friday, February 03, 2012, 6:25 PM

By Kristin Longley | klongley1@mlive.com
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GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- Genesee County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright said it's "appropriate" that the city is exploring all its drinking water options.

The city of Flint today said it's exploring the possibility of using Flint River water on an interim basis until the Karegnondi Water Authority completes construction of a water pipeline from Lake Huron.

"I think it's appropriate they look at this as an option," he said. "But I think once they look at it, they�ll find the time frame and the cost is not going to be a benefit to them."

City leaders met with Wright about the KWA project Friday. He said it's moving forward "at the best pace that it can, considering all the circumstances."

Jamie Curtis, chairman of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, said today he's skeptical the city using Flint River water in the interim wouldn't delay the KWA project.

He called on city leaders to commit to the project if that's their intention. The city would need to sign an agreement for how much water they intend to purchase in order for the project to move forward.

"Sign the capacity agreement and we'll have the project started in the spring," Curtis said. "If their intention isn't to delay the project, then sign the agreement."

Political Talk :: RE: How High will our water bills go?

Author: untanglingwebs
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:50 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 18

Adam- You scored another one.

Flint exploring interim use of Flint River water until new pipeline built

Published: Friday, February 03, 2012, 1:10 PM Updated: Friday, February 03, 2012, 4:21 PM

By Kristin Longley | klongley1@mlive.com

FLINT, Michigan -- For months, Flint leaders have been presented with a choice: Join the consortium to build a new water pipeline from Lake Huron, or treat water from the Flint River.

Now, emergency manager Michael Brown's team is considering a new option: Why not both?

The city is looking at the possibility of temporarily treating and using Flint River water while the Karegnondi Water Authority moves forward on its plans to build a new water pipeline from Lake Huron, said Howard Croft, the city's director of infrastructure and development.

"It's one option we're looking at that would allow us the opportunities to stabilize water bills, address the dams and address preventative maintenance," said Croft, who was appointed by Brown in December. "It's very possible we could go down this road."

KWA is a group of regional governments formed to break away from the Detroit water system, which has been raising its rates for years. KWA is made up of Genesee, Lapeer and Sanilac counties and the cities of Flint and Lapeer.

Recently, Genesee County leaders have questioned whether the city plans to stay with the pipeline project in light of the state takeover and the appointment of an emergency manager.

Today, Croft said the city "fully expects" to continue forward with KWA.

"This is not slowing down a decision on Karegnondi," he said. "We're not going to delay Karegnondi -- we're going to push it."

The city would have had to upgrade its water system for the pipeline project anyway, he said. Now, it will upgrade the plant to a "higher level" in order to treat Flint River water in the interim until the KWA pipeline is constructed and ready for use.

Croft said the cost of using Flint River water is a "fraction of the cost" of what the city would be paying Detroit. The Detroit water system is planning another rate increase this year, he said.

The money that would have gone to Detroit will instead be used toward improvements on the Flint water system, he said.

"It appears to be something that will work," he said. "We're very close to getting the answers.

"We feel like we've done our due diligence and gathered enough information that we're making a good decision."

Croft said the city will be gathering more information from the state and meeting with county officials in the coming days.

"The decision will ultimately be made with input gathered from a lot of people," he said. "We recognize that we need the (Genesee County) drain commissioner on our side to accomplish this."

Political Talk :: RE: 16 days, 4 homicides!

Author: untanglingwebs
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:26 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 13

Man shot twice in Flint robbery after cashing Social Security check

Published: Thursday, February 02, 2012, 8:00 PM Updated: Thursday, February 02, 2012, 8:00 PM

By Khalil AlHajal | kalhajal@mlive.com

FLINT, Michigan -- A man was shot twice during a robbery Wednesday, according to a police report.

The victim had just cashed a Social Security check at a party store on Dort Highway near I-69 around 1:45 p.m. when a man in his 20s approached, according to the report.

The victim told police the suspect pointed a silver revolver and demanded money.

Before the victim could hand over the cash, the suspect shot him twice in the upper right arm and in the right leg, according to the police report.

The suspect took $678 and fled, the victim reported

The victim was transported to a hospital and was listed in good condition, according to the report.

Political Talk :: RE: We appreciated the quick police response

Author: Dave Starr
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:29 am (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4

In my son's case, I told officer Thrasher I was surprised at the quick response & she said it was a very slow day.
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Political Talk :: RE: OOPS -Brown did it again! Sholuld have kept Ombudsman!

Author: untanglingwebs
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:48 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4

The Ombudsman had other allegation of wrongdoing by some of the council. Had the office been allowed to interview more individuals, this could have been a pivotal report chronicling abuses in City hall. Perhaps that is why Brown was so eager to get rid of the office that voters chose to keep.

Political Talk :: RE: OOPS -Brown did it again! Sholuld have kept Ombudsman!

Author: untanglingwebs
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:45 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4

Former Complete Towing employee, Glen Rogers was interviewed and during his tape recorded interview he indicated that Scott kincaid, Josh Freeman and Jackie poplar was the three main council people that Patton made sure he took care of.

ROGERS: I pretty much know ah, what takes place that's why Scott Kincaid ah, Josh Freeman and Jackie Poplar, those are like the main 3 people that ah he makes sure he takes care of them so he gets their vote fo him on having ah...

OMBUDSMAN: Now Mr. Rogers when you say makes sure he takes care of them what exactly are you talking about?

ROGERS: Makes sure that he gets their vote ah

OMBUDSMAN: What does he do when you say he makes sure?

ROGERS: Well i haven't seen him actually do it but I know he gies them money. I know for a fact he gives them money to make sure he receives their votes. That keeps him in the position that he's in. Now, like I said I'm not , I don't want to be speculating that there is something I know that takes place.

OMBUDSMAN: Ok. Now we can't deal in speculation just like you said.

ROGERS: Right.

OMBUDSMAN: You said you know for a fact.

ROGERS: Umm. Umm.

OMBUDSMAN: What fact do you know?

Rogers then told of another person who was in the position to know of the money changing hands who repeatedly told him what was happening.

Rogers stated Patton became angry at Sheldon Neeley for not meeting at a prearranged time to talk to Patton.

rogers stated that Dayne Walling had attended a Christmas Party held by Patton at Complete towing.

Political Talk :: RE: OOPS -Brown did it again! Sholuld have kept Ombudsman!

Author: untanglingwebs
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:23 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4

From the Treasurer's office:

Net Revenue of the Impound lot and towing as of the end of the fiscal year June 30:

2006 $430,264.90
2007 $966,978.41
2008 $1,026,516.32
2009 $510,110,02 (Williamson left in February 2009)
* after Complete Towing contract:
2010 $243,078.65
2111 $ 60,151.79

Political Talk :: RE: OOPS -Brown did it again! Sholuld have kept Ombudsman!

Author: untanglingwebs
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:14 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4

Those voting for the contract extension:
1st ward Delrico Loyd
2nd ward & president Jackie Poplar
3rd ward Bryant Nolden
4th ward Joshua Freeman
9th ward Scott kincaid

Those voting no on the contract extension:
5th ward Bernard Lawler
6th ward Sheldon Neeley
7th ward Dale Weighill
8th ward Michael Sarginson

Campaign contributions from James Patton (Complete Towing)as reported on campaign finance reports:

ist ward no contributions shown in 2009 to loyd

2nd ward $1345 for 2009 shown for Poplar. Note the limit allowed in any campaign cycle is $500.

3rd ward $100 for Nolden during the primary in 2009

4th ward a total of $200 during 2009 for Freeman

5th ward no contribution shown in 2009 for Lawler

6th ward $20 shown for Neeley in 2009

7th ward a total of $75 for weighill during the 2009 election

8th ward no contribution shown for sarginson in 2009

9th ward a total of $400 for kincaid in 2009

Mayor Walling** $1,350 from Patton in 2009 and $350 in 2010 for a total of $1,700. This is over three times the allowable campaign contribution of $500 during an election cycle.

Political Talk :: OOPS -Brown did it again! Sholuld have kept Ombudsman!

Author: untanglingwebs
Subject: OOPS -Brown did it again! Sholuld have kept Ombudsman!
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 6:58 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4

On her final day in office, former Ombudsman Brenda Purifoy gave local activist Bobby Johnson a copy of an almost completed report that the office had been working on. Had the office been given more time to complete the investigation and interview at least two or more individuals, the outcome would have been more damaging to certain council members than it already is.

Johnson's complaint is the same one that many citizens have made-why did council approve an extension of the Complete Towing contract before it expired and what,if any, role did gifts and campaign donations play in the decision?

What is clear is that some council members are still accepting gifts and are failing to report them on their annual disclosure forms. It also appears that some council members received more than others.

The awarding of a five year extension of a contract instead of bidding it out holds a bad smell that gives the appearance of public corruption and that is what prompted Johnson to make the complaint. This is as bad as the seven year no-bid contract the county gave to Tim Herman's group for the hotel taxes. They both smack of abuse of process.

Jackie Poplar was council president at the time and her remarks was that this was not a new contract, but an "extension" of a previously bid contract, This contract and had 18 months remaining on the contract as of may 2011.. The original contract was dated September 28,2009 and was for three years.

Poplar insisted the extension was requested by the administration. Walling admitted he received fruit baskets at Christmas from Complete towing , most of which were valued at $100 and included Kahlua. Jackie poplar was the only council person said to have received Champagne in her basket in statements from the driver who delivered the baskets.

Nolden refused to accept a basket calling it illegal. Lawler said his son accepted delivery but that his wife returned the gift to Complete and another was not offered. Both Nolden and Sarginson said that others in the home accepted the basket and they told these individuals not to accept any more. Nolden said the basket he recived was small and the bottle of kahlua was the small one. At least two council members said their baskets were small and not valued over $35-$40. Sarginson said his was valued at $100. Weighill said he donated his baskets and did not keep them.

The driver insisted he delivered baskets to every one in 2009 and Neeley was the only one who refused. Most were delivered when the council members were working. Delrico loyd stated he never received one and Poplar stated she could not recall if she received one or not.

Political Talk :: RE: We appreciated the quick police response

Author: untanglingwebs
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 6:07 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4

They must be doing directed patrols in your neighborhood as they have quickly apprehended a number of criminals in your area.

Kudos to Officer Coffey for nabbing the guy with the gun recently!