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Topic: Schism again in Flint NAACP
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Latest Flint appointment sparks controversy; Donna Poplar named personnel chief

Kristin Longley | klongley1@mlive.com By Kristin Longley | klongley1@mlive.com
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on August 25, 2009 at 6:15 PM, updated August 25, 2009 at 6:28 PM


FLINT -- Donna Poplar, a former county employee who was convicted of a felony but later had her record expunged, has been appointed the city's new personnel director.

Mayor Dayne Walling said he's confident Poplar can successfully manage the department and trusts she will do an excellent job.

"We're looking forward to what we can accomplish together, and I hope the community will judge this administration on its performance and results," he said. "She's very sensitive to the needs of the front-line city employees who for too long have been ignored."

Her appointment, which does not need City Council approval, has not been publicly announced -- although Walling said he planned to discuss Poplar's appointment and several others at a news conference Wednesday.

Poplar began her new job Monday, and has already started a supervisors training program and participated in arbitration hearings with employee labor units.

David Davenport, a Flint school board member who is running for a seat on City Council, said Walling "hasn't told anyone he appointed ... a convicted criminal to his executive cabinet over human resources."

In an interview with The Flint Journal on Tuesday, Poplar acknowledged her criminal conviction, but noted that her record was expunged in May of 2007.

Poplar was fired as head of the Genesee County Community Action Agency in 1999.

Poplar said she plans to start employee performance evaluations and reward systems, right-size department staffing levels and help eliminate department deficits as they relate to human resources.

Poplar said her more pressing duties are dealing with the city's "tremendous backlog" of grievances and some very tough arbitration cases.

"My goal is to bring harmony within the HR responsibilities and to build employee motivation and morale," she said, "so that the quality of customer service that is rendered to the people of this great city is one that is unquestionable."

Davenport criticized Poplar's appointment at a City Council meeting Monday -- drawing a heated response from City Councilwoman Carolyn Sims, who called Poplar a friend.

"This mayor is competent enough to screen his own people," Sims said. "Whatever she was involved in, the case was expunged by the courts."

Sims blasted others in the community who supported former Mayor Don Williamson, a convicted felon who served time in prison. Davenport briefly worked in the Williamson administration.

Poplar has a master's degree in human resources from Central Michigan University. She served for more than seven years as chief of the county's community action agency and led recall attempts against Williamson and former city Councilman Darryl Buchanan.

Discussion about Poplar's appointment became so heated during the City Council meeting that Council President Jim Ananich called the outbursts "beyond embarrassing" and asked police Chief Alvern Lock to intercede.

In addition to Sims, Poplar also received words of support from A.C. Dumas, former head of the Flint NAACP, Flint activist Barbara Griffith-Wilson and city Councilwoman Jackie Poplar, her sister-in-law.

"There were some allegations against Miss Poplar, but going through the legal process her record was expunged," said City Administrator Gregory Eason, who sat with Poplar during her interview with The Journal.

"There is no indication nor is there any negative record that would give the mayor and/or I any reason to not hire her," he said. "We've got to get past the negative comments and really start thinking more in line with how do we move our community forward."
Post Sat Sep 27, 2014 8:38 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Who is behind the recall? A look at the people driving the effort to boot Mayor Don Williamson from office


Joe Lawlor | Flint Journal By Joe Lawlor | Flint Journal
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on November 08, 2008 at 10:06 AM, updated November 10, 2008 at 6:28 AM


FLINT, Michigan -- The inner circle of the group working to recall Mayor Don Williamson includes two who wanted to be mayor and an attorney trying to win $11 million from the city.

This eclectic group also includes a police sergeant and two fervently outspoken Williamson critics.

And so far, the group has proven itself organized and politically savvy -- doling out cash for signatures on recall petitions, accumulating $10,000 in campaign funds and forming a nonprofit political organization that will keep its financial backers secret.

Williamson said he's not worried about the recall effort and he doesn't care who the organizers are for the group that calls itself Committee for a Better Flint.

"They have a tough battle ahead of them," Williamson said. "They won't have enough money to defeat me."

Who are they?


• Recall organizer Alex Harris, a retired prison guard who started the recall. He is known for his long rants at City Council meetings.


• Donna Poplar, a consultant and former head of the Genesee County Community Action Agency. She's also part of the political group Sisters United.


• Flint police Sgt. Rick Hetherington, head of Flint's sergeant's union. He was suspended and temporarily fired (the city rescinded the termination) for speaking to the media.


• Greg Eason, a businessman who used to run the Job Corps. He was a campaign manager for former state Rep. Vera Rison, D-Flint, when she ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1999. He also considered running for mayor in 2002.


• Dale Weighill, heads of the Resource Center. He ran for mayor in 2007.


• Dean Yeotis, an attorney. He won a verdict now worth $11 million from the city over sewer backups. The city is appealing that verdict.

Flint Journal extras
Meet the recall organizers:

Alex Harris


• Age: 53


• Personal: Married, two adult children


• Occupation: Retired prison guard and retail manager.


• Volunteer work: None

Dale Weighill


• Age: 38


• Personal: Single


• Occupation: President and CEO of the Resource Center


• Volunteer: Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Visually Impaired Center

Dean Yeotis


• Age: 47


• Personal: Married


• Occupation: Attorney


• Volunteer work: Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Genesee County, Buick Club.

Donna Poplar


• Age: 53


• Personal: Married, two children


• Occupation: Consultant


• Volunteer work: Does ministerial work and helps raise money for breast cancer awareness and research.

Greg Eason


• Personal: Married to Karen Aldridge-Eason


• Occupation: Businessman, former head of the Job Corps
Eason could not be reached for comment.

Rick Hetherington


• Age: 42


• Personal: Married, four children


• Occupation: Flint police officer, seeking a law degree


• Volunteer work: Belongs to the Masons and Shriners



The recall claims Williamson is responsible for the city's budget deficit. The issue is set for Feb. 24 ballot, barring any successful legal challenge.

If the recall passes, it would be the second time voters have mid-term fired a Flint mayor in seven years.

Williamson defends himself saying he's helped bring business to downtown, pave roads and clean up neighborhoods.

Harris said the group's roots are non-political and not based on getting anyone the mayor's job if Williamson were to be recalled. If the mayor is recalled, there would be a special election.

"People of all different stripes want to go in a new direction," Harris said.

Williamson said "they can do what they want."

He declined to personally criticize anyone on the committee except attorney Yeotis.

"My job is to protect the taxpayer's money, and not give it to Dean Yeotis," Williamson said.

Yeotis said he was motivated to join the recall effort after seeing first-hand how Williamson's poor leadership was hurting the city.

"I have never been involved in anything political until now," Yeotis said. "At some point you have to take a look around and say, if no one else is doing anything, you have to do it."

Poplar said she expects the mayor to wage personal attacks against the recall leaders.

"My past has nothing to do with the failed leadership of Mayor Williamson's administration," said Poplar, who most recently created a stir when in 2007 she decried the fact that there were two white candidates vying for mayor in a majority-black city.

But, not all the recall leaders are so outspoken, choosing instead to quietly steer the recall movement.

Weighill declined to comment and Eason could not be reached for comment.

Hetherington also declined to comment, noting his legal battles against the city over the city's policy about speaking to the media.

As for the group's tactics, by all accounts they appear more organized than the successful 2002 effort to recall then-Mayor Woodrow Stanley.

"We didn't really have any organization, any committees," said Mike Keeler, who was involved in the Stanley recall. "We didn't do any fundraising. I would say they are much better organized."

By paying some people to collect signatures, at $1 per valid signature, the anti-Williamson group diverged from the all-volunteer effort of 2002.

Harris makes no apologies for it, saying that they needed to pay people to collect enough signatures to force it on the ballot. The decision also drained the group of nearly all of its bank roll; Harris said Friday it had less than $200 left.

And Harris said another tactical decision was creating a 501(c)4 -- the designation for political accounts set up as nonprofits to avoid campaign finance laws, including disclosure of contributors.

If they had formed a traditional election committee, the names of donors and how much they gave would have to be filed with the Genesee County elections office.

Some examples of 501(c)4 committees include moveon.org and the National Rifle Association.

Harris said he believes they wouldn't get nearly as many donations -- including some already received from city employees -- if the donors knew their names would eventually become public.

"Everything we are doing is legal and above board," Harris said.

Bill Ballenger, editor of Inside Michigan Politics, said by sidestepping traditional campaign finance regulations , the recall organizers do "marginally cede some of the high moral ground."

But he said the extra money is probably worth any minor backlash due to lack of disclosure.

"They're going to be outspent (by Williamson), but they have to be able to raise enough money to at least get their message out," Ballenger said.

Ballenger said the recall, especially if it's successful, won't help Flint's image.

"People will wonder why do we keep doing this? Why does Flint keep throwing their mayors out?" Ballenger said.
Post Sat Sep 27, 2014 8:43 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

By paying some people to collect signatures, at $1 per valid signature, the anti-Williamson group diverged from the all-volunteer effort of 2002.

Harris makes no apologies for it, saying that they needed to pay people to collect enough signatures to force it on the ballot. The decision also drained the group of nearly all of its bank roll; Harris said Friday it had less than $200 left.

And Harris said another tactical decision was creating a 501(c)4 -- the designation for political accounts set up as nonprofits to avoid campaign finance laws, including disclosure of contributors.

If they had formed a traditional election committee, the names of donors and how much they gave would have to be filed with the Genesee County elections office.

Some examples of 501(c)4 committees include moveon.org and the National Rifle Association.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a letter from the state telling the committee they had violated campaign finance rules as well as the rules for a 501 C4.

Poplar and her Sisters United 501(C)4 also violated the rules for that nonprofit classification. They did videos for walling and posted them on Comcast 17. (Kate Fields too)
Post Sat Sep 27, 2014 8:49 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Shiawassee opposes Poplar funding

Publication: Flint Journal, The (MI)
Edition: FIRST
Date: June 15, 2001
Page: A4
Record Id: 0360234065
Author: JOURNAL WRITERS Jerry Ernst and Christofer Machniak

County officials have lent their support to Genesee County's efforts to block the awarding of a $150,000 job training contract to a controversial nonprofit organization.

The Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners on Thursday voted to send Genesee County commissioners a letter backing their review of plans to give the contract to the fledgling New Directions Human Development Agency Inc., headed by Donna Poplar.

The Worforce Development Board, which covers both

2 to lose funds to upstart agency
$307,000 now set for Poplar venture

Publication: Flint Journal, The (MI)
Edition: FIRST
Date: May 15, 2001
Page: A1
Record Id: 0358267233
Author: JOURNAL STAFF WRITER Christofer Machniak

The City Council wants to reallocate federal block grant money to a new public service agency headed by Donna Poplar, a former Genesee County official convicted last fall of defrauding a businessman in an alleged bribery scheme.

The council moved $307,000 from other agencies to New Directions Human Development Agency Inc., an agency formed by Poplar last year to battle problems faced by low- and moderate-income families.

In all, the council made 21 changes to

2 to lose funds to upstart agency $307,000 now set for Poplar venture




Publication: Flint Journal, The (MI)
Edition: SUBURBAN
Date: May 15, 2001
Page: A1
Record Id: 0358267261
Author: JOURNAL STAFF WRITER Christofer Machniak

The City Council wants to reallocate federal block grant money to a new public service agency headed by Donna Poplar, a former Genesee County official convicted last fall of defrauding a businessman in an alleged bribery scheme.



The council moved $307,000 from other agencies to New Directions Human Development Agency Inc., an agency formed by Poplar last year to battle problems faced by low- and moderate-income families.

In all, the council made 21 changes to the
Post Sat Sep 27, 2014 9:10 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

The awarding of $307,000 to newly organized and unproven corporation is not good governance.

In the stimulus programs, the government looked at giving funding to newly formed groups as a sign of possible fraud.

The money was never allocated.
Post Sat Sep 27, 2014 9:14 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

As long as the Flint NAACP conducts their elections in this manner, they may never have leadership that garners respect in the community.
Post Tue Sep 30, 2014 6:45 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

AC Dumas added 3 new photos.

September 29 at 9:16pm ·
.

Members packed the Flint Branch of the NAACP Membership Meeting on this evening. The meeting was canceled by Ms. Yvonne White, president of the Michigan State Conference of the NAACP. The meeting was rescdchuled to October 13. Location TBA. Mrs. Donna Ashburn-Poplar had standing room only crowd at the meeting supporting her for president.
Post Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:16 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

AC Dumas added 2 new photos.

The Flint Branch of the NAACP October General Membership at a packed meeting at Vernon Chapel AME Church. The nominations of officers and executive committee members took place at the meeting under the auspicious of the Michigan State Conference of the NAACP, Ms. Yvonne White, president. Candidates are as follows: President: Francis Gilcreast and Donna Ashburn-Poplar; 1st VP: Vivian Kelly and Gregory Eason; 2nd VP: AC Dumas and Ronald Berry-Robinson; 3rd VP: Tonya Bailey(Unopossed). Other officers were nomination, including Secretary and Treasurer. Also, the Executive Committee members were nominated. The election will take place sometime in November. In order to vote, you must be a member in "good standing" 30 days prior to the election.



Steve Mintline I've been asked to join by at least a dozen members in the last two months - members who have offered to sponsor my membership - and I have yet to become a member, since I won't promise to vote for specific candidates for office. This has happened several times over the years...why is it that my membership is only desired when a vote can come from it?


AC Dumas The same as politicians come and campaign when it's time to run for office. If you wanted to join you would have during a non election year.


Steve Mintline I've donated to the national organization, just haven't done so locally. I'm not saying I wouldn't, I'm just wondering why the only time my membership is sought is when someone wants my vote. I can understand the comparison to politicians, but I receive fundraising solicitations year round, election year or not. I've never once had anyone ask me to join the Flint NAACP and pay dues, whether it be immediately before an election or nowhere close to one. Just offers to have membership sponsored in exchange for a vote.
‪‪‪
Post Tue Oct 14, 2014 12:09 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

AC Dumas shared his post.



Flint Branch of the NAACP election results. Francis Gilcreast 708 votes and Donna Ashburn-Poplar received 680 votes. Team Donna secured the following officer position: 1st VP: Gregory Eason; 2nd VP: AC Dumas; 3rd VP: Tonya Bailey; Secretary Pamela Poplar-Montgomery; Treasurer: Jolena Sanders & the Assistant Secretary position. Team Donna secured 17 seats on the Executive Committee out of 24! Although Donna lost by 28 votes, she's carried herself with dignity, integrity, honestly, professionalism and Godly character! The vote count is "suspension" and she made a prayerful decision not to ask for a recount or new election because of irregularities during the election. We "Team Donna" salute Donna! Now the work of the Association begins in January when the Officers and Executive Committee members are sworn into office. As a former Flint Branch of the NAACP president, encourage you to join the nation's largest and oldest civil right's organization in the United States in the community where you live or work! The Struggle Continues
Post Wed Dec 10, 2014 4:51 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

NAACP Flint branch re-elects President Francis Gilcreast to sixth term


Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on December 12, 2014 at 4:00 PM

Frances Gilcreast, president of the NAACP Flint branch for 10 years, has been re-elected to an additional two-year term.

Flint Journal file photo

FLINT, MI -- Frances Gilcreast has won her sixth term as president of the NAACP Flint branch, surviving the challenge of a former top Flint and Genesee County government administrator.

"We will continue to focus on membership development, economic development, engaging our youth in advocacy, voter empowerment, law enforcement accountability and regaining our democracy back in the city of Flint," Gilcreast said in a prepared statement.

"We take our personal feelings (from the election) and put them aside," she said. "That's what our vow is when we are sworn in."

The NAACP in Flint released the results of its Dec. 6 election this week but did not include the number of votes winning candidates or challengers such as Donna Poplar, who ran against Gilcreast, received.

"That's internal. That information is available to members at the office," said Gilcreast, who said she hopes newly elected officers and executive board members who supported Poplar will work with her.

Poplar, a former Flint Human Resources Department director and Genesee County Community Action Resources Department executive director, campaigned on the premise that the NAACP needed new leadership in Flint, saying not enough has been done to address issues such as lack of economic opportunity and quality of education for children in Flint.

"I would hope anyone who runs for office with this organization would be mission-driven," Gilcreast said.

The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Poplar for comment, but A.C. Dumas, who ran on a slate with her and who was elected 2nd vice president of the NAACP Flint branch, said everyone's top priority "is to make sure the NAACP is on course."

"We have no problem working with Mrs. Gilcreast if it's in line with the NAACP Constitution," he said.

Also elected as officers of the NAACP Flint branch are Gregory Eason, 1st vice president; Tonya Bailey, 3rd vice president; Pamela Montgomery, secretary; Precious Carlton, assistant secretary; Jolena Sanders, treasurer; and Crystal Saines, assistant treasurer.

Twenty-four individuals were listed as executive committee members in the NAACP news release.
Post Sun Dec 14, 2014 5:50 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

An appeal to the election has been filed with the National Office of the NAACP.

Allegations are rampant about ineligible voters being allowed to vote and individuals being paid to vote. I wonder why there were no election observers so there would have been no challenges.

It will be a rough ride for Gilcreast as 17 of the 24 executive positions went to Poplar Team members.
Post Sun Dec 14, 2014 5:54 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Controversy has arisen again. Last nights NAACP had the Stete level of the NAACP in attendance. But, no the state has not stepped in to take over yet. According to AC Dumas, there is a process that must be followed if such a decision was being considered and that can be a lengthy one.

Some on the controversy revolves around the failure to bond the Treasurer as required by the bylaws. Also there is anger over the upcoming NAACP dinner, which was not supported by the rank-and-file membership and the funds for the dinner may have an unknown source or sources.

Another controversy revolves around the failure of the NAACP to provide advocacy as was done in the past. I remember when Claudia Shelton provided space for such advocacy many years ago. But I believe the members may be right as I don't remember any recent advocacy initiatives.


I remember in the early 1990's when the Concerned Pastors boycotted an NAACP event because then President, E Hill Deloney, brroght in a Muslim leader believed by some to be a radical.
Post Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:14 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Boy, many of these NAACP don't want to talk about the controversy in the organization. Finally got enough confirmation to say that when the State level officials visited, the local branch was placed in administrativeship. There obviously was enough documentation that the state felt it necessary to step in to resolve the issues.
Post Mon Mar 16, 2015 11:42 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Rerceived an anonymous letter in the mail yesterday. Inside was a copy of the letter sent on March 6 by President Yvonne White ofthe NAACP Michigan State Conference to Frances Gilcreast.

"This is to inform you of the decision of the NAACP National Board of Directors at its February 21, 2015 meeting in New York, NY to place the Flint, MI Branch NAACP #3136 under the "Administratorship" of the Michigan State Conference NAACP.

The Michigan State Conference will be in attendance at your next regularl scheduled Executive Committee meeting on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 5:30 pm to discuss some of the details of the administratorship and to answer as many questions as we possibly can at this time. The meeting will be a closed executive session.

Please provide a copy of this communication to all members of the Flint, MI Branch NAACP Executive Committee, including all appointed Standing Committee Chairpersons."
Post Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:13 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

This letter was copied to :

Michigan State Conference NAACP Executive Committee
Dr. Ernest Johnson, Chair of NAACP Memberships and Units Committee
Rev. Gill Ford, national Director of NAACP Unit Administration
Dr. Jerome Reide, NAACP Region 3 Field Director
Post Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:16 pm 
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