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Topic: Vintage "politically incorrect" Sam Riddle

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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Vintage "politically incorrect" Sam Riddle and Windmill Place
A May 7,1995 story entitled "Riddle assails gift to 'Political" Pastors" was critical of the African American Religious Leaders, a group that accepted the Windmill Place as a gift from Don Williamson. Both Riddle and Williamson were candidates n the Flint Mayoral race.
Riddle called the seemingly altruistic gift by Williamson as merely an attempt to put "handkerchief head preachers in his hip pockets . He expects something from them"

According to Rev. Ron Chappel, the transfer would not take place until tax arrangements were completed. Chappel insisted no endorsement would occur and this was to be an investment in the community.
President of the group, Rev. Arthur . Pointer countered that Riddle's allegations were baseless and not relevant to the gift. "Even if I should elect to support Don Williamson, it would have nothing to do with this", said Pointer.


Last edited by untanglingwebs on Fri Aug 18, 2017 2:37 pm; edited 2 times in total
Post Fri Aug 18, 2017 1:39 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Pointer went on to elaborate how Williamson's people believed Mayor Woodrow Stanley had bought Pointer because his church had received a grant.from the city and Mayor Stanley's people believed he had been bought by Williamson.

Millionaire businessman Williamson stated "I think Sam Riddle needs a full time psychiatrist". Williamson went on to say he has never heard such comments when he has contributed to an organization prior to that.

Don and Patsy Lou Williamson had transferred the ownership of the Windmill Place to the Metropolitan Housing Development after they had foreclosed on the property. Afer the African American Religious Leaders receive a tax exemption as a non profit corporation,they were to assume ownership.

Riddle went on to say "Williamson is literally buying and selling us like we haven't been bught and sold since slavery'
Post Fri Aug 18, 2017 1:59 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Riddles had objections that went far beyond Windmill Place. Riddle characterized some pastors as "power brokers and sophisticated politicians" and stated "prostitutes appear to be moving off the street corners into the pulpits."

Riddle told Journal reporter Betty Brenner "Clergy can't tap dance with politicians and not get muck on their shoes. The noble causes that led Martin Luther King Jr. to mobilize us to fight for our rights have been replaced by grabby, gimme grubbing for the dollar."

Riddle proposed area clergy should develop a code of ethical matters , particularly when it comes to political matters. Stressing the political influence that a clergy can have on their parishioners cited how the black church gave Jesse Jackson the credibility to gain national prestige and run for President.
Post Fri Aug 18, 2017 2:23 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Riddle went on to elaborate that while he respects most clergy, black and white, that he believes some hve forgotten who the boss is (God).

When Rev. Dr. avery Aldridge, then Pastor of Foss Avenue and President of the Concerned Pastors for Social Action, was asked about attempts to bribe him, he was emphatic in his assertion that no one attempts to bribe him.
Post Fri Aug 18, 2017 2:34 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

The demise of Windmill Place was a harbinger of more Mott Foundation financed "Flint revival" plans falling into ruin.

After the Flint charter created a "strong Mayor" form of government, Former Police Chief James Rutherford defeated Floyd McCree twice. Some say it was his alliance and support of the Mott Foundation attempts to recreate Flint into a college Town that caused his loss to James Sharp in 1983.

Rutherford held a Master's in Police Administration and rose to prominence in 1960 after he made a major arrest of reputed mafia leaders in a gambling conspiracy in 1960.

BUdget shortfalls in 1980 show Rutherford laying off over 300 City of flint employees. Rutherford then aligned himself with Mott Foundation President William White in announcing that the Foundation had purchased the IMA and it's annex for $2.4 million in order to create an Auto World theme park that was expected to cost $38.5 million.
Post Sat Aug 19, 2017 9:31 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

There was $8.6 million in federal funds used for Auto World and the total cost ranges from $70 million to $80 million depending on what source is used.

Some say the city was warned not to build Water Street Pavilion as it duplicated the model of the successful Windmill Place. The City did not listen and supported water Street Pavilion (1981) and the new Hyatt Regency in 1981. Windmillion Place did not survive the competition and Flint saw both the Windmill Place and Water Street began to decline. Built in 1985 at a cost of $20 million, Water Street Pavilion saw most of their stores close in 2 years. By 1990 the University of Michigan took control of the facility and the State of Michigan spent $3 million to renovate. In 1993, a year after Michael Moore's "Roger and Me", The University purchased Water Street for $60,000 from the DDA.

Rutherford, in the face of all of these failures he had supported, lost the election in 1983 to James Sharp. He attempted to run again in 1987, but came in third to winner Matt Collier and second place Sharp.
Post Sat Aug 19, 2017 9:55 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

By January of 1993 business men Michael and Andrew Lacy along with councilman Matt Taylor and Rev. Elmira Smith-Vincent purchased Windmill Place from Don Williamson for an undisclosed amount. Williamson had purchased the business venture in 1988.

Rumors swirled about alleged criminal ties between the Lacys and corrupt Chicago Police, and were strongest in a minority contractors group. When Michael lacy was murdered in his bed in Florida, the rumors became more persistent.

After Saint Michael Church built a 120 space parking lot in 1986 for $182,000 the church entered into a contract with the nonprofit Flint Community Capital Development to use the parking for Windmill Place overflow parking. Disputes over the assignment of lease arrangements.

(Williamson loan may defuse church suit- Flint journal-Betty Brenner on May 12, 1995)
Post Sat Aug 19, 2017 10:31 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Williamson had paid the $1,715 monthly lease payments to Saint Michael between December 1988, after they bought the premises, and February 1993 when the sale of the property was made. The new owners were to assume the lease, according to Williamson.

David Nickola was the attorney for the churh and asserted the transfer of the lease could not be reassigned and Williamson owed the money for lease payments even with the new owners . Odd that FCDC , the original lease holder was never mentioned.

FCDC had financial difficulties, had to relocate and changed their name to Community Capital Development Corp.
Post Sat Aug 19, 2017 10:48 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

indecision at Windmill Place worries some
Jared O Wadley and Betty Brenner flint Journal 1-11-1995
As soon the African American Religious Leaders took possession of the Windmill Place they notified the tenants of rent increases effective Feb. 1, 1995. The Windmill Place tenant's association became worried as there had been no meeting with the new owners.


The Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation from Metropolitan Baptist Church was the owner until the religious leaders group incorporated. A.committee ran the business.Former manager Andrew Lacy was replaced by Rev. pointer, Rev. Elmira Smith-Vincent and Rev . Patrick Isichei.

Tenants voiced concern that there was not enough foot traffic to warrant increases in rent and voiced the need for a marketing person even if part time. Tenants had raised funds for some advertising on their own.

With the 2 story portion now demolished , the owner of the entire parcel is shown to be AEV Incorporated, INC. owned By Rev. Alonzo Vincent and Rev. Elmira Smith-Vincent. AEV also owns the Family Dollar store on this site and has had tax problems.

Mission of Peace is also operated by Smith-Vincent and was a certified HUD counseling agency. She is also areal estate agent for Horizon Realty. HUD and the City of Flint received complaints that efforts were made to sell them homes as they went through credit counseling.
Post Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:03 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=8391

http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=12546
More on Mission of Peace

http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=8900
More on Greenview manor and Mission of Peace
Post Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:05 am 
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