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Topic: With Flint, it is all about race
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Obama: "You can't govern people if you win by dividing them-you're not going to be able to govern them."

There has been a great deal written about how segregated Flint has been and still is. But as a city divided, many Flint residents as well as out-county residents alike have little trust in our local politicians.

Can our Flint City Council ever return to civility or is Flint doomed to have the present animosity escalate toward a Jerry Springer type drama. Is it any surprise that this civil unrest is exhibited by Flint residents when they address our societal problems. Flint citizens have a right to be angry and they can sometimes be nastier than the politicians. There seems to be a consensus that they can't trust either our local politicians or the county and state governmental units.

It should be obvious by now that Flint residents will not surrender to demands of silence and complacency. Rather, they are demanding that their voices be heard and they reject the premise that they should just accept government when they believe the government is lying to them and is failing to protect them.
Post Mon Oct 23, 2017 3:19 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

In the wake of the Rizzo trash scandal, the Macomb Daily newspaper on October 16, reported a movement to force the resignation of the Macomb Township Supervisor Janet Dunn and Macomb Township Trustee Timothy Bussineau. The protesters cited a need to change the culture of the community-one of politics, denial, revenge and personal attacks. One very vocal proponent of change is former MacombTownship
Supervisor, Mark Grabow who was quoted saying the people "can't accept this kind of tyranny in this community."

Macomb County is in the midst of an aggressive FBI investigation into a Macomb County political machine that reeks of graft and corruption and the investigation is is now progressing into other communities. Because of the emails that have been leaked suggesting the Flint deal was made prior to the bid process and the bid process was flawed, it's believed by many the investigative trial also leads to Flint.

Indeed the Macomb Daily interviewed white collar crime expert, Wayne State University professor and former federal prosecutor Peter Heming, who predicted the investigation could continue for months while following a "standard playbook' for such investigations. The end may not come until next summer.


Last edited by untanglingwebs on Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:36 pm; edited 2 times in total
Post Mon Oct 23, 2017 3:38 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Grabow and former township clerk James Gelios told the media that they turned over multiple documents to the FBI and they warned that more FBI action is forthcoming. Gelios predicted that federal documents indicated "another elected official and township attorney were implicated.

Gelios also accused Supervisor Dunn of ignoring the graft and corruption of the community and not spending neither the time not the energy to get rid of it . "Your attempts to dismiss the concerns of the honest, had working resident who speak up by also trying to curtail their right to publicly speak at board meetings is pathetic."

Sounds like Flint to me.There has been a major movement to stop dissent and silence those who speak out. For some it is the argument that Flint is predominantly black and needs a black mayor and administration. There is a great deal of anger that hundreds of millions have been spent in the rebuilding of downtown Flint by white out of Flint investors and other areas are systematically being ignored. However, I have seen federal initiatives in Flint wasted by what I view as incompetent and corrupt uses of these funds.


Last edited by untanglingwebs on Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:39 pm; edited 1 time in total
Post Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:01 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Are the issues on the right to political dissent in Flint being handled in an even worse fashion than in Macomb. When I am looking at social media, there appears to be an overwhelming opinion that there exists a great deal off corruption in both the city and county levels.

Yes council has the right to set limits on speakers and to ask for civility. However more people would have the ability to speak if the council had less drama and if certain council people obeyed council protocols and stopped their showboating" that prolongs the meetings.

Council meetings used to be shorter when the council leadership met with the administration and they were aware of the agenda. Police officers delivered the council materials several days ahead so the council was familiar with the issues and they could coherently ask questions about concerns. It doesn't sound like they get all of the materials ahead of time. Last minute agenda items were usually postponed. Pleas of urgency by the administration sometimes led to bad decisions.


Last edited by untanglingwebs on Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:41 pm; edited 1 time in total
Post Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:14 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

The ACLU lawyers rushed to line up and provide legal assistance to the protesters arrested at the church town hall. There were no charges brought and no prosecution. Obviously the police had forgotten how the ACLU lawyers dealt both the county and the city a legal blow in court over the Rave arrests at Club Whats Next or they would not have launched such a full scale attack on civil liberties. Allegedly Chief Johnson stated to radio talk show host Mike Kilbreath the he feared one of the protesters wanted to start a riot. I was told many were fearful o a police action and they stayed away. From reviewing social media I believe the unnamed protester was a wealthy actor know for being arrested in protests but never connected to overt violence.

Flint's image was once again sullied as The Young Turks posted a video of the arrests that was viewed over 900,000 times. Flint's police chief and force were ridiculed . There were multiple videos on social media and national news stories. Race and religion seemed to determine the public's opinion which seemed to have a polarizing effect.


Last edited by untanglingwebs on Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:42 pm; edited 2 times in total
Post Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:30 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Did the Police Chief over react when he used a show of force to barricade City hall to prevent "open carry" protesters from entering City Hall. I remember my surprise watching a previous video showing people with rifles as well as pistols in a city meeting. Flint may need an attorney on this issue as the laws seem very vague. Courts, but not City Government offices, are automatically off limits to open carry Even a Secretary of State office and polling places have to allow open carry.

Can council enact an ordinance to deny open carry?

MSP - Prohibited Premises - State of Michigan
www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1878_1591_3503_4654-10947--,00.html
Michigan State Police - Individuals licensed to carry a concealed pistol by ... "Weapons are not permitted in any courtroom, office, or other space used for official ...


Last edited by untanglingwebs on Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:45 pm; edited 1 time in total
Post Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:58 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Actually some in this group are very amusing, but not threatening. I had to laugh at a video of them forming a circle outside the mayor's office with a cardboard fake fire painted orange after being denied an opportunity to speak with her. A bit childish and probably annoying, but did these previous actions warrant a dramatic almost military action?

Have we sunk into a state of tyranny when police in uniforms using police cars are allegedly gathering petitions for a Favored candidate? Many citizens were outraged when allegations surfaced of police actions that harassed citizens who signed the recall petition. Even Judge Neithercutt questioned such tactics in a civil matter.

The battle will continue along both class and racial lines. It will continue to be Uptown versus North end while the south side and east side cry about being neglected.


Last edited by untanglingwebs on Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:38 am; edited 1 time in total
Post Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:12 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Some of the Concerned Pastors, a predominately black group, will continue to insist Flint needs a black mayor as they denounce the white groups rebuilding downtown during their Saturday morning broadcast. They don't even hid their efforts to replace some on the council with individuals that will support (hear rubber stamp") every action of the mayor.

The hate will continue to spew in the MLive comments and other social media. And gentrification will continue as many are being pushed out of Flint, some by the high water bills.Old agendas will continue to be rebuilt. There will be more talk of the Black Wallstreet and an attempt to recreate it locally.

This close to election time the attack ads may start to air. Woodrow Stanley did campaign consulting work for Walling against Williamson. When that connection was uncovered the "puppet man" ad was born.

National stories during the Stanley recall mentioned the Stanley ad portraying Kincaid as living in the "Big House" that Kincaid owned and they attributed the ad as an attempt to liken Kincaid to a slaveowner. .
Post Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:21 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Rumor has it there may be an attempt to sully Kincaid's wife because she works for the Shriner's and did so during the Singelis episode. There are already cheap shots trying to blame Kincaid for past deficits.

The new effort is to denounce the UAW and their relationship with KIncaid. Icon Reuben Burks is also being assailed as new and vicious postings are coming out against Kincaid as though every past decision came from him .


Last edited by untanglingwebs on Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:43 am; edited 1 time in total
Post Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:36 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Wantwaz Davis
Yesterday at 2:01pm ·
People still playing the race black/ white game. Well, we currently have a black mayor, and look where it got us, they started pimping the city. Where do I need to start, let's start here: every year we have to send in a budget to Lansing, Michigan, treasure Department to show accountability of the tax payers money. We control 160 million a year, however, the general fund holds 53 million a year. The general fund(53million) is what the the treasure department pays attention to. The governor in 2011 ordered Flint, Michigan to have an Emergency manager, because the general fund was 8 million dollars in debt( in the red). Sometime ago Mayor Weaver attempted to send a 30 million dollar deficit in the general fund(53 million) to the treasure department. Scott Kincaid, intercepted that budget, balanced it, and sent it in to the treasure department. Had the initial budget been sent in by the mayor, we would've had an Emergency manager and the emergency manager would've okayed the 30 year contract to detroit, that will double our water bills in years to come, think about that!!


Wantwaz Davis We voted someone who gave 260,000 dollars of the tax payers hard earned money, when she illegally put the a garbage company on the street, when we already had a garbage company picking garbage up. I understand black pride, woman solidarity, and hope in a new person who didn't have thebbest interests of the people, instead cared more about herself and friends. Science and math never lie. Former Mayor Woodrow was recalled, he picked her out of their church, Vernon Chaple, after discovering that 70% percent of the voters in Flint are educators and women, they picked Karen because of that report and women and educators fell for it, and look where we are today, no better the start of the water crisis. She attempted to give us an Emergency manager intentionally, to take us to detroit for 30 years. In local government. The mayor runs the city and controls the day to day operation. Every disaster or fall of Flint, Michigan is not because of council negelect, it's because every mayor in some manner or another created the conditions we suffer from, city council is a legislatures and policy makers. The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree, Woodrow was recalled, picked her in the church and now she's being recalled. 9,000, people siqned this petition and now she's about to be recalled. There's many things she's not done and things she's done has pushed us backwards. Weaver is not the mayor, Woodrow Stanley is the mayor and have been from day one, his record speaks over 30 years, and is a major part kf why we are the second poorest city in the nation, He and Charles Winfrey, ran general motors out of Flint, Michigan and made us the second poorest city in the nation, when we were the 3rd highest in the nation. General motors were cutting over 100,000 pay checks, due to genral motors being pushed out of flint, today they cut 8,000, Scot had nothing to do with that. I'm not saying he is a saint, we all have problems and have done somethings we wish we could redue. But most of the things I hear about him seems to be propaganda and tales. The man isn't racist, black grandchild and was a member of foss avenue in the 3rd ward. I can speak about then4 years I've known him and seen his work, which was more than weaver did. He filed a lawsuit to get the water bills low and refund given to the residence. Stopped Weaver from internationally given us an Emergency manager. Helped bring 600 jobs to flint. What have Weaver did, but sent many water shutoff noticed to struggling people's house and allowed unpaid water liens to be placed on 8,000 peoples homes, if they don't pay those property taxes, they will loose their home, yeah, Weaver done that. Everything about Karen about Flint, turned out to be Karen about her friends, while we sit and make excuses of her negelect to correct what she said she would do, instead fought council for 8 months, durning a water crisis, about some garbage and gave away, freely 260,000 to a garbage company to pick up for two weeks, when we already had one picking garbage up, a lot tjay 260,000 dollars could've done, besides giving it away, Scot didn't do any of that, had nothing to do with general motors leaving making flint the second poorest city in the nation, and you have to ask yourself the million dollar question, why did the governor try to block Scott Kincaid from getting on the mayor ballot, and tried to defend the mayor. The list goes on and on. We are just fooled, Karen has never been the mayor, the same people, that look like you and me, controlled this city, pimped it and still desire to gain something, even under our crisis, instead of fixing it the right way. They play games on the African American community, and we fall for it, because they look like you, because a person look like you, doesn't mean they have your best interest; I learned that a long time ago.
Post Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:54 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Pastor Overton o the Concerned Pastors points to the recall of Woodrow Stanley as leading to the racial problems of today. Racial comments attributed to Stanley were quoted in the National News headlines. It was pointed out that "black turned against black" as more blacks than whites turned out to vote and the vote to recall was made overwhelmingly, primarily because of the growing deficit. (over $38 million).

Stanley's famous line to white politicians that they shouldn't come north of the river, came when he demanded a black sheriff , Art Evans, be selected after the forced resignation of Sheriff Wilson.

The Pastors want to be power brokers as they advocate to maintain both Mayor Weaver and her unofficial advisor Aonie Gilcreast. When it was revealed that Stanley was the negotiator for Rizzo Environmental and the City, there was a great deal of anger. When e-mails between the consultant for Rizzo and Flint, naming "Gil" (Gilcreast) Stanley and City officials made prior to a bid selection, the deal was questioned. Notice of the Rizzo investigation heightened the mistrust. Pastors insisting on payments of $120,000 to Gilcreast, who had never had any executive position approved by council. Instead he was labeled a volunteer, but given broad administrative powers. The money to be granted to Gilcreast has been said to have increased substantially.

We are truly a city divided, even within the races.
Post Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:59 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Flint has the Mayor promoting the two new major investments of Phoenix Investors Groups. BUt no the county is putting out a piece claiming their initial contacts may have led to this major financial commitment.
Post Tue Oct 24, 2017 12:02 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

FLINT NEWS
State pays for Flint mayoral adviser after council says no

Updated on October 24, 2017 at 5:29 PM Posted on October 24, 2017 at 5:20 PM


By Oona Goodin-Smith ogoodins@mlive.com
FLINT, MI - The state of Michigan is footing the bill for an adviser to Flint Mayor Karen Weaver after city council voted against hiring him last month.

Under a 90-day short-term contract, the state is paying $40,200 for Hughey Newsome to advise Weaver on Flint's finances after the council voted against contracting Newsome as the interim chief financial officer until after the mayoral recall election.

The state's $40,200 check is split between P.I.E. Management staffing firm and Newsome, said Ron Leix, a spokesperson from the Michigan Treasury. Newsome is paid $64 per hour - identical to the salary originally offered to him by the city of Flint - according to his contract obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by MLive-The Flint Journal.

His contract began on Monday, Oct. 18, and extends through January, at the pleasure of the mayor.

In September, the council voted 5-3 to hold off on hiring Newsome, questioning signing off on a year-long contract with Weaver's appointee when the mayor's position is up for grabs in the November recall election.

Some council members also questioned Newsome's lack of municipal finance experience and the fact that he had no immediate plans to move to the city.


Flint, the city with the nation's highest poverty rate for its size, may now have to wait another month to fill its vacant chief financial officer position.

Newsome - a former senior manager for MorganFranklin Consulting in Washington, D.C., now living in West Bloomfield - came before the council nominated by Weaver and recommended by Richard Baird, senior adviser to Gov. Rick Snyder.

The Harvard business grad said he is providing a helping hand to Dawne Steele, the city's deputy finance director, who has been pulling double duty and performing some of the CFO responsibilities after Flint's year-long contract ended with David Sabuda in June.


"We still have a financial department that's understaffed," Newsome said. "(Steele) is one person doing two jobs, so there's work she can't get to. So the way I look at is this: I serve at the pleasure of the mayor. The state is providing the dollars because they don't want an understaffed finance department."

Newsome said, in attempts to be transparent, he approached council members individually last week to let them know about his temporary hire.

But Council President Kerry Nelson said he felt the state was overruling the council's power.

"This council is being disrespected by the state," Nelson said. "He was brought in the back door before and he's been brought in the back door again."

Council is publicly at odds with both the mayor's administration and state, and currently in federal litigation with both over the future of Flint's water source.


"This is what we've been asking for ... reliability and affordability. We need to be able to determine if (a 30-year contract with GLWA) is that Rolls-Royce of a deal we've been told about. I don't see that in the contract."

Leix made clear that Newsome's position is not a state appointment, nor is it affiliated with the Receivership Transition Advisory Board, Flint's state-appointed financial oversight board.

He said the state has paid consultants to assist the city before, such as contracting former Grand Rapids administrator Al Mooney as an interim treasurer in Flint in 2015, and Joyce Parker - emergency financial manager for the city of Ecorse - to mediate Flint's trash controversy last August.


City of Flint spokesperson Kristin Moore was not immediately available for comment on Newsome's temporary hire.

Tensions around Newsome's appointment began to brew within the council in mid-September when his name appeared on some of the city's financial resolutions before he had been approved by council for the job.

The city charter dictates that certain executive appointees - including the CFO position - must be approved by council before taking the post.

Interim City Attorney Angela Wheeler explained that the seemingly contradictory language in an emergency manager order and the city's charter led the administration to believe they could bring Newsome in without council approval before realizing their mistake, saying that the city was working as quickly as possible to rectify the situation.
Post Wed Oct 25, 2017 6:05 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Last June, Sabuda (acting CFO ) explained the procedure for grants to the city. He described in detail why it took 7months for the Weaver administration to send a State of Michigan asphalt contract renewal to council, leaving only 5 months on the contract remaining.

So, does council have to approve the state money to pay for Newsome's position as we are no longer with an Emergency Manager? Does council have any say in this issue?

Sabuda left on June 30th as a CFO selected by the state. Dawn Steele has performed the duties of the CFO since then. RTAB's Joel Ferguson praised the role of those with skills but not the job related skills when they approved the appointment of Sylvester Jones. Steve Branch told RTAB the city was aware that Jones lacked municipal experience and they had hired a consultant to train Jones on how to do the job of City Administrator.

Since Steele has been performing the job of the CFO since Sabuda left , why not rewrite the specs to give her the job? Is it because she is white and a female? i keep hearing comments that Weaver only hires minorities. However the Police Chief did appoint a white deputy chief. Time will tell or maybe a new mayor will make appointments to all of these unfilled positions!
Post Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:19 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Council president deeply troubled by email in trash dispute | MLive.com
www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2016/.../documents_show_former_trash_he.html
Nov 7, 2016 - Emails show that the founder of a trash company at the center of a federal ... Business Resource Center · Michigan Jobs · Press Releases ... The day after Flint City Council voted against hiring Rizzo Environmental Services .... Stapleton, the president and founder of B&R Consulting of Ann Arbor, provided ...
Post Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:44 am 
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