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Topic: State gets F in ethics & integrity-county follows lead
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: Contoversy over Flint Towing contract

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Contract extension proposal for towing operation raises eyebrows in Flint City Council
Published: Monday, May 09, 2011, 9:45 PM Updated: Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 9:29 AM
By Khalil AlHajal | The Flint Journal The Flint Journal
FLINT, Michigan — City Council on Monday evening postponed voting on a measure that would extend a contract for Complete Towing through Dec. 15, 2015.

The city used to run its own towing operation, and some argue that its privatization has cost the city revenue.

Councilman Sheldon Neeley moved to postpone the measure, saying he wanted to explore ways to generate more revenue through the towing of vehicles in the city.

Councilmen Joshua Freeman and Scott Kincaid argued that with a smaller police force, the number of cars being towed would not generate enough revenue to justify taking three police officers off the streets to run a city impound lot.

Neeley said the city impound lot generated over $1 million in 2007-2008.

Freeman disputed that number.

"We've never, ever, ever cleared more than $1 million in one year of profit over expenses," Freeman said.

The two agreed that the city currently makes about $150,000 a year in the current deal with Complete Towing.

Neeley said the current contract still has 18 months remaining.

"We've got to negotiate a better deal to generate additional revenues," said Neeley.

Mayor Dayne Walling has said revenues from the city impound lot had been declining before it was shut down, and that it was taking up needed police manpower and space at the Oak Business Center.



Misty_Fenner_299 May 09, 2011 at 10:33PM
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I would just like to say that its BS anyone who has their vehicle stolen has to pay to get their vehicle back, when my van was stolen 2 days before thanksgiving (LOCKED AND IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH KEYS IN MY PURSE IN THE HOUSE) and found on thanksgiving day in the freaikin ghetto with the catalytic converter cut off (probably taken to All catalytic converters on Saginaw st where the crook MADE MONEY off MY van, and the steering column busted and the lock busted out of the door and my husbands 150$ tool set stolen, we were also robbed by the cops who are there to protect and serve we had to pay $160 to get our van out of that place. Oh but the lady at the police station told us if the van hadn't been stolen the cost would have been 210 bucks they took 50 off since it was stolen. gee thanks! I have been irate about that since.



yokeonu May 09, 2011 at 10:43PM
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Having a city impound lot made more than the "150,000.00" that is being generated by Complete. Any council members that votes for this is a fool or in Patton's pockets - or both. If I recall correctly, the officers that were out there were on light duty so it would not be taking any officers off the streets. This vote will show who needs not to be re-elected.




fred081646 May 09, 2011 at 10:45PM
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Complete has done a complete job to Flint.




ednotted May 09, 2011 at 11:01PM
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Why renew the contract now if it has 18 months remaining.

Doesn't sound right, something must be going on.


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gogroup May 09, 2011 at 11:59PM
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Can't clerical workers run an impound lot. Why do cops have to run the impound lot.


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Flint MI USA May 10, 2011 at 12:34AM
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go - the answer is yes.

In addition, COF does need any FT or PT police officer to handle this task. COF already pays X dollars per year to GAIN (last I knew). GAIN is made up of police officers who are experts in their field and one (or two) of those detectives or contract employees could handle the inspections at a re-opened COF lot.

If any one says differently, they are mistaken. Remember, GCSD runs GAIN and many, many municipalities pay into this operation. I have suggested before and will again, ALL impounds in Genesee County should be centralized. The towing (impounds) should be split up between 5-6 large size towing operations...on a contract basis with stringent requirements.

Net proceeds could go to GAIN, FANG, etc. Remember, this is 2011, NOT 1965. There is alot of money to be made County wide and in this era of budgetary shortfalls, this suggestion make sense from a City-County Government perspective.

Right now, the only people making money and a ton of it, is Louies Towing, Complete Towing, Smittys and a handful of others. These entities are "making so much money" at salvage auctions in one month, well,it would be the equivalent of putting minimum 8-10 officers on (minimum).

If we are thinking objectively and in the year 2011, ALL LE entities within Genesee County should centralize this function ASAP and save money short andlong term PLUS make a %%% of each unit impounded/sold, etc.

This is a no-brainer. I'm firmly against any major vendor have exclusive rights to a task (impounds) and am opposed to have any LEOs handle this task, liquidation of units. LEOs or State certified inspectors can do the inspections, paperwork, etc and then, clerical support staff can do the rest.

People who say otherwise have a mindset of 1965, NOT 2011. There is "big money" at stake countywide here...handle this function the right way and we can "add new LEOs" within 45-60 days minimum.



Last edited by untanglingwebs on Tue May 10, 2011 3:16 pm; edited 1 time in total


Post Tue May 10, 2011 1:12 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


doinit4me May 10, 2011 at 7:55AM
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This contract is one of the biggest scams going on in the City of Flint.
For Walling, Freeman and Kincaid to claim that the previous arrangement used Policemen that could have otherwise been on the street is laughable. Further, if you consider how much their individual campaign's were given by the owner of Complete Towing none of them should even be allowed to vote on the issue.
You would be hard pressed to find a more blatant conflict of interest.
On another note regarding this contract renewal, why would the COF agree to a three year contract when their budget is day to day? Maybe next year the city won't have the money to pay for towing and...lets say...Police and Fire. We already know what Wallings choice would be. The Police Department didn't donate to his campaign.


robtjohnson May 10, 2011 at 9:57AM
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Mr. Neely offered the report for any one to see what he had from the city showing that the city made the money he claimed. Freeman and Kincaid seem to what this pushed threw for some reason go as far as Freeman was acking like a child for ever other thing saying it should be put up for bid to see if we can get a better price. This is a rude and uncalled for demistration of abuse I have seen in awhile. the people that spoke including my self wish that others be allowed to bid on contracts but for some reason the few in the council say no. now why is that right that one company should benifit for doing bussines with the city with out having to bid on it. This story is clearly not complete, the fact is the Council members yesterday was seem to not care that the people are concerned about what money is going out. and there is a clear process that is to be followed and as other posters have pointed out why are they doing this when there is 18 months to go. that is another budget and another day. and the fact that they are doing this with other contracts as well. and the rude way Freeman was talking is wrong unprofessional and he needs to apologize to the people he serves as well the people that had to listen to the way he was acting he came out and basically called Mr. Neely a Liar. raising his voice when Mr. Neely offered the information and offered it to any one that wishes to have a copy it was generated by the city so why would the he point it out if it were not true. I also noted that Mr. Kincaid acted like he did not know who got what mone. the fack is he was trying to say the towing only gets $45 for towing yet that is not true and he knows it the $45 is what they pay the city on every tow. Why Kincaid was acting like he was clueless I have not Idea other than to mislead the people. the fact is the people are charged by Complete $120 plus storage and the city get $45 out of that amount. This is taped and was shown on channel 17,

I will also point out that it was said by Mr.Freeman that when the city was running it the last year the city had it they made $300K after cost the cleared around $100k so my question is why did we get ride of it. the city employed people to run it. as well made the money off the storage and the sales of the abandon and scrap. so why are Kincaid and Freeman in such a big hurry to grant a extention on a contract that still has 18 months yet the city was making money on it running it them self. Now there is something going on here. what I have not yet figured out but to give something up that makes money and keep things that cost money tells me that pockest are getting lined some where here. I smell a Rat and the people need to ask for this to be investigated to see what is behind this being done so fast so soon when we have other issues that could be addressed Like a TOWER that is binging stripped and costing the city money as it sites there.



doinit4me May 10, 2011 at 11:54AM
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Thanks Flint MI USA. I could have gone on and on, but whats the point. The contract will get renewed and all the hubbub in between is business as usual.
One more thing though, for the Walling/establishment supporters out there, please don't think for a minute that the players involved are being ridiculed personally. They are not. Their actions as public representatives most definitely are. Do their decisions influence the masses of the critics out there, u bet but they are the only people that can change their images. If backslapping and nepotism were crimes these guys would all be in prison. If they spent as much time and energy on doing what they were elected and what they promised to do as they do on securing their own personal and political futures they would not have to worry about being re-elected. Money talks and not many people in Flint are able to speak so Flint's residents will continue to pay 100% over retail. Pardon the analogies.


Post Tue May 10, 2011 1:14 pm
Post Sat May 02, 2015 5:43 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: Walling-where are the Water and sewer reserves?



untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Several years ago the water and sewer funds had reserves of up to $68 million combined. The money for the sewer settlement was kept in a separate fund and not counted. The money Williamson borrowed for the garbage trucks and police vehicles has long ago been paid back with interest, so why are these funds in a deficit? These funds are the greatest source of pooled cash in the city and the city is generating no revenue from these funds at all.
I remember before the budget when Kincaid expressed concern that one of these funds was only$4 million. The city began sending shut off notices to everyone in order to raise money. Wher is the council in this mess as they are the guardians of the budget?

Also the city has a new scam. A total of 4 cubic feet(cf) is an average monthly water bill. Lately I am getting a bill for 3 cf followed by a bill for 5 cf that they can tack on additional fees. Are they shortening one of the billing cycles in order to charge more every other month.

Flint residents not happy about double-digit water, sewer rate hike
Published: Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 1:00 PM Updated: Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 1:12 PM
By Kristin Longley | Flint Journal The Flint Journal

FLINT, Michigan — The city is again imposing a double-digit water and sewer rate hike on Flint water customers.

The new rates, announced Tuesday, equal a 35 percent increase for water and sewer usage, according to Flint Mayor Dayne Walling’s office — and come on the heels of a double-digit rate hike in January .

The increase is effective for Flint residents’ bills due after Sept. 16, officials said.

The average customer would see their total bill go from $82.49 a month to $111.36 a month, Finance Director Michael Townsend said.

This increase applies to city of Flint customers, not other suburban communities that also get their water from Detroit. Genesee County sets the rates for residents outside the city of Flint.


Raising the rate is necessary because of increased rates from Detroit and to make sure the city is in compliance with its water bond agreement with the state, which requires the city to maintain a certain amount of revenue in the water fund, he said.

But Flint customers said they’re not happy about the increases, especially since they saw their water and sewer rates increase by 25 percent and 22 percent, respectively, this past winter.

“That’s too much,” said resident Teresa Hughes, 48, who lives in a rental home with her husband and daughter. “This is crazy.”

Hughes is unemployed and the family is trying to make ends meet on her husband’s social security payments, she said. Her daughter is waiting to hear back from a potential employer and they’re hoping for a positive outcome.

“They ought to stop this,” Hughes said of the rate increases. “People are struggling with no jobs.”

The increase would be the only water and sewer rate hike put into effect for the 2012 fiscal year that started July 1, Townsend said.

Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said raising the rate is necessary to avoid potential future cuts to the city’s general fund — which pays for services like public safety and other departments.

The city of Detroit, which supplies Flint with water, raised its rates more than 10 percent this year, following years of increases that were not always passed on to Flint customers, officials said.

Walling also said that maintenance of the city’s aging water and sewer infrastructure is expensive.

“I am committed to maintaining the current police levels,” Walling said. “It’s so the general fund can stay focused on the core area of public safety.”

City Councilman Bryant Nolden said he’s already received feedback from his constituents in the city’s 3rd Ward.

Though Nolden understands the city is raising rates to keep up with the bond issue, he said it’s still a hit to Flint residents.

“It’s something we have to do,” he said. “I didn’t think it was going to be this much to be quite honest.”

Flint resident Bonnie Barajas is a recently laid-off school employee who said she’s just making it.

“I’m paying it right now. I have to,” she said. “But I don’t know what I’m going to do when it goes up.”


Post Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:50 am

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


JohnofGB August 17, 2011 at 1:19PM
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I would be interested to see the figures on this latest price raise. I am thinking that the city is using this as revenue generator instead of just covering their actual water costs. If Detroit raised their prices that much, then every other community that gets their water from the county system should see like price raises.



superwrench August 17, 2011 at 1:37PM
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That's it, I'm drilling a well !!! The water would be better than the Lake Huron water we get now, anyway!!! This city is really screwed up. First we can't afford Policemen, then we can't afford Firemen, and now, we can't afford to flush the toilet!! What next???



fred081646 August 17, 2011 at 1:45PM
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I shut our toilet off and we use a 5 gal bucket.
We take sponge baths.



tdimhcs August 17, 2011 at 2:03PM
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“I am committed to maintaining the current police levels,” Walling said. “It’s so the general fund can stay focused on the core area of public safety.”

That foolish statement alone, should let everyone know how little Walling cares about the safety of those who visit or live in Flint.

Do not let the mayor or chief fool you. There is nothing close to the 20 officers per shift they claim Flint has. Be safe if you live in or visit Flint.



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wickedwitch1 August 17, 2011 at 2:24PM
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It is absolute crap....



jacobsmith August 17, 2011 at 3:02PM
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This is merely a money grab and a hidden tax being imposed on the citizens. I keep hoping for a Beecher level tornado to level my house in Flint, and I will keep on hoping everyday.


shanedr August 17, 2011 at 4:42PM
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The increase would be the only water and sewer rate hike put into effect for the 2012 fiscal year that started July 1, Townsend said.
___________________________________________

ONLY? The 2012 year has existed for a whole month and a half. It's been only eight months since the increase in fiscal year 2011.

Strange as it seems there is not a law against what Walling is doing.

Snyder needs to appoint an emergency financial manager for Flint now, not next week, next month or next year, but NOW.




fedupinflint August 17, 2011 at 5:38PM
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An "appointed" EFM is nothing but a blatant usurpation of our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to a democratically elected, representative form of governmenment.
You and your ubiquitous and nonsensical postings remind me of those "know it alls" whose
" proclamations " only serve to validate how absolutely little they know about ANYTHING.



marlene August 17, 2011 at 10:43PM


It blows my mind how they can keep demanding wage concessions or eliminating jobs all together but keep increasing rates for crucial services and goods. What do they expect these people to do??There are people out there living hand to mouth now going without meds and medical care and even food now you come along with this? Where does it end?



for the kidz August 17, 2011 at 11:00PM
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it NEVER ends.....Walling is our elected Mayor. We voted strongly to keep him, now we reap what he sews. No police, ungodly water bills, jobs leaving Flint daily, people moving and leaving in record numbers, etc..... yet the morons come out in masses and vote for this clown. He will have Flint destroyed and no longer a city if he gets 4 more years. Water is now like gold, yet we sit on the back up (Flint river supply) and suburban areas only pay about $200 a year....and we have control of the water , WALLING is now penalizing the poor!!!!!!!!!!!


Post Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:59 am

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


FLINT (WJRT) -
(8/16/2011) - Flint Mayor Dayne Walling is recommending an increase in water and sewer rates for the city.

The Water Fund recorded a $3.2 million loss for fiscal year 2011.


The Sewer Fund is the whole $10.5 million. Rates could be increased by 35 percent, which would be the only increase for 2012.


The state requires the water fund to maintain an income because of the bonds the city sold through the state.


Post Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:02 am
Post Sat May 02, 2015 5:50 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: The Smith Village Plan


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Smith Village Redevelopment Plan
City of Flint & HUD development dating back to. 1998. Time to make good on old promises. .... Solution: Kennedy Center will be demolished demolished. ...
http://www.flinthud.org/HUD%2520presentation-redevelopment2.pdf - Cached


Post Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:01 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Searched for: FUNCHITECTURE, LLC

ID Num: D39885

The OIG web sites show as a fraud marker, the use of a newly formed company.

The site planner under contract with the developer Metro Community Development is Funchitecure , a company formed only a year ago.



Name:FUNCHITECTURE, LLC

Type: Domestic Limited Liability Company
Resident Agent: SHANNON WHITE
Registered Office Address: 111 E COURT ST STE 3D FLINT MI 48502
Mailing/Office Address:

Formation/Qualification Date:3-11-2010
Jurisdiction of Origin:MICHIGAN

Managed by: Members

Status: ACTIVE Date: Present

Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:28 pm; edited 1 time in total


Post Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:17 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


The housing appears to leave a large footpint on a small lot as lot sizes are only 66 x 100.

All new infrastructure and streets

Kennedy center will be demolished (it and the pool hves been thoroughly vandalized)

Walking and bike paths

some roads will be closed creating loops

They borrowed on John carpenter's idea to use Williams as a main boulevard

A new performing arts center and a new child development center.

(I hope this arts center fares better than the mismanaged one at W. Pierson and King that recently closed.)

a new health clinic at 5th and MLK.

They use the term visitable which may mean handicap accessible.


Post Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:27 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Community Foundation Board of Trustees



Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is responsible for policy-making and oversight of the Community Foundation's operations and makes final decisions on grants. As volunteers broadly representative of the Genesee County area, they provide the vision and leadership that enables the Community Foundation to fulfill its mission.

Timothy H. Knecht- Chair
Attorney-at-law, Cline, Cline, and &Griffin

Bobby Mukkamala- Vice Chair
Physician

Daniel J. Coffield- Treasurer
Executive Vice President & CFO- Retired
Hurley Medical Center

Shannon M. White- Secretary
Architect and Owner, Funchitecture, LLC

Sherri E. Stephens- Past Chair
President/Financial Advisor
Stephens Wealth Management Group

Kathi Horton
President, Community Foundation of Greater
Flint

Stephen Arellano
Arellano and Associates, LLC

Samuel J. Cox
Owner, McDonald's Restaurants

F. James Cummins
President, Baker College System

Troy S. Farah
Partner, West Second Street Associates

Janice L. Gensel
Consultant, Mary Kay Cosmetics

Nancy J. Hanflik
Business Manager
Law Office of Henry Hanflik, PC

Wanda D. Harden
Public Relations Coordinator
Flint Public Library

Stanley R. Liberty
President, Kettering University

David E. Lossing
Director of Government Relations
University of Michigan, Flint
Mayor, City of Linden

Lawrence E. Moon
President, Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home

Ira A. Rutherford
Consultant/Educator

T. Ardele Shaltz
Community Volunteer

Lori A. Tallman
Attorney-at-Law, Lori A. Tallman, P.L.C.

Susan L. Tippett
Community Volunteer and Consultant

Douglas B. Vance
Community Volunteer and Retired Educator

Karen Williams Weaver
Community Volunteer


Post Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:43 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Flint Housing Commission - cultivation of buyers for low income set aside and down payment/closing cost assistance.

With the history this agency has as a "troubled " housing agency with HUD, can they really be a player in this venture?


Post Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:53 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Financing

construction of 83 high quality homes with an average of 1,650 square feet Total Development costs $16,185,000
Development costs ($195,000)

sales proceeds $4,750,000
(home mortgages and down payment) ($57,229)

Total appraisal gap $11,435,000
subsidies ($137,771)

Flint NSP 2 (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) Mortgage $237,500
Down Payment/ Closing cost Assistance ($2,861)



Homes are anticipated to sell for between $50,000 and $65,000 and may go higher during build out.


Need appraisal gap subsidy needed $11,672,500.


Post Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:20 pm
untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


On last Thursdays radio show for Mayor Walling. City Administrator told Dawn Jones that HUD would be issuing $25,000 vouchers because the residents missed out on from the tax credits from the Enterprise and Renaissance Zones that have expired.

That is sure to piss off University Park residents who also missed out on most of these tax credits.

Didn't we learn anything from the 235 houses?


Post Sun Apr 17, 2011 2:35 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Potential home buyers line up as developers release information on Flint's Smith Village development
Published: Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 8:25 PM Updated: Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 11:47 PM
By Khalil AlHajal | The Flint Journal The Flint Journal

FLINT, Michigan -- Developers are beginning to line up potential homeowners for the Smith Village residential project, officials announced during a community meeting this evening at Mott Community College.


View full size(Khalil AlHajal | Flint Journal)A panel of officials speak about Flint's Smith Village residential development during a community meeting at the Mott Regional Technology Center on Tuesday.
A website for the development, www.newsmithvillage.com, will launch on Friday to provide information including financing and floor plans, said Ravi Yalamanchi, developer of Smith Village .

The development is a $16-million home construction project north of downtown Flint that will see 83 homes built for low to moderate income buyers, said architect Shannon Easter White.

She said all the homes will be energy efficient, at least 1,500 square feet in size and priced between $69,900 and $89,900.

"We think this really should be the new model for all homes in the city of Flint," she said. "It doesn't get better... We just really have knocked our own socks off with these designs."

Yalamanchi said workers will start building 10 model homes in the summer.

"We're hoping to get into the ground in June-July," he said.

City Administrator Greg Eason said the city has an agreement with the developer that 25 homes will be built by the end of 2011.

About 60 people attended the meeting, which focused on federal neighborhood stabilization funds, vacant home demolitions throughout the city and the Smith Village project.

"I've been waiting and waiting," said Lydia Handley, who's lived near the planned construction site since 1961.

"I'm so excited because they're going to do something."
She hopes new residents at Smith Village will bring new neighborhood and commercial activity to the area.

"That's a good area and we don't have stores close by any more," she said. "It's going to be so nice if they do what they say."

Real estate agent Theresa Allen said she attended the meeting to find out where to guide clients who are interested in the development.

"I've got three people lined up," she said. "I just needed to know what to do with them."

Mayor Dayne Walling said city, county, private, state and federal entities all had to partner to revive the Smith Village development, which was first announced over a decade ago.

"That's how work is getting done in our community," said Walling. "Block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, job by job, family by family. It's within a wider effort and a vision that we're building."

Walling said Smith Village is the only new residential subdivision in the county set to be built in 2011.

"I think it's exciting that the only new neighborhood being built anywhere in Genesee County (in 2011) is being built right in the heart of our community, actually, north of the Flint river."






mama40251 May 24, 2011 at 9:05PM
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Yay! Another bunch of homes for the section 8 people to destroy! How bright! How about revamping some of the abandonded stripped houses in Flint and selling them? Shows more sense!




mccguy66 May 24, 2011 at 9:21PM
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Shannon Easter White and Ridgeway White only know how to use the Mott Foundation to make money. People should look into all the money they personally make.



craziestthingshappeninflint May 24, 2011 at 9:32PM
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wow I was just about to say that. These homes will be tore apart, roach infested drug houses in no time.



Flintdivebarguy May 24, 2011 at 9:43PM
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Who will protect the consrtuction sites. The second there is no security, building material will vanish like a fart in the wind.


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eezauto May 24, 2011 at 10:23PM
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Only the Federal Government would think Flint needs more houses built. Did anyone get the chance to review the population statistics before this Obama political payoff plan was put into action?

Well at least the plan is transparent. Everyone can see thru it.




FlintRobber May 25, 2011 at 2:06AM
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Poor people dont appreciate nice things. This place will be trashed in a year.



spaul1960 May 25, 2011 at 6:49AM
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I seriously doubt that any ethical appraiser will be able to justify a price of 69,900 or higher on a 1,500sqft home inside Flint, given the comparable sales. Which means no private mortgage, which means either no sales or some kind of government purchase program. This is the kind of manipulation which screwed over housing in the first place. Goodbye private construction for another 5 years.


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untanglingwebs May 25, 2011 at 7:02AM
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One sign ofpotential federal fraud is a newly created company. White left THA and started her own company about the time this project was being created. I am told she was in attendance at some planning meetings. Can anyone say Possible Contract Rigging!




Post Wed May 25, 2011 6:10 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Here are some earlier posts on Smith Village!

I heard the city council being addressed by Sam Muma , 1600 union President, about how they had received notice they would be doing certain jobs in Smith Village. The union wanted to know what jobs were being outsourced and would the union have the right to bid, especially any job that already involved their current job responsibilities.

Since the cameras malfunctioned there was only a black screen and all that was left was some very low audio.

I and others were then confused when the media announced that contractors were being signed up during the carnival and the ground breaking. Obviously Eason had no intention of keeping his word to council made the day befor.

What do you want to bet that most or all of the contractors contacted about inclusion in the program were primarily minority contractors.

Circle of love is a Saginaw based counseling firm and the only Flint connection may be Charlotte Edwards of the Flint based Citizens Bank. She was also on the executive board of the infamous Flint Area Investment Fund,when nearly 70% of their funds were used for bad and grossly mismanaged loans. She sat on other failed boards as well.

Flint had at least 3 certified HUD counseling firms.


Post Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:42 am
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: Who's in the Uptown Developments, LLC back pocket?



johnnyappleseed
F L I N T O I D


The Uptown Developments, LLC seems to own everything downtown.
It's operating like a monopoly!
What's the backstory?
I believe they have several politicians in Flint that are being paid off!!!
What do you all think?


Post Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:30 am


Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D


I've heard talk that nothing happens downtown in the way of development or businesses moving in without their OK.

Post Sun Jun 19, 2011 12:20 pm

cleartheair
F L I N T O I D


You two just figure that out? There are a couple dozen people WHO DO NOT LIVE IN FLINT, that, pull all the strings.


Post Sun Jun 19, 2011 5:38 pm


Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D


It was rumored back in the Mayor Sharp days that he was running the drug trade in Flint for Coleman Young.


Post Sun Jun 19, 2011 6:28 pm




untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Sharp did go to work for Anthony Soave of City management. linked to the organized crime in Detroit.


Post Sun Jun 19, 2011 7:13 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Uptown Developments, LLC, was formed in 2002 specifically to acquire and renovate real estate in downtown Flint. The development team consists of eight Flint-based investors (listed below) that have strong ties to the community and own and manage some of the most respected businesses in Flint. They are a diverse group of community leaders that share a vision of reinventing downtown Flint with a focus on solid real estate investment in housing, office, retail, and cultural/arts/entertainment uses.

The team also includes the Uptown Reinvestment Corporation, a nonprofit organization with a focus on revitalizing downtown Flint. The Uptown Reinvestment Corporation’s recent accomplishments include the Saginaw Streetscape project and the leasing of the former McDonald’s property to Mega Coney Island.

Currently, Uptown Developments has $30 million dollars worth of investment planned for downtown Flint in seven different building projects. When combined, the projects total over 200,000 square feet of mixed-use space ranging from the Brown Sugar Café to the First Street Lofts, a seven story apartment complex, to a new headquarters for Rowe Incorporated.

Uptown Developments, LLC, believes that downtown Flint possesses the attributes to once again be a healthy urban center, one that is home to a mosaic of people, exciting recreational opportunities, diverse businesses, corporate headquarters, colleges and a vibrant government center.

Uptown Development Partners:

George Falaras
Blue Collar Gourmet, Owner

Troy Farah
West Second Associates, Managing Member

Tim Herman
Uptown Reinvestment Corporation, President

Gary Hurand
Management Diversified Inc., Owner/President

Al Kloss
Daystar Developments, Owner

Laval Perry
Uptown Developments, Managing Member

Ghassan Saab
Sorenson Gross Construction, President/CEO

Phil Shaltz
Shaltz Automation, President/CEO


503 South Saginaw Street, Suite 1500
Flint, MI 48502
p. 810.238.5555
f. 810.238.7807

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Scott Whipple
Development Manager
scott@uptowndevelopments.com


Ridgway White
Project Manager
ridgway@uptowndevelopments.com


Greg Smith
Accountant
greg@uptowndevelopments.com



Post Sat Jun 25, 2011 8:24 am



untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


ARE AL KLOSS AND DAYSTAR ON A DOWNWARD SPIRAL?
Instrument: 201106130051687 Volume Page:
Recorded: 6/13/2011 11:00:01 PM Prepared: Jun 13, 11 Mailed: Pages: 2
Document Type: TRANSFER REDEMPTION CERT Interest: Consideration: 789.68
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 1109400006, Town: 8, Range: 7, City Code: 11, Remark: PART OF E 1/2 OF SE 1/4 OF SEC & PART OF OUTLOT E, BROOKVIEW SUBDIVISION NO 3 DESCRIBED AS: A PARCEL OF LAND BEG AT SE COR OF OUTLOT E, BROOKVIEW SUBDIVISION NO 3, TH W 200 FT TH S 200 FT TH N 88 DEG 17 MIN 40 SEC W 1078.46 FT TH N 0 DEG 14 MIN 25 SEC W 3
Marginal: Bkwd I 201103020014621 (CERTFORFEI)

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Instrument: 201104130036047 Volume Page:
Recorded: 4/13/2011 11:07:30 AM Prepared: 01/08/09 Mailed: 06/14/2011 Pages: 2
Document Type: QUIT CLAIM DEEDS Interest: Consideration:
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Grantee: FIRST RENAISSANCE GROUP INC

Notes:
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Marginal:

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Instrument: 201104130036046 Volume Page:
Recorded: 4/13/2011 11:06:19 AM Prepared: 12/02/08 Mailed: 06/14/2011 Pages: 1
Document Type: QUIT CLAIM DEEDS Interest: Consideration:
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEV CORP
Grantee: 120 W FIRST LLC

Notes:
Legal Description: Sub: GREEN ACRES, Lt: 9, PrpId: 6130526008, City Code: 61
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201104130036045 Volume Page:
Recorded: 4/13/2011 11:05:10 AM Prepared: 04/11/11 Mailed: 06/14/2011 Pages: 1
Document Type: QUIT CLAIM DEEDS Interest: Consideration:
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Grantee: FIRST RENAISSANCE GROUP INC

Notes:
Legal Description: Sub: COACHLIGHT PINES, Un: 14, Town: 5, Range: 6, City Code: 06 / Sub: COACHLIGHT PINES, Un: 18, Town: 5, Range: 6, City Code: 06
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201104130036044 Volume Page:
Recorded: 4/13/2011 11:03:44 AM Prepared: 12/02/08 Mailed: 06/14/2011 Pages: 2
Document Type: QUIT CLAIM DEEDS Interest: Consideration:
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEV CORP
Grantee: 120 W FIRST LLC

Notes:
Legal Description: Sub: GREEN ACRES, Lt: 9, PrpId: 6130200027, Town: 5, Range: 6, Section: 30, City Code: 61
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201104040033112 Volume Page:
Recorded: 4/4/2011 11:00:08 PM Prepared: Apr 04, 11 Mailed: 06/14/2011 Pages: 2
Document Type: TRANSFER REDEMPTION CERT Interest: Consideration: 894.2
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
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Marginal: Bkwd I 201003010013742 (CERTFORFEI)

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Instrument: 201103150029067 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/15/2011 11:00:02 PM Prepared: Mar 15, 11 Mailed: 05/10/2011 Pages: 1
Document Type: TRANSFER REDEMPTION CERT Interest: Consideration: 5861.11
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
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Marginal: Bkwd I 201003010012297 (CERTFORFEI)

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Instrument: 201103020026116 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:56:29 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 527.9
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEV CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 6130526008, City Code: 61, Remark: LOT 9 GREEN ACRES
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020026114 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:56:29 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 2
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 351.07
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEV CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 6130200027, City Code: 61, Remark: A PARCEL OF LAND BEG @ NE COR LOT 9 GREEN ACRES TH N 64 DEG 45 MIN E 609.53 FT TH S 16 DEG 37 MIN 49 SEC E 261.78 FT TH N 64 DEG 40 MIN 10 SEC E 249.14 FT TH S 25 DEG 12 MIN 51 SEC E 243.73 FT TH S 50 DEG 40 MIN 15 SEC W 109.79 FT TH S 40 DEG 40 MIN 41 S
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020021793 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:54:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 1568.03
Grantor: SPODNEY, DAVID / DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 4119380006, City Code: 54, Remark: FRANKLIN HOMESTEAD LOT 148.
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015137 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 300.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: GOLDEN GATE ESTATES NO 1, Lt: 32, PrpId: 1211507032, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: FOREST GATE CT, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015136 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 300.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: GOLDEN GATE ESTATES NO 1, Lt: 30, PrpId: 1211507030, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: FOREST GATE CT, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015135 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 300.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: GOLDEN GATE ESTATES NO 1, Lt: 29, PrpId: 1211507029, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: FOREST GATE CT, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015133 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 300.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: GOLDEN GATE ESTATES NO 1, Lt: 26, PrpId: 1211507026, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: FOREST GATE CT, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015130 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 300.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: GOLDEN GATE ESTATES NO 1, Lt: 22, PrpId: 1211507022, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: FOREST GATE CT, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015129 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 300.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: GOLDEN GATE ESTATES NO 1, Lt: 20, PrpId: 1211507020, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: FOREST GATE CT, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015126 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 300.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: GOLDEN GATE ESTATES NO 1, Lt: 12, PrpId: 1211507012, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: GOLDEN GATE BLVD, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015124 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 300.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: GOLDEN GATE ESTATES NO 1, Lt: 9, PrpId: 1211507009, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: GOLDEN GATE BLVD, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015123 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 300.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: GOLDEN GATE ESTATES NO 1, Lt: 8, PrpId: 1211507008, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: GOLDEN GATE BLVD, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015122 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 300.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: GOLDEN GATE ESTATES NO 1, Lt: 6, PrpId: 1211507006, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: GOLDEN GATE BLVD, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015121 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 300.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: GOLDEN GATE ESTATES NO 1, Lt: 4, PrpId: 1211507004, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: GOLDEN GATE BLVD, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020015118 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:44 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 2
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 4671.33
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 1211200019, Town: 6, Range: 7, Section: 11, St: BELSAY RD S, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12, Remark: PT NE4
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020014621 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:31 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 2
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 489.86
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 1109400006, Town: 8, Range: 7, Section: 09, St: STANLEY RD E, Genesee Township, MI , City Code: 11, Remark: PT E2 SE4 / Sub: BROOKVIEW SUBDIVISION NO 3, PrpId: 1109400006, Town: 8, Range: 7, Section: 09, St: STANLEY RD E, , , City Code: 11, Remark: PT OUTLOT E
Marginal: Fwd 201106130051687 (TRANSREDEM)

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Instrument: 201103020013693 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:04 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 1410.7
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: COACHLIGHT PINES CONDOMINIUMS, Lt: 14, PrpId: 0632676014, Town: 5, Range: 6, St: 16502 DAWNLIGHT DR, Fenton Township, MI , City Code: 06
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201103020013558 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:51:02 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 2
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 6485.1
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT


Post Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:32 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Instrument: 201103020013029 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2011 5:50:50 PM Prepared: Mar 02, 11 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 4282.03
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 0414200002, Town: 7, Range: 5, Section: 14, St: 1026 MORRISH RD S, Clayton Township, MI , City Code: 04, Remark: A PARCEL OF LAND BEG AT NE COR OF SEC TH S 495 FT TH N 88 DEG 29 MIN 34 SEC W 892 FT TH N 495 FT TH S 88 DEG 29 MIN 34 SEC E 892 FT TO PL OF BEG SEC 14 T7N R5E 10.30 A (80)
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201102250011987 Volume Page:
Recorded: 2/25/2011 11:00:02 PM Prepared: Feb 25, 11 Mailed: 05/10/2011 Pages: 1
Document Type: TRANSFER REDEMPTION CERT Interest: Consideration: 2044.08
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 0632676014, Town: 5, Range: 6, City Code: 06, Remark: LOT 14 COACHLIGHT PINES CONDOMINIUMS (93) FR 0600036155
Marginal: Bkwd I 201003010012873 (CERTFORFEI)

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Instrument: 201102250011985 Volume Page:
Recorded: 2/25/2011 11:00:02 PM Prepared: Feb 25, 11 Mailed: 05/10/2011 Pages: 2
Document Type: TRANSFER REDEMPTION CERT Interest: Consideration: 9998.32
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 0629400003, Town: 5, Range: 6, City Code: 06, Remark: PART OF GOVT LOTS 1 & 2 SEC 28 & PART OF GOVT LOTS 1 & 2 SEC 29 BEG S 89 DEG 21 MIN 31 SEC E 932.65 FT FROM INTERIOR 1/4 COR OF SEC 29 TH S 89 DEG 21 MIN 31 SEC E 1727.27 FT TH N 89 DEG 46 MIN 02 SEC E 1341.99 FT TH S 0 DEG 13 MIN 37 SEC E 2171.52 FT TH
Marginal: Bkwd I 201003010012854 (CERTFORFEI)

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Instrument: 201011160077454 Volume Page:
Recorded: 11/16/2010 2:39:28 PM Prepared: 11/15/10 Mailed: 01/25/2011 Pages: 9
Document Type: DEC., ORD., JUDGE Interest: Consideration:
Grantor: BANK OF AMERICA
Grantee: KLOSS, ALFRED R / KLOSS, DIANA C / DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION / 615 LLC

Notes:
Legal Description: PrpId: 0715626001, Town: 7, Range: 6, City Code: 07 / PrpId: 0715626002, Town: 7, Range: 6, City Code: 07 / PrpId: 0715626003, Town: 7, Range: 6, City Code: 07 / PrpId: 0715626004, Town: 7, Range: 6, City Code: 07 / PrpId: 0715626005, Town: 7, Range: 6, City Code: 07 / PrpId: 0715626016, Town: 7, Range: 6, City Code: 07 / PrpId: 0715626017, Town: 7, Range: 6, City Code: 07 / PrpId: 0715626008, Town: 7, Range: 6, City Code: 07 / PrpId: 0715626012, Town: 7, Range: 6, City Code: 07 / PrpId: 0715626013, Town: 7, Range: 6, City Code: 07 / PrpId: 0715626015, Town: 7, Range: 6, City Code: 07 / Sub: WHITEHOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Lt: 1, Town: 7, Range: 6, St: 3255 BEECHER RD, , , City Code: 07 / Sub: WHITEHOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Lt: 2, Town: 7, Range: 6, St: 3255 BEECHER RD, , , City Code: 07 / Sub: WHITEHOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Lt: 3, Town: 7, Range: 6, St: 3255 BEECHER RD, , , City Code: 07 / Sub: WHITEHOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Lt: 4, Town: 7, Range: 6, St: 3255 BEECHER RD, , , City Code: 07 / Sub: WHITEHOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Lt: 5, Town: 7, Range: 6, St: 3255 BEECHER RD, , , City Code: 07 / Sub: WHITEHOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Lt: 6, Town: 7, Range: 6, St: 3255 BEECHER RD, , , City Code: 07 / Sub: WHITEHOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Lt: 7, Town: 7, Range: 6, St: 3255 BEECHER RD, , , City Code: 07 / Sub: WHITEHOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Lt: 8, Town: 7, Range: 6, St: 3255 BEECHER RD, , , City Code: 07 / Sub: WHITEHOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Lt: 12, Town: 7, Range: 6, St: 3255 BEECHER RD, , , City Code: 07 / Sub: WHITEHOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Lt: 13, Town: 7, Range: 6, St: 3255 BEECHER RD, , , City Code: 07 / Sub: WHITEHOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Lt: 15, Town: 7, Range: 6, St: 3255 BEECHER RD, , , City Code: 07 / Sub: VILLAGE OF FLILNT RIVER, Lt: 1, Bl: 3, PrpId: 4118117001, St: 601 SAGINAW ST S, , , City Code: 54
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201010010069607 Volume Page:
Recorded: 10/1/2010 11:00:03 PM Prepared: Oct 01, 10 Mailed: 01/15/2011 Pages: 1
Document Type: TRANSFER REDEMPTION CERT Interest: Consideration: 1777.57
Grantor: SPODNEY, DAVID / DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 4119380006, City Code: 54, Remark: FRANKLIN HOMESTEAD LOT 148.
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201005180045603 Volume Page:
Recorded: 5/18/2010 10:54:09 AM Prepared: May 18 2010 Mailed: 11/10/2010 Pages: 1
Document Type: AFF CANCELLATION/FORFEITURE Interest: Consideration:
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 4117359013, City Code: 54, Remark: ELM PARK SUBDIVISION LOT 131.
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201004260037271 Volume Page:
Recorded: 4/26/2010 2:08:52 PM Prepared: 03/19/10 Mailed: 11/10/2010 Pages: 1
Document Type: WARRANTY DEED Interest: Consideration: 84900
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Grantee: ROUTSIS, HARALAMBOS

Notes:
Legal Description: Sub: WILLIAMSBURG FARMS NO 8, Lt: 319, PrpId: 1202503002, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: 5361 OLD FRANKLIN, , , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201003260030932 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/26/2010 11:00:02 PM Prepared: Mar 26 2010 Mailed: 08/14/2010 Pages: 1
Document Type: TRANSFER REDEMPTION CERT Interest: Consideration: 1929.45
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 1202503002, Town: 6, Range: 7, City Code: 12, Remark: N-3229-441 LOT 319 WILLIAMSBURG FARMS NO 8 SEC 2 T6N R7E
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201003170028739 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/17/2010 10:45:26 AM Prepared: 03/08/10 Mailed: 08/14/2010 Pages: 1
Document Type: TAX LIEN STATE R ONLY REL Interest: Consideration:
Grantor: STATE OF MICHIGAN
Grantee: DAYSTAR ENTERPRISES / DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP / DAYSTAR ENTERPRISES

Notes:
Legal Description:
Marginal: Bkwd I 200903250027540 (STATE R)

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Instrument: 201003010020149 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/1/2010 5:32:43 PM Prepared: Mar 1 2010 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 2044.13
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: ELM PARK SUBDIVISION, Lt: 131, PrpId: 4117359013, St: 2041 CROCKER AVE, City of Flint, MI , City Code: 54
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201003010015162 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/1/2010 5:30:42 PM Prepared: Mar 1 2010 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 1275.4
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: B A WHIPPLE SUB, Lt: 16, PrpId: 1424526012, Town: 8, Range: 6, St: 1086 PRINCETON AVE, Mt. Morris Township, MI , City Code: 14
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201003010014131 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/1/2010 5:30:19 PM Prepared: Mar 1 2010 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 1629.16
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: WILLIAMSBURG FARMS NO 8, Lt: 319, PrpId: 1202503002, Town: 6, Range: 7, St: 5361 OLD FRANKLIN RD, Grand Blanc Township, MI , City Code: 12
Marginal:

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Instrument: 201003010013742 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/1/2010 5:30:11 PM Prepared: Mar 1 2010 Mailed: Pages: 2
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 469.97
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 1109400006, Town: 8, Range: 7, Section: 9, St: STANLEY RD E, Genesee Township, MI , City Code: 11, Remark: PT OF / Sub: BROOKVIEW SUBDIVISION, PrpId: 1109400006, Town: 8, Range: 7, Section: 9, St: STANLEY RD E, , , City Code: 11, Remark: PT OF OUTLOT E
Marginal: Fwd 201104040033112 (TRANSREDEM)

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Instrument: 201003010012873 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/1/2010 5:29:51 PM Prepared: Mar 1 2010 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 1427.6
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: COACHLIGHT PINES CONDOMINIUMS, Lt: 14, PrpId: 0632676014, Town: 5, Range: 6, St: 16502 DAWNLIGHT DR, Fenton Township, MI , City Code: 06
Marginal: Fwd 201102250011987 (TRANSREDEM)

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Instrument: 201003010012854 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/1/2010 5:29:51 PM Prepared: Mar 1 2010 Mailed: Pages: 2
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 8015.77
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 0629400003, Town: 5, Range: 6, Section: 28, St: HARP DR, Fenton Township, MI , City Code: 06, Remark: PT OF GOVT LOTS 1 AND 2
Marginal: Fwd 201102250011985 (TRANSREDEM)

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

Instrument: 201003010012297 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/1/2010 5:29:41 PM Prepared: Mar 1 2010 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 4541.78
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 0414200002, Town: 7, Range: 5, Section: 14, St: 1026 MORRISH RD S, Clayton Township, MI , City Code: 04, Remark: PT OF
Marginal: Fwd 201103150029067 (TRANSREDEM)

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

Instrument: 201002240010715 Volume Page:
Recorded: 2/24/2010 11:00:02 AM Prepared: Feb 24 2010 Mailed: 07/26/2010 Pages: 2
Document Type: TRANSFER REDEMPTION CERT Interest: Consideration: 6956.93
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 0629400003, Town: 5, Range: 6, City Code: 06, Remark: PART OF GOVT LOTS 1 & 2 SEC 28 & PART OF GOVT LOTS 1 & 2 SEC 29 BEG S 89 DEG 21 MIN 31 SEC E 932.65 FT FROM INTERIOR 1/4 COR OF SEC 29 TH S 89 DEG 21 MIN 31 SEC E 1727.27 FT TH N 89 DEG 46 MIN 02 SEC E 1341.99 FT TH S 0 DEG 13 MIN 37 SEC E 2171.52 FT TH
Marginal:

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

Instrument: 201002240010710 Volume Page:
Recorded: 2/24/2010 11:00:02 AM Prepared: Feb 24 2010 Mailed: 07/26/2010 Pages: 1
Document Type: TRANSFER REDEMPTION CERT Interest: Consideration: 4456.18
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 0414200002, Town: 7, Range: 5, City Code: 04, Remark: A PARCEL OF LAND BEG AT NE COR OF SEC TH S 495 FT TH N 88 DEG 29 MIN 34 SEC W 892 FT TH N 495 FT TH S 88 DEG 29 MIN 34 SEC E 892 FT TO PL OF BEG SEC 14 T7N R5E 10.30 A (80)
Marginal:

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

Instrument: 201002180009313 Volume Page:
Recorded: 2/18/2010 11:30:03 PM Prepared: Feb 18 2010 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: TRANSFER REDEMPTION CERT Interest: Consideration: 1543.28
Grantor: COUNTY OF GENESEE TREASURER
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: Sub: B A WHIPPLE SUBDIVISION, Lt: 16, PrpId: 1424526012, Town: 8, Range: 6, City Code: 14
Marginal: Bkwd I 200903020014062 (CERTFORFEI)

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

Instrument: 200909280064285 Volume Page:
Recorded: 9/28/2009 8:05:44 AM Prepared: 09/23/09 Mailed: 12/18/2009 Pages: 1
Document Type: DISCHARGES Interest: Consideration:
Grantor: STATE BANK
Grantee: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Notes:
Legal Description: Sub: HAWKSHIRE ESTATES CONDOMINIUM, Un: 43, City Code: 59
Marginal: Bkwd L 4590 378

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

Instrument: 200903250027540 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/25/2009 2:21:03 PM Prepared: 03/13/09 Mailed: 05/08/2009 Pages: 1
Document Type: TAX LIEN STATE R ONLY Interest: Consideration: 6690.83
Grantor: STATE OF MICHIGAN
Grantee: DAYSTAR ENTERPRISES / DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes:
Legal Description:
Marginal: Fwd 201003170028739 (ST R REL)

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

Instrument: 200903020018419 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2009 11:38:02 AM Prepared: Mar 2 2009 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 1279.09
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 4117359013, City Code: 54, Remark: ELM PARK SUBDIVISION LOT 131.
Marginal:

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

Instrument: 200903020014062 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2009 11:32:52 AM Prepared: Mar 2 2009 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 1013.15
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 1424526012, Town: 8, Range: 6, City Code: 14, Remark: LOT 16 B A WHIPPLE SUBDIVISION
Marginal: Fwd 201002180009313 (TRANSREDEM)

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

Instrument: 200903020011859 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2009 11:30:27 AM Prepared: Mar 2 2009 Mailed: Pages: 2
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 5496.26
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 0629400003, Town: 5, Range: 6, City Code: 06, Remark: PART OF GOVT LOTS 1 & 2 SEC 28 & PART OF GOVT LOTS 1 & 2 SEC 29 BEG S 89 DEG 21 MIN 31 SEC E 932.65 FT FROM INTERIOR 1/4 COR OF SEC 29 TH S 89 DEG 21 MIN 31 SEC E 1727.27 FT TH N 89 DEG 46 MIN 02 SEC E 1341.99 FT TH S 0 DEG 13 MIN 37 SEC E 2171.52 FT TH
Marginal:

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

Instrument: 200903020011470 Volume Page:
Recorded: 3/2/2009 11:29:46 AM Prepared: Mar 2 2009 Mailed: Pages: 1
Document Type: CERT OF FORFEITURE OF REAL PROPERTY Interest: Consideration: 3426.69
Grantor: DAYSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORP

Notes: Bulk DTS Insert
Legal Description: PrpId: 0414200002, Town: 7, Range: 5, City Code: 04, Remark: A PARCEL OF LAND BEG AT NE COR OF SEC TH S 495 FT TH N 88 DEG 29 MIN 34 SEC W 892 FT TH N 495 FT TH S 88 DEG 29 MIN 34 SEC E 892 FT TO PL OF BEG SEC 14 T7N R5E 10.30 A (80)
Marginal:


Post Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:35 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


The only change was the name of the company in some instances/


Searched for: FIRST RENAISSANCE GROUP, INC.

ID Num: 12744C

Entity Name: FIRST RENAISSANCE GROUP, INC .

Type of Entity: Domestic Profit Corporation
Resident Agent: ALFRED R KLOSS
Registered Office Address: 601 S SAGINAW ST STE 204 FLINT MI 48415
Mailing Address: MI

Formed Under Act Number(s): 284-1972

Incorporation/Qualification Date: 1-14-2002

Jurisdiction of Origin: MICHIGAN

Number of Shares: 1,000

Year of Most Recent Annual Report: 10

Year of Most Recent Annual Report With Officers & Directors: 05

Status: ACTIVE Date: Present


Post Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:41 pm
untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


To answer your question, it would appear that some in the administration such as Greg Eason and Walling are in their back pocket.

Smith Village Redevelopment Plan! - Flint Housing Commission
Smith Village. Redevelopment. Plan! A partnership of the City of Flint,. Metro Community Development,. Flint Housing Commission and the ...
http://www.flinthud.org/smith-village-combined-web.pdf - - Cached - Similar pages

Ridgeway White's wife sat in on planning meetings and then formrd her own architecture firm and is now a development partner in Smith Village!


Post Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:45 am
Post Sat May 02, 2015 6:11 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: More violations of HUD procurement rules?




untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


I watched the most recent council meeting last Sunday and I was surprised to hear Eason say he had several contractors working on emergency repairs in the city. I then went to the City of Flint website and found the Invitation to bid for repairs to Occupied Homes under the City Wide Emergency Program issued on July 20,2011. The response date is not until August 8,2011. So how did Eason contract with these construction companies. It could not be professional Service Contracts and such a move would violate HUds Procurement rules.

Then I remembered people telling me that I missed the Smith Village groundbreaking when it was announced that contractors could sign up. It made no sense to me so i just sort of put it aside.

Then I looked at the Grants Committee meetings for July 2011. resolution 110937 was for a contract to EMAR Construction for $39.506 for repairs to 7 homes under the City Wide Emergency Repair program. This most likely is a violation of HUD rules as the procurement process has not been completed. It was on the agenda more than once so I am unsure if council approved the contract.

The most intersting aspect of the resolution was the award to EMAR, owned by Phil Johnson who has ties to Charles Young and the OU Group.


Post Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:42 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Searched for: EMAR CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING L.L.C.

ID Num: B1820L


Name:EMAR CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING L.L.C.

Type: Domestic Limited Liability Company
Resident Agent: PHILLIP JOHNSON

Registered Office Address: 1219 CARTER DR FLINT MI 48532
Mailing/Office Address: P.O. Box 310101 FLINT MI 48531

Formation/Qualification Date:12-9-2004

Jurisdiction of Origin:MICHIGAN

Managed by: Members

Status: ACTIVE Date: Present


Post Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:46 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


199606150000052 Vol/Page: 96
Type: MARR LIC
Bride: MCGEE, LELA
Groom: JOHNSON, PHILLIP EUGENE




EMAR Construction was also a DBA in Genesee County until 2009 for Phillip Eugene Johnson.

Lela Johnson, aka Lela McGhee is a principal in OU Village, part of the OU group.


Post Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:56 pm
Post Sun May 03, 2015 6:51 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: Eason's staff falters and blames HUD's Steve Spencer


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


I am hearing that Eason thinks he has eliminated problems when HUD reassigned Ellen Chung to monitor Flint. HUD regularly reassigns people and Chung has been in Flint before.

Many of the recent problems with HUD are associated with the system usedby HUD to establish and track projects. HUD does not have the staff available to come in and individually train grant recipients. However, they make available ample opportunities forr training. Here is a HUd site showing 40 IDIS trainings for Commuity Block Development Grant recipients.



Integrated Disbursement & Information System (IDIS Online) Training


In 2010 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) sponsored 40 two-day IDIS training sessions for CDBG grantees. Below are links to the training materials:

For further information contact:
comcon@comcon.org
1-800-998-9999 Option 4
Fax: 1-301-519-5027

Training Binder
Training Manual State CDBG/IDIS Manual and Appendices
Entitlements Manual and Appendices

Handouts CDBG IDIS Online Agenda
State IDIS Agenda
Log on to IDIS
Whats New and Different in IDIS Online
Navigation Tips
IDIS Online System Map
IDIS Basic Training Worksheet
Matrix Codes
Case Studies
How to Generate Reports for IDIS Online

Training Slides Training Slides for States
Training Slides for Entitlements

Guidance Draft Guidelines for Improved Quality
Energy Star Performance Standards for Buildings
IDIS Reports Guide

Screen Shots and Sample Reports Screenshots of CDBG Activity Screens
Sample PR01
Sample PR02
Sample PR03
Sample PR26
Sample PR83-1
Sample PR83-2
Sample PR83-3
Sample PR84
Sample PR85
Sample PR86
Sample State PER
Sample State PR28




Privacy Act of 1974: Notice of New System of Records, IDIS System

Updated 4/11/2011 Back to Top




HUD Home | Web Policies | FOIA | Accessibility | ComCon Home | Privacy Statement
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
P.O. Box 7189, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-7189
Telephone: 1-800-998-9999
Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339
Fax: 1-301-519-5027


Post Mon May 09, 2011 12:29 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


HUD also made training materials and programs available for HOME programs.

HOME Training

Information by State
Esta página en español
Print version




Helpful Tools
HOME IDIS Training Manual for PJs
The focus of this manual is how to successfully set up and complete HOME activities in IDIS, report accomplishments, and run and interpret HOME reports.
more... | Exercise Manual | Forms | HOME Program
Certified HOME Program Specialist - Regulations” Course
The Office of Affordable Housing Programs is now pleased to announce the introduction of its new Certified HOME Program Specialist training initiative. The Certified HOME Program Specialist training initiative will use a modified ‘Building HOME’ primer course as its foundation.
Search HOME Training Materials
HUD has created a new Search tool to help you find specific information in the Home Training Program.
Glossary
Feel free to check the glossary if you see terms or acronyms that seem to have definitions specific to CPD, or if the word is new to you.




Training on the HOME program is offered via two methods: (1) instructor-led, classroom training, and (2) Web-based training. Each type of training is described in more detail below.

Instructor-Led Training
The CPD Training Institute offers a variety of courses and allows you to find training sessions in your area and register online. These courses are designed to share information with community-development professionals, HUD staff, and other stakeholders as they work together to improve and renew America's communities. Visit this site for information about upcoming courses on HOME and other CPD program topics.


Web-based Training (HOME Front)
HOME Front is HUD's Web-based training and technical assistance site for individuals and organizations implementing the HOME Program throughout the United States. Use this site to access a valuable series of interactive training and technical assistance modules. Each module allows you to explore useful HOME topics in your own way and at your own pace, while the navigation bar on the side of the screen gives you continuous access to additional HOME Front resources from anywhere within the site.

Training Materials
HOME training materials and model program guides provide detailed guidance in the area of community development, as well as specific trainings for the HOME Program, such as Building HOME: a HOME Program Primer. HOME Training Materials give support to HUD staff and our PJs. CPD Technical Assistance is also available to our grantees.



Content current as of 14 May 2010 Back to top


FOIA Privacy Web Policies and Important Links Home
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410
Telephone: (202) 708-1112 TTY: (202) 708-1455
Find the address of a HUD office near you


Post Mon May 09, 2011 12:34 pm
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


On August 20, 2010 Eason sent a letter to HUD "formally requesting that the Department of Housing and Urban development (HUD), Detroit Field Office provide technical assistance to the City's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The Department's technical assistance needs are centered on the HOME Investment partnership Act program (HOME), the Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS) and sub recipient/contract management.'

..."The cumulative effect of the findings and concerns identified in your monitoring report s and the 2009 Office of Inspector General (OIG) Audit have resulted in a $679,902 reduction in the City's 2010-2011 HOME alocation. The OIG has continued auditing the city's HOME program since 2009. The 2010 unofficial audit reports continue to reveal a history of management, reporting and sub-recipient monitoring problems."

Eason goes on to cite the changes proposed in DCED:
1) Staff training and developmeent;
2) Hiring staff, with expertise, to assist in managing the additional, varied, technical and detailed activities of the Department;
3) Departmental reorganization to better utilize the skill sets of current staff
4) Receipt of technical assistance in the areas of program management and reporting.

Eason sends the letter requesting training to Wendy Johnson, Jacqueline Foster, Portia McGoy, CPD Specialist (HUD) and Dan Zacheretti, Senior Auditor of the HUD OIG.

In a further bid to assign blame to anyone but themselves, Jackie Foster then forwards this letter on Aril 5, 2011 to the new Director, Keith Hernandez who forwards the communication to Ellen Chung on April 18,2011.


With ample training options available, it is incomprehensible just what Eason and Foster expect to gain by this ploy.



Post Mon May 09, 2011 12:59 pm




untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


On March 18, 2011 Hernandez sent Wendy Johnson a communication on the HOME Program 2009 Funds Commitment deadline.

"Please be advised that our records indicate that you are in danger of missing your Commitment deadline, which occurs on July 31, 2011. If not committed within the 24-month period the funds will be deobligated."

----"Prior to the requirement deadline, we are giving you the opportunity to update IDIS with any commitment not previously recorded and to identify and correct errors in IDIS. Please note that any cancellation of activities may negatively impact your ability to meet your requirements."

At this time the possible shortfall was $303,585. Genesee County also had a shortfall projected at that time of $898,481. Steve Spencer was still the monitor .

Another reason for concern among DCED staff is the march 8, 2011 communication that the city was to be monitored on March 28, 2011 through April 1, 2011.


Post Mon May 09, 2011 1:11 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Portia McGoy of HUD NSP programs recently praised Jackie Foster for work on the NSP 3 . My understanding is Foster used materials already created by prior staff from DCED. It will be interesting to see how she does on her own.

Some are looking hard at McGoy as allegations are that she recommended a vendor to the city and that is not permitted. Mcgoy is new and was hired specifically for the Neighborhoor Stabilization program.


Post Mon May 09, 2011 1:18 pm
untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Special conditions added to the Neighborhood Stabilization Progran (NSP) 3 , grant number B-11-MN-26-0005, approved on March 14, 2011 for $3,076,522

1. Pursuant to 24 CFR 85.12 (a) (3), a special condition applies to this Grant agreement because the Grantee has received a HUD Provider Needs Assessment describing the nature of technical assistance required to successfully administer the NSP3 Grant Agreement. The Grantee shall enter nto a technical assistance agreement with a HUD technical assistance provider within 30 days of the date HUD signed this grant agreement. Additionally, the Grantee shall sign and adhere to a Memo of Understaning/Agreemant within 30 days of the date HUD signed this grant agreement.

2. Pursuant to 24 CFR 85.12 (a) (3), a special condition applies to this Grant Agreement due to the City's lack of capacity. Within 90 days of the date HUD signed this grant agreement, the Grantee must submit a detailed Management Plan documenting how capacity issues have been resolved, including submission of a detailed staffing plan for NSP and steps to be implemented in identifying and hiring qualified staff and/or partners for administration and/or program management concrns to the satifaction of HUD.

3. Pursuant to 24 CFR 85.12 (a) (1) and (50, a special condition applies to this Grant Agreement due to past performane issues in the HOME and NSP concerns. The Grantee shall submit documentation describing how past performance issues identified in Audit No. 2010-CH-1001 for the HOME Investment Partnership Program and monitoring letter dated August 20, 2009 have been resolved or are now being resolved and explaining how these past performanceissues will (or will not) impact the administration and execution of the NSP program within 90 days of the date HUD signed this grant agreement.


Further, these funds are only to be used for demolition. After 6 months of the date of this agreement, HUD will make a determination concerning the progress of the City o flint's rehabilitation/redevelopment efforts under NSP1 and NSP2 and if additional activities, other than demolition, will be allowed with NSP3 funds.

FAILURE TO COMPLY

Hud may therafter withhold authority to incur additional obligations of NSP3 funds or take other actions authorized under 24 CFR 85.12 (b) to include further restrictions and repayment.


Post Mon May 09, 2011 1:48 pm
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00SL2
F L I N T O I D


Flint City Council approves employee training hoping to avoid
additional federal penalties
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/04/flint_city_council_approves_em.html

As of 04/12/2011:

DLEG-BCS-Corporation Division Database Lookup (Michigan)
http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/sr_corp.asp
Search for records of corporations, limited liability companies, and
limited partnerships authorized to transact business in the State of
Michigan. (Note the company says it is a "minority owned, general
partnership."

Community Development Experts - About Us
http://www.cdexperts.net/about_us

Our Business
Since 2004, CDE continues to be a prominent service provider among HUD
grantees and maintains a client base of some of the larger grantee
communities. These clients operate some of the largest multi-million
dollar entitlement grant programs and trusts CDE to care for their data
quality for reporting as well as the accurate and timely submissions for
the Action Plan and CAPER.

Who We Are
Community Development Experts is a minority owned, general partnership
started by Ronald Allen and Baron Bell in 2004. Our training and
expertise in IDIS combined with twenty three years working on the
Department of Housing and Urban Development grant programs results in a
more robust set of services for our clients. During the early days of the
Consolidated Plan process, the partners functioned as team members on
various project assignments conducting CPD training and technical
assistance. The partners also managed major training contracts for prime
contractor responsible for implementing training programs for the
Consolidated Plan, IDIS and GMP.

18804 Impulse Lane
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
ph: 301-869-6210
fax: 301-238-5193
alt: 240-350-1546
info@cdexperts.net
_________________________

Maryland Department of of Assessments and Taxation
http://sdatcert3.resiusa.org/UCC-Charter/default.aspx

Business Database Search
http://sdatcert3.resiusa.org/ucc-charter/
Information for business security interest (UCC) filings; agent and
personal property assessment information for corporations, limited
liability companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships,
limited liability limited partnerships, professional corporations, and
trade names

Taxpayer Services Division

Charter Search Results for: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXPERTS

Page 1 of 1
(Dept. ID) Entity Name Entity Detail Status
(T00215514) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXPERTS General
Info. Amendments FORFEITED


Taxpayer Services Division

Entity Name: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXPERTS
Dept ID #: T00215514

General Information
Amendments

Status: FORFEITED
Owner (Primary):
RONALD LEE ALLEN
15439 REPRISE TERR
ROCKVILLE, MD 20850
Location:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXPERTS
15439 REPRISE TERR
ROCKVILLE, MD 20850
Renewal Notice Date: 06/15/2009
Expiration Date: 11/15/2009
______________________________________________________

Taxpayer Services Division

Entity Name: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXPERTS
Dept ID #: T00215514

General Information

Amendments

Page 1 of 1

Description Date Filed Time Film Folio Pages View Document Order Copies
LAPSED AT END OF TERM 12/21/2009 08:30 AM B00F91 0369 3 View Image
TRADE NAME REGISTRATION 11/15/2004 10:49 AM B00727 0358 2 View Image
_____________________________________________________

Status
FORFEITED
Forfeited
For a Maryland entity, its existence has been ended by the State for
some delinquency. For a non-Maryland entity it means its authority to
do business and legal presence here has been terminated. For a trade
name it means the filing has lapsed after 5 years and not been
renewed.
_____________________________________________________

Training is available on the HUD website:

Training on the HUD website:

Community Planning & Development

Online Systems/Databases
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/systems/index.cfm

Training - IDIS - CPD - HUD
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/systems/idis/training/index.cfm

Technical Assistance Unit
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/systems/idis/tau.cfm

Reporting and Guidance
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/systems/idis/reporting/index.cfm

Library
http://archives.hud.gov/offices/cpd/systems/idis/library/index.cfm

Community Planning and Development/U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD)
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning

HUD/U.S.
http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD


Post Mon May 09, 2011 5:15 pm
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote






untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D

Community Development Experts
18804 Impulse Lane
Gaithersburg, MD 20879-1793 map
Website: Information not found Phone: (301) 869-6210 Ads by Google
Non-Profit & Associations Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP - CPAs Non-Profit and Association Taxes
www.jlco.comThe ads are not affiliated with Community Development ExpertsAbout Community Development Experts
Is this your company? Claim This Profile
Community Development Experts in Gaithersburg, MD is a private company categorized under Promotions and Fund Raising. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of 175,000 and employs a staff of approximately 2. Companies like Community Development Experts usually offer: Abc Fundraising, Online Fundraising Services, Team Fundraising, Specialized Fundraising Services and Internet Fundraising Services.

Business CategoriesFund raising organizations in Gaithersburg, MDBusiness ServicesAll Other Support Services View newly formed U.S. businesses Company Contacts
Is this your company? Claim This Profile Ronald Lee AllenSearch for more contacts Community Development Experts Business InformationLocation Type Single Location
Annual Sales (Estimated) 175,000
Employees (Estimated) 2
SIC Code 7389, Business Services, NEC
NAICS Code 561990, All Other Support Services
Products, Services
and Brands Information not found
State of Incorporation Information not found
Years in Business 1

Like

Companies in this category usually offer:

Creative Fundraising Fund Raising ServicesFundraising Services Fundraising Auction ServicesClick on the reports tab at the top of the page to research company background, detailed company profile, credit and financial reports for Community Development Experts.

Reports often include a complete predictive and historical analysis with payment and financial information; information on the identity, operations, profitability and stability of Community Development Experts; Details on the company’s history, the business background of its management, special events and recent company news. Download Community Development Experts financial and company reports.





untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


I must have used a bad title as this was posted as a tribute to Kristen of the Flint Journal.

Kristen followed up on her story about the City of Flint hiring a training entity named Community development Experts (CDE) for the Department of Community and Economic Development. She notified the city that the Trade Mark for the company was forfeited in the the State of Maryland. After the city notified the company, communications were sent to HUD.

The interesting part of this communication is CDE expressing ignorance of the rules regarding the State of Maryland laws regarding the continuation of their trademark. They also professed ignorance regarding the Michigan DLEG registration to do business in the state. And yet this company is asking to be able to continue to educate Flint on HUD rules.


Sat Apr 30, 2011 12:14 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D

On April 13, 2011 Jackie Foster forwarded an e-mail from Ron Allen (ron@cdexperts.net) dated 4/12/11.

This correspondence is in response to questions that have arisen regarding Community Development Experts (CDE) status as a currently active business recognized in the State of maryland and our companies expertise conducting business in states throughout the country.

CDE was informed by the the city today, Tuesday, April 12th, that our business was listed as "forfeitef" on a Maryland State web site. This apparently was discovered by a Flint Journal reporter by the name of Kristen Longley. CDE researched various Maryland government web sites and was able to confirm Ms. Longley's information specifically on the maryland Department of Assessments and taxation web site. This finding came as a surprise to us since we've never received communication from the state agency regarding this issue.

This"forfeited" status is specifically regarding our trade name registration in the state. Apparently the state issued CDE a request for registration renewal on 6/15/2009 that subsequently expired on 11/15/2009. Unfortunately, our business was not aware of the requirement for renewal of our trade name which apparently is to be conducted every five years with the state at a minimal cost of twenty five dollars. If so we would have certainly anticipated this and responded appropriately. But even more important to this oversight is the fact that the state agency sent the renewal registration information in error to a prior address for our business based on outdated address information listed for CDE on their own web site. When CDE applied for the original trade name on November 2, 2004 our business address was 15439 Reprise Terrace, Rockville Md 20850. Our new business address since 2005 has been 18804 Impulse Lane, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20879. Although CDE put in a request for forwarding of mail with the USPS in 2004 the service request expired after ninety days so any subsequent mail did not get delivered to our new address. CDE did not update the change of information with Maryland because we were not aware that this was a stste requirement. In response to this revelation, CDE will pursue updating our trade name registration with Maryland on Wednesday, April 13, 2011. We anticipate confirmation of this update hopefully by close of business the same day.

Second, CDE was also made aware of a possible requirement to have a business license in the state of MIchigan in order to engage in a contract with the City of Flint. Based on our experience working with local governments around the country this requirement appears to be an aberation from normal practice.

CDE has provided various technical assistance via contracts to HUD grantees since 2004 and have never been required to obtain a business license for any statein which we conductucted business. This includes training workshops in enough states states to cover more than a thousand particpants who have attended these sessions. Other states in which we have conducted business that do not require a license include Florida, California, Alabama, Alaska, Indiana, Illinois and Texas. Also our current clients: Chicago IL, Washington DC, Montgomery Co TX, Suffolk VA, and Bloomfield NJ do not require a business license. A probable reason for not requiring business licenses for contractors like CDE is that our service is directly to local governments and not to individuals or other businesses. If so, we would be providing goods or services that were the property of CDE. Instead we provide services related to a federal government system (IDIS) which contains information that belongs to the general public.

In conclusion, we hope that in light of this discussion, CDE will still be allowed to perform the scope of services to the city outlined in our earlier proposal and in a time frame that works best for the city and CDE/


Sat Apr 30, 2011 12:58 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D

So if I read this correctly, CDE:

1) doesn't know the reuirements of the State of maryland regarding business licensure,

2) doesn't realise the importance of informing entities they do business with of any changes in address,

And yet they are experts on followong the rules and regulations regarding HUD IDIS.


Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:03 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D

Community Development Experts
18804 Impulse Lane
Gaithersburg, MD 20879-1793 map
Website: Information not found Phone: (301) 869-6210 Ads by Google
Non-Profit & Associations Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP - CPAs Non-Profit and Association Taxes
www.jlco.comThe ads are not affiliated with Community Development ExpertsAbout Community Development Experts
Is this your company? Claim This Profile
Community Development Experts in Gaithersburg, MD is a private company categorized under Promotions and Fund Raising. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of 175,000 and employs a staff of approximately 2. Companies like Community Development Experts usually offer: Abc Fundraising, Online Fundraising Services, Team Fundraising, Specialized Fundraising Services and Internet Fundraising Services.

Business CategoriesFund raising organizations in Gaithersburg, MDBusiness ServicesAll Other Support Services View newly formed U.S. businesses Company Contacts
Is this your company? Claim This Profile Ronald Lee AllenSearch for more contacts Community Development Experts Business InformationLocation Type Single Location
Annual Sales (Estimated) 175,000
Employees (Estimated) 2
SIC Code 7389, Business Services, NEC
NAICS Code 561990, All Other Support Services
Products, Services
and Brands Information not found
State of Incorporation Information not found
Years in Business 1

Like

Companies in this category usually offer:

Creative Fundraising Fund Raising ServicesFundraising Services Fundraising Auction ServicesClick on the reports tab at the top of the page to research company background, detailed company profile, credit and financial reports for Community Development Experts.

Reports often include a complete predictive and historical analysis with payment and financial information; information on the identity, operations, profitability and stability of Community Development Experts; Details on the company’s history, the business background of its management, special events and recent company news. Download Community Development Experts financial and company reports.

Data above provided by D&B. © Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. All rights


Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:10 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D

Community Development Experts
18804 Impulse Lane
Gaithersburg, MD 20879-1793 map
Website: Information not found Phone: (301) 869-6210 Ads by Google
Non-Profit & Associations Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP - CPAs Non-Profit and Association Taxes
www.jlco.comThe ads are not affiliated with Community Development ExpertsAbout Community Development Experts
Is this your company? Claim This Profile
Community Development Experts in Gaithersburg, MD is a private company categorized under Promotions and Fund Raising. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of 175,000 and employs a staff of approximately 2. Companies like Community Development Experts usually offer: Abc Fundraising, Online Fundraising Services, Team Fundraising, Specialized Fundraising Services and Internet Fundraising Services.

Business CategoriesFund raising organizations in Gaithersburg, MDBusiness ServicesAll Other Support Services View newly formed U.S. businesses Company Contacts
Is this your company? Claim This Profile Ronald Lee AllenSearch for more contacts Community Development Experts Business InformationLocation Type Single Location
Annual Sales (Estimated) 175,000
Employees (Estimated) 2
SIC Code 7389, Business Services, NEC
NAICS Code 561990, All Other Support Services
Products, Services
and Brands Information not found
State of Incorporation Information not found
Years in Business 1

Like

Companies in this category usually offer:

Creative Fundraising Fund Raising ServicesFundraising Services Fundraising Auction ServicesClick on the reports tab at the top of the page to research company background, detailed company profile, credit and financial reports for Community Development Experts.

Reports often include a complete predictive and historical analysis with payment and financial information; information on the identity, operations, profitability and stability of Community Development Experts; Details on the company’s history, the business background of its management, special events and recent company news. Download Community Development Experts financial and company reports.

Data above provided by D&B. © Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. All rights


Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:10 pm


Post Tue May 10, 2011 6:00 am

00SL2
F L I N T O I D


The business should be required to provide a Certificate of Good Standing from the State of Maryland to show the "forfeited" status has been corrected.

Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation
http://www.dat.state.md.us/

Business Entity is Not in Good Standing or Forfeited
http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/entitystatus.pdf

From above PDF file:

“Forfeited” means the “legal existence” of the entity has been relinquished and it is usually for failing to make required Annual Report/Personal Property Return filings for prior years.

See the reason why an entity has been “forfeited” by clicking on the “Amendments” column heading on the page alphabetically listing the entity’s name.

There are four steps for any entity to correct the “forfeited” status:

(1) File all missing Annual Reports/Personal Property Returns for every year and pay the $300 annual filing fee for each year;

(2) Pay the local county/city government’s personal property tax bill for any reported property after the Department has sent an assessment notice to the local government;

(3) Obtain a “tax clearance certificate” from the local government after any personal property tax bills have been paid; and

(4) File “Articles of Revival or Reinstatement” with the Department by attaching a copy of the tax clearance certificate. Instructions and a form for reinstatement can be downloaded from the Department’s “Business Data Search” page and clicking on “Get Forms” in the yellow banner for the main menu.

Any business entity that needs to correct its “forfeited” legal status immediately may come to the Department’s public filing counter on the 8th floor of our offices at 301 West Preston Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. There is an additional $50 “expedited filing fee” required under the law for immediate processing service. If the missing Personal Property Returns have been filed and a tax clearance certificate has already been obtained, then one can “fax” into the Department the reinstatement document, the clearance certificate, the Articles of Revival or Reinstatement, and credit card authorization for a $150 fee ($100 for the Articles and $50 for the expedited fee). The “fax” cover sheet requesting the necessary information is available on the “Get Forms” page described above.


Post Tue May 10, 2011 11:44 am
untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Interesting feed back!

Some wish the city would lose the federal funding because they don't see any benefit to it and don't approve of the way it is being used.

Smith Village and metawaneenee won't cure their neighborhoods of crime and no one seems to care about the neglected houses in their neighborhoods.

Many view city council as :
a) impotent and unable or unwilling to curb administrative abuses
b) corrupt and only looking out for their own political needs
c) in bed with the corrupt administration and uncaring about the citizens


More are making plans to leave Flint as they see no solutions to the crime and neighborhood problems. Many are looking to move closer to children and mostly in the south.


Post Wed May 11, 2011 7:45 am

Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D


I agree with you 100%, except for the leaving part. We're not going anywhere.

.

Post Wed May 11, 2011 8:05 am




untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Eason and Montle going to the Grand Jury over an FBI investigation.


Post Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:54 pm
Post Sun May 03, 2015 7:04 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: East Side vs North Side: What's Worse?


BornAndRaised80sDowntown
F L I N T O I D


I usually dare not venture off into the northend of Flint. For one, I'm a southside chick (meaning most of my friends and family are on the southside also). For two, the crime is out of control on the northend.

A lot of my friends live on the East side, and have so for a long time. What I've noticed is an overspill of northside thugs migrating to the East side. If you venture through the neighborhood near Angelo's, on the east side of Franklin, north of Davison, you will see exactly what I mean.

The prostitution problem on Mabel and Jane are far worse than what Dort Hwy has ever seen. I was visiting a friend on Bennett the other day and we counted 25+ gun shots heard within a one hour time span. Not once did we see a cop car.

WTF is going on???

_________________
I'm an 80s baby - born at Hurley - raised in downtown and on the southside of Flint. Moving to the south before Spring's end.

Post Mon May 23, 2011 6:07 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


I heard the Cobras have regrouped closer to Kearsley Park and I believe some north end Crips moved to the east side. They previously had the East Side Crips and the vernon Avenue Crips.

gang activity is definitely on the rise over there.


Post Mon May 23, 2011 6:22 pm

Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D



quote:
BornAndRaised80sDowntown schreef:
I usually dare not venture off into the northend of Flint. For one, I'm a southside chick (meaning most of my friends and family are on the southside also). For two, the crime is out of control on the northend.

A lot of my friends live on the East side, and have so for a long time. What I've noticed is an overspill of northside thugs migrating to the East side. If you venture through the neighborhood near Angelo's, on the east side of Franklin, north of Davison, you will see exactly what I mean.

The prostitution problem on Mabel and Jane are far worse than what Dort Hwy has ever seen. I was visiting a friend on Bennett the other day and we counted 25+ gun shots heard within a one hour time span. Not once did we see a cop car.

WTF is going on???


If a house, car, or person is not hit, the police will not respond. A neighbor was told this when a bullet hit the block club sign in her yard. Last week, several shots were fired into the back of a house on the street one block east of us. a car was sent to take a look 2 hours later. Don't fault the police, there just aren't enough of them. They had trouble yesterday covering 2 shootings in a short time span due to lack of manpower.



Post Mon May 23, 2011 6:29 pm




BornAndRaised80sDowntown
F L I N T O I D

quote:
untanglingwebs schreef:
I heard the Cobras have regrouped closer to Kearsley Park and I believe some north end Crips moved to the east side. They previously had the East Side Crips and the vernon Avenue Crips.

gang activity is definitely on the rise over there.


Yes, you are right!

The Cobras' activity slowed down quite a bit about 10 years ago, but during the last year or so, I've seen their network regain some momentum. The ESC and Cobras have been having some lightweight beef recently. I suspect the tension will grow this summer. We'll see.

_________________
I'm an 80s baby - born at Hurley - raised in downtown and on the southside of Flint. Moving to the south before Spring's end.

Post Mon May 23, 2011 10:33 pm




twotap
F L I N T O I D


Hopefully they have learned to shoot straight and only kill off each other.

Post Tue May 24, 2011 7:03 am


Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D



quote:
twotap schreef:
Hopefully they have learned to shoot straight and only kill off each other.


That's the problem; they throw lead in all directions & hope they'll hit their target.


Post Tue May 24, 2011 9:14 am


twotap
F L I N T O I D


I know they do friggin morons.

Post Tue May 24, 2011 9:39 am


rgillmi
F L I N T O I D


I live on the eastside closer to Center Road and have noticed tags from Center Road straight up Davison Road through the area down by Franklin and past to Louis. There are various writing but the main one is "hack", do any of you know what gang this would be affiliated with?

The craziest has spread further and a bunch of these morons are now over here living in and around American Mobile Trailer Park. There have been two shootouts over here in the past two weeks.

We are probably still safer than on the northend, but if I heard they have MSP officers patrolling over there.


Post Sat May 28, 2011 9:40 pm




Ted Jankowski
F L I N T O I D


If there Are not enough police how can there be ten cop cars at the 7/11 within two minutes after a call to 911 abt a suspicious customer. I'm going to have to have the employee email me the video he took and get an interview.

BTW Anyone know the current criteria for a Flint officer to actually be allowed to drop a arrested criminal off at county jail? Shop lifting, stabbing, concealed weapon, attempted murder what point do they currently cut off Flint from being able to deposit criminals.?


Post Sat Jun 04, 2011 12:42 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D



quote:
rgillmi schreef:
I live on the eastside closer to Center Road and have noticed tags from Center Road straight up Davison Road through the area down by Franklin and past to Louis. There are various writing but the main one is "hack", do any of you know what gang this would be affiliated with?

The craziest has spread further and a bunch of these morons are now over here living in and around American Mobile Trailer Park. There have been two shootouts over here in the past two weeks.

We are probably still safer than on the northend, but if I heard they have MSP officers patrolling over there.



There is at least one gang video out there that shows American Trailer park.

For arsons the eastside has all other parts of town beat. Gangster Disciples and others are moving into the eastside more than in the past. East Side has always been a drug distribution center and there will continue to be wars over drugs.


Post Sun Jul 10, 2011 8:48 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


On my way back from Meijers on Pierson i drove some north end neighborhoods and I was apalled at the neglect in some. It was eerie to drive by some very well kept and newly renovated homes and just a short distance away find whole blocks of abandoned and strippeed neighborhoods.
There is very little to some of these homes as they appear to be down to the bones of the structure. How sad it must be for the people who maintain and improve their homes to have to see these battered homes so close to them.


Post Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:56 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D



quote:
rgillmi schreef:
I live on the eastside closer to Center Road and have noticed tags from Center Road straight up Davison Road through the area down by Franklin and past to Louis. There are various writing but the main one is "hack", do any of you know what gang this would be affiliated with?

The craziest has spread further and a bunch of these morons are now over here living in and around American Mobile Trailer Park. There have been two shootouts over here in the past two weeks.

We are probably still safer than on the northend, but if I heard they have MSP officers patrolling over there.


The grafitti you are describing is probanbly "tagger" groups. Tags such as just names is very common during college breaks as many tagging groups are college students or younger, Art Wenzlaff of the International Institute once worked with a group of taggers and created beautiful murals down on the riverbank.


Post Tue Jul 12, 2011 12:00 am


1pissedoffguy
F L I N T O I D



quote:
untanglingwebs schreef:

quote:
rgillmi schreef:
I live on the eastside closer to Center Road and have noticed tags from Center Road straight up Davison Road through the area down by Franklin and past to Louis. There are various writing but the main one is "hack", do any of you know what gang this would be affiliated with?

The craziest has spread further and a bunch of these morons are now over here living in and around American Mobile Trailer Park. There have been two shootouts over here in the past two weeks.

We are probably still safer than on the northend, but if I heard they have MSP officers patrolling over there.


The grafitti you are describing is probanbly "tagger" groups. Tags such as just names is very common during college breaks as many tagging groups are college students or younger, Art Wenzlaff of the International Institute once worked with a group of taggers and created beautiful murals down on the riverbank.



I think someone painting "murals " on the sides of buildings just encourages others ( far less talented individuals ) to follow the lead. I say don't let anyone to paint murals on the walls of buildings in the inner city of Flint just makes the place look more like a ghetto/barrio and who the hell wants that image? If you want artwork go buy it and put in your own walls. I sure don't want to look at the crap that passes as art on most of the murals I have seen in Flint. One I can't stand is the one someone painted on the old Citizen's bank building on Lewis Street . I will spring for the 50 gallons of paint to cover that monstrosity . I would rather look at "institutional grey" or " green" than that eyesore.


Post Tue Jul 12, 2011 12:48 am

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Except for the taggers the amount of grafitti out there is significantly less than years ago. Store owners keep painting it off. The aggressive anti-grafitti campaign by Williamson eased some of the problem and the nuisance task force, a volunteer group , has carried on the job. Areas that were once filled with grafitti are now clear.


Post Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:34 am
Post Sun May 03, 2015 7:23 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: Former Burton mayor's legacy- Fields of broken dreams


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Everyone thought Smiley and the Smiley Team were on a building boom when the city kept agreeing to bond out the infrastructure for a number of home development projects as well as Rizzo's industrial park. Now Mayor Zelenko is stuck with the debt and woes created by her predecessor. This is only one project that the building bust hit, but the city still has the tab.

When the otcome of his faulty decision making became obvious, Smiley ran for another office. I know the Smiley supporters will claim otherwise, but this is my opinion. "Thats my story and I'm sticking with it!"



Residents growing frustrated over unkept weeds at city-owned Trail Ridge subdivision
Published: Friday, July 08, 2011, 9:00 AM
By Roberto Acosta | Flint Journal The Flint Journal

BURTON, Michigan — Residents in a local subdivision have had it with an owner they say isn’t doing enough to control a problem with rampant weeds and overgrown lots.

But their complaints to the city are falling on deaf ears because the city is the owner.


View full sizeEmily-Rose Bennett | Flint JournalStephen and Nancy Ketterer, residents of Trail Ridge subdivision, a city-owned property in Burton, are shown from an empty neighboring property that has not been kept up by the city. The Ketterers claim that the city promised to remove large piles of discarded wood and brush from their property before they moved in. That was five years ago. "I wish I hadn't of built out here now," Nancy Ketterer said.
Carol Sauvage moved into a home at the city-owned Trail Ridge development near Maple and Belsay roads in 2006 and started noticing weed growth on nondeveloped lots three years ago.

“Once (people) stopped building in here, it became a problem,” Sauvage said.

Fire hydrants are covered by weeds in some areas. The weeds grow high next to some curbs, Sauvage said, making it difficult to back out of driveways and creating a potential safety hazard with children playing in the area.

“If there are small children on bikes and you are rounding a curb, you may not see them if there is an empty lot with tall weeds,” she said. “You always see young ones around there.”

Residents claim to have seen animals, including raccoons and large snakes in the weeds, with some homes surrounded on three sides by the overgrowth.


View full sizeEmily-Rose Bennett | Flint JournalResidents of Trail Ridge subdivision, a city-owned property in Burton, are upset that weeds from undeveloped lots are not being taken care of when they have to keep up their own property. Residents claim its a safety hazard.
“My husband told the guys to be careful because there was a rattlesnake in our backyard,” said Nancy Ketterer, who can see 3- to 4-foot-tall weeds from windows at her home. “I hope they do something.”

Mayor Paula Zelenko said that as far as she knew, Department of Public Works officials were taking care of the situation, but DPW Director Greg Kray said weeds are untouched in most nondeveloped lots at Trail Ridge.

Empty lots adjacent to homes were mowed in 2010. City workers haven’t mowed so far this year.

When workers eventually make it to the subdivision, Kray said they will cut only 6- to 10-foot swaths adjacent to occupied lots.

“The lots that are undeveloped will destroy the mower as many have holes and debris,” he said. “In addition, mowing an undeveloped lot is very hard on the employee doing the mowing.”

City officials argue they are just doing what the old owners of the subdivision did.

“They are not manicured lawns. They are not developed,” said Zelenko.

Under city rules, residents must cut their lawns before the grass reaches 10 inches. Residents who ignore the rule risk having the city cut it for them, then bill them for the job.

Burton City Council President Steve Heffner said that if the weeds at Trail Ridge are becoming an issue, “they probably should be cut,” but that reductions in employees don’t allow for the work to get done.

“We’re just trying to save every penny we can right now,” he said.

The city purchased 70 vacant lots there for $11,925 during a 2008 auction after developer Blake Rizzo walked away from the subdivision.

The development was part of a bribery scandal that landed former Burton DPW Director Charles Abbey a 15-month federal prison sentence in 2009 on bribery and extortion charges.

Abbey was found to have used his influence and position in the city to aid Rizzo in multiple land developments, including Trail Ridge. Rizzo pleaded guilty in 2005 to misdemeanor insurance fraud and bribery charges.

Since buying the Trail Ridge lots, as well as another 85 lots in Burton Estates off Belsay Road, the city has not done anything with them.

Trail Ridge lots now are on the market, with cash sale prices between $25,000 and $37,400, while land contract sale prices range from $33,000 to $40,590.

Sauvage, who lives on one of 23 developed lots at the Trail Ridge subdivision, has called city officials in past years about cutting the areas around homes and thought pre-emptive action this time around might help the situation.

“I had talked to them all this winter, and I’ve called them about four or five times (this year),” she said.

Nancy Ketterer, who suffers from severe allergies, hopes the weeds are chopped down to alleviate her condition and because residents still paying on their homes deserve it.

“With such high house payments we have out here, It’s just something to have any problems,” said Ketterer, who pays $2,000 a month for her $230,000 home.

Sauvage said that the vacant, overgrown lots aren’t going to be attractive to prospective buyers.

“I just thought if they want to get rid of these lots, if you want to sell something, you make the outward appearance look good,” she said.



Related topics: Burton


Sponsored Links


Post Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:09 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


from 2/28/2006 Status of Burton development projects (lot fee method) which means the City of Burton paid for the infrastructure. Figure is total water and sewer.

Brookwood Pointe $538,857.03 all collected and paid

Maplebroook $1,064,549.92 219 lots 1 remaining

Hidden Trails $574,486.64 all collected

Pine Creek $470,895.78 47 of 104 lots remaining

Maplewood meadows $641,105.61 nearly sold out

Rizzo Industrial Park 4279,522.04 11 of 16 lots unsold

Total $3, 569.417.02

This was when building was good, so the practice contined. The projects that followed did not get off the ground and Burton is saddled with hundreds of unsold lots that were bonded out. The city must make the bond payments and hope the lots get sold at a later time to reimbuse the city.

Homes do not cover the cost of maintaining a community as they do not generate enough revenue. For greater revenue impact, you must have commercial development.


Post Wed Jul 13, 2011 5:49 am
Post Sun May 03, 2015 7:27 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: more foreclosures and how owners react
*Many large cities have procedures for registering vacant properties and aking the owners accountable. Years ago some banks asked the Land bank to just take these homes. he money we got from lawsuits addressing foreclosures could have gone to help prevent more .


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


The 2010 Real Estate Guide showed Michigan as #6 in foreclosures for 2010.
in November 2010 Michigan had 16,000 foreclosures, 10% more than in 2008..

The area starting in the 300 block of west Witherbee has been actively fightin to maintain their neighborhood despite many difficult situations. According to the Register of deeds the owner of 325 W Witherbee took out a $40,000 mortgage with Washington State Bank in June of 2007. They bought a home on Concord for $5,000 through a land Contract with the Land bank last year. They have remodeled and moved to the home on Concord and have abandoned the home on Witherbee.

Neighbors called the police as the homeowners removed the security doors and began stripping the house. The police said that because they were the homeowners they could remove the metal from the home. But what about the mortgage holder who gave the loan. The value of the home has dropped to about $24,000 and having been stripped is probably worth far less.

The abandoned home even has a water lein aginst it. This is a lien against the property, but the new home must have water too!

Some disheartened residents near this house are now considering moving out of Flint. They have accepted that they will suffer severe losses when they attempt to sell their homes, but the increased violence and increased number of abandoned homes makes it seem necessary.

This is not the first time that I have heard of homeowners stripping their homes and it probably won't be the last.

In this block is a land bank home and a former rental house for Terry Hanson realty that he has stopped paying taxes on and now has stopped maintaining. A Vacant Housing Plan would make hanson and other homeowners that abandon property still responsible for the home. Hanson has a second home in the 300 block of Odette next to another abandoned home. Much of the criminal elements that hit Witherbee come from Odette through a fence in disrepair. The 400 and 500 block of Witherbee stay in good shape. But for how long will these blocks stand up to the blight that is steadily creeping up on them?


Post Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:02 pm

Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D


Hanson has one directly across the street from me that probably will never be occupied again.

.

Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 7:57 am




untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


There should be a mechanism to keep them responsible for the homes they choose to abandon.


Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 8:07 am


Adam
F L I N T O I D


Don't we have ordinances against unkept property? Why not enforce them and meybe even strengthen them?

_________________
Adam - Mysearchisover.com - FB - Jobs

Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 9:43 am


Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D


There's a house down the street where the tenants were just evicted due to the bank foreclosing on the landlord. I guess the bank would rather have an empty house that will soon be stripped than one occupied by rent paying tenants.

.

Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 11:56 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


The Land bank brags that it does not try to evict paying tenants and says they try to make them landlords. maybe they were not paying.


Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 1:59 pm


Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D


The tenants were paying rent to the landlord, who for whatever reason, filed bankruptcy. The bank holding the note on the house told the tenants they had to get out. From what I've been told, they offered to either pay the rent to the bank, or buy the house with a mortgage payment equal to their rent.

.

Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:06 pm



untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


I recently drove the area between Flushing and Welch, Ballenger to Dupont and found numerous empty houses. Some have already been vandalized to the point of no retuen, but there are a number of homes that are very nice.

Spoke to another person who had purchased a home they could no longer afford. They to bought a HUD house and are remodeling it. They felt they had no choice as they were eventually lose the first home they bought.

Has anyone investigated the predatory lending practices in this area? I cannot believe the selling price of some homes as many are in less than desireable neighborhoods.


Post Thu Jul 07, 2011 9:58 am
Post Sun May 03, 2015 7:34 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: From the Detroit News: Flint a wild west town

Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D


http://detnews.com/article/20110706/METRO/107060354/Rampant-crime-gives-Flint-aura-of-wild-West

_________________
Jul 06, 2011 11:58 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Dave-You beat me to the punch on this one. I read this article in the parking lot of the 7-11.

Last Updated: July 06. 2011 1:00AM.

Rampant crime gives Flint aura of wild West

Financial woes force police cutbacks even as murders and arsons soar

Francis X. Donnelly/ The Detroit News

Flint— Nine abandoned homes were torched Monday and Tuesday, and a dozen burned in a four-hour period last month. The week before, a civil rights pioneer was killed in his upper-income neighborhood.

Two weeks earlier, one of the police mini-stations erected as a solution to rising crime was burglarized.

Once upon a time, these things shocked residents.

That was before Flint led the nation last year in burglaries, arsons, aggravated assaults and murders, according to FBI statistics.

It was before violent crime surged even higher this year.

And it was before the destitute city — once the third largest in Michigan — cut the number of police by two-thirds in three years.

Vehicle City, the nickname given Flint as the birthplace of General Motors, has become the state's version of Dodge City.

"This is the worst it's ever been," said Patty Pruett, 43, who has lived in Flint for most of her life. "It's a battlefield."

The grim statistics tell only part of the story.

Because police are shorthanded, it takes patrols hours to respond to calls and, when they do, they fail to solve many cases, officers said.

Even when police find suspects, they have no place to put them. The city jail has been shut for three years because of budget cuts, and the county jail is full.

Misdemeanor offenders who once were taken to jail now are given court summons that they routinely ignore, police said.

The criminals freely roam the streets while residents huddle in their homes like they're in prison, officers and citizens said.

"There's no place you want to walk after dark," said Cathy Klutts, 52, whose mom was killed last year. "What can you do?"

Her mom, Merlyne Wray, 73, was shot by a 14-year-old boy who had asked to use the phone in her Flint home, police said.

The situation has grown so dire that several politicians want to declare martial law and bring in the National Guard.

An editorial in the Flint Journal last year asked someone, anyone, to help the city.

Call the governor, beseeched the newspaper. Call other mayors and sheriffs. Call the president. Call Rudy Giuliani.

"It's a tide of death and destruction that keeps this city awash in blood and fear," the newspaper wrote.

From rich to poor

Before GM began leaving in 1978, Flint was a bastion of plentiful jobs that paid well. The bounty provided abundant city services and cultural institutions.

Within a decade, Flint became one of the poorest cities in the state with one of the highest jobless rates. Today, 1 in 5 residents is unemployed while one of three lives in poverty, according to state and census figures.

"GM went off and left us," said the Rev. Ray Dunlap, pastor of Eliezer Church of the Apostolic Faith. "After the jobs left Flint, crime went up."

On a heart-shaped lot behind the church, Dunlap, 82, created a memorial garden that contains 11 wooden crosses. Each lists the name of someone who was murdered. One was a minister.

The economic collapse led to the crime surge because the city had to cut police, residents said.

The city of 102,000 — now the seventh largest city in Michigan — has 124 police officers, according to Flint police unions.

That's 1.2 officers per 1,000 residents, easily the lowest rate in the state. The second lowest is Detroit at 3.9.

"I know the city is broke, but something needs to be done," said Tina Moreland, 52, whose daughter was killed last year. "It's too much to handle."

Moreland is raising her 6-year-old granddaughter because Sheena Smith, 22, of Flint was shot by a man who fired into a crowd during an argument she wasn't involved in.

Embattled Mayor Dayne Walling has likely come to rue a remark he made shortly after taking office in 2009.

He pledged to cut crime 10 percent the next year. Instead, Flint became the murder capital of the U.S.

During contract negotiations, the police refused to make concessions. Walling said the financially strapped city had no choice but to continue layoffs.

Walling, 37, who has publicly feuded with police and survived recall attempts, is facing a tough re-election campaign. Six people are opposing him in the August primary.

"It's ridiculous," said Marilyn Cain, 66, who began propping a table against her front door at night after her neighborhood had six murders in a year.

"The mayor needs to do something."

Walling declined comment for this article. Police Chief Alvern Lock didn't respond to phone calls or emails.

After the FBI released the crime statistics in May, state and county officials began talking to Flint about how they could help.

Last week, Michigan State Police doubled the number of troopers in the city from 10 to 20.

Also, the Genesee County Jail in Flint moved 85 of its 580 inmates to other lockups last month, allowing room for more people to be arrested in the city.

Despite all the crime, the long-moribund downtown has begun to shake awake in the past decade. It has attracted residents, several large companies and even reopened a hotel, The Durant, that had been closed for 32 years.

Feeling of lawlessness

With all of the other troubles faced by Flint, manhole covers have been disappearing.

Some 80 covers have been stolen in the past few months, probably for scrap, police said.

For residents, the lowly metal objects are an example of how nothing is safe from thieves. A feeling of lawlessness has seeped into the city's psyche, they said.

Doris Keels, 57, a community activist who works as a volunteer dispatcher at a police mini-station, worries about her grandchildren.

"They don't have a chance to be kids," she said. "You can't let them walk to the store alone because they might disappear."

In south Flint last week, Walt Samson, fixing his bicycle in the garage, stood to count the number of homes burglarized on his block. He stopped at six.

A woman down the street was killed when her son beat her with a frying pan. Two blocks away, Cathy Klutts' mother was killed.

As Samson spoke, a neighbor, his foot poking out the window of his car, drove through a stop sign without halting.

Samson, 56, who can't read or write, is protecting himself.

He extended his 4-foot fence by 2 feet; bought two Magnums, calibers .22 and .44; and owns four pit bulls. Sign on the doghouse: "Life is good."

"It's the police," he said. "They're not there. They're just not there."

In north Flint, a dozen young and middle-age men lingered outside Brothers' Food Center in the middle of the workday, oblivious to a "no loitering" sign.

One of the men, looking over his shoulder, handed money to a second man before receiving a packet he quickly pocketed.

A toddler on a tricycle, looking for his father, wheeled up to the group along the busy four-lane street.

A store clerk complained about the men, saying they panhandle, shoplift and get into fights. He said he calls the police every day but they hardly come.

The clerk's boss didn't want to talk about the problem.

"I don't want the store associated with this sort of thing," said owner Ramzi Farah.

fdonnelly@detnews.com

(313) 223-4186

Staff Writer Mike Wilkinson contributed.


Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 2:06 pm
untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


With audio: Mayor Dayne Walling responds to Detroit newspaper comparing Flint to 'wild West'
Published: Wednesday, July 06, 2011, 2:26 PM Updated: Wednesday, July 06, 2011, 3:10 PM
By Kristin Longley | Flint Journal The Flint Journal


AP PhotoIn this photo taken May 12, 2010, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling is shown in Flint, Mich.
FLINT, Michigan — The city of Flint is comparable to the wild, wild West, according to a story in The Detroit News today.

With Flint leading the nation last year in murders, arsons and other violent crimes, according to FBI statistics, some residents are living in fear, according to the article, which also quotes a Flint Journal editorial that calls for a crime intervention.

Flint Mayor Dayne Walling appeared on Detroit radio station WJR-AM 760 to defend recent efforts to combat crime. He called the comparison to the wild West a "crazy, unfounded, cheap shot."

As for the FBI crime stats, Walling said "none of that came as news to our community."


Listen: Mayor Dayne Walling



"We struggle with the challenges day in and day out but we also have a lot of hardworking people who are joining block clubs and crime watches," he said, adding that the Michigan State Police have increased patrols and the county jail has cleared more space. "Maybe the media go to the story after we’re already working on some serious solutions."

Listen to the audio clip, courtesy of WJR, for Walling's full interview.

Related topics: WJR


Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 2:23 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D



Whiteone July 06, 2011 at 2:32PM
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If Flint is the Wild Wild West Detroit is Beirut...



jacobsmith July 06, 2011 at 2:34PM
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Flint IS comparable to the Wild West, except there is no honor and the criminals make those of the old west look like heroes by comparison. Perhaps Dayne Walling needs to phone a friend since he has no clue what is actually happening in Flint. I wish even one of the contenders for the office was not FAR WORSE than Walling, because it is clear that Walling is not intelligent enough to handle the job. The only thing crazy and unfounded is that he thinks he is doing the job.

I feel bad for whichever corporation picks him up next, because they will be getting a proven loser.


thinkmore79 July 06, 2011 at 3:12PM
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So Walling's idea is essentially, "Since everyone in Flint knows it's horrible here, that somehow negates that it IS horrible here. Because we're all just used to it." Wonderful.


Harold Taco July 06, 2011 at 3:15PM
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Oh sure, Mayor Jackass, it's a real cheap shot.

Flint is actually much worse than the Wild West.



Keith_E Phillips Jr._581 July 06, 2011 at 3:18PM
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its not like the wild west, there they hang you for murder!


bphammer July 06, 2011 at 3:19PM
Follow

Welcome to DeadWood East
you can rent or lease and the smell of smoke's in the air
once known as Buick Town befor it went down
Now it looks much more like Zaire.


Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 2:26 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


A friend of mine in the college cultural area was approached by Walling volunteers who wanted to know why they would not support Walling. When told that it was because Walling promised to hire the "brightest and the best" and then turned around and hired Eason and Poplar, the Walling volunteer said that they (Eason and Poplar) mgiht not be in place after the election even if walling won. My friend stated "too little too late"



babe72 July 06, 2011 at 3:08PM
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Sorry, it is not Walling , it is all the idiots he has around him.



jacobsmith July 06, 2011 at 3:12PM
Follow

I hear this all the time from Walling sycophants, but the truth is that he can remove Eason at any time, he can start ignoring the Poplars, etc. Blaming it on his peons is silly.


Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 2:31 pm
Post Sun May 03, 2015 7:44 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP 1) monitoring report
*recent monitoring reports are not being made available through the city or HUD. Although HUD communicated HUD was to be transparent, they suddenly started charging exorbitant amounts (usually $1200) for the most recent reports. Also the city and their Emergency Managers do not even give these documents to the council!

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


This report, as well as the NSP 2 monitoring report was deemed by Eason as too complicated for City Council to understand. However the report is straight forward and simply written.



While the report compiled by Portia McGoy, Community Planning and Development Representative discusses circumstances occurring during her monitoring visit, she neglects to address when she visited. In his cover letter dated July 25, 2011, Keith Hernandez, Director of Community Planning and Development, states the monitoring was conducted from May 24-27, 2011. The City has 60 days in which to respond to the four findings.

HOUSING REHABILITATION and PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
When monitored there were only two Operation Unification case files to be reviewed and it appeared that all information was present.

Each potential homeowner was to receive eight hours of counseling for potential homeowners and this counseling was contracted through Metro Housing. Additionally, the City contracted with the Saginaw based Circle of Love to provide "extended homebuyer educational services to prospective homebuyers who do not immediately meet the qualifications to purchase a home."

Note:Circle of Love has established a Flint site since receiving the contract.

McGoy made site visits to the two occupied houses and three unoccupied houses and made a visual site inspection. "Title III of Division B of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) provides that any NSP-assisted rhabilitation of a foreclosed-upon home or residential property shall be to the extent necessary to comply with applicable laws, codes, and other residential requirements relating to housing safety, quality, and habitability, in order to rent, sell, or redevelop such homes and properties. This imposes a requirement that does not exist in the CDBG program. "

McGoy reviewed the standards established by the City of Flint such as Housing Quality Standard compliance and the Intenational Property matenance Codes-2006, as well as initial property inspections as compared to the work completed in the rehabilitation contract.

Finding 1: Failure to adhere to rehabilitation standards .

The City is not correcting obvious code violations and this is a violation of 58338 Federal Register/Vol 73, NO 194.

She cited one property for not having a safe walkway leading to the porch, a severely cracked driveway and standing water in the driveway.

"The properties are considered unsafe and not up to code". The City has 60 days to bring the houses up to code.

Last edited by untanglingwebs on Fri Sep 30, 2011 11:42 am; edited 9 times in total


Post Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:30 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Subrecipient Management

"Regulation 24 CFR 85.40 et al, requires program participants to monitor the day-to-day operations of subrecipient activities for compliance with applicable Federal requirements as well as to asess performance goal achievements." McGoy sought to determine the City's compliance with HUD rules for oversight as well as the City's own internal policies.

A review of the files indicated a lack of documentation the demonstarted the monitoring was completed at least annually. Notice of monitorin letters were sent but with no actual proof monitoring occurred.

Finding 2: Lack of Oversight of Subrecipient Monitoring

The City cannot show that they are monitoring subrecipients and this is a violation of 24 CFR 85.40(a). The City has not followed its written procedures and does not know if subrecipients are operating within the program guidelines and/or federal requirements.

The City has to implement policies and procedures to ensure effective monitoring.


Post Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:44 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF CAPACITY

"The City is responsible for ensuring that NSP funds are used in accordance with all program requirements. The use of designated public agencies, subrecipients, or contractors does not relieve the recipient of this responsibilty. The recipient is also responsible for determining the adequacy of performance under subrecipient agreements and procurement contracts, and for taking appropriate action when performance problems arise."

Comment:
'The city of Flint combined the processes for CDBG and HOME and NSP. Throughout the monitoring, staff charged with administering the NSP1 program were interviewed. Baseline program questions; such as definition of income used, how much home buyer assistance will be provided to homeowners, the criteria for interest ates on soft seconds, and if the City will use resale or recapture provisions were not answered by the appropriate staff persons. These are basic rules of the program. Additionally, when following up on the previous year's monitoring: staff has not followed through with putting written procedures for NSP administration in place as stated.

It is recommended that the City write out NSP program administration policies and procedures immediately. The policies should include provisions for internal controls, recordkeeping, staffing responsibilities, homebuyers' assistance. lease-purchase programs, rental management, marketing and selling properties, recapture/resale, and homebuyer program design-among other components.

A review of the agreement between Operation Unification and the City was conducted. It was noted that the agreement is for acquisition and rehabilitation and does not cover lease management. Unbeknownst to the City, OU is currently leasing the unit. Further review determined that the lessee is eligible and the amount charged for rent is within the requirements; however, the City does not have leasing policies and procedures in place and are not aware of the disposition of the revenue generated and collected by OU."


Post Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:10 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


These observations are much like those of Steve Spenser in his most recent monitoring report.

Several issues McGoy did not address. Property rentals for Operation Unification are normally handled by OU HOmes, a for-profit component to Uperation Unification. Along with OU Village, the three have an interlocking Directorate and are required by HUD for HOME programs to be separate entities with a written agreement whrn they work together. It is not clear from this report that any changes to the corporate structure has been made.

Also rentals in Flint must be inspected and licensed! It is hard for me to believe the City was unaware when they held a press conference for the first program participant!




Post Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:17 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Procurement:

Procurement requirements are at 24 CFR 85.36 which requires that contracts are conducted in a fair, competitive and open manner. Three contract were reviewed and one finding occurred.

Finding 3: Failure to follow Procurement regulations

"The City did not conduct an open and competitive bid process when entering into a contract with Spartan Akers to prepare specifiations and cost estimates.
This is a violation of the regulations specified at 24 CFR 85.36 (c)(1) an 24 CFR 85.36 (d)(2).

The City solicited twice for a specification writer for NSP1; but limited the search to the Flint area. No qualified responses were received. The City then selected Spartan Akers, who is located outside the City of Flint, without solicitation.

The lowest responsive bidder may not have been selected.

The City is to cease utilizing Spartan Akers and rebid the contract using appropriate procurement actions to properly secure a vendor for specification. The City must also provide a written response explaining what systemic procedures will be instituted to ensure future compliance.

The City's procedures for meeting the W/MBE (women and minority businesses) as stated under 24 CFR 85.35(e) were reviewed. The city was advised that Regulations require solicitation of women and minority contractors when they constitute a potential contracting source. Efforts made by the City's housing rehabilitation staff were insufficient. Not only is the City required to solicit W/MBE subcontractors. In order to accomplish the spirit of the Regulations, a W/MBE solicitation list must be included in every bid package."


Post Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:42 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Why I find this confusing.

On June 14, 2010 Special Affairs Committee:

Resolution 100376 was for Spartan Akers (41,500) to conduct initial code inspections and specification writing for NSP 1.

Resolution 100379 was for Colonel Lee Real Estate ($18,750) for the same service

Resolution 100380 was for Royal Realty ($18,750) again for the same services.

You are supposed to be able to search by vendor name for checks issued for any specific contracted service. None of these names showed up when I searched and the check register is quite lengthy.

September 8, 2010 Grants Committee: Change Order #1, Resolution # 100930 gave Spartan Akers an additional $15,000.

On July 6, 2011 Grants Committee: Change order #2, Resolution # 110936 was to give Spartan Akers an additional $12,675.

With no minutes available, I can only guess what happened to the other two vendors.


Post Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:58 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Finding #4; Failure to solicit Women and Minority Business Enterprises

The City did not not solicit women and Minority Business Enterprises (W/MBE) when entering into a contract with Spartan Akers to prepare specifications and cost estimates which is a violation of regulations 24 CFR 85.36 (e)(2)(i-vi).

" A qualified minority did not benefit from the award of a federal contract .

McGoy recommends the City contact the State department of Civil Rights, the State department of Transportation and washtenaw and wayne counties for a copy of their W/MBE lists.


Post Thu Aug 25, 2011 7:10 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Is McGoy requiring the selection of a woman or minority firm for this contact. if so that would be reverse discrimination by HUD.

Flint and Genesee County already have W/MBE lists and Derrick Jones in Purchasing should have been able guide the department in this respect. Also Colornel lee is a minority enterprise. I am unsure about Royal Realty.

In addition the State had a minority Contractor Assistance Program (CAP) based here in Flint and it may still be here. A number of local W/MBE companies are listed in their resource book.


Post Thu Aug 25, 2011 7:15 pm
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


[quote="untanglingwebs"] Finding #4; Failure to solicit Women and Minority Business Enterprises

The City did not not solicit women and Minority Business Enterprises (W/MBE) when entering into a contract with Spartan Akers to prepare specifications and cost estimates which is a violation of regulations 24 CFR 85.36 (e)(2)(i-vi).



The city does have a recent habit of sending bid packets to only pre-selected contractors and covering themselves by posting on the web site. If they had used the W/MBE list that already exists they would have notified those on the list. They obviously did not have a list to show McGoy and thus received a finding.

It is interesting to note the newly hired DCED employees were not able to answer even the most basic of questions presented to them by McGoy.


Post Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:14 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Since the monitoring report for NSP 1 was only 8 pages long and that of NSP2 will be of a similar length, the only reason I can see that HUD could have for requesting nearly $1400 for these reports, the NSP 3 agreement with Flint and the communications between Flint and HUD since last December is that there is an ongoing investigation. Either that or they are completely disorganized.

I would expect all communications and e-mails to be kept in a single file for easy reference so why would it take 32 hours to assemble. HUD has people assigned at specific programs so they are proficient in that area. There would not be that many people involved in the NSP program.


Post Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:21 am
Post Sun May 03, 2015 7:52 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: Eason's folly the May 20,2011 monitoring report

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Copies of a May 20, 2011 monitoring report are floating around after they were released through a Freedom of Information Act request with HUD. The main theme is that Eason and the Department of Economic and Community Development not only don't know what they are doing, they are dissing HUD by not communicating and not keeping their word to produce documents.

At that time HUD demanded an immediate response to the October 13,2010 audit findings or "HUD will have no choice but to disallow all of the costs questioned in the audit."

"The concllusions of the review are summarized as follows, with full details in the enclosed Monitoring Report.(from Steve Spenser's April 1, 2011 visit)

The administration of the HOME Program by the City of Flint is in A state of disarray. We hav not receiveda response to our monitoring findings from our 2010 evaluation of the Community development Block Grant and HOME Programs.This response has been promised many times and is long overdue, Virtually none of the corrections promised while we were on-site in June of 2010 have been achieved. There are findings that have been repeated in the last three HOME monitoring reports. Since the City removed housing provision ativities from its non-profit partners and brought all housing activities, new construction and rehabilitation (except for the required Community Development Housing Organization (CHDO) activities) effective July 1,2010, the City has committed to no new projects, The City, in the 2010 Action Plan stated it would rehabilitate5, possibly 6 owner-occupied units with HOME funds. It took preliminary applications in the spring of 2010 and has not progressed from that point since. The City committed to a new monitoring system of quarterly visits to its subgrantees in the HOME Program that began January 1,2011, yet no documented monitoring has occurred since our last monitoring visit. Though we found the DCED staff cooperative and willing to learn, of all of the staff interviewed, none was truly knowledgeable of the HOME regulations and requirements. The City is very close to a finding of no capacity to operate a HOME Program. Such a finding would prevent the City from receiving futeure HOME allocations until its capacity sufficiently improves."


The cover letter, sent by Keith Hernandez, Director of Community Planning and Development, was addressed to Eason and copied to Wendy Johnson.


Post Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:50 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Finding #1- No Completion Data Entered

I find that many have difficulty understanding The Integrated Disbursement and Information Sytem or IDIS employed to help track HUD activities and draw down the HUD funds for each HUD funded project. It is a valuable budgeting and accounting tool and yet the newly hired reorganization staff put in place by Eason seem to have trouble understanding and using it.

The monitoring report gives a web address of www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordable housing/reports/open/mi/index..cfm as the site to access for open reports. As od March 31,2011, Flint showed 67 open HOME projects, 50 of which were initially funded between 1996 and 2009.

Anyone who has watched council knows that Wendy Johnson has been telling council that these files were being closed.

HUD- As of Project report 22 HUD had identified 41 projects failed to have the completion data entered within the time required inder the HUD regulations. Since the last audit another 18 projects are also in violation of the HOME regulations.

Cause:
"DCED states it cannot close these projects because the city has ceated several IDIS activity identification numbers for the same address and IDIS will not let them be combined."

In August of 2010 the City was in communication with the IDIS Technical Assistance Unit to resolve these issues. However the City discontinued these communications until HUD began monitoring again.

The City prepared a list that they wished HUD to assist with but only gave HUD 17 addresses that were part of those included in the last report.

"The staff did not explain why the projects that were on the City's "could-not-close" list were not being addressed".

Effect:
" The entry of false information in the IDIS can cause over reporting of accomplishments, disallowed costs and is a violation of 18 USC, Section 100.31 USC, Section 3729,et seq., with penalties up 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.

RECOMMENDED CORRECTIVE ACTION:
Within 15 days from the date on this report, HUD will suspend further project set-ups until all projects marked "final draw" in the IDIS and have exceeded the 120 days since the final draw have been acceptably addressed. During the time of the suapension of set-ups, all progress requirements will still be in effect."


Post Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:25 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Concern #1 Slow Individul Projects

As of April 1, 2011, the City had 18 projects that were shown as open and had not had a final draw down of the funding allocated to the project. Of the 18, 15 were committed on or before December 31, 2009. One was set up in 2006 , 3 in 2007 and 6 were set up in 2008.

CAUSE: The City stated that staff persons had been added to help ealuate and close the HOME projects. However, those staff were still being trained on how to do this.

"Unattended projects are more apt to be vandalized and cost more to complete"

HUd is requesting that each project be reviewed and a report generated on why the project is still open , the amounts of money spent on each project and a projected date for the project completion.

Any Home funds not used from 2004 will expire on September 23, 2011.

REHABILITATION:

"We interviewed the available City staff associated with the rehabilitation program. When asked for all the HOME units completed since our last monitoring visit, the staff informed us that no units had been completed since the last visit." This was since the City tool control of the housing activities. Hud then made site visits to 3 units previously reported and several rental units reported by Flint Housing.

One unit was reported as completed but showed $33, 845.27 remaoining to be drawn on the project.

Hud again emphasized that the current staff is not experienced in administering a housing rehabilitation program.


Post Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:44 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Finding 2-No documentation of costs associated with rehabilitation project

The City entered into the IDIS system that it spent $122,876.11 on rehabbing one single family home. However there is no documentation as to why the rehab was so costly and what the funds were used for.

HUD rules are specific that the City must document the source and application of funds for every project, which in this instance is the rehab. (HOME regulation 24 CFR 92.508 (a0(3)(ii)

The staff does not know where to locate the documentation and unless they document the costs and justify them, the cost of the project could be disallowed. Flint would have to repay the money.

HUD is requiring a detailed explanation of the excessive costs and why this project was assigned more than one identication number in the IDIS syatem. They are also requiring the original cost estimate, all soft costs involved, all bids received as well as any change orders and the required documentation. HUD will make the determinationa as to whether the rehabilitation costs were reasonable.


Post Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:25 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Concern 2 Possible Excessive costs in Rental Project

The City entered into an agreement with the Genesee County Land Bank in which 3 to 4 rental units in the City of Flint were to be rehabbed at an estimated cost of $325,000. This contract has been amended twice and the amount is now for only 2 units 616/618 University Avenue. Also the completion date has been extended, there were no draw downs and the project was not even set up as an account on the IDIS. HUD wants to know why the cost of the rehabs appears to be so very high for only 2 units.

The staff was clueless as to why so much money was dedicated to this project. HUD noted that one senior staff member theorized that the reason was because this rehab is on a corridor that is a City priority. Priority or not the City must document exactly why the project is so costly and if they can't the money must be repaid from non-federal sourcess.

HUD requires the original funding requests from the land Bank, the City's cost estimate for the project, the progress made on the project and the rationale as to why the city chose to invest nearly 10 times the usual amount of rental rehabilitation on this one project. In recent years the city averaged under $30,000 per unit for rental rehabilitation.


Post Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:38 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Subgrantee Management

When the City desnignates money to a nonprofit or other partner to further the goals of the HUD programs, that agency is usually called the subgrantee.

When DCED reorganized they entered into a system that stated the City would visit and monitor HOME subgrantees on a quarterly basis. In theory this system would discover problems sooner and help verify costs and their eligibility. The Monitoring schedule was to start on January 1,2011 and all quarterly visits were to be completed by March 31, 2011. This never occurred and HUD was told the reason was due to personnel shifts and new priorities within the department arising. None of the monitoring visits and reports were made. HUD was unable to make their own site visits with the subgrantees because of scheduling changes.

After reaching some subgrantees by phone, HUD was told that a majority of the contracts had expired or would expire on June 30,2011. Staff said they would be concentrating on closing out these projects or extending contracs when needed as well as recapturing monies not spent.

Post Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:49 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Finding 3-Subgranted funds do not meet Commitment Definition

HUD asked the DCED staff about outstanding contracts for 2009 and before. Staff told HUD that Flint NIpp had spent almost all of its funds and the contract would be closed soon. Flint NIPP told HUD the City had not paid them nearly $ 50,000 in payment requests that the City had not processed,Both the City and Flint NIpp agreed there were no further projects planned.

The problem is the IDIS system shows $1,163,659.74 that was subgranted to Flint Nipp and not spent.

Court Street Village also showed another $200,000 in funding that was more than Court Street Village expected to be reimbursed for. No other projects are planned for these funds.

HOME regulation 24 CFR 92.2 defines a commitment meaning.

Staff in DCED was unable to explain why these funds were not spent or were shown as available. However once again the City had a theory although it could not be proven. Staff theorized that when 2002-2004 funds were expiring and were moved for immediate disbursement, that these were the funds that were supposed tombe placed where expiring funds were removed.

If thes e funds do not meet the HOME definition of commitment, they cannot be used to meet the commitment amounts required of the City by HD. The City will lose the amount of the Commitment shortage if it cannot meet the requirem,ent.

Flint must provide documentation that these funds are presently subgranted to organizations that meet the commitment requirements. The city must show specific addresses, not including those projects funded using 2010 funding. If no projects then the allocations must be reduced immediately and prior to the July 31,2011 deadline.


Post Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:07 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Finding 4-Berridge Project reporting does not meet HUD standards

During the last monitoring visit HUD learned that a CHDO project the City funded through Courst Street Village had been incorrectly entered into the IDIS system as a homebuyer project when it was being marketed as rental units. A meeting between Court Street Village, HUD and Flint ended with a decision to change the status of the project into a rental project. Court Street Village was to remove all homebuyer references and the meeting of HOME Program requirements. The city was to review the new documents and if acceptable, submit the documents to HUD for review.

Flint has never submitted the changes to HUD nor have they changed the project to a rental in the IDIS. This project does not meet the requirements of a HUD homebuyer assistance parogram at 24 CFR 92.254.

Staff stated they had not reviewed the changes and they were unaware the status of the project had not been changed as promised.

HUD reviewed the document and suggested some revisions. Court Street Village and the management company were to make the revisions.

Tenants who were misinformed about the project requirements could potentially be required to move .

The revised documents must be submitted to HUD within 30 days as well as the changes to IDIS must be made or the costs will not be allowed.


Post Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:24 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Finding 5-Homebuyer projects exceed maximum time allowed to sell

Salem Housing Community Development Corporation was allowing participnts in the Purchase, Rehabilitate, Resale Program to stay in homes beyond the 36 months of first occupancy when the sale of the home was not completed. This is a violation of the HOME regulations. At least 15 units in the PRR program are still in the name of Salem and salem was the subgrantee that invested the HOME funds.

Salem stated the occupants were unaable to get mortgages and they did not want to put them out on the streets. DCED staff admit they did not follow and enforce HOME regulations.

HOME regulation 24 CFR 92.254(a)(7) staate HOME funds may be used to assist homebuyers through lease-purchse programs for existing housing and for housing to be constructed. The house must be purchased by the occupant within 36 months of signing the lease-purchase agreement.

These misidentified rental homes could push the City into noncompliance with HOME regulations.


Post Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:38 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Corrective Action for finding 5

In order to prevent disallowed costs the city must:

* Review how much time the tenants in the Purchase ,Rehabilitate, Resale (PRR) projects have actually lived in the home. (This should include all subgrantees who have received the PRR funds throught the city) and submit that list to HUD within 30 days.

* For those exceeding the time limits established by HUD or those who are not expected to complete the sale, notify the tenants that the unit is being transferred to a rental and provide them with a lease that meets the HUD regulations at 24 CFR 92.252 and 253. The affordability period should be extended based on the amount of HOME funds spent rehabilitating the unit. If the unit was newly constructed, then the affordability period shall be 20 years.

* The City and the owner organization (Salem) should have a redrafted agreement to reflect the rental requirements shown above. Salem should be aware of all rental requirements of HUD as well as any requirements of the City.

* Change all of the projects in the IDIS system from homebuyer to rental rehabilitation and enter the appropriate demographic information. Consolidate any projects tht have duplicate id numbers.

* Any monthly rent received by Salem is not considered program incomeor project proceeds. It is expected that a portion of the rent paid monthly will go towards a downpayment. If a tenant leaves without purchasing the unit, Salem may do as it wishes with the money set aside for a downpayment unless the City directs otherwise.

* The income levels requirements of 24 CFR 92.216 will be applied to all of the units converted to rentals.


Post Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:47 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


The OiG has not released an audit since the critical October 2010 audit that recommended repayment of over $700,000. The most recent HUD monitoring report confirms the OIG audit findings and sets up scenarios for considerable repayments if the City cannot account for or justify specific invalid transactions with some non profits. Those nonprofits are Greater Eastside Community Association, Flint west Village, Flint NIPP, Salem Housing and Court Street Village with their Berridge Hotel project.



City of Flint expecting another penalty after federal audit released
Published: Monday, March 14, 2011, 7:28 PM Updated: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 9:45 AM
By Kristin Longley | Flint Journal

FLINT, Michigan -- The city of Flint is expecting another financial penalty after an upcoming audit report on its federal housing program is completed, city officials said tonight.

The city didn't sufficiently oversee its federally funded housing program in past years, City Administrator Gregory Eason said of the audit report on the city's use of funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The city will likely be disallowed about $700,000 or more because of the audit's findings, he said.

"We didn't have enough monitoring," Eason told the Flint City Council at its committee meeting tonight.

Officials did not say during the meeting whether the funds would be subtracted from future grant awards, or whether the city would have to repay the funding from current grants.


It was not immediately clear when the audit report would be released


Post Sun Jul 24, 2011 4:33 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


I am betting Eason's comments were a pre-emptive strike about what he knew was coming. There has yet to be a third OIG audit released but HUD had notified the City that Steve Spencer was coming to monitor the same HUD programs that were the focus of the October audit.

_______________________________________________________________________




These incompetant staff personnel have been on the job for over a year and suddenly the department head realizes they need training! Why is she afraid to name the company that is receiving the money and wheere is council? Don't tell me it is true that kate Fields is involved?

Flint City Council approves employee training hoping to avoid additional federal penalties
Published: Monday, April 11, 2011, 8:45 PM
By Kristin Longley | Flint Journal The Flint Journal
FLINT, Michigan — City officials are hoping some employee training will help Flint avoid additional financial penalties in future years for mismanagement of its federal housing program.

The Flint City Council tonight approved spending $7,000 for the city’s community and economic development employees to get training on how to use the federal government’s reporting system for grant-funded housing projects.

The training comes as the city awaits issuance of a federal audit report that is expected to show the city poorly managed the housing program. It would be the third such report in three years.

Based on the draft audit report, officials have predicted the city could have $700,000 or more subtracted from future grant awards because of the mistakes. The city won’t know for sure until the final report is issued.

“(The system) is quite complicated — that’s why we need an expert to come in and train staff adequately,” said Wendy Johnson, director of the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development.

The system helps the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development track how local communities spend their federal grant dollars. The city has come under fire in the past for not using the system correctly.

Sometimes projects reported in the system by city employees have not been verifiable, Johnson said. Other times, projects were reported in the system more than once, she said.

The training will be done by the company Community Development Experts, according to information provided to the council.

“We are very much trying to get on top of these historical, long-standing problems with the department,” she said. “We are getting on top of them slowly but surely.”




justicesearc April 11, 2011 at 8:50PM
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Don't you think training should start when you get a grant - not when they are taking the money away?

m8znblu April 11, 2011 at 8:58PM
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Maybe it's all the drugs



2010Flint April 11, 2011 at 9:53PM
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Definitely time for a state takeover. The problem isn't nor has it ever been a reporting issue. How can work that has not been done or was done unsatisfactorily be a reporting problem. HUD paid Flint to repair broken windows, drains, furnaces, elevators, etc., etc., etc., and Flint took the money, reported to the Feds that they did the work for which they were paid, but the fact is the windows, drains, furnaces, etc., were not repaired. Sounds like the "training" is really going to be coaching employees how to try to fool the Feds. With 12% unemployment, I am sure you could hire able, willing people to do the job properly.

Inappropriate? Alert us.Reply Post new

patman April 11, 2011 at 10:56PM
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What kind of training are Eason an the HR lady going to do? Tell them not to buy crack using city trucks. Instead of hiring crackheads and relatives of the Eason and the HR lady, try something new like maybe people who are qualified(HR lady know what they are doing). 2010Flint you can't blame Walling, we had a stupid hillbilly who the knuckle dragger voted for. We had 3 other Mayors who big concern was fill their pockets and get relatives hired. Yes their people who are willing to work. There are poeple who are qualified. Just becauyse they can't make aliving at selling dope does not mean the HR lady should hire them. Where is the pride. Not in with Eason or thge HR lady.


doinit4me April 11, 2011 at 11:57PM
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What is the formal name of the company doing the training? They are not listed, as named, in Google. Just wondering whose relative or baby mama/daddy owns it or is a salesmen or stands to gain something. I used to think I was cynical but after following "Kwame gate" in Detroit nothing would surprise me anymore.
I don't know Ms. Johnson but shouldn't the director of a department be qualified to train employees on how to use a reporting system? If not then why not send only her then she could train the other employees under her supervision and save several thousand dollars?

In Vocal_Chick April 12, 2011 at 7:03AM
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Patman, you are exactly right about hiring people who are qualified. doinit4me, Ms. Johnson needs the training along with just about every other person in that department except the FEW city employees who were there before Ms. Johnson, Ms. Atkinson, etc. The employees that know what is going on and how do to do the work have been shipped off to other departments or put in areas so far removed from the DCED office that they couldn't help anyway. The new dept. head(s) in DCED absolutely do not know what they are doing and that is really scary.

vegasbound2011 April 12, 2011 at 7:58AM
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all they are doing is making debt bigger spending money they dont have it all adds up


Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:33 am

Post Sun Jul 24, 2011 4:48 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Word is that Flint and HUD have brought in Dennison Associates to help Flint's incompetant staff learn how to do their job. Several years ago Dennison put togrther an excellent training manual on the HOME program for Flint. Guess Flint staff doesn't know how to read.

Dennison Associates is an excellent resource. This means that Flint will now have 2 embedded staff to help them learn their jobs. MSHDA has had an embedded person for about a year that is working in DCED/ Now HUD will have a Dennison staff person.

August 29, 2009
DA awarded cooperative agreement with HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to provide Technical Assistance
Dennison Associates was awarded technical assistance funds for HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). DA will provide technical assistance to communities nationwide to help stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods adversely impacted by foreclosed and abandoned properties. DA will leverage their resources and use of technology to address and remedy the needs of NSP grantees and their community stakeholders. DA is prepared to help grantee staff rapidly handle the increase of grant management and project production responsibilities and take full advantage of NSP program funds to positively impact communities. Our NSP assistance will help to build local capacity to effectively manage and administer local strategies to acquire, rehabilitate, and redevelop properties in neighborhoods significantly impacted by housing foreclosures and abandonment. DA’s goal is to ensure grantees meet the aggressive deadlines to provide affordable housing and to timely commit and expend NSP grant funds. Funding for this assistance is provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.


Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:33 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


History
Mr. David Dennison, operating from his home, founded Dennison Associates (DA) as a Sole Proprietorship in January 1991. Mr. Dennison responded to a Tonya, Inc. request to assist in the development of new business with the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, (HUD), where he created and coordinated the operations of Tonya's new project team. DA won additional contracts with Freddie Mac for market research; Georgetown University Law School for Multifamily housing training assistance; and teamed with a labor attorney and an economist company to secure a contract with the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA to conduct research and provide policy analysis. In 1994, Mr. Dennison began the process to become an SBA certified 8(a) company. DA gained acceptance into the 8(a) program in January 1996 and graduated from the program in January 2005.

In 1997 DA moved into office space in downtown Washington, DC and secured contracts with HUD’s Office of Single Family Housing and Office of Lead Hazard Control. The subsequent growth required additional space and in 1998 the Company moved to larger offices. In 1999, DA won competitive awards from HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) for affordable housing and community development technical assistance support and training. In addition it secured a contract with the U.S. Dept. of Justice INS for conference management. With increased staff it became necessary to relocate again and DA moved in May 2001 to its present location.

The Company won a competitive contract with the Walter Reed Army Medical Center to provide strategic planning and performance improvement support for their Health Service System. In 2002, DA became a subcontractor to AEW Capital Management for financial advisory support to the HUD Office of Multi-family Housing Assistance Restructuring (Mark-to-Market program), gained new agreements with HUD CPD and was selected by HUD to coordinate its national project - the CPD College of Experts. Dennison Associates received the highest evaluation grade from HUD for outstanding project management of the two-year national technical assistance project.

DA continues to explore teaming alliances with companies and competitors where the Company’s skills would enhance contracting opportunities. Dennison formed teaming agreements on new contracts with Aspen Systems Corporation, Healthy Housing Solutions, Abt Associates, ICF Consulting, and CenterScope Technologies. In addition, DA won approval by HUD CPD to conduct national training for their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG program). HUD evaluated DA’s CDBG contract performance and assigned its highest grade of outstanding. HUD evaluated DA’s Office of Single Family Housing (FHA) contract performance and assigned a grade of excellent. DA also won competitive awards with HUD's Office of CPD Technical Assistance to provide service to approximately 26-field offices throughout the United States. Dennison Associates recently was approved by the City of Houston, Texas to provide affordable Housing Technical Assistance.


Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:37 am

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


HUD does not embed staff for up to a year, so Eason can forget that. They will provide technical training and assistance, but they will not run your program.

Journal responded to the monitoring report today.


Post Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:25 pm
Post Sun May 03, 2015 7:59 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: City Budget



JCARPENTER
F L I N T O I D


Lets see ,how are we going to balance this darn budget? I know, lets bust the police union and borrow the rest. Good idea staff,but do you think the council will approve? Oh ya they will go along with just about anything we propose, remember when they approved Jackie and Donnas neice for transportation director? Ya and she didnt know a pot hole from a post hole.

Ok but if this dont work remember our back up plan. Whats that? You know get ever citizen in flint to buy a $1 loto ticket and give them to the Mayor and take the wiinnings and pay off everything. I dont see how we could lose with over 100,000 chances ? Ok, but i still think we should try is plan first.


Post Fri Jun 10, 2011 7:59 am


Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D


How to balance a budget........
1. HOPE the State will increase revenue sharing.
2. HOPE the unions will agree to large concessions.
3. Leave the projected cost of the District Court location out of the calculations.
4. HOPE tax revenues meet projections.

Yup, the budget is balanced.

Post Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:44 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Pontiac has an emergency financial manager and just found out their revenue sharing will be cut by $2 million. walling says ours will increase?

New fiscal year starts July 1st, but Walling thinks he will have double digit concessions from all public safety unions by then.

November 1st and the current revenues will be depleted (sooner if the first 2 don't materialize) and the city will be in a state taleover. What about the finances to last from November to June 30, 2012?


Post Fri Jun 10, 2011 1:59 pm

Bossman
F L I N T O I D


The first negotiation scheduled between Walling and the Unions isn't until 06/22. Even if they come to an agreement on that date the unions would be hard pressed to get it ratified by the membership before 07/01. Walling is not making a legitimate effort to negotiate with the unions and hasn't since he took office. The budget is a sham, Wallings term as mayor is a sham, and Walling himself is a charlatan.


Post Fri Jun 10, 2011 9:57 pm


Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D


I have the impression that Walling considers "negotiating" to mean: "Give me what I want".



Post Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:44 am
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Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D



quote:
untanglingwebs schreef:
Pontiac has an emergency financial manager and just found out their revenue sharing will be cut by $2 million. walling says ours will increase?

New fiscal year starts July 1st, but Walling thinks he will have double digit concessions from all public safety unions by then.

November 1st and the current revenues will be depleted (sooner if the first 2 don't materialize) and the city will be in a state taleover. What about the finances to last from November to June 30, 2012?


Another bond issue?



Post Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:45 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Walling chose not to veto the budget and that may have been he first wise thing he has done. In 2008 a council budget that omitted funding for charter mandated offices and severely compromised the operations of the law department went to court.

In 2008 Kincaid displayed open hostility towards the entire Williamson administration. Like 2008 the budget process this year was shortened to one day instead of the usual series of longer meetings with department heads to discuss their absolute needs to maintain their offices. However in 2008, Kincaid and Brian Ross of Plante Moran worked all weekend to put together the final budget.

The final 2008 budget was out of balance by at least $1, 359,000 because in their haste and without communicating with the Flint Treasurer and the Budget Director, they failed to get a revised cost allocation plan. In the court example City treasurer Peter "D" referred to an auditor in his department that had been laid off. This auditor reviewed payroll for all departments in the city. When the auditor position was eliminated , the expense for that position was eliminated. However, as each department in the city contributed money towards that position, the revenue stram that position generated was now nonexiatant, but was still reflected in the budget. The city provides cost allocation plans to the auditing firm during the audit process and since the city departments were left out of the process, the new budget was flawed.

When Kincaid presented the final budget on 6/2/08 kincaid was visiblly shaken by the reaction of his fellow council. Near tears kincaid stated he got the feeling his colleagues did not support the final version and stated he felt the goal line kept changing. You told me privately what you want to fund, so tell me publicly what to change, asked Kincaid.

Kincaid made draconian cuts to the law department and eliminated the library and even paper and offce supplies for the office. The budget even took her offices to be used as new offices for the council. Other severe cuts were made to the 68th District Court, Ombudsman, Personnel and labor relations, police and fire overtime as well as department heads. Sheldon Neeley predicted correctly that the failure to provide for police and fire overtime would create future problems. Council increased the budget for their office.

On October 14, 2008 Judge Geoffrey Neithercutt commented on the budget battle. He spoke how case law recognized that when a board fails to perform duties imposed by the state legislature or constitution, the courts have the authority to order performance. (Wayne Co, Pros vs Wayne Co. comm) He further stated that premise could be extended to local government, whether a city council or a mayor governed by a city charter and the court can require both to obey their own charter.

Neithercutt atated the amended budget violated Articles of charter. Section 1-502 was violated when council budgeted less for th mayor than the Local Officers Compensation Board authorized for the Mayor. The line item budget items for the department heads reduced salaries and violated ordinance 35-67 wherein salaries are the sole discretion of the mayor as the appointing authority.

Neithcutt ordered amendment as the council's intent to interfere with the mayoral discretion was clearly shown in the line item action.

Neithercutt reflected on whether departments as cost centers have a constitutional or charter duty and what was the meaning of the word "serviceable".

The Judge referred to Attorney Hamo's survey of the Chief legal officer in comparable cities in Michigan. "The Court does not believe the Prosecutor's Office (City Attorney) could survive without causing constitutional, civil and criminal right issues and stopping the court operations". This creates an immediate emergency threatening the existance of a function. The judge also noted that a lawyer cannot operate without a library and paper. Neithercutt ordered amendments as "these line item deletions are capricious".

When council argued that there was no statuatory mandate for a Human Resources Department , the Judge accused them of playing a "word game" since all of the mandated functions are the duty of the personnel Director. The Judge noted the department was understaffed in relatioship to the comparable cities surveyed. Presently the office is closed 3 days a week and there are state and federal statuatory requirements for the office, the Judge said as he ordered the budget amended.

Neithercutt took no position on the City Administrators office or the Ombudsman. He also would not rule on the issue of the budget inbalance, but he ordered compromises and called council's action "petty gamesmanship".

Walling too, eliminated from his budget offices that were charter mandated.

Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sun Jun 12, 2011 12:15 pm; edited 2 times in total


Post Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:40 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Treasurer Peter "D' testified that of the $1.7 million in expenses eliminated from the budget only yielded a net $400,000 in revenue that could be distributed to other departments and that the budget was spending $1.3 million in revenue that did not exist. He stated they had a duty to request a cost allocation prior to adopting the budget. In their rush Plante Moran auditor Brian Ross and kincaid made a mistake in taking the funds out of cost allocations and not adjusting the revenue. In their line item budget they eliminated positions supported by revenue that would never be paid out of other funds.

In her deposition, Peggy Haw Jury of plante Moran kept discussing bumping rights, which Peter "D" testified was not applicable.

Michael Townsend also testified that the city council budget reduced expenditures from revenue producing departments and failed to reduce the corresponding revenues.

Council continued to fail to compromise and in the end there was 23 budgetary issues that remained to be resolved, inclusing the 68 the District court and police and fire overtime.


Post Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:58 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Other arguments during the court battle:

When Flint was the third most violent city in america, Kincaid cut out the Probation department of the 68th district Court.

While laying off people, Kincaids budget dipped into the self insurance fund and fringe benefits making it impossible to pay the unemployment.


Post Sat Jun 11, 2011 9:09 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Council refused to compromise and went to the state for help,thus complicating Judge Neithercutts role. the Judge ordered some changes to be made as budget amendments.

Ananich stated there would be no compromise as Kincaid went to the Treasurer's rapid response team and Val Washington.


Post Sat Jun 11, 2011 9:15 pm

untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


In October of 2008. Williamson sent a letter to Kincaid protesting the refusal of council to compromise and telling kincaid that a number of Kincaid's positions were inaccurate.

Since council violated the charter they were to amend the mayor's cost center. And because council violated City ordinance 35-67(d), the Council was directed to amend the budget to correct the department head salaries as originally proposed by the mayor.

The Mayor requested a solution to the 68th District Court and the Ombudsman. Despite the court's request for amended budget submissions by the administration, council refused to act. Contrary to Kincaid's assertions, the Judge never ordered individual resolutions for each department but ordered budget amendments after consulting with both the administration and the council.

The amount of revenue at the time of the closing of the jail was about $900.000, but by October had been reduced to $600,000. Council agreed that public safety cuts would have to be made in order to remedy the budget shortfalls. It ws stated that kincaid also refused to address the "cost allocation" issues.

Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sun Jun 12, 2011 12:18 pm; edited 1 time in total


Post Sat Jun 11, 2011 9:31 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Court records also contained a copy of a letter from the Chief legal Officer, City Attorney Trachellelle Young, to Council President Carolyn Sims.

'I have received your letter dated June 9, 2008 that was delivered to the Law department on June 10, 2008. It is quite unfortunate, however, that you failed to mention that I responded to your letter on May 7, 2008 (see attached). Rather, you implied that I had not responded, and proceeded to claim that I refused to appoint an attorney. This was not the case. In fact, you never responded to my letter.

Clearly I have not refused to appoint an attorney for the Council with regard to the budget, nor have you made "numerous" requests for an attorney, However, if you believe this is the case, please provide me with any transcript or communication that you believe i have not responded to.

During the budget hearing for the Law Department, i advised the Council that I felt the Law department had been singled out and treated unfairly. Councilman Kincaid verbally told me he was going to slash my budget. I informed the Council that the law requires that the mandated functions of the Law department be funded at a serviceable level. Both you and Councilman Kincaid voted to cut two-thirds of my staff and three-fourths of my budget for outside counsel. You also eliminated one Litigation Assistant and one Legal office Assistant. In addition to that, you cut all funds for supplies while adopting a line item budget. Further, even though you are well aware of the value and cost savings afforded to the City by utilizing interns and knowing that eliminating my interns would threaten my ability to service the 68th District court, you also completely eliminated that line item. Additionally, you reduced the amount of money that should be in the Suits and settlements kowing the outstanding judgements against the City. Not once, even during the hearing, did you request or mention that I was refusing to appoint an attorney for the Council. Also, i never told you that the Mayor and i were going to sue the Council over the budget. It was made clear that we were hoping to resolve all budgetary issues in house. For that specific purpose, we tried to schedule meetings with you and mr. kincaid before Council even voted to adopt the budget.

I would ask that you not continue to misrepresent the facts in order to attack my credibility. Your actions are disingenuous at best.".......


Post Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:08 pm


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


The Court of Appeals in an unpublished decision Young, supra supported Trachelle Young's authority to exclusively appoint legal counsel.

"However, the CLo (Chief Legal Officer) still argued strongly and correctly that the City Charter gave her the sole legal authority for the City of Flint."

"The clear alternative is [for the CLO] to select and retain independent legal counsel for both parties. Only by declining to personally represent either party, while in good faith choosing counsel for each can plaintiff comply with the MRPC and the charter."

Judge Hayman in 08-88184AS stated:
"No one can represent the Flint City Council, nobody can represent the Clerk's Office, nobody can represent the mayor's Office unless it comes through Trachelle."


Post Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:25 pm
Post Mon May 04, 2015 9:59 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: Will this Mayor's race and others have violations?


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Every election in Flint for a number of years has had allegations of wrongdoing, allegations which have never been completely explored, proven or disproven.

The last council and Mayor's race had allegations of north end gang members being paid under the table to secure absentee ballots. Some gangs near west paterson have bragged about how much they received. This years rumor is that youth and gang members are being promised jobs that are being funded by the federal government if they agree to help favored candidates.

Illegal signs in the north end are allowed if that area is suppporting certain candidates. After Kupiec's signs and others came up missing the Kildee and other Democratic signs were everywhere in the parkways . Multiple complaints to the clerks office were required to have thse signs removed and the were back within 24 hrs. Nearly all of Kildee's signs were placed illegally, some in the actual parks.

For years there have been allegations of illegal activities when it comes to absentee ballots. Mays and Goodman sued over allegation of wrongdoing on their part years ago. But allegations against them continued to be made. One news publication put out a cartoon of mays getting absentee ballots in a cemetary amidst allegations the "dead" were voting.

Then you have the misrepresentations on the actual campaign reports.
In 2006 the detroit news put out an editorial urging Michigan to put some teeth in our weak campaign finance laws (3-21-06/ 8A ). " Candidatesignore and disrespect the current system".

The editorial focused on the recall organizers in Brownstown Township who did not want voters to know that a prominent developer wa bankrolling their campaign. Their report was filed deliberately after the deadline to hide the developer who had a vested interest in who held the office. The editorial stated the voters were aware of an attempt being made to dupe them.

Thus the recall committee's deceit will only cost them a $1,000 fine for filing late.

Terry lynn land actually made a diffeence by attempting to put some teeth into the law and trying to enforce the laws.She wanted to go so far as to give the Secretary of State supoena power to audit books and bank accounts.

The news had it right by saying:
"Voters have a right to know who is spending money to influence their vote and whois donating money to influence their elected officials."

This week I was told that Eric Mays was working on the Genesee Township recall on behalf of Joubran. This is certainly not illegal and Mays has the right to earn a living. But If this is true, the campaign committee has an obligation to show the donation and amounts spent by Joubran to influence the vote. After all Joubran has a horse in this race because he is fighting those being recalled over his signs that the court has said must be removed. The law says he can spend as much as he wants because recalls have no campaign spending limits. Recalls are elections and must meet the state rules on elections otherwise.

In our mayor's race, we also have a right to know who is influencing the election. I was dismayed to see some Mott Foundation financed videos that were made by Michigan state as some portions almost seemed to be campaign pieces. If Walling uses portions of these films, I would find it suspect and concerned that these video productions were an attempt to covertly back Walling in the election.

Walling also has a foundation and a consulting business. Kilpatrick used his nonprofits to funnel money in and around his campaign. I would hope that did not happen here.


Post Wed May 25, 2011 2:37 pm
Post Mon May 04, 2015 10:03 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Topic: SMITH VILLAGE $1.1 MILLION PAYBACK IS AN AUDITING TRANSFER !


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Eason and others are saying the HUD administration is forgiving the $1,1 million in "unearned grant expenditures", but that is not true. HUD is closing out the Univrsity Park Homeownership Zone (HZ97-035) that has been in existance since 1997 and transferring the obligation to the current NSP2 contract with even stiffer obligations. How can that be a win?

One Flint Journal reader got most of the issue but then he did not have the entire document!





Man Up October 06, 2011 at 5:13PM



Hey City of Flint pat yourself on the back. Jackie is happy, and that is so so important. So calm down.

Three quick points:
#1 The rescission of the penalty in no way proves or disproves any misuse of city funds.
#2 The problem here is timing. the sales prices of these houses don't reflect the market reality of a downturn market that is so low that you can buy a house for 50% or less of the cost to build one brand new.
#3 Per the details in this article, Flint was given a grant of 15 million for this particular stabilization project. That calcs out to $180,722 per house of spending for 83 houses. Now a builder is coming in to enjoy the benefit of that to try to sell $89,000 plus homes. It would take 43 years for Flint to recover the infrastructure investment alone using the current property tax formula on a $89,000 house. BRILLIANT That is if they stay occupied for 43 years.

I am a government fan, but this is not here. I don't mind stimulus plans, but the stimulus should have some good logic to it. It should provide benefits to more than 83 potential home buyers and a developer. If they do find a buyer, they will have to find buyers for overpriced new homes that also can qualify for a loan. Good luck with that. Buy a home that has an actual market value of half the sales price, and your lender will be ecstatic to lend you money for that fiasco. There seems to be more pressing issues to city blight than adding more homes to the city landscape.
Who got all this 15 million that was spent? Ms. Poplar says whatever it takes an if they want it or not. A private developer would do a proforma on this project, and it would never see the light of day. Maybe if it had hit 2002 market, but they would probably all be repossessed now anyway. LOL
Jackie is not worried, as the money is not coming out of her pocket. Bend over Flint Jackie says you got it coming honey.

Last edited by untanglingwebs on Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:59 pm; edited 2 times in total


Post Fri Oct 07, 2011 9:15 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


Here is the document:

received by Walling on September 19,2011
agreement signed by Walling on October 3,2011
Given to Council on October 5th at 3:30 pm for a 4:30 meeting

Subject: University Park Homeownership Zone
HZ97-035
Termination and close-out

On March 29, 2010, HUD wrote to advise you that HUD is terminating the City's UNiversity Park Homeownership Zone due to the City's failure to complete the Smith Village portion of the City's Homeownership Zone strategy ina timely manner. HUD required the City to repay $1,086,395 in "unearned" grant expenditires.

On May 14, 2010, you wrote to HUD requesting an opportunity for your new administration to complete the Smith Village Homeownership Zone project without the penalty of a required repayment of funds. Since that time your administration has been communicating with staff in the Community Planning and Development (CPD) Office of HUD's Detroit Field Office about your administration's intention to use the City's Neighborhood Stabilization (NSP-2) funds in order to build new mixed-income homeownership housing in the Smith Village neighborhood.

The Smith Village neighborhood has been designated as an NSP-2 area. The City and the State of Michigan (the NDP grantee) have committed to using their $14.7 million NSP-2 grant to complete 83 units of housing, of which at least 43 units will be sold to low-to-moderate income homebuyers. The land has been acquired eithe by the City or the Genesee County land bank Authority and dilapidated homes have been demolished. A reconfigured street pattern has been designed to improve safety. New community facilities are proposed for a future date, The city will also offer low-interest home improvement loans to 70 to 80 existing homeowners.


[Note; Engineering costs for the reconfigured streets and future street construction costs are needed. Walling also promised in his New Smith Village pamphlet new streets, lighting, sidewalks and trees. Phase one of three phases has already received council approval of over $767,000 of the total bid of $1,087,000 for the partial water and sewer infrastructure of this phase.]

Although the City's proposal fall short of the units previously required by HUD to avoid repayment. HUD recognizes that the economic conditions in the City of Flint and in the Smith Village neighborhood have significantly deteriorated since HUD's approval of Flint's Homeownership Zone strategy in 1998.

Hud finds that your administration's commitment to revitalize the Smith Village neighborhood using NSP-2 funds is consistent with the commitment the City originally made to HUD and the residents of Smith Village. Therefore HUD is prepared to terminate the University Park Homeownership Zone without requiring repaymentof the $1,086,935 in "unearned" Homeownership Zone grant funds, provided , that the City specifically commits to the following actions by executing the enclosed "Homeownership Zone Grant Termination Cetification."



1. Maintain its commitment to revitalize the Smith Village neighborhood using Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP-2) and other funds available to the City;

2. Develop a minimum of 83 new homeownership units in a concentrated area, of which a minimum of 51 percent will be sold to low- and moderate-income families.

3. Implement a low-interest home improvement program targeted to to 70 to 80 existing homeowners that supports the investment in new housing development.

4. Dedicate the administrative and technical resources necessary to impllement the revised Smith Village neighborhood as quickly as possible, including effective coordination among City agencies and priority for City approval processes; and

5. Give priority to the Smith Village neighborhood for the commitment of available City resources until the 83 homeownership units have been occupied and the 70 to 80 existing homeowners have been offered low-interest home improvement loans.

......... Once HUD has received the City's executed "Home Ownership Zone Grant Termination Certification, HUD will terminate and close out "for cause" the City of Flint's University Park Homeownership Zone.


The letter was signed by Yoland Chavez, Deputy assistant Secretary for Grant Programs (202) 707-2690.


Post Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:23 am


untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D


The final paragraph of the Termination Certification signed by Walling states:

The City of flint acknowledges that failure to implement these commitments in good faith, may result in HUD's disallowance and recovery of $1,086,935 in Homeownership Zone grant funds previously expended.


Post Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:30 am
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