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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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In the past, but under the radar, successful federal programs derived from the concept of state Enterprise Zones, accomplished a stellar result to an impressive degree, yet only on a small scale and scope of success in creating new jobs and businesses in low-income areas.
For example, the federally designated Renewal Community of the City of Flint, Michigan created 1,289 new jobs in its most blighted area, according to official reports submitted by the community to the federal government. This federal program was created for a period of 10 years from 2000 through 2009. While Michael Moore’s movie, “Roger and Me,” illustrated the effects of the sharp decline of General Motors Company in the Flint area, many dilapidated buildings in downtown Flint have been renovated.
While there is much more economic development needed, the downtown area has been rejuvenated to a significant degree by the federal Renewal Community program, along with the expired state Renaissance Zone program.
The C.S. Mott Foundation, University of Michigan-Flint, Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Development Authority (and other local entities) have been positive anchors to community development in downtown Flint. Of course, creating 1,289 new jobs in the most blighted area is a modest success compared to the estimated 70-80,000 job losses over the decades in the greater region, but it is a positive start to revitalizing the community.
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Sun Jul 03, 2016 6:05 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Stocker discussed how a "strong democracy demands effective community participation"- where "the community is actively engaged throughout the process of establishing and implementing policy..."
The Enterprise community in using a Quasi-public entity (Flint Area Investment Fund or FAIF) for the revolving loan fund, set itself up for abuse and mismanagement. At one point, the FAIF had about a 70% failure rate on it's loans. Allegations of fraud, kickbacks,along with the use of bribed appraisers were rampant by the end of the program. No one agency wanted to admit failure. The State of Michigan, as a pass through for federal money, and the City of Flint did not want to admit their culpability and HUD did not want the zone to appear to have serious issues. The Office of Inspector General had in years past lasted HUD for some serious flaws.
Downtown with the use of the two zones and the Mott Foundation made more significant gains. Even then there have been allegations that investors who were not part of the downtown hierarchy have been denied participation in the redevelopment process. The large influx of capital into the downtown area has put the downtown corporations into a direct conflict with some in the African American community trying to realize gains in their own social capital.
As Stoker explained,"it is difficult to translate black social capitalinto the capacity to act, especially in the realm of redevelopment poliy where access and opportunity are limited by quasi-public organizations." |
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Sun Jul 03, 2016 6:33 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Flint demolition, education, segregation focus of historian's book, article
Dominic Adams | dadams5@mlive.com By Dominic Adams | dadams5@mlive.com
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on August 08, 2015 at 8:00 AM, updated August 08, 2015 at 7:52 PM
FLINT, MI -- A former Flint resident has co-authored a scholarly article about historical segregation in Flint schools, based in part on research done for his recently published book about urban renewal in post-industrial Flint.
Andrew Highsmith and Ansley Erickson wrote "Segregation as splitting, segregation as joining: Schools, housing, and the many modes of Jim Crow." The article is published in the August edition of the American Journal on Education.
The article claims that there were various moves made in the 1930s through '70s in the name of the community schools initiative that furthered segregation.
Highsmith lived in Mott Park for three and a half years while conducting research for his book, "Demolition Means Progress: Flint, Michigan, and the Fate of the American Metropolis." The book was published last month.
The book's title phrase, "Demolition means progress," encapsulates "the operating ethos of the nation's metropolitan leadership from at least the 1930s to the present," according to the book's description.
"Throughout, the leaders of Flint and other municipalities repeatedly tried to revitalize their communities by demolishing outdated and inefficient structures and institutions and overseeing numerous urban renewal campaigns—many of which yielded only more impoverished and more divided metropolises," the description reads.
The article on Flint schools is based on some of the research from that book, Highsmith said.
Download the article here.
The community schools system, created in Flint, made school buildings the hub of neighborhoods. It provided before- and after-school activities for students and parents as well.
The article says some of the school construction, boundary and attendance policies at times kept white and black neighbors in separate schools, "often in the name of enhancing community bonds."
Highsmith said people often look back at Flint's community education model with just fondness and nostalgia. The new system helped create what Highsmith called a bustling civic culture and brought many residents together.
But that wasn't all it did, Highsmith said in an email to The Flint Journal.
The model "also helped to make Flint neighborhoods and schools some of the most segregated and unequal in the nation," Highsmith said.
Highsmith currently works as an assistant history professor at the University of California-Irvine. Erickson is an assistant professor at Columbia University in New York City.
Dominic Adams is a reporter for The Flint Journal. Contact him at dadams5@mlive.com or 810-241-8803. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+. |
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Mon Jul 04, 2016 12:37 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Sat Jul 09, 2016 3:20 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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HOME ATTORNEYS RECENT CASES FIRM'S HIGHLIGHTS CONTACT US - (810) 732-6792
TOM R. PABST, P.C.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Ex-Finance Director For City Of Flint Settles Lawsuit For $250,000
July 30, 2013 ...
In the Media:
MLive: "Flint pays former finance director Michael Townsend $250,000 to settle lawsuit"
Flint Journal: "Flint settles Whistleblower lawsuit with former city employee for $250,000"
Interview of Tom R. Pabst on Townsend Settlement
Mike Killbreath - WSNL 600 AM
Michigan Lawyers Weekly Write-Up "City worker asserts Whistleblower action - After meeting with state over finances, man told his answers ‘irresponsible’"
Case Summary
Type of Action: Whistleblower Protection Act (Type I and II); ELCRA Retaliation and Violation
Injuries Alleged: Loss of employment, loss of wages (past and future), emotional distress/mental anguish, loss of professional reputation
Name of Case: Townsend v. City of Flint, et al
Court: Genesee County Circuit Court
Case No: 11-97227-CZ
Tried Before: N/A
Name of Judge: Judge Geoffrey Neithercut
Settlement: $250,000
Key To Winning: Proving through deposition testimony that Plaintiff was discharged for reporting and participating in an investigation conducted by the State of Michigan.
Insurance Carrier: unknown
Attorneys for Plaintiff: Tom R. Pabst, Michael A. Kowalko, and Jarrett M. Pabst
Attorney for Defendant: withheld
Description of Case:
EX-FINANCE EMPLOYEE FOR CITY OF FLINT SETTLES LAWSUIT FOR $250,000 PLUS ENTITLEMENT TO PENSION WORTH IN EXCESS OF $350,000
May 17, 2013 – Michael Townsend settled his Whistleblower Protection Act lawsuit against ex-employer, the City of Flint, and ex-supervisor, Gregory Eason.
In 2011, Townsend, a longtime employee in the City’s finance department, was requested by the State of Michigan to provide a report to the State concerning the City’s financial status and the progress that was being made. Upon receiving a truthful and accurate report, the State requested that Townsend and Mayor Walling travel to Lansing and participate in a hearing/meeting. At the hearing/meeting, when asked direct questions, Townsend answered truthfully.
Upon leaving the hearing, Mayor Walling expressed extreme displeasure with Townsend’s answers to State representatives, and told Townsend that he “sealed the City’s fate,” and that his comments in answer to questions were “irresponsible.” Shortly thereafter, Townsend, who was simply performing his job and upholding his civic and patriotic duty to the City and the State, was fired. This was shortly after an Emergency Finance Manager had been appointed by the State to run Flint instead of the Mayor and City Council.
During the Mayor’s deposition, it was revealed that Mayor Walling had a discussion with the City’s Emergency Manager, Mike Brown, concerning the possibility of re-hiring Townsend, but told Brown not to let Townsend come back.
Townsend felt additional pressure from another supervisor, Defendant Gregory Eason. During the course of Townsend’s employment, Defendant Eason demanded that he give “favors” to African-American vendors of the City, which Townsend, an African-American, refused to do. Eason retaliated against Townsend by threatening to fire him.
The case settled shortly before trial for $250,000, plus entitlement to a pension worth in excess of $350,000.
Attorneys for Michael Townsend are Tom R. Pabst, Michael A. Kowalko and Jarrett M. Pabst.
The content of this website has been prepared by Tom R. Pabst, P.C. for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. |
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Mon Jul 11, 2016 3:07 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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In 2011, Townsend, a longtime employee in the City’s finance department, was requested by the State of Michigan to provide a report to the State concerning the City’s financial status and the progress that was being made. Upon receiving a truthful and accurate report, the State requested that Townsend and Mayor Walling travel to Lansing and participate in a hearing/meeting. At the hearing/meeting, when asked direct questions, Townsend answered truthfully.
Upon leaving the hearing, Mayor Walling expressed extreme displeasure with Townsend’s answers to State representatives, and told Townsend that he “sealed the City’s fate,” and that his comments in answer to questions were “irresponsible.” Shortly thereafter, Townsend, who was simply performing his job and upholding his civic and patriotic duty to the City and the State, was fired. This was shortly after an Emergency Finance Manager had been appointed by the State to run Flint instead of the Mayor and City Council.
During the Mayor’s deposition, it was revealed that Mayor Walling had a discussion with the City’s Emergency Manager, Mike Brown, concerning the possibility of re-hiring Townsend, but told Brown not to let Townsend come back.
Townsend felt additional pressure from another supervisor, Defendant Gregory Eason. During the course of Townsend’s employment, Defendant Eason demanded that he give “favors” to African-American vendors of the City, which Townsend, an African-American, refused to do. Eason retaliated against Townsend by threatening to fire him. |
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Mon Jul 11, 2016 3:09 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Townsend felt additional pressure from another supervisor, Defendant Gregory Eason. During the course of Townsend’s employment, Defendant Eason demanded that he give “favors” to African-American vendors of the City, which Townsend, an African-American, refused to do. Eason retaliated against Townsend by threatening to fire him.
NOTE: Could this have contributed to the financial problems with Smith Village and multiple changes of developers and unpaid vendors? |
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Mon Jul 11, 2016 3:12 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Sat Jul 16, 2016 6:34 pm |
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