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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Remember this!
Flint officials outline tentative plans for $1.1 million energy grant
Published: Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 1:20 PM Updated: Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 5:00 PM
By Kristin Longley | Flint Journal The Flint Journal
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Editor's note: This story has been updated from an earlier version to include a correction.
FLINT, Michigan — The Flint City Council has approved tentative plans for how to spend a $1.1-million stimulus grant on energy efficiency improvements.
During a five-day energy summit last week, city officials and community leaders heard presentations from green experts on topics ranging from job creation to brownfield use to alternative fuels.
Now, city officials say they will take the best recommendations from the summit and turn them around to benefit Flint and its residents.
Flint Mayor Dayne Walling has said it's the city's first steps in embracing the green movement and becoming more modern. The city spends more than $2 million a year on electricity, and needs to save money in the face of looming budget cuts, he said.
The energy upgrades will be made possible through a $1,147,900 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The first $250,000 will go to Flint-based energy specialists Advanced Solutions Group, which organized the summit and will develop the final plan for the energy efficiencies.
Advanced Solutions is run by Kate Fields, formerly of the Greater Eastside Community Association. The nonprofit community development group led the way in building and rehabilitating energy-efficient homes in the city, Fields said.
Fields will also help implement a new energy Web site for the city.
The balance of the funds are tentatively planned in the following way, as provided in a spreadsheet at Monday's council meeting:
• $75,000 for the plan's administration, which is to be determined, officials said.
• $120,000 for revolving loan funds for homeowners to retrofit their homes for energy efficiency. The funds would provide 12 grants at $10,000 each.
• $130,000 for revolving loan funds for recycling entrepreneurs.
• $50,000 to perform energy audits of 100 homes. The funds can also be leveraged with federal Community Development Block Grant funds.
• $125,000 to build automation program for IT and efficient lighting in City Hall.
• $15,000 for services and software to track greenhouse emissions by the city of Flint.
• $232,913 for professional services for city of Flint "All Waste Facility."
• $150,000 toward project management and facilitation for four main projects: traffic and street light LED retrofit; city of Flint all waste facility; green purchasing policies; and Flint-Genesee energy coalition.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Thu May 26, 2011 9:17 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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oldflintguy November 24, 2009 at 1:44PM
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Politics as usual at Flint city Hall. The same Kate that has no resume of energy expertise, but got $250,000 to set up the Summit is going to get another $325,000 for finshing the work the first $250,000 was to cover and set up a website! Is this the change we asked for? Why does the City Council not have to vote on this expenditure? Why does she not have to demonstrate some kind of energy expertise? These are OUR tax dollars you are throwing around to your friends and cronies, Mr. Mayor. Please, Flint Journal, do more than report this waste. Do some real investigation and find out what skill sets, other than being the "significant other" of Alex Harris, this woman has to be able to get over $500,000 in ARRA funds to do little more than set up a Summit attended by a group that has yet to be identified and set up a web site. Does anyone else out there smell what I am smelling?
oldflintguy November 24, 2009 at 2:52PM
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Here is the link to the original post that very clearly states that the $250,000 was to cover the organizing of the Summit and the development of the plan after it was completed.http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/11/city_of_flint_hosts_green_summ.html
And this is the link for the project to recovery.gov http://www.recovery.gov/transparency/pages/RecipientProjectSummary508.aspx?AwardIdSur=34536&AwardType=Grants
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wasit4sure November 24, 2009 at 2:58PM
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You bet!! This reeks of the "same old politics" and cronyism at it best...or should I say its worst. Where are the fed's when you need a good 'ole sting. This should be investigated at the highest levels and a grand jury investigation started.
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Kristin Longley | Flint Journal November 24, 2009 at 3:12PM
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oldflintguy,
Just to clarify, the $250,000 you're referencing is included in the $325,000 total referenced in this story. According to the information provided at the meeting, the $250,000 is for organizing the summit and completing the plan and the spreadsheet notes an additional $75,000 administration cost.
Kristin Longley
The Flint Journal
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wasit4sure November 24, 2009 at 3:22PM
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There was more spent on "organizing and administration cost" than will ever be spent on any real green savings. This is waste and paybacks plain and simple. The people reaping all the money on the front end of this thing have about as much 'energy efficiency engineering' expertise as MLIVE has in journaling the news.
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Soon to be six two November 24, 2009 at 3:25PM
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Thanks for posting Kristin, but OFG's point is valid (as was pointed out on a post last week on this matter.) What exactly is Ms. Field's curriculum vitae and experience in the area of energy, green or otherwise? She's my age -- graduated from CHS in '66 -- and on LinkedIn she says she graduated from UofM-F in 2000; on Facebook the college years are listed as '97-'07. Something is not right here.
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Soon to be six two November 24, 2009 at 3:28PM
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(Hit send too soon.) Perhaps Ms. Fields should come forward and defend the expertise that warrants this amount of remuneration.
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DWCBOB November 24, 2009 at 3:36PM
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Advanced Solutions is run by Kate Fields, formerly of the Greater Eastside Community Association. The nonprofit community development group led the way in building and rehabilitating energy-efficient homes in the city, Fields said.
.............................................................
How many houses? Where? When was this done? Was there any documentation to show actual energy savings?
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Soon to be six two November 24, 2009 at 3:43PM
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From a Google search last week I noted that in an energy audit RFP for the GCMPC, Advanced Solutions was in competition with many local architectural and engineering firms -- ya know, consulting business entities that actually have documented experience and professional license on energy matters relating to buildings and municipalities.
Kristin -- I wonder what these licensed professionals might have to say about Advance Solutions.
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oldflintguy November 24, 2009 at 3:59PM
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Kristen, Thanks for the clarification, but it really serves to raise more questions than answers. If the original grant was to provide the various administrative, marketing and organizational efforts to both organize the Summit and provide a report after its comclusion; how can she possibly justify an additional $75,000 in administration costs? Her sub contract from the City was for $250,000. If there was a cost overage, whe eats it unless there was provision made in the award to cover such things. In reviewing the award, was there such provision made? I can't see it, can you?
And, as other posters have echoed, what is her qualification in this arena? Even if she ran a group that rehab'd homes, that in no way qualifies her to be an expert on municipal energy efficiency. Since this is federal funding that was used, maybe a few notes to the recovery.gov folks from concerned citizens are in order.
I know my complaint will be sent in the morning unless suitable answers are made in the manner suggested by soon to be six two. Otherwise, there needs to be an investigation into the mishandling of federal funds by this administration and it needs to be initiated quickly before any more such criminal activity can be taken.
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oldflintguy November 24, 2009 at 4:07PM
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By the way...have you noticed on the grant that the only employee of this company is Kate herself? Just scroll down and note the five highest paid employees field. Only Kate is listed. That says that there is no staff cost other than what she pays herself.
Much like the manure that this resembles, the deeper you dig in the pile the more stench that comes from it. Please take note Kate, and administration officials, that there is a U.S. Attorney's office available to order investigations into such things. You were elected because of the promises for change. The office was opened because of a recall based, in part, on claims of improper conduct. Tell us, again please, what has changed.
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wasit4sure November 24, 2009 at 4:11PM
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OFG...you are absolutely right on target with this. The fed's need to know about this fraud. Why weren't such skill sets in organizing such an effort bid pursuant to professional and ethical practices? I am certain there are those who ARE QUALIFIED who would have liked the opportunity to bid on this project and rake in a quick $350,000.00. This is blatantly obvious political payback. This new administration is fraught with unqualified "loose cannons' who only know how to waste the taxpayer's dollar. I too will be making a call to the the funding source and let them know of this abuse.
oldflintguy November 24, 2009 at 4:18PM
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For anyone who has interest in trying to get accountability into this process, here iw the process to follow...a) use the link provided here to go to the contract award detail. http://www.recovery.gov/transparency/pages/RecipientProjectSummary508.aspx?AwardIdSur=34536&AwardType=Grants b) go to the upper right hand corner and hit the report fraud waste and abuse button. I will be waiting till tomorrow in order to give Kate a chance to respond here. If satisfactory, then no report. If not, I wncourage all citizens who care about misuse of THEIR money to report this one. |
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Thu May 26, 2011 9:26 am |
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Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D
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Walling's press conference at 11 - Mlive will liveblog.
Will he use the Sgt. Shultz defense? "I know nothing!" |
_________________
I used to care, but I take a pill for that now.
Pushing buttons sure can be fun.
When a lion wants to go somewhere, he doesn’t worry about how many hyenas are in the way.
Paddle faster, I hear banjos. |
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Thu May 26, 2011 9:34 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Kristin Longley | Flint Journal November 24, 2009 at 5:02PM
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Hello all,
I received notice from the city that the administration of the plan is yet to be determined, therefore the costs should not be included in the total going to Advanced Solutions. I updated the story to include the correction. Sorry about any confusion.
Kristin
The Flint Journal
Soon to be six two November 24, 2009 at 5:31PM
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Kristin -- or rather, Kristin's editor -- y'all are missing the point. What exactly is Advanced and/or Kate Field's track record in the area of energy efficiency that justifies this kind of money? Tis a simple inquiry re Kathleen Nell Fields if one is willing to do the leg work. (One might wish to start at the Reg of Deeds website re GECA names.)
pwtnos November 24, 2009 at 5:34PM
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If the Ombudsman wants to save her job and her office, maybe she should sink her teeth into investigating this contract.
roaring40s November 24, 2009 at 5:36PM
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This why you need a free press and concerned citizens. Hopefully the FJ will give Kristin some latitude to follow up concerns raise by OFG, Soon to be and others. If something wrong is going on usually the last thing a person would want is to draw attention from the press. The press has the leverage to shine light on it and force accountability to the public.
With a promise of "change" from the mayor and not "doing business as usual" I'm sure he would be just as interested in seeing the most qualified group managing the city's meager resources, right mayor? All's it takes to do the right things is....courage.
Dave R
oldflintguy November 24, 2009 at 6:06PM
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Kristen, If you are able to get the update from the administration that you used to correct the the story, you should also be able to give us the credentials that make Kate and her new company (formed last year and spelled wrong at that) qualified to do the work for which she is being well compensated by OUR tax dollars. This appears wrong on several levels and your investigation would be very much appreciated by your followers. 1. Why was such a large contract granted without bids being taken? 2. Is that allowed under the City Charter? 3. Did the City Council have approval over the initial contract, so that they are complicit in whatever wrong is discovered by investigation? 4. If she stated she was qualified to do the work, was she vetted and verified by the City prior to the contract being granted? Can you see where we are going here Kristen? Can you help us understand why we should not report this whole sorry episode as misuse of federal funds? Thanks.
DWCBOB November 24, 2009 at 6:08PM
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I doubt that there'll be any followup by the Journal.
oldflintguy November 24, 2009 at 6:15PM
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DWC - I hope you are wrong, but that is precisely why WE need to take the step of reporting this abuse to the proper authorities. Remember that the only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. It is itme for US to take back OUR government if the ones to whom WE entrusted it are not being honest and forthright. This is not their city but OURS! Government is to be of, by and for the PEOPLE. I for one, am upset enough to report them if there is no satisfactory explanation made yet this evening. They should have listened to all of us last week on this issue.
cabertosser November 24, 2009 at 8:10PM
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Please all of you keep this in mind when the admin asks local 1600 and 1799 to take cuts!!!!!
When the workers who maintain the buildings and run the equipment day in and day out are not even asked how we could save our resources!!!!
Instead money is being handed out to whoever.......
I am sure the city employees could come up with better ideas than any of the above noted, and the moneys used to implement them ideas instead of lining someones pocket.
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oldflintguy November 24, 2009 at 9:38PM
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cabber - I agree 100%. I am surprised that they were not involved in the summit. Maybe we need to ask who was there and what was suggested.
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mheegan2 November 24, 2009 at 8:27PM
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OFG raises interesting issues about qualifications and criteria used to award the grant. In doing a little investigation about Advanced Solutions, I went to the State web site to do a business entity search: http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/sr_corp.asp
and found that the original organization documents were filed 12/9/08 and corrected 11/16/09. Kathleen Fields is listed as the CEO and Registered Agent and it was formed to engage in ANY activity and is suppose to be managed by Members of the LLC who are not identified, if any, other than Ms.Fields. There is a document filing pending, but it is not on the web site as of tonight.
I am tired of the same old way of the City doing things and the cronyism that is rife within this city. The people need to become their own Ombudsmen and question everything, report everything, and make government ACCOUNTABLE!
oldflintguy November 24, 2009 at 9:36PM
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mheegan - the pending filing is the same as the correction for spelling error. It will be deleted in a few days. I certainly applaud you for doing your own investigation. I have found that Kate has complained publicly that contracts were not advertised for bid the way she thought they should be. I have also begun a very thorough review of her property transactions, with particular interest in the number of properties given to her by the City and Land Bank. http://www.co.genesee.mi.us/rod/SimpleQuery.asp I strongly recommend that every poster who cares about this city report this award by either online filing or toll free call. I also intend to call the Council President to inquire why she was given this contract. WE need to take action before even worse things take place because this one worked.
oldflintguy November 24, 2009 at 9:51PM
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hey, all, take a look at the industry group Kate filed under - Electronic parts and equipment. http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_79bfbm Wow, just think how much better it would have looked if she had filed as a consulting firm with expertise in energy efficiency. Kate might want to remember that everything is out there for us to find when we get upset enough to look for it. At this point, we have at least 250,000 reasons to look.
oldflintguy November 24, 2009 at 10:08PM
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How strange that the business is showing up in D&B as a retail establshment dealing in Electronic Parts and Equipment:
http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_79bfbm
That's even where she shows up in the Yellow Pages. This gets better and better! |
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Thu May 26, 2011 9:42 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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geeduh November 25, 2009 at 7:17AM
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HEY,
CORRUPTION AT WORK...THATS HOW OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT.
wasit4sure November 25, 2009 at 7:35AM
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I for one have heard and seen enough. Between this and the corrupt purchasing director and city council in their award of the towing contract to Complete even though they weren't the highest bid, I will be report this mismanagement, abuse, corruption, fraud, and cronyism to the fed's today.
oldflintguy November 25, 2009 at 8:26AM
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wasit - Good for you and the rest of us that are going to take this step. This "company" is a) unqualified to perform the services contracted; b) registered in a completely different business segment than what the grant addresses (she is a retail store specializing in electronic parts and equipment not an energy consultant); c) the process of contract award was not in conformance to rules established for grants of this size; etc.
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DWCBOB November 25, 2009 at 9:00AM
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OFG, it's not hard to figure out. Being listed as a retail store specializing in electronic parts & equipment means her "solution" will be to buy new products from her business.
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oldflintguy November 25, 2009 at 10:10AM
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dwcbob - I have no doubt you are right. She won't be happy with "only" $325,000 of OUR money. I completed my online filing of fraud a few minutes ago. I hope they take this administration down over this flagrant statement that WE are too stupid or complacent to notice!!
wasit4sure November 25, 2009 at 10:58AM
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flintguy...glad to see you reported as well. Hopefully, the more complaints received the more attention the fed's will pay to the investigate.
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roaring40s November 25, 2009 at 2:14PM
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Soon to be six two November 25, 2009 at 3:01PM
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Yo Dave,
Wade-Trim -- excellent firm with a track record in energy matters. (Their appreciation of older staff could use some re-eval, though.) Rowe is also an excellent firm on energy matters as is THA.
Kathleen Nell (Humphrey)(Sprague) Fields -- lecturer in the MPA program at U of M Flint. Record in energy matters -- well.....as former director of GECA, acted as administrator in the construction of a couple homes on the east side. Saw to it that public monies were dispensed to architect and builder -- ya know, the folks who were actually responsible for constructing energy-efficient dwellings, the former with a professional license, the latter with a state-monitored occupational one.
This is not a new phenomenon, by the way. For the entirety of my forty-one year career in engineering, I have seen many instances where university faculty have deigned to dabble in the private sector as an LLC, Partnership, Corporation, what have you, with the argument being that their positioni at the university lends enhanced credence to their expertise. Too many times municipalities are sucked into this charade.
oldflintguy November 25, 2009 at 4:56PM
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Soon and Dave - another very interesting bit of information about our home-grown energy efficiency expert can be found in the data of the Register of Deeds. Did you get a chance to look at the transactions reflected there? I was even more amazed to find how loudly she complained about every 'i' being dotted and every 't' crossed on contracts she did not get. Of course, that was when the administration in power was not the one in which she has influence. I intend to make an appointment next week with the U.S. Attorney for the Flint area and take him quite a package of information, care to come along? By the way, Soon to be, I am also amazed at the depth of your information on this and other topics. You must have been invaluable in your working days. Let me know if you ever want to come out of retirement.
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Thu May 26, 2011 9:48 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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oldflintguy November 25, 2009 at 7:11PM
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Take a look at this - who is this Leclair guy?
http://watchdog.net/ein/383231982/greater-eastside-community-association
Also, isn't it interesting that Jim Ananich and Josh Freeman are also listed as the Registered Agents and Officers of GECA over the years? Oh, and their 2009 Annual Report is late. Kate is not following the rules!
Soon to be six two November 25, 2009 at 7:23PM
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OFG -- brings up an interesting point re GECA. How can a non-profit 501C "which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)" be housed at the same address as a for-profit LLC, i.e., "Advanced Solutions Group Llc 2804 N Franklin Ave, Flint, MI."
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oldflintguy November 25, 2009 at 7:24PM
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I may have to visit the old Courthouse next week too. I just wondered if there is anything you knew about the action. I tried to find them but it was hard with only a (248) area code for their attorney. I intend to have as much questionable data about Kate and all her business dealings as possible when I go to the U.S. Attorney. Given the record of property transfers I found and her obvious ties to both the adminstration and members of the Council, there should have been both red flags and abstentions on any voting for her contract. Any bets on whether there were such trivial attentions paid to propriety?
oldflintguy November 25, 2009 at 7:30PM
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Soon to be - ever hear of ACORN? They did it too. Although, in the instant case, the questions will revolve around the ability of Kate to serve as the CEO of both organizations without even the possibility of the mingling of funds. I certainly hope that records have been kept showing the use of her time for the various tasks involved. Such a log may be required for the Court dates I intend to push hard to get scheduled for her future. |
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Thu May 26, 2011 9:55 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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untanglingwebs November 26, 2009 at 7:25PM
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Kate Fields lives with her mother (Humphey) on Maryland. She married Sprague before she went to California and obviously married Fields there. Oddly enough her URESA child support case is missing from the Genesee County Clerks office.
While the land bank evicts others for nonpayment of their land contracts, Kate and GECA got a pass at least twice. Kildee always made arrangements. She once wanted to work it off at an exorbitant amount of money doing counseling for people in danger of losing their properties.
She did not take the low bidder on her two houses on Delaware. There was to be five. MHSDA alleged Kate gave Agree construction an unfair advantage in the bid process. They relented because Arrow had a conflict of interest (Electrical Inspector Jesse Buchanan was their electrical contractor) and MAR withdrew.
[b]She added so many extras that the houses had about a 50% subsidy rate. MSHDA declined to finance any more houses and refinanced the 2 houses so Kate did not have a problem with HUD monies. There was an issue with the sale of the houses. One woman did not show her exhusband residing with her and the other owner was a GM executive retiree. Gamblin was furious (former HUD chief)because the home were intended for moderate income families. MHSDA said she overbuilt for the area. DUH!
The lawsuit referenced against GECA was the BIngo supply company attempting to get payment for about $39K in Bingo supplies given to the company. GECA 990's revealed losses from the fundraising activities. (guidestar.com) A settlement was reached but GECA quit paying so the settlement was recently thrown out.
GECA refused to work with the Land Bank and had troubles paying their taxes. Despite over $3,000 in taxes owing MHSDA gave GECA money to renovate 3 houses, 2 on Delaware and 1 on Burns. After over a year on the market, Shelter of Flint bought the houses.
Ananich signed as GECA President for a $100k loan on the bank building on Franklin across from St Vincent De Paul. It was later refinanced and was recently signed over to the lender.
GECA has not filed a 990 since their 2005, and that was over a year late. They received a fine.
GECA was sued by Flint over three properties. HUD says construction on HOME properties must be started within one year orthe grant must be amended. Kate had spent nearly all of her administrative money and had not started construction. Two of the homes on Maryland were open and vacant. GECA did not secure them and they were condemned after they were heavily vandalized.
GECA did not reveal the third house had been sold on a land contract and GECA was buying it back from the land contract purchaser. No money had been spent on the house, so the money had to be returned to the City of Flint.
Also GECA's contract had a clause requiring them to disclose any tax or other liabilities to the city. They did not and DCED did not check.
GECA had rummage sales to try to save the organization. As previously noted they are late filing this years MIchigan nonprofit report.
Kate campaigned heavily for Walling and even did a TV 17 show for his campaign.
oldflintguy November 26, 2009 at 11:19PM
Webs - very impressive, indeed. May I assume that you are not opposed to my taking the above information to the U.S. Attorney along wiht the items I found previously? You are either an excellent researcher, a quasi-insider, or a mixture of both. In either event, thanks for caring enough about our once fair city to assist in cleaning up this mess.
oldflintguy November 26, 2009 at 11:52PM
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By the way, Webs, I did find the 1979 URESA Support case in a search of the Circuit Court records yesterday evening. I am not sure why it was dismissed in 1983, and there is little in the way of information to be gathered from the online summary - http://www.co.genesee.mi.us/cgi-bin/gweb.exe
Soon to be six two November 27, 2009 at 9:45AM
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Untangling -- wow!!!! Now THAT was a post!!!! OFG -- sure hope you can figure out a way to report back to us in the event the FJ does their usual, i.e., no follow-up.
oldflintguy November 27, 2009 at 9:55AM
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Not to worry, Soon to be, I will make sure to get info out on the meeting with the U.S. Attorney and on the Inspector General's investigation. I am amazed at the audacity of the Walling team paying off a political debt to anyone with such recent difficulties in her dealings with other federal agencies. [b]We have an office in the DC area and I will be sure to have someone making the rounds with this issue.
untanglingwebs November 29, 2009 at 3:39PM
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oldflintguy- I too will file complaints with the OIG but not with US attorney. I will file with the FBI. Did you notice her partners are not shown in the Limited Liability Corporation documents. Ananich did the same thing with his campaign strategy group. Usually these documents are longer. Could Freeman be her partner?
Did you notice in the Register of Deeds how the GECA 501(c)3 was used as a pass through of property to Ben Agree?
Oh and thanks for the link on the recovery funds.
oldflintguy December 01, 2009 at 9:44AM
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webs - yes, that fact caught my eye as well. There is more than just a few missed commas and dotted i's in the way in which this lady has transacted her "business" for what appears to be a long time. I am of the opinion that she was deluded into thinking that local collusion would dispel any threats of federal investigation. I fully intend to bring all these issues to the attention of the proper authorities and press for a full investigation of GECA, Advanced Solutions, the Walling administration and the many individuals who seem to have been involved in transactions that just do not seem to pass the initial "snoff test". Between all of us, perhaps we can start to both make a difference and put on notice those that seek to abuse public funds for private gain.
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Thu May 26, 2011 10:03 am |
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Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D
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Walling showed up 15 minutes late for hbis press conference. Read a statement saying the Feds took a large amount of paperwork & data from the energy office. Stated he is not a target of THIS investigation, then left immediately.
Very productive, huh? |
_________________
I used to care, but I take a pill for that now.
Pushing buttons sure can be fun.
When a lion wants to go somewhere, he doesn’t worry about how many hyenas are in the way.
Paddle faster, I hear banjos. |
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Thu May 26, 2011 10:20 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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| Everyone is commenting on how rough and unpolished he looked. Must have had a bad night. |
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Thu May 26, 2011 4:37 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Flint City Council not involved in federal investigation of energy grant, council president says
Published: Thursday, May 26, 2011, 3:24 PM Updated: Thursday, May 26, 2011, 3:25 PM
By Kristin Longley | Flint Journal The Flint Journal
FLINT, Michigan — The Flint City Council hasn't been a part of the federal investigation into the city's energy grant funds, council President Jackie Poplar said today.
Poplar said she hadn't been aware that the FBI and auditors from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Inspector General visited City Hall on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation, she said.
Auditors took volumes of archived documents as well as electronic information, Mayor Dayne Walling said today.
Poplar said she wasn't questioned by federal officials.
"Nobody asked me anything," she said, adding that council approves the grants but doesn't administer them. "I didn't know about it."
Councilman Scott Kincaid also said he wasn't aware of the investigation before auditors visited the city.
"I really don't know what they're looking at and I'm hopeful there's no wrongdoing by anyone at the city," he said.
shanedr May 26, 2011 at 3:31PM
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Of course not, its the mayor's office that is responsible for administering grants. But it's Flint's citizens that will be held hostage for any malfeasance or criminal acts.
phillip May 26, 2011 at 4:18PM
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Criminal acts by the people in charge? No not again! Not AGAIN! Really not Again! He was such a good boy. So much promise, I can hear his mother saying that can't you? Poor Walling.
DWCBOB May 26, 2011 at 4:21PM
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Looks like the Sgt. Schultz defense will be used often.
"I know nothing!"
phillip May 26, 2011 at 4:50PM
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Like the Rasco guy of Flint. They were great at filling out forms, but when the people passing out the money show up it all hits the fan, right? It is just the same look on the governers face as was on Wallings the other day that look of surprise surprise surprise Sgt. Carter!
mccguy66 May 26, 2011 at 5:00PM
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Wow more problems under Wallings watch
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adamford May 26, 2011 at 5:25PM
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Flint City Council does have investigative powers. Maybe someday they will use them.
untanglingwebs May 26, 2011 at 5:44PM
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Has everyone forgotten when Eason told council in a committee meeting that he was under investigation by the OIG and it was council's fault because they changed a contract! That was the Operation Unification and NSP. Council also changed te department of Energy Gant.
When will someone look at the towing contract?
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Thu May 26, 2011 4:51 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Flint energy grant under investigation by federal auditors
Published: Thursday, May 26, 2011, 12:34 PM Updated: Thursday, May 26, 2011, 1:16 PM
By Kristin Longley | Flint Journal The Flint Journal
View full sizeJoseph Tobianski | The Flint JournalFlint Mayor Dayne Walling, flanked by City Attorney Peter Bade (left) and City Administrator Gregory Eason (right), said the city is cooperating with ongoing federal investigations at a press conference at City Hall on Thursday morning. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Inspector General is auditing the city's use of federal energy efficiency grant funds, a department spokesman said.
FLINT, Michigan — The investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Energy is auditing the city's use of federal energy grant funds, a federal official confirmed today, following reports that federal officials are investigating Flint City Hall.
The DOE's Office of Inspector General has investigators in the city of Flint examining how a federal grant for weatherization of low-income housing is being spent, said Rick Hass, deputy inspector general for audits and inspections.
The investigators will look at a number of issues, including the quality of work being done and whether the city has adequate controls over how the money is spent, Hass said.
It's also routine for auditors to look at how city employees paid with grant funding are spending their time to confirm they're working on grant-related programs, he said.
"That's what we would do in all cases," he said. "We would look at the allocation of their time across different activities."
Hass said he couldn't immediately confirm any FBI involvement in the audit. A city source said the federal energy agency officials were accompanied by the FBI on Wednesday.
An FBI spokeswoman confirmed today that investigators were at City Hall, but the FBI did not execute any search warrants. She declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
The city was asked to provide the federal auditors with information and documents related to the investigation.
City officials within 24 hours turned over all the requested information, including archived paper and electronic information, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said at a press conference today.
Walling did not take any questions from reporters. City Communications Director Dawn Jones said the ongoing probe limits the mayor's administration from giving details about the investigation.
Walling said he is not the subject of the investigation.
"I am committed to rooting out waste and fraud from Flint," he said. |
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Thu May 26, 2011 4:57 pm |
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ConcernedCitizen
F L I N T O I D
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quote:
untanglingwebs schreef:
Flint Mayor Dayne Walling on Wednesday confirmed that "federal entities" were at City Hall, but declined to identify what agencies.
He said his administration is "fully cooperating with a number of ongoing federal investigations," and he is not a subject of the investigation.
"I am committed to rooting out waste and fraud in Flint," he said.
Dayne,
1) If you were fully "committed to rooting out waste and fraud in Flint", then you would have fulfilled you campaign promises to interview people for positions, getting the most qualified people without "baggage and questionable pasts". Instead you appointed people from Flint with some of the most questionable ethics and "baggage".
2) You hired people that were in violation of the Flint City Charter and did not have their pay approved as required by the Charter, yet you say that you are committed to rooting out waste! Better start in your own office!
3) When Wendy Johnson was hired, I posted about her lack of accountability in the Metawananee Hills Block Club and that Keep Genesee County Beautiful would not give them any more grants because the money was not accounted for and had disappeared. Wendy even had the nerve to try and blame members who had no access to Block Club records, let alone access to any moneys the Block Club received. Now Wendy Johnson is a major subject in this investigation and you have the nerve to say that you are "committed" to "rooting" out fraud in Flint. You brought it into your own house with open arms. Hell, you invited her in and paid her on top of it.
4) If you were not part of the investigation, then why were your computers seized? Why were you and Greg Eason kept separate from each other so you could not collaborate on a story to cover up? Mr. Walling, do you think we are all so naive?
5) In your press conference, you said that this was just to go over the accounts. Sorry, but accountant come in to go over the accounts. FBI shows up when the account are questionable. This is past just going over the accounts.
Hey Dayne, how do you look in orange? |
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"When people fear their government, there is TYRANNY.
When the government fears the people, there is Liberty"
Thomas Jefferson |
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Thu May 26, 2011 6:10 pm |
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Adam
F L I N T O I D
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From Bryanna McGarry:
Dear Friends,
Dayne asked me to send you a brief note based on the most recent activities at City Hall with federal authorities. Here are a couple of facts:
Dayne is not the target of any investigation. In fact, he has taken specific steps to cooperate fully with the proper authorities in order to speed up the investigation and its eventual outcome.
Because of the respect for the process, there is not more he can say right now, but we all know that there are a number of old messes in Flint that have to be fixed. This is one more challenge among many and it is important that we support Dayne through this. You can hear the conviction in his voice when you talk to him. He is fully committed to rooting out any waste and fraud in Flint.
Also, an individual posing as a volunteer gained access to Dayne’s email list during the last campaign. We apologize that you are receiving emails now in this person’s effort to smear Dayne and encourage you to unsubscribe.
Please understand that Dayne will continue to work to make sure that our successes with job growth, grant funding, and neighborhood stabilization continue. Working together, we have come this far and there is much more to be done for our community. Thank you for your commitment to see this through.
Sincerely,
Bryanna McGarry
The Walling for Mayor Team
P.S. We really need your help in the next couple of months. Every day we are out knocking on doors and making phone calls to voters. We also are planning several fundraisers. For more information on how to get involved, call me anytime at (810) 233-9190 . |
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Adam
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Fri May 27, 2011 8:57 am |
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Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D
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"You can hear the conviction in his voice when you talk to him. He is fully committed to rooting out any waste and fraud in Flint."
I don't care about his voice, I want to see action. And so far I haven't seen any.
Waste?
What about a mostly invisible communications director, reportedly paid out of the police budget?
Why does a city on the verge of bankruptcy need a "Green Coordinator"?
What about his hiring, or approving the hiring of, people with very questionable backgrounds; Eason, Poplar, Johnson, etc.?
Why is his
ONLY
answer to declining revenues and financial difficulties is to cut law enforcement, making Flint one of the most unsafe cities to live in?
Why, as a supposed Democrat, is he so bent on breaking and destroying the police & fire unions?
Where are the "Blue Badge Volunteers"? Has anyone seen them on the streets?
Has the Hurley ministation ever been opened?
Is any ministation open? I haven't seen one open, except for a weekly meeting, in months.
What's going on with the "Cease Fire" & other loudly touted initiatives?
I'm tired of his talk; where's the action? |
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I used to care, but I take a pill for that now.
Pushing buttons sure can be fun.
When a lion wants to go somewhere, he doesn’t worry about how many hyenas are in the way.
Paddle faster, I hear banjos. |
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Fri May 27, 2011 9:21 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Adam- This is Walling's mess and not an "old mess" that needs to be taken care of.
The deparment of Energy Grant and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program were implemented beginning with temporary Mayor Michael Brown and mostly under Walling and Eason. So Walling can try to blame the former Mayors, but he is only lying. |
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Fri May 27, 2011 1:13 pm |
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