Four indictments for “45.” What will it mean for 2024?
Aug24

Four indictments for “45.” What will it mean for 2024?

By Paul Rozycki Donald Trump is running for president next year. He’s also facing 91 felony charges in both federal and state jurisdictions. With the first Republican debate last month behind us, we are about to begin the 2024 presidential election campaign. It may be the most unusual and challenging election we have ever seen. With over a dozen potential Republican candidates vying for the nomination only one name had been dominating...

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Commentary:  Indictments, recalls, demolitions, resignations, and more — 10 things to watch for in the dog days of summer
Jul28

Commentary: Indictments, recalls, demolitions, resignations, and more — 10 things to watch for in the dog days of summer

By Paul Rozycki We may be in the midst of record-breaking heat during these dog days of August, and the political future may be as hazy as the Michigan horizon on a humid summer evening, enveloped in Canadian forest fire smoke. But with all the risks, and in no particular order, here are a few things we should be watching as we move into the cooler winds of autumn this year. They all deserve our attention, and any of these may deserve...

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Commentary: “The work of higher ed must continue” —  Emeritus faculty voice concern, yet again, about UM – Flint upheaval
Jul27

Commentary: “The work of higher ed must continue” — Emeritus faculty voice concern, yet again, about UM – Flint upheaval

By Theodosia Robertson Theodosia Robertson is an associate professor emerita of history and an occasional columnist for East Village Magazine.  She can be reached at teddyrob@umich.edu. In November, 2022, I composed a letter of concern addressed to President Santa J. Ono of University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The letter was signed by 20 retired (emeritus) faculty of the UM-Flint College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the original and core...

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Commentary:  Allie Herkenroder’s words speak to all of us
Jun27

Commentary: Allie Herkenroder’s words speak to all of us

By Paul Rozycki  “I consider the abuse from council directly (related) to my mental and physical concerns.” Seventh Ward Councilwoman Allie Herkenroder, on her reasons for resigning from the Flint City Council  Can the experience of one individual be a mirror and a metaphor for a whole city or even a nation? Allie Herkenroder’s resignation and her reaction to the pressures and turmoil of the Flint City Council are a reflection of what...

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Guest Commentary: Flint’s unique opportunity for better, safer streets should design for more than cars
Jun02

Guest Commentary: Flint’s unique opportunity for better, safer streets should design for more than cars

Guest commentary by Joel Arnold, Planning and Advocacy Manager at Communities First, Inc. If there’s one thing we hear regularly in our city and region, it’s that people drive far too fast and far too dangerously.  In the Flint area, we’ve seen business after business — whether a fast-food restaurant on Dort Highway, Mega Coney Island in Flint Township, or even Dawn Donuts on Clio Road — get hit by vehicles.  A consistent...

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Is it time to unelect the electors?
Apr25

Is it time to unelect the electors?

By Paul Rozycki In the United States we elect over 500,000 individuals to office. Every election year, the voters choose who will be their governors, senators, state representatives, mayors, city council members, judges, county commissioners, school board members, township clerks, drain commissioners, and perhaps an occasional dog-catcher here and there. And all of those individuals are chosen based on one cardinal rule. Whoever gets...

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