Ethics Accountability Board’s slow start: no quorum at second meeting
By Meghan Christian The second meeting of the Ethics and Accountability Board (EAB) was unable to convene on Aug. 9 due to lack of quorum. Only three of the new board's eleven members were present. While the meeting could not be officially called, Interim Chairperson...
Pickell, Kelly, Christenson, McNally top Circuit Court contest
By Paul Rozycki After one of the most visible and competitive judicial campaigns in Genesee County, on election day voters chose the four candidates who will compete for two open Circuit Courts seats in November. The winning candidates were: Brian Pickell, Elizabeth...
Arts millage passes, Cherry defeats Walling, voter turnout 27 percent, benefits kick in today
By Jan Worth-Nelson In two of the most watched contests of Tuesday's election, the contentious Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment millage passed, 47 percent "yes" to 43 percent "no"; and in the 49th District Democratic primary race for state representative,...
Flint’s new Ethics and Accountability Board convenes, gets organized at first meeting
By Meghan Christian The new Ethics and Accountability Board (EAB), an overseeing body required by the City of Flint's new charter, held its first meeting Aug. 2. Board members began with organizational tasks, appointing John Daly from the Eighth Ward as interim...
Democratic gubernatorial candidates visit Flint in final week of primary campaign
By Paul Rozycki In the last week before the Aug. 7 primary Flint saw visits from two of the major candidates for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. The Whitmer campaign meets union leaders On Thursday Aug. 2 the Gretchen Whitmer campaign led a get-out-the-vote...
Flint Cultural Center gave $382K to arts millage campaign, July report shows
By Jan Worth-Nelson The Flint Cultural Center Corporation has contributed $384,000 to the Citizens for a Better Genesee County (CBGC), according to a required campaign finance form filed with the State of Michigan Aug. 2. Citizens for a Better Genesee County is the...
Village Life: Why I use medical cannabis
By Ted Nelson I thought I was losing my mind. Two sleepless nights in a row had left me exhausted, depressed, and mentally discombobulated. I was having dinner at my Los Angeles apartment with my youngest son, sharing my distress. A month earlier, I had been...
East Village Magazine – August 2018
The latest issue of the East Village Magazine is available for download here:
Commentary: At 50-year milestone, our parks–our gems–are worth celebrating
By James Woolcock The Genesee County Parks are celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2018 and our parks are certainly worth celebrating. Did you know that Genesee County has the largest county park system in the state of Michigan, measured by acreage? While...
Commentary: Judicial elections are often invisible, confusing–but important
By Paul Rozycki What is it that makes us trust our judges? Their independence in office and manner of appointment. -John Marshall Last month, Genesee County witnessed a rather unusual event — as reported by East Village Magazine -- a judicial forum for the candidates...
Flint City Council approves $133 million in water work, addresses council tension
By Meghan Christian A plan for eight water-related projects totalling $132.9 million for the city of Flint was approved following a public hearing July 23 by the Flint City Council (FCC). But the council, along with several members of the audience of about 30...
Goodbye, Noah: Popular neighborhood hangout, Olympic Grill, becoming a Leo’s
By Jan Worth-Nelson Noah Vukaj has sold Olympic Grill on E. Court Street to the Leo's Coney Island franchise. The sign at the popular eatery is expected to come down Thursday, "The opportunity was there and I cannot turn it down," Vukaj, 53, said. He is buying a...
Hamady Food Center opens with hope for a new generation
By Darlene C. Carey “Welcome to Hamady’s!” Hamady’s Complete Food Center owner Jim McColgan Jr. exclaimed to a crowd gathered at the official opening of the store July 25 after months of anticipation and delays. The renovated grocery store, representing the rebirth...
Second arts millage town hall yields more questions and calls for support
By Jan Worth-Nelson It seemed clear nobody in the audience for the second town hall on the proposed Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment millage up for a vote Aug. 7 was opposed to the arts. Nina Jones Lewis, who moderated both panels, echoed several speakers in her...
Review: Summer Osborne sings the way with call for “spiritual revolution,” peace and love
by Harold Ford “You’re going to make the difference between loving and resistance/So hear me when I say you’re able, you’re willing and strong/This is your call.” …lyrics from This Is Your Call by Summer Osborne These are indelicate times for Earthlings of any...
First arts millage Town Hall elicits support for “transformative” art, airs concerns on FYT, accountability
By Jan Worth-Nelson A full complement of Flint Cultural Center directors and other arts CEOs appeared Thursday night to make their case and answer questions at the New McCree Theater at the first of two town halls on the Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment millage...
Congressional Democrats tour pipe replacement site, pledge ongoing support for Flint
By Jan Worth-Nelson When Ricky Baty, 55, got out of prison two years ago after six years behind bars, he came back to his childhood home on Milbourne Avenue in north Flint, where he and his brother have tried to keep things going after his father's death. He noticed...
The “sack” is back: reborn Hamady food center set to open July 24-25 in Hallwood Plaza
By Darlene C. Carey Less than a week away and after several delays, Hamady Complete Food Centers is finally opening its doors July 25. The resurrected company has invited the public to preview the renovated grocery store July 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. and witness the...
Nancy Pelosi, Denny Heck blast GOP on Trump-Putin bromance in visit to Flint
By Jan Worth-Nelson The President of the United States owes an apology to the American people for his behavior toward Vladimir Putin, according to U.S. House of Representatives minority leader Nancy Pelosi in a visit to Flint today, adding "we can't afford this...
With Ben Carson on hand, City celebrates $30 million HUD grant for Atherton East replacement plan
By Jan Worth-Nelson The bomb-sniffing dog checked every bag at the door, and City Hall shut down for two hours. Outside, a well-known street character bellowed "America the Beautiful," getting the words roughly accurate, as dignitaries trooped in. Eventually the...
Flint Cultural Center Foundation releases arts millage revenue distribution “memo of understanding”
By Jan Worth-Nelson Just in time for the first of two town halls about the pending proposal for the .96 Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment millage for Genesee County, Mark Sinila, CEO of the Flint Cultural Center Foundation, today released the...
“Uplifting Spirits”: a humanitarian journey with UM-Flint jazz combo to Maria-torn Puerto Rico
“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything." --Plato By Harold C. Ford Note: East Village Magazine writer Harold Ford has been visiting Puerto Rico since 1995. ...
Review: Hot Friday the 13th downtown ARTWALK a feast of stellar art and music
By Patsy Isenberg A lot of people came to downtown Flint on Friday the 13th for ARTWALK, which takes place the second Friday of every month. ARTWALK is sponsored by The Greater Flint Arts Council (GFAC) and includes many galleries, bars and restaurants along and near...
Forum draws six of eight 7th Circuit Court judicial candidates
By Paul Rozycki Judicial elections are typically rather quiet, predictable affairs, with few challengers and frequent incumbent victories. This year’s judicial election for the Genesee County 7th Circuit Court has generated more candidates than usual. In response,...
FCC execs offer further detail on arts millage: as donor base shrinks, how to assure a “feel good” place
By Jan Worth-Nelson NOTE: We've moved this to the top as a reminder: Citizens for A Better Genesee County, the volunteer group which proposed and is promoting the proposal, has scheduled town halls for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 19 at the New McCree Theater, 2040 W....
