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The East Village Magazine – August 2022

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The East Village Magazine – August 2022

The latest edition of The East Village Magazine is available for download and viewing here: East Village Magazine – August 2022   View...

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Village Life: At 76, he’s run marathons in all 50 states and the Great Wall of China

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Village Life: At 76, he’s run marathons in all 50 states and the Great Wall of China

By Tom Travis From the Great Wall of China to the Hoover Dam, Ortonville resident Jay Cummings, 76, experiences life 26 miles at a time — again and again.  A retired United Church of Christ minister, he’s a devoted marathon runner who finds the discipline of his chosen sport to be good for his body and spirit — and he has no plans to quit. Since 1992, when he took up marathon running to try to quit smoking, he’s averaged two marathons a year.  After he succeeded at quitting smoking, he tackled a new goal:  running a...

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Neeley, Weaver, and Mays respond to voters’ questions at Mott Park forum

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Neeley, Weaver, and Mays respond to voters’ questions at Mott Park forum

By Paul Rozycki With a forum that could have been titled “Two Mayors and Mays,” incumbent Mayor Sheldon Neeley, former Mayor Karen Weaver, and city council member Eric Mays responded to questions from a standing-room-only audience of Mott Park residents for more than an hour and a half on Monday evening. In the park-like setting of the Mott Park Disc Golf Course, each laid out their visions for the city and their accomplishments in city government. The event was sponsored by the Mott Park Neighborhood Association and gave the neighborhood...

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Sports Beat: Flint City Bucks power into playoffs, Central Conference Championship match vs. Des Moines Menace July 29

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Sports Beat:    Flint City Bucks power into playoffs, Central Conference Championship match vs. Des Moines Menace July 29

By Harold C. Ford * * * * * United States League Two Central Conference Championship Flint City Bucks at Des Moines Menace Friday, July 29, 8:15 p.m. EDT Valley Stadium, 4400 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50265 Online video transmission at uslleaguetwo.com * * * * *   The Flint City Bucks football club (soccer team) gained momentum in a late-regular season surge to reach the United States Two League (USL2) Central Conference Championship match against the Des Moines Menace on July 29 starting at 8:15 p.m. EDT. The match site...

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Education Beat Flint Board of Education: Some same old stories and some good news stories

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Education Beat     Flint Board of Education: Some same old stories and some good news stories

By Harold C. Ford [Editors’ Note: The Flint Board of Education (FBOE) meeting witnessed on July 20 was troubling to cover for Harold C. Ford, East Village Magazine’s (EVM) education reporter. For purposes of readability and thematic tidiness, EVM is dividing this month’s Education Beat report into two parts: “same old stories” and “good news stories.” Both pieces are available at the EVM website.] “We have met the enemy and he is us.” –Earth Day poster, 1970 “This is ridiculous.” –Linda Boose, secretary, FBOE, July 20, 2022 Same...

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In praise of (good) politicians

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In praise of (good) politicians

By Paul Rozycki “Politics is more difficult than physics.” -Albert Einstein Last month’s East Village Magazine was devoted to the idea of good governance and the problems with dysfunctional government in Genesee County, as we took a look at the Flint City Council, the Flint Community School Board, and the many problems they have faced. Some of those problems have been blamed on “politics” or “politicians.”  Sometimes, it seems that if we could just get rid of politics and politicians our problems would be solved. But maybe the opposite...

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Sports Beat: Flint City Bucks Power into Playoffs with 6-0 Romp over Midwest United

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Sports Beat:  Flint City Bucks Power into Playoffs with 6-0 Romp over Midwest United

By Harold C. Ford * * * * * United States League Two Central Conference Quarterfinals Friday, July 22, 2022; 4 and 7 p.m.; Atwood Stadium, Flint Chicago FC United vs. Peoria City, 4 p.m. Flint City Bucks vs. South Bend Lions, 7 p.m. General admission tickets: $10 for children; $15 for adults * * * * *   The Flint City Bucks football club (soccer team) powered a path into the United States League Two (USL2) postseason playoffs with a resounding 6-0 win over the Grand Rapids-based Midwest United team  July 16 at Flint’s Atwood Stadium. For...

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Re-made Sloan Museum of Discovery opens doors to “more voices lifted up,” inspiration for math and science, enriched local history

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Re-made Sloan Museum of Discovery opens doors to “more voices lifted up,” inspiration for math and science, enriched local history

By Jan Worth-Nelson Three years after a groundbreaking at which a host of dignitaries foresaw local opportunities to champion science and history, the promise has been delivered. The newly renamed  Sloan Museum of Discovery opened its doors to the public July 16 after a dramatic $30 million makeover. Funded by a combination of grants, millions in contributions from philanthropic institutions, state funding and individual donations, the renovation almost doubled the size of the space, from 58,000 to 107,000 square feet and added four new...

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The East Village Magazine – July 2022

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The East Village Magazine – July 2022

The latest edition of The East Village Magazine is available for download and viewing here: View...

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Village Life: It’s too hot for lies and threats to democracy, even for journalists here at home

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Village Life: It’s too hot for lies and threats to democracy, even for journalists here at home

By Jan Worth-Nelson Today’s it’s 95 degrees outside and the AC is rumbling like a 19th century train.  I’m passing on taking my daily walk, and I hurry outside only briefly to add water to the bird bath, hoping all the creatures will find a cool retreat. I’m recovering from a trip to the dentist, where something came over me.  I had a mouth full of the hygienist’s hands as she scraped away, and I got a coughing fit.  I grabbed her hand time and again and started to panic until we slowed everything down and I calmed down.  She was very kind...

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Legendary Golden Leaf club receives new mural as part of Flint City Mural Festival

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Legendary Golden Leaf club receives new mural as part of Flint City Mural Festival

By Tom Travis Finishing a vividly bright mural at Flint’s famed Golden Leaf Club, Florida visual artist Zulu Painter declared, “Hopefully I can pay homage to all the legendary acts here and the energy itself that’s here that’s gone on for over 100 years. It’s an honor to be one of the artists to get to paint on this building.” “It’s an honor to paint the mural for the festival. And it’s an honor to paint it here on this historic building that’s been around for over one hundred...

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Commentary: Good governing betrayed by “knuckleheads”– the public urgently needs better

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Commentary: Good governing betrayed by “knuckleheads”– the public urgently needs better

By Tom Travis This is not the usual city council article. No “news” here,  just observations and commentary from a local city government beat community journalist. As editor, and supported by the board of East Village Magazine, this entire issue is dedicated to governance. Specifically, this entire issue of East Village Magazine (EVM) is dedicated to good local governance. Our local city council has at times resorted to name calling, including calling each other “knuckleheads,” endless bickering and excruciatingly...

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Education Beat Analysis/Commentary: Monumental challenges for Flint Schools; progress slowed by instability

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Education Beat Analysis/Commentary:   Monumental challenges for Flint Schools; progress slowed by instability

By Harold C. Ford [Editor’s note: For this special “good governance” issue of East Village Magazine, we have invited Education Beat writer Harold C. Ford, who’s been covering the Flint Board of Education for more than five years, to submit not just a factual report about the state of the beleaguered district, but an analysis, with recommendations, from his expertise as a lifelong educator — thus combining two roles — reporter and education expert.  Ford has spent most of his life in and around education. He...

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The East Village Magazine – June 2022

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The East Village Magazine – June 2022

The latest edition of The East Village Magazine is available for download and viewing here:   View...

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What’s on the Aug. 2 primary ballot? Here’s a preview from state to city

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What’s on the Aug. 2 primary ballot? Here’s a preview from state to city

By Paul Rozycki The upcoming Aug.2 primary election is only weeks away and, if this year is like most, we will have a light turnout for our summer election as voters are otherwise occupied with travel plans, cookouts, and staying cool.  Yet this primary may be more important than most.  With the redistricting of the past year completed, many voters may be in new districts, and many candidates will be appealing to a new set of voters. With term limits there will also be a number of new faces on the ballot. As the pandemic eases, we will see...

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Commentary: Good government isn’t easy. It’s up to all of us to make it work

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Commentary: Good government isn’t easy. It’s up to all of us to make it work

By Paul Rozycki When Flint School Board President Danielle Greene [allegedly] assaulted board Treasurer Laura McIntyre during a Flint Community School Board meeting last March, the school board accomplished something that few thought humanly possible. If even for a short time, they replaced the Flint City Council as the most dysfunctional government in the county. That’s no small accomplishment. Not to be outdone in the race for dysfunctional government, Genesee County recently saw County Clerk John Gleason arrested, and Flint Township...

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“Can You Help Me Tie My Shoes?” Local young author promotes her new book at Flint Farmers Market

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“Can You Help Me Tie My Shoes?” Local young author promotes her new book at Flint Farmers Market

By Tom Travis Aspiring eight-year-old author, Taylor Grundy, carefully stacked a dozen or so of her books in  a rack that sat on a long white table at the Flint Farmers’ Market.   Straightening some matching bookmarks, she sat smiling with her mom, Leslie Grundy. As bustling shoppers filed by, Taylor  held up her pen with a bright, pink fuzzy puff ball on top, ready to autograph her new 24-page book, Taylor, Can You Help Me Tie My Shoes?   Taylor’s book was published earlier this month, and she explains she has plans for at...

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“Blight elimination” top priority in Mayor’s plan to allocate $94 million ARPA funds

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“Blight elimination” top priority in Mayor’s plan to allocate $94 million ARPA funds

By Tom Travis Mayor Sheldon Neeley and his administration outlined a proposal to allocate the $94 million American Rescue Plan funds awarded to Flint in April 2021 at a special city council meeting Monday. The proposal calls for $69.5 million of the funds to be used for housing and blight elimination ($33.6 million); economic development ($11.57 million); safety and crime prevention ($10.2 million);  infrastructure ($7.475 million)  and public health ($6.6 million).  The administration is calling that bundle of proposals “New Community...

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Education Beat Analysis: A tale of two board meetings, Part Two — Civility erodes, familiar tensions resurface

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Education Beat Analysis: A tale of two board meetings, Part Two — Civility erodes, familiar tensions resurface

June 8: Amidst uncommon civility, unanimous adoption of Strategic Plan June 9: Civility erodes, familiar tensions resurface By Harold C. Ford “It’s been going on for years and years – hostile work environment, hostile board environment.” –Joyce Ellis-McNeal, president, Flint Board of Education; June 9, 2022 [Editor’s note: East Village Magazine’s Education Beat reporter, Harold C. Ford, attended the Flint Board of Education’s (FBOE)    of the Whole (COW) meeting(s) on June 8 and June 9.  This month, the FBOE began to divide up and conduct the...

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Education Beat Analysis: A tale of two board meetings, from “uncommon civility” to “familiar tensions” Part One

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Education Beat Analysis: A tale of two board meetings, from “uncommon civility” to “familiar tensions” Part One

June 8: Amidst uncommon civility, board unanimously adopts Strategic Plan [Click here for Part Two, June 9: Civility erodes, familiar tensions resurface] By Harold C. Ford “Sometimes, for the sake of the children, we have to put aside our personal philosophies and beliefs and do what’s right for our children.” –Eddie Thomas: principal, Eisenhower Elementary; president, Congress of Flint School Administrators, Inc.; June 8, 2022 [Editor’s note: East Village Magazine’s Education Beat reporter, Harold C. Ford, attended the Flint Board of...

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City Council tosses out months’ long investigative hearing on botched waste collection bid

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City Council tosses out months’ long investigative hearing on botched waste collection bid

By Tom Travis A botched bid for the city’s waste collection contract in 2021, revealed in a June 2021 city council meeting, launched an investigative hearing that lasted nearly a year and over two different city councils. One year later, in Wednesday’s Finance Committee meeting, city council voted 5-2 “to end all legal services and investigative hearing.” How the council got to an investigative hearing In a June 2021 city council meeting then Councilperson Monica Galloway (7th Ward) requested to question the City’s...

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Review: Fantastic adaptation of “The Fantasticks” celebrates a new perspective

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Review:  Fantastic adaptation of “The Fantasticks” celebrates a new perspective

By Patsy Isenberg and Tom Travis A festive conclusion of The Rep’s final presentation of the season, The Fantasticks, opened to an appreciative full house  Friday, June 3. The iconic musical is the longest-running production in the history of the American stage and one of the most frequently produced musicals in the world.  The Rep’s production, while respectful of that history, also offers something different.  A pre-show reception welcomed everyone with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.  Afterwards, more treats: champagne and...

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Flint City Council passes $64 million “balanced” budget after Winfrey-Carter’s dramatic pause during rollcall vote

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Flint City Council passes $64 million “balanced” budget after Winfrey-Carter’s dramatic pause during rollcall vote

By Tom Travis In a dramatic and unprecedented vote, the city council passed a $64 million budget in its Monday meeting. According to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Robert Widigan, the budget allocates $64 million for the city’s expenditures  and is based on $50.7 million in revenue. Widigan explains the budget will be balanced with a transfer of $14 million from the general fund balance which stands at $22 million. The resolution to approve the city’s 2022-2023 fiscal year budget passed 5-2. Voting ‘yes’ were...

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Review: Connor Coyne’s URBANTASM Book Four: THE SPRING STORM finishes the gripping allegory with a hammer blow

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Review: Connor Coyne’s URBANTASM Book Four: THE SPRING STORM finishes the gripping allegory with a hammer blow

By Robert Thomas The publication of the fourth and final book of Flint author Connor Coyne’s serial novel, URBANTASM, marks the finale of his epic allegory set in the heart of the American Rust Belt in the fictional city of Akawe, Michigan, somewhere north of Detroit. As befits any gripping serial, The Spring Storm delivers a hammer blow with a rollicking readerly ride through a perfect storm of rusty decay and an abundance of evil.  Having reviewed the first three books for East Village Magazine*, I approached Book Four with anticipatory...

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“At the Intersection” 182-year-old Flint congregation considers their place in the community

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“At the Intersection” 182-year-old Flint congregation considers their place in the community

By Tom Travis As the congregation of  St. Paul’s Episcopal Church celebrates the 150th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone in 1872, they also are considering what it means to be “at the intersection” and what kinds of impact the church will and should have in the community. The Episcopal congregation began worshiping in Flint 182 years ago. The present building, at the corner of Third and Saginaw Streets, is their fourth location.  It was  constructed 150 years ago. The anniversary has stimulated the congregation to...

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Commentary: The legal road to Roe v. Wade and back: It’s more than just a court case

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Commentary: The legal road to Roe v. Wade and back: It’s more than just a court case

By Paul Rozycki Perhaps nothing illustrates both the legal and personal sides of the abortion issue better than two unrelated recent events. A few weeks ago, we learned that the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to overturn a half century of protection for abortion rights, and, in the same week, we learned that the lack of baby formula is reaching a crisis level.  Based upon a leaked court opinion, (Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, 2022) it appears that the U.S. Supreme Court is on track to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that...

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Education Beat : At May Flint School Board meetings, EDEP dismissed; no school closings or staff layoffs; infrastructure woes continue; intra-board tensions ongoing

Posted by on 12:22 PM in Analysis, Features, Local News | Comments Off on Education Beat : At May Flint School Board meetings, EDEP dismissed; no school closings or staff layoffs; infrastructure woes continue; intra-board tensions ongoing

Education Beat :  At May Flint School Board meetings, EDEP dismissed; no school closings or staff layoffs; infrastructure woes continue; intra-board tensions ongoing

By Harold C. Ford The May 11 and 18 meetings of the Flint Board of Education (FBOE) – together lasting nearly 12 hours – began with purported good news that Flint Community Schools (FCS) had been released from the imposition of an enhanced deficit elimination plan (EDEP) by the Michigan Department of Treasury.  Any euphoria elicited by the EDEP-dismissal announcement soon evolved into a parade of FCS constituents anxiously and unanimously urging the district not to close schools – specifically Pierce Elementary and the Accelerated Learning...

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FPL architect says “Libraries are the greatest act of love you can give your community” as area residents pour in

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FPL architect says “Libraries are the greatest act of love you can give your community” as area residents pour in

By Jan Worth-Nelson When Kay Schwartz and her crew of 31 staff and the library’s board of trustees began the planning process seven years ago for the Flint Public Library’s major renovation which culminated with a three-day opening celebration May 19-21, one value emerged over all others. “We wanted it to be a welcoming community space above everything else,”  Schwartz said, walking around the capacious new layout the day before the public opening of the dramatically made-over 60-year-old Kearsley Street structure....

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“A community jewel,” “Magnificent legacy, ” — Community leaders celebrate Flint Public Library reopening after $30 million renovation

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“A community jewel,”  “Magnificent legacy, ” — Community leaders celebrate Flint Public Library reopening after $30 million renovation

By Jan Worth-Nelson   “Wow!”  “Awesome!”  “Spectacular!” “A polished community jewel”  “Wonderful” “A magnificent legacy” Speakers at the re-opening ceremony and ribbon cutting Thursday of the  renovated Flint Public Library outdid each other with superlatives in the bright sun of a day characterized by cheers, gratitude, and hope. The $30 million project, created through a broad-based  combination of public, philanthropic, and private funds, has been in the works...

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Flint Schools Superintendent considers library opening: “We got next”

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Flint Schools Superintendent considers library opening:   “We got next”

By Jan Worth-Nelson After the joyful ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Flint Public Library Thursday, Flint Community Schools Superintendent Kevelin Jones slipped away alone across the parking lot from the glossy new building to the empty wreck that is the former Flint Central High School, closed in 2009 and now crumbling, tagged, vandalized and boarded up just a few dozen yards away. The contrast could not have been more pointed. “Today was emotional,” Jones said.  “As I walked through the library and I looked over at Flint...

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Library reopens after $30 million renovation with three-day celebration

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Library reopens after $30 million renovation with three-day celebration

By Jan Worth-Nelson A two-year-long, $30 million renovation of the Flint Public Library culminates with a three-day celebration beginning Thursday,  reopening the 90,000-square-foot facility to the public after a long wait made even longer by the COVID pandemic. A ribbon cutting begins the festivities at 10 a.m. Thursday on the lawn,  followed by self-guided tours until 4 p.m.  Library services will not yet be available. The first day of service will be Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Jazz on Wheels are scheduled to perform on an outside terrace...

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Education Beat: Schools board postpones closures after 30 speakers plead to keep Pierce, ALA open; district released from State-imposed Emergency Finance Plan

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Education Beat: Schools board postpones closures after 30 speakers plead to keep Pierce, ALA open;  district released from State-imposed Emergency Finance Plan

By Harold C. Ford A six-hour meeting of the Flint Board of Education (FBOE) on May 11 began with purported good news that Flint Community Schools (FCS) had been released from the imposition of an enhanced deficit elimination plan (EDEP) by the Michigan Department of Treasury.  But any euphoria elicited by the EDEP-dismissal announcement quickly evolved into a parade of FCS constituents anxiously and unanimously urging the district not to close schools – specifically Pierce Elementary and the Accelerated Learning Academy.   The long meeting...

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“Phenomenal” threat to abortion rights a “major wakeup call,” longtime pro-choice advocate asserts

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“Phenomenal” threat to abortion rights a “major wakeup call,”  longtime pro-choice advocate asserts

By Jan Worth-Nelson In the wake of the leak of a draft opinion suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court is about to overturn Roe v. Wade, some have suggested men should, as the memes go, “STFU,” or “Shut the F–k up.” But if any area man has a voice worth hearing on the matter, it is Jim Richardson. Richardson is a life-long community activist who was director of Planned Parenthood of East Central Michigan for 22 years, from 1987 to 2009. In a recent interview,  he called the likelihood that the end of Roe v. Wade...

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“Heinous,” “scary,” “devastating”– Area women react to possible end of Roe v. Wade

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“Heinous,”  “scary,” “devastating”– Area women react to possible end of Roe v. Wade

By Jan Worth-Nelson I set out to try to find out how some area women view the possibility that Roe v. Wade might be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.  The 1973  decision gave women the right to decide whether they wanted to continue a pregnancy; at long last, first trimester abortions were made legal. Some forget that that decision struck down a Texas ban on abortion, establishing that it was unconstitutional.  The majority opinion was based on the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, marked by its “right to privacy”...

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“Defend Roe Rally” draws 250 to downtown protest: “It’s not just about protests — VOTE!” speakers say

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“Defend Roe Rally” draws 250 to downtown protest:  “It’s not just about protests — VOTE!” speakers say

By Jan Worth-Nelson, Tom Travis and Paul Rozycki Chanting  “We are not your incubator,”  “No uterus, no opinion,”  “Keep your laws off my body,” “My body, my choice,” “Abortion is health care,”  “We want Roe,” and  “We’re not going back” among others, about 250 Flint-area citizens marched from the Flat Lot in downtown Flint Saturday to the Genesee County Courthouse, where they heard speeches from a half dozen area activists on reproductive rights. It was...

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The East Village Magazine – May 8, 2022

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The East Village Magazine – May 8, 2022

The latest edition of The East Village Magazine is available for download and viewing here: View...

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Education Beat: Keiona Murphy settles in as Flint School’s assistant superintendent; aims to help district “move forward”

Posted by on 11:42 AM in Analysis, Features, Local News | Comments Off on Education Beat: Keiona Murphy settles in as Flint School’s assistant superintendent; aims to help district “move forward”

Education Beat:  Keiona Murphy settles in as Flint School’s assistant superintendent; aims to help district “move forward”

By Harold C. Ford Keiona Murphy has settled in to her new position as assistant superintendent of Flint Community Schools. Murphy was elevated from her interim status as assistant superintendent. Her salary of $114,954 is augmented by an additional $4,200 stipend.  Her appointment on Feb. 9, along with other central administrators, was approved by a unanimous vote, 7-0, of the Flint Board of Education (FBOE). Murphy’s responsibilities include: state and federal programs; technology; directing student and family services (enrollment); pupil...

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Arbor Day means “Tree City USA” again for Flint, many new trees for Pierce Park

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Arbor Day means “Tree City USA” again for Flint,  many new trees for Pierce Park

By Jan Worth-Nelson A dozen retirees from the College Cultural Neighborhood Association (CCNA) worked alongside a half dozen professional tree lovers more than half their age to celebrate Arbor Day in Pierce Park Friday. The day also marked the City of Flint’s 22nd year as a “Tree City USA,”  a national designation of the Arbor Day Foundation  recognizing efforts to keep the community tree-filled and green, according to Angela Warren, administrator of the Genesee Conservation District (GCD). Her crew of young...

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Flint honors “Heroines and Humanitarians” in sculptures at City Hall

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Flint honors “Heroines and Humanitarians” in sculptures at City Hall

By Paul Rozycki It’s been a long and winding road, but the sculptured busts of the six women honored as “Heroines and Humanitarians” have now found their way to a permanent home in the Flint City Hall. This slideshow requires JavaScript. In a well-attended ceremony at Flint City Hall April 28, the statues of Claressa Shields, Edith Prunty Spencer, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Sybyl McPeake Atwood, Frances Willson Thompson and Olive Beasley were formally installed as a central part of the front lobby. The project began more than three years ago,...

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Flint’s 200th anniversary of founding honored with premier of new musical work at May 1, 3 p.m. concert

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Flint’s 200th anniversary of founding honored with premier of new musical work at May 1, 3 p.m. concert

By Tom Travis Michigan composer and Saginaw resident, Catherine McMichael was commissioned by the Flint Symphonic Wind Ensemble (FSWE) to compose a work commemorating the 200th anniversary of Flint’s founding in 1819. The work was intended to be performed in the 2020 season but due to the COVID shutdown the FSWE did not perform a concert in 2020. Now, at last, the 14-minute long commissioned work, titled “Legacy,”  will be performed at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1 at the Flushing Mayfair Bible Church (5339 West Pierson Road) with...

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Public speakers plead with council to approve updated zoning ordinance

Posted by on 8:51 PM in Analysis, Coronavirus, Features, Local News | Comments Off on Public speakers plead with council to approve updated zoning ordinance

Public speakers plead with council to approve updated zoning ordinance

By Tom Travis A passel of young people from across Flint attended the last city council committee meeting to show their support and rally the council to approve the new proposed zoning ordinance. The new ordinance is expected to be on the council’s agenda the first week of May. In a nearly unanimous council response each council member chimed in agreeing that the city needs updated zoning codes. One of the many public speakers, Travis Gilbert declared, “One of the most effective ways we can move our city forward would be to pass...

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Commentary: A critical look for critics of the 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory

Posted by on 7:55 AM in Analysis, Commentary, Features, Local News | Comments Off on Commentary: A critical look for critics of the 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory

Commentary: A critical look for critics of the 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory

By Paul Rozycki If there is any doubt that race plays a powerful role in American history, one only needs to examine the response to the 1619 Project from around the nation. Pulitzer Prize winning author Nikole Hannah-Jones, the creator of the 1619 Project, which explores American history through the lens of slavery and race, spoke at the Capitol Theater in Flint recently to a full house, as part of the Ballenger Eminent Persons Lecture Series. Nearly all of those in attendance, and those who shared a Zoom workshop a day later, supported the...

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Flint Repertory Theatre makes history with an LGBTQIA+ take on the world’s longest-running musical

Posted by on 5:17 PM in Analysis, Features, Local News | Comments Off on Flint Repertory Theatre makes history with an LGBTQIA+ take on the world’s longest-running musical

Flint Repertory Theatre makes history with an LGBTQIA+ take on the world’s  longest-running musical

By Tom Travis The Fantasticks, the world’s longest-running musical, is being produced by Flint Repertory Theatre this summer, June 3 to 19. But there is an unusual plot twist in the Rep’s production that will make theatre history: A fresh new rewrite with an LGBTQIA+ focus by the show’s original book writer and lyricist, Tom Jones who is now 94 years old and still lives in New York City, in collaboration with the Rep’s director Michael Lluberes. Flint’s June production will be the world-premier of the LGBTQIA+ rewrite of by Jones...

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Education Beat: Critical deadline approaches for Flint Schools; board triad hints Northwestern to be Flint’s high school campus; no criminal charges for Green

Posted by on 5:06 PM in Analysis, Features, Local News | Comments Off on Education Beat: Critical deadline approaches for Flint Schools; board triad hints Northwestern to be Flint’s high school campus; no criminal charges for Green

Education Beat: Critical deadline approaches for Flint Schools; board triad hints Northwestern to be Flint’s high school campus;  no criminal charges for Green

By Harold C. Ford In its recent meetings, the Flint Board of Education (FBOE) faced looming critical deadlines about staffing decisions and building closures, suggested Northwestern might become Flint’s one high school, and heard that former president Danielle Green, accused of assaulting board treasurer Laura MacIntyre, will not be charged. “We knew this day was coming,” Carol McIntosh, vice president of the Flint Board of Education (FBOE)  stated in an April discussion. “If we don’t close schools, it’s a drain on our system; our...

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Fire Chief Ray Barton and Flint Fire Department grieve the loss of fellow firefighter John Stenger

Posted by on 10:30 PM in Analysis, Features, Local News | Comments Off on Fire Chief Ray Barton and Flint Fire Department grieve the loss of fellow firefighter John Stenger

Fire Chief Ray Barton and Flint Fire Department grieve the loss of fellow firefighter John Stenger

By Tom Travis This story has been updated to include John Stenger’s obituary. – Editor In a somber and poignant moment during last week’s city council meeting, Flint Fire Chief Ray Barton shared, at the request of council, news of a recent untimely death of one of Flint’s long-time firefighters, John Stenger. In a hushed voice, Chief Barton explained, “Our firefighter lost his life to suicide.” He said more first responders around the country die to suicide  than in the line of duty. Stenger, 50, died by...

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AFSCME contract with seven to eight percent raise a “step forward and not a step backward” Mayor Neeley declares

Posted by on 8:34 AM in Analysis, Features, Local News | Comments Off on AFSCME contract with seven to eight percent raise a “step forward and not a step backward” Mayor Neeley declares

AFSCME contract with seven to eight percent raise a  “step forward and not a step backward” Mayor Neeley declares

By Tom Travis “This contract is a step forward and not a step backward,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said today, announcing a new negotiated contract between Local 1600 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and  the City of Flint. “This is the first negotiated contract since our city was deconstructed by the emergency managers forcing labor agreements that were not negotiated,”  Neeley said. “I stand here united with my friends at the Local 1600. I understand that for the working...

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Tendaji Talk tackles critical race theory; 1619 Project creator to appear in Flint April 13

Posted by on 3:56 PM in Analysis, Features, Local News | Comments Off on Tendaji Talk tackles critical race theory; 1619 Project creator to appear in Flint April 13

Tendaji Talk tackles critical race theory;  1619 Project creator to appear in Flint April 13

By Harold C. Ford “Any anti-racist effort is being labeled as critical race theory.” –Jonathan Chism, assistant professor of history, University of Houston-Downtown, co-editor of Critical Race Studies Across Disciplines, 2021, Lexington Books The most recent Tendaji Talk tackled the tough, divisive topic of critical race theory (CRT) during a 90-minute, virtual meeting of  15 Flint-area persons.  Joyce Piert, formerly an instructor at Beecher Schools and the University of Michigan-Flint, and Thomn Bell, currently director of diversity and...

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The East Village Magazine – April 2022

Posted by on 3:17 PM in Features, Print Edition | Comments Off on The East Village Magazine – April 2022

The East Village Magazine – April 2022

The latest edition of The East Village Magazine is available for download and viewing here: View...

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Fundraiser for Ukraine shows “Americans will always come through,” organizers say

Posted by on 8:07 PM in Analysis, Features, Local News | Comments Off on Fundraiser for Ukraine shows “Americans will always come through,” organizers say

Fundraiser for Ukraine shows “Americans will always come through,” organizers say

By Jan Worth-Nelson A little more than halfway through a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Ukraine at the Dom Polski Hall Wednesday night, the kitchen ran out of food.  Almost everyone added extra cash to the donations box, and blue and yellow “Support Ukraine” and “Stand Up for Ukraine” signs sold briskly at a side table.   “We had enough for 225 people, but this looks like more than 250 already,” said Nyk Bartkiw, chairman of the organizing Peace in Ukraine Committee from St. Vladimir Ukranian Catholic...

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Flint yard waste collection begins April 4, 2022

Posted by on 9:58 AM in Features | Comments Off on Flint yard waste collection begins April 4, 2022

Flint yard waste collection begins April 4, 2022

By Tom Travis Yard waste collection in the City of Flint will start up again the week of April 4. Yard waste is picked up weekly on residents’ normal trash collection days through December 2, 2022. In Sept. 2021 the city council passed a new waste service provider contract that began Oct. 1, 2021 with Priority Waste that will include waste collection every week for trash, recycling and yard waste. The contract is for $19.7 million for waste pick-up through June 30, 2024. The resolution allows for the option of a two-year extension to that...

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