Education Beat: School board mulls water system, promotions, residency flap, attrition and retention concerns
By Harold C. Ford The month of October was filled with consequential developments and decisions for Flint’s public schools at the Oct. 9 (Committee of the Whole) and Oct. 16 (Regular Board Meeting) board of education meetings. It included the introduction of “smart water stations”, the launch of a new partnership with the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), controversy about a board member’s residency status, adoption of a...
Neeley ousts Weaver in tight mayor’s race; library funding sweeps in with 2-1 support
By Paul Rozycki This year nearly everyone expected a close race to elect the Flint mayor, and that’s what they got. After a hard fought campaign, State Rep. Sheldon Neeley emerged as the victor with just over 50 percent of the vote, edging out incumbent mayor Karen Weaver by 205 votes, 7082 to 6877. At her election night gathering, Weaver said she has not conceded, and “hasn’t ruled out a recount.” Countywide, including all...
No scandal: Kerry Washington, Secretary of State Benson deliver GOTV message to Flint Neighborhoods United
By Luther Houle Flint Neighborhoods United (FNU) members were surprised at the end of this month’s meeting by a chance to meet “Scandal” actress Kerry Washington as she visited Flint in a “Get Out The Vote” effort. Washington arrived at the Flint Public Library with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson at about 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 while FNU members were just wrapping up for the day. About 45 of...
Review: Absurdist “The Chairs” delivers much more than nothingness
By Patsy Isenberg “The Chairs” opened at Flint Repertory Theatre’s Bower Black Box Friday Nov. 1 to a sold-out house. Artistic Director Michael Lluberes could be seen helping late arrivals search for seats. [The production continues next weekend through Sunday, Nov. 10–details below.] It’s a good bet that most of the audience expected a simple comedy about an elderly couple’s conversation. It turns out there was much more to...
FIA’s First Frost Fair welcomes holiday shoppers for 14th year
By Paul Rozycki Living up to its name, the Flint Institute of Arts held its 14th annual First Frost Arts and Fine Crafts Fair, on Saturday and Sunday Nov. 2 and 3. As the title suggests, the event took place at about the same time as the first hard frost hit the Flint area. The event is normally held on the first weekend of November. Though the event had been scaled down from earlier years, more than 20 artists filled the booths in...
Flint Poet Laureate Semaj Brown to perform at UM-Flint Nov. 13
By Jan Worth-Nelson Flint’s new poet laureate Semaj Brown will present a poetry and prose reading at 6 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Kiva Auditorium at the University of Michigan – Flint. The event, sponsored by the UM – Flint English Department, is free and open to the public. Also part of the evening will be a discussion with UM-Flint linguistics professor Erica Britt, along with a book signing. Brown, a poet, author, scientist, educator and...
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