Flint declared “Tree City USA”–300 seedlings planted
By Jan Worth-Nelson Flint is one of 3,400 city nationwide to be named a 2018 “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation. It was the 18th year in a row for the city to receive the designation. To celebrate, staff of the Genesee Conservation District, managers of the city’s urban treescape, planted 300 seedlings this spring, distributed in four locations: Longway Park, Atherton Park, Cronin Park and the Haskell...
Commentary: Water shutoffs do no one any good
By Laura Sullivan In 2015, Dr. Sullivan, a Kettering University professor of mechanical engineering, worked with other activists as part of the Coalition for Clean Water to return the city of Flint to Detroit for its water supply. Since then, she has helped to coordinate positive interactions between residents, local physicians, researchers, journalists, the City of Flint, and the EPA. Dr. Sullivan is a member of the Flint Water...
City Council fails to override Weaver’s budget veto: next steps uncertain
By Meghan Christian Flint City Council (FCC) did not have the six votes needed to override Mayor Karen Weaver’s veto of the amended budget they proposed at a special city council meeting at 11 a.m. today. The proposed budget included eight amendments, totaling a $267,000 difference in what the council wants and what the Mayor wants, which represents one half of one percent of the overall proposed budget for 2018-2019 of $55.8...
Review: Flint welcomes “The Moth” in celebratory night downtown
By Patsy Isenberg and Jan Worth-Nelson Perhaps the biggest stories of all about last Thursday’s performances of “The Moth” storytelling show at the Capitol Theater weren’t about “The Moth” at all. There are at least four other options: That the performance was in the Capitol Theater, spectacularly renovated and gleaming since its $37 million facelift and December opening. That the performance sold out—all 1,600 seats filled. That...
Mayor vetoes City Council budget on $267,000 difference, override vote attempt set
By Meghan Christian and Jan Worth-Nelson A version of a 2018-2019 city budget proposal calling for eight amendments approved six to three June 4 by the Flint City Council was vetoed Monday by Mayor Karen Weaver. The $267,000 difference in what the council wants and what the Mayor wants represents one half of one percent of the overall proposed budget of $55.8 million. It mostly centers on adding staff and benefits to the City...
Five-day “Freedom Festival” honoring Juneteenth kicks off June 15
By Jan Worth-Nelson A five-day long Juneteenth “Freedom Festival” in north Flint starting Friday aims to honor the June 19, 1865 freeing of the slaves in Texas. But that’s not all. Organizer April Cook-Hawkins says after a bruising four years of the water crisis, it’s time to have some fun. That means parades, cookouts, rallies, concerts and more. The “Freedom Festival” extravaganza will start at...
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