East Village Magazine - April 2021
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East Village
Magazine
April 2021
Photograph ByLocated inside the Flint Farmers’ Market
FREE Home
Warranty
Flint’s Resident Realtor
The Name Trusted in
More Neighbohoods Ryan Eashoo
(810) 234-1234
www.RyanEashoo.com
2
Commentary
Is it time to get back to “normal”?
Maybe, but not yet
By Paul Rozycki
“It ain’t over till it’s over” -Yogi Berra
There is a feeling of spring cold hard COVID crisis is past.
Vol. LIX No. 4 April 2021 in the air. The days are getting It isn’t.
Founder Gary P. Custer warmer. The snow is melting. More In the last few weeks,
and more people are getting the Michigan’s infection numbers have
Managing Editor Tom Travis COVID vaccine. The Flint water started to edge upward once again.
Consulting Editor Jan Worth-Nelson
Consulting Editor Ted Nelson crisis seems to reaching some sort The initial success against COVID
Copy Editor Danielle Ward of conclusion. And the divisive, tu- caused many to step back from the
Reporters Harold C. Ford
Madeleine Graham
multuous election of 2020 is now actions that have led to progress.
Patsy Isenberg history. Even as the vaccine becomes more
Zach Neithercut So, we’re ready to move on available, a surprising number of
Coner Segren
Columnist Paul Rozycki
and get back to “normal”.... Right? people say they won’t get the shot.
Photographer Edwin D. Custer No so fast. After a week of One recent poll indicated that 42
spring-like temperatures in mid- percent of Republicans probably
Distribution Staff March, we fell back to a week of won’t get the shot. In recent weeks,
Director: Edwin D. Custer. Staff: Sue Bailey, Kim
Bargy, Jacob Blumner, Connor Coyne & Ruby wintery chill, as Michigan often much of Europe has been forced to
Coyne, Casey Custer, Caroline Fechik, Christine does. Just when we were about to shut down as their numbers began
& Patrick Figgins, Marabeth Foreman, Charlie &
Linda & Patrick & Terrance & Christan & Jillianne the get the garden tools out, the snow to climb again.
Goldsberry, Patsy Isenberg, Robert Jewell, Carol
Larzelere Kellermann, Stephen Kellermann, Jo
shovel is still waiting in the garage. What may be most worri-
Larzelere, Mary LeRoy, James & Lillian & Livia some is that, if the virus is given
Londrigan, Alan & Julie Lynch, Ron & Mary
Meeker, Robert & Nancy Meszko, Ted Nelson, COVID-19 cases rise more time to spread, and mutate,
Dave & Becky Pettengill, Dick & Betty Ramsdell, those new mutations may be
Julian Rodriquez, Paul Rozycki, Mike Spleet, Kim
& Ronan & Jude Streby, Holly West, and Karen Yes, the vaccination rates more threatening than the cur-
Wilkinson.
are moving along better than ex- rent version of the virus. If the
Board of Trustees pected. Over 100 million people virus can be stopped, so can the
• FaLessia Booker • Edwin D. Custer
• Alec Gibbs • Jack D. Minore have been vaccinated so far, and mutations, and we can be con-
• Paul Rozycki
soon nearly everyone will be eligi- fident that the current vaccines
720 E. Second St.
Flint, Mich. 48503 ble to get their shots. But the virus will continue to be effective.
(810) 233-7459 is still out there, and as many states It’s not over yet. We’re get-
Website:
eastvillagemagazine.org
let down their guard, the infection ting there, and with luck, by this
E-mail: rates are starting to jump up again. summer we may be able to return
eastvillagemagazineflint@gmail.com In particular, Michigan has shown to something that resembles “nor-
Layout by Patsy Isenberg. Printing by Riegle Press Inc., a significant spike in cases in the mal.” We’re almost there. But that
1282 N. Gale Rd., Davison, Mich. 48423.
last few weeks. Many states have will only happen if we hang on a
East Village Magazine is a program of the Village
Information Center Inc., a nonprofit corporation. We dropped their mask requirements, little longer, stick with the masks,
welcome material from readers, but all submissions
become the property of the publication and if published
and eased entertainment and din- social distancing, and make sure
will be edited to conform to the editorial style and ing restrictions. More schools are we all get our shots.
policies of the publication. All inquiries about the
publication should be mailed to East Village Magazine, returning to traditional classroom
Village Information Center, 720 E. Second St., Flint,
Mich. 48503. Distribution is the first Thursday of each
learning. College students enjoyed Flint residents wait for water
month. Display advertising rates are $34 a column-inch spring break with little regard for crisis resolution
plus any other costs. Unclassified ads are $2.50 a print-
ed line or part of a printed line. Rates subject to change social distancing or masks. Along
without notice. The deadline for advertising is 10 days
before each publication date.
with melting snow and warmer After more than five years,
© 2021 East Village Magazine
weather, there is the feeling that the (Continued on Page 12.)
Cover: Artifacts of Flint’s 20th century prosperity remain
3Photo of the Month: Tilling Time (Photo by Edwin D. Custer)
City of Flint is estimated to receive $99.33 million
from American Rescue Plan
By Tom Travis
As part of the federal coronavi- spent over a four year period with two adding that there is a list of “allow-
rus stimulus bill, The American Rescue disbursements. The first disbursement able” and “unallowable” expenditures
Plan, the city of Flint will receive an will happen in 60 days and the second for the money posted on the U.S. Con-
estimated $99.33 million. Flint house- payment will happen in two years. gress’ website. Frayer said the City Ad-
holds are projected to get more than Councilperson Eric Mays (1st ministration is looking at those options
$125 million in direct benefits, accord- Ward) asked Frayer in last week’s city and said that “the council will certainly
ing to Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. council meeting, whether the $99.33 be a part of those discussions.”
In a March 1 press re- million is “unencumbered” and if it The U.S. Congress’ website
lease, Neeley thanked “the City of will “go into the general fund,” and highlights these specific areas where
Flint’s friends in Washington D.C. for asked her for specifics on how that the stimulus money is to be spent:
stepping up to help our community and money is to be spent. • Toward the public health
the entire nation rebound from the eco- Frayer replied that the stim- emergency with respect to the Coro-
nomic impact of COVID-19.” ulus money is for specific purposes. navirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) or
The sweeping its negative economic impacts,
$1.9-trillion measure also including assistance to house-
includes support for small holds, small businesses, and
businesses, schools, counties nonprofits, or aid to impact-
and states. ed industries such as tourism,
City of Flint Chief travel and hospitality;
Financial Officer (CFO) • Towards workers perform-
Flint City Hall
Shelbi Frayer explained that (Photo by Tom Travis) ing essential work during the
the $99.33 million is to be (Continued on Page 5.)
4... Rescue Plan additional federal stimulus check as ... New CFO
(Continued from Page 4.) well as the expanded Child Tax Credit (Continued from Page 14.)
COVID–19 public health emergency and Earned Income Tax Credit. “In this proposed budget,
by providing premium pay to eligible “This is a big win for our we are keeping costs down while
workers of the state, territory, or tribal community, and we will continue ad- also fulfilling our responsibilities
government that are performing such vocating for Flint and Flint families to serve residents, care for our re-
essential work, or by providing grants at all times and in all places,” Neeley tirees and fulfill Charter require-
to eligible employers that have eli- said. ments,” Neeley said in the press
gible workers who perform essential “We still are learning more release.
work; about the details of any restrictions on Mayor Neeley outlined
• Towards the provision of this funding, but we know it will al- large increases to the city’s pension
government services to the extent of low us to invest in true recovery from system that are draining the gen-
the reduction in revenue of such state, the intersection of crises we have eral fund. Last year’s budget pro-
territory, or tribal government due to weathered. These dollars will help al- jected a $12 million deficit for the
the COVID–19 public health emer- leviate financial pressures caused by FY22 budget. Through the city’s
gency relative the pandemic operational audit, that $12 million
to revenues and help us gap was closed and the mayor pre-
collected in to contin- sented a balanced budget.
the most recent ue to move “This is a blessed budget,
full fiscal year forward in but it is a fragile budget,” Mayor
of the state a positive Neeley said.
government direction,” “Emergency managers
prior to the Neeley said failed to truly fix the city’s financ-
emergency; or in the press es because they never addressed
•To- release. these known legacy costs — and
ward making “Congress- at the same time they created a
Downtown Flint
necessary in- (Photo by Tom Travis) man Dan false sense of security by raiding
vestments in Kildee de- the Water & Sewer funds and tak-
water, sewer or broadband infrastruc- serves particular praise for making ing out loans that the city still is
ture. sure Flint and other hard-hit commu- paying back,” asserted Neeley in
nities were provided additional sup- the press release.
Flint families to “directly benefit” port, but we are thankful for all of our A proposed budget was
with over $125 million in benefits many friends in Washington — in- presented to the council earlier in
cluding Sen. Gary Peters, Sen. Debbie March. EVM will continue to re-
Flint families also will direct- Stabenow, and President Biden — for port on the city’s budget online at
ly benefit, Frayer said. The City of their leadership and support,” Neeley www.eastvillagemagazine.org.
Flint Finance Department estimates added.
that Flint households will get more EVM Managing Editor Tom Travis can
than $125 million from the benefits EVM Managing Editor Tom Travis can be reached at tomntravis@gmail.com
included in the package, including an be reached at tomntravis@gmail.com
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5Education Beat
Flint students return to school buildings as COVID rates rise, water
fountains still inoperable, water filters not yet installed
By Harold C. Ford
Flint Community Schools’ Assistant Superintendent Kevelin ages 10-19 now have the highest
(FCS) K-3 students began return- Jones, “around 70 percent” now COVID-19 case rate in Michigan.
ing to school buildings March 15. say they would like to return. “The classroom environ-
Students in grades 4-12 began re- (FCS officials did not respond to ment itself has not been a strong
turning March 22. EVM’s query about attendance signal for outbreaks,” explained
At its meeting on March figures for its first back-to-school Lyon-Callo. “It tends to be more
17, the Flint Board of Education week(s) in more than a year.) the activities associated with
learned that 81 hydration stations “I appreciate all the work schools, and including sports, but
(drinking fountains) funded by that has been done since March not limited to sports.”
billionaire Elon Musk and the 2020 to make sure our children State officials announced
C.S. Mott Foundation are not yet have gotten their education … to on March 20 that young athletes,
operable. Additionally, only 40 have classrooms ready … to pull from middle to high school, must
of 300 PUR water filters for sink things together, to make some- get COVID-19 antigen tests be-
faucets ordered by the district had thing from nothing,” Board Vice fore games and practices starting
been received. President Vera Perry said about in April.
As students return to the schools’ reopening.
buildings across the state, schools “We went that extra mile
have become the number one to make sure our kids were safe,”
source of COVID-19 outbreaks, added Joyce Ellis-McNeal, the
surpassing nursing homes, pris- board’s assistant secretary-trea-
ons, and worksites, according to surer.
state government sources. “I haven’t received any
emails or phone calls about any-
Back to school thing that’s bothering anybody,”
said Danielle Green, treasurer. “I
Flint students with last am very pleased.”
names that start with letters A-L, On March 15, the Mich- Laura Sullivan, professor of
who choose to do so, report to igan Department of Health and mechanical engineering
school buildings on Mondays and Human Services reported 169 new Kettering University
(photo: Kettering University website)
Tuesdays. Those with last names clusters/outbreaks of COVID-19
that start with letters M-Z report in K-12 school settings (class-
on Thursdays and Fridays. Build- room, before/after school pro- Hydration stations inoperable
ings are closed on Wednesdays grams) in the state. In Region 3,
for cleaning and disinfecting. which includes Genesee County, Laura Sullivan, professor
Students are expected to 22 new clusters/outbreaks were of mechanical engineering at Ket-
report for remote/online learning reported. tering University (KU), told the
during those days they are not in “The largest number board at its March 17 meeting that
the buildings. of outbreaks are in kindergar- hydration stations, funded with
A January 2021 poll of ten-twelfth school settings …” donations from billionaire Elon
FCS families indicated that about reported Sarah Lyon-Callo, direc- Musk and the C.S. Mott Founda-
40 percent of FCS families fa- tor of the Bureau of Epidemiolo- tion, were not yet operable.
vored a return to face-to-face gy and Population Health at the FCS was grant-
instruction. MLive reported on state health department, on March ed $430,350 in mid-2018 to pur-
March 15 that, according to FCS 17. Lyon-Callo said that children chase, install, and test hydration
(Continued on Page 8.)
6THIS MONTH IN THE VILLAGE
“This Month” highlights a selection of events available to our readers — beginning after our publication date of Apr 1.
It is not an exhaustive list, rather a sampling of opportunities in the city, which, due to the pandemic, is still very limited.
To submit events for our May issue, email your event to pisenber@gmail.com by Apr. 20.
Longway Planetarium Flint Institute of Arts The Towering Inferno
“Propeller Power,” Sat., Apr. 10, 1:00-3:00 p.m.. Reopened July 6. This 1974 disaster flick starring Paul Newman,
1st-3rd grades Open Mon. through Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, O.J. Simpson,
Kids make propellers and find out how they can and Sun. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and others is a great escape, can be enjoyed at
make helicopters, cars and boats go. Safety measures have been put in place. For home and lasts almost three hours. Roger Ebert
guidelines check the FIA website before your vis- called it “by far the best of the mid-1970s wave
“Water Wonders,” Sat., April 10 or 14, 10:00 it. The FIA Theater currently cannot hold public of disaster films.” See O.J. Simpson rescue a cat,
a.m.-12:00 p.m. 4-7 year olds viewing of the FIA films, but the new films on the an all-male firefighting team and these actors
Kids explore water and build rivers, learn about schedule are available for virtual viewing. The when they were their prime.
the ocean and test objects to see if they float. galleries are open to the public. “Art of Jade,” On Prime and other streaming services.
“Maker Space: Reduce for Earth Day works made from jade, runs through May 23 in
Extravaganza,” Sat., Apr. 17, 10:00 a.m.- the Ann K Watch-Chan Gallery. “Found Objects: Shopping and Eating in Downtown Flint
12:00 p.m.. 4-7 year olds The Art of Purvis Young” features works that Many restaurants and shops are open with
Kids celebrate Earth Day and learn how include found objects on canvas. This runs restrictions for shopping and eating, too many to
to keep our planet beautiful. through Apr. 11. “Posing Beauty in African list. For info on what’s available, simply google
“Maker Space: Reuse for Earth Day American Culture” presents a diverse range of “stores in downtown flint mi” or “downtown flint
Extravaganza,” Sat., April 17, 1:00-4:00 p.m. media showing ways in which African and restaurants.” Convenient lists of these businesses
1st-3rd grades African American beauty have been represented. will come up showing the addresses, rating, web-
Kids learn new uses for recyclables in this This exhibit runs through Apr. 18. site, hours, services and phone number
whimsical building experience. Flint Institute of Art for each business.
All tickets are $8. 1120 E. Kearsley St., Flint
Longway Planetarium For more info
1330 Kearsley St., Flint visit flintarts.org.
Call 810-237-3400 or visit sloanlongway.org.
Flint Public Library
Open Tues. through Thurs. 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.,
Fri. and Sat. 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Masks and social distancing are required.
Capacity is limited. Plan on
visiting one hour or less.
Flint Public Library
Courtland Center (corner of Center
Rd. and Court St.), temporary
location during renovation
For more info
visit fpl.info.
Ed Custer’s East Village Magazine logo is reimagined
for each issue by Patsy Isenberg.
7... Schools software) necessary for the func- the board that the district was still
(Continued from Page 6.) tioning of the ultraviolet light fil- short of PUR filters for sink fau-
stations that utilized a three-step ter Sullivan explained. cets. Chapman said that only 40
process of drinking water filtra- She assured a wary board, faucets had been received from
tion: first, an ultrafilter (to screen “You will know that” the filters the City of Flint; an additional
out particles); then, a standard are removing lead and bacteria. 300 have been requested.
carbon block filter (to remove “You’ve taken it upon “I would have voted ‘no’
lead); and finally, ultraviolet light yourself (without compensation) for the return (to school build-
(to kill bacteria). to make sure that our staff and ings),” Green declared.
Installation, testing, flush- our students and our teachers “I’m at the mercy of the
ing and maintenance is being are safe,” said Laura MacIntyre, manufacturer,” Chapman respond-
overseen by a team of KU stu- board vice president. “I can’t ed.
dents and staff, including Sulli- thank you [Sullivan, Ammerman,
van and Michelle Ammerman, a KU] enough.” Continuity of learning
professor in the KU Department “We would be nowhere
of Chemistry and Biochemistry. without Elon Musk,” Sullivan Kevelin Jones presented a
Other partners in the project have said. report titled “Extended Continui-
included the State of Michigan, ty of Learning” to members of the
Lead in the water Flint panel. Highlights included:
• Student enrollment:
Sullivan’s board presen- 3,260. Daily Attendance Rate: 75
tation also included the results percent.
of testing for lead in the school
buildings. The percent of water
taps with at least five pbb (parts
per billion) of lead is shown be-
low for each building.
Brownell: 74%
Michelle Ammerman, Doyle-Ryder: 59%
professor, Dept. of Chemistry Durant-Tuuri-Mott: 47%
and Biochemistry Eisenhower: 23%
(photo: Kettering University website)
Freeman: 52%
the University of Michigan, and Holmes: 58% Kevelin Jones,
Brighton Analytical, LLC. Neithercut: 85% Assistant Superintendent
Sullivan explained that Northwestern: 100% (photo: FCS website)
the project had been delayed by Pierce: 34%
COVID-19, a nonresponsive Potter: 32% •.NWEA test completion
manufacturer and failed testing. Southwestern: 78% rate (district total): Math, 82.6
Testing of the hydration percent; Reading, 82.1 percent.
stations involved two phases: The Environmental Pro- (Northwest Evaluation Associa-
“challenge testing” in a labora- tection Agency (EPA) has set the tion, standardized testing)
tory environment; and “field test- maximum contaminant level for • Student growth rate
ing” inside the school buildings. lead in drinking water at zero. (fall 2020-winter 2021; district):
The early failed tests will Math, 43.6 percent; Reading 41.1
bring modifications of the hydra- Short of filters for sink faucets percent
tion stations that will substitute • DIBELS (K-3; at bench-
a prefilter for the ultrafilters and As he had at its February mark or above; district): 16.8 per-
carbon filters and remedy a prob- meeting, William Chapman, FCS cent (Dynamic Indicators of Ba-
lem with the firmware (permanent director of operations, informed sic Early Literacy Skills)
(Continued on Page 11.)
8VACCINE INFORMATION
The following information about the vaccine rollout in Genesee County
was provided by Bryant Nolden, Chair of Genesee County Health Committee
ELIGIBILITY:
• As of April 5, all Michiganders 16 and up will be eligible for the vaccine
REGISTRATION:
The following phone number can be called to register or get information
on vaccine locations and appointments:
810-344-4800 (between 9 am. and 4 pm.)
SITES:
• Generally the health department and its community partners
have been hosting 8-10 vaccine events per week. The permanent
sites are Northwestern High School and Bishop Airport.
Genesee County Health Department Shiloh Missonary Baptish Church
3 AFC - Mt. Morris Twp Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
Flint Northwestern Grand High School
Perry Center St. Johns Catholic Church
Flint Southwestern Central Church of the Nazaren
Whaley Childrens Center U of M @ Northbank Center
Mt. Morris High School Insight
Davison High School Bishop Airport
Flushing High School American House Independent Living of Grand Blanc
Lake Fenton High School Genesee County Jail
Woodhaven Senior Independent Shelter of Flint
Hamilton Health Clinic New Path Rehabiliation
Mapleplace AFC Home Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center
Sherrif Department - Pastor/clergy Carriage Town Ministries
Genesee Intermediate School District - Base Camp MSU extenstion @ Flint Farmers Market
Communication and Access Center for Deaf, North End Soup Kitchen
Hard of Hearing Wellness Center
9Rise in child abuse, violent crimes, home repairs, and
dead trees highlighted at March FNU
By Coner Segren
A rise in child abuse in Gen- Genesee County who have suffered accessible can apply for funds
esee County, a $200,000 grant to sexual, physical, as well as emotion- through the Metro Community De-
remove dead trees, available funds al abuse. According to Holloman, velopment’s Neighborhood Impact
for home owners’ home repairs and Voices for Children serves about Program (NIP). Qualifying home-
a presentation addressing violent 2,000 children a year. The group owners can receive up to $7,500 to
crime were items discussed at the leads a multidisciplinary team con- make repairs to things like roofing,
monthly Zoom meeting of the Flint sisting of law enforcement, Child siding, HVAC, and knob and tube
Neighborhoods United (FNU). Protective Services (CPS), the wiring replacement. The program
The Zoom meeting was county prosecutor’s office, mental is funded by grant money from
moderated by Theresa Roach, pro- health providers, and hospitals. places like the Charles Stewart
gram director of the Crim Foun- “We all collaborate togeth- Mott Foundation and Kettering
dation, and FNU president Carma er so that we insure that we are University.
Lewis. not dropping the ball on any of To qualify, the home-
our child abuse cases,” Holloman owner’s gross household income
Cases of child abuse in Genesee said. “Instead of having the kids must be at or below 80 percent of
County on the rise during and their parents go through the Area Medium Income (AMI). The
pandemic systematic barriers of each entity, homeowner must also have lived
they come to one place, Voices for in the home for at least six months
A “severe” increase in Children.” prior to applying for NIP, and
childhood physical and sexual In addition to services for mortgage and property taxes must
abuse in Genesee County correlates children and legal advocacy for the be paid as agreed and current. To
alarmingly to the COVID-19 pan- life of the case, the group also pro- check your AMI, you can visit the
demic, according to a presentation vides material support to non-of- Metro Community Development
by Claudnyse Holloman, president fending family members who are website at https://metrocommuni-
and CEO of the advocacy group the primary caregivers for the child. tydevelopment.com/
Voices for Children. Studies cited This includes finding safe housing, To apply, contact Metro
by the group show that about 1 in providing diapers and clothing, as Community Development and re-
4 children in Genesee County will well as other needed items such as quest an application for NIP by call-
be victims of some form of sexual car seats. ing 810-767-4622 extension 360.
abuse, higher than the national av- “It’s imperative for our
erage of 1 in 6. community to recognize that it’s
happening, to begin talking about it
and to not allow it to continue being
a silent epidemic,” Holloman said.
Voices for Children can be Genesee Conservation
contacted at 810-238-3333 or at District receives grant to
“What we’re seeing is the their website www.voicesforcac. remove dead trees
abuse is just egregious and it’s org. Their offices are located at 515
so severe, it’s happening daily to East Street, Flint, 48503. The Genesee Conserva-
the kids and it’s even more ram- tion District (GCD) has received a
pant,” Holloman said. “In a given Neighborhood Impact Program grant of $208,579 from the Charles
week, we’ll see between 16 to 20 offers funds for home repairs Stewart Mott Foundation for the
families for just the new cases.” removal of over 330 dead and dan-
Voices for Children pro- Homeowners in need of gerous trees throughout the city of
vides services to any children in repairs to make their homes more Flint. GCD Administrator Angela
(Continued on Page 11.)
10... Neighborhoods reasons, such as issues of trust or ... Schools
(Continued from Page 10.) safety, that often prevent residents (Continued from Page 8.)
from coming forward.
Warren said the targeted trees are “We’re trying to find a way “Hopefully we can get
those between sidewalks and curbs to get out into the community and these scores up,” Ellis-McNeal
that pose a threat to nearby people try to educate or build trust with the said.
and property. community so that they feel safe A recording of the March
enough or so they know how to 17 FCS Board of Education
share this information that is very meeting can be accessed on
vital to the investigation [of a violent YouTube.
crime],” Short said. The next meeting of the
One part of the plan Short FCS board is scheduled to begin
outlined is using Flint community at 6:30 p.m. April 14. The public
groups such as Flint Neighborhoods can attend the meetings virtual-
United and Crime Stoppers to con- ly by registering at the district’s
nect with neighborhoods and get out website www.flintschools.org.
requests to residents for informa- Questions and/or com-
tion. The plan also involves direct ments for FCS officials can be
“Our forestry work is im- appeals to residents through door- submitted to the following inter-
proving safety while restoring to-door canvases. net address: fboe@flintschools.
neighborhood vitality through org. Also, the email addresses
green infrastructure,” Warren of various FCS officials can also
said. “The Genesee Conservation be found at the district’s web-
District will continue to encourage site: www.flintschools.org.
and activate conservation in the re-
vitalization of our neighborhoods EVM reporter Harold C. Ford can be
and community. reached at hcford1185@gmail.com
More information can be
found on their website Our Work is Flint Police Vehicle
Life Genesee Conservation District | (Photo by Tom Travis)
Genesee County, MI (geneseecd.org)
“We need them to see that
Flint police and Michigan State we care, that we need informa-
Police partnering on initiative tion and that we need your help,”
to address violent crime Short said. “In the end, I think it’s
important that we, being the com-
The Flint Police Depart- munity, and we, being law enforce-
ment (FPD) is partnering with the ment, are now coming together on
Michigan State Police to start the a regular basis.”
Safe Neighborhood Initiative. The The next Flint Neighbor- Lead/galvanized tainted
aim of the program is to strength- hoods United monthly Zoom meet- pipes replaced so far in
en bonds between communities ing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sat- Flint:
and police to help address violent urday, April 3. The link to join
crimes in neighborhoods, according 9,912
the meeting can be found on the The numbers are from last month,
to Lt. Jeffrey Short, a state trooper FNU website at www.flintneigh- and while work is continuing,
from the Michigan State Police. borhoodsunited.org or on the FNU the city provided no new num-
When violent crimes oc- Facebook page. bers for March. As of then, a
cur in a neighborhood, information total of 16,240 pipes have been
gleaned from residents is import- discovered to be copper service lines.
EVM reporter Coner Segren can
ant. However, Short cited several be reached at csegren@umich.edu
11... Normal those harmed by the water crisis. are still there and it looks like we’ll
(Continued from Page 3.) be dealing with both for some time
it seemed that the Flint water crisis Can we restore trust after the before we get back to “normal” elec-
was on track to be finally resolved 2020 election? tions, where the winners celebrate,
as the year began. Nearly all the and the losers graciously concede
pipes had been replaced, the water After one of the most divi- and wish their opponents, and the
was testing better, and a legal settle- sive and contentious elections in nation, the best.
ment had been reached over the civ- American history, it seemed that we
il lawsuits. Even the criminal cases could put that behind us as we en- It will be over
were moving forward. But, like the tered 2021. There have been more
pandemic, we’re getting there, but it than 60 unsuccessful legal challeng- While all these delays might
isn’t quite over yet. es to the election results, charges of be discouraging, there is at least
As Rowe Professional Ser- cheating and fraud, and an ex-presi- some good news. While it’s true that
vices prepared to check and replace dent who sulked off to Mar-a-Lago “It ain’t over till it’s over,” there will
the pipes in Flint’s last 500 homes, and refused to be part of the Biden be a time when it really will be over.
the city council voted against the final inauguration on Jan. 20. After all The pandemic will end, the water
$500,000 payment for the services. the auditing, checking, and double crisis will be settled, and we will
It’s not clear whether the action was a checking, the 2020 election may have elections that are trusted and
response to the fact that Rowe was a have been the most fair and honest open to all voters.
party to the civil lawsuit over the wa- in our history, and it looked like we It may take longer than ex-
ter crisis or some other factor. But, at were about to return to “normal” pected, but in the end, we will be
the very least, it may delay the final elections in the future. able to get the garden tools out, and
pipe replacement in the city. Not quite. According to put the snow shovel away, at least
The water crisis seemed to some conspiracy theories, some ex- until next winter.
reach another final stage as the $640 pected Donald Trump to be inaugu-
million lawsuit against the state of rated for a second term on March 4; EVM political columnist Paul Rozycki
Michigan, the City of Flint, McLar- others thought that somehow Pres. can be reached at paul.rozycki@mcc.edu
en hospitals, and Rowe Professional Biden was Trump in disguise. Riot-
Services was approved by Federal ers stormed the U.S. Capitol in an at-
District Judge Judith Levy early in tempt to block the vote count. Many
the year. The funds are to be allo- refused to accept the election results
cated to those harmed by the Flint months after they were made official.
water crisis, particularly those under Beyond the QAnon-style
age 18. However, the settlement was conspiracies, more than 40 states
delayed when the attorneys bringing have introduced 250 laws that would
the lawsuits requested $202 million make it more difficult to vote in the
in legal fees, about 33 percent of the future. A few of them may have been
overall water crisis settlement. As a reasonable, such as cleaning up reg-
result of the public reaction against istration rolls, but most were aimed
the large legal fees, Judge Levy will at discouraging voters, (particularly
be reviewing the settlement and minority and Democratic voters), by
may reduce the percent paid to the limiting absentee or mail-in voting,
attorneys. While a 33 percent fee is closing polling places, and restrict-
common for many routine lawsuits, ing early voting. On the national
there are legal precedents that would level there is legislation (HR.1) that
limit attorney fees in what are called would protect voting rights. It has
“megafund” cases, like Flint’s. How passed in the U.S. House but may
long that takes remains to be seen, have a tough time in the Senate.
but it may take longer than expected The 2020 election may be
before any checks are in the hands of history, but the divisions and distrust
12... Pandemic Village ter’s Halloween by presenting her City of Flint yard
(Continued from Page 16.) with gummy burgers at the school’s
her room? Is that a good idea? drive-thru trunk-or-treat that night. waste collection
As it turns out, yes. Preschool Every morning, the teachers begins April 5, 2021
at Pierce has become the pinnacle of start Zoom preschool by saying good Flint resumes yard waste
our pandemic days. morning to each kid individually. Our collection the week of April 5, 2021.
Our child became the only outgoing child caught on to that pattern Yard waste is picked up weekly on
member of our household responsible pretty quickly and started also greeting residents’ regularly scheduled trash
for keeping a schedule with people each classmate by name. One morn- collection day through Thanksgiv-
outside of our home. Monday through ing, her classmate said good morning ing week.
Thursday, she’d eat breakfast, brush back to her and then asked her to come
her teeth, get dressed, and report to her over to his house to play.
room to meet with her teachers and This was the sort of social in-
ten other four-year-olds for Zoom pre- teraction we hoped for, but we had to
school. explain that we can’t do that right now,
It was amazing to sit in the because of the virus. We can only talk
next room and listen as her two teach- on Zoom. According to a City of Flint
ers engaged each child and developed The next day, she and her press release, compost is limited
rapport with ten little four-year-olds friend got in good trouble for trying to 50 pounds in each brown paper
all sitting in their own homes at dining to tell each other their moms’ phone lawn and leaf bag. Bags should be
room tables and on couches. We were numbers and set up a Zoom playdate. placed at the curb at least 10 feet
amazed at how the initial chaos formed I guess I should be proud that she cor- from regular trash no later than 7
into predictable patterns of greetings, rectly gave my phone number to her a.m. on pickup day.
lessons and music. entire class, twice. At the end of class, Acceptable materials in-
On her first day of “preschool they told each other, “Goodbye! I’ll clude grass clippings, weeds, leaves,
meetings,” she sat at her desk listen- miss you!” and twigs. Brush up to two inches in
ing to her teachers read Brown Bear, This March, we had our first diameter and four feet in length is
Brown Bear to her over Zoom. When day with the option for students to be accepted if it is tied in bundles and
asked if she had questions, she said, in-person, so there now are kids in class weighs less than 50 pounds.
“Yes. How do noses breathe?” Then with the teachers when our child logs on The City of Flint also offers
she asked if she could read Chica Chi- each morning. These amazing teachers free curbside recycling every week.
ca Boom Boom to them because it was manage to maintain their typical Zoom For more information or to report
a gift from Flint Community Schools class routine, with kids in-person and any problems with trash, recycling,
in our welcome packet. When they online, all at the same time. The transi- or yard waste service call (810)
asked her to read it out loud, she said, tion was not completely flawless, but it 410-1134. More information can be
“I need help with the language.” Then has been quite impressive. found the city’s sanitation website
she taught them to play charades, in- Our daughter was excited and at www.cityofflint.com/category/
troduced them to her cat, and counted comforted to see kids on the other end public-works/sanitation.
to 14. She only got to E in the alphabet, of Zoom in the classroom with their
though. teachers. She no longer fears going EVM Staff can be reached at
By Halloween, she felt close into school or being in class. eastvillagemagazineflint@gmail.com.
enough to her teachers to complain Just a bit longer, we tell her.
to them during class that Crossroads Just a bit longer until we will be vacci-
Village wasn’t handing out her fa- nated. Just a bit longer and we’ll finally
vorite candy, gummy burgers, at their be together, at last, with all of the new
drive-thru trick-or-treat this year. Her friends we made in our virtual village.
sweet teachers picked up on this one
child’s wish over the internet, went EVM reporter Melodee Mabbitt can be
all over town until they found them at reached at melodee.mabbitt@gmail.com.
Joanne Fabrics, and made our daugh-
13Flint’s new Chief Financial Officer
Shelbi Frayer hits the ground running as city council
considers $71 million budget
By Tom Travis
Shelbi Frayer has joined Neeley explained that as served at the State of Michigan,
the City of Flint Finance depart- Chief Financial Officer, Frayer will where she specialized in sustain-
ment as the new Chief Financial oversee all aspects of the City’s fi- ing financially stressed areas. Her
Officer (CFO). nances, including preparation and roles included serving as execu-
“Frayer comes to Flint with administration of the city’s budget tive director for the Financial Re-
a wealth of experience in munici- and financial reports as well as ac- view Commission, director of the
pal finance, previously serving in counting payroll, grant reporting Office of School Review and Fis-
key leadership roles with the City and purchasing. cal Accountability, and director
of Lansing, State of Michigan, and “We are so pleased to of Local Government (overseeing
multiple school districts,” Flint have Shelbi Frayer join our team. audits, municipal borrowing, is-
Mayor Sheldon Neeley explained Her leadership, expertise, and ea- suance of State bonds and notes).
in a press release. gle-eye toward savings are exactly Frayer also led a team that imple-
Frayer, 35, lives with her what the city of Flint needs,” May- mented legislation for fiscal sol-
husband of 13 years, Chris, north of or Sheldon Neeley said. “With her vency in Detroit Public Schools.
Lansing. The Frayers have two chil- extensive knowledge, the city of Frayer started at the City
dren ages 8 and 11 and a five-year- Flint will tackle its financial chal- of Flint in February and is cur-
old tea cup poodle named Mardi. lenges and continue to move for- rently serving as interim CFO.
Frayer told EVM that, with school- ward in a positive direction.” The CFO appointment must ap-
age children, they have chosen to pear before the city council for
stay where they live and not move to consent. In last Monday's coun-
Flint. Frayer commutes to City Hall cil meeting Frayer's appointment
saying, “I actually enjoy the drive as was sent back to the Government
it gives me some down time!” Fray- Operations committee for consid-
er's salary, once approved by city eration which will meet April 7.
council, will be $148,000 per year. Frayer has joined every
Frayer is currently serving as Inter- council meeting since she came
Shelbi Frayer
im Chief Financial Officer. on as interim CFO answering
questions and explaining the City's
$71 million 2021-2022 “I am excited to be a part financial situation to council.
city budget of this team that is creating posi-
tive change in the city of Flint. I am $71 million proposed budget
Frayer comes to the city eager to work with the administra- presented by Mayor Neeley
just in time to help navigate up- tion, council, and residents to con-
coming negotiations on a pro- tinue moving this city forward,” The mayor presented earli-
posed $71 million 2021-2022 city said Frayer in the press release. er in March a $71-million FY(fis-
budget. A hearing before the city cal year)2021-22 proposed budget
council on the budget is set for Frayer brings a to the Flint City Council.
5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25. “wealth of experience” "The balanced budget pro-
The proposed budget, and posal makes investments in blight
if approved by council the final Before joining the City of cleanup, the City Clerk’s office
budget, can be viewed online at Flint team, Frayer served the City and the Ombudsperson’s office
www.cityofflint.com and choosing of Lansing as its first chief strategy while keeping staffing levels and
the finance tab. Links are available and financial officer. expenses stable," a press release
online at the EVM website as well. Frayer also previously from the mayor's office stated.
(Continued on Page 5.)
1415
Village Life
Pierce Preschool connected us to
our pandemic village
By Melodee Mabbitt
Before the pandemic hit, ing to maintain schedules and calm your loved one. I offered to help her
I was the kind of parent who relied for our child, while my partner and make them for her grandparents, but
heavily on my village to help raise I struggled through the COVID-19 she wanted to make one for her friend
our child. fallout in our lives without anyone to instead. So we did. When she painted
Pre-pandemic, I was lucky to relieve us. the face, she made the mouth frown.
have a flexible schedule with the abil- Those first few weeks, our We arranged porch trades
ity to work remotely. I even got away daughter watched more kids and dogs with her grandma, exchanging some
without needing a babysitter much of walk by our house than we had ever artwork for some of grandma’s chick-
the time by going places where our seen in this neighborhood. For the en nuggets or more art supplies, send-
three year old could socialize with first time ever, we didn’t feel safe let-ing our love through the screen door.
other kids while I worked from my ting her interact with any of them. She I drove her past the places we
laptop. would spot passersby out the window, missed; Meijer, downtown Flint, her
We had dance class dad’s old work and its pool, and
on Thursdays, but the rest of the torn-up library. One day on
the week we found places to a drive, she yelled, “Go away,
play that are free to Flint kids. virus!” the way one of her fa-
I worked from playgrounds and vorite books yells, “Go away,
parks in nice weather, and passed big green monster!” So, I en-
endless hours of bad weather couraged that spirit and we rode
inside the children’s area at the for a while singing, “Go away,
Sloan or the children’s room of virus!” I like to think we did
the Flint Public Library. some good toward the global
In February of 2020, effort.
I panicked during the celebra- “Tell me what we did before
tions of the last day we could Pierce Patriot on her first day of virtual the virus,” she said one day.
play at the library before they preschool through Pierce Elementary School Then we started telling sto-
(Photo by Melodee Mabbitt)
closed for renovations. How ries about favorite places we’d
could I find new ways to occupy been, what we did there, and
her until they opened again in Court- run to the door to shout greetings and who was there with us. She is com-
land Center later that spring? wave, only satisfied once they saw her forted by us repeating the same stories
Little did I know that two and responded. She’s madly in love of Life Before The Virus.
weeks later, my partner would also with our neighbors and cried every Summer weather offered
be sent home to work for the foresee- couple of days when she’d see them some reprieve as we were able to
able future while the entire village on outside and realized she couldn’t go spend time outside with masked fam-
which we depended also closed up within six feet of them. ily and friends, but as fall set in we
indefinitely. One day in April, I asked if stared into the coming cold weather
That spring was hard and she wanted anything else after lunch, with more than a little chill.
lonely. My partner is immune com- and she said, “Yeah, a friend!” Then That’s when Flint Communi-
promised, so we were cautious. We she cried a little. ty Schools called and said we qualified
were immersed in the full pandemic Drawing and painting occu- for preschool at Pierce because we’ve
experience: isolation, grocery deliv- pied much of our time. I found a pan- lived here through the water crisis.
ery, masks, Zoom holidays, unem- demic craft idea where you trace your Send our child to optional pre-
ployment, death of dear family and kid’s silhouette onto paper, cut it out school in the middle of a pandemic?
friends, grief without funerals. We in the shape of “a hug,” and mail it to Learn for the first time from an iPad in
spent seemingly endless hours try- (Continued on Page 13)
LIX: 4 (696 issues, 7,216 pages)
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