East Village Magazine - February 2023
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East Village
Magazine
February 2023
Photograph By107 W. Kearsley St.
Downtown Flint
Open Monday-Saturday
Facebook.com/consolidatedbarbershop
2Commentary
Dysfunction and Democracy from Flint
to Washington.
Is Flint a model for the nation?
By Paul Rozycki
difficult to for the U.S. House to
F
Vol. LIX No. 12 February 2023 or much of the 20th Cen-
tury Flint was a leader for produce any meaningful policies?
Founder Gary P. Custer much of what mattered At the moment it seems the likely
in the nation. It was home for prospect. To win the speakership,
Managing Editor Tom Travis one of the largest manufacturing McCarthy gave up a lot of power to
Consulting Editor Jan Worth-Nelson
Consulting Editor Ted Nelson corporations in the world. It was a small cluster of Republicans who
Reporters Harold C. Ford the place where one of the most may limit his options for the future.
Patsy Isenberg progressive and influential labor After 15 votes on what normally is
Columnist Paul Rozycki a routine process, will they be able
Photographer Edwin D. Custer
to agree on any major policies? The
last time the House took this long to
Distribution Staff pick a speaker was just before the
Director: Edwin D. Custer. Staff: Kim Bargy,
Jacob Blumner, Connor & Ruby Coyne, Casey Civil War.
Custer, Nicholas Custer, Marabeth Foreman, Nick
& Jeni Godlesky, Charlie, Linda, Patrick, Terrance,
Christan & Jillianne Goldsberry, Patsy Isenberg, Dysfunction locally
Stephen & Carol Larzelere Kellermann, Jo A vehicle city arch in downtown
Larzelere, Mary LeRoy Striler, James, Lillian &
Livia Londrigan, Alan & Julie Lynch, Ron & Mary Flint. The historic Durant Hotel The Flint City Council has
Meeker, Robert & Nancy Meszko, Ted Nelson, in the background
(Photo by Tom Travis)
become a poster child for govern-
mental dysfunction and conflict
Dave & Becky Pettengill, Julian Rodriquez, Paul
Rozycki, Mike Spleet, Kim, Ronan & Jude Streby,
Holly West, and Karen Wilkinson. unions in the nation stood up to as meetings drift into the early
that corporation and negotiated morning hours with endless re-
Board of Trustees
• FaLessia Booker • Edwin D. Custer a labor agreement. It was known quests for “point of information”
• Robert MacDonald • Paul Rozycki for its premier public school sys- as members accuse each other of
• Jan Worth-Nelson
tem. It was where a major foun- racism, and some are led out in
720 E. Second St.
Flint, Mich. 48503 dation built a Cultural Center that handcuffs by police.
(810) 233-7459 rivaled many larger cities. It was
where the first Black mayor of a
Website:
eastvillagemagazine.org major city was chosen.
E-mail: Dysfunction nationally
eastvillagemagazineflint@gmail.com
Layout by Patsy Isenberg. Printing by PrintComm Today that reputation as
Inc., 3040 S. Dye Rd., Flint, MI 48507. a leader may still hold true, but
East Village Magazine is a program of the Village in a very different direction. In
Information Center Inc., a nonprofit corporation. recent weeks, we watched the
We welcome material from readers, but all submis-
sions become the property of the publication and if U.S. House fumble for four days, Councilperson Eric Mays (Ward 1)
published will be edited to conform to the editorial in its attempt to pick a speaker,
style and policies of the publication. All inquiries putting his hands out to be cuffed
about the publication should be mailed to East Vil- as Kevin McCarthy sold his soul after he was removed from a city
lage Magazine, Village Information Center, 720 E. council meeting
Second St., Flint, Mich. 48503. Distribution is the to a handful of Trump loyalists.
(Photo by Tom Travis)
first Thursday of each month. Display advertising Yet, the dysfunction we see in
rates are $34 a column-inch plus any other costs.
Unclassified ads are $2.50 a printed line or part of a the national government has been
printed line. Rates subject to change without notice. part of Flint politics for some Perhaps learning from the
The deadline for advertising is 10 days before each
publication date. time. city council, the Flint Board of
© 2023 East Village Magazine Will the turmoil over Education has shown similar
choosing a speaker make it more (Continued on Page 7)
Cover: Factory One on Water St. in the Carriage Town District
3Photo of the Month: For the Warming Winter Fire (Photo by Edwin D. Custer)
Education Beat Analysis
New leadership team for Flint Board of Education
all first-timers
By Harold C. Ford
“Sometimes you’ve got to pivot.” – Melody Relerford, newly-elected Flint Board of Education trustee, Jan. 11, 2023
A new leadership team was the board president position by a Intyre and McNeal to form a vot-
impaneled at the annual organiza- 4-3 vote over Relerford. Voting ing bloc during this first meeting
tional meeting of the Flint Board for Clack were Perkins, Clack, of the newly-constituted FBOE
of Education (FBOE) on Jan. 11, and returning board members (see below).
2023. Laura MacIntyre and Joyce El- • Perkins was unanimously
Newly-elected members of lis-McNeal. McNeal, who nom- chosen as the panel’s new secre-
a five-person electoral slate were inated Clack, and MacIntyre are tary following her nomination by
chosen to fill three of four execu- the only holdovers from the pre- MacIntyre and Relerford’s decli-
tive officer positions. Four of five vious iteration of the board; they nation of a nomination made by
slate members – Melody Reler- are not up for reelection until their Luna.
ford, Dylan Luna, Terae King, terms end in December, 2026. • Luna was chosen by a 4-3
and Michael Clack – along with Voting for Relerford were King, vote to fill the position of treasur-
non-slate candidate Claudia Per- Luna, and Relerford. er; he was nominated by King.
kins, filled a single board vacancy • King will fill the vice-pres- McNeal gained three votes fol-
and swept four incumbents from ident position during 2023. King lowing nomination by MacIntyre.
their positions on the panel. New nominated himself; Ellis-McNeal Thus, all four of the executive
officers: was nominated by Perkins who officer positions were filled by
• Clack was picked to fill seemed to align herself with Mac- (Continued on Page 5)
4Education ... ing. MacIntyre, a self-nominee,
(Continued from Page 4) and the only nominee for the
newcomers who were not mem- assistant secretary/treasurer posi-
bers of an often-tumultuous panel tion, won all seven board votes.
in recent years. New officers Tish Wolf, controller for Flint
Clack, King, Perkins, and Luna Community Schools (FCS), was
are all serving their first terms on unanimously chosen as the assis-
Flint’s education board. tant secretary-treasurer to repre-
Michael Clack being sworn in
sent FCS administration. By a 6-1
Emerging voting blocs? (Photo by H.C. Ford) vote, Clack was chosen to serve as
FCS representative to the Gene-
It’s early, but Flint see County Association of School
board-watchers are paying atten- Board Members, a position that
tion to how the new panel lines typically goes to the board’s
up in terms of voting blocs. After president; McNeal will serve as an
only one meeting, it’s too soon to alternate.
tell. However, during the elec- All new board members
tion process, newcomer Perkins were sworn into their positions by
often aligned with incumbents Terae King being sworn in 67th District Court Judge Tabitha
MacIntyre and McNeal during the (Photo by H.C. Ford) Marsh at the Dec. 6, 2022 and
new board’s first meeting: Jan. 11 meetings.
• McNeal nominated Per-
kins to chair the election pro- “No more drama”
cess. Eventually, Superintendent
Kevelin Jones was unanimously During time for commen-
chosen to chair the election pro- tary from the public, Paul Jordan,
cess until the selection of Clack former FBOE member from 2005
as board president. to 2009, addressed the public’s
• Perkins nominated Mc- Claudia Perkins being sworn in perception of the FBOE as dys-
Neal for the vice-president posi- (Photo by H.C. Ford) functional.
tion. Perkins, McNeal, and Mac- “My greatest hope for you
Intyre all voted for McNeal who is, we see … no more drama …
finished second to King. Do the people’s business as well
• After Relerford declined as you can,” Jordan said. “This
the nomination for secretary, isn’t a job for anyone who seeks
Perkins was voted into the posi- glory.”
tion by a 7-0 vote following her The laundry list of challeng-
nomination by MacIntyre. es for FCS is prodigious: a deplet-
• MacIntyre nominated Mc- Dylan Luna being sworn in ed staff; deteriorating infrastruc-
Neal for the treasurer position – a (Photo by H.C. Ford) ture; legal challenges; a looming
nomination that received support debt/deficit crisis when COVID
from MacIntyre, McNeal, and relief funds disappear; the need
Perkins during the voting process. to downsize the district’s build-
MacIntyre had declined a nomi- ing lineup; low standardized test
nation by McNeal. Luna won the scores; retention of student pop-
position with votes from all four ulation; a few dozen abandoned
of the members who ran as a slate properties and buildings; and
in the Nov. 2022 election. lagging staff morale (see below).
Other less visible positions Melody Relerford being sworn in Board members and other
were also filled during the meet- (Photo by H.C. Ford) (Continued on Page 6)
5Education ...
(Continued from Page 5)
speakers referenced the challeng-
es during public comments:
• Flint Mayor Sheldon
Neeley proposed a “robust part-
nership” between the city and
Flint Board of Education with newly elected members seated
the school district by working Photo taken in January 2023.
“together in a more robust way … (Photo by Tom Travis)
You have a tremendous responsi- in the November, 2022 election, • “Mold is going to be
bility and you need help.” said, “I think that speaks to the growing and it’s going to make
• Lottie Ferguson, chief desire for change.” me sick after the third burst pipe
resilience officer, City of Flint, • Clack, new FBOE pres- in my classroom in five years.”
asserted, “If we build a net of ident offered a concise goal: • “It’s the purchase of a fire
resilience around our kids … we “Bring trust … a sense of pride … extinguisher because there aren’t
can ensure that they have exactly back into the district.” sprinkler systems in our rooms.”
what they need to have the poten- • “It’s keeping baseball bats
tial … that they can grow to.” “To teach in Flint in your room because the district
• King, new FBOE vice can be demoralizing.” won’t protect you from parents
threatening to or actually assault-
If Flint schools are to restore ing you on school property.”
“a sense of pride” they have some • “It’s carrying a phone
work to do. The public testimony charger because there aren’t work-
of an FCS graduate and current ing phones in our classrooms for
staff member Nadia Rodriquez emergencies.”
indicated the mountainous task • “It’s buying and storing
ahead for the new board in a short extra clothing … for my students
speech she titled “To teach in for days that go on and on without
Flint …a glimpse into a day in the heat.”
(L-R) Michael Clack, Melody Reler-
ford, Terae King, Emily Doerr, Dylan life”: • “To teach in Flint can be
Luna; all but Doerr are now • “It’s deciding whether to demoralizing.”
Flint Ed Board members
fill my car with gas or if I’m go- Future FBOE meetings are
scheduled for the following dates:
(photo by HC Ford)
president, said, “Let’s work Jan. 18; Feb. 8 (Committee of
together to build our district … the Whole or COW); Feb. 15.;
Let’s move the district forward.” Mar. 8 (COW); Mar. 15; Apr. 12
• Perkins, new FBOE sec- (COW); Apr. 19; May 10 (COW);
retary said, “I’m an advocate to May 17; June 14 (COW); June 21.
help get our community back on Meetings are held at Accelerated
the right track … Unity is the key Learning Academy, 1602 S. Aver-
and respect is at the top of the ill St., Flint, MI 48503. Meetings
list.” can be attended virtually; interest-
• Relerford, new FBOE ed persons should visit the FCS
FCS educator Nadia Rodriguez website to register.
trustee, said, “Sometimes you’ve (Photo by HC Ford)
got to pivot, and I hope every-
one’s prepared to pivot at certain ing to buy snacks for my hungry EVM Education Beat reporter
times.” students.” Harold Ford can be reached at
• Luna, new FBOE treasur- • “Ants are going to create hcford1185@gmail.com.
er, acknowledging the sweep of anthills through the floor tiles
all FBOE incumbents from office overnight while I’m gone.”
6Rozycki Commentary ... turmoil we’ve seen on both the
national and local level. After all,
attempt to kidnap Michigan’s gov-
ernor, and threats against election
(Continued from Page 3)
a story about a train wreck is more officials.
discord and dysfunction, as mem- exciting than one about a train Trust in the government has
bers assault each other, and spend pulling into the station safely and been declining for decades. In the
endless hours bickering over small on time. mid-1960s, 77 percent of the pub-
issues as the Flint schools crumble But that dull meeting over lic felt that government would do
and enrollment drops. the budget (and similar topics) is the right thing “just about always
At the University of Mich- the real business of government, or most of the time.” Today that
igan-Flint it remains to be seen and the dysfunction has led to a number is about 20 percent. We’ve
how they will deal with the pro- dramatic distrust in all institutions. seen that with the Flint water
posed changes to their curriculum That distrust can have profound crisis; local voter turnout has de-
amid protests from faculty, staff, implications for the future of de- clined, we’ve grown more cynical
and the local community. Many mocracy. of what government can do.
We are learning that the
events of Jan. 6, where an orga-
nized mob tried to overturn the
2020 election were hardly unique.
The recent events in Brazil and
several European nations have
seen a similar rise in right-wing
actions and distrust of democracy.
There were many reasons
for the rise of Hitler in Germany
in the 1930s, but the dysfunctional
Some of numerous broken chairs in the city council chambers at City Hall Weimar Republic of the 1920s, and
(Photo by Tom Travis) the Great Depression, helped set
the stage.
are worried that, in spite of all the
community forums, the Universi- The threat to democracy Any signs of optimism?
ty will pursue its own agenda in
remaking the campus. Some fear Yes, democracy can be a For as divided as the nation
that the survival of the campus is messy process, but in the end we is today, there are some glim-
at stake. expect it to deliver the goods. mering hopes that the partisan
While it may be entertaining, divisions are wearing thin, and
What does it mean for exciting, and interesting to watch the nation just might be willing to
government? all the chaos and conflict at all move in a more positive direction.
levels of government, that con- Increasingly some candidates are
What does all this mean for flict poses some real dangers. We promising to work across the aisle
the trust we have in government expect something from a well-run and the word “bipartisan” is show-
and its institutions? democratic government, and when ing up more frequently as they
On one hand, it may be it can’t deliver, it’s natural to turn make their pitch for votes. Words
entertaining to watch members of elsewhere. That ‘elsewhere’ is are one thing. Action is something
Congress assault each other, see often a dictator or an authoritarian else. We’ll see if the words lead to
Kevin McCarthy’s poker face as ruler who promises “Only I can do real cooperation.
he endures 15 frustrating ballots, it, if you give me the power.” As On the local level, the Flint
Eric Mays being led out of coun- government grows more dysfunc- Board of Education has just elected
cil chambers in handcuffs, or two tional and less trusted, the tenden- five new members, defeating all
school board members punch each cy is for the public to drop out and the incumbent candidates. Melody
other out during a meeting. become less involved. As distrust Relerford, Claudia Perkins, Dylan
Sitting through a meeting that grows, it becomes easier to believe Luna, Terae King. and Michael
reviews the annual budget line- the wildest conspiracy theories Clack were elected, and they have
by-line or examines new zoning floating around social media. And pledged to work together. All of
regulations is almost certainly less as distrust grows, some turn to the new officers of the board are
compelling than the conflict and violence, as we have seen with the (Continued on Page 8)
7Rozycki Commentary ... versity, and an independent group
of faculty, staff, students, and
(Continued from Page 7)
alumni also have been sponsoring
newly elected members. They are: town halls. We’ll see how well
President Michael Clack, Vice
President Terae King Jr., Secretary
Claudia Perkins, and Treasurer
Dylan Luna.
With his recent reelection
and State of the City address, May-
or Sheldon Neeley has made an
attempt to reach out to those on the
council that he may have offended,
and has indicated his desire to work
with them in a more productive Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
October 2022 campaign event
way.
in Flint
While the Flint City Council (Photo by Tom Travis)
and the Flint Board of Education
often divide along racial lines, university officials listen and what
Genesee County Sheriff Chris actions are finally taken.
Swanson stepped out of his riot On the state level, Gov.
gear and walked with the “Black Gretchen Whitmer has a Demo-
Lives Matter” protesters as Flint cratic majority in the legislature
avoided much of the turmoil of for the first time in 40 years. U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.
(Photo source Architect of the Capitol
that summer two years ago. But it is a narrow majority and website. www.aoc..gov)
The University of Michigan she will often need to work with
– Flint is at least holding focus Republicans to get things done. parties over the budget and taxes
groups and town halls to listen With a potential budget surplus in Michigan.
to community concerns about the this year, there seems to be some The federal level may be the
changes planned for the Flint uni- real conversation between the most challenging. Already the Re-
publicans in the U.S. House have
begun to prepare investigations of
Hunter Biden, the Jan. 6. com-
mittee, the FBI, and Pres. Biden’s
classified documents. In that
atmosphere, bipartisan coopera-
tion may be difficult to achieve.
One critical decision is the need
to extend the debt limit, to avoid
a serious economic crisis. Maybe,
just maybe, that threat may bring
some bipartisan co-operation.
If Flint’s local governments
can begin to work together and
rebuild trust, could Flint again be
a model for the nation?
It’s at least something to
hope for.
EVM political commentator and
board president Paul Rozycki can
be reached at paul.rozycki@mcc.
edu.
8UM - Flint Chancellor gets 15% raise;
dozens top $100K in diverse salary picture
as Strategic Transformation decisions appears close
By Jan Worth-Nelson
The University of Michigan – job for a year without additional com- The campus is a major down-
Flint’s top executive, Chancellor De- pensation,” King said. town employer.
basish Dutta, received a 15% pay raise According to data from
for the 2022-23 fiscal year, bringing the UMF’s Officer of Institutional
his yearly salary to $469,000, accord- Analysis and the UM Human Resourc-
ing to publicly available sources. es Information System, as of Nov, 1,
On average, the rest of the 2022, UM – Flint employs 1,013 peo-
university faculty and staff received ple, with 717 (71 percent) full time
raises of about 3-5%. The overall and 296 part time (29 percent).
University of Michigan pay raise for Of those 494 are Faculty, in the
2022-23, was 4.1%. following categories:
Asked for a response from UMF • 195 Tenured/Tenure Track
administration about Dutta’s salary Faculty (which includes 23 Academic/
increase, Robb King, UM – Flint Administrators who are tenured fac-
director of marketing and communica- ulty members and 1 Emeritus Faculty
tions, confirmed the amount is correct. who is actively working)
He said the increase was related • 228 Lecturers
to Dutta’s action to eliminate one of • 8 LEO-GLAM (Librarians,
the UM – Flint’s executive positions, Curators and Archivists)
UM-F Chancellor Deba Dutta
vice chancellor for business and (Photo source: UM-F website) • 63 Clinical and Adjunct Clini-
finance, in Fall, 2021, as Dutta de- cal Faculty”
scribed in a December interview with “Now in the second year, his In addition, there are 445 staff,
EVM. fall 2022 salary includes the 4%-5% including “all nonbargained-for staff,
annual raise (for administrators) and
an adjustment for the substantial in-
crease in his workload.”
Dutta’s pay compares to UM
– Dearborn Chancellor Domenico
Grasso, who is receiving $468,400
for 2022-23. UM President Santa Ono
was hired last year at a base pay of
$975,000.
What UM – Flint employees get
paid is one of many factors under scru-
tiny as the downtown campus studies
itself in a major effort underway since
September, 2022, aimed at address-
ing a series of serious challenges, a
process the university is calling “Stra-
UM-Dearborn Chancellor tegic Transformation.” UM President Santa Ono
Domenico Grasso (Photo source: UM Facebook page)
(Photo source: UM-Dearborn website)
As detailed in earlier EVM
stories, those challenges include a and supplemental, 74 graduate student
King noted Dutta “personally 30 percent drop in enrollment since research assistants.”
took on responsibility for the related 2014, an “unacceptable” six-year In the 2022-23 UM – Flint
units, increasing his own direct reports graduation rate of 35 percent, a deficit annual operating budget of $116.5 mil-
from seven (7) to 15 and reducing pay- of $7.3 million in the last fiscal year, lion approved last June, salary, wages,
roll by more than $275,000 per year. and losses or declines in demand for and benefits account for almost half,
“He did this new and expanded programs in liberals arts. (Continued on Page 10)
9UM - Flint ... employees are pulling in between
$100K and $200K, as of 2021.
at UM, is One University (1U); it
has participants from all three cam-
(Continued from Page 9) The lowest full-time UM - Flint puses.
at $56 million. That operating budget pay recorded for 2021-2022 was Paticipants in that group in
total is down from $154 million in $31,200. December presented a proposal to the
2021-2022. The salary distributions — Regents for capping all administrative
The revenue picture for the even among faculty and among the salaries at UM at $150,000. So far the
campus includes $25 million from UM - Flint’s six colleges, are radically Regents appear to have ignored it, 1U
state appropriations for 2022-2023, up diverse, with some non-tenure-track participants report.
about 784K from last year. faculty getting $100,000, while some The 1U proposal states,
Who gets paid what varies full professors in liberal arts arenas “In the last few years, the Re-
widely. make thousands less. gents and Central Administration have
The amounts paid not provided sufficient resources to
have created an eco- UM - Flint and UM - Dearborn to stem
nomic class structure, the tide of cuts, layoffs, and program
some in-house com- reductions. UM - Flint recently put the
mentators say, and also Africana Studies program on morato-
point to competitive rium. Dearborn has slashed Applied
hiring demands, where Music.
faculty in management, “This proposal seeks to remedy
health sciences, and the financial distress causing these cuts
technology get paid by setting a $150,000 cap on adminis-
much more than those trative salaries and saving UM - Flint
in the liberal arts. $1.29M per year and UM - Dearborn
French Hall on the UM-Flint campus in downtown Flint For some segments of $1.66M. These funds can be repur-
(Photo by Tom Travis) the staff and non-ten- posed toward the central educational
ure-track faculty, sal- mission of these campuses.”
The average UM - Flint full-time aries are negotiated by their respective “On the Flint campus, rough-
salary, according to 2021-2022 num- unions. In the case of the non-tenure- ly 14 administrators earn more than
bers from umsalary.info, was $69.8K, track faculty, for example, the Lecturer $150,000. We estimate their total
with Dutta exceeding the next-closest Employees Oganization (LEO) struck salaries, excluding benefits, to be
employee, Provost and Vice Chancellor a deal in the last contract for 3 percent $3.5M. The marginal earnings above
Sonja Price by more than $100K; 13 yearly pay increases starting from a $150,000 is roughly 1M. The fringe
others had pay of $200K or more in full-time minimum base of $18,000. benefits, calculated at 20% of salary,
2021-2022. Among that was determined only on the marginal
group are two former chancellors, Ruth Proposal to cap administrative income above $150,000, resulting in
Person and Sue Borrego, who stayed pay ignored so far roughly $1.3M in savings per year.”
at UM - Flint after their departures Asked about the silence from
from the chancellor’s suite. They took One group concerned with the Regents, 1U participants jointly
“retreat rights” as would have been economic equity, among other issues responded, with requests for ano-
negotiated in their original hiring terms, (Continued on Page 11)
into their professional departments —
Person as professor of management,
and Borrego as professor of education.
In an update on request from
EVM, a university official clarified Jan.
27 that both Borrego and Person were
faculty members in 2021-2022. Bor-
rego’s salary that year was $274,308.
Borrego left the University in summer
2022 and thus was not on the 2022-23
salary list. He said Person is still a
faculty member, with a current salary of
$236, 085. Strategic Transformation protesters gather on the UM - Flint campus
Close to 100 more UM - Flint (Photo by Tom Travis)
10UM - Flint ... from ITAC, the Huron Group is en-
gaged in conversations with additional
are a Steering Committee made of up
UMF’s top executives, and the Inno-
(Continued from Page 10) members of the Flint community and vation and Transformation Advisory
nymity, “This isn’t exactly news but school district superintendents. They Council (ITAC), comprised of 13
[we] think it’s relevant…that it are providing us with valuable insights representatives drawn from the UMF’
genuinely spoke to the culture on our about how they interact and would like six colleges, staff council, and student
campus. [We’re] guessing that the to work with the university now and in government.
proposal could come across as snarky the future,” Dutta stated.
but [we] don’t think that was the Coordination of the Strategic ITAC group received “synthesis,”
intention. Many of us truly believe that Transformation process has been in the expresses concerns
we need mission-driven leadership hands of the Huron Group, a national
On Jan, 19, the Huron group
presented a draft to ITAC, a “synthe-
sis of findings” of the market analysis,
program economics, and stakeholder
feedback they have collected. “At the
same time, our schools and colleges
have begun to develop academic
transformation plans with the data
available to them to date,” Dutta
predicted.
Participants who received the
ITAC presentation, including As-
sociate Professor of English James
Schirmer who represents the Col-
lege of Arts and Science (CAS) in
the group, expressed concerns
about what they heard, where the
process is heading and about whether
Photo taken from the third floor of the UM - Flint Library looking north across the ITAC’s input is making a difference.
Flint River and the William S. White building on the north end of campus “ITAC is no closer to under-
(Photo by Tom Travis)
standing its role since this process
began,” Schirmer said. “Charges and
and that seems like one of the things consulting firm hired by UM last year charts have shifted in unhelpful ways,
lacking at our institution.” which has been a source of controver- and so have timelines and expecta-
sy because of its work at other institu- tions of effort. Council members are
Process moving toward tions, where “slash and burn” deci- disappointed with the lack of clarity
final recommendations? sions in some cases decimated liberal and guidance from the chancellor
arts and humanities programs and led and frustrated by Huron consistently
In a Jan. 18 update on the to major faculty layoffs. ignoring our concerns and questions.
Strategic Transformation website, So far, specifics about what is “Still, ITAC wants to be con-
Dutta stated that the Strategic Trans- to come at UM – Flint are unclear, and structive and so intends to put togeth-
formation consultants and university many involved in the process are com- er its own ‘deliverable’ (despite the
planners will “move toward our goal plaining about a lack of transparency chancellor and Huron stating that is not
of completing the academic program by the Huron Group and doubts that necessary or wanted),” Schirmer said.
phase by the end of the first quarter their feedback and ideas actually are
of this year. Soon, we will also begin being incorporated into the findings. EVM Consulting Editor Jan
work on the broad range of academic Two appointed groups have Worth-Nelson can be reached at
and student support services that will been ostensible in-house channels janworth1118@gmail.com. EVM
be necessary to ensure student success between the consultants, Dutta’s Education Beat reporter Harold C.
and a vibrant academic environment at administration, and the rest of the Ford contributed research to this
UM-Flint.” campus — to pass along information, story.
“Based on the feedback re- audit progress reports, and most of
ceived at the Dec. 9 town hall and all provide input. The two groups
11African-American artwork celebrated
in three galleries at FIA
By Tom Travis
Three exhibits honoring and Contemporary Wing – It goes on to describe a time,
celebrating work by African-American African-American artists and after his incarceration, when he would
artists will be featured at the Flint In- artwork of the African Diaspora ride around the neighborhoods gath-
stitute of Arts (FIA) over the next few ering materials and inspiration for his
months. How these artists are experiment- artwork, i.e., scraps of paper, restau-
The FIA’s Contemporary wing ing with different techniques and meth- rant menus, discarded doors, wood and
will exhibit works from the FIA’s per- ods of expression makes this exhibit metal to be used as his canvases.
manent collection of African-Amer- “really interesting,” Holstege said. “Young’s paintings and draw-
ican artists and art of the African “There is strong personal narra- ings became his voice of protest…Al-
diaspora. tive to these pieces. Each artist is trying though he was considered the unoffi-
In the Graphics gallery, the to say something with their artwork. cial historian of Overtown, the themes
exhibit Expressions will be on Many of them approach art from what in his work are universal to the Black
display until April 16. Expres- we might call a ‘non-traditional’ way. experience.” [Overtown is a suburb of
sions presents a selection of works Holstege explained the artists Miami where the artist lived.]
on paper by African-American are a mixture of up-and-coming, new “The artist is not only using the
artists acquired by FIA over the last artists and long-established artists. artwork to say something, but also the
decade. She pointed to a work by Purvis materials used say something as well,”
Holstege explained.
The FIA has been collecting art-
work by artists of color since 1969 and
today the collection includes more than
320 artworks. The gallery highlights
some of the most important artists from
the mid-twentieth century to present
through paintings, sculpture and mixed
Expressions eshibit in FIA’s Graphics gallery
(Photo by Tom Travis)
And finally, in the Hodge and Young (1943-2010) called Over-
Henry galleries, an exhibit titled Ways town Street Concert, (1980) a piece
of Seeing – The Paul R. Jones Collec- described as mixed media on found
tion of American Art at the University wood. The artist, Young, was incar-
of Alabama opens Jan. 29 and will cerated for three years and during that
continue until April 23, time he studied art books. Overtown Street Concert by Purvis
EVM toured the exhibits with “It was during this period that Young is displayed in the
he experienced a shift in conscious-
Contemporary wing of FIA
the FIA’s associate curator Rachael (Photo by Tom Travis)
Holstege, who’s been at the FIA for ness in which he realized that he could
five years following an 2017 art histo- use his art to express himself and his media. Working in styles ranging from
ry degree from Grand Valley State grievances with the world, depicting realism to abstraction, these artists
and and an arts administration degree accurate and honest observations of tackle issues both personal and shared,
from the University of Michigan – the fissures in society,” according to including themes related to history
Flint. the provided description of the piece. (Continued on Page 13)
12FIA ...
(Continued from Page 12)
and place, identity and representation,
social justice and self-expression,
according to an FIA brochure.
The first installation of this
gallery will feature new works to
the collection, including Keith Dun-
ca’s Funeral Repass purchased with
funds raised by the Community Gala
in 2022.
Graphics Gallery –
features works on paper
FIA’s Graphics Gallery will
feature “Expressions” featuring
a selection of works on paper by
African-American artists from the
Flint and Detroit area. The artwork “The Funeral Repass” by Keith Duncan in 2015 was acquired by FIA for its
in the exhibit have been acquired by permanent collection using funds raised in last year’s Gala event.
the Flint Institute of Arts over the last (Photo source: FIA)
decade. Whitten, Sam Gilliam, Howardena Pin-
Several of these artworks were Ways of Seeing – The Paul R. Jones dell, Romare Bearden, and Jacob Law-
created through traditional techniques Collection of American Art at the rence, all of whom are represented in
such as drawing, woodcut, lithog- Universtiy of Alabama this exhibition. These selections display
the breadth and depth of the collection,
The Hodge and Henry galleries showcasing artists working in a variety
will exhibit Ways of Seeing – The Paul (Continued on Page 15)
R. Jones Collection of American Art at
the University of Alabama beginning
Jan. 29 until April 23. The Paul R.
Jones (1928-2010) collection includes
one of the largest and most compre-
hensive collections of twentieth centu-
ry African American art in the world.
The collection includes art in a variety
of media from more than 600 artists,
including Emma Amos, Jack Whitten,
Sam Gilliam and more.
The Paul R. Jones Collection
includes one of the largest and most
comprehensive collections of 20th
century African-American art in the
world, amassed over decades by Paul
“Epoch” by Whitfield Lovell, char- Raymond Jones, who was described by
coal on wood and found objects
(Photo by Tom Travis)
Art & Antiques magazine as “one of
the top art collectors in the country.”
raphy, screen printing, and etching. Jones donated the 2,000-plus
Despite their differences in method, piece collection to the College of Arts Sheila Turner, American, 1961-2018,
all of these works can be seen as per- and Sciences at The University of Ala- “Raisin’ the Dead,” 1999
sonal expressions of the artists who
Gelatin silver print, 25 1/4 x 19 1/2
bama in 2008. The collection includes in. The Paul R. Jones Collection of
created them, according to the FIA art in a variety of media from more than American Art at The University of
brochure. 600 artists, including Emma Amos, Jack Alabams, PJ2012.1350
13THIS MONTH IN THE VILLAGE
A selection of events available to our readers is highlighted — beginning after our publication date of Feb. 6. It’s a sampling
of opportunities in the city. To submit events for our Mar. issue, email info about your event to pisenber@gmail.com by Feb. 26.
Flint Institute of Arts Where Did All the Birds Go? The Rep presents “The Future Is Female”
African-American artwork is being displayed fea- Sat., Feb. 22, 10 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 2:30 p.m. February 3 -19, 2023
turing two special exhibits and the permanent collec- Learn why birds are so quiet. Many leave in winter, This comedy was developed in The Rep’s New
tion (contemporary wing) in the next few months. The but, for many, For-Mar is their home all year. Dress Works Festival. Set in the not-too-distant future
Graphics gallery’s exhibit is featuring “Expressions,” to be outside and even make a bird feeder. For ages and, once there, they discover that freedom may
works on paper. In the Hodge and Henry galleries 7-12. Pre-registration required by Feb. 21. not mean the same thing to all of them. This timely
“Ways of Seeing _ The Paul R. Jones Collection of Cost $5 per student. satire explores a possible reaction to the rolling back
American Art at the University of Alabama.” For-Mar Nature Preserve& Arboretum of reproductive rights. Contains strong language and
The FOMA film series continues with “Triangle of 2142 N. Genesee Rd., Burton adult themes.
Sadness” Feb. 13-15 and 18. Then Feb. 20-22 “Peace- For more info visit exploreflintandgenesee.org/event Flint Repertory Theatre
ful” will be shown. Free glass demonstrations can also or call 810-736-7100 for more info. 1220 E. Kearsley St., Flint
be seen on Saturdays and Sundays. For more info visit flintrep.org
Flint Institute of Arts St. Cecilia Society of Flint Concert or call 810-237-1530.
1120 E. Kearsley St., Flint Sun., Feb. 12, 2 p.m. For tickets visit tickets.thewhiting.com.
For more info visit flintarts.org or call 810-234-1695. Cynthia Butcher, soprano
Lateena Martin, Soprano
MW Gallery (MW) Guided Tours Dilek Engin Stolarchuk, violin and viola
Weekly on Thurs. Fri., and Sat., 12:00 p.m. Tom Travis, tenor
These are led by knowledgeable gallery staff. Discuss Sun., Feb. 26, 2 p.m.
and learn general themes related to current works St. Cecilia Student Awards –
on display. The Mott-Warsh Collection, a private Winners Program, featuring young
collection of fine art created by artists of the African musicians, ages 6 to 18
diaspora and others who reflect on it. MacArthur Recital Hall at the FIM
Guided tours are limited to 10 people. 2025 E. Kearsley St., Flint
MW Gallery For more info call 810-767-0418
111 E. Court St., Flint or email larmacd@yahoo.com.
For more info call 810-835-4900.
Firebirds OHL Hockey at Dort Financial Center
Feb. 8, 18, and 25 are games at home.
Games are Wed, Fri. and Sat. at 7 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m.
Come cheer the Flint Firebirds on.
Cost $15, $18, $21 and $26 per person.
Dort Financial Center
3501 Lapeer Rd., Flint
For more info visit
ticketsmarter.com/p/flint-firebirds-tickets
or call 810-744-0580.
Ed Custer’s East Village Magazine logo
is reimagined for each issue by Patsy Isenberg.
14Village Life ... FIA ... What is a curator?
(Continued from Page 20) (Continued from Page 13)
Holstege explained that ”The cu-
ty is in places you keep returning to.” of materials and styles from the 1930s to rator is responsible for taking works that
Love, true, meaningful love the present day, according to the Paul R. are in our collection and creates shows
can elude us. The dating world Jones website. or makes changes with the different
seems to be designed with “smoke works already displayed in the galleries.
and mirrors.” Once the works to be displayed are cho-
Yes, I’m blissfully single, sen, I’m responsible for doing research
unhitched and uncuffed (yuck, and writing labels that our visitors will
I hate that word) yet there are many read as they tour the gallery.”
places I feel loved in different com-
munities I’m a part of around town. Visiting the FIA
For instance, I’m not so much ad-
dicted to my daily espresso but I find The FIA is open 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
love, acceptance and camaraderie Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and
in the people I drink coffee with or Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
have a shot of whiskey with -- regu- Thursday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
lars at a local watering-hole where I Admission is free for children 12 years
find community. and younger and for Genesee County
So rather than wishing you residents and FIA members. For all oth-
all a Happy Valentines Day I ers the cost is $10 for adults and $8 for
challenge you to find true love, senior citizens. Every Saturday is free
find your people, find a place or admission for all through a grant from
multiple places where you’re loved, Huntington Bank.
accepted....that’s a love that keeps
Hayward Oubre, American, 1916- More info about the FIA can be found
on giving.
at their website at flintarts.org
2006, Self Portrait, 1948, Ink on
paper, 26 1/2 x 20 3/4 in., The Paul
EVM Managing Editor Tom Travis can R. Jones Collection of American
be reached at tomntravis@gmail.com. Art at the University of Alabama, EVM Managing Editor Tom Travis can
PJ2008.0925 be reached at tomntravis@gmail.com.
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also helps support in- UMFlint, MCC, Cultural Center, four The Fiber Art Guild
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15Village Life
Blissfully single in community
By Tom Travis
t’s called “cuffing season.” I What are all of us are look- The musical “Love Is a Many
I quite hate that term. The term
“cuffing” refers to the restric-
tive and restraining purpose of
handcuffs. If you don’t know about
“cuffing season” it begins sometime
ing
of
for?....love.
those words
That word is one
that is overused
and misunderstood like nice, great,
cool...what do those words actually
mean? Love-shmove, what does
Splendored Thing,” with its theme
song of the same name offers this
description of love:
“Love is a many splendored thing
in October and culminates on the love mean? It’s the April rose that only grows in
egregiously named the early Spring
Valentine’s Day. Love is nature’s way of giving
The intention a reason to be living...
of “cuffing” happens
when single, unhitched Once on a high and windy
people begin to prowl hill, In the morning mist
around for a partner, Two lovers kissed and the
a lover or someone to world stood still
date. Their hope is to Then your fingers touched my
find a person to “be silent heart and taught it how
with” “to date” during to sing
the profusion of holi- Yes, true love’s a many splen-
days that are celebrated dored thing.”
between Halloween
and Valentine’s Day. Okay, there is some-
The hoped-for thing there about true love.
outcome in getting Being with that special
“cuffed” is to have someone, a soul-mate, a lov-
someone to cuddle with er, it does seem that at times
during the bleak and the crashing world around
shadowy winter months. us seems to disappear and
Also, having that special our hearts are lifted by the
person, your “date,” to love created in those wistful
accompany each other moments. While I and mil-
to those sometimes lions of others are “blissful-
abhorrent and dreaded ly single” I think each of us
This banner hangs in Peoples Church of Flint are always looking for love.
family holiday gather- (Photo by Tom Travis)
ings. And to have a per- The kind of love where “the
son’s hand to hold while wandering Lyricists and song-smiths world stood still” or the kind
through a barrage of parties, events have attempted to describe what that “looks on tempests and is never
and celebrations. love is. William Shakespeare tried shaken.” What an alluring discov-
If this all sounds rather objec- in his famous Sonnet 116 with ery, finding a love where tempests
tifying up this point...it is (at least these words: and our sad world are no match for
to me it is). a heart enraptured in love.
I describe myself as being “Love is not love The truth is that millions of
“blissfully single.” Meaning I’m Which alters when it alteration finds, single people find love in some
enjoying being single. I have a free- Or bends with the remover to remove. wonderful ways - deep friendships, a
dom that I’ve never really enjoyed O no! It is an ever-fixed mark community of love at social gath-
so much as when I’m single. To say That looks on tempests and is never ering places like bars, places of
or think of being “cuffed” into a shaken...” worship, cultural group gatherings.
dating relationship seems oppres- “An ever-fixed mark”? Someone once said, “Your communi-
sive and honestly a big turn off. Well, I don’t know about that. (Continued on Page 15)
16 LIX: 11 (715 issues, 8,160 pages)You can also read
