East Village Magazine - January 2021
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East
Village
Magazine
January 2021
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2Commentary
Happy New Year!!!
The good news is 2020 is history!
By Paul Rozycki
By now we’ve all trashed our 2020 military intervention, or a coup to keep
calendars, with the hope that 2021 will put him in power. In spite of nearly 50 court
Vol. LIX No. 1 January 2021 the COVID-19 virus, Donald Trump, and rulings to the contrary, he continues to
much of last year in the rearview mirror. claim that the election was fraudulent, and
Founder Gary P. Custer that he was the real winner.
There have been suggestions that he
Managing Editor Tom Travis
may stage a “counter inauguration” to
Consulting Editor Jan Worth-Nelson
Consulting Editor Ted Nelson kick off a 2024 campaign, or refuse to
Copy Editor Danielle Ward leave the White House. It may all be typ-
Reporters Harold C. Ford ical Donald Trump bluster, but his words
Madeleine Graham have motivated more than a few of his
Patsy Isenberg
Zach Neithercut
supporters to storm government offices,
Coner Segren issue threats against election officials, and
Columnists Jan Worth-Nelson undermine trust in the electoral process.
Teddy Robertson 2020 to the shredder
(Photo by Paul Rozycki) Trump’s threatening comments, and
Paul Rozycki
his undermining of the trust in the electoral
Photographer Edwin D. Custer
We’ve all been eager to say good- system, caused even some of his most
Distribution Staff
bye to a year of pandemic, racial divi- loyal supporters to back away, declare the
Director: Edwin D. Custer. Staff: Sue Bailey, Kim sion, political polarization, an unprece- election over, and that it’s time to move on.
Bargy, Jacob Blumner, Connor Coyne & Ruby dented election of vote counts and But the distrust he raised may last long
Coyne, Casey Custer, Caroline Fechik, Christine &
Patrick Figgins, Marabeth Foreman, Charlie & Linda recounts, presidential impeachment, as after Trump is gone. Will Biden be able
& Patrick & Terrance & Christan & Jillianne well as a record number of tropical govern effectively and restore trust?
Goldsberry, Ingrid Halling & Bob Thomas, Patsy storms, and California forest fires.
Isenberg, Robert Jewell, Carol Larzelere Kellermann,
Stephen Kellermann, Jo Larzelere, Mary LeRoy, What’s ahead for the new year? If With the COVID pandemic,
James & Lillian & Livia Londrigan, Alan & Julie last year is any indication, predictions can we trust science?
Lynch, Ron & Mary Meeker, Robert & Nancy
Meszko, Ted Nelson, Dave & Becky Pettengill, Dick
are a risky proposition, but here are
Ramsdell, Julian Rodriquez, Paul Rozycki, Mike some possibilities and questions. Just as the lack of trust has under-
Spleet, Kim & Ronan & Jude Streby, Holly West, and More than anything else, the key mined our political institutions, it is also a
Karen Wilkinson.
issue this year has been the lack of trust major factor in weakening our response to
Board of Trustees
• FaLessia Booker • Edwin D. Custer
in so many institutions. the COVID pandemic. Nearly every
• Alec Gibbs • Jack D. Minore attempt to take action to limit the spread of
• Paul Rozycki • Robert R. Thomas What kind of presidential transition the virus has been met with charges that it
• Jan Worth-Nelson, ex-officio and inauguration in 2021? was all a hoax, and government guidelines
720 E. Second St. should be ignored or resisted.
Flint, Mich. 48503 Obviously, the inauguration of Michigan, like many states, saw
(810) 233-7459
Website: President Joe Biden will be the biggest armed protesters marching around the
eastvillagemagazine.org story this month. Yet, it has the potential to state capitol, urging resistance to the gov-
E-mail: be one of the most unusual inaugurations in ernor’s orders. Much of the division fol-
eastvillagemagazineflint@gmail.com
Layout by Ted Nelson. Printing by Riegle Press Inc.,
American history. The pandemic will set lowed partisan lines as well. In the end,
1282 N. Gale Rd., Davison, Mich. 48423. the stage for a largely virtual inauguration, that led to a haphazard response, where
East Village Magazine is a program of the Village
Information Center Inc., a nonprofit corporation. We without the usual crowds, bands, and balls some states shut down, others stayed
welcome material from readers, but all submissions that have ushered in most of our presidents. open, some did a little of both, leaving the
become the property of the publication and if published
will be edited to conform to the editorial style and poli- Yet, that may not be the most unusual and public confused, not knowing who could
cies of the publication. All inquiries about the publica- worrisome part of the inauguration. be trusted to deal with the virus.
tion should be mailed to East Village Magazine, Village
Information Center, 720 E. Second St., Flint, Mich. Not only has President Trump That lack of trust shows itself as vac-
48503. Distribution is the first Thursday of each month. refused to concede, but he has made omi- cines are becoming available, with as
Display advertising rates are $34 a column-inch plus
any other costs. Unclassified ads are $2.50 a printed nous suggestions to his remaining staffers many as 40 percent of Americans hesitant
line or part of a printed line. Rates subject to change that there could be a “new election”, a
without notice. The deadline for advertising is 10 days (Continued on Page 12.)
before each publication date.
Cover: Woodside Drive
© 2021 East Village Magazine
3Photo of the Month: Old manhole cover catches part of Flint’s history (Photo by Tom Travis)
Democracy Beat
Council approves $20 million insurance portion
for $641 million water crisis settlement
By Tom Travis
Flint City Council in a 6-1-2 vote Allan Griggs (8th Ward) and Eva the city council was the city entity to
approved a $20 million portion of the Worthing (9th Ward). Councilperson decide whether to accept the city’s
$641 million water crisis settlement Jerri Winfrey-Carter (5th Ward) was insurance company’s $20 million offer
(WCS) at a video conference meeting the only no vote. Both Councilpersons towards the WCS.
Monday, Dec.28. Eric Mays (1st Ward) and Monica Before the vote, Councilperson
The council vote was required Galloway (7th Ward) abstained. Galloway said, “You can’t put a price
on the $20 million portion because it is tag on the residents who ... didn’t die
being offered from the city’s insurance The City Attorneys have three clients from lead. We minimize what has hap-
— Mayor, City Council,
and The City of Flint.
The city council was in a unique
and perplexing position in the water cri-
sis settlement, according to officials and
legal experts following the situation.
(Photo by Tom Travis)
The city council is an elected body rep-
company and the City of Flint is resenting citizens of Flint in a legislative
named as a defendant in the settlement role in city government. In this case, in
case. the WCS, while the city council was not Councilwoman Monica Galloway
The Council’s yes votes came named as a defendant, the City of Flint (Photo by Tom Travis)
from Council Vice President Maurice was named. pened to this community under the
Davis (2nd Ward), Santino Guerra (3rd The City of Flint relies on the city optics of lead because that makes it
Ward), Council President Kate Fields council to approve or not approve easy. But it was about negligence. This
(4th Ward), Herb Winfrey (6th Ward), monies spent. In the case of the WCS, was about deliberate negligence ...
(Continued on Page 5.)
4... Settlement your own representation (referring to
the city council hiring their own outside
month before the Flint water switch
occurred. She said she would be willing
(Continued from Page 4.)
attorney), I think that’s a good thing, to have “days” of hearings so that every-
“The reality is that this is not okay,” regardless of how you vote now. What one could be heard.
Galloway continued. “The Michigan will you do about it? “I have received numerous com-
Civil Rights Commission says (in a “When will the city council take up munications from the residents of Flint. I
February, 2017 report) that this is sys- the banner and take the State of Michigan, will consider everything that’s been said
temic racism ... so I will not allow myself its cohorts, like the bond holders and the here today,” Levy said. “I hear you. I’m
to operate as a defendant in this when MDEQ, when do we fight that at city reading your papers. I intend to fully
actually we are very much plaintiffs. council?” McClinton said. The Michigan address what needs to be. We want
“Unfortunately, the fear factor has Department of Environmental Quality what’s fair and just here. I will issue a
taken its roots and we find ourselves was renamed the Michigan Department written decision by mid-January,” she
where we are. But my name, my legacy, of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy said.
won’t be attached to any of this — the (EGLE) by executive order of Gov. Judge Levy maintained a calm
small amount that was paid for the Gretchen Whitmer. The change took and gentle voice as she addressed a
attempted murder of an entire city.” effect in April 2019. group of attorneys who, from both sides,
During public speaking, water became passionate and heated about the
warrior and local activist Claire 144 join in the hearing with cases they are working on.
McClinton called in to add her thoughts. Federal Judge Levy
“State of Michigan is getting Ad hoc committee of two — Kate
away, they getting it real light,” U.S. District Federal Court Judge Fields and Eric Mays — met Monday
McClinton said. “They have abused Judith Levy held a two-hour Zoom/Youtube
this city unbelievably, horrifically. They preliminary hearing Monday afternoon. Council President Fields and
sent in the emergency managers. The During that hearing there were, according to Councilperson Mays met Monday with
emergency managers switched us to the Judge Levy, 144 people, mostly attorneys, “several different” law firms looking for
river water. The EPA (Environmental on the screen. an attorney who could represent the Flint
Included were attorneys Flint has City Council in regards to the WCS Fields
become familiar with through the water introduced from Grand Rapids.
crisis and settlement talks: Corey Stern, Fields explained that she and Mays
Ted Leopold, Michael Pitt, Rick Berg, would be an “ad hoc committee of two” to
Val Washington, and many others. Also seek an attorney to represent the council.
present on the video were City Attorney Fields stated they looked for a law firm
Angela Wheeler and Assistant City large enough to handle the water settlement
Attorney Bill Kim. case and who had experience with munici-
pal law and class action and environmental
Activist Claire McClinton
(Photo by Tom Travis)
Protection Agency) sued us to get on the
30-year deal (an agreement with the
Great Lakes Water Authority, passed by
the Weaver administration) talking
about our health. But then you turn
around and offer this $600 million of
settlement not for our health.
“We are about tired of the State of
Councilpersons (l to r) Eric Mays (1st Ward), Maurice Davis (2nd Ward),
Michigan beating up on this community Santino Guerra (3rd Ward), and Kate Fields (4th Ward) in a 2019 Council meeting.
and all for the interest of nameless, face- (Photo by Tom Travis)
less, bond holders and corporate inter-
ests to privatize and steal our water,” U.S. District Judge Judith Levy cases. Fields added it was important the
she added. hears from Flint law firm have no conflict of interest. Fields
“That's what this all started with. said they had chosen two firms but at “the
So the votes are in. I'm not a council During the hearing Judge Levy last moment” one of the firms dropped out.
person. The deck is stacked. But the recalled she was appointed to the Fields asked Wilson, “Do you think
question is this, after you vote and I’m Federal Court by former President the city council has the right to file a
proud that y’all found a way to fight for Barack Obama in March 2014, one response to the motion (WCS)?” Wilson
(Continued on Page 6.)
5... Settlement “And yet the violations of 4-601b and I heard the council pass that resolu-
that I heard essentially were that no tion to hire an independent attorney.
(Continued from Page 5.) “Today in court, listening to the
offers to settle were shared with city
responded, “Absolutely not. The city council and the council was denied the entirety of Judge Levy’s open court ses-
council is not a party to the litigation, as far opportunity for input. That was said by sion not one of the city’s attorneys noti-
as I know. It is the City of Flint that is the various members that they weren’t fied Judge Levy, Judge Murray, or Judge
party. The city council, as a body, would given a chance to have input. Council Farah of that resolution or of the city
have to first seek leave or permission from was told it’s not a client by one of the council’s request for an independent attor-
Judge Levy in order to file something.” He attorneys. Council was told it lacked ney prior to the rulings that concern the
said the firm would charge $295/hour. standing by another attorney. motion to confirm the settlement. Why is
It is not yet clear if the council “Council was told it can’t seek that important? It’s important because it’s
will proceed with retaining an attorney permission to file a response for the an open question whether the city attor-
neys have breached the duty to represent
the council adequately,” Rose said.
If residents want to communicate
to U.S. Judge Judith Levy her contact
information is provided here: Judge
Judith Levy, U.S. Eastern District of
Michigan, 200 East Liberty Street, Suite
300, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
The City Council will meet again
by video conference on Monday, Jan.
11. 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
EVM Managing Editor Tom Travis can
be reached at tomntravis@gmail.com.
City Attorney Angela Wheeler (standing) during a
2019 council committee meeting.
(Photo by Tom Travis)
to represent them in further water settle- motion which this attorney tonight con-
ment litigation or to file for permission tradicted. All of those could be inter-
to go before Judge Levy. preted to violate the city attorney’s duty
Referring to the council’s compli- and triggered the independent attorney
cated legal representation situation, dur-
ing public speaking, frequent commen-
tator of the water crisis story Patrick
Rose, an attorney and Flint native now
of East Lansing, raised the issue that the
city attorneys do represent city council.
He referenced Charter section 4-601b.
Quoting the Charter, “The language
says the city attorney shall manage and
direct those matters not only in the inter-
est of the Mayor and City Council but
also in the interest of the City of Flint.”
Rose continued, “Now the coun-
cil, as I understood it from the last meet-
ing, I only know what I heard from the
public session of the last three meetings
council, wants to settle unconditionally
and dedicate the $20 million to obtain a
release and may have a majority vote for
that and still want to be heard in front of
a court in a pleading that the court
accepts.
67
Education Beat
Flint Community Schools launch new year
with new leadership, familiar challenges
By Harold C. Ford
Flint Community Schools (FCS) tant principal at Southwestern; Daphne since July 2020 for the reopening of
begins calendar year 2021 with three Jackson, acting assistant principal at schools and include: movement; screen-
new members on its seven-member Doyle-Ryder (now acting principal); ing students, staff, and visitors; personal
board of education, at least eight admin- Eddie Thomas, principal at Eisenhower protection equipment, including hand-
istrators with less than a year of experi- Elementary; Scott Henwood, principal washing and cleaning; busing; athletics;
ence in new assignments, and a host of at Holmes. dining, gathering, and extracurricular
familiar challenges. activities.
Challenges include educating Whitmer administration says all FCS has relied on a local team of
children in a pandemic, ongoing fiscal schools can reopen health professionals to guide the district
dilemmas, continuing loss of students, about the possible reopening of schools.
infrastructure needs, and the uncertainty The most immediate and vexing The team included:
of a three-year, state-imposed partner- challenge for Flint’s board of education • Gwendolyn Reyes, MD,
ship plan. may be approving a plan to reopen pediatrician, Hurley Medical Center;
schools for face-to-face instruction. All • Bobby Mukkamala, MD, head
Three of seven are new to the board FCS school buildings have been closed and neck surgeon;
to students since Mar. 16, 2020. • Lawrence Reynolds, MD, pedi-
Three new members with no At a press conference on Dec. atrician;
education board experience stated in 19, the administration of Governor • Eileen Tomasi, FCS school
their resumes — Anita Moore, Joyce Gretchen Whitmer announced health coordinator;
Ellis-McNeal, and Laura McIntyre — Michigan high schools could reopen • and Genesee County Health
will begin six-year terms Jan. 13, for face-to-face instruction starting Department officials.
2021, when the Flint board holds its Dec. 21.
annual organizational meeting to “Michiganders have done a really FCS virtual learning data
elect new officers. good job bringing down our seven-day
Three retiring members — Casey average … by wearing masks, avoiding Jones presented plentiful virtual
Lester, Blake Strozier, and Betty enclosed gatherings, maintaining social learning data to the FCS board at its
Ramsdell — take with them more than distance,” Whitmer said. Nov. 18, 2020, meeting:
two decades of experience on the Flint Whitmer reaffirmed her decision • 3,251 students enrolled in FCS
panel. to reopen high schools at a subsequent establishing a “daily attendance rate”
press conference on Dec. 29. “The num- of 93%;
Fresh faces in FCS administration bers have improved,” she said. “Our • Technology “connectivity”
numbers are better than all of our mid- included delivery of 149 hotspots, 3,180
Anita Steward became assis- western neighbors.” devices (iPads and Chromebooks), and
tant/interim superintendent on May 20, The numbers Whitmer relies 2,135 “technology tickets” (to solve
2020. She was elevated to the superin- on include hospital capacity dedicat- technology issues);
tendent’s position about one month ed to COVID-19 patients (13-day • Special populations served
later on June 25. decline), overall case rates (27-day included 67 ELL (English Language
Kevelin Jones became assistant decline), and positivity rate (11-day Learner) students, 864 IEPs
superintendent at the start of the 2020- decline). (Individualized Education Programs),
21 school year. William Chapman While face-to-face classroom and 2,252 student contacts (individually
moved into the central office as direc- instruction has been allowed for K-8 and in small groups); 272 students
tor of operations in July. Ayunna students since the start of the 2020-21 served in ECDD (Early Childhood
Dompreh, deputy director of finance, school year, high school instruction had Development Delay) class; and 2,252
assumed the duties of Carrie Sekelsky, been restricted to a virtual/online format total student contacts;
executive director of finance, when she prior to Dec. 21. • NWEA (Northwest Evaluation
resigned her position in November. “If we have to go back to school Association) standardized tests admin-
Several new building administra- next week, we’ll be ready,” Steward istered to 44 percent of students in
tive appointments were made in July said on Oct. 13, 2020. math and 51 percent of students in
and included: Notoya Coleman, assis- FCS protocols have been in place reading; DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators
(Continued on Page 9.)
8... Schools
through state governments to local dis- some Genesee County school districts
tricts. were generated by: this reporter; an Oct.
(Continued from Page 8.) Improved accounting practices 13, 2020, MLive report by Winter
of Basic Early Literacy Skills) admin- in the district’s financial office were Keefer; the MI School Data website of
istered at eight elementary schools also highlighted by the Plante Moran the Michigan Department of Education;
with test completion rates, thus far, team. “There was tremendous a Dec. 24, 2020, report by John Wisely
ranging from 18 percent to 52 percent. improvement that we saw during and of the Detroit Free Press.)
Jones also presented consider- throughout the year,” Stefanski said,
able data in the categories of: family citing the work of Sekelsky and 1. Grand Blanc: 7,968 (down 256
support; FCS Wellness Team support; Dompreh. students, or 3 percent, from 8,224 in
Crim Fitness Foundation Community “We’re in a stronger financial spring 2020)
Education initiatives; professional position because of you (Sekelsky),” 2. Davison: 5,651 (down 123 stu-
staff support; and meals served by said then-president Lester at the dents, or 2 percent, from 5,774 in spring
Sodexo/MAGIC (over one million board’s Oct. 21, 2020 meeting. 2020)
since the start of the pandemic). Sekelsky had just uncovered $2 million 3. Flushing: 4,104 (down 119 stu-
in lost revenues to the district due to dents, or 3 percent, from 4,223 in spring 2020)
Mott Foundation assists faulty reporting of Flint non-home- 4. Carman-Ainsworth: 4,004
virtual learning stead properties. (down 85 students, or 2 percent, from
4,189 in spring 2020)
On Nov. 16, 2020, the Flint-based Significant financial challenges 5. Swartz Creek: 3,633 (spring
C.S. Mott Foundation awarded a grant 2020 count; no current school year data
totaling $1,051,000 to FCS for the pur- “The school district continues to showing at the MI School Data website
chase of 600 iPads, 1,200 Chromebooks, face significant financial challenges as of 12-29-20)
and 1,400 mobile Wi-Fi hot spots to assist stemming from loss of students, ongo- 6. Fenton: 3,287 (down 156 stu-
students and families with virtual learning. ing cash flow shortages, and significant dents, or 5 percent, from 3,443 in spring
On Nov. 20, 2020, the foundation debt obligations,” Stefanski said. “There 2020)
awarded a similar $1 millioon grant to five are recurring operating deficits and con- 7. Flint, 3,207 (down 526 stu-
Flint community centers “to provide Flint tinued financial distress.” dents, or 14 percent, from 3,733* in
students with a safe space to participate in FCS “debt obligations” are large- spring 2020)
virtual learning.” ly the result of an approximate $20 mil-
lion loan taken out by the district in (*3,749 is the spring 2020 stu-
Financial picture improves, 2014, along with the loss of students. dent count according to the MI
challenges remain “The magnitude of the decline in School Data website. That would
Flint has been quite substantial, which mean a loss of 542 students, or
An annual audit presented to the continues to create that financial dis- 14.5%. The Dec. 24, 2020 Detroit
FCS board in November showed an tress,” Smail-Benedict said. She noted Free Press stated, “Flint saw a 17 per-
improved financial picture for the dis- that school enrollment had droped cent decline.” Despite uncertainty in
trict along with ongoing challenges. from 12,569 in 2010 to 3,775 in the student enrollment numbers, initial
The audit results were presented 2019-20 school year. “It has resulted in 2020-21 school year data indicate that
to the board by Plante Moran’s Holly significant (revenue) losses.” FCS lost 14 to 17 percent of its stu-
Stefanski, assurance manager, and dent population from the previous
Kimber Smail-Benedict, managing Initial 2020-21 data indicate a 2019-20 school year.)
partner. continuing loss of students If these numbers are accurate,
According to Stefanski, “voter- then Flint has about 500 fewer students
approved stability bonds (in March Due to pandemic-plagued uncer- than last school year. Each student gen-
2020) that totaled about $30.6 million,” tainties in gathering school data, the erates approximately $8,000 in state
and “utilizing federal grants less than Michigan Department of Education is aid. A loss of 500 students would mean
expected” helped pay off some of the using amended and complicated formu- an approximate loss of $4 million in
district’s long-term debt and reduce the lae that utilize various data — past, pres- state aid.
annual deficit. ent, and future — to determine student “Every student we get in atten-
Additionally, FCS was to receive enrollment for the 2020-21 school year. dance, we (FCS) get roughly $8,000 for
$6 million in federal funding after the Initial data indicate that FCS has slipped that pupil,” Steward said in an Oct. 2020
passage of the CARES Act in March to the seventh largest school district in interview with East Village Magazine.
2020. The act routed ESSER Genesee County. “That is how we pay the teachers’ salaries,
(Elementary and Secondary School (Note: The fall 2020 student books, materials, furniture.”
Emergency Relief Fund) funding enrollment numbers shown below for Reliable attendance data for pub-
(Continued on Page 15.)
9Book Review
A five-day odyssey of Motown Man explores
familiar themes, settings in Flint author
Bob Campbell’s first novel
By Harold C. Ford
“The problem of the Twentieth Century Tyson (1990) and Magic Johnson
is the problem of the colour-line.” Flint and Anytown, USA shocks the world with his HIV diagno-
—from Address to the Nations of the sis (1991).
World, W. E. B. DuBois, July 1900. The setting should be familiar to
Flintstones: “Buick City, a place where Motown Man and Demolition
“As much as we all try to think we have the American dream was crumbling and Means Progress
all reached the promised land, the reality rusting away, a city so far removed from
is there’s a lot of separation.” its glorious and arrogant past when it Motown Man can be appropriate-
—Bob Campbell, Motown Man made America go places … his ly cast as a fictional companion to
author, Dec. 11, 2020. (Bradley’s) once muscular hometown Andrew Highsmith’s scholarly work of
was emaciating before his eyes.” nonfiction, Demolition Means Progress.
Flint author Bob Campbell’s first Though Campbell never specifi- Both are about Flint and the excruciat-
book, Motown Man, was virtually cally names the hometown of the main ing manifestations of the “color line.”
launched Dec. 11 via Zoom and Facebook characters — Bradley, Abby, and James Demolition painfully reminds
in an event sponsored by the Flint Festival — in the book’s 200 pages, the clues are readers that: “By the close of the 1930s,
of Writers. Katie Curnow, a Flint Festival unmistakable, starting with “Buick City” the widespread use of restrictive
board member, hosted the event. Jan and including: covenants by local residents had helped
• “Grand Heights,” a predomi- make Flint the third most segregated
nantly white suburb filled with upward- city in the nation, surpassed only by
ly mobiles; Miami, Florida, and Norfolk, Virginia.”
• A river that divides Campbell’s Motown Man is the fictional
fictional town, north from south; descendant of Demolition set some six
• An “open housing ordinance decades later.
that passed narrowly … in late 1960s”; In his review of Demolition,
• A “planetarium … with granite EVM writer Bob Thomas judges that,
monoliths”; “Demolition Means Progress excels in
• A deadly Halloween prank in delineating truth from fiction …” It is
which young men hung a scarecrow from arguable that Campbell’s Motown excels
an expressway overpass, causing the driv- in extracting truth from fiction.
Cover of Bob Campbell’s novel er to swerve and crash to her death. Many American works of fiction and
(Photo by Tom Travis)
non-fiction, including Demolition and
Worth-Nelson, East Village Magazine con- Nonetheless, the decimation of Motown, cry out for resolution of America’s
sulting editor, moderated the discussion. the urban center depicted in Campbell’s long racial nightmare. Will this nation ever
Motown Man follows the main char- novel could be Anytown, USA: Butler, get it right in the next 244 years of its histo-
acter, Bradley Cunningham, for five hell- Pa.; Muncie, Ind.; Youngstown, Ohio; ry?The events of 2020 were not promising.
ishly cold days in the Flint area during a Springfield, Ill.; or others. All have Oh, did I mention that the main
November in the 1990s. “A cold wind faded from their glory days of mid-20th characters — Bradley and Abby — com-
swept down out of Canada” and enveloped century industrialization. prise an interracial couple? Bradley is
Cunningham and his fiancée, Abigail In fact, the high-rise structure black; Abby is white. I’d first imagined
Larsen, in events that would have a pro- illustrated on the cover of Motown Man Bradley to be white and blue collar.
found and lasting impact on their future. is The Wick Tower, the second tallest Instead, he was black and white collar.
Bradley is “Motown Man,” a building in Youngstown.
moniker bestowed on him by his brother Recognizable moments in the Chocolate Ken, Vanilla Barbie,
James — not Gospel Man, nor Rapper book tip the reader that Motown Man and the color line
Man, he points out — rather “an agreeable unfolds early during the decade of the
and likable kind of brotha … you’re like 1990s, when boxer Buster Douglas Campbell’s book is an addition to
Motown music for all these white folks.” springs his jaw-dropping upset of Mike the initiatives of African American men of
(Continued on Page 11.)
10cuts in many directions in Motown Man: main characters; I was looking for the
... Campbell • Bradley was not really a good plot to thicken.
(Continued from Page 10.) dancer, but “in white gatherings, he In the final chapters of Motown
letters — Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. noticed some folks tended to watch him Man, I was not disappointed. The
DuBois, Langston Hughes, and Henry like he was an NBA star playing a pick- book’s climax was a gut punch.
Louis Gates — that have wrestled with this up game at a country club.”
nation’s “color line” in their creative • A Hispanic woman informs James has the final word
works. Campbell’s contribution diverges Abby that “many non-Latinos see us
and automatically think ‘foreigner’ or Brother James may have had the
‘illegal alien.’” final word in Campbell’s book with a solil-
• An Asian-American trainer asks, oquy-like reflection reminiscent of the his-
“If Asian-Americans are the model mi- tory told in Highsmith’s Demolition:
nor-i-tee and so damn smart, then why “Well, we had been bused over to
don’t you see us in management?” a different junior high school in a lily-
• Abby’s father “really couldn’t white part of town. You know, for inte-
understand what his daughter saw in a gration.
black man.” And I did not feel welcomed.
• Bradley’s father, Ellis, is disapprov- Nope, I just did not feel welcomed. I did
Author Bob Campbell ing of his son crossing the color line: “Why not want to be there. Me and my boys
(Photo source, Goodreads website) does he want to hurt himself like that?” did not want to be there. Not that things
from those of predecessors in that Motown were happening on a daily basis. I
Man is a work of fiction closer to the liter- Metaphor and simile mean, there were some fights early on
ary style of James Baldwin’s If Beale Street and a lot of talk and that sort of thing.
Could Talk. Campbell’s fondness for metaphor Mostly, a lot of talk. You know, occa-
Campbell told the book launch and simile are obvious. Here are some sionally you’d see stuff like, ‘I hate
audience that Baldwin is one of his examples, starting with my favorite and niggers’ or ‘go back to Africa’ scrib-
favorite writers. “I read The Fire Next ending with my least favorite: bled in the bathroom stalls. But we’d
Time every few years,” he said. Baldwin • “His sometimes-fragile confi- laugh about it, especially when you
wrote, “Not everything that is faced can dence bulked up like a boy who saw the word ‘nigger’ misspelled.
be changed; but nothing can be returned to school after summer vaca- Every now and then, you’d see the
changed until it is faced.” tion several inches taller and twenty word ‘niger’ written somewhere —
With Motown Man, Campbell pounds heavier.”; you know, spelled with only one g’—
tackles a variety of issues — deindustri- - • “The program’s hard copy was and I’d think, these idiots can’t even
alization, factory culture, class differ- Bible thick”; spell.”
ences, gender issues, and the ethics of • “Old factory mustiness … it
journalism. And he assuredly confronts hung around like the ghost of greatness Buying options:
race relations. past”;
For starters, Campbell’s fictional • “Their bodies swirled together Motown Man is available for pur-
“chocolate Ken” and “vanilla Barbie” like marble … melded black-and-white chase from the publisher, Urban
negotiate the sometimes uncertain stone”; Farmhouse Press.
waters of an intimate relationship that • “Flat abs, an inviting pan of Worth-Nelson noted the book may
leads to a wedding engagement. sliced, moist brownies”; be available from Book Beat, 26010
Bradley suffers racial indignities • “Head full of tiny braids that Greenfield, Oak Park, MI; online purchas-
such as the corporate asshole who resembled a plate full of black pasta”; es are possible at Book Beat’s website.
“wore black shoe polish on his face … • “Mr. Coffee pissed into the ther- Motown Man is available at the follow-
(and) went to the Halloween party … mal urinal.” ing Flint locations:
dressed as a black hobo.” I love creative metaphors and Totem Books, 620 W. Court St;
Campbell writes,“Bradley had bit- similes and I kept looking for them in and Comma Bookstore and Social Hub,
ten his tongue so often it felt as though Campbell’s book. I’m not sure that’s 132 W. 2nd St.
he had scar tissue for taste buds.” what an author wants a reader to do. Amazon.com and Barnes &
Readers learn that, “The northside Noble also sell the book.
was another way of saying nigger, The plot thickens
Negro, coloured, Afro-American, EVM staff writer Harold C. Ford can be
African-American or simply, black side About halfway through Motown reached at hcford1185@gmail.com.
of town.” Man — chapter 14 of 24 — I was flush
Racial stereotyping abounds and with details about location, time, and
11... History
are finally settled, the distrust will demagogues, like Joe McCarthy, and
remain for a long time in Flint. George Wallace did, after their time in
(Continued from Page 3.) the limelight passed?
about taking the inoculation. When the What else to look for in 2021?
pandemic is finally under control, will that What will Democrats do?
trust in science finally be restored? In 2021, While restoring trust may be a
let’s hope the success of vaccines will grow long-term project, there are a number of While Democrats celebrated victory,
the public’s trust. things to look for in the upcoming year, winning the White House by seven million
many of them tied to both the pandem- votes in 2020, that’s about the only good
A plot to kidnap the governor? ic, the election, and the trust issue. news they had on election night. In what
should have been a “blue wave.”
Nothing highlights 2020’s discord What will COVID do to Democrats lost seats in the U.S. House,
and lack of trust more than a hare- government finances? governorships, and statehouses, and are
brained plot by a bunch of self-styled dependent on Georgia’s special elections
militia members, to kidnap Michigan’s Whenever the pandemic is history, for a chance to take the U.S. Senate. Just as
governor, and put her on trial for her the aftermath will be painful. All the the Republican Party may look very differ-
actions dealing with the pandemic. COVID bailout money for those out of ent after Donald Trump, so may the
Though a substantial majority of work has been a critical and necessary Democratic Party.
Michigan citizens support the gover- means of keeping the economy alive during
nor’s decisions, more than a few local this crisis. But the cost will be enormous. Can new city council elections
officials and individuals refused to abide Deficits at the federal, state, and restore civility and trust?
by her orders, national leaders urged local levels may last for years after the
resistance, and those actions encouraged pandemic is gone. Will we be able to find This is the first year for city council
fringe groups to emerge from the shad- the funds to “fix the damn roads,” support elections under the new Flint City Charter.
ows, threatening violence. our schools, defend the country, provide This year voters will elect council mem-
medical care, and fund all the normal bers for a five-year term, where they will
After the water crisis, activities we expect of government? serve until 2026. After that, the council
who can we trust? Even when the pandemic is gone, and the mayor will be elected to four-year
and things “return to normal,” there will be terms, in the same year as the governor.
When it comes to distrust in govern- many painful choices ahead for any Will the voters elect council mem-
mental institutions, the City of Flint has administration. For example, last minute bers who will be able to bring an end to the
been the poster child of distrust long before veto threats that put COVID bailout funds conflict and turmoil that has plagued the
the current pandemic. The lengthy list of in jeopardy, and threaten a government council for years? Will the newly elected
official errors, misdeeds, and cover-ups that shutdown, do little to restore trust. council be able to restore trust in the coun-
led to the Flint water crisis has done little to cil, and bring an end to the conflict, chaos,
encourage trust in government on any level. What will Trump do? What will and marathon meetings in City Hall?
Though the pandemic has taken the Republicans do?
Flint’s water problems off the front page, A new direction for Flint
the lack of trust is still a major factor, even After their years in the White Community Schools?
as most of the pipes get replaced and the House, most ex-presidents step back
water quality seems to be improving. from the limelight to write their mem- With the election of three new mem-
The recent divisive meetings of the oirs, establish their presidential library, bers, Joyce Ellis-McNeal, Anita Moore, and
city council over a proposed settlement work for a favorite charity, give occa- Laura Gillespie-MacIntyre, the Flint School
for most of the water crisis lawsuits facing sional speeches, and allow the new chief Board is facing a challenging year as student
the city only underscored the level of dis- executive a chance to govern. numbers drop dramatically, and the pan-
trust in the system. Though the council That’s not likely to be Donald demic makes any turnaround more difficult.
finally supported the settlement, most Trump’s role. Will he form a “shadow Will the school board be able to sta-
members voiced doubt that it was a truly government,” tweeting his opposition to bilize the Flint Community Schools, and
“fair” deal for their constituents, and everything that Biden does? How many restore trust in what used to be a national-
many constituents reflected that distrust. of his 74 million voters will stay with ly recognized school system?
The city still waits for a federal him? Will the Republican Party remain
judge’s final approval to the proposed the “party of Trump,” or will it return to Can new election districts
settlement. And the delay in bringing its traditional roots? rebuild trust?
criminal charges against those responsi- Will he form a third party, as Teddy
ble only adds to the doubt and distrust. Roosevelt did, if he loses his Republican This year, as the census numbers are
However, and whenever, the legal cases support? Or will Trump fade, as other finalized, the states will begin drawing elec-
(Continued on Page 15.)
12Folk duo Mustard’s Retreat to stage live-streaming
benefit concert for East Village Magazine
By EVM Staff
A reviewer once called the folk While clicking into the concert is 6,000 shows, from pig roasts and pool
group Mustard’s Retreat “music to cure free, viewers will be invited to donate parties to Lincoln Center Out of Doors,
what ails you.” Now they are dedicating to EVM and Mustard’s Retreat through a The Barns at Wolftrap and the
that cure to Flint, a community like so many link available during the event. After cover- Kennedy’s Center’s Millennium Stage,”
others wracked by COVID, in a virtual per- ing costs for technical support, MR according to their website.
formance to benefit East Village Magazine. and EVM will split the donations fifty-fifty. Their first album, called sim-
The popular duo featuring David The folk duo have a special connec- ply Mustard’s Retreat, was recorded in
Tamulevich and Flint native Libby tion to East Village Magazine. Mustard’s 1979 in Clio and is a Flint fan favorite,
Glover, plan to stage a virtual concert to Retreat this year supplied the closing song Tamulevich said. They have since pro-
benefit EVM at 7 p.m. Jan. 23. for “Faces of Flint — A message from the duced 17 albums, the latest being Make
anvil of America’s Your Own Luck in 2018.
Democracy,” a get-out- As described on their website,
the-vote video produced Mustard’s Retreat recently begun referring to
by EVM’s Ted Nelson their career and touring as “Defiantly
and Jan Worth-Nelson. Hopeful.” — partly due to their long career,
The song, “(Ours is a) but more as a statement about what the music
Simple Faith,” was writ- has meant to them. “Folk music is, at its
ten by Tamulevich and heart, defiantly hopeful!” Tamulevich says.
has been extensively per- “We came of age in the 60s, at the confluence
formed and recorded of Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob
Mustard’s Retreat’s Libby Glover and David Tamulevich nationally. Dylan and the singer/songwriter revolution.
performing at the Ark in Ann Arbor While based in Ann We care much more about what we do and
(Photo by Michael Fleshman) Arbor, Mustard’s Retreat stand for and finding that common ground
has been a fixture in the with our audiences, than fame or money: this
The concert is part of the duo’s Flint music scene for 40 years, with memo- is our community of choice, and we consid-
“Defiantly Hopeful Series,” launched rable performances in many downtown er ourselves so fortunate to be here.”
during the pandemic as opportunities for bars, at the Flint Public Library, at the Flint It was the Michigan Times, University
in-person concerts dried up. Folk Music Festival, and many other locales of Michigan student newspaper, who con-
The concert will be on Zoom, in Michigan and around the country. cluded Mustard’s Retreat produces “music to
which gives everyone there the opportuni- For many years the group includ- cure what ails you.”
ty to see and talk with each other and the ed Michael Hough, who left due to fam- “We are so delighted and touched that
artists. You can connect on Zoom using ily issues two years ago; he still occa- our friends of Mustard's Retreat offered to
the ID and passcode as follows: partner with East Village Magazine for this
concert,” said EVM Managing Editor Tom
Meeting ID: 856 9805 3474 Travis. “We know they love Flint and they
Passcode: 354769 love community journalism. We’re honored
For a direct link, write: to have their joyful, positive and unifying
David@mustardsretreat.com music come into our homes Jan. 23.”
More information about Mustard’s
The concert also will be stream- Retreat is available.
ing on Facebook and YouTube. The To Zoom into the Jan. 23 per-
links to those connections are: formance:
Cover of most recent (2018) album Topic: The Defiantly Hopeful
Youtube: Series and East Village Magazine in
https://www.youtube.com/watch? sionally appears in the group’s virtual Flint present Mustard’s Retreat!
v=25y1En3Fx54&feature=youth.b events. Time: Jan 23, 2021, 7 p.m.
At the 2015 Folk Music Festival, Meeting ID: 856 9805 3474
Facebook: the group co-headlined with Peter Passcode: 354769
https//www.facebook.com/mustardsre- Yarrow of Peter Paul & Mary.
treat/live/ “They’ve traveled more than a –EVM Staff.
million miles and performed more than
13Lead/galvanized tainted pipes
replaced so far in Flint:
9,912
Because of the governor’s order, no
pipeline replacements were conduct-
ed in April and May. Totals as of Dec.
25 were 9,912 lead or galvanized pipes
replaced, 26,750 pipes excavated.
A total of 16,838 pipes have been dis-
covered to be copper service lines.
Unclassified ads
• Tools Needed: We are mentor-
ing a student enrolled in auto class at
Mott. We are in need of tools. Please
check grandpa’s, dad’s, or mom’s
toolbox for donation or sale of
wrenches, pliers, screwdriver sockets
compression gauges, etc; Thank you!
IT TAKES A VILLAGE and there’s
none better than East Village. Call
Jerry at 714-342-7531.
• One-bedroom Apartment for
Rent: Clean, partially furnished,
upstairs. Walking distance to UM-
Flint and Mott College. Call 810-
625-3924 for appointment. Please
leave a message.
Support community journalism!
Donations to East Village Magazine
are tax deductible. For easy giving,
go to: eastvillagemagazine.org
*surprise special guests Volunteer Distributors Wanted
*afterparty
East Village Magazine is looking for
volunteer distributors in some of the res-
idential blocks bounded by E. Court,
Franklin, Tuscola and Meade streets.
Spend less than one hour a month get-
ting exercise and ensuring your neigh-
bors get the magazine. Contact
ecuster@sbcglobal.net or write to 720
E. Second St. Flint, MI 48503.
HAPPY NEW
YEAR!
(at last)
14... History ... Schools kids to come in and have good air to
breathe, to be warm in the winter and cool
(Continued from Page 12.) (Continued from Page 9.) in the summer,” Ramsdell said. “If we can
tion districts for the next decade. In lic school students is elusive due largely give them a positive environment, that’s
Michigan, as a result of Proposal 2 in 2018, to two factors: 1) The pandemic; it is got to be our first priority.
the election districts will be drawn by a non- suspected that many students have not HVAC upgrades were to have got-
partisan Citizens Redistricting Commission. yet reported to school for the 2020-2021 ten underway in the late-fall/early win-
In Michigan, we are likely to lose one school year; 2) The pandemic again; ter of the 2020 calendar year.
of our 14 congressional seats. In Genesee data indicate that 17,000 Michigan stu-
County, Flint’s loss of population is likely to dents have thus far transitioned to home Looming three-year,
lead to some very different political maps school learning in 2020-21. state-imposed plan
locally, and Flint ward maps will change. “This year’s unaudited fall enroll-
The goal is to have the new maps ment (for Michigan’s public school popula- The 2020-21 school year marks the
completed by the end of 2021 in time for tion) was approximately 53,000 fewer stu- end of a three-year, state-imposed part-
the 2022 elections. Though much remains dents,” wrote Michael Rice, state super- nership plan to improve test scores by
to be seen many feel that drawing truly intendent, in a Dec. 16, 2020, op-ed piece. 10 percent, reduce suspensions by 10
competitive election districts, could play a Student count numbers are sched- percent, and increase student atten-
role in reducing the partisan division in the uled to be tallied again in the spring dance to 90 percent.
state legislature, and the U.S. Congress. semester on Feb. 10, 2021. There has been no reported interaction
There is certain to be conflict and between FCS and the State of Michigan on
controversy as the commission does its Ongoing infrastructure needs this matter in recent months. Few would be
work, but there is a real possibility that the surprised if the partnership deadlines were
results could change the way we elect our At a Sept. 14, 2020, meeting of the extended due to the pandemic.
officials, reduce partisan divisions, and, FCS board, members were informed by
perhaps, lead to a restoration of trust. then-finance director Sekelsky that only EVM Education Beat reporter Harold C. Ford
Restoring trust in the election system, three buildings in the district were served can be reached at hcford1185@gmail.com.
political parties, science, Flint schools, Flint by air conditioning. At least eight FCS
water, and the Flint City Council is no small buildings needed upgrades in their HVAC
task. But if we can begin to do that in 2021, (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
it will be a much better year than 2020. systems to meet the needs of a pandemic
era and a balanced calendar school year.
EVM political columnist Paul Rozycki “The elementary schools have just got
can be reached at paul.rozycki@mcc.edu. to be a major project for us…for those
EL-Alamin said this additional resource cites some staggering statistics: 60 per-
... Village has provided tremendous help toward cent of U.S. inmates are parents; 68 per-
(Continued from Page 16.) the subscribers succeeding. cent of state prison inmates did not
an EBT card, and clothing. As the formerly “If you want to make a change in receive a high school diploma; and there
incarcerated re-enter society, they do not marginalized, violent communities, a are 2.3 million people in U.S. prisons.
have any of these important things. pipeline of opportunities has to be provid-
The real success is measured by the ed for at-risk youth and those with crimi- How to contact MADE Institute
person “getting a job and seeing they can nal histories,” said Leon EL-Alamin.
stay at a job.” He said the MADE Institute The MADE Institute has created a You can find MADE Institute on
has a 90 percent success rate. EL-Alamin partnership with Kettering University and Facebook and on Instagram @made.insti-
said that for the 10 percent who don’t make Dr. Laura Sullivan and her students. EL- tute. More information about MADE
it through their program, it is usually attrib- Alamin said. “The partnership is called Institute can be found on their website,
uted to the fact that a lot of individuals in SAGE (Student Association for Global www.madeinstitute.org. The MADE
prison have become socially conditioned to Engineering). Kettering helped construct a Institute downtown offices are on the sec-
the environment of how prison is struc- newly designed hoop house that is a self- ond floor of Woodside Church at the cor-
turally set up. sustainable system that runs off solar energy. ner of Garland and Second avenues and
EL-Alamin said MADE has hired MADE Urban Farming will be launched can be reached by calling 810-835-8304
a social worker to work with their sub- this spring to help provide organic fruits and between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
scribers. The social worker provides vegetables for residents in our community
trauma-informed counseling, anger and living within our transitional houses.” EVM Managing Editor Tom Travis can
management and behavioral therapy. The MADE Institute’s website be reached at tomntravis@gmail.com.
15Village Life
Where is the Village? It’s right here — it’s Flint
By Tom Travis
Over the past few years EVM has involved with some key historical happen- “MADE” stands for Money, Attitude,
reflected on its purpose and coverage of ings here in Flint. As we observe and lis- Direction and Education.
neighborhood news. In 44 -plus years ten to history, time marches on. There are “MADE Institute is currently pro-
EVM has grown and changed. Since Jan people right now working and doing in viding a professional relationship
Worth-Nelson took over as editor after Flint what is critical and key to our future. between returning citizens and at-risk
EVM founder, Gary Custer’s untimely Here is one such person Flint can be proud youth. This relationship is collaborative
death in 2015, EVM has continued to of and should listen to as he and his organ- in nature and focused on a strength-based
change and evolve into what it is today. ization enrich the Flint community. model. We assist our subscribers to con-
As I work with Worth-Nelson and nect with available resources and help
our executive board to see what the People in Flint negotiate for them relationships with
future holds for EVM, we all agree on other established organizations in our
one thing — EVM is more than just the Flint native Leon EL-Alamin community who can meet their needs.
“East Village” of Flint. (born Leon Wilson) faced challenges “We work to restore the civil/human
While at this time we’re not con- early on in his life, including being rights of formally incarcerated and those
sidering a name change, we are clear arrested at age 19 for drug and gun pos- affected by violence through organizing
that when we think of “the village” we session. In a Michigan Radio/Story and mobilizing individuals to become
are thinking of all of Flint. Especially in Corps recording, EL-Alamin tells his advocates to social changes and personal
recent years, EVM has focused on sto- story, which can be heard in its entirety. development,” according to their website.
ries of local government, democracy In 2003, EL-Alamin was arrested and In his published book of poetry,
stories that involve “the people’s sent to prison for seven years. EL-Alamin recounts his early life.
money” — taxes. At the same time, we EL-Alamin’s reentry into society Marked by violence and tragedy, he made
have maintained our coverage of neigh- after seven years in prison was tough, as a change in both his mind and his life.
borhood news and specific stories from it is for most who are formerly incarcer- “I channeled my energies into petty
specific neighborhoods. ated. That post-prison reentry process is theft, hustling, experimental sex at an
EVM is community journalism. what drove El-Alamin to develop his early age and things like that. Those same
We rarely, if ever, cover stories out- uncontrollable desires led me to
side of the Flint city limits. We care develop immortal fear of the police,”
about the stories that are happening in El-Alamin recounts. “I had become a
neighborhoods. You can help us — product of my environment, but yet I
let us know what’s going on and we had dreams that were only able to
may cover it. come to light inside of a dark and
The editorial team and EVM small prison cell.”
board agree that “the village” is Flint. During a socially distanced pan-
To that end, this column that always demic phone interview in December,
bookends our print edition by appear- EL-Alamin told EVM the MADE
ing on the back page, Village Life, is Institute has six employees and works
going to become a place where we with 16 people in their transitional
feature stories of people and places housing and life skills mentoring pro-
from around our city. gram.
Side note: Jan Worth-Nelson EL-Alamin said the MADE Institute
has written more than 100 Village has far exceeded what he had dreamed
Leon EL-Alamin
Life columns since the first one (photo from M.A.D.E. Institute website) it could be. He recalled that in the
appeared in March, 2007. This is a beginning “there was a lot of pushback
substantial volume of work from one of non profit organization called MADE and lot of lack of interest from the popula-
Flint’s finest writers and journalists. Institute here in Flint. tion.”
Her collection of Village Life columns EL-Alamin is the founder and That has changed as they have expe-
will be available in the near future ... executive director of the MADE Institute, rienced success with the citizens who work
keep watching. a nonprofit organization he started in the program. EL-Alamin described success
Flint is bubbling over with interest- January 2015. The MADE Institute starting with their subscribers getting basic
ing and fascinating people. In a city rich works with at-risk youth and veterans in needs like signing up for health care, getting
with history, our people have been addition to the formerly incarcerated. (Continued on Page 15.)
LIX: 1 (693 issues, 7,168 pages)
16You can also read
