East Village Magazine – July 2018

Home , Charles Stewart Mott, Dayne Walling, Flint water crisis

East

VillaMaggazeine July 2018

Photograph by VERN’S COLLISION INC. Free Loaners • Unibody • Frame • Paint Specialists • Glass • State-certified Mechanics More than 40 years at the same location. (810) 232-6751 2409 Davison Rd.

From Michigan Hands to Michigan Homes 601 M.L. King Avenue Located inside the Flint Farmers’ Market

Support community journalism! BATTISTE’S Donations to East Village Magazine TEMPLE DINING ROOM are tax deductible. For easy giving, PUBLIC WELCOME go to: eastvillagemagazine.org Serving Downtown Flint since 1947 Luncheon Monday-Friday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. All Oc2c3a5si-o7n7 C6a0 tering

~wine~ craft beer & more... at the Flint Farmers’ Market

H e a lt h y H o m e C o o k i n g ! 810-235-1968 Flint Farmers’ Market

2 Commentary A primary primer for the Aug. 7 election By Paul Rozycki In less than a month, in the midst of and Republican Travis Wines are unop - EastMagazine Village summer vacations, art fairs, festivals, and posed for their nominations and will face Vol. LVI No. 7 July 2018 car shows, Michigan will hold its regular off in November. Founder Gary P. Custer primary, and the turnout is likely to be low, as it has been for years. That’s unfortunate The State Senate Editor Jan Worth-Nelson because, for most officials, the primary is For the 27th District, which covers Managing Editor Meghan Christian the real election — whoever wins the pri - most of Genesee County, incumbent Editor-at-Large Ted Nelson mary is likely to win in November. That’s Democrat Jim Ananich and Republican Copy Editor Danielle Ward because most of our election districts are Donna Kekesis are unopposed for their Reporters Darlene Carey gerrymandered to favor one party or the party’s nomination and will compete in Jeffery L. Carey other. In most of Genesee County, the November. Dylan Doherty Harold C. Ford winner of the Democratic primary is The 32nd District includes the west - Patsy Isenberg almost certain to win in November. In ern townships of Genesee County, and Columnists Jan Worth-Nelson other places, such as Lapeer County, the all of Saginaw County. Phil Phelps and Teddy Robertson reverse is true. Henry Gaudreau are seeking the Paul Rozycki With that in mind, here’s a brief preview Democratic nomination. The winner Business Manager Casey Custer of the more important races and proposals will take on incumbent Republican Ken Photographer Edwin D. Custer on the Aug. 7th ballot. Horn in the fall. Distribution Staff Director: Edwin D. Custer. Staff: Sue Bailey, Kim The Governor’s race The State House Bargy, Jane Bingham, Helen & Jacob Blumner, Beth Coon, Connor Coyne & Ruby Coyne, Casey Custer, The race to nominate Democratic and There are five races for the State House Marabeth Foreman, Andrea Garrett, Charlie & Linda Republican candidates for Michigan’s of Representatives in Genesee County. & Patrick & Terrance & Christan & Jillianne Goldsberry, Ingrid Halling & Bob Thomas, Robert next governor is clearly the biggest contest The 34th District covers much of the Jewell, Andrew Keast, Carol Larzelere Kellermann, on the ballot. The Republicans have a northern and eastern parts of the City of Stephen Kellermann, Jo Larzelere, Bill & Carol Leix, James & Lillian & Livia Londrigan, Mary LeRoy, choice between four candidates: Attorney Flint. Incumbent Democrat Sheldon Alan & Julie Lynch, Aron McCormick, Ron & Mary General Bill Schuette, Lt. Gov. Brian Neeley is facing Steve Greene and Meeker, Robert & Nancy Meszko, Mary & Jeff Mintline, Ted Nelson, Edith & John Pendell, Dave & Calley, Dr. Jim Hines, and Sen. Patrick Syrron Williams for the Democratic Becky Pettengill, Lucia Rodriques, Julian Rodriquez, Colbeck. The main contest is between nomination. The winner will face Mike Spleet, and Karen Wilkinson. Schuette and Calley, with Schuette seem - Republican Henry Swift, who is unop - Board of Trustees ing to be the front runner in the race. posed for his party’s nomination. • Jane M. Bingham • FaLessia Booker Democrats have a choice of three can - The 48th District, covering much of • Edwin D. Custer • Jack D. Minore • Paul Rozycki • Robert R. Thomas didates: ex-Senator Gretchen Whitmer, northern and north eastern Genesee • Jan Worth-Nelson, ex officio Shri Thanedar, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. County is currently represented by term- 720 E. Second St. By most estimates, Whitmer is the front limited Democrat Pam Faris. Three Flint, Mich. 48503 runner, but Thanedar has become Democrats, Eric Gunnels, Sheryl (810) 233-7459 remarkably well known with his early Kennedy and Jordan Tiffany are running Website: eastvillagemagazine.org and clever ad campaign, and might offer for their party’s nomination. Two E-mail: [email protected] a significant challenge. Republicans, Shari Cross and Al Layout by Ted Nelson. Printing by Riegle Press Hardwick, are opposing each other for the Inc., 1282 N. Gale Rd., Davison, Mich. 48423. East Village Magazine is a program of the Village The U. S. Senate GOP nomination. Information Center Inc., a nonprofit corpo ration. We Incumbent Democratic Senator Debbie The 49th District, covering Mt. Morris welcome material from readers, but all submissions Stabenow is unopposed for her nomina - and Flint townships, and parts of the City become the property of the publication and if published will be edited to conform to the editorial style and poli - tion and she will face either Sandy Pensler of Flint (including the East Court area) is cies of the publication. All inquiries about the publica - or John James for the Republicans in also an open seat, with Phil Phelps being tion should be mailed to East Village Magazine , Village November. term limited. The district has drawn six Information Cen ter, 720 E. Second St., Flint, Mich. 48503. Distribution is the first Thursday of each month. Democrats into the race to replace Display advertising rates are $34 a column-inch plus The U.S. House of Representatives Phelps. They are John D. Cherry, any other costs. Unclassified ads are $2.50 a printed For the 5th Congressional District, LaShaya Darisaw, Justin Dickerson, line or part of a printed line. Rates subject to change (Continued on Page 9.) without notice. The deadline for advertising is 10 days both incumbent Democrat Dan Kildee before each pub li cation date. Cover: Restored Whaley House re-opened to public (Story p. 6) © 2018 East Village Magazine

3 Photograph by

Photo of the Month: Artifact of the past at Crossroads Village Work begins on Flint Cultural Center Academy, C.S. Mott commits $35 million By Harold C. Ford An array of Flint area nonprofit and will augment the daily schedule with “end - role in this education continuum.” political leaders gathered June 26 on the less” possibilities, according to Slisher. The idea for the school first emerged in campus of the Flint Cultural Center The Flint-based Charles Stewart Mott 2015, according to Mark Sinila, chief (FCC) to break ground for a new non - Foundation announced its commitment operating officer of the FCC Corporation profit charter school that will serve up to of $35 million “to cover the costs of which will help to coordinate the new 650 students each school year in grades designing, constructing, and outfitting school. The Mott Foundation provided kindergarten through eighth. the school, as well as making related $2.9 million for the school’s planning and Project planners expect the new school improvements to the Cultural Center development. Flint-based THA Architects to open in time for the 2019-2020 school campus,” according to a press statement Engineers and E & L Construction Group, year. The Flint Cultural Center Academy provided at the event. Inc. became the project’s design and con - will offer students the opportunity to take The 78,000-square-foot school will struction partners. advantage of programs at nearby Cultural house 37 classrooms, a gymnasium, cafe - Center institutions — Flint Institute of Arts teria, and kitchen. Direct access to the Flint Schools reportedly turned (FIA), Flint Institute of Music (FIM), Flint FIM and Sloan by FCC Academy staff down chance to charter the project Public Library, Longway Planetarium, and students will be provided by an adja - According to State Senate Minority Sloan Museum, and The Whiting. cent exhibit and learning space that fea - Leader and Flint resident Jim Ananich, tures three multipurpose classrooms. Flint Community Schools, under the 90 minutes of culture a day leadership of then-Superintendent Bilal Todd Slisher, Sloan Museum and Cradle to college continuum Tawwab, turned down the chance to Longway Planetarium executive director, “It’s the next step in a comprehensive charter the school. told the hundred+ gathered at the ground - effort to strengthening the education con - “When this project started, I asked if I breaking that FCC Academy students will tinuum in Flint, from cradle, to college, to could talk to the Flint Schools about char - spend 90 minutes of every school day at the career,” said Ridgway White, Mott tering it because, under the law, public FCC member institutions. “It’s an amazing Foundation president. “The Mott schools can charter as well,” Ananich said. set of resources that we have,” he said. Foundation believes that the Flint Cultural “I talked to the superintendent (Tawwab) After-school programs and summer camps Center Academy will play an important and they weren’t interested in it.” (Continued on Page 5.) 4 ... K-8

(Continued from Page 4.)

Ananich, who represents Flint resi - dents as part of Michigan Senate District 27, is a product of Flint schools and has a long history of supporting public education. He attended Pierce Elementary and Whittier Middle School before graduating from Flint Central. He taught at Flint Northern. His wife (Central HS), father (Northern HS), mother (Central HS) are all products of Flint Community Schools (FCS). His Artist’s rendering of the new FCCC charter school mother is a recent FCS retiree. approved by Grand Valley State (GVS). Academy enrollment is open to any “He (Tawwab) said capacity-wise, GVS is the authorizing body this fall for appropriate-age student living in they couldn’t handle it,” reported 76 charter schools with a combined Michigan. A lottery system will be used Ananich. “As a community person, I population of 37,000 students, accord - on the occasion that there are more think it’s important to stabilize Flint ing to GVS representatives Don Cooper applicants than seats available. schools. Flint would have been my pref - and Cindy Shinsky. They declined to In its first year, the school is expected to erence (as a chartering agency).” comment on the role of charter schools enroll a total of 300 students from kinder - Ananich explained that, at that time, in depleting student populations in pub - garten through fifth grade. In its second FCS was planning to knock down the lic schools. “I prefer to focus on this year, 2020-2021, grade six will be added. abandoned Central and Whittier buildings event today,” Cooper told EVM . Grade seven will be added in year three and build a new middle/high school cam - “This is about putting kids first,” White and grade eight in year four. By that time, pus. (See past issues of EVM : March told EVM when asked about the charter the school expects to enroll a total of 650 2017; May 2017; March 2018.) The school status of FCC Academy. “Our com - students each academic year. thinking of some, according to Ananich, mitment to the Flint Community Schools is Information about the application was that the students enrolled in the new still ongoing. We fund community educa - process to enroll a child will be available FCC Academy would transfer, after 6th tion in all the Flint Community Schools.” in early 2019. grade, to the new middle/high school at the start of their 7th grade year. Phased enrollment strategy EVM staff writer Harold C. Ford can be Indeed, Tawwab indicated to EVM in a Due to its charter status, FCC reached at [email protected]. March 2017 interview that 2020 was the target date for the opening of a new, con - solidated Flint high school at the old Flint Central site. But Tawwab was suddenly dismissed by the board of education in March 2018 with no explanation provid - ed. And the public discussion of a new middle/high school campus for Flint is, at present, nowhere to be found. All the while, Flint schools continue to lose students. Flint has fallen to the fourth largest public school district in Genesee County, trailing Grand Blanc, Davison, and Carman-Ainsworth. Of the approxi - mate 15,000 school-age children in Flint, about 4,600 attend Flint’s public schools. “It’s a mistake on the part of the Flint schools,” Ananich told EVM. “I still sup - port the project (FCC Academy). Making sure we have this type of quality school here is the number one priority. I wished it would have gone through Flint.” Instead, the school’s charter was 5 Whaley House re-opens three years after fire with top-to-bottom restoration By Jan Worth-Nelson For staff and historians of the plastering by hand and inlaid only Victorian home left from the wallpaper was painstakingly com - row of mansions that once graced pleted by Stephen Heddy's Kearsley Street, the fire of 2015 Artistic Decorating, Inc. — the was a crushing blow. One same crew who recently complet - November day, a welding torch ed interior transformation of the left by roofers working on copper Capitol Theater. Heddy and his gutters at the Whaley Historic cousin Bill Heddy are fourth gen - House Museum ignited a blaze eration painters and restorers. that, along with smoke and water The wallpaper designs are dif - damage, ruined every room. ferent in each room — all authen - Following a settlement and tic Victorian patterns — Japanese fundraising campaign, restoration influences evident on the first work began. Workers had to take floor and dragon flies and spider - down the interior to its original webs in an upstairs bedroom. timbers on all three floors. The $2 For Executive Director Daniel million restoration project of the Conner, who started in his posi - two and a half years since is tion last July, the re-opening cul - almost done, and the result, as minates a journey from heartbreak with its near neighbor the Capitol to exuberance. Theater, is astonishing and heart - A UM-Flint history graduate, warming for a city needing evi - Conner was walking back to the dence of beauty reclaimed from campus that November day from tragedy. his then-internship at Applewood The Gilded Age house opened Estate, C.S. Mott's family home to the public June 24. Whaley House restored parlor further east on Kearsley, when he The C.S. Mott Foundation, (Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson) saw the fire. He and his faculty which also supported the Capitol roof to give added support to the house mentor at UM-Flint, public history pro - Theater restoration, contributed about and relay the upper bricks.” fessor Thomas Henthorn, stood outside $200,000 to the Whaley renovation. Also, White said, “It was an opportu - watching the devastation with sinking It will be open the first and third nity to restore the house more closely to hearts. UM-Flint had co-sponsored pop - Saturdays of the month and by appoint - the period using research from over the ular "History Happy Hours" at the muse - ment to set up a tour. Admission is $5 years. Period wallpapers were more um; Conner had been in and out of the for adults and children 13 and up; $3 for accessible than they were when we start - building many times, and he understood seniors, college students with ID, and ed in the 1970’s. Floors were restored to its significance. children 13 and below. Children under their original parquet and borders copied Built in two phases — an Italianate 3 get in free. More information is avail - from 1890’s wood flooring catalogs. original in 1859, one of the first houses able at 810-471-4714. “It was an opportunity to bring the built in Central Park — and a later, Both Whaley Executive Director wiring up to code, restore lost interior Victorian remodel in 1884, the house is a Daniel Conner and David White, presi - shutters, and replace the long lost wood "Victorian gem," Conner said. In 1885, dent of the Whaley board, now agree the storm windows.” Robert Jeremiah and Mary McFarlan fire had an upside. All the artifacts in the house had to be Whaley moved in. “While the fire was devastating at first, moved out and stored and/or restored, R.J. Whaley, president of Citizen's we quickly realized that it was a blessing White said. “In all, only a dozen pieces Bank for over 40 years, played a crucial in disguise and an opportunity,” White were destroyed. Many pieces were role in Flint's history, when in 1886 he said. “Engineers and architects deter - refinished, reupholstered, and cleaned. gave a loan to Dallas Dort and Billy mined that the top of exterior brick walls Whaley House is more authentic today Durant's Flint Road Cart Company — were buckling from the weight of the roof. than ever before,” White stated. and that led to the creation of General Over time the top of the house would have The new parquet floors built by Motors in 1908. collapsed. As a result we were able to run Belfor Restoration of Fenton were laid Grieving after the death of their 10- steel supports from the basement to the in the four downstairs rooms. Elaborate year-old son Donald, who had been sav - (Continued on Page 7.) 6 ... Whaley izations when I-475 went in. (Continued from Page 6.) “It’s amazing to see the house come alive again,” Conner said. “In a way, it’s ing up himself to give to an orphanage, better than ever. This has been a special R.J. and Mary gave $500,000, an opportunity to begin a new life.” immense amount at the time, to start the “We’re doing this for the people who Whaley Children's Home. started us, those who have kept with the Whaley House for all these years,” he said. “We want to be part of this com - munity.” He said he hopes to open up the home in its new life with outreach to the whole community and programming that will draw people in. Victorian-era wallpaper Flint Handmade will resume its quilt - (photo by Jan Worth-Nelson) ing gatherings in the house in August, and the History Happy Hours will in Grand Blanc, Conner said for him, resume at 7 p.m. July 5. the Whaley position is a dream job. “It is a monument to the pioneers that “It is very cool to have the opportuni - created the Vehicle City and to a family ty to put my love, my interests, my pas - who left a legacy to care for Flint's children sion to work. I truly enjoy it here.” and seniors with Whaley Children’s Center and McFarlan Home,” White said. EVM Editor Jan Worth-Nelson can be White’s 40-year career as a Flint reached at [email protected]. curator/historian came to an end just three days after the fire—a life change R.J. Whaley’s top hat (photo by Jan Worth-Nelson) that allowed him to spend the last two and a half years volunteering his time to The house, at 624 E. Kearsley St. at north - oversee the restoration. bound Chavez, is the last mansion left on Conner, 28, was born at Hurley Kearsley Street, where once stood homes Hospital, and hails from a family of occupied by Flint legendary families includ - three generations of General Motors ing the Bishops, Whitings, and Motts. The workers. He is, he said, “entrenched in house was rescued from the wrecking ball in the area's history.” Driving in from a 1976 by a coalition of seven volunteer organ - six-minute commute from his apartment

FREE Home Warranty Flint’s Resident Realtor — The Name Trusted in More Neighborhoods Ryan Eashoo (810) 234-1234

7 “Good news story” arts millage up for Aug. 7 vote By Jan Worth-Nelson and Patsy Isenberg A proposed county-wide millage that runs his own marketing business. The Fenton Players, Clio Cast and Crew, could bring in up to $8.7 million/year for The arts in Genesee County are “a the Flushing Area Historical Society, or the arts in Genesee County for the next great good news story,” Thompson the Grand Blanc Arts Council. ten years will be on the Aug. 7 ballot. exclaimed. “The Cultural Center is a In addition, it would guarantee free Backers of the proposal say it would gem of Genesee County.” general admission to the Sloan Museum guarantee substantial support, education - “When you consistently hear bad news, and the Flint Institute of Arts and selected al enrichment and widened access for you’re not going to attract businesses or discounts on shows and programs at the one of the area’s biggest “good Longway Planetarium, the news stories,” including free Whiting, the Capitol Theater, Flint admission to the county’s best- Youth Theatre, Flint School of known cultural institutions and Performing Arts, Flint Symphony many others in the outcounty. Orchestra, and Flint Institute of The .96 mill (96 cents/$1,000 Music. Also significantly discount - taxable value, would mean about ed if the millage passes, would be $48/year more in property taxes admissions to McCree Theatre and for a home assessed at $50,000). Fine Arts Centre’s mainstage pro - ductions. In addition, McCree FCCC would distribute would offer free after school work - If passed, the millage revenue shops and free admission to Black would be distributed from the coun - History Film Series and its after - ty to the Flint Cultural Center school workshops for students in Corporation, which would allocate it Millage could aid many county-wide arts venues Genesee County. Events offered by to the Flint Institute of Arts, the Sloan (photo by Jan Worth-Nelson) Friends of Berston Fieldhouse Museum, The Whiting Auditorium, would be free or reduced for the Capitol Theater, the Flint Youth Theater, good jobs or keep up good housing values. Genesee County residents. the Flint School of Performing Arts, the But we’ve got another story to tell. Longway Planetarium, the Flint Symphony “We’ve got a boatload of incredible A plea for support Orchestra, the Flint Institute of Music, the success stories in the arts here,” he said. Charles Winfrey, director of the Friends of Berston Fieldhouse, and the “We want to say, listen, come here! It’s a McCree Theatre & Fine Arts Centre, has New Floyd J. McCree Theatre. great place to live and we love it here.” publicly supported the millage effort, Based on the county’s population and The group wrote and submitted the making a plea for votes during his intro - the average price of homes in the county, millage proposal ballot language to the duction to “Give Me That Old Time the yearly revenue from the millage would Genesee County Board of Commissioners Religion” performance in May. be about $8,776,000 in the first year. in early spring. Commissioners approved Winfrey said, “I’m here today to ask Of that, $500,000 per year would go the proposal 5-3 in April. Commissioners you to pray on it and to vote yes on it directly to the Greater Flint Arts Ted Henry, Martin Cousineau, and David when you go to vote. If that millage pass - Council, which would distribute the Martin voted against it and Bryant Nolden es, it will support not only McCree funds through grant making to other abstained. Theatre but the Berston Fieldhouse on county arts agencies. The proposal was endorsed by Flint the north side of Flint to allow us to con - According to the non-profit Citizens Cultural Center Corporation in a letter tinue our programs. But it will also for a Better Genesee County (CFBGC), signed by Executive Directors Jarret enable the entire Cultural Center here in a group that formed explicitly for the Haynes (The Whiting), John Henry the City of Flint to sustain themselves for millage campaign, “Flint and Genesee (FIA), Todd Slisher (Sloan/Longway) the next ten years.” County should be known for more than and President and CEO Rodney water issues or infrastructure problems Lontine (FIM). Transparency, accountability? or Netflix’s ‘Flint Town.’” Exact word - Former City of Flint ombudsman and ing of the ballot proposal is available at How much and for what? longtime downtown attorney Terry bettergenesee.com or at gc4me.com. The $500,000 allocated to GFAC Bankert voiced reservations about the Citizens for a Better Genesee County, would be dispersed annually for grants to millage proposal, writing on Facebook, “I headquartered in Fenton, is led by presi - support arts education and cultural object to using public dollars for unac - dent and Fenton resident Randall enrichment programs at other nonprofit countable private institutions,” and said Thompson, a former State of Michigan and governmental arts and cultural insti - he objected to what he called the “sleazy and U.S. Congressional staffer who now tutions in Genesee County, groups like (Continued on Page 9.) 8 ... Millage ... Primary Township. Incumbent Democrat Kim (Continued from Page 8.) (Continued from Page 4.) Courts is unopposed for the nomination and no Republican has filed to run politics” involved. Jacky King, Dayne Walling, and Dan against her. He said he is unhappy about what he Wright. The winner of the Democratic views as a lack of transparency and nomination will face Republican Patrick The Circuit Court Judges accountability for how the money Duvendeck, who is unopposed for his On the non-partisan ballot, voters would be spent. He said “back room party’s nomination. will choose two Circuit Court judges deals” had led to several changes by the The 50th District covers much of from eight candidates. Those running to Board of Commissioners in the original Burton, Grand Blanc, and southeastern fill the judicial slots are: K.C. Baran, proposal—to benefit a wider variety of parts of Genesee County and is currently Chris Christenson, Glenn Cotton, recipients. represented by Democrat Tim Sneller, Marvin Jennings Jr., Elizabeth Kelly, The community needs information, who is unopposed for his nomination. He Richard F. McNally, Brian Pickell, and Bankert said. “Who are the people will face Republican Trace Fisher in Stephanie Witucki. involved? What recourse is there if we November, who is also unopposed. don’t like what they do?” The 51st District covers western and The proposals Thompson said CFBGC consists of southern Genesee County and parts of Voters will also decide on several about 25 grassroots volunteers who meet northern Oakland County, and is current - proposals on Aug. 7. monthly. He said he is spokesman and ly represented by Republican Joe Graves, Several proposals are county-wide. only “named officer” and that the group who is term limited. Four Republicans, The Mass Transportation Authority is has no office but accomplishes its work Matthew Anderton, Mike Mueller, Drew seeking a renewal of their .40 millage around a handful of kitchen tables. Shapiro, and Ian Shetron are competing for five years. Responding to Bankert’s accountabili - to replace him on the Republican side. Perhaps the millage that has drawn the ty concerns, Thompson replied that all Democrat David Lossing is unopposed most attention is the Arts Education and the arts agencies involved, as 501c3 for his nomination and will face the win - Cultural Enrichment Millage, which (nonprofit) organizations, are required by ning Republican in November. While would levy a .96 millage to support the law to file annual reports with the IRS, most of Genesee County’s house districts Cultural Center, Capitol Theater, McCree called 990s, and that those reports would lean Democratic, the 51st has a history of Theater, and Berston Fieldhouse (see be available to the public. Republican advantage. story p.8) Also, he said, if the millage passes, the Michigan State Extension Services is Board of Commissioners is poised to con - The Genesee County Commission also requesting a renewal of their .04 sider two proposals: one to place county Of the nine members of the Genesee mill levy for the next four years. commissioner representation on each of County Commission, four districts Other proposals will face voters out - the recipient organization’s boards, and include parts of the City of Flint. side of Flint. another to appoint an ombudsman to The 1st District covers the northern Voters in the City of Davison will also oversee use of the millage and conduct parts of Flint and the Mt. Morris area. vote to amend their city charter. Grand yearly audits. Incumbent Democrat Bryant Nolden is Blanc Township will vote on a fire protec - Ultimately, Bankert said, “I’ll proba - being challenged by Kenneth Andrews tion millage and a mosquito control mill - bly vote for it. This resource may not for the nomination. No Republican has age. Atlas Township voters will decide on continue to exist without this millage filed to run in the district. a recreation millage. Voters in the Genesee help. I have a business and a home with - The 2nd District covers central and School District will decide on both renew - in a slingshot of the Cultural Center, and eastern parts of Flint. Incumbent ing an operating millage and a new sinking it’s a benefit to the community, a bona Democrat Brenda Clack is facing a chal - fund millage. And Lake Fenton will vote fide community resource.” lenge from David Davenport and Adam on an operating millage renewal. Thompson, who has five kids, said Ford. No Republican has filed to run. Even with all the summertime activi - working on the campaign has been satis - The 3rd District includes much of ties, take the time to vote in your parties’ fying so far. He said his previous work in Burton, and parts of the east side of Flint. primary. More information on all the Lansing and Washington, D.C. kept him Democratic incumbent Ellen Ellenburg candidates is available from the League out of town much of the time, and this is facing a challenge from Steven of Woman voters at Vote411.org . time he’s found himself able to make a Hatfield for her party’s nomination. difference right at home. Three Republicans, Gerald Cross, Gary EVM political commentator Paul Rozycki Goetzinger and James Miraglia are com - can be reached at [email protected]. EVM Editor Jan Worth-Nelson can be peting to run against the winning reached at [email protected]. Democrat in November. Staff writer Patsy Isenberg can be The 4th District includes the southern reached at [email protected]. half of the City of Flint and parts of Flint 9 VOTE Flint Council approves two-year city budget and 10 of 11 appointees for overdue ethics panel By Meghan Christian Flint City Council (FCC) approved 10 interpretation that the board is funded sep - her experience on the board for the Flint appointments to the Ethics and arately from the $250,000 that was allo - Children’s Museum. Accountability Board and approved the cated for the Office of the Ombudsman in Sixth Ward: Dr. Delores Langston was Mayor’s biennial budget for the city of the 2018-2019 budget. recommended by Winfrey for a four-year $55.8 million for 2018-19 and $56.6 mil - He further stated he abstained from term. “She has been over various depart - lion for 2019-20 at their June 25 meeting. voting for two of the appointments — ments, she’s an advocate for children and Formation of an Ethics and Linda Boose and Andrietta Dicks — due for families, she is what we call a ‘decent Accountability Board was one of the to family connections. human being’ ... ,” Herbert Winfrey said in requirements outlined in the new city All appointees were initially present praise of Langston. “I thought that she charter adopted by 2-1 by voters in and invited to speak, but not all were would be an excellent person for this Ethics August, 2017, and which was to have still available by the time it was their and Accountability Board,” he added. taken effect Jan. 1. turn to be introduced two and a half Langston touched on her definition of The council’s late June actions leave hours into the meeting. ethics for the council, stating, “I try to get one more appointment — awaiting a Second Ward: Joseph King was rec - all the facts before I come to a judgment, nomination from First Ward councilman ommended by Councilman Maurice so I try not to go in with preconceived Eric Mays — to complete the composi - Davis to serve his ward on the Ethics and notions.” tion of the ethics board. Accountability Board for a four-year term. Seventh Ward: Pastor Allen Gilbert The board’s main functions include According to Davis, King does a lot for was recommended by Councilwoman appointing an ombudsman and hearing res - the community, including organizing a Monica Galloway for a two-year term. ident concerns. The board is empowered to clean up in Civic Park. “He tries to be eth - According to Galloway, Gilbert is a suit - hold public servants accountable per the ical in everything he’s doing,” Davis said. able fit for the board due to his previous ethical standards outlined in the charter. “I’m not a politician. I’m a communi - experiences on other boards, his relation - This power manifests in various ways, out - ty advocate. I believe in helping people ships with the Council as a whole, and lined in the charter, from calling hearings to and do whatever I can to make sure things his support of the Administration. subpoena powers, should it be necessary. are done properly,” King said. “I want to serve to try to do my best The charter calls for 11 members, Third Ward: Linda Boose was rec - the few years that I got left,” Gilbert said. comprised of one member from each ommended by Councilman Santino “That’s why I try to help and we don’t ward and two members appointed by the Guerra for a six-year term. Boose works always agree, but that’s all right,” he mayor. First Ward Councilman Eric for the Michigan Department of Health added. Mays had not submitted a name by the and Human Services. According to Eighth Ward: John Daly was recom - time of publication. Guerra, she “represents the ideals of all mended by Councilman Allan Griggs for a Mays said he was still choosing residents in the Third Ward community four-year term. Daly, who previously between two candidates at the time of and throughout the city of Flint.” taught two Master’s level courses in Ethics, the June 25 meeting and would submit Fourth Ward: Defense Attorney has a decade of experience working on his selection later. Nicholas D’Aigle was recommended by honors systems and ethical codes for aca - Terms on the board are staggered, mean - Coucilwoman Kate Fields for a two-year demic institutions and other organizations. ing each of the 11 members serve a different term. D’Aigle has served as a defense “I thought this would be a great oppor - number of years. According to Sixth Ward attorney for parents in neglect and abuse tunity to serve the city of Flint,” Daly said. Councilman and Council President Herb cases locally for four years. Outside of his Ninth Ward: Eric Roebuck was rec - Winfrey, this is to ensure that not all of the experience dealing with members of the ommended by Councilwoman Eva members leave at the same time. “You need community, D’Aigle also has experience Worthing for a six-year term. Roebuck, to have some folks that still have some ... sitting on boards, including a board he a student at the University of Michigan- history with the Ethics and Accountability currently sits on in Genesee County deal - Flint, ran against Worthing during the Board,” he said. ing with the juvenile court system. primaries. According to Worthing, he is Fifth Ward: Andrietta Dicks was ethical and has knowledge of the City’s Appointees recommended by Councilwoman Jerri charter. “I would put my trust in him to The 10 appointments were approved Winfrey-Carter for a two-year term. do the right thing,” Worthing said. by the council with no objection; howev - According to Winfrey-Carter, Dicks is Mayoral Appointments: Mayor er, Mays abstained from voting on all of qualified to sit on the Ethics and Karen Weaver recommended Loyce them. According to him, “(The Board) Accountability Board because “she has Driskell for a two-year term and Art Evans ain’t been well-thought out,” due to his high levels of integrity” and because of (Continued on Page 11.)

10 ... Council All floors open at Flint economic and (Continued from Page 10.) innovation incubator, the Ferris Wheel for a six-year term. Both were approved By Jeffery L. Carey, Jr. without discussion outside of Mays stating his reasons for abstaining. “We are excited to be a part of a com - Bank and now on the Ferris Wheel’s munity of doers and innovators,” said fourth floor. The Budget Heather Kale, general manager of Flint’s Businesses expected to move in include FCC adopted the Mayor’s biennial city Ferris Wheel business incubator as she Caudill Thornquist Group, Choice Office budget, $55.8 million for 2018-2019 and announced at a June 21 celebration that Products, Northgate, MarxModa, Pop $56.7 million for 2019-2020, by a vote of renovation of all seven floors of the build - Mod Photography and State Bank. six in favor and zero opposed, on the ing are completed. An initial opening of The 2018 winners of a “Reverse Pitch” interpretation of the charter that after the the first three floors of the 100-year-old contest held in Flint, Stop and Freeze LLC, council failed to get enough votes to over - building, which had been vacant for will be on the second floor. The five-mem - turn the Mayor’s veto June 13, her pro - decades, was last November. ber team is comprised of Paul Baugher, posed budget goes into effect. Michelle Kachelski, Linda Kachelski, Adil Those in favor were Mays, Davis, Mohammed, and Andy Watchorn. The Guerra, Winfrey-Carter, Winfrey, and team won a six-month tenancy for design - Galloway. Fields, Griggs, and Worthing ing a security and emergency alert app. had left the meeting by the time of the “The app name will be finalized at a later vote, so the motion passed without oppo - time,” stated Mohammed, “once we are sition. ready to announce the product release.” While the Mayor’s proposed budget Many tenants in the Ferris Wheel passed without opposition, Mays, the have established businesses in the council’s financial chair, addressed greater Flint area, but are using the space agreed-upon amendments that he said Seventh floor ready for occupants for expansions. would be negotiated after July 1, when the at Ferris Wheel. One example is Bill Burgess of (photo by Darlene Carey) budget actually goes into effect. Flushing Glass who expanded his terri - Discussions would be based on a previ - Skypoint Ventures, led by president tory by creating Mr. Chip, a mobile ous meeting held between Winfrey, Mays, and chief innovation officer David Ollila, windshield repair company. “One of the mayor, and Chief Financial Officer announced the potential occupancy of 39 the benefits of this service,” said Hughey Newsome. businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators, Burgess, “is how it can be used for The amendments under discussion and students. Tenants have access to a fundraisers.” He described how a chip include $10,000 each for the FCC depart - range of business services, support, and repair service can bring in money ment secretaries, $30,000 for an addition - resources all in a single location. while providing a needed service. al part-time employee in the office, and “We didn’t create the idea of an incu - “Flint’s entrepreneurial community is $10,000 each for the two senior centers, bation center,” said Phil Hagerman, rich with innovation and ambition, and Brennan and Hasselbring. founder and CEO of Skypoint Ventures we’re happy to help that spirit thrive at As for the other amendments pro - and owner of the building, “but what we Ferris Wheel,” Hagerman said. “Imagine, posed by the council and which were were able to create here in Flint, the ideas, inventions, and innovations that part of a budget vetoed by the Mayor, Michigan is something that was built to will one day shape our lives are being including $500 for each ward accounts, serve the people of this community.” crafted right now right here in Flint.” the council does not have a steadfast He described the desire to develop a Prices for membership and becoming a agreement from the Mayor, but more of space for “creatives,” saying the incubator tenant at the Ferris Wheel begin with a stu - an agreement to discuss them later, “needed a flexible model where people dent price of $25 per month, including a according to Mays and Winfrey. could bring all types of ideas and issues flexible desk space, Wifi, and 24/7 access to Guerra voiced optimism that FCC and ventures and thoughts to life.” the facility. Spaces go up from there with would be able to work with the Tenants in the building already include fourth floor spaces running $299 per month Administration to make adjustments to Flint Prints, an online printing company; to “premium” office spaces on the seventh the budget in July. “I think this is a Mr. Chip, a mobile auto glass repair com - floor. Premium seventh floor spaces process of working together, eventually pany; Grace Peabody of Peabody include office windows with views of the when we hit July and can add those Insurance; The Disability Network, a city, Wifi, 24/7 access, printing access, con - amendments in,” he said. group providing services to the disabled ference room credits, and a mailbox. community of greater Flint; The EVM Managing Editor Meghan Christian can University of Michigan-Flint’s Innovation EVM staff writer Jeffery L. Carey can be reached at [email protected]. Incubator, previously located at the North be reached at [email protected]. 11 Dr. Mona calls for “radical reckoning” about lives of children in public library book launch By Jan Worth-Nelson

Hurley Medical Center pediatri - thing is poison there is no safe cian Mona Hanna-Attisha, for the level.” past three years regarded as one of “This just reinforces the need the stand-out whistleblowers and for ongoing education, ongoing heroes of the Flint water crisis, writing for many professionals to turned the tables on the hometown understand the science of lead standing-room-only crowd who and basic science of public came to celebrate her Thursday health,” she said. night. “We never should have gotten to Speaking at the Flint Public the point where we had proof of ele - Library launch of her book What vated levels. We should have called The Eyes Don't See: A Story of an emergency when that first mom Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in held up that jug of brown water. an American City , Hanna-Attisha That should have been enough.” said she does not think of herself as a hero, suggesting as a pedia - Flint lessons connect with trician, she was simply doing her Hanna-Attisha with Chris Jackson larger crisis job. (Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson) Hanna-Attisha’s Flint appear - Her findings in collecting and ance came in the midst of a whirl - reporting the elevated blood-lead levels of Community Foundation of Greater wind nationwide book tour and media her young Flint patients in 2015, and her Flint (CFGF), stewards of the more blitz, including stops at the Rachel insistence that government officials pay than $18 million donated so far from Maddow show, Terry Gross’s Fresh Air, attention, helped blow the crisis open into hundreds of individuals, organizations, The City Club of Cleveland, a booksign - a national story and disgrace. and corporations around the country in ing with Chelsea Clinton in a New York However, Hanna-Attisha said, it is the the wake of the crisis. Part of the pro - City Barnes and Noble, and the publish - people of Flint who are the “true heroes” ceeds from her book, she said, would ing of a recent op-ed in the New York of the four-year-old drama. She praised go into the CFGF fund. She was cele - Times . the community for building “a model of brated again at a fundraiser for the In Flint, she asserted the messages of hope and recovery” for the whole coun - Community Foundation’s Flint Kids her book — and lessons from the water try. She said the people of Flint have been fund June 27. crisis — connect directly to a larger crisis “brave, stubborn, loud, and organized” of “how we care about children as a since the onset of the crisis. “Poisoned” v. “Exposed” whole in our country,” particularly since Hanna-Attisha spoke publicly for the last election. Many positive developments one of the first times about the “lead She praised the new Educare and poisoned/lead exposed” labeling con - Cummings child care centers providing troversy prompted by the release of a free pre-school for 500 Flint kids, along paper by a group of her Hurley physi - with Medicaid expansion, Flint Kids cian colleagues led by toxicologist Read and newborn literacy programs, Hernan Gomez. The paper asserted, nutrition services, behavioral services among other things, that based on 11 and many other initiatives as evidence years of blood lead level data what hap - the city is making strides. pened in Flint was not an environmen - She touted the importance of the Flint tal emergency and that no children in Listening: Community Registry, an emerging program to gather Flint were lead poisoned. Foundation CEO Isaiah Oliver information about and match resources “It was a very misleading article,” and Dr. Lawrence Reynolds with residents who experienced the water she said. “It very much minimized the (photo by Jan Worth-Nelson) crisis — an effort funded by a $14 mil - crisis and trauma.” She said the inter - lion federal grant to Michigan State pretations of the Gomez group are 25 An immigrant to the U.S. at the age of University which she is overseeing. years out of date and perpetuate the four, Hanna-Attisha described how her She noted the accumulations of the “denial of the science of lead toxicity,” parents fled the Iraqi regime of Saddam “Flint Kids” fund through the which now contends that “if some - (Continued on Page 13.) 12 ... Hanna-Attisha indifference to the lives of children.” at the loss of democracy, anger at people Hanna-Attisha further developed the in charge of the water decisions at the (Continued from Page 12.) point. DEQ” (Department of Environmental Hussein and came to America, seeking “We are allowing our children to be Quality). “freedom, democracy, and that slaughtered in schools because of inac - American Dream.” She said “Lady tion on gun violence, we are allowing Some villains harder to see Liberty had her arms open and There were “clear villains — peo - welcomed us.” However, if ple that you can name,” she said. Donald Trump's first travel ban But she also came to recognize had been in force when her par - “the villains that were harder to ents fled, she said, none of them see — lying underneath — long - would have been allowed in. standing effects of disinvestment, She said she hoped her book and poverty and racism and aus - would be “a rallying cry to see terity — the undercurrent of this the power that we have within crisis. These are leaving scars that us — we have to be not only will last forever.” awake and alert, but loud” to Library director Kay Schwartz effect change. thanked Hanna-Attisha for her Hanna-Attisha conversed “stubborn pursuit of the science from the platform first with that made it possible to tell truth to State Sen. Jim Ananich and then power” in Flint. Hanna-Attisha with Chris Jackson, editor and later said Flint's recovery requires a publisher-in-chief of One World, basis in science and decried recent an imprint of Random House trends in the country to deny it. which published her book. Dr. Mona fans line up for book signing “Flint was a place where com - Jackson flew in from New York (photo by Jan Worth-Nelson) mon sense science was denied,” for Hanna-Attisha's Flint she said, noting that when launch. children to drink poison water here and General Motors stopped using Flint's throughout the nation, we use chil - water, everybody should have under - She made a ‘“choiceless choice” dren’s health insurance as a bargaining stood there was a problem. And ulti - Saying “this is a book I adore,” chip in Congress, we have one of the mately, she said, science provided the Jackson recalled he was grabbed when highest poverty rates of all industrial - path to recovery. he heard Hanna-Attisha say her ized countries,” she said. In summarizing why she wrote the response to the water crisis was a She called for “a radical awakening, a book, Hanna-Attisha said, “I knew that “choiceless choice” because of her ethi - radical reckoning to how we are valuing the nation's attention would fade and cal, moral, and professional obligations. our children.” move on, as it obviously already has, and And he noted that in considering recent She said the deeper she dug into I wanted a way to shine a spot light back national events, “there is a unifying Flint's story, the more she felt “anger at on Flint.” thread in some of these things — this the officials who were in charge, anger “I wanted to very much share the les - sons of this crisis, this tragedy, but more important I wanted to share the beauty of Flint,” she said. “I wanted people to see Flint as I see Flint, as a place of loyal, proud and resilient people, and a place that stood up and said we’ve had enough, and a place that is building an incredible model of hope and recovery, especially for our kids.”

EVM Editor Jan Worth-Nelson can be reached at [email protected].

13 VOTE HIS ONTH IN THE ILLAGE “This MontTh” highlights aM selection of interesting events available toV our readers — beginning after our publication date of June 7. It is not an exhaustive list, rather a sampling of opportunities in the city. To submit events for our July issue, email your event to Managing Editor Meghan Christian at [email protected] by June 26.

From Lens to Eye to Hand: Surreal to Sublime Pig Roast/BBQ Chicken Photorealism July 13 - 31 July 21 Noon - 5:30 p.m. 5 - 9 p.m., or until sold out Every day in July Buckham Gallery, Richfield Bowl, Noon - 5 p.m. 134 ½ W. 2nd St. 5340 Richfield Rd. Flint Institute of Arts, 810-239-6233 810-736-7890 1120 E. Kearsley St. Admission: Free Admission: $5 donation 810-234-1695 Opening during July’s Art Walk at Hosted by the Richfield Road United Admission: $7 Brethren Church, enjoy an assortment 6:30 p.m. July 13, this exhibit show - of food, eat-in or carry out. Get your cases photography, painting, and A reexamination of photorealism and choice of one main item and three side more from five artists, including dishes. Iced tea and lemonade available. the use of the camera as a foundation Susan Hagen and Tracie Hilder. of expression, as well as the ground - Family Fun Day breaking artists of the time. Euchre Tournament July 21 July 13 Sacred Circle: Open Spiritual All Day 6:30 p.m. Cathedral of Faith, Discussion Group St. George Orthodox Church, 6031 Dupont St. 5191 Lennon Rd. 810-228-8455 July 6, 13, 20, and 27 810-732-0720 Admission: Free 6 p.m. Admission: $5 A family fun day includes a bounce house, Sacred Elements, Come play euchre. Refreshments community resources, and free food. Also 5353 Fenton Rd. available for purchase. enjoy music, a dunk tank, and more! 810-422-9125 Admission: Free, donations accepted Flint Alley Fest Gerrymandering, Racism, and the Mid-Term Election All faiths, ages, and experiences are July 14 4 - 10 p.m. July 24 welcome to join in a weekly spiritual Buckham and Brush Alleys 6 p.m. The New McCree Theatre, discussion. Bring a snack to share, if Admission: Free possible. 2040 W. Carpenter Rd. 810-845-1767 Enjoy local music and vendors as Admission: Free Young Voices, Racism, and the well as activities including corn hole, Mid-term Elections a kids’ area, and more. Food trucks Come hear how partisan politics influ - will also be at the event. ence how voting districts are drawn and why voting is important. July 10 and 17 Summer Osborne in Concert 6 p.m. Pick-up Softball Game Flint Public Library, July 14 1026 E. Kearsley St. 7 p.m. July 26 810-845-1767 Unitarian Universalist Church, 6 p.m. Field at Court and Crapo Streets Admission: Free 2474 S. Ballenger Hwy. 810-232-4023 Admission: Free Admission: $12 in advance, $15 at door For both youth and those of age to For the residents of Central Park, vote, learn why those who are too Come listen to award-winning Fairfield Village, and the College young to vote are still getting singer-songwriter Summer Osborne. Cultural Neighborhoods, come play a fun involved and find out what voters can From St. Louis, her storytelling and game of pick-up softball. Attendees are do to help. Voter registration will also strong vocals demonstrate the power asked to bring water, a glove, and a bat, if be available. of truth and spirituality. they have one they would prefer to use.

14 ... Flint

(Continued from Page 16.) honor and dignity in the ongoing strug - gles. Stand in any line in Flint — be it bank, government, grocer, or BBQ wagon — and you will have a civil and friendly conversation with a fellow Flintoid you had never met before. As Connor Coyne, a neighbor of mine, recently commented on Facebook, there is a “solidarity of strangers” in Flint that is unique. Additionally, there is the cachet of being a Flintoid. Flint is a national sym - bol of tenacity and spirit. Whenever Jan and I traveled, we encountered people who were both curious and sympathetic to our “plight” as citizens of Flint. Chats with vendors often led to their refusing to charge us for our bottled water. There are two economies in Flint. There is the economy of money, and there is the economy of the heart. Flint may not be a big winner when it comes to money, but when it comes to heart, Flint takes the prize. On a more profound level, Flint is at the crossroads of all of our country’s historical social conflicts. Poverty, racism, and igno - rance have all made their appearances on Flint’s stage. Over time, Flint has become the canary in our country’s conscience — the battleground where the issue of America’s basic values is reflected in the history and struggle of its citizens. The centuries old question of who and what we are as Americans has re- emerged. We are now engaged in a critical national dialogue to clarify our values and determine the future of our republic. In this respect, Flint’s history and culture of struggle make it an ideal place for this Unclassified ads urgent discussion — a place of soul and vitality. A good place to live. For Rent. Studio apartment. Clean, partially In the end, it was not the issues of furnished, washer & dryer, all bills paid. Walking distance to UM-F & MCC. $450 per money, mind, and logic that decided the month. Call 810-235-0021. Leave message. matter, but issues of the heart. I came to Apartment for Lease. Spacious one-bedroom apartment in historic Central Park on cul-de- Flint for love. And I found that here. sac Avon St. near Kearsley St. Walk three blocks or less to UM-Flint & MCC campuses, But I stayed for its dauntless pluck. Cultural Center, Downtown, Farmers’ Market, When it comes to spirit, Flint is four parks, bike paths, Applewood horticultur - al gardens and easy freeway access. Deck onto America’s heartland. large backyard, laundry, off-street parking. References and credit check requested. On-site Flint is the place for me. management. $545 per month plus electricity. Heat and water included. No pets. Write: Apartment Box 1A,720 E. Second St., Flint MI EVM Editor-at-Large Ted Nelson can be Donations to EVM are tax deductible! 48503 or E-mail: [email protected]. reached at [email protected] 15 Village Life Why I moved to Flint By Ted Nelson My first experience of Flint was her phone number.” He refused, plead - ital. And then there is the California Bishop International Airport. I still won - ing journalistic ethics. However, he coast, the Pacific Ocean, cultural diversi - der about the “International” part. Could agreed to contact her and give her my ty, and some of the best freeway drivers it be that Flint itself is another country? number. in the country. Perhaps there are secret flights here in the After six months of impassioned On the other hand, there are a few dark of night — aliens sneaking in from emailing, phone calls, and a carousel ride downsides as well: earthquakes, traffic, all over the world to benefit from the of chaotic emotions, we decided to meet noise, crowds, density, lack of seasons, city’s abundance of jobs, services, and in person in Flint, Michigan, Jan’s home anonymity, a high cost of living, and end - amenities. Who knows? for many years. And that’s what brought less asphalt. I, however, was on a mission of me to Bishop. Flint, of course, has a few negatives of another kind. Standing in line at the rental car count - its own. On its face, Flint is hard-scrabble I was at Bishop because 25 years earli - er, I felt nervous and jittery. When my — a town with a reputation for toughness, er I had fallen for a woman who now lived turn came, the agent glanced at my reser - violence, economic hardship, racial ani - in Flint. We had met in the Kingdom of vation and asked, “What brings you to mosity, political chaos, failing infrastruc - Tonga on New Years Eve of 1976. She Flint, Mr. Nelson?” ture, and a host of other acne-like issues was a Peace Corps volunteer there, and I Oddly, the question caught me by sur - that blemish its facade. Not to mention the had been sent by Peace Corps to conduct prise. I paused as I pulled myself togeth - water crisis. Not to mention WINTER. an in-country training for the newest er. “LOVE!” I finally declared. The four So, the choice between LA and Flint group of volunteers. I was also there to people standing in line behind me was not an easy one. Would the love that help the current volunteers deal with the clapped and kudoed my pronouncement. brought me to Flint hold us here? emotional aftermath of a murder that had From the back room behind the counter, Once again, fate intervened. With the just occurred — a male volunteer had I heard laughter and more applause. The death in early 2015 of Gary Custer, editor of repeatedly stabbed a female volunteer. At agent smiled brightly as she responded, East Village Magazine , Jan and I assumed the time, it was a huge scandal. “Welcome to Flint, then! You’re in the management of the publication … and a We had an intense romance over the right place. What kind of vehicle would whole new Flint revealed itself to us. next three months, but when I returned you like?” Love broadens. As we pursued our to the States, neither of us was in a “How about a Caddy?” I said. late-found love and worked together on position to carry the relationship for - EVM , that bond gradually expanded into ward. Nevertheless, for the next 25 Despite our mutual fears, the reunion a deeper appreciation for the place. And years her memory never left my mind exceeded all expectations. I became a that appreciation slowly grew into a sur - or my heart. regular commuter to Flint in pursuit of prising fur ball of love for this gritty, spir - And then something totally unexpected love. Three years later we bought a ited town. Flint has a personality. happened. house here, and two years after that we Scratch a Flintoid, get a spark. Talk with I received a phone call from a New were married. But one big question still a Flintoid, get a story. York journalist. He was writing a book loomed over us. When Jan retired from For the many years I worked in about the murder, knew of my involve - UM-Flint, would we finally settle in Flint Hollywood, my favorite pleasure was the ment in the aftermath, and wanted to or my home of Los Angeles? daily parade of personalities and fascinat - interview me. I was stunned by the call, In the year following Jan’s retirement, ing chronicles that came my way. Big and immediately asked who he had the question was still a toss-up. Los egos, giant ambitions, bitter conflicts, already talked to. The third name he Angeles had some heavy inducements on abject failures, astounding turnabouts — mentioned was Jan Worth. [In the inter - the scale. I had lived there since my mid- all feeding an intricate tapestry of intrigu - est of full disclosure, that woman, Jan 30s, and all three of my kids and both of ing, real-life tales. But these pale in com - Worth, is the editor of East Village my former wives lived there. My awards parison to the richness, power, and com - Magazine . Many of you reading this business in Hollywood was still chugging pelling humanity of the stories I have already know me from the countless along, over 35 years old and now employ - absorbed in Flint. times she has outed me in her articles, ing a daughter, son, grandson, daughter- Flint has a simmering undercurrent of including her version of this topic in last in-law, an ex-wife, and a Rottweiler. A toughness and resilience, infused with August’s EVM . Finally, I get the sweet genuine family business. persistent streams of hope and aspiration. pleasure of outing her for a change.] In addition, Los Angeles is one of the To be a citizen or activist in Flint is to be I broke in, stating, “I will not say most cosmopolitan cities in the world, long-suffering. Yet there is a certain another word to you unless you give me and Hollywood is the entertainment cap - (Continued on Page 15.) LVI: 7 (663 issues, 6,694 pages) 16