East Village Magazine February 2019

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.

FREE Home Warranty

Flint’s Resident Located inside the Flint Farmers’ Market Realtor — The Name Trusted in More BATTISTE’S Neighborhoods Ryan Eashoo (810) 234-1234 TEMPLE DINING ROOM PUBLIC WELCOME Serving Downtown Flint since 1947 Support community journalism! Donations to East Village Magazine are tax deductible. Luncheon Monday-Friday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Go to eastvillagemagazine.org for easy giving. All Occasion Catering 235-7760

~wine~ craft beer & more...

at the Flint Farmers’ Market

Healthy Home Cooking! 810-235-1968 Flint Farmers’ Market

2 Commentary Politics 2019 — more civility? Maybe, but don’t count on it East Village By Paul Rozycki Magazine “It’s tough to make predictions, her military flights to Afghanistan. Vol. LVII No. 2 February 2019 especially about the future.” The recent agreement to open the gov-

Founder Gary P. Custer -Yogi Berra ernment for three weeks offers an opportunity to end the shutdown for Editor Jan Worth-Nelson With a newly elected Congress in good and may give both parties a Managing Editor Meghan Christian Washington, a new administration in chance to work together. How that Editor-at-Large Ted Nelson Lansing, and a mayoral election in plays out and how long it lasts, Danielle Ward Copy Editor Flint, this year will be anything but remains to be seen, but 2019 looks Reporters Darlene Carey tranquil politically. As has been the like it may be a year of investigations, Jeffery L. Carey Harold C. Ford case for the last few years, predictions charges and countercharges and, per- Luther Houle are easy to make, but often wrong. haps, a move to impeach the president Patsy Isenberg Like so many things attributed to from the U.S. House. Columnists Jan Worth-Nelson Yogi Berra, I don’t know if he actual- The background for much of this is Teddy Robertson ly said, “It’s tough to make predic- the fact that the 2020 campaign is Paul Rozycki tions, especially about the future,” already underway. At least eight Business Manager Casey Custer Photographer Edwin D. Custer but it’s obviously true. In any case, at Democrats have declared they are the risk of proving Yogi correct, here running for president, with more to Distribution Staff are a few things to look for in politics come. And Trump’s campaign has Director: Edwin D. Custer. Staff: Sue Bailey, Kim Bargy, Jane Bingham, Jacob Blumner, Connor this year. been in place since his inauguration Coyne & Ruby Coyne, Casey Custer, Marabeth two years ago. Foreman, Charlie & Linda & Patrick & Terrance & On the national level Christan & Jillianne Goldsberry, Ingrid Halling & Bob Thomas, Christine & Patrick Figgins, Robert On the state level Jewell, Carol Larzelere Kellermann, Stephen As we begin the year, some expect For the first time in many decades, Kellermann, Jo Larzelere, Mary LeRoy, James & Lillian & Livia Londrigan, Alan & Julie Lynch, Ron 2019 to be “the worst year of Donald Michigan Democrats have flipped the & Mary Meeker, Robert & Nancy Meszko, Mary & Trump’s life.” That may or may not governor’s, attorney general’s, and Jeff Mintline, Ted Nelson, Edith & John Pendell, be true, but, for the first time, secretary of state’s offices from one Dave & Becky Pettengill, Lucia Rodriques, Julian Rodriquez, Mike Spleet, and Karen Wilkinson. President Trump is facing a party to another. Yet even with that Board of Trustees Democratic House, with the power victory, Republicans remain in control •Jane M. Bingham • FaLessia Booker and the intent to investigate his busi- of the state House and the state Senate, •Edwin D. Custer • Jack D. Minore ness dealings and potential ties to as they have for a number of years. • Paul Rozycki • Robert R. Thomas Russia. The nation also awaits the Will that mean that Michigan faces the • Jan Worth-Nelson, ex officio Mueller report on any possible same gridlock we have seen in 720 E. Second St. Russian collusion, and at least six Washington? Maybe, but there are at Flint, Mich. 48503 (810) 233-7459 individuals with ties to the Trump least a few signs that both parties campaign have been indicted so far. might work together better than they Website: eastvillagemagazine.org E-mail: [email protected] The FBI also has launched investiga- have in the past. Layout by Ted Nelson. Printing by Riegle Press tions over Trump’s possible ties to Unlike the past two governors, Inc., 1282 N. Gale Rd., Davison, Mich. 48423. Russia. Gretchen Whitmer brings legislative East Village Magazine is a program of the Village During the record-breaking 35-day experience to the job. She served in the Information Center Inc., a nonprofit corpo ration. We welcome material from readers, but all submissions government shutdown, Trump took Michigan House for six years, was elect- become the property of the publication and if published most of the blame for the layoff of ed to the state Senate in 2006, and was will be edited to conform to the editorial style and poli- cies of the publication. All inquiries about the publica- 800,000 federal employees and the chosen as minority leader of the Michigan tion should be mailed to East Village Magazine, Village turmoil that followed. The shutdown state Senate in 2010, serving until 2014. Information Cen ter, 720 E. Second St., Flint, Mich. had the image of a bad reality TV That experience, which both Gov. Snyder 48503. Distribution is the first Thursday of each month. Display advertising rates are $34 a column-inch plus show as Trump and Speaker of the and Gov. Granholm lacked, led Whitmer any other costs. Unclassified ads are $2.50 a printed House Nancy Pelosi traded dueling to meet with “The Quadrant,” the leaders line or part of a printed line. Rates subject to change without notice. The deadline for advertising is 10 days cancellations, as she blocked his State of both parties in the Michigan House and before each pub li cation date. of the Union message, and he denied (Continued on Page 13.) Cover: Ice-coated cattails, Michigan winter © 2019 East Village Magazine

3 Photograph by

Photo of the Month: That one day with the dogs, Byram Lake Flint City Council wrestles with civility, removes Mays from finance committee chair By Meghan Christian As 2018 ended, some members of Third Ward Councilperson Santino both outlined in Robert’s Rules of Flint City Council (FCC) expressed hope Guerra, Fields, Sixth Ward Councilperson Order—the parliamentary procedure that the new year would bring a new atti- and FCC President Herb Winfrey, manual used by FCC and many other tude to the council and that they would be Galloway, Eighth Ward Councilperson organizations throughout the United able to leave many of their divisive issues Allan Griggs, and Worthing. Opposed States. behind. But it became clear at the con- was Second Ward Councilperson Maurice “You are abusing your rights as a clusion of the first month of 2019 that Davis. Absent at the time of the vote were council person,” Winfrey said to Mays. this would be a difficult goal. Fifth Ward Councilperson Jerri Winfrey- “Your problem is you want people to lis- Carter and Mays himself. ten to you and to respect you, but you Mays removed Mays wasn’t there for the vote don’t listen to everybody.” he added, Perhaps the most dramatic action of because he had been removed from the before Mays cut him off. the council in January was the removal meeting by Flint Police Officer William Fellow members of the FCC were not of First Ward Councilperson Eric Mays Metcalf 20 minutes earlier, after the only ones under fire from Mays; from his position as finance chair, by a Galloway, the chair of the meeting, council staff support were targets of his vote of six to one, during the Jan. 23 declared him out of order. outbursts as well. During the regular finance committee meeting. FCC meeting Jan. 14, Mays recounted The removal, based on a motion by Continued fighting between part of the Jan. 9 finance committee meet- Council President Winfrey, was the culmi- members of FCC, staff ing where, according to Mays, the coun- nation of months of discord between The Mays controversy seemed to come cil’s staff informed them they could not Mays and, in particular, three female to a head with explosive debate in the reg- make a motion on a pending resolution council members: Fourth Ward ular council meeting of Jan. 14, when dis- regarding AECOM, the city’s water pipe Councilperson Kate Fields, Seventh Ward cussion of a special order added an extra replacement management company. Councilperson Monica Galloway, and hour to the meeting time because of argu- “When our staff starts telling us when Ninth Ward Councilperson Eva Worthing, ing among council members and what we can make motions and can’t and then as well as FCC’s support staff. some believed were abuses of “Point of I research it – and I want this council to Those in favor of his removal were Order” and “Point of Information” — (Continued on Page 5.)

4 ‘Councilman Mays, with the skills that to grant a second change order to the ... Council you have, if you would just change those city’s contract with the LA-based global (Continued from Page 4.) attitudes, you could serve as finance engineering firm, AECOM, that would know – our staff was wrong,” Mays said. chair. I would like to have you serve as give them an additional $4,802,482, “Do what we ask and stay out of our finance chair, but you have to apply according to the resolution listed in the debates if you don’t know what you’re those rules across the board,’” Winfrey Jan. 9 finance committee agenda. talking about,” he said. said. “How do you call folks in order (AECOM is the company’s official “I know what I am talking about, Mr. when you are out of order?” name; the letters of the acronym stand for Mays,” City Clerk Inez Brown retorted, Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, in defense of herself and her staff, “and Clashes between Mays and Operations and Maintenance) As report- the other thing that I indicated to you community members ed in EVM in April, AECOM took over during the course of the (Jan. 9) meeting Residents in the city also spoke out the water service line replacement project … Ms. Winfrey-Carter made a motion, against treatment they felt was not right from General Michael McDaniel in the but you wanted to make the motion — from the First Ward councilperson. At fall of 2017. The firm received a 13- you would not allow her to do it. Now, the Jan. 14 FCC meeting, former mem- month, $5 million contract from the city had you allowed her, it might have gone ber of the Charter Review Commission which began Dec. 1, 2017. through,” Brown added. and city activist Quincy Murphy Both times this resolution for the second “She ain’t a council person, we are in described how Mays had treated him change order faced the FCC — once in a debate … She’s out of order,” Mays during the Jan. 9 finance committee committee on Jan. 9 and then again as a said in response to Brown. “You can’t meeting. reconsideration moved by Mays during the call on her as a member of this body,” he Murphy said he had filed a damage Jan. 14 regular council meeting — it failed protested to Board President Winfrey. claim for being unlawfully removed with a tie vote of four in favor and four “Usually the city clerk has the ability from a finance committee meeting, and opposed. Some members of the FCC said to chime in because what has been dis- asked the council to censure Mays. He they would not support giving AECOM cussed here is based on believing that further requested that the council have a more funds when they felt the company had what was shared from that position was parliamentarian at all committee meet- not fulfilled the terms of its first contract. incorrect,” Galloway said. “And I just Others said they believed not granting want to know how far and how many AECOM the $4.8 million would not only people have to be subject to Councilman be a detriment to the public health of resi- Mays’s anger and outbursts,” she added. dents, but was just a way for certain coun- FCC Executive Assistant and Office cil members to go against Mayor Karen Manager Davina Donahue felt so strong- Weaver and her administration. ly on the current state of the council that “The mayor already did her part. She she filled out a public speaking slip and brought in the best company, the best spoke before FCC, something she stated safety with MDEQ (Michigan she had never done in a regular FCC Department of Environmental Quality) meeting since being on staff. and all the rest of them,” Maurice Davis “There’s something on my heart that I said. “We can’t keep track of every dime have to talk about. Things keep coming and every penny that’s dealing with up in meetings on the record, so I want to Councilperson Eric Mays AECOM … We don’t want to reset this (Photo by Paul Rozycki) have time to respond,” she said. clock with some trying to save a dollar ... “I’ve been with council for 12 years ings and, finally, to remove Mays as trying to save a penny digging holes. now and I’ve never seen anything like chairman of the finance committee. That’s flat out stupid,” he added. the fighting because you don’t agree,” During the Jan. 23 committee meet- “What I see some of the council peo- Donahue said. “I don’t profess to know ing, several residents from the First ple are doing could turn (pipe replace- everything, but working for the clerk, the Ward turned out in protest against Mays, ment) to a trickle, could leave lead pipes keeper of the records of the council, if I their councilperson. One said, “We will in the ground an extra day, an extra think that you’re doing something you not be silenced. We are the First Ward week, an extra month,” Mays said. haven’t done before, I am going to speak residents. We are tired of the verbal “I wish my colleagues would really up. The clerk deserves more respect abuse. We’re tired of the abuse of put past their personal opinions and go than that,” she concluded. women on our council, and we say no to back to why you’re actually sitting in In formally moving to remove Mays verbal abuse from any council member.” these chairs,” Davis said. “We don’t as chair, Winfrey recounted a conversa- want to reset the clock on this.” tion he had with Mays when he told AECOM Update Mays he did not think he was a fit match Meanwhile in January, another strug- Managing Editor Meghan Christian can be for the position of chair. “I said, gle came in the form of deciding whether reached at [email protected]. 5 Flint’s Katie Stanley Band launches new EP, making music from waves of challenge By Jeffery L. Carey, Jr. On a cold January evening at Mine. When asked how they came Flint’s Soggy Bottom Bar, the up with the name of their band, Katie Stanley Band released its Stanley stated, “Well, we couldn’t new EP (Extended Play) titled think of one, so it just stayed ‘Katie Lake Superior to a very warm Stanley’ and we added ‘Band’ at audience. The band, comprised of the end. Very creative, ha!” singer/songwriter Katie Stanley; The folk and country sound of bassist Tammy Pendleton; and the Katie Stanley Band combines drummer Michelle McAuley, influences from many sources, released the new EP Jan. 18 with including Nathaniel Rateliff and the release show on Jan 19. The the Nightsweats, Gregory Alan show also featured opening artists Isokov, Etta James, Carol King, Dylan Grantham of Young Ritual and Motown or blues artists. and Cory Mark Glover. From left, Tammy Pendleton, Katie Stanley, “One of my dogs is actually Michelle McAuley at Soggy Bottom Stanley, 31, was born in (Photo by Jeffery L. Carey, Jr.) named Sam after Sam Cooke, who Fenton, but has local ties. “I’m an is one of my favorite singers,” only child,” she said. “I have lived in band. “I’ve tried most string instruments Stanley said. “The other is named Flint in the past and grew up playing and briefly took drum lessons,” she said. Bader, after Ruth Bader Ginsberg.” shows in the area.” “Now, I mostly play and write on guitar Opening at the Soggy Bottom release By day, she’s a fair housing attorney and piano. I also often play banjo, bari- show was Dylan Grantham, 23, of at Legal Services of Eastern Michigan tone ukulele, harmonica, and mandolin.” Young Ritual. Born and raised in Flint, and serves on several nonprofit boards in Stanley’s family is also highly musi- Grantham stated, “I would consider the City, including Factory Two cal as her dad is a guitar teacher, and her myself Indie/Alternative/Americana and Makerspace, the Flint Local 432 mom is a piano teacher. Stanley’s mater- some influences would be Father John Performing Arts Venue, and the Flint nal grandmother sold and played pianos. Misty, Randy Newman, Chris Warren, Community Housing Resource Board. “It was always something that was in the and The National.” “I also serve on several local commit- family,” Stanley said. “Since I was born “I’ve been playing music since I was tees,” she stated, one of them being Girls I’ve been exposed to music. I can’t just a little kid,” Grantham said. “I was Rock Flint, an organization whose mis- imagine and wouldn’t have it any other born here, and I’ve stayed here and I’ve sion is to empower marginalized youth way.” had the pleasure of knowing Katie for in Flint to believe in themselves by pro- “My parents still teach guitar and probably a decade now, so we’ve played viding a supportive environment that piano lessons to this day,” Stanley said. together a few times.” fosters self-expression, confidence, and “My grandmother was an incredible Grantham said he first met Katie at his community building through music edu- piano player and also owned a local cousin’s open house years ago. “She cation and performance. piano store in Flint. played a set there, and I was immediate- Stanley’s drummer, Michelle Her paternal grandfather’s cousin, ly taken by her voice,” he recalled. McAuley, is a banking compliance offi- Ralph Stanley, was a member of the Glover, 37, has been playing music cer and the bassist, Tammy Pendleton, is Country Music Hall of Fame and has for about 18 years, but admits the past a pharmacist. Both live in Flint. The been dubbed the patriarch of bluegrass. 10 or so years have been pretty casual band members write all their own music. He was a banjo player, singer, and song- and more of a hobby. “I was born in Occasionally they cover a song, but the writer whose work influenced the earli- Flint and spent most of my 20s work- songs on their three EP's are all original. est bluegrass style. ing and hanging out in the town,” “In Flint, my fondest memories were “The first songs I ever learned were Glover said, “but now I live in formed at the Flint Local 432 where I classical piano, since I couldn’t hold a Ferndale.” grew up playing,” Stanley said. “Some guitar until some years later. I had my “I play with Katie a few times a year,” of my fondest musical memories include first piano recital at three years old,” Glover stated. “I definitely think our my grandmother playing ragtime, my Stanley said. “My earliest and fondest music informs each other. I think if you dad singing James Taylor songs, and my memories with my family all involve sat us all down and had a group chat we mom and I practicing together before music.” would have similar threads of influ- school.” Lake Superior is Katie Stanley’s third ences. I love Katie’s soulful singing and Stanley brings a rich background in EP with the previous releases being, take on the genre and Dylan has a per- music to her role as front person for the When in Roam and Canary in the Coal (Continued on Page 7.)

6 able to play more again, I was writing have become very close again. She just ... Band a lot, and we even recorded a new came out of a long relationship, some of (Continued from Page 6.) album.” which propelled the songs of the latest formance aesthetic and lyrics that are This sense of resilience is also a EP. amazing.” major influence in Katie Stanley’s new “It’s all a give and take … and we Outside of the Soggy Bottom Bar, EP, Lake Superior. “Several years only have so much energy to give,” she Katie Stanley has toured through the ago, I swam through the caves of Lake said, “so I try to be intentional about southern states, up the East Coast, Superior,” Stanley said, “and I’m not a what to pursue and to honor (my) own through a bit of Canada and back. “I very good swimmer. I remember wellness also. toured with some friends just after I being struck by the raw power of the “Being in public service is some- graduated high school,” Stanley said. waves, of the larger world of which I thing I’ve always valued and wanted, “We all crammed into a tiny Saturn, was a part, and the timelessness of the despite its challenges,” Stanley including all of our bags, instruments, love that I felt for the person I was added. “I don’t know that I could and a cello that whoever rode in the back with. ever just do one thing … working had to keep across their laps. It over- “Often, life’s most defining moments towards balance across my interests heated more than once and we didn’t have caused me to feel fear for my own has taught me so much about grit, plan anywhere to sleep for the entire powerlessness, but at the same time, resilience, and what really matters to tour. Luckily, we always had some gratitude for the opportunity I have to be me. In my limited experience, find- where to crash.” present. To some extent, I think where I ing connection, being of service to Asked how she balances her music am now in releasing this album, I feel others, music, and the humility and with other parts of her life, Stanley similar, struck by my own smallness, by awe of spending time in nature have said, “I try to go through the seasons of the overpowering wave of challenges been the most valuable to me. But, life without too many judgments, as these past few years has brought, but music provides a balance and creativ- long as I feel like I’m doing the best also grateful I am present with love in ity to my life that I don’t get in other that I can. There was a time while I was my heart.” areas. It really is all about balance, studying for the bar exam that I could- Stanley, who is gay, along with her and I’m grateful for all of it.” n’t play much. It was one of the most sister band mates, said her parents did difficult periods of my life, for a variety not accept her coming out at first but EVM Staff writer Jeffery L. Carey, Jr. can of reasons. Once I passed, we were now embrace her decision, and they be reached at [email protected]. “Unity in Diversity” goal of Feb. 23 intercultural festival By EVM Staff “Unity In Diversity,” an each year some world interfaith and intercultural event gives a new sense festival, will celebrate diver- of urgency to interfaith sity in Flint beginning at 7 understanding, noting p.m. Feb. 23 at the Insight that this year the event Institute of Neurosurgery comes in the wake of the and Neuroscience, 4800 Tree of Life Synagogue Saginaw St. shooting in Pittsburgh. The 4th annual event Sponsors of the Unity In features local artists and Diversity event include the performers. Co-founder Flint Islamic Center, the Muna Jondy, Flint-based Flint Jewish Federation, attorney and member of Court Street United the Flint Islamic Center, Methodist Church, and Mott said, “something artistic” Community College. is what the community For more informa- Facebook logo for the upcoming event needs in the midst of ten- tion, contact Carrie sion around immigration dance, spoken word, and storytelling. Walling, and global events. Local physician Bobby Mukkamala [email protected], 810-247-3408. Organizers say the concert will fea- returns as emcee. ture diverse performances, and some Rev. Jeremy Peters, of Court Street –EVM Staff audience participation, including music, United Methodist Church, said that

7 Flint Ethics and Accountability Board still plodding through formative stages By Meghan Christian The Flint Ethics and Accountability “We’re grown-ups, you need to act the EAB also has an obligation for tak- Board (EAB) has passed another month that way,” he added. ing residents complaints. since it was established by the new City “Complaints were always supposed to Charter 18 months ago without hiring Accepting Complaints be kept confidential; we discussed that,” an ombudsman, one of the group’s mayoral appointee Loyce Driskell said. main jobs. As of the Jan. 22 meeting, the EAB “Things have gotten so out of hand.” But the group did welcome a new has received a total of three complaints, Mayoral appointee Art Evans said he member, addressed potential issues which Third Ward appointee Linda thought it was not right for the EAB to with accepting complaints, and dis- Boose has been holding onto in the inter- take complaints before the board has a cussed plans for 2019 during their im until the board hires an ombudsper- system in place to do so. “To receive a brief meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 22. son. However, the way the board has complaint at this junction ... is inappro- Absent from the meeting were Fourth dealt with complaints has raised some priate. We should stop this process of tak- Ward appointee Nicolas D’Aigle and potential flags for some residents of Flint. ing complaints,” Evans said. Sixth Ward appointee Delores Quincy Murphy, former member of “I don’t think we can investigate them, Langston. the Charter Review Commission, but we can still keep accepting them,” As described in previous East addressed a concern about how a Second Ward appointee Joe King Village Magazine coverage, the EAB complaint was handled in a previous answered. is a requirement of the charter adopt- meeting during the public speaking ed by voters in August, 2017, by a portion of the Jan. 22 meeting. Plans moving forward two to one vote and which was to have “Attorney Alex Gibbs filed a com- taken effect in January, 2018. The plaint. One of your colleagues turned Driskell urged all members of the charter calls for 11 members, com- around and gave that complaint to a EAB to bring their ideas on the com- prised of one member from each ward councilperson for them to read. I plaints process to their next meeting. and two members appointed by the thought that was unethical,” Murphy “And I think we will work on putting mayor. Terms on the board are stag- said. “It could have came across as together the bylaws, talk about gered, meaning each of the 11 mem- intimidating to the person filing the processes,” Driskell said about their bers serve a different number of years, complaint and I think that you guys next meeting, adding, “My personal to ensure that there is always someone should look at ... signing a confiden- view on it is that I see everything on the board with experience. tiality statement.” coming through the ombudsman. We The board’s main functions, as set out “If I file a complaint with you guys, were put together, as I understand it, in the charter, include appointing an I don’t expect my complaint to get to hire an ombudsman ... and that ombudsperson and hearing resident con- turned around and given to the person should be our number one priority.” cerns. The board is empowered to hold who the complaint might have been public servants accountable per the ethi- filed against. It is very intimidating. EVM Managing Editor Meghan Christian can cal standards outlined in the charter. Some of us already feel like we can’t be reached at [email protected]. This power manifests in various ways, come to council and voice our con- outlined in the charter, from calling hear- cerns and complaints without being ings to subpoena powers, should it be degraded by certain council people,” necessary. Murphy said. “I was appalled and I felt that I needed to come here and say New Appointment something.” Executive Assistant and Office Bob Gallagher replaced Eric Manager Davina Donahue reminded Roebuck as the Ninth Ward appointee the EAB that Gibbs, who made the to the EAB Jan. 14 by a unanimous complaint mentioned by Davis, made it vote of the Flint City Council. Asked publicly. “The reason why he insisted by Second Ward Councilperson that you accept his complaint, which he Maurice Davis how he would be able to did do publicly, was he felt it was your handle bias, Gallagher stated, “I am an responsibility,” Donahue said, refer- honest person. We’re all brothers and encing the part of the Flint City Charter sisters here. We need to get along.” that states without an ombudsperson,

8 Consumers offers heating bill aid Unclassified ads By EVM Staff MATT THE HANDYMAN. Snow Removal. I will shovel your snow. $12/hr. Minimum one hour. Call Matthew (231) 838-0256. Consumers Energy encourages resi- temperatures. Prefer East Village neighborhoods. dents having difficulty paying heating Two-Bedroom Upstairs Apartment For Rent. All bills paid. Close to UM-F and MCC. Call bills to ask for assistance, and has con- For forgiveness of past-due bal- (810) 625-3927. tributed $10 million since October to ances or payment plans, call defray those costs in southeast Consumers at 800-477-5050. For Volunteer Distributors Wanted Michigan. assistance with current bills or other The East Village Magazine is looking Consumers Energy’s CARE program needs, call 2-1-1 or go to mi211.org; for volunteer distributors in some of the allows customers to establish a payment or call GCCARD at 810-232-2185; or residential blocks bounded by E. Court, plan with monthly credits and gradual the Salvation Army at 810-232-2196. Franklin, Tuscola and Meade streets. forgiveness of past-due balances. Spend less than one hour a month get- Consumers Energy cash contributions --EVM Staff ting exercise and insuring your neigh- bors get the magazine. Contact to local agencies provide assistance to [email protected] or write to 720 those having trouble paying bills. E. Second St. Flint, MI 48503. In Genesee County, those Consumers resources are managed by the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD) and the Salvation Army. A company spokesperson noted natural gas use for Consumers Energy’s residential customers was And if you love good writing... up more than 20 percent in Donations to East Village Magazine November 2018, compared to the pre- are tax deductible! For easy giving, vious year, due to colder-than-normal go to: eastvillagemagazine.org

9 “Miracles and Glory Abound”: Artwork of Vanessa German at FIA through April 20 By Harold C. Ford Editor’s Note: EVM staff mode of art making amongst writer Harold C. Ford is also a African American artists is strik- provisional docent at the Flint ing.” Institute of Arts (FIA) and was John Henry, FIA executive present in a dual capacity during director, explained in the fore- a walk-through of Vanessa word to the companion book German’s new exhibit at the FIA Miracles and Glory Abound, that Jan. 25. Miracles and Glory he saw German’s work at the Abound opened to the general Pavel Zoubok Gallery in New public Jan. 27. York City in 2016. “I knew at that moment that not only did a “The future belongs to the work of hers need to be in the human beings who have the FIA permanent collection, but creativity and the courage to Vanessa German that such an assembly of sculp- live inside the truth.” (Photo courtesy FIA) tures would make for a fantastic –Vanessa German, 2017 kept us alive by keeping us in the exhibition.” house,” German said. “She would make Prior to installation of the current Vanessa German discovered the trans- us make stuff. She would put art sup- exhibit, German conducted workshops forming power of art when she escaped plies all over the table and we would with young people at the Berston Field a particularly dreadful phase of her life have to make our own lives.” House, the Boys and Girls Club, and in by collecting things as she walked her “We made our own clothes, toys, the Flint Cultural Center in July 2018. dog to find relief from the gloom. books, recordings, plays,” she recalled. On the weekend of the exhibition open- “I would pick up little objects and “So I really grew up my whole life ing, she visited with students and educa- things from vacant lots, from around understanding that I did not have to out- tors at Mott Community College and the abandoned houses in my neighbor- source my own fun (or) creativity. I Flint Public Library. hood,” she told a Pittsburgh audience in could make the things of my life.” 2017. “I never experienced the great music Miracles and Glory Abound: She took the objects — shards of or arts school,” she said. “I always felt The centerpiece of German’s FIA glass, buttons, cans, swatches of fabric, like I was an artist and could always do exhibit is a mixed-media installation titled glass bottles, scraps of paper — to the whatever I wanted to do.” Miracles and Glory Abound (2018), a basement of her Pittsburgh home and put life-sized representation of Washington them together to create works of art. Assemblage art Crossing the Delaware (1851), the iconic “A shard of glass looks worthless,” According to Hilary Robinson, pro- painting by Emanuel Leutze. said German. “But when you put those fessor of feminism, art, and theory at Leutze’s painting is a representation shards together you can create an entire- England’s Loughborough University, of a foundational story about the birth of ly new picture.” German’s style, dubbed “assemblage America. It is the visual narrative of “I found that when I was in the art” by the art community, is “part of an George Washington leading Continental process of creating these figures some- aesthetic tradition that has a strong soldiers across the Delaware River in thing happened to me. Something came thread within art by African American 1776. German’s Miracles and Glory over me so holy, and truly, and com- artists.” Abound challenges the Leutze narrative. pletely, that I was changed by the Robinson’s comments are contained “Who gets to shape-shift that story?” process … I could contend with the in a new 63-page book, Miracles and German asked her FIA audience. “Who despair.” Glory Abound, produced by the FIA and gets to create the images for those stories meant to complement the exhibit of the of American greatness?” Artistic style rooted in childhood same name. German’s take on the Leutze painting is Creativity was bred into her during Many assemblage artists, according to reminiscent of Robert Colescott’s painting, her childhood as the middle child of five Robinson, “have marginalized cultural George Washington Carver Crossing the siblings raised in Los Angeles in the and political identities, or (are) from sex- Delaware: Page from an American 1980s and 1990s. ualities that have been regarded as deviant History Textbook (1975), in that all the “I was really influenced by my mom and criminalized.” Thus, Robinson con- human figures are obviously African (a quilter) who basically kept us safe and tinues, “the strength of assemblage as a American. (Continued on Page 11.) 10 which she resides and creates. Like the ... Artwork traditional makers of nkisi, who used (Continued from Page 10.) various materials available to them, such “Miracles and Glory Abound with its as bones, nails, pieces of mirrors, and boat full of figurative sculptures, func- herbal potions to infuse magic into the tions as both a continuation of and a dis- objects … ” ruption of the canon,” according to Holly Nkisi are spirits, or an object that a Bass, a writer and performance artist. spirit inhabits. The term is frequently “She (German) inserts and asserts her applied to objects found in the Congo Blackness, her womanness, her multiva- Basin in Central Africa. lent queerness, into this ongoing American narrative and asks us to con- German’s Flint connectedness sider the birth of this nation, a mytholo- German may feel kinship with a city gy of chopped cherry trees and founding whose public perception is that of a fathers lying through wooden teeth.” beleaguered urban center wracked by “The political meets the spiritual meets we are animals are us crime, poverty, and infrastructure fail- the cultural,” German said of Miracles (Vanessa German, 2018) ures. Homewood, her adopted neigh- and Glory Abound. “They meet in a way (Photo by Harold C. Ford) borhood in easternmost Pittsburgh, was of my understanding of rightness.” incorporated into her art. described as “the most dangerous neigh- “There are other colors too,” Bass borhood in America” by MSNBC jour- Power, color, intention writes, “ … yellow, pink, bits of orange nalist Rachel Maddow. German’s artwork frequently includes and green, the faceted brown-black of Reminding her audience that she is a female figures that she calls “power fig- African masks and dark skin.” native of Pennsylvania “fracking coun- ures.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer “Everything is intentional,” German try,” she said she understands the impor- Diana Nelson Jones described them in said. “You’ll always see birds because tance of clean, safe, drinking water. “We this way: birds, in my lexicon, stand for true libety have to think politically about water,” she “Festooned with but- said during her visit to the FIA. She stood tons, beads, shells, toys and with Native Americans at other objects, each is a per- the Standing Rock Indian sonified experience, the Reservation to oppose the persona centered in a head construction of oil pipelines painted black with objects under natural waterways. on top of it or shooting Humanness is likely the from it.” In addition to only commonality that those assembled aboard the German needs to find con- boat on Miracles and nectedness. She told her Glory Abound, German’s 2017 Connection audience: “power figures” are ever- “We are earthling siblings, present in the artist’s other gravity-bound, oxygen- pieces chosen for the FIA breathing, creatures of car- exhibit including: Oh for bon star-shine, and dust. We the healing of the blues are 99 to 99.9 percent genet- (2016); imagine then, see- ically identical.” ing your own face, outside Miracles and Glory Abound, (Vanessa German, 2018) of your own face, for the (Photo by Harold C. Ford) * * * * * very first time (2018); and The Vanessa German we are the animals are us (2017). … Everything means something.” exhibit, Miracles and Glory Abound, is at “This is my neighborhood,” German African inspiration: the Flint Institute of Arts through April 20. said of her artistic personages during the Discerning makers of art familiar with A companion exhibit, Engaging African FIA walk-through. “I created a family German’s work detect a style inspired by Art: Highlights from the Horn Collection, that is looking.” Africa. Artist and poet Daniel Simmons runs through May 26. It features works The color palette of German’s neigh- writes: from the Dr. Robert Horn collection drawn borhood is dominated by red, white, “German’s works are that of a modern from more than 60 African cultures. black, blue, and gold. Colors, as well as magical diviner, drawing power from objects, are the lexicon that guide her accumulated objects from personal his- EVM Staff Writer Harold C. Ford can collection of objects that may become tory, community, and the society in be reached at [email protected].

11 THIS MONTH IN THE VILLAGE “This Month” highlights a selection of events available to our readers — beginning after our publication date of Feb. 7. It is not an exhaustive list, rather a sampling of opportunities in the city. To submit events for our March issue, email your event to Managing Editor Meghan Christian at [email protected] by Feb. 26. UM-Flint Ice Rink Open Skate Flint Handmade 5th Annual “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Valentine’s Mini Market Every Wed., Fri., Sat., and Sun. until Feb. 15 March 3 Feb. 9 7:30 p.m. Wed: 6 - 9 p.m. The Capitol Theatre, 140 E. 2nd St. Fri: 5 - 8 p.m. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 810-237-7333 Sat and Sun: Noon - 4 p.m. Flint Farmers’ Market, 300 E. First St. Admission: $10-25 810-232-1399 University Pavilion, 303 S. Saginaw St. See Shakespeare’s classic play following two 810-762-3441 Admission: Free sets of lovers as they struggle to stay together Admission: Free, $3 skate rental and overcome the magic of the faerie realm. A mini market to get ready for Enjoy ice skating at the UM-Flint ice Valentine’s Day. Shop from local ven- 3rd Annual Galentine’s Day rink. Skate rental is available. No hock- dors and get a take-and-make craft. ey pucks or equipment allowed. Feb. 17 Noon - 7 p.m. Wellness at the Wheel Science on Tap: Projects to Improve Flint Local 432, 124 W. 1st St. Health Equity Admission: Free Mon. - Sat. Various times Feb. 12 Come together at the Local to help those in The Ferris Wheel, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. need during this time. Bring items to donate 615 S. Saginaw St., 6th floor and receive a raffle ticket per item. Raffle 810-213-4710 Table & Tap, 555 S. Saginaw St. prizes include gift cards and services by local Admission: $12 810-250-3631 sponsors. Items that can be donated should be hygiene related. Some examples include: fem- Join John Girdwood, a UM-Flint sociology inine products, deodorant, shampoo/condi- Enjoy a variety of health and well-being tioner, laundry items, infant care supplies, etc. classes offered at the Ferris Wheel. lecturer, in a discussion on health equity in Table & Tap’s casual setting. Comedy Night at Totem Schedule: Monday: 5:30 p.m. - Hatha Yoga Children's Storytime at Totem: Feb. 22 Tuesday: 7 a.m. - Rise and Shine Yoga 8 p.m. 4:30 p.m. - Pound Yoga "The Day Gogo Went to Vote" Totem Books, 620 W. Court St. 5:30 p.m. - Hatha Yoga Admission: $15 per ticket Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. - Ashtanga Yoga Feb. 9 (810)-407-6402 5:30 p.m. - Hatha Yoga 11 a.m. Thursday: 2 p.m. - Adaptive Yoga Totem Books, 620 W. Court St. Enjoy a night of laughs. Ages 18 and 5:30 p.m. - Yoga Basics 810-407-6402 over only, please. Friday: 5:30 p.m. - Mindful Movement Dance Admission: Free Saturday: 8:15 a.m. - Hatha Yoga Cabaret at the Captiol Join Totem and UM-Flint's Africana Studies Program to celebrate Black History Month Feb. 22 and 23 24th Annual Children’s Champion 7:30 p.m. Breakfast during the weekly children's story time. The The Capitol Theatre, 140 E. 2nd St. story, "The Day Gogo Went to Vote," which 810-237-7333 Feb. 8 was praised by Nelson Mandela as "inspir- Admission: Check thewhiting.com for 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. ing and moving," will be read, as well as a ticket prices Riverfront Banquet Center, 1 Riverfront Ctr. W. fun craft and snack. Enjoy an evening of Broadway hits per- Admission: $26.95 formed by UM-Flint students in an inti- 4th Annual African-American Film mate cabaret setting. Enjoy a fun-filled breakfast where vari- Series: “Love Jacked” ous organizations and individuals will be Science on Tap: The Vulgar Linguist - recognized for their contributions to Feb. 14 Swearing Over Time keeping Genesee County a great place to 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. raise kids. Feb. 26 Flint Institute of Arts, 1120 E. Kearsley St. 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. February Art Walk Table & Tap, 555 S. Saginaw St. Admission: Suggested donation of $5 810-250-3631 Feb. 8 per person 6 p.m. Join Emily Feuerherm, a UM-Flint assistant Various Locations Downtown Enjoy an evening of fun, live music, art, professor in linguistics, in a discussion on Admission: Free and a showing of the film “Love Jacked”, swearing throughout human history. Enjoy food, drink, and art at various a rom-com following Maya and her locations downtown. clashes with her father when she returns “Freedom Bound” from a trip to Africa with a fiance. Friends of Modern Art Film Series: Feb. 26 “The Gospel According to Andre” Pax Christi 7 p.m. Feb. 14 The Whiting, 1241 E. Kearsley St. Feb. 8 and Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. 10 a.m. Feb. 10, 2 p.m. 810-237-7333 Flint Institute of Arts, Dorothy's House of Coffee, 503 East St. Admission: $20 1120 E. Kearsley St. 989-413-8538 810-234-1695 See the story of the Underground Railroad Admission: $4-6 Pax Chrisiti strives to create a world that and escaped slave Addison White. reflects the Peace of Christ by exploring and Recommended for 3rd graders and older. Watch a film following fashion editor Andre witnessing to the call of non-violence. Coffee Runs about 50 minutes with a Q&A ses- Leon Talley, featuring interviews with or tea by donation. All faiths welcome. Whoopi Goldberg, Diddy Combs, and more. sion following. 12 forces gear up for the campaign. Given the ... Politics nature of recent city council meetings, Lead/galvanized tainted pipes (Continued from Page 3.) (which make the worst of Washington replaced so far in Flint: Senate, to discuss future plans. That seem positively statesmanlike), the coun- 7,966+ meeting alone doesn’t guarantee any- cil members may be even more divided as Source: press release from Candice thing, but there is one issue where both they take sides in the mayoral contest. Mushatt, City of Flint public infor- liberal Democrats and conservative However, we’ll see if the recent ouster of mation officer dated 01/28/19. Republicans have found common Eric Mays as chair of the finance commit- Crews from the five area contrac- tors doing the replacements have iden- ground. So far, both parties have come tee adds even more fuel to the fire, or is the tified copper service lines at a total of together on bills to limit Michigan’s asset start of a council that can work together 9,919 homes that did not need to be forfeiture law, which has allowed law more effectively. replaced. A total of 20,490 pipes have enforcement to seize property from indi- been excavated altogether as of 01/28. viduals, even if there is no criminal con- Still no ombudsman The city aims to have all of Flint’s lead- tainted service lines replaced by 2020. viction. In a rare instance of politics mak- ing strange bedfellows, both the liberal There will be many issues driving the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Flint mayoral campaign, but one that and the conservative Mackinac Center should be at the top of the agenda is the have pushed to limit the practice. appointment of a city ombudsman. The The Michigan Supreme Court, where new city charter was approved by the Republicans are a majority, unanimously voters in 2017, and took effect over a selected Democrat Bridget McCormack year ago. Yet, over the past year, the as chief justice for the upcoming term, in mayor, and some on the council, have hopes of raising the court’s image above delayed the appointment of the Ethics the partisan bickering of the legislature and Accountability Board (EAB), which and the governor. Their new slogan is has the duty of appointing an ombuds- “aggressive non-partisanship.” man. The board is finally in place, but That’s only two issues, and there will be there is still no ombudsman. Though plenty of room for partisan division in the ombudsman’s position has been Lansing. Issues like the roads, infrastruc- posted, disputes over funding have ture, K-12 school funding, gerrymander- slowed the process. The EAB hopes to ing, Enbridge Line 5, auto insurance fill the position by March. If not, it will reform, the MSU Nasser scandal, and the likely be a key issue for the mayoral Flint water crisis, certainly won’t find easy campaign, and it should be. agreement between the parties. But at Political columnist Paul Rozycki can least there are some early indications that be reached at [email protected]. things might be different this time around in the state capitol.

On the local level: mayoral chal- Flint River Coalition celebrates lenges coming? By Jan Worth-Nelson About 200 supporters and sponsors Rebecca Fedewa, FRWC executive The city of Flint is about to have its of the Flint River Watershed Coalition director, also announced upcoming first election under its new charter. (FRWC) braved sub-zero temperatures access improvements for the Mott Park Mayor Weaver, having survived a recall Jan. 31 to attend “The Voice of the Recreation Area, including a paddlers’ attempt over a year ago, has already River,” an annual celebration to raise landing with safe and easier access to the raised $250,000 for her campaign and funds and highlight progress on river river. Funds are being sought to match will be a formidable candidate. Several clean-up, environmental education, and $50,000 from Patronicity, a state-spon- groups already are in the process of recreational access. sored civic crowd-funding platform of recruiting opponents for the August pri- News offered included recent the Michigan Economic Development mary and the November election. In announcement of the 72-mile Flint Corporation (MEDC). The campaign the months to come we’ll hear a num- River Trail as one of the first eight state- has been primed by $10,000 from the ber of names, both well-known and not, designated water trails in Michigan. Hagerman Foundation. More info avail- put forward as Weaver’s potential Flint’s trail, encompassing almost all of able at flintriver.org. replacement. the river’s 78 miles, travels from the As the mayoral contest heats up, we’re headwaters in Lapeer County into EVM Editor Jan Worth-Nelson can be likely to see the pro- and anti-Weaver Genesee County. reached at [email protected].

13 Wanted: 150,000 responses for water crisis data, resource assistance through Flint Registry By Jan Worth-Nelson The Flint Registry, a four-year, feder- 12-hour days. We need to keep doing ally funded program designed to locate that work.” people exposed to the Flint water crisis, Second, he said, “We need to hold firm document and monitor their experience, to the right principles.” He said he told and connect them with services and his staff those principles include, “That programs to promote health and well- Although the January celebration you honor and listen to science and scien- ness, launched formally in January at the marked the launch of the formal enroll- tists, you put the interests of the public Flint Farmers’ Market amidst a dozen ment period for the registry, about 6,000 ahead of agency and personal interests, celebratory speeches, music, art, free people already have signed up in a “pre- and you treat people, whatever their race teeshirts and cookies. enrollment” phase, through the website or background or where they’re from, Speakers included Dr. Mona Hanna- FlintRegistry.org. (A July 3 story at east- with dignity, respect and with honesty. Attisha, who emceed the event, along villagemagazine.org offers more detail.) Those are hard principles to live up to and with Mayor Karen Weaver, U.S. Hanna-Attisha said the Registry staff I won’t promise everything overnight, but Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary has conducted 150 outreach events to those are the principles Gov. Whitmer Peters, U.S. Congressman Dan Kildee, inform the public, and have trained 235 believes in and I believe in and I hope you U.S. Congressman John Moolenaar of “Flint Registry ambassadors” who will will hold me accountable.” Midland, along with local residents and help continue the education and enroll- Kenyatta Dotson, chair of the Flint teens from the Flint Youth Justice ment campaign. Registry community advisory board, said League. Funding for the program originated the Registry process has been communi- “We are moving from crisis to recov- with $14.4 million earmarked for Flint ty-informed and community-driven ery,” Weaver said, “and this is part of from the $150 million Water Infrastructure moving forward. She said Registry staff what has been taking us to recovery.” Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act are “really listening” and taking many The Registry, she said, “is something signed by President Obama in December steps to educate and inform the commu- we fought for, and we fought hard. What 2016. Dollars come in annual awards nity of the benefits of registering. “We we need are fighters to keep fighting. ($3.2 million last year) through the have all been impacted ... therefore we This will help us decide what else we Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and need to register ourselves, our family and need to bring to Flint for services for our related Agency for Toxic Substances and others that we are closely connected to. residents.” Disease Registries. It’s time for recovery, it’s time for healing The main point repeated by many of The Dean of the MSU College of from the devastation of the Flint Water the speakers was that “this will only work Human Medicine, Norman Beauchamp, Crisis.” if people sign up,” as U.S. Senator Gary echoed the importance of the Flint Hanna-Attisha detailed what she Peters said. “That's the surest way you’ll Registry project, paraphrasing Thomas called “A model program for recovery,” be able to get the help you need.” Carlyle that “He who has health has in the months during and since the crisis, Registry staff, headed by director Dr. hope, and he who has hope has every- including “expanded home visiting, two Nicole Jones, are seeking anyone exposed thing.” child care centers, Medicaid expansion, to the Flint Water Crisis from April 25, After Congressman Kildee noted to the breast-feeding support services, nutrition 2014, when Flint’s water switched to the audience that one of the biggest casualties support, mindfulness in our schools — Flint River, to October 2015, when the city of the water crisis was the public’s loss of the list goes on and on to mitigate the reconnected to Lake Huron water — the trust in its public servants, an acknowl- impact of this crisis.” high-risk period prior to the emergency edgement came from Robert Gordon, She also introduced the newest resource declaration announcement. newly appointed director of the Michigan for children in Flint, the That target population includes anyone Department of Health and Human Neurodevelopmental Center for who went to school in Flint, went to day- Services. Gordon said he was on his fifth Excellence, a result of an ACLU lawsuit care in Flint, or worked in Flint — includ- day on the job after being hired by incom- settlement. It offers, she said, the resources ing prenatal exposure. Registry staff esti- ing Governor Gretchen Whitmer. to thoroughly assess all the children of mate that number to be about 150,000. Bemoaning the loss of trust, in partic- Flint — a partnership with Genesee Health Enrollees are requested to fill out a sur- ular from his own department, Gordon Systems and Hurley Medical Center. vey, which takes about 45 minutes. said, “How do we rebuild that trust? Hanna-Attisha concluded with a quote More information on how to enroll is One, we do the work. I have been so from Martin Luther King: “Of all the available at FlintRegistry.org, 833- impressed with people you know and forms of inequality, injustice in health is GOFLINT, OR flintcares.com. you don’t know who are there working-- the most shocking and inhumane.” She (Continued on Page 15.) 14 ... Signs be there for someone — to really be there. street football, Mountain Dew chug- My dad was the gym teacher, boxing ging, bike patrol partners are still close (Continued from Page 16.) coach, and my personal big brother back friends today. We were proud to be we felt a little heroic. Everyone was up if fights became unfair. You could from Flint, proud to be from the East laughing and slapping backs and hands. fight, sure, but it had to be clean, and Side, and pride mattered – a lot. Good deed done. That had never hap- most of all it had to be fair. He also made But the most valuable thing I learned pened before and it’s fair to say it never sure we had lots of sports stuff, all of the was love. What it meant to love where happened again. I’m not sure I ever felt equipment and balls and bats. My folks you lived, who you lived with, what it more like a member of an extended liked knowing where I was, so we had a meant to be loved, to love your neigh- family than I did that day. little pool in the summer. We had a bors, and to feel the warm embrace of swing set and a whirly bird. They being from somewhere, and belonging to encouraged my entrepreneurial instincts something: A city, a community, a fami- and I wrote and distributed a handwritten ly. It wasn’t hard to do. If I ever needed newspaper called “The Neighborhood a reminder I just had to look up at those News” (my investigative journalism green signs and it all made sense. caught the neighborhood peeping Tom). I ran a carnival in my backyard (we hired Gary L. “Fish” Fisher was born and entertainment and security guards, i.e. , raised in Flint and has lived in the area the “older guys”), and I was the neigh- most of his life, residing in both the East borhood paper boy for the Flint Journal. Side and East Village neighborhoods. His Talk about a business education! family has been a part of the Flint area for My folks let us wear the yard out play- over 100 years. In fact, they were in Flint Gary Fisher ing football and baseball on the side yard, when General Motors got its start; his (Photo by Jenny Lane Studios) soccer in the backyard, and endless games great-grandfather, grandfathers, grand- We talked about our city with pride, and of catch on the front yard. My pals and I mother, and dad (along with numerous especially about our part of the city. That wore the grass down to dirt. We played cousins, uncles, and aunts) all worked for part — that side — the Eastside. It was one “round up” until 11 on summer nights and GM, most of them at “The Buick.” His fas- word to us — like a city: “Where do I live? had to duck a cop car or two because some cination with the history of the city has The Eastside.” And there were daily les- neighbors weren’t thrilled with kids on existed as long as he can remember. Fisher sons to learn there. My folks were often the their roofs at 11 p.m. We “found” some moved his financial planning business into professors for not just my sister Vickie and orange cones and made goals for street the Mott Foundation building during the me, but many of the kids in the ‘hood. My hockey on Wisconsin, and used spray paint water crisis, in part as a show of support mom was the neighborhood lunch lady. to make yard markers for street football. I and solidarity for his hometown, he says, The Homeroom Mom. The official chauf- left a lot of skin on Wisconsin Avenue. But and has been there for three years. He is a feur to all ball games. She taught my far more crucial was what I picked up, and trustee on the board of the Genesee County buddy Dennis how to tie his shoes. Damn that made all the difference. Historical Society and hosts a radio show near raised several other neighborhood I came to understand loyalty, trust, on WFNT-AM 1470 every Wednesday at 11 kids. She was there to bail them out of and honor. I was educated on the fine a.m. EST called “ Fish and The Flint trouble, listen to their problems, loan a cou- art of building coalitions, organizing, Chronicles.” ple of bucks, or make a peanut butter and leadership and communicating. I got a Fisher can be reached at jelly sandwich. I learned what it meant to Ph.D. in relationships and many of those [email protected] quote, “The bitter fruit of crisis often car- represents that we will not be paved over ... Registry ries the precious seed of growth.” with platitudes or empty promises, but to (Continued from Page 14.) “I hate what was done to us, but I love come together as a community and be further quoted him, “Injustice anywhere what we’ve done with it,” Dawson said. “I counted. Because we count. We matter,” is injustice everywhere.” love that so many have discovered their Dawson said. Musician and singer “Flint has had its share of injustice — strength, found their voice, been able to Roshanda Womack ended the event with social, economic, racial,” she said, “ ... tell their story in a powerful way; strong an original song, “We Are Flint.” The work toward restorative justice is a bonds have been formed, and lasting part- The Flint Registry is located in the old long path, but please know that this nerships. We stood up for ourselves, Flint Journal building, now owned by Registry is one tiny way of restoring that doggedly pursued outside resources we Michigan State University, at East First justice and bridging those inequalities, were owed, and began creating our own.” Street across from the Farmers’ Market. especially in health.” “The Flint Registry represents our Pastor Rigel Dawson of North Central determination not to be overlooked, or EVM Editor Jan Worth-Nelson can be Church of Christ cited an anonymous undercut, or ignored ... the Flint Registry reached at [email protected]. 15 Village Life A tale of two signs on the “Eastside” of Flint By Gary Fisher They’re just metal street signs. Been houses built specifically for the immi- there for years, decades, a very long grant residents. From Poland, and time, after all. There they are perched at Russia. From Germany and Canada. the top of a standard street sign pole. The Scots – Irish from Missouri, Nothing to see here, folks. Tennessee, and Arkansas. All mashed Or maybe there is. Well at least for me together in that little neighborhood. there is. That’s because sometimes street The lawns were mostly well manicured. signs aren’t just street signs. Sometimes The houses kept up. Little gardens, they are so much more. Those two signs Memorable street corner picket fences, tidy patches of the (photo by Gary Fisher) were the literal and figurative signposts American Dream, nestled together in a of not only my life, but also scores of were at a crossroads of the American universal understanding of our status, or other lives for the last 100 years. experience of the 20th century. From a comprehensive lack thereof. The date is stamped on the sidewalk cartographer’s perspective you were Saying a neighborhood is a “family” right below the sign: 1919. That’s the somewhere in the hazy epicenter of it sounds clichéd at best, and a fantastical year they poured the concrete, laid out all. You were in the halfway point bit of memory whitewashing at worst. the avenue, and decided it should be a between those two goliaths of the But there it was. We may have done a place where people lived. Modest American Arsenal of Democracy, slant- little bit of fighting amongst ourselves, homes with tidy yards, two bedrooms ed somewhere between the tip of that but outsiders better leave us alone — or and a single bathroom so tiny you could Buick factory, the Lewis and Leith they’d get all of us. turn on the shower, flush the toilet, and Street neighborhoods, and the white col- I remember one poor soul in particular brush your teeth in the sink — simulta- lar Court Street/East Village. Just a bit who learned that lesson the hard way. He neously (I did this literally thousands of to the south and east was the predomi- rode the city bus looking for a victim and times). Homes with a true Michigan nantly black part of the East Side- once found a good one in an elderly lady at the basement that were home to hard work- called Floral Park (although no one I corner of Ohio and Franklin Avenues, ing folks. Immigrants from Europe, know who lived there ever heard it and so he mugged her. Hit her and migrants from the deep south, young called that) and long known as “The 9th grabbed her purse. Then he ran down families, and natives alike. Street” area in my ‘hood. I knew my Ohio Avenue, turned right, headed The signs bear the name of a state and way around them all. How could I not? towards those two signs — Wisconsin of a person. Wisconsin and Cronk, jux- I was living in the traffic station cen- and Cronk. So he ran past my buddies taposed just so across one another, a cor- trifuge. A weigh station of sorts – right and me, swigging on big glass bottles of ner on the “Ave.” So it was that situat- there on the corner. Mountain Dew. He was wearing a baby ed at the corner of Wisconsin and Cronk In the summer I could step out onto blue sweat suit and carrying a purse. As Avenues on the east side of Flint was a my back porch and take a deep breath in our jaws dropped, gazes switched to the “university” of sorts. Like a typical and smell equal parts Buick paint jobs man in the brown plaid sport coat run- institution of higher education it was a and drop forge refuse exhaust and ning after him yelling “Did you see a guy place where learning took place. It was Angelo’s Coney Islands and french in a sweat suit carrying a purse run by? a place where lessons were learned. The fries. They both smelled like home to He hit my mom and stole her purse!” We signs that seemed so benign were any- me — especially Angelo’s because that jumped on our homemade motocross thing but. was just two quick blocks away. Two bikes and gave chase. We were soon To wake up every day and look at blocks to the fries and gravy. Two joined by the Vietnam vet Vic who lived those signs told you some things. They blocks to the pure delight of the ultimate on the corner, the former FBI agent Ward told you where you lived for sure. They community meeting place. Glance at Trevarthen in his car, and a bunch of even told you how you lived. If you the signs and you knew you were long-haired stoners who leapt off of the looked up and saw those signs, your dwelling in a special place. Blue collar couch on their porch. family probably relied in some way or and white collar. Rich and poor. Black We caught him just as he made a the other on one of the Earth’s greatest and white. sprint toward Kearsley Park. When the factory complexes located just a few cops showed up, my buddy Knight and blocks away. There were two close by, The American Century and a I had the purse and were being inter- both east and west: General Motors and helluva hotdog viewed by The Flint Journal writer who Buick’s first factory to the west, and AC The signs were there when those fac- showed up on the scene. We were rather Spark Plug to the east. tories were being built up. When the pleased with ourselves and best of all If you saw those signs you knew you first denizens graced the slapped-up (Continued on Page 15.) 16 LVII: 1 (670 issues, 6,804 pages)