Commentary:  Addressing Flint’s racial and economic inequities should be top priority for $94.7 million ARPA funds use
Feb16

Commentary: Addressing Flint’s racial and economic inequities should be top priority for $94.7 million ARPA funds use

By Linda Pohly On June 1, 2020, in the wake of the George Floyd murder and during the early days of the COVID -19 pandemic, the city council and mayor of Flint adopted a joint resolution declaring that racism is a public health crisis and setting out a plan for addressing the crisis as a city. The joint resolution described the marked disparities in the economic and health impacts of the pandemic on communities of color.  It stated:...

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Five proposed Flint redistricting maps to be considered by Flint Election Commission at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday
Feb16

Five proposed Flint redistricting maps to be considered by Flint Election Commission at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday

By Tom Travis The Flint Election Commission has announced a meeting regarding the redrawing of city ward boundaries (redistricting) for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16.  The meeting will be held in City Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of City Hall, 1101 South Saginaw St. Flint’s Elections Commission is made up of City Clerk Inez Brown, City Assessor Stacey Kaake and Assistant City Attorney JoAnne Gurley. A document detailing five...

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City Council Beat: Children’s Museum explores new property despite pot facility near by;  Flint Police and Fire employees granted premium pay
Feb15

City Council Beat: Children’s Museum explores new property despite pot facility near by; Flint Police and Fire employees granted premium pay

By Tom Travis The city council Monday unanimously approved an MOU (memorandum of understanding) allowing the Flint Children’s Museum (FCM) to purchase from the City of Flint the “old Farmer’s Market” property on E. Boulevard Drive. The council also approved a resolution allowing the City’s Police and Fire department essential workers to receive premium pay for work during the pandemic. Since October 2021...

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Vista gallery, drop-in center provide nurturing space for “healing and trust,” access to resources
Feb15

Vista gallery, drop-in center provide nurturing space for “healing and trust,” access to resources

By Madeleine Graham  Nestled into a corner of the J.C. Penney wing of the Genesee Valley Mall is an art gallery that provides a nurturing environment for those with disabilities, including mental health issues. It is called the Vista Visions Art Gallery, also known as the Vista Drop-In Center. The gallery and drop-in center started in 1985  as a collaborative effort with volunteers and was known as Volunteers In Service To America...

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Commentary:  How COVID has changed us, and what it means for East Village Magazine
Feb14

Commentary: How COVID has changed us, and what it means for East Village Magazine

By Paul Rozycki It’s been two years.   March 10, 2020. That was the day when Michigan saw its first two COVID cases. Ironically, it was also an election day, and the beginning of the widespread shutdown of much public activity in the state. Within days, colleges and K-12 schools were closed to in-person learning. Bars, restaurants, gyms, and factories shut down, and emergency restrictions were imposed on many public gatherings in the...

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