Public speakers plead with council to approve updated zoning ordinance
By Tom Travis A passel of young people from across Flint attended the last city council committee meeting to show their support and rally the council to approve the new proposed zoning ordinance. The new ordinance is expected to be on the council’s agenda the first week of May. In a nearly unanimous council response each council member chimed in agreeing that the city needs updated zoning codes. One of the many public speakers,...
Commentary: A critical look for critics of the 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory
By Paul Rozycki If there is any doubt that race plays a powerful role in American history, one only needs to examine the response to the 1619 Project from around the nation. Pulitzer Prize winning author Nikole Hannah-Jones, the creator of the 1619 Project, which explores American history through the lens of slavery and race, spoke at the Capitol Theater in Flint recently to a full house, as part of the Ballenger Eminent Persons...
Flint Repertory Theatre makes history with an LGBTQIA+ take on the world’s longest-running musical
By Tom Travis The Fantasticks, the world’s longest-running musical, is being produced by Flint Repertory Theatre this summer, June 3 to 19. But there is an unusual plot twist in the Rep’s production that will make theatre history: A fresh new rewrite with an LGBTQIA+ focus by the show’s original book writer and lyricist, Tom Jones who is now 94 years old and still lives in New York City, in collaboration with the Rep’s director...
Education Beat: Critical deadline approaches for Flint Schools; board triad hints Northwestern to be Flint’s high school campus; no criminal charges for Green
By Harold C. Ford In its recent meetings, the Flint Board of Education (FBOE) faced looming critical deadlines about staffing decisions and building closures, suggested Northwestern might become Flint’s one high school, and heard that former president Danielle Green, accused of assaulting board treasurer Laura MacIntyre, will not be charged. “We knew this day was coming,” Carol McIntosh, vice president of the Flint Board...
Fire Chief Ray Barton and Flint Fire Department grieve the loss of fellow firefighter John Stenger
By Tom Travis This story has been updated to include John Stenger’s obituary. – Editor In a somber and poignant moment during last week’s city council meeting, Flint Fire Chief Ray Barton shared, at the request of council, news of a recent untimely death of one of Flint’s long-time firefighters, John Stenger. In a hushed voice, Chief Barton explained, “Our firefighter lost his life to suicide.” He...