Flint Water Warriors remember Tony Palladeno, silenced by COVID
Jan13

Flint Water Warriors remember Tony Palladeno, silenced by COVID

By Ben Pauli Contributing Flint Water Warriors include Joelena Freeman, Rhonda Kelso, Gina Luster, Vicki Marx, Melissa Mays, Colette Metcalf, Trina Redner, Christina Sayyae, Dan Scheid, Bruce Stiers, Andrea Watson, Tonya Williams, Deb Conrad and Maegan Wilson. On January 10, 2022, Flint lost one of its preeminent native sons, Tony Palladeno, to complications from COVID-19. As Tony lay in the ICU at Hurley Hospital on a ventilator in...

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City Council approves one year contract for ARPA compliance firm
Jan11

City Council approves one year contract for ARPA compliance firm

By Tom Travis In an 8-0 vote the City Council Monday approved a one-year contract for $1,150,650 with compliance firm Ernst & Young for the disbursement of the $94 million  American Rescue Plan (ARP) stimulus money. Councilperson Dennis Pfeiffer had left after the Special Affairs committee and was not present for the vote. Ernst & Young will assist the city in assuring it meets the criteria for using the ARP funds. Guidelines...

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COVID, public safety, finances highlight Mayor Neeley’s State of the City Address
Dec14

COVID, public safety, finances highlight Mayor Neeley’s State of the City Address

By Paul Rozycki Beginning by saying that he was “a simple guy born and raised in Flint” and concluding by urging city residents to “keep building a stronger Flint together” to fight blight, crime, improve infrastructure and public services, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley delivered his second State of the City address Tuesday, Dec. 14. The meeting was held virtually for both the public and the Flint City Council meeting. During the...

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Genesee Health Plan receives grant for $219,492 to help people enroll in health care
Dec03

Genesee Health Plan receives grant for $219,492 to help people enroll in health care

By Tom Travis Genesee Health Plan (GHP) has received a three-year federal Navigator Cooperative Agreement Award of $219,492 from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The grant will fund what are called Support Navigators in Federally-facilitated Exchanges to help people access a variety of federally-funded health care services, including Obamacare and Medicare during open enrollment periods. Open Enrollment through...

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Council aims to hold “community listening meetings” for ARP funds, as rules for use emerge
Dec03

Council aims to hold “community listening meetings” for ARP funds, as rules for use emerge

By Tom Travis In a 5-0 vote Wednesday city council voted to hold four community listening meetings throughout the city for residents to say how they think the $94 million federal stimulus American Rescue Plan allocated to the city should be spent.  The first half of the allocation already has arrived,  with the second half expected within the next 60 days. However, after a presentation by a representative from U.S. Rep. Dan...

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City considers spending $3.9 million for “compliance and implementation” consultant for American Rescue Plan stimulus funds
Nov21

City considers spending $3.9 million for “compliance and implementation” consultant for American Rescue Plan stimulus funds

By Tom Travis The City of Flint is considering contracting with compliance consultant Ernst & Young of Detroit for compliance and implementation of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) stimulus money. According to a pending resolution by the Flint City Council, the contract would not exceed $3,994,074 for budget years FY2022 to FY2027. Meeting as the Finance Committee, the council discussed the proposal at a Friday night meeting....

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