Police Chief Hart: Device found at City Hall “not sophisticated” and does not record video, audio
By Melodee Mabbitt Flint Police Chief Phil Hart confirmed today that a device found at City Hall is not capable of recording video or audio and is not sophisticated enough to warrant sending to state police or the FBI for further investigation. East Village Magazine (EVM) learned of the device when Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley appeared on a Nov. 16 WFLT 1420-AM 10 a.m. radio show, where he stated that “in having the office swept,...
Education Beat: School closures put on hold as Flint School officials search for deficit solutions
By Harold C. Ford “We have to get to a number that will allow us to be a viable district…We have too much infrastructure for the number of students we’re trying to educate.” …Derrick Lopez, superintendent, Flint Community Schools The elected and appointed leaders of Flint Community Schools (FCS) have decided to keep looking for possible solutions to eliminate the district’s massive debt and, for the time being, postpone final...
City of Flint Communications Director Raymer says document about device found at City Hall was “not a press release”
By Melodee Mabbitt City of Flint Communications Director Marjory Raymer sent multiple text messages to East Village Magazine (EVM) since Tuesday night’s publication of a story on Mayor Sheldon Neeley’s allegations that an “electronic surveillance device” was found in the mayor’s office at Flint City Hall. Neeley defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Weaver Nov. 5 by 205 votes and was sworn in Nov. 11. At 9:27 p.m. last night, EVM...
Neeley alleges, and city press release asserts, “electronic surveillance device” found in mayor’s office
By Melodee Mabbitt Newly elected Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley insinuated Nov. 16 that someone in the outgoing administration of former Mayor Karen Weaver left a bug in the mayor’s office, and the mayor’s office today gave East Village Magazine a press release on letterhead marked “Flint Police Department” stating a device had been found. Neeley appeared on a WFLT 1420 AM radio show at 10 a.m. Nov. 16, where he stated...
School board to meet on deficit elimination plan, school closings Tuesday, Nov. 19
By Harold C. Ford The Board of Education of the Flint Community Schools (FCS) will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Southwestern Classical Academy, 1420 W. 12th St., to consider a controversial deficit elimination plan. The plan is expected to result in the closure of several buildings in the financially besieged district. Four schools—Eisenhower Elementary, Pierce Elementary, Scott School (now Accelerated...