Kildee promotes legislation to increase, strengthen Social Security in local roundtable
By Jan Worth-Nelson Nobody should live in poverty because they’re old, Congressman Dan Kildee declared to a group of about 35 community leaders today in Flint, and no one around the table disagreed. But pension systems and Social Security as they function today for many elderly are not adequate and need strengthening, Kildee said. Among those at the table in the Ferris Wheel Building were leaders from the American Association...
Flint Repertory Theatre presents “The Wolves,” for teens and adults, through Feb.17
By Patsy Isenberg On Feb.8, a Pulitzer Prize drama finalist for 2017, “The Wolves,” opened at The Flint Repertory Theatre (The Rep) in the 100-seat Bower Theater. Its all-female cast gives the audience a fly-on-the-wall observation of a nine-girl high school soccer team at practice. The only other character is referred to as “Soccer Mom” and she doesn’t appear until near the end of the play. The team members are never referred to by...
Flint River Watershed Coalition announces state trail designation, Mott Park paddlers’ landing
By Jan Worth-Nelson About 200 supporters and sponsors of the Flint River Water Coalition braved sub-zero temperatures on the last day of January to attend “The Voice of the River,” an annual celebration to raise funds and highlight progress on Flint River clean-up, environmental education, and recreational access. Among the news was the recent announcement that the 72-mile-long Flint River Trail is one of the first eight...
Flint City Council January update: Struggling for civility, council ousts Mays as finance committee chair
By Meghan Christian As 2018 ended, some members of Flint City Council (FCC) expressed hope that the new year would bring a new attitude to the city’s governing body and that they would be able to leave many of their divisions behind. But it became clear by the conclusion of the first month of 2019 that this would be a difficult goal. Mays removed as finance chair Perhaps the most dramatic action of the council in January was the...
Heating bill assistance available now through Consumers Energy CARE program
Consumers Energy encourages residents having difficulty paying heating bills to ask for assistance, and has contributed $10 million since October to defray those costs in southeast Michigan. Consumers Energy’s CARE program allows customers to establish a payment plan with monthly credits and gradual forgiveness of past-due balances. Consumers Energy cash contributions to local agencies provide assistance to those having trouble paying...