City of Flint to receive $99.33 million in federal stimulus from American Rescue Plan
By Tom Travis As part of federal coronavirus stimulus bill, The American Rescue Plan, the City of Flint will receive an estimated $99.33 million. Flint households projected to get more than $125 million in direct benefits, according to Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. In a March 1 press release, Neeley “thanked the City of Flint’s friends in Washington D.C. for stepping up to help our community and the entire nation rebound from the...
Education Beat: Flint students returning to school buildings as COVID rates rise, water fountains still Inoperable, water filters not yet installed
By Harold C. Ford Flint Community Schools’ (FCS) K-3 students began returning to school buildings March 15. Students in grades 4-12 began returning March 22. At its meeting on March 17, the Flint Board of Education learned that 81 hydration stations (drinking fountains) funded by billionaire Elon Musk and the C. S. Mott Foundation are not yet operable. Additionally, only 40 of 300 PUR water filters for sink faucets ordered by the...
Education Beat: Flint students to return to school buildings March 15 and March 22; decision prompts tension among board members
By Harold C. Ford “Parents are upset because we keep changing the date for school.” –Diana Wright, trustee, Flint Board of Education, March 10, 2021 The board of education of Flint Community Schools (FCS) approved an administrative plan for returning students to school buildings on a hybrid basis beginning March 15 with K-3 students. All LSS (Learning Support Services) and ECDD (Early Childhood Development Delay) students—“our...
U.S. District Court judge throws out Eric Mays’ lawsuit against the City of Flint – taxpayers foot $24,000 bill
A lawsuit filed by Flint City Councilman Eric Mays (1st Ward) was thrown out by the judge overseeing the case, who ruled it had no merit, according to a press release from Mayor Sheldon Neeley. Mays announced Wednesday evening that he would appeal. Mays sued the City for $1 million after he was removed from a city council meeting claiming his constitutional rights had been violated. However, U.S. District Court Judge Bernard A....
State Rep. John Cherry to host “virtual community conversation” with MDOT; neighbors urged to call for I-69 sound walls
State Representative John Cherry will host a virtual community conversation at 6 p.m. Monday, March 8 to focus on transportation in Genesee County, according to an invitation shared by his office. Cherry plans to be joined by Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials who serve the area. Cherry expects to give a brief legislative update and invite participants to share questions, comments, or concerns. Participants may...