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Back to normal for "do nothing" politicians!
Read Executive Editor Mike Killbreath's Award-Winning Column
Columnist Mike Killbreath in Today's Viewpoints Section
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Crusader Communications Network Inc. (CCN) operates The Daily Gazette, FAME NEWSPAPERS and Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.
A peek at sports headlines is under the headl
Our team of journalists and editors are passionate about their work and committed to delivering the highest standards of journalism. We believe in the power of storytelling and
Crusader Communications Network Inc. (CCN) operates The Daily Gazette, FAME NEWSPAPERS and Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.
A peek at sports headlines is under the headline about the Detroit Tigers in the story at right if you are reading on your laptop or PC, or scroll down if you are reading on a mobile device.
Here's a quick peek at news headlines inside today's edition of The Daily Gazette:
MTA millage may be targeted next by group opposing proposed advanced manufacturing site in Mundy Twp
Recall filed against 3 members of Mott's Board of Trustees over selection of new President
Prominent local lawyer accused of 'taking money under false pretenses' by Flint man
Campaign 2024 section provides latest local, state & national news
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson gets national platform
Trustee Kyle Ward becomes first on Mundy Twp board to oppose proposed mega site
TONY PERKINS: An Open Letter to the Republican Party
Flint Township debate presented on The Morning Gazette Radio Show; Two officers skip it
Retiring U.S. Congressman Dan Kildee throws support behind Kristen McDonald Rivet
We all need to pray and come together in the greatest country there is
New pastor to start in August at Flushing's Trinity Baptist Church
Communities First bringing back Movies Under the Stars for 11th season
Signs go up to signal Cotsco wholesale store appears poised to locate in Mundy Twp
Senor Lucky's abruptly closes in Davison after 30-year run as popular Mexican restaurant
Trustee Kyle Ward becomes first on Mundy Township board to oppose proposed Mega Site
$250 million grant for Flint Genesee Group moves past State Senate's Appropriations
Police presence by Metro Police Authority at picket protest drawing national attention
State Budget Deadline Looms, Megasite Pushback Continues
Metro Police Authority needs to be disbanded unless heads roll over disgraceful day
No flowers for the old flower lady who is Mundy Twp Supervisor
Colorful embattled Detroit businessman Bob Carmack passes away from cancer
Stellantis layoffs impact Warren plant as sales slump 21% during 2nd quarter compared to 2023
(See Story in Today's My AM Advantage)
Sexual accusations surface against broadcaster Craig Monroe of Detroit Tigers
Jim Leyland gives emotional speech at Hall of Fame induction in Cooperstown
Tom Dutkowski named Coachof the Year for leading Powers to state title
Flint Beecher's Monte Morris headed to Phoenix Suns in hopes of bounce back NBA season
Spencer brothers set to fight next at hometown event scheduled for Linden football field
Grand Blanc's David Lally transfers from Notre Dame to Michigan baseball team
Mt. Morris hires ex-UM national champion, NFL star Andre Weathers to lead football team
Let's get ready to 'play some football' by returning our broadcasts for top local prep games
Davison, Clarkston to be featured in 19th annual Xenith Prep Football Classic at Wayne State
Grand Blanc grad Gant Fisher qualifies for upcoming Olympics in Paris
Foutch Baseball 9u travel team wins state championship against 10u competition
Letter from volunteer coach needs to be read by many little league parents
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT (CCN) — Mott Community College's Board of Trustees voted 5-2 Thursday (July 11, 2024) to select Shaunda Snell as its next President.
The vote was pending negotiations to enter into a contract with Snell.
She replaces Beverly Walker-Griffea who stepped down in June after spending 10 years as Mott'
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT (CCN) — Mott Community College's Board of Trustees voted 5-2 Thursday (July 11, 2024) to select Shaunda Snell as its next President.
The vote was pending negotiations to enter into a contract with Snell.
She replaces Beverly Walker-Griffea who stepped down in June after spending 10 years as Mott's President. She officially started her new role with a new state government department on July 1 with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's administration. The new department is a new state education agency known as the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential.
The Daily Gazette has also learned that Walker-Griffea was among the finalists to become President at Kentucky Community & Technical College System before getting the state job.
Thursday's special meeting included 14 questions for finalists to answer within 5-minute spans in the auditorium at the MCC Regional Technology Center.
Among the finalists was Jason Wilson who had been the interim President after previously serving as Vice President of Student Academic Success at MCC. His experience prior to that rolte at MCC included serving as Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Engagement and Success, Dean of Student Services, Counseling Internship Supervisor, Counseling Department Chair and as chair of MCC's Diversity & Inclusion committee.
Wilson also taught health professions courses and orientation courses. He has a Master of Arts in Counseling from Prairie View A & M University in Texas and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Tougaloo College in Mississippi. He is currently working on a Doctor of Education in Higher Education and Adult Learning at Walden University.
Snell has never worked in higher education and that fact bothered two Trustees — Art Reyes and Michael Freeman. They spoke adamantly against hiring someone with no experience at an academic institution of any kind.
Chair Andy Everman, Vice Chair Janet Couch, Treasurer Jeffrey Swanson and Trustee John Daly and Trustee Wendy Wolcott voted to hire Snell.
Freeman took to Facebook to immediately speak out against the board's selection, saying, "It’s amazing that a small group of people can destroy a college that has been around for 100 years. Well — Mott College had a good run. The inmates are running the asylum. The Trumpers are preparing to 'cleanse' the college. Our new interim president has a masters degree (less than most of her direct reports) and no higher ed experience. It is embarrassing and she should be ashamed. I guess she assumes as we are a teaching institution (so) she can learn on the job. My apologies to the qualified candidates who took time to apply. The deck was already loaded."
Freeman, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Genesee County Land Bank, has not yet responded to a request to appear on The Morning Gazette Radio Show at 8 am on Friday.
Comments made by members of the MCC Board of Trustees prior to Thursday's vote will air on the program.
Trustee Reyes made a motion to pick interim President Wilson and Trustee Freeman supported the motion before the 5-2 vote to select Snell. The vote to select Wilson failed 5-2.
Treasurer Swanson then made the motion to pick Snell. It was supported by Vice Chair Couch.
PHOTO CAPTION: PIctured above this story is Shaunda Snell who was selected by MCC's trustees to become its new President.
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT (CCN) — Staunch opponents of a proposed advanced manufacturing plant at a Mega Site in Mundy Township got another victory Monday night (July 1, 2024).
Mott Community College's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to tell the Flint Genesee Group "not to use Mott's name" in the future when promoting
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT (CCN) — Staunch opponents of a proposed advanced manufacturing plant at a Mega Site in Mundy Township got another victory Monday night (July 1, 2024).
Mott Community College's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to tell the Flint Genesee Group "not to use Mott's name" in the future when promoting its proposed development at the Mega Site until more facts can be reviewed.
CEO TIm Herman's non-profit organization used Mott's name along with 20 major supporters to get two grants worth more than $10 million before the latest gift of $250 million came when the State Legislature approved its budget Monday (July 1, 2024) for the upcoming fiscal year.
Trustee Michael Freeman made the motion to "get more facts" when asking his fellow Mott board members to send the message to Herman, saying, "We just need more details before we can put our name on this."
Only two elected official in Genesee County have so far issued public support for the proposed development — State Rep. Jasper Martus of Flushing and Genesee County Commissioner Dale Weighill of Flint Township. Only one has taken a position in opposition of it
Trustee Kyle Ward became the first member of the Mundy Township Board of Trustees a week earlier to express opposition for the proposed Mega Site located on a land bordered by Linden Road, Jennings Road, Elms Road and Maple Road. See Related Stories Herman's representative (Tyler Rossmaessler who is Director of Economic Development for the Flint & Genesee Group's Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance) told Mott's board Monday night that the Mega Site consists of 1,000 acres. Other media reports and opponents in a 2,100 member group on a Facebook page have said it's 1,200 acres.
Rossmaessler gave a 5-minute presentation to Mott's board as the lead-off speaker at the public comments portion of its meeting.
He promptly left the meeting after his speech and didn't stick around to hear a barrage of comments from residents opposed to his group's plans.
Flint community activist Art Woodson said, "You need to listen to the residents."
Trustee ward said exactly that last week when taking his public position during Mundy Township's last meeting where opponents converged on the board — angry about police presence at a protest they staged with picket signs outside a political fundraiser for current Mundy Township Supervisor Tonya Ketzler.
"I've seen signs all over the township opposing the Mega Site,," Trustee Ward said. "I'm elected to serve the people and I have not seen one sign supporting the Mega Site. For that reason, I'm against it."
Trustee Ward's comments came after more speakers from the podium at the public comment portion of his township board meeting. The Mega Site opponents have also flooded previous meetings — demanding answers from their elected leaders about what's going on and why everything is being kept secret.
Rossmaessler has told media and state officials that his group will "let everyone know what's coming to the Mega Site after they get the money"
A Facebook group has more than 2,100 members who oppose the Mega Site. Allegations have been leveled there about non disclosure documents being signed by elected officials and a potential battery plant or a semiconductor plant to build chips for electric vehicles being built by a foreign company. Most of the EV industry is currently fueled by plants in South Korea, Taiwain or Communist China.
The issue has been a hot topic in Mundy Township for about a year. Residents have also marched to the podium for public comments at previous township board meetings and organized other meetings of citizens concerned about the project. Neighboring residents who live near the Mega Site in Flint Township and the City of Swartz Creek have also expressed concerns.
"We can't take a position or we can get sued," Mundy Township Supervisor Ketzler told Mega Site opponents last week at the same meeting before Trustee Ward voiced his opinions..
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been featured during the past three weeks on mid-Michigan TV stations with a 30-second commercial paid for by a climate change PAC in California. Gov. Whitmer praises President Joe Biden's push for electric vehicles and calls her state a leader in supplying batteries for EV's and contributing thousands of new, good-paying jobs. Not a single battery factory has yet been built in Michigan though although one was revealed two weeks ago for Delta Township, near Lansing, and the Detroit News confirmed three weeks ago that $687 million in state tax dollars was dumped into a proposed battery factory in Big Rapids to be owned by a company from Communist China.
Rossmaessler has promised "thousands" of jobs are coming to the Mega Site. The average battery factory, however, employs only 92 people, according to the Battery Factory Manufacturers Association of the United States. National Labor Bureau statistics reveal an average of only about 50 jobs for the average chip plant since an industry association currently lists only 350 plants and 24,340 jobs for the entire USA.
Jennifer Arrand Stainton, who organized the picket protest outside Supervisor Ketzler's political fundraiser and who is running against her in a re-election bid, was adamant that state officials voting for Herman's funding are "wasting more than $260 million in tax dollars when they don't even know what the plan is."
She added, "I think they are finding out we are not going to take it. Mott's board heard us. We will make sure everybody hears from us among the 20 community leaders, as they call them, who gave TIm Herman a letter of support without bothering to get the facts on all this garbage. Whoever heard of giving someone $260 million of our state tax dollars without seeing a p[an?"
Stainton and others opposed to the idea say the environmental damages done by the plants to support EV's far out-weighs the possible impact of any jobs but wasn't alone in questioning if thousands of good-paying jobs can be created.
See Related Stories in Mega Site Special Section
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Mott Community College Board Trustee Michael Freeman who made a motion Monday night that was unanimously passed to tell the Flint & Genesee Group to "stop using Mott's name" in its promotion of a proposed development at a Mega Site in Mundy Township.
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