Genesee Valley Press ⚫ Recent Headlines

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 FLINT (CCN) —The Michigan State Police (MSP) Computer Crimes Unit, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force has arrested a 63-year-old Flint man for possession of child sexually abusive material and using a computer to commit a crime.

An announcement was made via a tweet on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Arrested was Clyde Eugene Rainey. Genesee County 67th District Court records show he was arraigned by Judge William Crawford who set bond at $5,000. Court records in Genesee County 67th District court show that he has no previous arrests except for a 1994 speeding ticket in the City of Flint.

A probable cause hearing has been set for Sept. 12 in front of Judge Herman Marable.

The tweet from MSP said as follows: "Rainey was arrested following an investigation in which digital evidence was seized from his home. The investigation was initiated when it was learned that Rainey was viewing files of child sexually abusive material on the internet.  Rainey was charged with four counts of possession of child sexually abusive material and four counts of using a computer to commit a crime."

Officials at the MSP Computer Crimes Unit encourage parents to speak to their children about the safe use of the internet. There are many resources available to parents to assist in keeping children safe online.  The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provides a comprehensive list of resources on their web site. The MSP ICAC Task Force also provides resources via its web site.

Anyone with information regarding possible child sexual exploitation can report it online at the CyberTipLine.A major fire broke out at the downtown area destroying several buildings and injuring many. Firefighters have been working to control the fire for several hours now. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT (CCN) — The Morning Gazette Gazette Radio Show reported today that a law firm for a defendant in an upcoming federal trial for the Flint water crisis wants its "PR sideshow" to be hidden from jurors. 

The court filing in U.S. District Court was reported by Law 360 which is a national publication with news and analysis on major legal developments, including litigation filings, case settlements, verdicts, regulation, enforcement, legislation and corporate deals.

Community activist Arthur Woodson of Flint is among those who opted out of the original class action lawsuit against the State of Michigan, City of Flint, McLaren Regional Medical Center and engineering firms that did consulting — Rowe Professional Services of Flint,  Veolia North America (VNA) of Boston  and Lockwood, Andrews & Newman of Flint Township.

Woodson posted the latest story by Law 360 on his Facebook page and proclaimed: "We are going to get big money now. If you didn't opt out of that class-action, you are in trouble."

Lawyers were paid about $200 million in legal fees approved by a federal judge, but Flint residents are still waiting since 2020 to get their share of the $655 million settlement which included $600 million from the state, $20 million from the City of Flint, $8 million from  Lockwood, Andrews & Newmam, $5 million from McLaren and  $1.25 million from Rowe. The fund is allocated to different classes and groups of plaintiffs with the majority of the funds going to those who were minors. There are 21 categories for children and nine categories for adults.

Flint attorney Trachelle Young has been working with a law firm from New York and told WJRT ABC TV 12 last week that victims will soon receive checks. She said the process has been ongoing for years, but she reported that a Special Master appointed by the federal judge in the case to oversee the process of how the fund will be divided up now says the process is "nearing completion."

Woodson said the upcoming case with VNA is a "bellwether" trial, saying, "If they lose this bellwether case, it opens the door to a bigger judgment for everyone in the class action lawsuit but it's an even bigger victory for those who opted out because they can sue individually against everyone. Veoila knows they will lose if the jury gets to hear what they did with their PR stunt."

VNA staged a media campaign during earlier federal court proceedings that included a truck outside of court disparaging one law firm representing Flint water crisis victims. The PR strategy was also alleged to have Involved a Geofencing style targeted campaign to reach people who would be in the jury pool for the case.

U.S. District Judge Judith Levy was so "disturbed" by the PR stunts that she referred VNA's law firm to the State Bar of California for a review on whether or not the rules of professional conduct were violated.

Yet, VNA lawyers are now filing in court to have any mention of the PR stunt hidden from the jury as well as a court settlement in Pittsburgh that was paid out after allegations that VNA advised city officials there similar as done in Flint when corrosion controls were not recommended.

VNA's federal court filing last week says jurors "could disapprove" of its PR actions against lawyer Cory Stern of a law firm representing hundreds of children suing one of the last remaining offended in the lead crisis litigation.

 The filing said all the jurors might look down on VNA if they were allowed to read or hear the draft versions of strategies in public statements written by the firm and it could "inflame the jury." 

The court filing also noted that the PR stunt came years after the actual water crisis in Flint.

The motion also said bringing up the Pittsburgh case would "risk confusing the jury" about how VNA was accused of mismanaging the city's utility during a $12.5 million contract from 2012 until 2015 when failing to recommend using corrosion control — the same offense in Flint which many experts credit with causing the water crisis.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is community activist Arthur Woodson of Flint.

 SAGINAW (CCN) — A former Genesee County man is in the Saginaw County Jail today in connection with a homicide at a Saginaw County motel.

The suspect is a 46-year-old man who was living at the hotel.

He was found hiding in nearby woods after police were alerted to a dead body at the motel. The victim was a 42-year-old female guest.

The suspect is on the Michigan sex offender list for a crime he committed while living in Genesee County. He has not yet been arraigned.

(See Aug. 28, 2024 Column in Recent Editor's Notebooks by Executive Editor Mike Killbreath)

 FLINT (CCN) — Radio show host A.C. Dumas made a social media post on Wednesday (Aug. 28, 2024) that apparently got the attention of Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley.

Dumas, a long-time community activist who does a Saturday program at 10:30 am on WFLT 1420 AM,  took to Facebook with an update after Mayor Neeley's press conference two days earlier to declare that the city staff had recovered all items following what he described as a criminal cyber attack on the city's computers.

Dumas posted: "The phone lines at Flint City Hall are still disconnected since the breach! Also, the computer systems are still off line so you can't do any business like register to vote, pay your water bill for water we cannot drink, taxes, etc!"

Before the day was over, Mayor Neeley's staff announced a new temporary phone number for residents to call. It's (810) 383-6576.

Dumas took to Facebook Thursday (Aug. 29, 2024) to post another update, saying, "FYI Update! Flint City Hall Temporary Phone Number! I called and the voice mail hasn't been set up yet! Call your Council Representatives: Ladel Lewis 810-407-2877; Candice Mushatt 810-496-9769; Tonya Burns 810-471-7849; Quincy Murphy 810-964-4855; Jerri Winfrey-Carter 810-397-3621; Judy Priestley 810-345-0494; Dennis Pfeiffer 810-382-6576; Johnathan Jarrett 810-219-2254 or 810-382-6576; Leon El Alamin 810-766-7418 or 810-382-6576."

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT TWP. (CCN) — The Daily Gazette has learned in an exclusive story that Kareem Snell filed on Monday (Aug. 26, 2024) to challenge embattled Flint Township Treasurer Tom Klee as a write-in candidate.

The Daily Gazette reported last week that Dave Huffman had announced that he intended to run a write-in campaign to challenge Klee.

Klee beat Huffman and Kareem Snell in the recent Democrat primary, and is unopposed on the November ballot. Klee won with 1,612 votes to 1,133 for Snell and 986 for Huffman. 

A third executive session closed meeting by the Flint Township Board of Trustees was held on Aug. 19 and The Morning Gazette Radio Show reported that all three special meetings have been called to discuss Klee's behavior toward staff. Documents obtained by The Morning Gazette Radio Show reveal that the accusations against Klee range from inappropriate touching of female staff, to using foul language in the office, to racist remarks, to disturbing gestures, stuttering and mocking of an employee who has Tourette's Syndrome as do her two children. (See Related Story on Aug. 19, 2024 in The Daily Gazette Special Section for Old Editor's Notebook columns)

Snell didn't respond to our text about a possible write-in campaign when we reported Huffma's plan and asked his opinions about various accusations have become public about Klee. He issued a statement at the time, saying, "My heart goes out (to the) victims and their families. No one should have to deal with such foolishness, despicable, and downright insensitive acts. We all are born different shape, different walk.  We teach our children to be sensitive and not bully. But that the world is and diverse place. Discrimination or harassment is  bullying... It's not nice...  I will hope (the) governing board will take appropriate, quick action to resolve this matter."

You can Click Here to hear a podcast of CCN News Break reports about Klee and two segments mentioning Klee on The Morning Gazette Radio Show that is heard live on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio weekdays at 8 am.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Kareem Snell who has announced he will conduct a write-in campaign to challenge embattled Flint Township Treasurer Tom Klee in November.

(CCN) —  Flint's 6th Ward City Councilwoman Tonya Burns exposed in a Facebook post that her city's administration is trying to charge Hasslebring Senior Center operators a monthly lease fee.

The city has many dollar per year leases for its buildings used by the community.

Burns said: "Hasslebring Senior Center is facing challenges with the City Of Flint. The city is now requiring Hasslebring to enter into a lease for $2000 per month with a $1500 credit. Hasslebring Seniors have stated they don’t mind a lease, but they want a fair lease. This center was closed, padlocked and chained under emergency management. The center receives no funding from the City of Flint to operate. It has been operated by a successful board of directors to keep activities and the center operating. Hasslebring Center serves an under-served group in our community but has been able to stretch their dollars by offering arthritis-fitness, computer, classes, cardio-drumming, ballroom, senior self-care, music-therapy, coffee hour, Hurley Trauma Recovery and much more. The center uses the funding from rentals to pay for three part-time staffers and also fundraising to pay for their salaries. No other facility that is a nonprofit in the City of Flint is required to pay a monthly rental fee of more than a dollar. This center has been able to stretch their funds which are only received from the county and fundraising to supply much needed services to seniors that live in Genesee county. Hasslebring currently pays for their own consumers energy bill ($980 per month) parking lot lights bill ($240 per) month, liability, insurance, and city water bill ($505). Instead of focusing on improving the quality of life for our seniors in an underserved community, the facility is faced with the looming threat of the city taking over and putting it out to bid for another provider. The City of Flint hasn’t been capable of finishing the service lines that stayed at 90% complete since 2019 and now has been taken over by the State of Michigan for its completion. The City should be focused on keeping our water safe for Flint residents still can’t drink from the tap. Hasslebring center does not deserve to be micromanaged by the City of Flint. I will not be supporting charging Hasslebring Senior Center with any more than a dollar lease. What can you do to support Hasslebring Senior Center? If you are a person that is 55 years of age and live in Genesee County, stop by and grab an application to join. The phone number is 810–766-9516. The address is 1002 W. Home Ave., Flint, MI."

(See Aug. 19, 2024 Column in Recent Editor's Notebooks by Executive Editor Mike Killbreath)

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT TWP. (CCN) — Dave Huffman has announced that he intends to run a write-in campaign to challenge embattled Flint Township Treasurer Tom Klee.

Klee beat Huffman and Kareem Snell in the recent Democrat primary, and is unopposed on the November ballot. Klee won with 1,612 votes to 1,133 for Snell and 986 for Huffman. 

A third executive session closed meeting by the Flint Township Board of Trustees was held in a special meeting on Monday (August 19, 2024). The Morning Gazette Radio Show reported that all three special meetings have been called to discuss Klee's behavior toward staff. Documents obtained by The Morning Gazette Radio Show reveal that the accusations against Klee range from inappropriate touching of female staff, to using foul language in the office, to racist remarks, to disturbing gestures, stuttering and mocking of an employee who has Tourette's Syndrome as do her two children. (See Related Story on Today's Front Page in Editor's Notebook column)

 Huffman was especially miffed that Klee also skipped a July 17 debate sponsored by The Morning Gazette Radio Show, The Daily Gazette and a local business dinner group at Ruggero's Restaurant on Corunna Road in Flint Township. Klee also failed to respond to a questionnaire about his positions on key issues.

"If he can't face his opponents and answer questions about his record, he does not belong in office," Huffman said in on Monday story. "I have absolutely zero respect for him."

Huffman said then he may challenge as a write-in candidate in November, now that the issue about Klee's alleged treatment of staff has become public. "He should resign," Huffman said. "It's a disgrace how he has acted toward our employees."

Huffman later confirmed that Genesee County Clerk / Register of Deeds Domonique Clemons said a write-in campaign is allowed, and he said he will move forward with it.

Two others — Roscoe Clark who lost a primary race to Monya Triplett and Mark White who finished last in an eight-candidate race for four open Trustee spots — confirmed that they may also join Huffman in running a write-in campaign in the November general election if they can get financial backing from the Flint Township business community.

"Maybe all three of us, maybe others, can work together to educate the public on what's going on if the business community would put some money behind us," White said. "Not enough people know what's going on."

Clark said, "They want to raise our taxes. That's why I ran: To stop it. Residents and businesses can't afford it. I'm open to the idea after talking with Dave (Huffman)."

Treasurer Klee and Clerk Triplett, both appointed to their board officer roles, voted to hold two public hearings to raise taxes by 4 mills without a vote of the people. Huffman, Clark and White contend it was an illegal resolution since the state's charter township law does not permit special assessments to be used for paying personnel, but only for emergency needs.

Snell didn't respond to our text about a possible write-in campaign now that various accusations have become public about Klee. He did issue a statement, saying, "My heart goes out (to the) victims and their families. No one should have to deal with such foolishness, despicable, and downright insensitive acts. We all are born different shape, different walk.  We teach our children to be sensitive and not bully. But that the world is and diverse place. Discrimination or harassment is  bullying... It's not nice...  I will hope (the) governing board will take appropriate, quick action to resolve this matter."

You can Click Here to hear a podcast of CCN News Break reports about Klee and two segments mentioning Klee on The Morning Gazette Radio Show that is heard live on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio weekdays at 8 am.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Dave Huffman who has announced he will conduct a write-in campaign to challenge embattled Flint Township Treasurer Tom Klee in November.

 FLINT TWP. (CCN) — Flint Township Supervisor Karuyn Miller announced  that demolition plans for the old Cinema 10 Theater are an inspection away from happening.

She said an asbestos inspection is all that remains before Burnash Wrecking will bring down what remains of the 34,000 square foot building that was destroyed by fire last November. The once 10-screen movie theater has been vacant for 17 years.

The Flint Township Board of Trustees voted on July 18 to hire Burnash Wrecking to demolish the building after getting no response to a letter to Namdar Properties that owns the old theater building as well as Genesee Valley Center mall.

Miller said the letter was after Flint Township's code enforcement staff inspecting the old Cinema 10 theater after the massive fire last fall and determined it should be destroyed.

The old theater is located at 4425 Lennon Road behind the Genesee Valley Center.

Flint Township board members had voted to spend $219,000 to Burton-based Burnash Wrecking to remove the old Cinema 10 building and haul away everything. The site was to then be covered with dirt, grass seed and straw.

Namdar Properties is now paying Burnash Wrecking to do the job.

(CCN)  — Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton's office has reached a plea deal in the first murder of case of 2023 in the City of Flint.

Ryan Cooper, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of felony firearm. Cooper was originally charged and arraigned in January 2023 on felony charges of open murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, third-degree fleeing police, carrying a concealed weapon and four counts of felony firearm.

 Cooper faced up to life in prison without parole if convicted on the most serious open murder charge. He was charged four days after police alleged that he shot and killed Marquise Hall, 31, outside a home in the 3900 block of Blackington Avenue.

He now faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500 after the plea deal. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. His office reached a plea deal with murder suspect Ryan Cooper who was facing up to life in prison.

(CCN)  — The Genesee County Board of Commissioners, alongside members of the Genesee County 7th Circuit Court, unveiled the long-awaited new Juvenile Justice Center Wednesday (June 13, 2024) in Flint Township.

The $27 million facility will officially open its doors in late July, as the staff transitions from the old facility next door.

Genesee County Board of Commission Chairman James Avery of Grand Blanc, who represents District 5, spoke about the facility and what it means for the entire community.

"As we cut this ribbon today, let us re-commit ourselves to the work ahead," Avery said. "Let us be proud of the fact that Genesee County is now, and has been for years, a model for juvenile justice. Let us stake our claim today that this facility will further our mission to empower young people to transform their lives for the betterment of our entire community."

Construction on the 54,000 square foot facility in Flint Township (on Pasadena Avenue in District 8) began in September 2020. District 8 Commissioner Dale Weighill said the new facility represents the "best of Genesee County and its dedication to young people."

Commissioner Weighill added: "Genesee County, and my colleagues on the (Genesee County) Board of Commissioners, have an unwavering commitment to youth empowerment. We remain dedicated to restorative practices that aim to heal and rehabilitate youth to promote safe communities across the county."

More than 100 people were in attendance for the ceremony, including many of the visionaries who made this new facility a reality, including Genesee County 7th Circuit Court Chief Judge David  Newblatt and Judge Judge John Gadola from the (Family Division of the court.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is a photo of Genesee County leaders at an unveiling ceremony for a new 54,000 square foot juvenile justice center in Flint Township.

 BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT (CCN) — A post on the City of Flint's web site announced that City Attorney William Kim is stepping down at the end of the month.

WJRT ABC 12 TV was the first to report the news in its newscast earlier today (July 5, 2024).

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley cut off press releases from his communications office to The Daily Gazette and Metro Flint News/Talk Radio after an incident with late Flint City Councilman Eric Mays in February 2020. Councilman Mays told about being "beat up" at a Flint bar by Mayor Neeley's then Chief or Staff  —  DuVarl Murdock.

The accusations by Mays was first reported by The Morning Gazette Radio Show on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio just minutes after he was released from spending the night at Hurley Medical Center for injuries sustained in the alleged beating. Mayor Neeley issued an untrue press release after the story made statewide news via the Association Press wire from reports by TV, radio and print outlets in Detroit. His press release went to everyone except The Daily Gazette and Metro Flint News/Talk Radio and no press releases have arrived to them since. City Attorney Kim never responded to a letter saying the press release tactic was illegal from the Corporation Counsel (then F. Anthony Lubkin) for Crusader Communications Network Inc.  — operators of The Daily Gazette and Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.

State Police at the Corunna Road post in Flint Township investigated the alleged beating and asked Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton to issue a warrant to arrest Murdock. Leyton sat on it for months until finally announcing no charges would be filed.

City Attorney Kim has often been accused of other unethical positions by opponents of Mayor Neeley during his tenure as head of the city's legal department since April 2022. He had previously served as an Assistant City Attorney since 2015.

The City of Flint web site indicated that Kim's upcoming departure is effective on July 26. It was described as a "resignation" and Mayor Neeley's statement said: “I wish Attorney Kim the very best in his new position and thank him for his service to the residents of Flint. Mr. Kim has helped guide the City of Flint through turbulent times over the past (nine) years, and I congratulate him on the next step in his career. We continue to cultivate talented individuals at the City of Flint, and I am confident that we will continue to attract top talent, based on the foundation of success laid by our current and former staff.”

The city's web site said that per the Flint City Charter, Chief Deputy City Attorney Joseph Kuptz will become Acting City Attorney upon the departure of Kim. The city will then post the City Attorney position and seek applicants both internally and externally.

In a resignation letter addressed to Mayor Neeley and the Flint City Council, Attorney Kim wrote: ”I am proud of the progress made by the City of Flint in general, and the Law Department in particular, in positioning the City for success over the next decades.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Flint City Attorney William Kim who is stepping down, effective on July 26.

  (CCN) —  Flint City Councilman Tonya Burns, who represents 6th Ward residents, revealed in a social media post that a man was shot on a motorcycle in the 1500 block of Harrison Street.

Dozens  of social media posts indicated that it was the sixth shooting incident within a week in the City of Flint.

No information has yet been released to the media by officials at the Flint Police Department to conform or deny the report by Councilwoman Burns.

 (CCN) — Candice Mushatt emerged victorious after an all-night vote counting affair at Flint City Hall. She was facing a recall election for her 7th Ward seat on the Flint City Council.

The final count released Tuesday morning by Genesee County Clerk Domonique Clemons' office was 869-815 for Mushatt over challenger Jan Marie Arbor.

The Daily Gazette has learned that monitors were assigned by state officials to focus on the election.

Flint community activist Art Woodson made numerous posts via Facebook Live videos, alleging wrong doing. He also questioned why Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley showed up at Flint City Hall where votes were being counted after the polls closed.

Councilwoman Mushatt, who was appointed to her 7th ward position a year ago when former Flint City Council President Allie Herkenroder resigned, has been a strong supporter of Mayor Neeley's legislative proposals.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is 7th Ward City Councilwoman Candice Mushatt.

 (CCN) — Leon El-Alamin was a landslide winner in the Flint City Council's 1st Ward primary race.

He had 428 votes to easily finish first in a six-candidate race for two spots on the general election ballot in November.

Former Flint Board of Education President Carol McIntosh will join El-Alamin on the ballot.

She finished second with 305 votes.

El-Alamin, who was appointed to the seat after the recent death of long-time incumbent 1st Ward Councilman Eric Mays, had a 123-vote margin over McIntosh and must now try to win enough of the 409 votes that went to four others in the race to beat McIntosh again in November.

Other votes against the current 1st Ward council member included 179 for Rosemary Morrow, 132 for Cynthia Haynes, 60 for Johnny Billings and 36 for Liberty Bell.

El-Alamin operates a non-profit known as the MADE Institute to help convicted felons find jobs after re-entering society. El-Alamin is a convicted felon who saw the need for felons to get help when re-entering society.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is current Flint City Councilman Leon El-Alamin.

(CCN) — Charles Winfrey was elected Tuesday to his third term on the Genesee County Board of Commissioners by winning in a landslide over challenger Holly WIlson in the Democrat primary.

Winfrey retained his 2nd District seat by getting 2,995 votes to 1,553 for Wilson. The 2nd District includes parts of the City of Flint and Flint Township.

Winfrey will be unopposed in the November general election because no Republicans filed for the primary.

While Winfrey's first two terms were for two years each, this term is now a four-year seat after changes were enacted by the current board.

Winfrey defeated Don Wright in the 2022 Democrat primary and won big over Republican challenger Lynette Robinson in the general election. He beat Corey Lockett and Michael Clack in the 2020 primary to succeed Clack's mother  — long-time 2nd District Commissioner and former State Representative Brenda Clack.

Winfrey was best known in local political circles as the long-time campaign director for his close friend — Woodrow Stanley who was a former Flint Mayor, County Commissioner and State Representative.

Winfrey has served as Executive Director and Resident Playwright of The “New” McCree Theatre for more than 19 years. He has produced most of the “New” McCree Theatre’s productions, and has written many of them, including: Sincerely: The Musical Odyssey of an Original Moonglow, Hanging’ Out, The Frankie Lymon Story, The Motown Story, The Saints of St. John Street, Rock the Boat: The Fleming Williams Story, Those Gorgeous, Glamorous girl Groups, The Lloyd Price Story, A Needle in a Haystack: the Story of the Velvelettes, Golden Gospel Voices: the Story of the Caravans, Give me that Old Time Religion, Those Dazzling Divas of Motown, and Sparkle Too, and The Legend of Bass Reeves.  He compiled and edited the youth-driven musical, Graffiti Chronicles.  His poem, Neglect, received an award for original works of poetry.

  Winfrey also previously served as editor of several weekly newspapers, including the Flint Spokesman, the CPSA Courier, and the Michigan Chronicle. He's a graduate of the University of Michigan-Flint with dual degrees in Political Science and Africana Studies. He was also co-founder and former Executive Director of the Coalition for Positive Youth Development.

Winfrey is Chairman of the Genesee County Board of Commissioner’s Health and Human Services Committee, Vice Chairman of the Genesee County Landbank Authority, a member of the Greater Flint Health Coalition Board, a member of the Genesee Health Plan Board of Directors, a member of the Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) Board, a member of the Valley Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors, a member of the Genesee County Action Resource Department Board of Advisors, a member of the University of Michigan-Flint’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, a member of the Flint-Genesee Board of Trustees, a member of Genesee County’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission. and serves as Vice President of the Northridge Academy Board of Directors. He is a past member of the Beecher Board of Education where he held several offices during his six-year tenure, including one term as President. 

Winfrey and wife Shirley have two adult daughters — Jerri Winfrey-Carter who serves as the 5th Ward Councilwoman on the Flint City Council and Tracy Winfrey-Edwards who is a retired education administrator who resides in Silver Spring, Maryland.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Commissioner Charles Winfrey. 

 (CCN) — The longest-serving Trustee was the top vote getter in Tuesday's Democrat primary that featured an eight-candidate field for four open positions.

Trustee Vert has served 16 years on the board and was the only incumbent seeking re-election.

Trustee Carol Phaff-Dahl chose not to run again while Tom Klee resigned his Trustee job to become Treasurer about a year ago and Deb Campbell resigned earlier this year.

Greg King was appointed by the board to replace Klee on the board and chose not to run for a four-year term.

Gene Leverette Sr. was appointed to replace Campell and he joined Vert in getting elected in Tuesday's primary for one of the four Trustee positions. First-time candidates Jenna McIntyre and Tenesia Amadou won the other sports.

Vert led all vote getters with 2,511. McIntyre was second with 1,947 votes, Amadou had 1,496 and Leverette had 1,4311. They beat Don Wright with 1,357, McKay with 1,190 and Mark White with 983.

 (CCN) — Two appointed officers in Flint Township government kept their seats in the Democrat primary. Treasurer Tom Klee and Clerk Monya Triplett easily beat their challengers.  

Klee won with 1,612 votes in a three-way race with challengers Kareem Snell and Dave Huffman. Snell had 1,133 votes, Huffman 986.

Klee was appointed just over a year ago when Lisa Anderson resigned as Treasurer because she moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He previously had been elected to a four-year term as a Trustee.

Triplett lost four years ago in her bid to become Clerk when Kathy Funk was re-elected by a slim margin. The Flint Township Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint her to become Clerk after Funk resigned two years later and was charged with felony crimes that included ballot tampering with ballots in her own election victory over Triplett. Funk was subsequently convicted on felony counts.

Triplett did miniscule campaigning this time but won by a 2,596-to-1,140 margin over Roscoe Clark.

Huffman and Clark campaigned on "not raising taxes" after Klee and Triplett voted to hold two public hearing to hike taxes by 4 mills in a special assessment without a vote of the people.

Triplett switched her position and joined a 5-2 board vote to cancel the second public hearing after business owners packed a church on Bristol Road to protest the idea. Huffman and Clark stressed that state law prohibits any special assessment without a vote of the people being used to pay for anything except emergency needs. Klee had pushed for the tax hike to pay for more firemen on the township department's force.

(CCN) — Primary election day was meaningless in Mundy Township for its local board positions since every candidate on the ballot is moving on to the general election.

Democrats had the edge in votes, however, in what will be the contested races in the November general election.

Incumbent Township Supervisor Tonya Ketzler had 1,623 votes to 1,112 for her Republican challenger — Jennifer Arrand Stainton.

Incumbent Trustees Kimberly Jimenez, Debra Ridley and Mark Gorton were 1-2-3 in the Democrat primary with 1,324 votes, 1,320 and 1,281 to 1,267 for challenger Don Morey.

Incumbent Kyle Ward led the Republican primary with 936 votes to 855 for challenger Leah Davis and 853 for Zack Sack.

Township Clerk Cory Jo Bostwick was unopposed in the primary and will be unopposed in November.

Current Mundy Township Planning Commission Chair Danielle Baxter was unopposed in the primary for Treasurer to replace Dennis Owens who chose not to seek re-election. Baxter is also unopposed in the November general election.

 (CCN) — Outgoing Genesee Township Treasurer Tod Sorensen went on record with endorsements in the upcoming election for the Genesee Township Board of Trustees. 

He endorsed electing his son, Andrew, to replace himself as the new Township Treasurer.

Genesee Township Supervisor Dan Eashoo got his nod for re-election. Eashoo is facing Steve Fuhr in a rematch of their race four years ago when Eashoo unseated Fuhr.

Sorensen's endorsement for Clerk went to elect Robert Watters for Clerk, to re-elect Ashley Witte as Trustee and to elect three other newcomers as Trustees — Patrick Gerace, Brenda Duplant and Carrie Bock. Waters is unopposed because Wayne Bates, a former Genesee Township Police Chief, chose not to seek re-election in 2024 after serving since 2008. Witte, Gerace, Duplant and Bock are opposed in a race for four spots on the November ballot against Republican Michael Link who is unopposed in his primary race. Sorenson's son is opposed by John Crocker IV in the Aug. 6 primary for Democrats.

Fuhr, who is the long-time owner of Kearsley Auto Repair on RIchfield Road, ousted long-time Township Supervisor Scott Streeter in the August 2008 primary and went on to serve 12 years before losing to Eashoo in 2020.

Sorensen was Police Chief in Genesee Township before becoming Township Treasurer. He retired from the Burton Police Department where serving in a distinguished career on the force there.

"Andrew shares my philosophy of finances and public service and will maintain the high level of service we provide at the township treasury office," Genesee Township's outgoing Treasurer said in a letter published in today's Viewpoint Section of The Daily Gazette.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is outgoing Genesee Township Treasurer Tod Sorensen.

(CCN) —  No intersections across the Metro Flint regional area made an annual list of the top 20 most dangerous ones in Michigan, but more than half on Genesee County's top 10 list were within the Genesee Valley Press coverage area.

(See Story in State News of My AM Advantage)

 (CCN) —  WJRT ABC TV 12 reported that an alert neighbor in Flint helped police locate a missing 76-year-old Genesee Township woman who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. 

The Genesee Township Police Department reported that Brenda Etherington had been last seen Thursday afternoon (July 4, 2024) in the 1000 block of East Genesee Avenue in Beecher.

Family told police she had last been seen about 10 pm. ABC TV 12 reported that Genesee Township police say Etherington was found safe in an abandoned house in Flint after a neighbor recognized her photo and called 911.