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BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN News Executive Editor

FLINT (CCN) — Public corruption has been alleged and reported to authorities by Flint's 8th Ward city councilman after he says a "whistleblower" came forward to him with allegations of missing money at the Flint Housing Commission.

Dennis Pfeiffer, a first-term elected official, has now issued two public statements on social media, including posting a copy of his letter sent to authorities about alleged missing money.

 In his latest statement, Councilman Pfeiffer said, "The Mayor (Sheldon Neeley) lied to MLive. He was aware and he said in a verbal conversation ... 'if she pays it back can she continue to serve?' He has also sent many communications."

MLive published a story on is online newspaper just hours after a report on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio in a breaking news story during its 11:30 am CCN News Break on April 11. (Here's a Podcast) 

Pfeiffer made his initial statement on social media and posted a copy of his letter sent to Mayor Neeley with copies to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, Chief Deputy Prosecutor John Potbury, Flint City Attorney Joanne Curley and Flint Housing Commission Attorney Jeff Klug.

Councilman Pfeiffer asked for an investigation by Mayor Neeley's administration and requested all relevant documents and information be delivered to the Flint City Council before May 1 to conduct a public hearing on the matter to determine any oversight council members may have over the alleged missing money. He also asked that the State Police and FBI be contacted for possible prosecution of a city employee at the Flint Housing Commission since he says the organization is funded by state and federal tax dollars.

Councilman Pfeiffer named the city employee in his letter, citing "credible" information from the "whistleblower" about alleged misappropriation of funds and embezzlement.

CCN did not initially name the city employee in its radio report or earlier story at The Daily Gazette.

Flint Journal reporter Ron Fonger story on MLive said a Freedom of Information Act request revealed, however, that Geraldine Redmond pledged in an April 1 letter to the Flint Housing Commission's Board of Commissioners to repay $50 per month as payments toward covering funds she used to buy supplies for annual tenant meetings after failing to provide receipts for the spending.

 Redmond is President of the  Commissioners.

Her $50-per-month repayment pledge was issued in a letter to her other four fellow board members and Chief Executive Officer David Northern.

Councilman Pfeiffer said $9,036.22 is not accounted for by Redmond. 

"I have read the memo and I have to say that it raises concerns above and beyond the inability of Ms. Redmond to provide receipts," Pfeiffer said. "First and foremost there is a question as to whether or not the annual meeting is even an eligible use of federal funds. We will be asking for more details on these annual events. Second, why would the FHC just give a commissioner a check? There appear to have been no internal controls over these funds...  I expect to find an audit finding surrounding these funds. If there are no findings then we will be asking for an explanation from the FHC and its auditor. Certainly the FHC needs to secure funds that are not properly supported, but it appears that FHC management should have taken more robust action to preserve the integrity of these funds... On top of that, you have the memorandum I wrote about Geraldine Redmond dated 5.18.23. What has been done by the Mayor or City of Flint since this memorandum….nothing. "

MLive reported that in her letter obtained by the FOIA, Redmond doesn't specify how much she intends to repay, but said she will make payments monthly “as I continue to locate the necessary documents and receipts related to these funds.” Other documents obtained by the FOIA request showed top officials at the commission, Mayor Neeley and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development being warned months ago of the possible misappropriation of at least $9,000.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is 8th Ward Flint City Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer. 

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

DAVISON (CCN) — "Some people consider a philanthropist someone who gives a lot of money to help people. Don Lada was a philanthropist with his time."

Larry Ford, President of the Flint Area Chamber of Commerce, was talking about the life of Don Lada.

Lada passed away at his home in Davison. He was 87.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

He was the long-time owner of Brown Funeral Home on Davison Road in Flint where he was a fixture in east side activities for decades.

Lada was he long-time President of the East Side Business Association which met weekly for many years. He was also involved for decades with numerous non-profit organizations and charities.

The old Boy Scouts Tall Pine Council honored Lada in 2008 with its 25th annual Distinguished Citizen Award for his lifetime of service to the Flint area during an awards dinner at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc Township.

He was recognized for exemplifying Scouting values and making a significant impact in the Metro Flint area community.

He was known along with wife Dee at his side during his many charitable contributions to the community.

The Ladas had a special passion for military veterans despite Don not being a veteran himself. Before it closed, Brown Funeral Home became became home to a Veterans Memorial display in 1995. 

They set up a tribute to staff and all local veterans while presenting each of them with a family tree to plant. Don later initiated the Plant-a-Tree program in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources where a memorial certificate is given to the families of deceased veterans after their funeral service, indicating that a tree will be planted by the DNR as a memorial.

The United States Secretary of Defense in 2000 designated Brown Funeral Home as an official Korean War Commemorative Community, and Lada arranged and conducted a memorial service to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Korean War.

He also traveled to other states to help set up the famous Vietnam Wall that travels the nation. It came to Genesee County three times and he helped set up the wall in other states seven times.

One of his final phone calls was to a friend, Jerry Preston of Flint Township to plan an upcoming event at McFarland Park in Downtown Flint, according to Ford.

In addition to the East Side Business Association and so many charitable works, Lada served over the years on boards for the Boy Scouts of America,  Flint East Side Weed & Seed,  Flint Rotary Club, Genesee County Child Death Review Team, Youth Projects Citizens Advisory Board and the Education Foundation for Flint Community Schools.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Don Lada and wife Dee. Don, who has passed away, is known for often having his wife at his side during many charitable works in his lifetime.

Or e-mail us at news@TheDailyGazette.net 

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BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN News Executive Editor

FLINT (CCN) — The City of Flint has lost one of its legends in community service.

Former long-time state legislator Floyd Clack passed away on Thursday (April 3, 2025) at age 84.

A statement by his son, Michael Clack, on behalf of the family announced the death on social media.

Funeral arrangement are pending.

The services will be handled by Moon Funeral Home in Flint.

Clack passed away surrounded by family at Landings of Genesee Valley which is a memory care and assisted living facility. Friends say he had been there, suffering from dementia. 

Clack was known for his many years of community service in Flint as what many friends say clearly established him as a truly distinguished pillar of his community who was known for advocacy work to improve lives for Flint residents as a teacher, counselor, elected official and community leader.

He served as President for the Flint Branch of the NAACP and held annual Thanksgiving dinners for community members with wife Brenda for many, many years.

He was also a vocal advocate for fair housing, campaigned against redlining, pushed for better economic opportunities for Flint residents and played a key role in organizing the city's first gun buyback program to reduce gun violence.

The Houston, Texas native began his political career in 1979 when elected to the Flint City Council where he served or 12 years until 1992 when winning a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Clack served in the State House until termed out because of the new law creating term limits. He then ran for the Genesee County Board of Commissioners and served there until 2004.

He was appointed in 2005 by then Governor Jennifer Granholm to serve on Eastern Michigan University's Board of Regents.

Clack resigned from EMU's board in December 2024 because of health problems.

Clack was a graduate of EMU where he earned a master's degree in education. He was a long-time teacher and guidance counselor with Flint Community Schools before going to Lansing to serve in the State House.

His political career also included unsuccessful campaigns for Mayor of Flint in 2002 against Don Williamson and to John Gleason for State Senator in the 2006 Democrat primary.

Clack's wife also served in the State House and on the Genesee County Board of Commissioners after a career as a teacher in the Flint school district. Her son, Michael, is also a teacher who has served as President at the Flint Board of Education and made an unsuccessful bid for the seat in the state legislature held by Cynthia Neeley of Flint.

Neeley's husband, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley, said in a statement Thursday that flags will be lowered to half staff for one week in honor of Floyd Clack working "tirelessly to uplift our community and improve the lives of countless residents."

The City of Flint news release noted that he received the Key to the City of Flint in February of 2021.

The Mayor said, "Floyd Clack was more than a public servant — he served as a role model and mentor to local elected officials. He will be remembered for his poise and grace. His leadership and service will live on in the hearts of those he touched. We extend our deepest condolences to his beloved wife Brenda, Son, Daughter, family and friends. Floyd’s life was a shining example of how one individual can make a lasting difference." 

A statement was also issued by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners. It read: "It is with profound gratitude that the Genesee County Board of Commissioners pays tribute to the remarkable life and legacy of the Honorable Floyd E. Clack, a tireless advocate for our community, an inspiring educator, and a cherished leader in Genesee County."

Delrico Lloyd of Flint, Chairman of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, issued a statement as follows: "When I sit back and think, my heart truly goes out to My God Mother (Brenda Clack), Michael (and) Mia Clack. I Didn’t grow up with a father but I was so blessed to have amazing father figures including my humble servant of a God-Father, the Honorable Floyd Clack. On my wedding day he stood in the gap for my father who I never met, loved, supported (and) stood by me as an example (and) Guide. Love (and)_) appreciate you forever." 

Deb Cherry of Burton served in Lansing with Floyd Clack and said, "My prayers go to the Brenda Clack and her family. I served in the House of Representatives with Floyd. He served Flint and Genesee County with great honor."

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this photo is former state legislator Floyd Clack who passed away Thursday (April 3, 2025).

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN News Executive Editor

FLINT CCN) — The City of Flint has lost one of its legends in community service.

Former long-time state legislator Floyd Clack passed away on Thursday (April 3, 2025) at age 84.

A statement by his son, Michael Clack, on behalf of the family announced the death on social media.

Funeral arrangement are pending.

The services will be handled by Moon Funeral Home in Flint.

Clack passed away at Landings of Genesee Valley which is a memory care and assisted living facility. Friends say he had been there, suffering from dementia. 

Clack was known for his many years of community service in Flint as what many friends say clearly established him as a truly distinguished pillar of his community who was known for advocacy work to improve lives for Flint residents as a teacher, counselor, elected official and community leader.

He served as President for the Flint Branch of the NAACP and held annual Thanksgiving dinners for community members with wife Brenda for many, many years.

He was also a vocal advocate for fair housing, campaigned against redlining, pushed for better economic opportunities for Flint residents and played a key role in organizing the city's first gun buyback program to reduce gun violence.

The Houston, Texas native began his political career in 1979 when elected to the Flint City Council where he served or 12 years until 1992 when winning a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Clack served in the State House until termed out because of the new law creating term limits. He then ran for the Genesee County Board of Commissioners and served there until 2004.

He was appointed in 2005 by then Governor Jennifer Granholm to serve on Eastern Michigan University's Board of Regents.

Clack resigned from EMU's board in December 2024 because of health problems.

Clack was a graduate of EMU where he earned a master's degree in education. He was a long-time teacher and guidance counselor with Flint Community Schools before going to Lansing to serve in the State House.

His political career also included unsuccessful campaigns for Mayor of Flint in 2002 against Don Williamson and to John Gleason for State Senator in the 2006 Democrat primary.

Clack's wife also served in the State House and on the Genesee County Board of Commissioners after a career as a teacher in the Flint school district. Her son, Michael, is also a teacher who has served as President at the Flint Board of Education and made an unsuccessful bid for the seat in the state legislature held by Cynthia Neeley of Flint.

Neeley's husband, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley, said in a statement Thursday that flags will be lowered to half staff for one week in honor of Floyd Clack working "tirelessly to uplift our community and improve the lives of countless residents."

The City of Flint news release noted that he received the Key to the City of Flint in February of 2021.

The Mayor said, "Floyd Clack was more than a public servant — he served as a role model and mentor to local elected officials. He will be remembered for his poise and grace. His leadership and service will live on in the hearts of those he touched. We extend our deepest condolences to his beloved wife Brenda, Son, Daughter, family and friends. Floyd’s life was a shining example of how one individual can make a lasting difference." 

A statement was also issued by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners. It read: "It is with profound gratitude that the Genesee County Board of Commissioners pays tribute to the remarkable life and legacy of the Honorable Floyd E. Clack, a tireless advocate for our community, an inspiring educator, and a cherished leader in Genesee County."

Delrico Lloyd of Flint, Chairman of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, issued a statement as follows: "When I sit back and think, my heart truly goes out to My God Mother (Brenda Clack), Michael (and) Mia Clack. I Didn’t grow up with a father but I was so blessed to have amazing father figures including my humble servant of a God-Father, the Honorable Floyd Clack. On my wedding day he stood in the gap for my father who I never met, loved, supported (and) stood by me as an example (and) Guide. Love (and)_) appreciate you forever." 

Deb Cherry of Burton served in Lansing with Floyd Clack and said, "My prayers go to the Brenda Clack and her family. I served in the House of Representatives with Floyd. He served Flint and Genesee County with great honor."

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this photo is former state legislator Floyd Clack who passed away Thursday (April 3, 2025).

 BY GARY JACKSON

CCN Staff Writer

FLINT (CCN) — Social media comments on Facebook indicate that another body has been discovered n the City of Flint.

This one was discovered sometime before an hour ago when reported on social media at about 10:30 am in the Civic Park area of the city's north end.

No reports from authorities yet if foul play is suspected or if the body found was that of a deceased individual.

Am ambulance was on the scene with a police cruiser on Proctor Street and Genesee.

State police crime lab technicians were reported at a Davison apartment complex on Tuesday (Mach 25, 2025) afternoon, and Davison Township Police Chief Jay Rendon told The Daily Gazette that a search warrant was being served there as part of an investigation into a weekend shooting in Flint.

Shooting violence over the past week in Flint has made the short span among the worst stretch in city history for murders.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is a photo posted on social media by a citizen who reported a body found in a vacant lot in north Flint.

  BY GARY JACKSON

CCN Staff Writer

FLINT (CCN) — There was another shooting in the City of Flint during another deadly weekend of violence.

Boxing world champion Claressa Shields of Flint announced the latest incident on social media with a Facebook post that the latest violence had touched her family, saying her two little cousins were among the latest shooting victims. 

She confirmed tht one had died.

No details from authorities yet from the shooting at the Richert Manor apartment complex on Court Street in Flint.

However, Fox 2 TV in Detroit reported that the Michigan State Police confirmed 23-year-old Keviance Williams of Flint died at the scene.

 Multiple sources say he is a cousin to Shields who is a women's pro boxing champion who won two Olympic gold medals for Team USA.

The 4 am shooting early Sunday left an 18-year-old victim in critical condition at a local hospital while State Police said a third man, 23, was hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries from his gunshot wound. 

Flint Major Case Unit detectives are investigating the latest shooting. 

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL or Michigan State Police at (810) 280-0063..

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN News Executive Editor

FLUSHING (CCN) — Gus Tyler has called on blacks to boycott Flushing businesses after his Signature Chop House closed down in what he now calls a "racist" community.

A post on social media by Tyler today (April 3, 2025) said: "There is (a lot) more to the story. All the way to where we were forced to (sell) back our property. I am being quiet no longer. We have to learn to spend our black dollar where it is appreciated."

He declined an opportunity, however, to record a segment for Metro Flint News/Talk Radio as a guest on its Morning Gazette Radio Show.

Tyler said he would only appear live, saying, "Only live (and) only after you sign an agreement with my lawyer."

Metro Flint News/Talk Radio refused the request.

Tyler responded, "I cannot allow my words to come out of anyone else mouth but my own. So I will respectfully decline. Thanks for reaching out."

Community residents have flooded social media with comments critical of Tyler's operation in Flushing and both The Daily Gazette and Metro Flint News/Talk Radio have received dozens of notes, letters, texts and calls to push the Flushing City Council to close down the establishment.

The location has been plagued for months by complaints of neighbors for excessive noise, rowdy behavior by patrons and traffic woes.

Calls for residents to show up at the April14 Flushing City Council meeting began on social media after a late night St. Patrick's Day incident resulted in numerous police officers responding as back-up for Flushing's city police.

The Daily Gazette, Metro Flint News/Talk Radio's newscasts and The Morning Gazette Radio Show reported the next day (March 18, 2025) that social media comments about four people being killed there were not true.

Flushing City Councilman Joe Karlichek issued a press release later on March 18 with a statement by Flushing Police Chief Steven Colosky that there were no guns confiscated after the incident, no shooting and no arrests.

Councilman Karlichek, Flushing's former Mayor before losing last August to Dale Weighill in the Democrat primary for the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, did not comment on why there was such a massive police presence at Signature Chop House which changed hands about two years ago.

Tyler issued a subsequent statement that he was working with city officials to resolve problems at the location on Pierson Road. (See Related Story in Today's Metro Section)

Flushing Mayor Edward Sullivan then announced on Tuesday (April 1, 2025) that Signature Chop House had closed. He shared an "official statement on Signature Chop House" that was aired on Wednesday's Morning Gazette Radio Show and Metro Flint News/Talk Radio's newscasts.

The statement was as follows: "Multiple departments of the City as well as City Council and the Administration have been diligently working to resolve the issues for a very long time. All of them deserve thanks in this matter.  Effective 4/1/2025, ownership of the Signature Chop House Building has reverted back to the former owner, Flushing Investments.  LL Restaurant Inc. will have 30 days to collect their belongings at a mutually agreed upon time, but all future scheduled events have been cancelled."

Thursday's Morning Gazette Radio Show revealed that a court notice was tacked on the front door of the building and reported that court records show that more than $15,000 was owed to a landlord.

Tyler's boycott was announced at about 10 am Thursday (April 3, 2025) on his own Facebook page and on the page for Signature Chop House.

His unedited post read as follows: "AS OF TODAY I AM ORGANIZING A BOYCOTT OF ALL FLUSHING BUSINESS FOR THE FLINT COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR THE BLACK COMMUNITY. THREW THERE COMMENT S AND ALL THERE RACIAL SLURS OF THE PUBLIC OF FLUSHING MI NOT ONE BUSINESS OWNER ,POLITICIAN , or Community leader stepped up to denounce the racism I faced as a business owner in the community. Your made if very clear YALL don’t want our back business with that comes not having our black dollar. Some man went as fast as to ask for a wall to be built up to keep us out. So IM trying to create that wall in our minds. I am calling for a boycott of all products flushing. Bars , restaurants, doctors office, car dealer ext. ALL MY BLACK FLUSHING RESIDENTS. IM SURE YALL DIDNT WANT TO SPEAK UP BECAUSE THESE RACIST PEOPLE ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS. BUT STAND WITH ME. IN A CITY WHERE THE JUDGE CAN HERE A LANDLORD SAY THEY REJECTED PAYMENT OF RENT AND TURN AROUND AND USE THAT AS A BASIS TO EVICTION. LETS ME KNOW THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS THAT DONT WANT CHANGE. I SHOULD HAVE TOOK NOTE WHEN THEY ALLOWED KKK RALLYS IN THERE COMMUNITY. I WILL NOT STOP UNTIL NO BLACK DOLLAR IS SPENT IN THE CITY OF FLUSHING. IM SURE THEY ARE LAUGHING THINKING IT WONT EFFECT THEM. WELL TARGET LAUGHED AT FIRST TOO."

He added a post a few hours later, writing: "I needed to be blunt in that post because I knew the Flushing people couldn't help but comment (their) true feelings about us."

Tyler urged his Facebook friends to visit the Signature Chop House page to review comments on reactions by Flushing residents, saying, "So maybe it would sting just as much as it stung me... look at (their) response. They don't want us there. LOL. Just sad... By the way, I needed to (put) out a disclaimer... My views and my position is not the position of Ray Tyler or Prime Eight-Ten."

 Prime Eight-Ten is located five miles away on Pierson Road in Mt. Morris Township.

Gus Tyler did not respond to our questions via the Messenger app on whether or not he is related to Ray Tyler and who all the owners are for Signature Chop House and Prime Eight-Ten.

Fewer than a dozen reactions were posted on the Signature Facebook page within the first two hours after the boycott was announced.

Bobby Faber said, "Same thing happened at prime 810, shut down because of violence ..all the other restaurants around flushing, Johnny's, Kathy’s Peurto Vallarta, Choo Choos, Liberty, Gina’s, and never have issues like prime 810 and (Signature) Chop House... (You) can blame race or whatever else (you) wanna blame it on but the facts are in your face."

Larry Anderson reacted on Facebook: "Blame it all on racism! It's always the race card. How about you run a business right and control your customers. The only people here to blame are you and your workers for not running a safe work place. Hopefully they do close you up take your bs somewhere else. Hopefully a respectable business takes your place."

Another post using only a first name read: "I think the video (of St. Patrick's Day fights) spoke for itself. If that’s the clientele (you're) bringing to our community, I doubt anyone is interested in going to bat for that business."

Angelique Mikkola made a post on Facebook's "Flushing Uncensored" page and it attracted nearly 100 comments within the same two-hour time frame. Her post said, "Love they are threating our community and (are) going to get away with it. Posting people's pages and trying to figure our where they work/live. Scary times we are living in."

Most of the comments were negative about Signature Chop House.

RELATED STORY IN WEST VALLEY VOICE:

Flushing Mayor Edward Sullivan issues another public statement on Signature Chop House saga

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above is a pubic photo of a sign tacked on the door at Signature Chop House in Flushing after the closing was announced by Flushing Mayor Edward Sullivan.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN News Executive Editor

DAVISON TWP. (CCN) — Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton held a press conference Tuesday (April 1, 2025) at his Flint office to announce he has cleared a Metro Police Authority member in a Davison Towship shooting.

The officer-involved shooting incident happened on Feb. 27 when Prosecutor David Leyton said a sergeant at the Metro PD, Blake Hiben, opened fire on a suspect who fled on foot after crashing his car on Henderson Road in Davison Township. 

Prosecutor Leyton said the 39 year old victim from Garden City, Robert Nowotny, sped away after officers tried to arrest him on an outstanding warrant at the corner of Hill Road and Torrey Road. Leyton said that when the suspect crashed and exited his vehicle, he fired first at officers from neighboring departments who were assisting.

"Cruiser camera video supports the belief that Sergeant Hiben rightfully feared for his life and safety, and for that of his fellow officers," said Prosecutor Leyton. He said video shows Hiben getting out of his vehicle, pointing a gun at Hiben on the driver's side of his cruiser and opening fire.

He said Hiben fired 10 shots and Hiben returned fire with four shots.

Metro PD Chief Matt Bade said Hiben used his training to react to the situation when returning fire.

Chief Bade said, "You can see by the video that this was a calculated attempt to murder one of my officers."

Hiben has been with Metro PD since it was formed in 2017. Nowotny has been charged on felony counts for attempted murder as well as fleeing and eluding a police officer. He faces up to life in prison.

Body cam video captured how two Metro PD officers approached Nowotny's vehicle after it was pulled over for a loud exhaust and after Chief Bade said there was a 911 call about a suspicious van driving slowly with its lights off through the neighborhood at the corner of Linden Road and Hill Road. Here is audio of the initial exchange before Nowotny sped away.

Nowotny initially gave a fake name and when discovering there was a warrant for Nowotny's arrest, he was asked to get out of his vehicle and that's when he sped away.

The chase went from the corner of Hill and Torrey, to Bristol Road through the City of Burton into Davison Township with sparks flying after Nowotny blew a tire but continued on despite the flat before his Chrysler Town & Country van caught fire and crashed. Leyton said a significant amount of ammunition in the back seat exploded when the vehicle caught fire.

No local media reported the shooting previously except View Newspapers which published a short story a week after initial reports by The Daily Gazette and Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.

CCN had its initial report the next morning after the Feb. 27 incident. Davison Township Police Chief Jay Rendon said his department assisted with setting up road blocks but referred all quetions to Metro PD for comments and Burton Police Chief Brian Ross confirmed his officers assisted in the wild chase but also said details needed to come from Metro PD. 

Chief Bade did not respond then to our request for comment at the time or to confirm multiple social media reports about gunfire.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story are Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton (at right) and Metro Police Authority Chief Matt Bade at a Tuesday press conference in Flint.

BY GARY ANDERSON

 CCCN Staff Writer

FLINT (CCN) — At long last, will Flint City Council members decide on a new President?

City Clerk Davina Donahue's agenda for Monday night's (Feb. 24, 2025) meeting says she will call the meeting to order for the purpose of doing exactly that in accordance Section 3-201 (B) of the Flint City Charter. 

This section requires that the City Clerk presides until a new President is named on the first Monday meeting every November.

Donahue has not been presiding due to a legal opinion by Lansing law firm Clark Hill to let former President Dr. Ladel Lewis continue running meetings until a 4-4 deadlock can be broken on who replaces her.

Four of the city council members have stood firmly behind 7th Ward City Councilwoman Candice Mushatt in hundreds of deadlocked votes. The other four have split their votes between 9th Ward City Councilman Jonathan Jarrett and 5th Ward City Councilwoman Jerri Winfrey-Carter.

It's not known if a compromise has been reached between council members.

The leadership under Dr. Lewis has led to chaos, according to the side supporting Jarrett or Carter. the other part of the faction opposing Mayor Sheldon Neeley's four strong supporters include Councilman Don Pfeiffer in the 8th Ward and Councilwoman Tonya Burns in the 5th Ward.

Firmly behind Councilwoman Mushatt have been Neeley supporters 2nd Ward Councilwoman Dr. Lewis, 4th Ward Councilwoman Judy Priestly and 1st Ward Councilman Leon El-Amin.

Dr. Lewis has been accused of illegally removing council members and audience members while often losing control of meetings.

The late Eric Mays was elected President after the 2022 general election, then Allie Herkenroder took over in 2023 but she subsequently resigned from the council and Dr. Lewis was chose in 2024.

The 4-4 deadlock on the council was created by the death of 3rd Ward Councilman Quincy Murphy on Sept. 29 last year.

Murphy was a strong supporter of Mayor Neeley's agenda.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN News Executive Editor

LANSING CCN) — Dr. Pamela Pugh, Flint's former Chief Health Adviser under the administration of former Mayor Dr. Karen Weaver, has announced that students in Flint community schools will be hit especially hard by the Trump administration's announcement on Friday (March 28, 2025) about cuts to the $79 billion budget of the federal department of education. Trump has said he wants to close the federal department entirely.

In the meantime, he and Doge leader Elon Musk took a huge swipe at clawing back funds granted to school districts across the country as part of grants approved under the Biden administration's Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations and American Rescue Plan, known as ARPA.

The Flint school district has not yet used about $20 million of nearly $100 million in funds granted from Arpa, and may now never see the rest of that money after Friday's news.

Dr. Pugh, who is President of the Michigan Department of Education, revealed via a press release that  a communication from U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced that the deadline for reimbursement requests for Arpa funds had been changed to the same date, Friday, March 28, at 5 p.m. when the letter arrived. Prior to the change, she said the deadline had been March 28, 2026, with districts across the country, including in Michigan, having been approved to submit delayed requests for late reimbursement of their pre-approved projects. She said poor districts such as Flint, Benton Harbor and Saginaw will be hit especially hard by Friday's announcement from Washington.

The State Board of Education President said, “As a public health professional for many years, it is a particular affront to me that the U.S. Department of Education would walk back its commitment to projects that protect the health and safety of our students—including for schools in communities such as Flint, Pontiac, and Benton Harbor that were hit especially hard by COVID-19. These federally funded projects are important to students and staff in our districts in Michigan and across the country. To cancel funding approval on no notice and to tell districts that they may apply for a second approval from the U.S. Department of Education to access these funds, with different criteria, has nothing to do with service to schoolchildren."

State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice also issued a statement within Dr. Push's press release, saying, "Walking back a federal commitment to pandemic relief funds to improve the air quality, healthfulness, and safety of schools coming out of the pandemic is unacceptable. Michigan’s children stand to lose more than $40 million. Twenty-seven districts across the state have preapproved financial obligations that met criteria set by the U.S. Department of Education for extending the districts’ deadlines to request reimbursement of these funds. Instead, Secretary McMahon and the Trump Administration abruptly withdrew approval. These funds were approved to be spent on projects including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, boilers, and windows. The 27 districts entered contracts with the understanding that their preapproved projects would be reimbursed by the federal government. A change in administrations should not void previous commitments. Without the promised March 2026 date for federal reimbursement requests, districts may be forced to reduce instructional expenditures for students, diminish savings, or both to honor these contracts."

State Rep Cynthia Neeley of Flint also issued a statement about the cuts yesterday in Lansing. She said the Trump administration and DOGE coordinator Elon Musk have removed nearly $42 million in pre-approved project reimbursements among 27 Michigan school districts. She said these school districts slated to be reimbursed for projects that improved infrastructure include the Flint Carman-Ainsworth Community School District as well as Flint Community Schools. The figures, according to Rep Neeley, are more than $230,000 for Carman-Ainsworth and more than $15 for the Flint district.

She issued a statement which said, "Two school districts in my community will be affected by this terrible decision. Out of the 27 districts, Flint City School District will be out at the highest rate comparatively to any other district. This is very unfortunate. While billionaire buddies are running the White House, they are putting schools into millions of dollars of debt by yanking away promised reimbursements. That is some shady behavior. I’m fired up about this because all people deserve an education, including schools that have proper air conditioning, heating and windows. These upgrades were needed and the federal government made a commitment, and they broke that commitment, which will hurt our students. I am terribly disappointed with these decisions."

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this photo is State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh, former Chief Health Advisor in the City of Flint.

BY GARY ANDERSON

 CCCN Staff Writer

FLINT (CCN) — A couple of appointments are the only items on the agenda for Monday night's (Feb. 24, 2025) meeting of the City of Flint's Special Affairs Committee meeting.

Flint City Councilwoman Dr. Ladel Lewis, who represents the 2nd Ward, wants Peggy Stribling re-appointed to the City-Wide Advisory Council when her current terms expires at the end of this month. 

Stribling will continue to represent the 2nd Ward from March 1, 2025 until Feb. 28, 2028, if re-appointed by the city council.

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley has an item on the agenda to appoint Rodrick Green as the 3rd Ward representative on the Flint Planning Commission.

The 3rd Ward seat on the city council has been vacant since the death of Quincy Murphy on Sept. 29. The Flint City Charter calls for a replacement to be named within 30 days, but the council has been deadlocked in a 4-4 tie over who to appoint. 

That's why no name was brought forth to pick an individual to serve for the next term on the Flint Planning Commission which will be from March 1, 2025 until Feb. 28, 2028. The seat is currently vacant.

Green works as a Title One Para-professional at Holmes Middle School and Holmes Stem Academy in the Flint school district. He has coached youth teams at Holmes, Flint Hamady and McMonagle Elementary School.

Stribling retired after 35 years with the General Motors Parts Service Operations in Grand Blanc. She has done community work during her retirement years with the Blue Badge police program, a Flint Planning Commission special project, as Home Care Coordinator for nearly three years at Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation and on Mayor Neeley's AARPA Community Advisory Committee that evaluated where to spend about $100 million in federal funds that came to the city after COVID.

If approved, both resolutions will move forward to the Flint City Council for possible action.

FLINT (CCN) — A $10 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation will help re-open the shuttered old Beecher High School building.

The announcement was made via a post on the Mott Foundation's web site.

“The Mott Foundation wants to help young people in our community succeed in school and life, and we continue to look for ways to reach and support them — no matter where they attend school,” said Ridgway White, President & CEO of the Mott Foundation. “This is a great opportunity to help one of our local school districts improve outcomes and strengthen the educational ecosystem in our community.”

The Beecher district’s shuttered its old high school building in 2004 to address a significant fiscal deficit and relocated all high school students to the middle school building, where it has since operated both schools in the same space. The fully renovated high school building will feature 20 classrooms with innovative spaces that could serve up to 500 students. There are currently about 250 high school students enrolled in the Beecher district.

The old high school building has about 49,000 square feet of room inside it.

The renovation is estimated to cost about $18 million and will include: demolishing small buildings on the site; replacing the roof, windows, flooring and doors; and relocating the gym and cafeteria. The building also will receive a new entrance and HVAC system, as well as new lockers. All that is according to Richard Klee who just retired after serving as Beecher superintendent since July 2021. He said the district has achieved financial stabilization, allowing it to develop a vision for both enhanced facilities and academic offerings that will better meet the needs of today’s students and families.

“This is about more than just a new building for our students,” Klee said. “The new high school and a re-imagined curriculum will create an opportunity for students to focus on career pathways and the soft skills required to advance in the world of work beyond graduation.”

 Klee said the new curriculum will include early access to career and technical education and precollege programming while offering other programming in fine arts and performing arts, health care, as well as in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.

Klee noted that the comprehensive high school model also will include community education and afterschool programming, and the district plans to increase social work support and enhance social-emotional programming.

In addition to the Mott Foundation, the state of Michigan and local philanthropist Matt Rizik have contributed significant support to the renovation project. Rizik, a Flint area native and chief executive officer at Detroit-based ROCK which serves the Dan Gilbert family and its companies, kicked off a capital campaign for the new high school in 2022 with a personal donation and then publicly rallied more support for the project.

“Ever since I had the privilege of meeting the students and families of Beecher High, my passion for this project has only grown,” Rizik said. “The Beecher community is rich in resilience and resourcefulness, but like so many, it has needed meaningful investment to unlock its full potential. In just the short time I’ve been working with the school, I’ve witnessed the students’ passion for learning and their drive to succeed. The Mott Foundation’s grant will provide the students with the environment they deserve to build a strong foundation for lifelong success.”

Work to renovate the school already has begun, and the district hopes to welcome ninth through 12th grade students to the building by early 2026.

“As a 1983 Beecher High School graduate, I’m proud to see that a piece of Beecher’s history is being restored and will soon be a welcoming place for students once again,” said Marvin Smoot who is Presiden to the Beecher Board of Education. 

He added: “Our students and the community deserve to be proud of what this district has to offer, and I’m excited for the future. We will continue to work together with teachers, staff and the community to focus on great outcomes for our kids.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is a photo of the old Beecher High School building.

BY MELISSA MARTIN

 CCCN Staff Writer

MUNDY TWP. (CCN) — A man's controversial death reported exclusively by CCN on its Metro Flint News/Talk Radio and at theDailyGazette.net last month has led to at least one public official taking notice.

In fact, Mundy Township Trustee Kyle Ward made a  motion Monday night (Jan. 13, 2025) to end his township's contract with Medstar.

Trustee Leah Davis supported the motion but the board voted it down 5-to-2.

Supervisor Jennifer Arrand Stainton made an alternative motion approved 7-0 to re-visit the issue in February.

Medstar serves multiple communities across the Metro Flint regional area that have exclusive contracts with the company for ambulance service.

 Medstar's web site describes the ambulance serve as "southeast Michigan’s largest and most integrated EMS and mobile health provider .. serving more than 190,000 patients annually throughout Bay, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Ingham, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties."

A request for comment from Medstar has not yet been responded to by any company officials.

Mundy Township has been using Medstar since May 2022 when CEO Kolby Miller gave board members a "guarantee" that they would respond within nine minutes at least 90 percent of the time.

“When you staff on a demand model, you place your vehicles where the highest probability of a call is going to be for a safe response and during the peak times, we staff for peak volume," CEO MIller had told Mundy Township board members prior to winning the contract. 

Miller said at the time that she was aware that concerns had been raised in Genesee County about potential lawsuits, liability issues, or longer response times in the case that an ambulance from another company might be closer to the 911 call. “I think that when you design vehicles so that you’re preventing 35 and 40- and 50-minute response times that some of the periphery in the county is seeing, and managing all of the response times, you ultimately improve the response time for the system. Rather than just focusing on a 45 second or 50 second difference between one or two of the individual calls and using that as some sort of scare tactic.”

Trustee Ward stressed that if another ambulance is closer to a 911 call, it should be sent out to save lives.

The case reported by CCN involved a Grand Blanc man who needed an ambulance but one wasn't available because of fears of not getting paid in Flint where his vehicle accident occurred. The man was transported to the hospital via a private vehicle and died.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is a photo of Mundy Township Trustee Kyle Ward.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

MUNDY TWP. (CCN) — Newly-elected Mundy Township Supervisor Jennifer Arrand Stainton flexed her political muscle today (Jan. 27, 2025) by adding some power to her team.

She has made it clear she's unhappy with Township Attorney Jack Belzer and Township Manager Chad Young but she has stopped short of saying they will be fired.

Dave Huffman isn't so shy about his feelings on the subject. The Morning Gazette Radio Show reported today on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio that Huffman would be sworn in soon as Stainton's new Deputy Supervisor and he said: "They elected Jennifer by a big margin and if anybody left over from the old administration doesn't realize it, the people have spoken." 

The Daily Gazette has learned that Huffman took his official oath at about 1 pm.

The agenda for a 7 pm meeting tonight of the Mundy Township Board of Trustees has "Introduction of Dave Huffman" listed under comments by Supervisor Stainton.

She could not be reached for comment.

State law permits Township Supervisors to appoint a Deputy Supervisor.

Township Clerks must be notified of this and Mundy Township Clerk Cory Bostwick has not yet responded to a request for a comment.

State law says a Deputy Supervisor can be paid from the Supervisor's salary or be an unpaid volunteer if Supervisor Stainton is unable to get four votes to set a salary for Huffman.

Supervisor Stainton won by more than 500 votes in November on an agenda to stop the proposed advanced manufacturing site from going in on the so-called Mega Site that consists of more than 1,300 acres bordered by Linden Road, Elms Road, Maple Road and Jennings Road. Governor Gretchen Whitmer allowed the Flint & Genesee Group's Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance to get $269 million in state taxpayer funding without a business plan or a buyer to build a plant there to support her push for electric vehicles. 

Two others she endorsed for Trustee also won at the ballot box — incumbent board member Kyle Ward and newcomers Leah Davis and Zack Sack. All three are Republicans and Stainton is believed to be the first Republican Supervisor elected since the township was organized in 1837.

New Treasurer Danelle Barker, a former Chair of the Mundy Township Planning Commission, is also a Republican.

"With five Republicans on the new board, maybe it's time the county party needs to step up and explain to these elected officials how they need to support their Republican administration of the newly-elected Supervisor voters put in," Huffman said about opposition he says Supervisor Stainton is facing from inside Mundy Township Hall. 

She told The Morning Gazette Radio Show last month that Township Manager Young took the office of old Supervisor Tonya Ketzler and erected a new sign above the door while also taking the Supervisor's Secretary for himself and appointing himself to boards around the county to represent the county. A special meeting was also called after Stainton spoke at a Flint City Council meeting and Young accused of her "representing Mundy Township there with no board authority to do so."

Stainton also claimed Township Attorney Belzer told her she couldn't do it.

She contacted attorney Paul Scott and Belzer reacted to his call with Scott at the next board meeting to admit the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution allows anyone free speech.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mundy Township Clerk Cory Bostwick responded after the story above was published. She said she swore in no Deputy Supervisor but said the Supervisor has the authority to appoint a Deputy Supervisor.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Dave Huffman being sworn in as Deputy Supervisor in Mundy Township

  (CCN) — Genesee's varsity football team goes to Burton next Friday night (Oct. 4, 2024) to take on the first place Bentley Bulldogs in Genesee Area Conference (GAC) action. 

The kick-off is scheduled for 7 pm.

Genesee collected a forfeit victory this week ago over Flint International Academy to go to 2-2 in GAC. The Wolves are 3-2 overall in this year's return to 11-man football play.

Flint International Academy is also making a return to 11-man football this season and was forced to forfeit due to injuries leaving the roster without enough players to compete.

Bentley is 2-0 so far in GAC play with of 34-6 over Flint Beecher and 35-0 over Flint International Academy. The Bulldogs lost their non-conference opener 22-15 to Flint Southwestern in the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic at Kettering University's historic Atwood Stadium in Flint. They then lost 48-18 last week at Whitmore Lake in another non-conference contest. Bentley goes to Bendle for a battle of Burton Friday night (Sept. 27, 2024).

Genesee's 2-0 GAC record trails only Burton Atherton which is off to a 3-0 start in GAC play. Atherton is idle from GAC action this week with a non-conference trip to Holton on tap.