VIEWPOINTS SECTION ⚫ OPINIONS

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Wednesday, August 20, 2025

 The horrible story being shared in today’s column ranks right up there with one of the most frustrating I’ve encountered in 50 years as a journalist.  It’s downright sad and I need your help to get something done about it. 

Share this Editor’s Notebook with everyone you know. Urge immediate action to get it to go viral.  

I’d trade all my statewide and national awards to bring justice here.  

Let's just say Clinton County needs to be thrown out of the USA. They elected a Prosecutor who needs to become famous as an example of the worst of the worst when it comes to delivering justice for his community.  If the photos on today's front page don’t break your heart, grab a box of Kleenex and read this heartfelt letter below from an official at a horse rescue know as Horses Haven in Howell: 

In all the years, in no world, would we have ever thought this could happen. Horses Haven, our staff, our veterinarians and our volunteers have been brought to our knees.   If you have followed us and know us, we do not make posts screaming from the rooftops regarding our opinions on injustices in this industry.

 We fully support, assist, transport, treat, house, care for, and honor the subpoenas to many animals involved in law enforcement cases. There were 96 in 2025 and 13 so far this year. Although flawed, we have to trust they system and the people in it to ensure these animals voices are heard and the law is upheld. It is a flawed system at times and we react to those flaws by educating, learning and moving on to the next horse in need, knowing that the people in the legal system are fighting alongside us. 

Our stance has ALWAYS been to allow the legal system the time and grace to complete their investigation, never posting details on social media. In regard to Clinton County, our stance has changed.

  On February 24, 2025, Horses’ Haven was called to a property in Clinton County. There were 2 animals involved, one was down, a body condition score of 1 and frozen on the ice but still breathing. The second was a shaggy pony, standing, also a body condition score of 1.   We immediately mobilized our team, as well as our veterinarian and were onsite within 90 minutes of the call. Our efforts started with the grey horse. Warm IV fluids, medications and so many human hands trying to massage and unthaw his frozen flesh enough that he could get on his feet.

 The effort to save the grey was not successful. He was humanely euthanized onsite. It was one of the worst deaths I personally have witnessed.   The pony was seized, loaded and brought back to Horses’ Haven for intake evaluation and vetting. He was so shaggy and covered in burs it was hard to see what was under there. Laying hands on him made it clear just how emaciated he was. His soft nickers as we painstakingly removed the burs, drew blood and removed the sharp points from the few teeth he had left went a long way in softening the edges of our hearts that felt like they were left frozen on the ground with the grey. 

We didn’t know his name and our veterinarian choose to call him RC, for rotator cuff, which she injured in trying to get the other horse to his feet. The name stuck.   RC is very old and requires extraordinary care to keep alive. He cannot masticate even soft grass. He is fed soaked pellets 4 times a day to replace the forage he needs and can not chew. He eats three soupy grain meals a day on top of that to get the additional calories he needs. His cushings test was the highest we have ever seen. It is not easily managed by the medication and the side effects of the disease are significant.

 He is not able to regulate his body temperature so when it is hot, he is hosed multiple times per day and brought in a stall to stand behind a fan. When it is cold, he needs a blanket and a heated stall.

 Does he have good quality life? I was not sure we could get there. We did. He has a mini mule friend Wilma he adores, he can lift and hold his head high again, he runs to his meals, he knickers at everyone and his eyes sparkle with life. Does he have many days left? Likely not but those days deserve to be ones that are comfortable and preserve his dignity.   Yesterday, I was ordered to return RC to his owner.

 They powers that be in Clinton County Michigan choose to create a plea deal that has certainly signed this bright little soul to suffer a horrible, unthinkable death.

This was not a case of questionable equine welfare laws or grey areas. This case, presented to a jury of peers, would most surely have had a very different result.  So today we step into an arena that is new to us. The arena where shock, compassion fatigue and the people who pour themselves into this work daily, are heard. 

The Board of Directors, the staff, the 130 volunteers who have come to love RC and have accepted their role in his end-of-life care with such love and dedication. 

The emotions, confusion, defeat, anger and so many emotions we have all have yet to put a name to are not easily conveyed in words but I am sure you can see them shining through in the photos.   Whether hired or elected, the people who hold the positions that have allowed this unacceptable outcome need to hear these voices shouting from the rooftops. Our voices will likely not change the outcome for RC but they can surely change the outcome for future animals.   

This is not our arena, we do not know where the ball stops and who holds the power to make a change. * We do know that it is not Animal Control and their officers. We fully support and grieve with them so please do not reach out to them. * Our hopes are that by opening up and sharing,  RC’s story will make it to the people that do have the power to stop this from ever happening again.  Help us share his story. 

READ OLD EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK COLUMNS

Read This Week's Featured Column

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Mike Killbreath appears on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio via The Morning Gazette Radio Show weekday mornings from 8 am until 9:30 am. He's an award-winning newspaper columnist and investigative reporter who is the former long-time owner of the local Metro Flint area chain of 14 community newspapers. This fall marked his 50th year as a journalist. He also hosts a new weekly national TV show known as The American Crusaders on cable TV and various OTT TV live streaming platforms.

Friday, June 20, 2025

(Part 1 of a 2-part series)

Of course I had proof you could fix stupid before Donald Trump became President, and his team took over the reins of power in the national government.  

I learned you could fix stupid early on from my late mom who fixed stupid every day in our household when I was growing up, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.  On those days, I was around my mom a lot more for her physical approach to fixing stupid.  She often said she was beating the devil out of us.

My mom, now that I think about it, fixed stupid every day in our household, particularly on the weekends, constantly reminding us that we, the  children, would be better representatives of her fixing stupid, even if she had to use anything she would get her hands on to make that point clear.

I can’t speak for my three brothers, and my one sister, growing up, but as for me, I learned from my mom that you can certainly fix stupid, especially when it comes to fixing it in one’s household.  

The same rules I have learned apply elsewhere, and in all circumstances.  

But here’s the catch, you cannot fix stupid by using stupid people to fix it!

President Donald Trump has assembled a political team in the nation’s capital unlike any political team in living memory. 

The norm has been to put Washington inside players in key positions, and then repeating the same pattern over and over again.

Stupid doesn’t fix itself.  

What is so different about the Trump administration is that President Trump, as a competent leader, has embraced the opportunity to appoint other competent people to surround him.

You can most certainly fix stupid, which is what the American people came to understand, albeit belatedly, which is why Donald J. Trump is President of the United States of America, and his naysayers are not.

(Tomorrow, part 2, “Fixing stupid starts with getting rid of stupid people.”)

READ MORE GEORGE MOSS COLUMNS

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George Moss often appears on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio via The Morning Gazette Radio Show weekday mornings from 8 am until 9:30 am. He's a retired administrator from the Beecher school district who also worked for many years at the University of Michigan-Flint. He hosts a weekly TV show via All Points TV. 

George on Rumble via All Points TV:  Ukraine Controversy and The Constitutional Crisis

Sunday, June 1, 2025

 Hey y'all, as you know, I enjoy posting informative posts. This is such a post. As I pondered the closure of Flint's Job Corps, I needed to understand the why factor. I think I see the big picture, albeit a painful bigger picture! 

And yes, it's long but I've condensed it as much as I could! I'm heading back to North Carolina and not currently driving! I got nothing but time to write! Lol 

This is truly the End of an Era. What did Job Corps mean to Flint and more importantly, what comes next.

Job Corps has been a lifeline for Flint's most vulnerable young people. As we face the reality of its closure, in Flint and nationwide, it's important to understand what we're losing and how we can move forward. 

Job Corps wasn't just a training program. It really was a second chance factory for our youth. The program served young people aged 16-24 who faced significant barriers to success such as poverty, lack of family support, educational gaps, and limited employment opportunities in their communities.

For many students, Job Corps provided their first stable living situation. Think about that for a second and let it sink in. The residential centers offered not just a place to sleep, but a structured environment where young people could focus on learning without worrying about where their next meal would come from or whether they'd have a safe place to stay.

The program offered over 100 career training areas, from healthcare and construction to culinary arts and information technology.

 Students didn't just learn job skills. The cool thing is that they earned their high school diplomas or GEDs, learned life skills like budgeting and communication, and received career counseling and job placement assistance. Perhaps most importantly, Job Corps gave students something many had never experienced: hope. It showed young people from disadvantaged backgrounds that they could build successful careers and stable lives, even when the odds seemed stacked against them.

Job Corps centers were significant employers in their communities, providing steady jobs for teachers, counselors, healthcare workers, security staff, food service workers, and administrators. Many staff members were deeply committed to the mission, often working for lower wages than they could earn elsewhere because they believed in helping young people transform their lives. Not only were the students affected by the closure, but staff as well.

The program also supported local economies through partnerships with businesses that hired graduates and contracted services from Job Corps centers. Many communities took pride in their Job Corps centers, seeing them as symbols of opportunity and second chances.

At its best, Job Corps represented America's commitment to ensuring that every young person has a chance to succeed, regardless of their background. The program embodied the belief that society benefits when we invest in our most vulnerable citizens and help them become productive, contributing members of their communities.

Job Corps graduates went on to work in essential industries across America such as healthcare workers, mechanics, construction workers, chefs, and in countless other occupations that keep our communities running. Many became small business owners, community leaders, and mentors to other young people facing similar challenges. The hope that they received was simply paid forward to the current students.

The program also helped break cycles of poverty and incarceration in the city of Flint by giving young people skills, education, and hope. Job Corps prevented many from turning to crime or remaining dependent on government assistance long-term.

I completely understand why Trump closed Job Corps down. I don't agree with their decision, but I now understand why. The Trump administration's decision to suspend Job Corps operations was based on concerns about program effectiveness, safety issues and cost.

The administration pointed to one major and troubling statistic: only about 39% of students were graduating from the program, despite costs of over $155,000 per student, which cost as much as a four-year college education. Graduates were often finding only minimum-wage jobs, earning an average of just $16,695 annually after leaving the program.

Now, while many folks look at 39% being a decent number, I believe that, based on my findings, that the number may be closer to a 32% graduation rate. That's essentially one out of every three enrolled students graduating. To be considered a successful program, four out of five students should've graduated. Realistic? Maybe not, but the bar should've been set higher. The students deserved it.

Safety concerns were also significant, with nearly 15,000 serious incident reports filed in 2023 alone, including hundreds of cases of sexual assault and violence, thousands of drug-related incidents, and numerous security breaches. For me, protecting the students should've been more of a priority.

The program was also facing a major budget crisis, operating at a $140 million deficit in 2024 with projections showing the deficit would grow to over $200 million in 2025. The administration argued that taxpayers deserved better outcomes for such a substantial investment. I couldn't argue with that but still, I don't agree!

An answer would've been to create better oversight, build a better program that gave the students only one option, graduate or leave. Students that struggled should've been given stronger tutors, additional training when necessary or anything else to help them succeed, but not graduating was NOT to be an option. 

What can America do to move  forward? I'm glad that you asked! 

The closure of Job Corps doesn't eliminate the need for programs serving disadvantaged youth. 

If anything, it highlights how critical these services are. Here's what  I believe communities and policymakers can do: Support Existing Alternatives

Many communities have local workforce development programs, community colleges with supportive services, and nonprofit organizations serving at-risk youth. These programs need increased funding and support to help absorb some of the young people who would have been served by Job Corps.

Advocate for Program Reform

Rather than eliminating Job Corps entirely, advocates can push for comprehensive reform that addresses the safety and effectiveness issues while preserving the program's mission. This might include better oversight, improved curriculum, enhanced safety protocols, and stronger partnerships with employers. This program is necessary but remodeled and revamped, eliminating waste.

Invest in Prevention

Communities can invest more heavily in programs that help young people before they reach crisis points such as mentoring programs, after-school activities, summer jobs programs, and school-based career counseling.

Create New Models

Create new approaches that are more effective and cost-efficient. This might include shorter-term intensive programs, better integration with existing community resources, or innovative partnerships between employers and training providers.

Don't Forget the People

As we debate policy and programs, we must remember that behind every statistic is a young person who needs help. Former Job Corps students, staff members, and communities affected by closures need support during this transition.

Job Corps wasn't perfect, but for many young people, it was the difference between a life of struggle and a life of possibility. As we move forward, we must ensure that Flint and America doesn't abandon its commitment to helping all young people succeed. The need for second chances hasn't disappeared at all. We just need to find better ways to provide them.

The true measure of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. As we face the end of Job Corps, we have the opportunity to build something better. The question is whether we have the will to do it.

READ MORE MARTY EMBRY COLUMNS

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Marty Embry is a former administrator in the Flint school district and an author of 10 books. He was the star center on two of the old Flint Central's state championship teams under legendary Coach Stan Gooch, then went on to star at DePaul University before playing professionally overseas.

Monday, March 24, 2025

Last week, U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes, a Biden appointee, halted President Trump’s policy that prohibits transgender individuals from serving in the military. 

To understand the significance of this ruling, we need to look at the policy’s origins and the reasons behind it.

Transgender-identifying individuals were never allowed to serve in the military until former President Obama changed the policy during the final days of his administration. Upon taking office in 2017, President Trump reversed that decision, citing multiple factors, including cost and military readiness.

According to an analysis by the Family Research Council, which informed the 2017 policy decision, the projected cost of allowing transgender individuals to serve — which was before active recruitment began under the Biden administration — was estimated at $1.88 billion over 10 years. It’s even more now. This staggering price tag reflects taxpayer dollars that would have been used for medical treatments like hormone therapy and surgeries, along with the cost of lost service time because of the treatments.

To put that in perspective, those funds could purchase 22 F-35 fighter jets, 116 Chinook Helicopters, 3,700 Tomahawk missiles, or a Navy destroyer instead. President Trump made the right decision in 2017, and he made the right decision to reinstate the policy.

The military’s mission is clear, as the president wrote in his executive order: “to protect the American people and our homeland as the world’s most lethal and effective fighting force. 

This objective should not be compromised to accommodate political agendas or ideologies. … Military service must be reserved for those who are both mentally and physically fit to serve.”

Judge Reyes, in her 79-page ruling, called the Trump policy “unabashedly demeaning” and claimed it was “soaked in animus.” 

Using twisted logic at best, she argued that it is sex discrimination to prohibit transgenderism, because “a biological female who identifies as a woman is not banned.” That’s precisely the point. Women can serve, and men can serve, but not men who think they are women. Keep in mind the military routinely excludes individuals based on factors that affect readiness, such as excessive body fat, pregnancy, endometriosis, or even motion sickness. These exclusions are not acts of discrimination — they are practical measures to ensure mission preparedness.

Judge Reyes may want to reconsider her interpretation of presidential authority. 

The Constitution, in Article II, explicitly designates the president as the commander in chief of the Armed Forces. As former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in 2022, “Judges are not given the task of running the military.” That responsibility falls to the president, whose primary duty is to ensure the safety and security of the nation.

It’s also worth noting that Judge Reyes criticized the lack of studies to support the Trump administration’s policy reversal, while ignoring the fact that the Biden administration conducted no studies when it overturned Trump’s policy on the fifth day of his presidency.

President Trump is right, and Judge Reyes is wrong. Military policy should be driven by effectiveness and national security — not the Left’s destructive ideology. 

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Washington Watch is a nationally syndicated show hosted by Tony Perkins that airs on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio daily at 5 am. He’s the fourth (and longest serving) President of the Family Research Council. He’s been President since 2003 and is one of the nation’s leading conservative voices.

 Received via e-mail on June 26, 2024

Dear Editor,

One year ago, I introduced the Equality Act to protect all Americans, including LGBTQ+ Americans, from employment, housing, and other forms of discrimination.

In many states, it's still legal to discriminate against LGBTQ+ Americans. No one should worry about losing their job or housing simply because of who they are or who they love.

We’ve made great progress, including the U.S. Supreme Court recognizing marriage equality in 2015. But Congress must act to protect all Americans, including LGBTQ+ Americans, from discrimination.

Sincerely,
Dan Kildee

United States Congressman

Flint Twp. Resident

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT (CCN) — Newly-elected U.S. Senator Ellisa Slotkin of Holly and State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh were the keynote speakers Saturday during an International Women's Day event in Downtown Flint.

Delrico Lloyd, Chairman of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, had high praise for the group when joining more than 400 people who showed up to protest the Donald Trump administration at Wilson Park on Kearsley Street, near the UM-Flint campus.

"Right here in Flint was one of the events going on around the country," Lloyd said. "What a beautiful crowd. What an awesome crowd."

Similar events around the state took place in nearby Macomb County, the City of Detroit and in west Michigan at the DeVoss Center in Grand Rapids.

International Women's Day is held annually on March 8 to commemorate the fight for equality and liberation by women

The women's rights movement is celebrated but the 2025 theme was to "acknowledge the progress made since the original commemoration in 1911" while noting "a lot still needs to be accomplished, if we are to create a sustainable future for women and girls."

All of the events this year, however, turned into protests by cuts President Donald Trump is making to federal programs and federal jobs. Like Flint, every event featured lots of picket signs by protestors who oppose Republican Trump and support Democrats.

Lloyd is a Democrat who is Chief Deputy Assistant to UAW International President Shawn Faim.

Slotkin is a Democrat who left her seat in the U.S. House to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated at the end of the year by Senator Debbie Stabenow. Slotkin defeated Mike Rogers of Detroit who formerly served in the U.S. House when living in Brighton. It was one of the most expensive races in Congress.

Dr. Pugh is also a Democrat. She was re-elected earlier this year as President of the State Board of Education after losing in the primary to eventual new Congresswoman Kristin McDonald-Rivet who replaced retiring Dan Kildee of Flint Township.

Dr. Pugh is the former chief health advisor in the City of Flint during the water crisis.

She said: "A woman standing alone is fierce, but when we stand together, we are a force!  Honored to have participated in the Flint International Women’s Day Rally, organized by the incredible Samantha Lawrence Siebert and Megan Ropeta,   where women united to fight for equity, justice, and a future where no one is left behind. Let’s continue to uplift, protect, and empower each other — because together, we are unstoppable!"

Senator Slotkin said she told her daughters "everything would be okay" when Trump was elected the first time but added: "I can't say that this time."

Easterari Photography presents a gallery of photos from the event below.

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TOP RECENT FACEBOOK COMMENTS

Reactions to George Moss Columns:

Thomas Suffel

 May God keep blessing you George! (George's Reply: He will. I am the favorite George in His Index. Smile.)

Lynn Dabiels

I see that the left is not interested in figuring out where they are wrong. They are not interested in the citizens of this country. They are only interested in power and that is not good.I pray that the new Trump administration is strong enough to continue their momentum...  Listening to people like the mayor of Chicago and governor of Illinois as well as Kamala and the liberal brainless it appears that this coming year will be interesting. 

 Charles Harris

Mr. Moss, my last go-round teaching, I had a kid in my class wearing "Sons of Anarchy", clothing, and crying openly the entire period. 14 years old. I asked him what was wrong; no reply. Being as I have degrees in both Social Work AND Child Psychology, on top of 51 YEARS of experience, I reported him to the Administrator (who happened to be a Black female). She did me the courtesy of actually listening to me, but then, just "blew me off". Two weeks later, they took a gun off the kid. My considered opinion is that the trend toward, "tolerance", in addition to the fear of being sued, has created a climate in our schools where no one wants to "accuse", anyone's child of anything. I actually saw this coming way back in 1978, when I was still in college, working as a Substitute teacher to make money. "Laquanisha-with-the-Fingernails", has the entire public education system in America, everywhere, in total retreat.

Reactions to Pastor Jim Reid's Daily Encouragement Column:

 Theresa N Enoch Shelton

Letting far to many criminals come across our borders! And we definitely need to be in prayer for those missing

 Kelly M Hinman

We Need to Be aware and Look Out For Our Neighbors, or anything out of the ordinary we might see, Speak up if your wrong so what.

Reactions to Executive Editor Miek Killbreath's post about job openings at CCN:

Dennis Drake

Glad to see hiring instead of firing! Good luck

 Art Neil

I'm in Mike .when do I start?

 Tom Sussi

Art Neil, you can make more as a Walmart greeter, Art, and meet much more interesting people, too.

 Jim Kiertzner

Art Neil, let’s do a 3-person show

 Tom Sussi

Jim Kiertzner, split the $20 three ways?

 Cecelia Guerra Rice

This is great news

 Tony Fischer

What a rare ground floor opportunity.

 Jim Hampton

Mike Killbreath, if you want me to record some station, IDs or breaks , just let me know.

 Robert Stewart

Congratulations. Welcome back

Reactions to Executive Editor Miek Killbreath's post about Willie Mays passing away

 Mike Killbreath

 · One of my all-time favorite players is gone at age 93. Willie Mays is in Heaven patrolling center field tonight in his return to baseball. 

 Dave Huffman

Saw him play at the old Crosley field in cincy in 1961

Andrew Clark Sr.

Omg ... I honestly thought he was dead in the '80s. He lived a long life

David McDonald

Willie Mays cartoon from 1972 Willie Mays cartoon from 1972:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DVqZABhHUoeE&ved=2ahUKEwi076_zzvOGAxXhfTABHeEzAQwQo7QBegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw1tx74n_323BqdyZeG3fev5

David McDonald

I remember watching that cartoon. Age 7.

Reactions to Executive Editor Mike Killbreath's post about campaign signs going up illegally all over Genesee County

Mike Killbreath

 ·50 days until Election Day … 5 more days until campaign signs can go up yet there are literally dozens all over the county. Are laws just not enforced any more? 

 Tom Sussi

I’ll take this one. Nope.

Craig Ochodnicky

Not for Demonrats 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

You can send Letters to the Editor to us at:

news@thedailygazette.net

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LETTER TOTHE EDITOR:

In a response to Richard Wagonlander’s Sept. 13 (Facebook) post about Mott Community College’s Board of Trustees, Flushing Mayor Joe Karlichek responded with some claims that merit further examination. I’m an English professor at Mott and a Flushing resident. 

Karlichek writes, “Why don’t you explain to the community how Dale Weighill, sitting County Commissioner & VP of Mott Community College is pushing for you to replace one of their board members? A guy who is paid $180,000-plus tax paid salary between both jobs.” 

Aside from this sounding like sour grapes because Karlichek lost an August primary to Weighill, Karlichek’s statement is misleading. Weighill is not “VP of Mott Community College.” Weighill is the Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement. Mott has one VP, and that’s Jason Wilson (Vice President, Student Academic Success). Weighill is one of three associate VPs at Mott, which also has four assistant vice presidents. 

As for Weighill’s salary at Mott, he earns a going rate for his position and there’s nothing in his contract that prohibits him from holding public office. Karlichek writes, “Why don’t you explain to the community that MCC graduates (one) out of (five) students.”

Karlichek is using statistics to mislead, something we English teachers try to teach our students to avoid. The average two-year graduation rate for community colleges (CCs) in the United States is 13 percent. That puts Mott well above the national average, on par with many CCs in Michigan, and well ahead of many others in our state.

 Additionally, all CCs face obstacles to raising their two-year graduation rates. For one thing, many students transfer out of CCs to complete their education elsewhere without applying for graduation from their CC, which counts against the school's graduation rate  — even when those transfer students have earned 60 credits or more (the equivalent of an associate degree) from their CC.  Another factor is that CCs are commuter institutions that attract many non-traditional students, students who are 24 years old and older.

These students have family and work obligations that are difficult to navigate while attending college. (These students are heroes, by the way)

Because of the complexity of their lives, it is nearly impossible for students at CCs to graduate in two years.  Karlichek writes, “Why don’t you explain to the community why MCC, with the lowest graduating rate, has nearly the highest cost to attend?” Lowest graduation rate among what? Certainly not among CCs in Michigan, where several CCs have graduation rates in the teens. Highest cost among what? According to the State of Michigan, the average CC tuition and fees for one year is $4,816. At Mott, it’s $5,456. Of the 32 CCs in Michigan, 12 have average tuition of $5,000 or more, and there are five with tuition higher than Mott’s. And if Karlichek means that Mott’s the most expensive college in town, he’s way off base. UM-Flint’s tuition is roughly $27,000 per year. Kettering is $44,380 annually.

Karlichek writes, “Why don’t you explain to the community why MCC, who collects millions in federal funds is not meeting the accreditation expectations and standards?”

These are just lies.  Mott is a fully accredited institution in good standing with the Higher Learning Commission, its accrediting body.

Also, like every institution of higher education that receives federal monies, Mott submits to an independent audit annually for compliance with Title IV programs  — to which federal funds are linked. The audit also includes the college’s finances. Mott is in compliance and all funds from the federal government are accounted for.

Karlichek writes, “I can go on if you like, but these are just starters.”

A list of concerns with evidence would be welcome. Karlichek finishes with this: “MCC is in trouble. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity. Is this something you are subscribing to?”

In what kind of trouble is Mott in, exactly?  Mott’s not failing in any way.

The staff, administrators, and faculty members at Mott  — my colleagues  — are working constantly to ensure that Mott remains a going concern, and we take pride in being Genesee County's anchor institution.

 We’re always thinking of our obligations to stakeholders and how we can meet the needs of every community we serve. We’ve emerged from COVID a stronger, more resilient institution than we were before, and our enrollment numbers increase every semester.

 And for what it’s worth, no one at Mott does the same thing over and over again. We are constantly innovating, always striving to anticipate the needs of our students and stakeholders  — and we’re doing so in one of the poorest counties in the U.S., while being attacked by people who know absolutely nothing about how institutions of higher education are run.

 If Karlichek thinks that Mott’s in trouble, he needs to cite his sources.  Also for what it's worth, in his Sept. 13 post, Richard Wagonlander called out Mott Board of Trustees Chair Andy Everman for his sexism, which has been on display since January 2023, when Everman became chair. Thanks, Richard Wagonlander. I appreciate that.

  Paula Weston

Flushing Resident 

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LETTER TOTHE EDITOR:

I just finished watching the Mott College board of trustees' meeting of last night. The first word that popped into my head was "megalomania." I finally have a descriptive for Andy Everman. 

He is determined to create the "college of the future" at Mott College, without any reference to input from other strategic planners, or community input. When he spoke against the strategic planning process that was going forward at the college, he said he wanted to allow the new college president to lead the process. 

Alas! That was not his plan. It was to intrude his own megalomania and sense of power into planning for the future of Mott College. No one else has a role in the plan, unless they are nodding heads and applauding his posturing.

Some of the things he proposes may be good, or they may be unworkable. They may not fit into what the college is able to do, given available resources.  Most importantly, they do not include input from others outside his board cohort.  

The public has no role. The faculty has no role.

 The administration is expected to do the research and bring the vision back to him. It is the Andy Everman exploration of ways to force his vision on the rest of us. Sort of a dictatorship kind of thing. 

Remember to vote all the way down the ballot. BABs for Democracy will be endorsing three candidates next week. One of them will not be Andy Everman. We need to save Mott Community College.

 — Bobbie Clayton Walton

Davison Township Resident

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LETTER TOTHE EDITOR:

On Thursday, June 20 and Friday, June 21, 2024 communications from multiple sources were received by the Metro Police Authority regarding a planned protest at the Redwood Steakhouse which was to take place at 5 pm on June 21st. The sources indicated that there may be various reasons for the protest and the numbers were unknown.

The Metro Police Authority takes an operational approach of proactive policing whenever possible. This is equally important for planned or special events since our resources are limited. By planning for such events pubic safety can be maintained more effectively and efficiently.

In order to effectively maintain the safety for those participating in the protest as well as vehicular traffic and surrounding businesses it is vital that we are able to clearly define where a protest can lawfully occur. This information was relayed to the protest organizer on Friday, June 21st prior to the start of the protest. The protest occurred without incident and public safety for all was maintained.

Matt Bade, Police Chief

Metro Police Authority

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LETTER TOTHE EDITOR:

Dear Genesee Township Residents: 

After 12 years of serving at the township first as your Chief of Police,  and the past eight years as your elected treasurer, I’ve decided to retire and will not be seeking re-election. As police chief I worked to protect your families safety and as treasurer I have worked to protect and grow the township’s financial resources. 

My son Andrew Sorensen is now seeking the office of treasurer to replace me. Andrew shares my philosophy of finances and public service and will maintain the high level of service we provide at the township treasury office.

Andrew has an advanced college degree, has served several years on the planning commission for the City of Mt. Morris, has worked at the Flint Public Library for several years,  and he is currently serving as Deputy Treasurer for Genesee Township.

Andrew’s experience in all these areas of public service will give him the advantage of being able to perform his duties at the highest level on day one of his term in office, and he will bring fresh new ideas as the next generation as an elected official

. 

Please vote for Andrew Sorensen on August 6th for Genesee Township Treasurer.

Tod Sorensen

Former Genesee Township Police Chief

Outgoing Genesee Township Treasurer

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You can call our Hot Line number anytime 24/7 at (810) 771-8421 and leave your comment about any subject. There is no need to leave your name but please be aware that slanderous comments will not be published. Selected comments will be published here every day and some comments will be retained to be published in our special section below: Most Read Recent Hot Lines. 

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MOST RECENT HOT LINE CALLS:

I KEEP CALLING and you never publish any of my stuff. Let's just say I don't like Trump. I despise George Moss. I do like your new writer, this Marty Embry. I'd like a date, too, if he's single. Can you post his e-mail or Facebook page address? Maybe his phone number. I think we're soulmates. No, I know it.

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TONYA BURNS is the only one on city council really fighting for the people, besides Pfeiffer who is also on the recall chopping block. Jerri Winfrey-Carter seems too nice to take a stand against the Mayor and the Moose is out of control. The new guy, Jarrett, is too mild and meek. A recall against Burns and a recall against Pfeiffer really scares me. I think the Mayor and the Moose are afraid of losing control over all that money in the city coffers!

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I REALLY ENJOYED your Editor's Notebook guy with the nice write-up on Goodrich's guardian angel. Nice prediction. I even tuned in and I don't like football much. I have not watched a high schol game since I was in high school 40 years ago. I cried when Goodrich got that touchdown with the guardian angel's big fella supplying the blocking to power his teammate over the goal line. I do now believe in angels.

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WHY DO YOU KEEP putting that ugly mug of Art Woodson on the front page so often? Just so you know, when I see him, I click off your newspaper. He's bad for your business.

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THE MAYOR OF FLINT is doing a great job, just fabulous. Flint has never looked so good and all these new jobs are exciting. He says crime is down, too. Four on the council love him, four hate him. I don't get the haters. Maybe all of them want to run for Mayor next time and they are trying to make him look bad.

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MOST READ RECENT HOT LINES

WOW. I was shocked by your front page story today (Tuesday, June 25, 2024) about the proposed Mega Site in Mundy Township. It was a lengthy and in-depth report into the controversy out there. I live nearby in Swartz Creek and now intend to get involved to stop the Flint Genesee Group from getting $250 million of our tax dollars without telling anyone what they will be doing with all that cash. How can that happen? Let them use the $10 million they've already received but don't be bringing factories that will pollute our area!

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TONYA KETZLER thinks she will get sued for opposing the Mega Site. Are you kidding me. You must have misquoted her. Otherwise, she needs to be thrown out of office. I hope someone is running against her for Mundy Township Supervisor.

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THANKS FOR MAKING PUBLIC what's going on with the Mega Site in Mundy Township. Your story about Monday night's (June 24, 2024) meeting is the first media report that's in-depth with facts and information on how they are trying to use our tax dollars to do all this in secret. They will tell us what they're going to build after they get $250 million more of our tax dollars? Are you serious.

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Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024

The Genesee County Election Commission hasn't yet scheduled a hearing date on recall language submitted against Flint's 8th Ward city councilman. I've advised Lisa Pasjberg that her language is dead on arrival to get rid of Dennis Pfeiffer as her representative on the Flint City Council.

Her language says: "Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer was censured by the city council for calling another member a 'fake ass Republican'  another a 'big piece of shit' and told other colleagues to shut up." 

She didn't like it that our front page story revealing her recall effort noted that language must be clear and concise. We quoted two English teachers as saying her language was a "run on sentence" and "completely illiterate."

Not our words. Words of people who specialize in determining "clarity" which also goes to words being spelled incorrectly or a comma being in the wrong place. Blunders that render denials at hearings in front of election commissions tasked with ruling on language submitted in recall attempts anywhere in our state.

So my opinion expressed here today in this space where I spew my opinions is that her recall language is dead on arrival. It must be rejected under state law.

The facts cited in a news story on our front page a few days ago is that two English teachers we consulted say it's not "clear and concise" because it's a "run on sentence" and "completely illiterate."

The last hearing on a recall attempt earlier this month in front of the local election commission was to review eight sets of language submitted to recall Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. I didn't bother to read any of it because the address of the lady behind the effort lived in Flint Township, not the City of Flint. I said so on the radio the very next day after looking her up because I had never heard of her.

I only exchanged texts with Lisa Pasjberg via Messenger earlier today when inviting her to appear on The Morning Gazette Radio Show to explain why she wants to dump Councilman Pfeiffer. Her profile on Facebook says she works for the Flint Registry and that's all I know about her except that she isn't very good at grammar.

Lisa rejected my interview invitation. 

Probably needs to brush up on her English skills before going public on the radio.

One question I wanted to ask was this: With all our tax dollars being dumped into work being done at the Flint Registry, I'm surprised how the boss there can allow one of the organization's employees to be involved in politics. What do you think? Drop me a message on my Hot Line at (810) 771-8421, find me on Facebook and drop me a note via Messenger or simply e-mail me at morninggazetteradioshow@gmail.com.

How do I know tax dollars are going into the Flint Registry? How about $39 million since 2016?

I'd like a report on what they've done with all that cash. I do know they are certainly not teaching any English classes to the employees.

READ OLD EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK COLUMNS

Read This Week's Featured Column

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Mike Killbreath appears on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio via The Morning Gazette Radio Show weekday mornings from 8 am until 9:30 am. He's an award-winning newspaper columnist and investigative reporter who is the former long-time owner of the local Metro Flint area chain of 14 community newspapers. This fall marks his 50th year as a journalist. He also hosts a new weekly national TV show known as The American Crusaders on cable TV and various OTT TV live streaming platforms.

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024

THERE WAS AN INSURRECTION WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT IT WAS NOT ON  “JANUARY 6,” THE INSURRECTION WAS ON NOVEMBER 3, 2020 WITH THE STOLEN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

 (Part 3 of a 3-part series, “Joe Biden should be impeached in the House, and tried in the Senate, convicted in the Senate, therein removed from office, and then tried in a civil court for treason.  General Mark Milley should have been court-martialed for treason, for his own role in the treasonous debacle in Afghanistan.”)

The above subtitle, admittedly, is a long subtitle, the purpose of which is to, first, point out what it takes for a President of the United States, or a former President of the United States, to be placed on trial for what he did, or didn’t do, while in the presidential office.  

The purpose for the length of the subtitle is also to link the charge of treason against Joe Biden to the charge of treason against the now retired former head of the Pentagon, General Mark Milley. 

Both of these political scoundrels, Biden and Milley, belong in federal prison for treason against this country, based upon their actions in the Afghanistan war.

We have traitors in every corridor of power in the federal government, in Washington, but I will limit the reach here to the arch traitors in the Executive Branch, although this treason against this country is more widespread than just the treason in the Executive Branch of government, much more widespread than that.

Let me start with correcting what is an egregious misunderstanding of what the Constitution requires for putting a President of the United States, or a former President of the United States, on trial in a court of law for what he did, or didn’t do, while in the presidential office.  

There is a need first and foremost to correct this outrageously incoherent misunderstanding of these justices on the Supreme Court who are now seeking to determine the extent of a President’s immunity from prosecution. 

I can save them some time; there is no presidential immunity from prosecution.

The very idea is not only absurd and outrageous, it is blasphemous to the rule of law, and to the Constitution which is the "ruler" of the law in this country, not these Justices on the Supreme Court.

What it takes to make a formal charge against a President, or a former President, in a court of law for what the President did, or didn’t do, while in office, according to the Constitution, is the President's impeachment in the House, and the President's conviction in the Senate based upon specific charges that are clearly stated in Article II, Section 4 of the United States Constitution.

I will pause here to tell these lawyers like Alan Dershowitz, Laurence Tribe, and the rest of them that they are misrepresenting the Constitution in stating that Article II, Section 4's provisions are about impeachment.

It's a common mistake, and I want every constitutional scholar in this country to pay attention, the Constitution does not specify any charges for impeachment.  The charges listed in Article II, Section 4, are charges necessary for removal, not necessary for impeachment.  

No charges are specified for impeachment in the Constitution.

It is a mistake that has been made throughout this country’s history.  I am here to correct this egregious mistake!

There is so much that is wrong in this country, so much that is unconstitutional, placing a former President on trial in these kangaroo courts, for instance.

This judge in New York, Juan Merchan, is anxiously awaiting the presidential election returns before passing sentence on Donald Trump’s trial that was held in Merchan’s court.  

It’s a constitutional outrage that there was even a trial in Merchan's court.  And for judge Juan Merchan to believe he has sentencing authority in this case is grounds enough for his disbarment.  

This country has idiots like Juan Merchan who are in charge of the legal system in this country who are not dispensers of justice but destroyers of justice.in this country.

I ended part 2 by pointing out Joe Biden had planned to end the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan on the 20th anniversary of the 911 attack on this country, as if in celebration of this attack on this country, or maybe even worse, as a signal to Iranian leaders who have been empowered by the Biden administration, that the present leaders of this country are all in on these external attacks on this country.

There was such an outcry by the American against the choice of the 911 date for the completion of this country's withdrawal from Afghanistan that Joe Biden was forced to change the date. 

Still, the withdrawal was chaotic, a withdrawal which ended up providing cover for leaving $85 billion of military equipment behind, in the hands of the very Taliban extremists this country had engaged in battle for the last 20 years.

The American government ended up arming the Taliban soldiers that the United States’ soldiers had been sent to Afghanistan to fight.  No one was fired for it, no one was held to account. 

Go figure.

“None Dare Call It Treason,” but what other name is there for it?

Today, these foreign soldiers can fight us using our own weapons to do so. 

Google censors erased my earlier article on the subject from my computer screen several days ago in which I commented on what British General Richard Kemp said, which is that both Joe Biden and General Mark Milley should have been court-martialed for the way in which they handled America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.

You can't court-martial a President, but I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment of the former British commander of British forces in Afghanistan.

If you thought it was strange for Joe Biden to withdraw the American military from Afghanistan before evacuating American citizens from the country, and evacuating Afghans who had helped allied soldiers, and before evacuating Muslim women who had cast aside their Burkas, if you thought the Biden strategy was strange, it was not only strange, it was treasonous, deliberately so.

No one should forget Joe Biden making a point of looking at this watch every time one of the 13 last fallen American soldiers in Afghanistan was brought off the plane in a casket, this man showing his disdain for their sacrifice.

Read chapter 9 of David Horowitz’s book, “Final Battle,” pages 171-190, for the full picture of this man's treason, to see more fully the kind of person Joe Biden is, a Swamp Rat who has been in Washington for 50 years, a politician who is mean, evil, and rotten to the core.   This man does not have the moral, legal, and political, authority to ask anyone to fight for this country. 

Free the political prisoners who were locked up without trial for protesting this man’s unlawful, fake election.

READ MORE GEORGE MOSS COLUMNS

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George Moss often appears on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio via The Morning Gazette Radio Show weekday mornings from 8 am until 9:30 am. He's a retired administrator from the Beecher school district who also worked for many years at the University of Michigan-Flint. He hosts a weekly TV show via All Points TV. 

George on Rumble via All Points TV: Chevron Doctrine Overturned: George Moss Weighs In

The myth of the peaceful transfer of power

Friday, Nov. 29, 2024

Hey y'all, I was going to give flowers to a very deserving person in my life but my heart has led me in another direction. Can we talk for a minute?

 I won't keep you long. This has been heavy on my heart for a while now.   

I've lost a lot of friends over this election.

 I've been called an asshole, a racist, a dumb ass mindless Democrat, a puppet and a host of other names that I dont care to regurgitate. I responded in kind and I can assure you, my demeanor is quite different from that laid back person that you have come to know, love and respect.   

Don't get me wrong, I give it as good as I take it, but it takes a lot to bring it out. I make no excuses. This election brought out the worst of most of us, me included. Some of y'all were much worse than others! Lol  I take full responsibility for every word that I said. I even apologized to a few people, not out of guilt but moreso because I allowed them to get to me to react as I did.

It's time to move on. Here's the thing, though. Trump supporters are finding it easy to move on because your guy won.

Had he lost, things would've been drastically different. That's not supposition. It was all being laid out just in case he lost. The fake votes, the machines, the folks working the machines and so on. I am still not ok with Trump becoming the next president. As time goes on, I see exactly why he ran. Jail time was looming had he not run/won. He knew it. As a sitting president, the parameters change. I also see all of his cabinet selections and can't believe what I'm reading. Most are simply unqualified to lead those cabinet positions but the one that really got me...trying to bypass FBI background checks! Smh. But, I digress.

My point to this particular post is this; the true friends that I have, whether Democratic or Republican, are still my friends. We didn't and don't agree politically but the respect was never lost. I had to check some of my friends hard because they straddled a racial line and we're so disrespectful with their comments. Did I snap back? Absolutely! I make no apologies and I said what I said. I stand on it. 

It was my hope that they took a step back and simply assessed what was said. To assess WHY I commented the way that I commented. If you post something publicly, and I answer respectfully, but your friends check me and call me a racist...and you don't defend me...and you agree with your friend, you're just as bad as your friend. 

When I go after your friend and you side with the friend, well dammit, it is what it is. That's the same friend that will cut your throat but I'm the friend that would've given you bandages. 

The true friend will always defend your integrity... unquestionably defend you. So then, there are the folks that were more friendly than a true friend. Those are the fair weather friends that you just gotta let them go. They've shown you EXACTLY who they are and what they are about. You can't even be mad at them because they are showing you EXACTLY who they are. You just gotta accept it and move on.

I've been blessed to have the same core of friends from my childhood, high school, college and European experiences. It's still a relatively small circle. Win, lose or draw, they will always have my back. Never any doubt BUTTTT, this election was quite challenging with a few.

But guess what? We're still cool as penguins balls at the North Pole! 

Now, before y'all start bashing folks, it's not about that. It's not about Republicans versus Democrats anymore. I'm talking about people that you perceived as friends. You don't even know the number of folks that stayed silent and just observed everyone making fools of themselves for the whole world to see. 

I have quite a few that never said anything publicly but clearly they have a lot to say.   I'm just a guy that can't nor won't bite my tongue. I don't intentionally try to hurt another person's feelings.

When I hear so many vile and negative comments, it's just damn near impossible to stay silent.

I don't try to stay neutral. If I'm your friend, we ride together, we die  together, bad boys for life!

 That's how I roll. It's not in my DNA to be a fair weather friend. If we're cool...we're always going to be cool. If not...well, you'll know it almost immediately. You can see it all over my face long before I utter a single word. 

See, when folks call ALL Democrats idiots, dumb, mindless..i take offense to that, especially recognizing who they are actually supporting.

Yea, that was a Trump jab! I had to sneak one in!

Lol  So folks, if you have friends that you've been friends with for 30 years, don't let one single man or one election ruin that friendship. Y'all just had a political difference. You just gave Trump too much control over your life. I often had to say, "Let's agree to disagree and move on!"

If they chose to keep on with the BS, okay, I'm that guy. Never argue with a writer that loves research.

You'll never win. You'll only get more frustrated! Lol I could literally write a book on  the responses that I was getting, especially when I responded to factual information. I was also amazed at the number of folks that grew these humongous Internet nuts and felt that they could say whatever they wanted to say. Nah, that didn't work out well.

 You picked the right one. That day was your lucky day.  Now, let's hold the new president accountable. Keep your true friendships near and dear. Or, did your friend get exposed?

 Y'all stay safe folks. Have a safe holiday. By the way, do folks know the true history of Thanksgiving? Asking for a native American friend.

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Marty Embry is a former administrator in the Flint school district. He was the star center on two of the old Flint Central's state championship teams under legendary Coach Stan Gooch, then went on to star at DePaul University before playing professionally overseas.

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