Author: Tom Travis
-
Education Beat Analysis: Upgrades proceed on Flint Schools’ same lineup of 11 buildings; fewer than 3,000 students to report back on Aug. 9; no decisions on building closures
By Harold C. Ford Fewer than 3,000 Flint Community Schools (FCS) students – based on last year’s enrollment data – are scheduled to start the 2023-2024 school year Aug. 9. The district moves into its fifth year on a “balanced calendar” schedule in which students and staff report back earlier in the calendar year. A…
Written by
-
“Mindful and Motivated Youth Health Summit” Aug. 19 to offer “A pipeline and pathway for students to go into healthcare”
By Canisha Bell “I have really big plans to build the pipeline and pathway for students to go into healthcare. I’m not just looking for people to go into being a doctor or a nurse, but the hope is that people see all of the different options that exist.” To help facilitate those aims, local…
Written by
-
The ARPA meeting that wasn’t: City Deputy Chief of Staff shuts down council meeting, police help clear the room
By Tom Travis Editor’s note: This article has been updated on Thursday, June 29, with a statement from the City’s communication director concerning the ARPA Community Advisory Committee members. Flint’s Deputy Chief of Staff bolted into a city council meeting Wednesday evening, arms raised, and yelling from the back of the auditorium announcing the meeting…
Written by
-
Mott Community College: Celebrating 100 years of change and challenge
By Paul Rozycki In 1923, Calvin Coolidge became president after Harding’s death, Hitler was arrested in Germany for an attempted coup, Hemingway returned from Paris, publishing his first short stories including “Up in Michigan”, the first issue of Time magazine was published, and Yankee Stadium hosted its first ballgame. In Flint, Michigan the city had…
Written by
-
Commentary: Allie Herkenroder’s words speak to all of us
By Paul Rozycki “I consider the abuse from council directly (related) to my mental and physical concerns.” Seventh Ward Councilwoman Allie Herkenroder, on her reasons for resigning from the Flint City Council Can the experience of one individual be a mirror and a metaphor for a whole city or even a nation? Allie Herkenroder’s resignation…
Written by
-
Juneteenth organizers reflect on the national holiday and local effects in Beecher and Flint
By Canisha Bell As local Juneteenth events wrapped up, two community leaders actively involved in area celebrations reflected in interviews with East Village Magazine on what it all means. Community organizer April Cook-Hawkins said she believes that Juneteenth events can bring healing to a racially divided city. “I’m a woman of God, and outside of…
Written by
-
Sports Beat: Flint City Bucks – men and women – undefeated, in first place at midseason
By Harold C. Ford An unprecedented winning season is unfolding for the Flint City Bucks franchise and its two entries in the United States League (USL): the Flint City Bucks (men’s entry in USL2 or United States League Two) and Flint City AFC (women’s entry in USL W or United States League Women). Midway through…
Written by
-
Education Beat: Flint Schools — too many buildings, not enough students to fill them
By Harold C. Ford “It’s April; school closings should be announced today, May at the latest … I’m begging you to get focused.” – Bruce Jordan, teachers union official, Michigan Education Association; April 2023 “You only need half of the [existing] buildings.” — Nicole Blocker, senior vice president, Plante Moran Cresa, May 25, 2023 “The…
Written by
-
Review: “Call Them by Their True Names” by Rebecca Solnit
By Robert Thomas Subtitled American Crises (and Essays), Call Them by Their True Names is Rebecca Solnit’s powerful 2018 collection of timely essays. The book’s forward, “Politics and the American Language,” sets the author’s course in sifting the wheat from the chaff that is the contemporary Babel of linguistic chicanery. “Calling things by their true names…
Written by
-
Review: Ragtime paints a picture of racial-tensions with tragic and hopeful ends
By Tom Travis Before a sold out opening night crowd, FIM The Flint Rep Friday night staged the last production of the season, with a rousing and relevant version of the musical Ragtime. The play, which runs through June 25, centers around the dilemmas of several characters mired in their struggles for justice and understanding…
Written by
