Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Flint Expatriates on WDET 101.9 FM

I was a guest yesterday on WDET 101.9 FM, the Detroit NPR station based at Wayne State University, discussing the concept of Flint as a "college town" following my recent article in Slate.

You can listen to the complete podcast here. The Flint coverage begins at about the 27 minute mark with a report on conservative radio show host Rush Limbaugh's take on plans to shrink Flint. Stan Blood of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce discusses recent Flint development projects at about the 32 minute mark. I chime in at about the 42 minute mark.

You can listen to a shorter version on the player below:






5 comments:

  1. Würstside WarlørdJuly 7, 2009 at 10:27 AM

    Quinn Klinefelter. Quite an unfortunate name. Whatever happened to cool radio dj names like Clint Cassanova and Tony DuPree? I know the guy is supposed to be a radio journalist and all but c'mon, really... Quinn Klinefelter?

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  2. Würstside WarlørdJuly 7, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    Kick arse Gordon. You provided a fine counterbalance to Stan BLOOD(?!?)

    The thing about the college kids from Grand Blanc and Davison though. Yeah, they love Flint cuz they've finally moved out of their sterile subdivision. Banda Aceh would be a blast if you lived for the previous 18 years on Misty Meadows Dr. Few will stay into their late 20s, and NONE will send their kids to FCS. A mere 5 or 6 years is enough to discourage 'em. Nevertheless they'll be able to forever hang their hat on the hook that is "I'm from Flint".

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  3. I've lived in Flint for five years and I do plan on sending my son to FCS. I figure if I don't put my money where my mouth is, no one will.

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  4. Great job. I agree with your point about deeming Flint a college town. If you have to tell people you're cool, you're not. However as you mentioned there is college life in Flint and it is an economic bright spot that can grow. Do what you do, well and improve on that success.

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  5. Nice job. I agree Flint should just get on with itself and not try to market.

    I have the same viewpoint of Flint as those college kids. Perhaps it's ignorance on my part, or the fact that I appreciate the colors in a puddle of gasoline.

    But I believe if people just work at building up local business and community, Flint will turn around without the official marketing.

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Thanks for commenting. I moderate comments, so it may take a while for your comment to appear. You might enjoy my book about Flint called "Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City," a Michigan Notable Book for 2014 and a finalist for the 33rd Annual Northern California Book Award for Creative NonFiction. Filmmaker Michael Moore described Teardown as "a brilliant chronicle of the Mad Maxization of a once-great American city." More information about Teardown is available at www.teardownbook.com.