Don Williamson Goes National

The national media is picking up the story of Don Williamson's humble statue, and it's not pretty.

All Hail Don Williamson

Former Flint mayor Don Williamson has been a seemingly endless source of material for Flint Expatriates over the years. There were the random firings of competent city employees. The useless "crack down" on baggy pants. Don't forget the time he used city workers to mow his lawn. And the very expensive plan to help the local economy by installing a drag strip on a city street. Of course there was the pricey lawsuit that the city had to settle after the mayor had a paper carrier arrested at City Hall. Oh yeah, what about the cop who got canned for daring to talk to the local media. Let's not even mention all the money the city lost because of Williamson's creative approach to the Genesee Towers situation. For his swan song, the convicted felon asked the cash-strapped city for back pay when he resigned to avoid a recall election.

Given his service to the City of Flint, it's only fitting that Williamson be honored with a statue. After all, Flint's other great leaders like Billy Durant and C.S. Mott have their memorials. It seems Williamson agrees and has erected a golden effigy of himself surrounded by a pride of protective baby lions at his new palatial estate outside Flint.

A reader stumbled upon life-size icon on recent trip home and passed along this report: 

I get back to Flint a few times each year, visiting family. In fact, my wife and I were there last weekend visiting her dad in Lapeer. Travelling back towards Flint via Davison Rd, we ran across an interesting sight. First of all, I should say that my wife's fancy new Garmin GPS flashed a "point of interest" on the screen as we approached the little crossroads berg of Elba. It showed a large area to the north of Davison Rd called the "Patsy Lou refuge" (not really sure if it said refuge or estate or something else). Needless to say that got my attention. No more than 1/2 mile west of the Elba crossroads (near Potters Lake), we were more than a little surprised to see the main entrance to what is obviously Don and Patsy Lou's grand plantation. It is a work in progress, but leaves no doubt that it goes for quite a long way north of Davison Rd. Of course, this alone wouldn't cause me to think of Flint Expats; it was the life sized bronze stature of the Don himself that caused me to write this note.As you can no doubt tell, the Don was standing tall and portly, greeting visitors. Anyone reading Flint Expats for any length of time is surely aware of the special place Don Williamson has with the readership, so I couldn't pass up this opportunity to contribute to the cause.

Is it just me, or does The Don's statue resemble the tribute to another controversial, strong-willed leader?

  Kim Il Sung

The Don

Anyone know exactly what former Flint Mayor Don Williamson went to prison for back in his younger days? Better yet, can you provide a link to a story or document detailing the case? Thanks.

Flint Photos: Former Mayor Don Williamson with Lion

Genesee Towers: It Won't Go Down Without a Very Expensive Fight

Genesee Towers is Flint's tallest and arguably its ugliest building. But the abandoned eyesore at 120 E. First Street near the venerable Mott Foundation Building is also the biggest example Flint's fall from prosperity. Here's a timeline of the ongoing saga based on the excellent coverage by The Flint Journal's Kristen Longley:


1968: Genesee Towers built to house the former Genesee Merchants Bank.

2001: Owner V. Kumar Vemulapalli is first cited by the city for code violations.

2002: Building is vacant.

2004: City condemns the 19-story building. "The building has to come down, or someone's going to get killed," says former Mayor Don Williamson.

2004: Kumar Vemulapalli sues the city for condemning the building.

2006: City and Vemulapalli agree to enter arbitration to determine the value of the property. "By agreeing to that process, [Williamson] effectively agreed to pay whatever the arbitrator said was the fair market value," current City Attorney Pete Bade told the Journal this fall.

2007: City closes traffic lanes surrounding the building to prevent injuries from falling debris.

2007: Arbitrator awards Vemulapalli more than $6 million, including legal fees, plus interest.

2007 - 2009: The case is appealed multiple times with the city arguing the arbitrator exceeded his scope of authority in reaching the decision.

2009: In December, the Court of Appeals upholds the arbitration award.

2010: In June, the Michigan Supreme Court refuses to hear city's final appeal of the Court of Appeals decision.

2010: In October, City Assessor William Fowler announces that state law requires the city to put a millage on the property tax rolls to pay for the judgment, which has now climbed to more than $8 million. While the exact amount is yet to be determined, it is estimated that the tax will cost the average Flint homeowner $150.

2010: In November, the Genesee Landlords Association sues the city over the plan to tax property owners in December to pay for the judgment. "We want to make sure before they spread this $8 million to the taxpayers that the city truly does not have any cash to pay it with," says Terry Hanson, executive director of the landlords association.

To be continued...

America's Toughest Job?

Brenda Clack and Dayne Walling looking carefree on the campaign trail last June. (Photos by Gordon Young)

When I was writing about the Flint mayor's race last summer for Slate, I was impressed that two rational, well-adjusted candidates — Dayne Walling and Brenda Clack — were fighting so hard for a job that seemed so thankless.

“The winner of this city's Aug. 4 special mayoral election will be expected to solve problems caused by complex global economic forces that he or she is powerless to control, while also mastering the mundane yet vexing task of running a weary city in need of jobs and revenue,” I wrote. “Hey, I got a pothole on my block, and the garbage truck missed my house yesterday. And while you're at it, could you please do something about deindustrialization?”

Less than a year into office, Dayne Walling is discovering that the honeymoon is very short for Flint mayors. He was immediately criticized for two high-profile appointments to his administration. A Flint school board member launched a quixotic recall effort against him. Then he was forced to lay off police and firefighters to help erase a massive budget deficit he inherited after efforts to renegotiate union contracts stalled. The layoffs happened to coincide with a series of fires in abandoned houses and buildings. Arson is suspected, and Walling said the fires had a “perverted political purpose.” Awkwardly, Walling has had to request special police protection at his home after he received anonymous threats. Oh, he also had to reduce garbage pickup, causing residents to fret about rats.

Of course, let’s not forget about Flint’s seemingly never ending unemployment problems and shrinking tax base.

Just to make life interesting, Walling plans to run for re-election in 2011, and he may face a familiar opponent. Former Mayor Don Williamson, who resigned in the face of a recall election, is hinting at a possible return to politics.

Kristen Longley of The Flint Journal reports:

But Williamson said he’s recently received “a couple thousand phone calls — or more” from supporters who say they’d like to see him go for it.

He said he’s recovered from the health issues that prompted his resignation from the mayor’s office, and he feels “in perfect shape.”

“Somebody has to save the city of Flint,” Williamson said. “The people are calling me.”

More than 2,000 calls? Really? That’s about 10 percent of the people who voted in the last mayor's race. Let’s see, Walling was elected in early August, so if the calls of support for Williamson started immediately, that means about 9 calls a day, every day, until now. No wonder the former mayor is in such good shape; he’s spending a lot of time running to the phone.

And Walling is spending all his time trying to run the city. No one said it would be easy.

Growth Industry

Mike Brown, who was the interim mayor after Don Williamson resigned, has a new gig that's vital to the Flint economy; He'll be trolling for Federal and state money for the Flint Area Reinvestment Office.

Flint Photos: Patsy Lou and Don Williamson

Always Something There to Remind Me

Don Williamson may not be mayor of Flint anymore, but residents still have the memories...and the lawsuit settlements.

Kristin Longley of The Flint Journal reports:

The city of Flint will have to shell out more than $300,000 from a discrimination suit related to former Mayor Don Williamson's controversial Citizens Service Bureau.

The amount owed by the city has more than doubled from the $131,000 in damages awarded earlier this month to police Officer Keith Speer.

In addition to that judgment, the city also will have to pay $167,500 in attorney fees plus interest, Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Judith Fullerton ruled Monday.

Flint Expats on the Radio

In the mood for some Michigan nasal twang?

On Monday I discussed the Flint mayor's race and my Slate article on WDET 101.9 FM, the Detroit NPR station based at Wayne State University. We talked about Dayne Walling, Brenda Clack and, of course, Don Williamson. Somehow Billy Joel and dynamite fishing also came up.

You can listen to a short podcast of the interview on the player below. I've found it takes a few seconds to load, so be patient. Go here for the entire Detroit Today program.

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The Future Mayor of Flint — Brenda Clack or Dayne Walling

Flint elects a new mayor tomorrow. Go here for a story I wrote for Slate on the two candidates — Brenda Clack and Dayne Walling.

Here's an excerpt:

But for me, the highlight—if that's the word—of covering this campaign came when Clack and Walling momentarily joined forces at the Landmark Food Center, the kind of grocery store where a security guard roams the fluorescently lit aisles and customers are required to check their bags at the counter. Flanked by displays of breakfast cereal, the two candidates judged a Kool-Aid-making contest sponsored by three local churches.

The mixologists tried mightily to influence their decision. "Taste No. 4 and taste no more!" one contestant yelled out, prompting a round of cheering from two dozen spectators gathered around a pair of tables covered with neon-green tablecloths and littered with plastic pitchers, spent Kool-Aid packs, and sacks of sugar. "No. 5 tells no lies!" countered another contestant. Clack and Walling sipped from foam cups and huddled over the score sheet.

A Thankless Job

The campaigning has already started to replace former Mayor Don Williamson, and it's a crowded field.

Millionaire Former Mayor Asks for Back Pay

It seemed so simple. The Don resigns to avoid getting thrown out of office in a recall election. End of story, right? You just had to know it wouldn't be that easy.

Joe Lawlor of The Flint Journal reports:

"Former Mayor Don Williamson worked for $1 per year for the entire time he was in office. Now that he has resigned, he wants about $500,000 in back pay, in addition to the $115,000 he already received in retirement money.

"When asked by The Flint Journal whether critics would view him as being hypocritical, the former mayor said he didn't care.

"'I don't give a (expletive) what they think,' said Williamson, who resigned effective Feb. 15."

Suddenly, The Don is Lovable

According to The Flint Journal, Don Williamson has suddenly transformed himself from an incompetent mayor with a penchant for trampling civil liberties and getting the city embroiled in money losing lawsuits into a lovable curmudgeon. Who knew The Don was more of an iconoclast than an idiot?

The puff piece begins:

Say goodbye to the combative, in-your-face, gruff mayor of Flint.

Don Williamson is leaving office and it's unlikely Flint will ever see another mayor like him.

He's abrupt.

He's controversial.

And he does things his way. During the past five years, Williamson has boasted a style that has brought strong opinions from the public. Simply put, people either love him or hate him.

There's no in between.

"He doesn't do the anticipated," said Joe Wilson, former Genesee County sheriff and Williamson's longtime friend. "There's nothing traditional with him including his background, education and associations. He's not the type to tell you what you want to hear and then talk behind your back. At least he tells you to your face."

Wow, I had the guy all wrong. He's a straight shooter. A maverick. You might even call him The Decider. Gosh, maybe we can convince him to come back and be mayor again.

The Don Williamson Hall of Fame

With the resignation of Mayor Don Williamson, let's take a look back at some of his major accomplishments over the past few years:

• The Don rewards success at Kearsley Park by canning Kay Kelly and saying goodbye to a Ruth Mott Foundation grant.

• The Don gets city workers to mow his lawn.

• The Don uses city money to create a drag strip, despite the obvious liability issues that could cost Flint a bundle.

• The Don fires a cop who dares talk to the media. Then changes his mind.

• The Don gives the state and federal government economic advice.

• The Don arrests a paper boy for delivering bad news. Lawsuit follows.

Of course, this is just a partial list. For more good deeds by The Don, check out the Williamson Watch.

The Don is Done

It won't take a recall vote later this month to remove Flint Mayor Don Williamson from office. He just resigned.

The Flint Journal reports:

Mayor Don Williamson announced today that he is "retiring," finally putting to rest weeks of speculation.

In an 11:20 a.m. news conference, Williamson cited health reasons for leaving office. His resignation is effective midnight Sunday. He took no questions from the media, and read from a prepared statement.

"Last month, I celebrated my third sinus infection in 13 months and my eighth kidney stone since Nov. 1. My doctors have told me that I should think about relaxing my schedule and reducing the demands on my time," said Williamson.

Jackie Poplar Faces Recall

Flint just can't get enough of recall elections.

Joe Lawlor of The Flint Journal reports:

Councilwoman Jackie Poplar will likely face a recall on Feb. 24 after challenges to petitions against her didn't disqualify enough signatures to keep the issue off the ballot.

Petitioners ended up with 928 valid signatures, said Genesee County Clerk Michael Carr, while 858 were needed to ask voters to recall Poplar. Recall organizer David Davenport originally submitted more than 1,000 signatures.

"It looks like it's going on the ballot," said Carr, noting the petitions could still be challenged in court.

Perhaps Poplar can talk strategy with Mayor Don Williamson on how to survive a recall election.

A Chicken in Every Pot...or Something Like That

Barack Obama is winning praise for his economic team, but there's one "expert" the president elect has not called on for advice — Flint Mayor Don Williamson. But don't worry, The Don is sending the city administrator to Washington with a plan that will solve all our problems.

Joe Lawlor at The Flint Journal reports:

"Just about every household in America would be in line for a a voucher to purchase a new car if Mayor Don Williamson has his way.

"Williamson is sending City Administrator Darryl Buchanan to Washington D.C. next week to tout his big idea to save the auto industry as part of the Mayors Automotive Coalition lobbying Congress for the Detroit Three's $34-billion loan.

"Williamson said under his idea, each household with a registered voter would receive a $5,000 voucher to purchase a new car. He hasn't calculated how much the plan would cost taxpayers."

With brilliant — and costly — moves like this, it's hard to figure out why Williamson is facing a recall election.

Recall Organizers

Just who's behind the effort to recall Flint Mayor Don Williamson?

Obama says pull up your pants

Obama weighs in on laws against baggy pants, and he's not on Flint Mayor Don Williamson's side.

MTV Shows

Thanks to future Flint resident Michael G. for passing this along.