"Found Michigan" Finds Flint Mayor Dayne Walling

 
Dayne Walling at City Hall in Flint. (Photo by Emily Bingham/Found Michigan)

There's an indepth and compelling portrait of Flint Mayor Dayne Walling by Lou Blouin on Found Michigan, a site that focuses on longform journalism about the Great Lake State. It describes Walling's work to revive Flint, despite the imposition of an emergency financial manager and an array of daunting obstacles.

"In a cash-strapped city, that means Walling can only do a fraction of what he no doubt wants to do. Understanding that things move slowly in city government, lately he’s dedicated himself to making sure future city leaders have things a little better—he’s now leading the charge for a new master plan in Flint, which will guide the city’s redevelopment over the coming decades. It’ll be Flint’s first such vision in more than 50 years—since the plan in 1960, which optimistically projected nothing but explosive growth in the auto industry and corollary fortunes for Flint."

Flint Considers Atwood Stadium Deal with Kettering University

John F. Kennedy campaigning in Flint at Atwood Stadium in 1960. (Photo from Scharchburg Archives)

Kettering University seems poised to acquire Atwood Stadium from the City of Flint. Roberto Acosta of The Flint Journal reports:

Kettering University has confirmed they are talking with the Atwood Stadium Authority about a potential purchase of the 84-year-old stadium.

"As part of Kettering University's ongoing commitment to the city of Flint and the University Corridor, Kettering officials have agreed to have preliminary discussions with the Atwood Stadium Authority about Atwood Stadium," reads a statement from the university.

Michael Brown Named Emergency Financial Manager in Flint

The state of Michigan has appointed an emergency financial manager in Flint, choosing former interim Mayor Michael Brown. Dawson Bell of The Detroit Free Press reports:

As emergency manager, Brown will assume most of the duties of elected Mayor Dayne Walling and City Council and control city operations and finances. But he will have broader powers, too, including the authority to end employee contracts.

That means the long-running standoff between the city and the Flint police and firefighters unions will finally reach a resolution, although it might not be a happy one, depending on which side your on.

Kristen Longley of The Flint Journal has more details on the move:

Brown said he'll be talking to department heads and public safety officials.

He also plans to appoint an advisory committee consisting of a city official, a representative of the business community, one Flint resident and "up to two persons with relevant professional skills" to assist him, he said.

Brown said he expects to take actions similar to those of the current emergency managers appointed in Benton Harbor, Pontiac and Ecorse.

"It's pretty clear if you read the law, there's guidelines for managers," he said. "I'm going to be no different."

Walling Wins But State Takeover Looms

Dayne Walling at the White Horse on election night. (Photo courtesy of Austin Anthony/The Flint Journal)

Dayne Walling is re-elected mayor as the city faces an emergency financial takeover by the state. It would make Flint the first city in Michigan to undergo a state takeover twice. Here's a list of the municipalities declared a financial emergency:

• City of Hamtramck - December 2000

• City of Highland Park - July 2001

• City of Flint - July 2002

• Village of Three Oaks - December 2008

• City of Pontiac - March 2009

• City of Ecorse - October 2009

• City of Benton Harbor - April 2010

Flint's Financial Emergency

Flint appears to be moving closer to an emergency financial manager. Kristin Longley of The Flint Journal reports:

State officials announced this evening that an eight-member review panel appointed by the governor is recommending that an emergency financial manager take over the city of Flint.

Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said the state's decision that a financial emergency exists in the city "shows how serious our financial challenges are in the City of Flint."

Here We Go Again?

Is Flint headed for another takeover by the state of Michigan?

Kristen Longley of The Flint Journal reports:

Flint became the first city in Michigan last month to undergo a state preliminary financial review, which is the first step in the process that could lead to the appointment of an emergency financial manager.

The process also could instead lead to a consent agreement between Flint’s elected officials and the governor, which would give local leaders expanded powers to help resolve the city’s financial problems.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Snyder has said the governor’s office will “work tirelessly” to avoid appointing an emergency manager in Flint.