tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17897108917754347862024-02-20T12:18:41.117-05:00City SpeakThis is the Official Blog of the City of FlintCity Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-76916512382665589602011-11-18T10:43:00.003-05:002011-11-18T10:47:43.466-05:00Flint To Implement ShotSpotter Technology As A New Tool In The Fight Against Gun Violence<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">On Thursday, November 17, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling announced details of a new unique partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and SST, Inc., the world leader and innovator in wide-area acoustic surveillance and gunfire location and alert technology, to subscribe to SST’s ShotSpotter Flex™ solution to detect and locate gunfire incidents and gather gunfire intelligence in its effort to fight crime and gun violence. The Flint Housing Commission is also part of this very important partnership. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Flint Police Department will use the ShotSpotter Flex service for real-time and immediate gunshot location data, enabling informed decisions for faster and more accurate emergency response, while improving situational intelligence and increasing first responder safety. The ShotSpotter gunfire alert data and intelligence will also provide the Flint Police Department with more forensic evidence leading to more thorough investigations and increased prosecutions for gun-related crime. The data also enhances crime analysis and predictive policing capabilities, helping improve public safety and security.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The City of Flint, along with state and federal officials and community leaders are committed to making Flint a safer community and have initiated this unique partnership to reduce Flint’s gun violence and crime. Funding for this project is coming from several sources in partnership with the City; however, no City funds are being used in this phase of the project. In the partnership, the Flint Police Department will receive the critical gunfire data provided by the ShotSpotter Flex solution and enabled by SST’s sensor infrastructure. The technology will be deployed in areas with high concentrations of illegal gunfire and the Flint Police Department will use the newly attainable data for its strategic and tactical policing operations, crime analysis, investigations, and prosecutorial efforts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">“This partnership is vitally important to helping improve the safety and security of Flint’s residents. We recognize the challenges we’re experiencing with gun violence and its impact on the quality of life for our citizens and the vitality of our community. To be able to do this now without using any City funds is an exceptional opportunity,” said Mayor Walling. “We’re particularly excited about the ShotSpotter Flex solution and expect it to be a great enhancement to our policing initiatives and provide our officers with the information they need to respond faster to gunfire, investigate illegal gun use, and effectively help catch and prosecute perpetrators.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">“We’re confident that our use of the ShotSpotter Flex solution will have a tremendous impact on our efforts to reduce gun violence and illegal gunfire in Flint,” said Flint Chief of Police Alvern Lock. “It is important that law-abiding members of the community know that we are committed to keeping their communities safe from gun violence. It’s equally important for those who commit acts of gun violence to know that we will now have the intelligence to detect gunfire and if they fire a gun illegally, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The ShotSpotter Flex technology is expected to be fully operational in Flint in early 2012.</span>City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-8608155796883579622011-10-19T15:48:00.002-04:002011-10-19T15:58:59.720-04:00Vice President Joe Biden's Visit to FlintVice President Joe Biden made a historic visit to the Flint Fire Department on October 12th. In front of a crowd of more than 200 the Vice President delivered a very passionate address on why it's so critical for Congress to pass President Obama's Jobs Bill.<br /><br />The White House new media department was also in Flint for the VP's visit. They produced a video that features the Vice President along with Flint Fire Fighters and Police Officers. This video is active on the White House website and Blog.<br /><br />You can view it <a href="http://youtu.be/HJhrkYWeNho">here.</a>City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-52735264492726636952011-08-04T12:14:00.003-04:002011-08-04T12:22:30.923-04:00Mayor Walling Appears On CNN's American MorningMayor Walling joined Trenton, New Jersey Mayor Tony Mack on Thursday morning's edition of CNN American Morning discussing Flint and national financial challenges.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://on.cnn.com/o8n4TP">here</a> to view the clip.City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-71561238572622395222011-08-03T14:46:00.003-04:002011-08-03T14:54:04.204-04:00City of Flint Police Volunteer Training Begins August 8th<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKloI9AtyUyBzUK483PzPqKWAGbvJR2Lvl5q6UFQ9TI2wI7aPdQyGkkjGu5Z8AQ7uFZ2Nvvs0t2RELH1I6ysmmAPbY_zXNGGk3HiFI7Yn9za0753fEqTQxjtjJwg0-AGEQ-zBwTa4J9BYE/s1600/BLUEBADGE.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636704439001767138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKloI9AtyUyBzUK483PzPqKWAGbvJR2Lvl5q6UFQ9TI2wI7aPdQyGkkjGu5Z8AQ7uFZ2Nvvs0t2RELH1I6ysmmAPbY_zXNGGk3HiFI7Yn9za0753fEqTQxjtjJwg0-AGEQ-zBwTa4J9BYE/s320/BLUEBADGE.jpg" /></a><br />Are you looking for an opportunity to serve your community? Please consider becoming a member of the City of Flint Blue Badge Volunteer Corps. Blue Badge is built upon the principals of community policing and is the umbrella for crime fighting initiatives organized by the City of Flint that involve active participation from residents.<br /><br />Blue Badge volunteers play a vital role in supplementing police resources through such activities as neighborhood block clubs, participating in crime watch and crime prevention activities, staffing mini-stations in each of the city's nine wards and assisting in such areas a traffic control, special events and dignitary details.<br /><br />Beginning August 8th the city will conduct a series of six training sessions for resident interested in becoming police volunteers. Police volunteers assist the Flint Police Department with crowd and traffic control for major events, administrative duties, dignitary details and community relations functions.<br /><br />It is required that you attend all training sessions and successfully pass a background check before becoming an official Blue Badge Police Volunteer<br /><br />These training sessions will cover a wide range of topics and all sessions will be held in the roll call room of the Flint Police Department, 210 E. Fifth Street, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm on the following days:<br /><br />August 8, 2011<br />Topic: Policy Procedures, City Ordinances,<br />and Legal Updates<br />August 9, 2011<br />Topic: Traffic and Crowd Control<br />September 12, 2011<br />Topic: Personal Safety<br />September 13, 2011<br />Topic: De-escalating Conflict<br />September 19, 2011<br />Topic: Radio Communications<br />September 20, 2011<br />Topic: Report Writing<br /><br />Space is limited. All participants must confirm their attendance no later than 4:00 pm August 8th by contacting Officer Tanya Meeks at tmeeks@cityofflint.com or (810) 237-6926.<br /><br />Together we are building Flint’s 21st Century Sustainable Community with safe streets, new jobs, strong neighborhoods and opportunity for all.City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-78418670179436749192010-11-18T15:32:00.002-05:002010-11-18T17:20:29.686-05:00Will You Support A Public Safety Millage?The City of Flint is exploring all options to generate new revenue to maintain a high level of public safety services in this community. One idea being considered is a <strong></strong><strong>Public Safety Millage</strong>. There are two proposals being considered. <br /><br />One would levy an additional tax on real and personal property in an amount not to exceed four (4 mills). This would generate approximately $5M in the first year. <br /><br />The other proposal calls to levy an addiitonal tax on real and personal property in an amount not to exceed six (6 mills). This proposal also includes the Flint Fire Department and would generate approximately $7.5M in the first year. <br /><br />What are your thoughts on a Public Safety Millage? Would you be willing to pay more to maintain public safety services in Flint? You can share your thoughts about the Public Safety Millage proposals with Mayor Walling via email at mayor@cityofflint.com. <br /><br />Below is the actual language of the two proposals being considerd. <br /><br /> <strong></strong><strong>Four (4 Mills) Proposal:</strong><br /> Shall Section 7.201 (A) (4) be added to the Charter of the City of Flint to authorize the City to levy an additional tax on real and personal property in an amount not to exceed four (4) mills for 6 years, from 2011 through 2017, for the sole purpose of paying for public safety services, including a city wide community police program and operation of a city jail? It is estimated that 4 mils would raise approximately $5,000,000 in the first year. <br /><br /><strong></strong><strong>Six (6 Mills) Proposal:</strong><br />Shall Section 7.201 (A) (4) be added to the Charter of the City of Flint to authorize the City to levy an additional tax on real and personal property in an amount not to exceed six (6) mills for 6 years, from 2011 through 2017, for the sole purpose of paying for public safety services, including a city wide community police program,operating a city jail, and provide fire department services? It is estimated that 6 mils would raise approximately $ 7,500,000 in the first year.City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-82341895277345713942010-10-27T11:01:00.000-04:002010-10-27T11:03:22.115-04:00City To Begin Fall Leaf Clean-Up November 1, 2010The City of Flint will being its annual Fall Clean-Up program on Monday, November 1, 2010 through Friday, November 26, 2010.<br /><br />Yard signs will be posted one week in advance of when city maintenance crews will begin<br />clean-up in a certain area. City crews will only go through an area once for leaf pick-up. Any remaining leaves should be bagged and placed at the curb. Bagged leaves will be picked up with regular scheduled compost pick-up. Compost collection ends November 27, 2010.<br /><br />City crews will perform the fall leaf clean-up from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. In an effort to maximize clean-up operations residents are asked to not park vehicles on the street between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. during the week fall clean-up is scheduled in their area.City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-55171264248470302722010-10-11T16:04:00.003-04:002010-10-11T16:06:10.098-04:00City Hall To House Criminal Division of 68th District CourtThe Criminal Division of Flint’s 68th District Court is temporarily relocating to the lower level of Flint City Hall beginning at 8:00 am Tuesday, October 12, 2010.<br /><br />The court’s three criminal judges: Cathy Dowd; Nathaniel Perry; and Tracy Collier-Nix will preside over cases from courtrooms that have established in the basement of City Hall. This temporary arrangement is expected to remain in effect until further notice.<br /><br />On September 6, 2010 a flood occurred at the McCree Building where 68th District Court is located. The flood made it impossible for the court to continue operating out of the McCree Building. The Civil Division of the court has been temporarily relocated to the Great Lakes Tech Center, 4400 South Saginaw Street, Suite #1250. The Civil Division handles general civil, landlord tenant, small claims and traffic violation matters. The Criminal Division of the court will operate from the lower level of City Hall, 1101 South Saginaw Street. Court hours are from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at both locations.<br /><br />Members of the public with court matters should enter City Hall through the main doors off Saginaw Street and take the elevator to the basement level. The court is located to the right of the elevators. <br /><br />Street parking is available around City Hall on Saginaw Street, Fifth Street, and Seventh Street. Free parking is available at a public lot on Seventh Street, just east of Saginaw Street.City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-64359047861812341802010-09-20T15:01:00.003-04:002010-09-20T15:06:51.475-04:00Elias Abuelazam Is Charged With MurderDuring a press conference Monday morning Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton announced several new charges against Elias Abuelazam, the suspect in a series of stabbings and murders in Flint and Genesee County.<br /><br />Abuelazam, who is being held in the Genesee County Jail charged with one count of assault with intent to murder, was charged Monday with four additional counts of assault with intent to murder. These new counts are related to the stabbings of three men from Flint and one from Genesee Township.<br /><br />Prosecutor Leyton also announced the first murder charge against Abuelazam. The suspect ischarged with the August 2, 2010 stabbing death of Arnold Minor. “The victims DNA profile or blood was found inside the suspect’s vehicle,” said Prosecutor Leyton. The Prosecutor is waiting for results from evidence at the Michigan State Crime Lab to determine if Abuelazam will face more charges.<br /><br />Abuelazam is suspected of stabbing 14 people in Genesee County, killing 5. He is also<br />suspected of similar assaults in Ohio and Virginia.<br /><br />For several days in early August, Flint was a community on edge after police alerted<br />residents of a possible serial stabber. More than 400 tips were called in to the tip<br />line about the possible whereabouts and identity of the suspected killer. On August 11,2010, 33 year old Abuelazam was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia while preparing to board a plane to Israel.<br /><br />Flint Mayor Dayne Walling credits the community with helping investigators capture thesuspect. “Because someone was willing to share information about a crime this community now breathes a sigh of relief knowing this suspected killer is off the streets. “There are many unsolved crimes in our community just waiting for someone to speak up. We need more peopleto come forward and share information about crimes that have been committed.”City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-52299895657654869492010-08-01T22:46:00.002-04:002010-08-01T22:48:45.473-04:00South Half of Kettering Gateway Project Set To Open August 2, 2010Flint Mayor Dayne Walling along with Congressman<br />Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) and other public officials, contractors, and representatives from Kettering University, will announce the opening of the south half of the Kettering Gateway Project on Monday, August 2, 2010.<br /><br />When completed the $3M project will connect I-69 to Kettering University through a more direct route from Hammerberg Road to Chevrolet Avenue. <br /><br />Funding for the project came from federal stimulus funds, provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and more than $1M in funding secured by Congressman Kildee through the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act.City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-79463919220853985162010-08-01T22:44:00.002-04:002010-08-01T22:46:25.528-04:00August 2, 2010 Flint Police Volunteer Training Rescheduled<span style="font-family:verdana;">The City of Flint has rescheduled the Flint Police Volunteer Training for August 2, 2010 at 6:00PM at the MTA Downtown Terminal. The new date for the training is </span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 6:00PM at the MTA Downtown Terminal in the Rosa Parks Room.<br /></strong><br />The Flint Police Volunteer Training is a part of the City of Flint’s ongoing training sessions for residents interested in being a member of the Blue Badge Patrol Volunteer Corps. These training sessions also include Mini Station Volunteer Training and Crime Watch Training.<br /><br />The Blue Badge Patrol Volunteer Corps was implemented by Flint Mayor Dayne Walling. It provides an amazing opportunity for government and residents to work together. Blue Badge is built upon the principals of community policing. Community policing means community members are the ‘eyes and ears’ for police, addressing both crime and quality of life issues. The Blue Badge Patrol is the umbrella for all City of Flint crime fighting initiatives that involve active participation from residents, including block clubs, crime watches, mini station and police volunteers. </span>City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-89860574275310541222010-07-12T13:02:00.001-04:002010-07-12T13:05:36.837-04:00City To Host Ceasefire Community Meeting<strong>Flint Mayor Dayne Walling joins Flint Area Congregations Together<br />To Host Ceasefire Community Meeting<br /></strong>Flint Mayor Dayne Walling and Flint Area Congregations Together (FACT) will host a Ceasefire community meeting. This free community event will be held Tuesday July 13, 2010 at 6:00pm at First Presbyterian Church, 746 South Saginaw Street.<br />Chief Jim Fealy of the High Point, North Carolina Police Department will be the featured speaker.<br /><br />Chief Fealy will discuss how the Ceasefire Public Safety initiative helped turn his city around. The City of High Point implemented the Ceasefire model in 1997 and has reported a more than 50 percent reduction in crime in their community.<br /><br />The Flint Ceasefire public safety initiative is built on the foundation of strong enforcement coupled with coordinated opportunities for rehabilitation for some offenders. Flint Ceasefire relies on strong partnerships among law enforcement, social service providers, government, faith leaders and the community. During the Ceasefire community meeting residents will learn how they can join with this coalition to help make Flint safer.<br /><br />The Flint Ceasefire initiative is comprised of several key components including: community mobilization, public education, data driven enforcement, selection of targeted offenders and youth outreach and violence interruption. The program draws on several models including High Point, NC Drug Market Intervention (DMI) and the Chicago Ceasefire Initiative.<br /><br />The City of Flint has requested more than $2.5M in federal grants for the implementation of this program. Mayor Dayne Walling says with or without the federal grant dollars the city is committed to implementing Ceasefire. "The residents of this community have told me that public safety is their top priority. The police chief and I are committed to an effective crime reduction strategy," said Mayor Walling. The Ceasefire Public Safety model has been effective in other cities; I believe it can be effective in our community too."City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-43742176537090652852010-07-12T13:00:00.001-04:002010-07-12T13:01:50.442-04:00City Begins Blue Badge Volunteer Corps TrainingBeginning Tuesday, July 13, 2010 the City of Flint will begin Blue Badge Patrol Volunteer Corps Training. The training sessions are for residents interested in being a volunteer at one of the city’s police mini-stations; a neighborhood crime watch; or Flint Police volunteer.<br /><br />Mayor Dayne Walling’s Blue Badge Patrol Volunteer Corps is the umbrella for all City of Flint crime fighting initiatives that involve active participation from residents, including block clubs, crime watches, mini stations and police volunteers.<br /><br />The program offers an amazing opportunity for government and residents to work together. It is built upon the principles of community policing. Community policing means community members are the ‘eyes and ears’ for police, addressing both crime and quality of life issues.<br />“It is partnerships between residents, business owners, and police working together that have a positive impact on reducing neighborhood crime, reducing fear of crime and enhancing the quality of life in the community,” said Mayor Dayne Walling.<br /><br />Training and successfully passing a background check is required for all participants in the Blue Badge Patrol Volunteer Corps.<br /><br />Training sessions have been scheduled for the following days:<br /><br /><br /><strong>Blue Badge Training Sessions<br />Mini Station Volunteer Training<br /></strong>July 13, 2010 - 9:30AM - Haskell Community Center<br />July 14, 2010 – 2:00 PM – Haskell Community Center<br /><strong>Crime Watch Training</strong><br />July 26, 2010 – 6:00PM – Urban League of Flint<br />July 28, 2010 – 6:00PM – MCC Regional Technology Center (Auditorium)<br /><strong>Flint Police Volunteer Training<br /></strong>August 2, 2010 – 6:00PM – MTA Downtown Terminal (Rosa Parks Room)<br />August 4, 2010 – 10:00AM – Flint Public LibraryCity Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-76385548728374338402010-07-06T14:14:00.003-04:002010-07-06T14:19:41.613-04:00City Of Flint Residents Advised Against The Illegal Use of Fire Hydrants<div align="left"> The use of fire hydrants by unauthorized persons is a violation of<br /> Flint City Ordinance and presents a public safety threat.<br /><br />City of Flint officials are advising residents to not turn on fire hydrants for relief from the sweltering heat of summer. The use of fire hydrants by unauthorized persons is a violation of Flint city ordinance and presents a public safety threat. <br /><br />The ordinance is found in the Flint city charter under section 46-15 - Use of Hydrants without Permission. It shall be unlawful for any person, other than city employees, to use hydrants without first having obtained permission from the Fire Chief and the Superintendent of Water Supply. Violation of this ordinance is a misdemeanor offense.<br /><br />There is also a risk of injury to the persons involved when these hydrants are being turned on illegally. The illegal use of fire hydrants can also cause a public safety threat as well. The city’s fire suppression is at risk whenever hydrants are turned on illegally. The illegal use of fire hydrants can make it impossible for the city to supply enough water in emergency situations causing the possible loss of life, buildings and homes.<br /> </div>City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-49904659604278831752010-06-14T16:18:00.000-04:002010-06-14T16:20:24.561-04:00Flint Mayor Dayne Walling Will Not Veto Adopted Budget<span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Compromise will Bring Back Every Week Garbage Collection</strong><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Flint Mayor Dayne Walling announced today that he will not veto the 2011 fiscal year budget. The budget was unanimously adopted by the 9 member Flint City Council on June 7, 2010. It takes effect July 1, 2010. The compromise will allow every week garbage collection to begin later next month.<br /><br />“This budget reflects a lot of hard work and and financial responsibility on the part of Council. 95 percent of this budget is exactly what I proposed. It’s only 5 percent that Council and I disagree on,” said Mayor Walling. “I am willing to compromise while we make changes to live within our revenues and provide high quality services for the residents of the City of Flint.”<br /><br />Walling expressed concerns about the long-term viability of the every week garbage collection but is satisifed that Council will work with the administration on necessary changes.<br /><br />The fiscal year 2011 budget is effective July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. </span>City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-3186298423303210992010-06-10T09:14:00.003-04:002010-06-10T09:48:29.615-04:00Mayor Dayne Walling considers veto of City Council adopted budgetFlint Mayor Dayne Walling said in a press conference Wednesday that he is considering a veto of the budget adopted Monday by the Flint City Council.<br /><br />"We agree on 95% of the budget it's the 5% that we are in disagreement on. I'm most concerned about the steep cuts the council made to Community and Economic Development at a time when this community is in desperate need of jobs and new job creation," said Mayor Walling. <br /><br />The Mayor has until June 16th to veto the proposed budget.City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-29841702437822206372010-06-10T09:07:00.003-04:002010-06-10T09:13:53.780-04:00Mayor meets with Swedish Biogas officials during trip to Sweden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith4L8bmVHTCjtCMdb9M-xgJwciRqN3gflKkSqc_NxXn6C3T9mNmF32-B4VBke-zZx35g-J2A_BjflfwSHZm0CbmPQXGtxr3CKgMjWMgq3Q19eLz6CZSRSL1hG8nyNXIK6NLaK0Wthb0WQ/s1600/mayor+in+sweden.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481131475114849378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith4L8bmVHTCjtCMdb9M-xgJwciRqN3gflKkSqc_NxXn6C3T9mNmF32-B4VBke-zZx35g-J2A_BjflfwSHZm0CbmPQXGtxr3CKgMjWMgq3Q19eLz6CZSRSL1hG8nyNXIK6NLaK0Wthb0WQ/s320/mayor+in+sweden.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mayor Dayne Walling in Sweden touring the Swedish Biogas plant with<br />Flint CEO for Biogas and also the International COO for Biogas.<br /><br />Flint will soon have one of these gravity belt thickener pictured in the background as part of the treatment process for the biomethane digester for the swedish biogas operation at the city's wastewater treatment plan.<br /><br /><br /><div></div>City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-11697119362090373782010-05-27T16:11:00.004-04:002010-06-10T09:06:09.320-04:00Governor Jennifer Granholm Responds To City's Request For Increased State Police Presence In the City<span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Governor Granholm says call by some for National Guard Intervention is not warranted or necessary for this situation.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Mayor Dayne Walling today announced that the city’s request for additional presence of Michigan State Police (MSP) in the city of Flint is being honored and went into effect last night.<br /><br />The announcement follows a series of conference calls late Wednesday between the governor, the mayor, Michigan State Police Director Col. Eddie Washington, Jr., and Flint Public Safety Director Alvern Lock.<br /><br />“Public safety is our top priority, and we stand ready to assist our local partners to ensure that citizens are protected and remain safe,” Granholm said today. “For that reason, we are honoring Mayor Walling’s request that additional resources from the Michigan State Police be made available to the residents of Flint.”<br /><br />“We share the governor’s commitment to public safety, and we are grateful to the Michigan State Police increasing their presence in our city,” Walling said. “These are difficult budget times that have resulted in very difficult decisions, but with the assistance of the Michigan State Police, we can stem the tide of violence in our city.”<br /><br />Beginning last night, the MSP tripled its uniform presence in the city and will work with the Flint Police Department to ensure that there is a visible law enforcement presence in the city. The Michigan State Police has been actively involved in law enforcement within the city limits, where it has maintained a uniform and investigative presence for the past five years.<br /><br />There has been no request for assistance from the Michigan National Guard, which the governor confirmed is not warranted or appropriate in this instance.<br /></span>City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-15096334608770755752010-05-19T11:42:00.002-04:002010-05-19T11:45:26.608-04:00Buick City Clean-Up Plan Finalized<strong>EPA FINALIZES BUICK CITY CLEAN-UP PLAN</strong><br /><br /><strong>Plan is released 1 day after the Federal Government announces a trust of nearly $1Billion for the clean-up and redevelop of dozens of former General Motors </strong><strong>sites across the country<br /><br /></strong>The final U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plan for the clean-up of Buick City comes on the heels of the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers announcement Tuesday of a landmark federal framework to speed the cleanup and redevelopment of shuttered auto facilities resulting from the GM bankruptcy. The federal government is investing nearly $836 Million to put facilities back into productive use, with hopes of creating jobs and economic growth in communities across the country.<br /><br />EPA Region 5 today announced its final decision on an estimated $5 million to $7 million cleanup plan to address historical contamination on the South end portion of the former General Motors Buick City property in Flint, Mich. <br /><br />The South end portion of the 452-acre property includes the area south of Leith Street, bounded to the east by Cole Boulevard and the Flint River and to the south by Harriet Street.<br /><br />Due to General Motors’ bankruptcy, Motors Liquidation Corp. is the successor company and current owner of the site. Buick City’s south end is the first of the former General Motors sites to have a final cleanup plan. The EPA will oversee the cleanup work in consultation with Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. <br /><br />“Finalizing the cleanup plan is a key milestone in the future redevelopment of Buick City,” said Margaret Guerriero, director of EPA Region 5’s Land and Chemicals Division. “Most of the cleanup work will be subsurface or in isolated areas of the site. The cleanup should not impact—or slow down—any plans for a new business that wants to operate on the property.”<br /><br />Flint Mayor Dayne Walling is excited about the opportunity for redevelopment of this site. “It’s great news for our community that Buick City is the first former General Motors manufacturing site in the country with an approved reclamation plan. A potential investor has already expressed interest in purchasing this location for a future intermodal operation,” said Mayor Walling. “With this plan in place and the federal financial commitment to the clean-up and redevelopment process, it’s akin to having our very own stimulus fund. This is a game changer for Flint. It opens the door for us to create jobs, recycle properties, and become more competitive in this 21st century global economy.” <br /><br />With the cleanup plan finalized, the next step is for the EPA to receive a detailed project implementation plan from MLC’s contractors. Most work at the site will begin in 2011. Through the fall and winter, area residents may occasionally see sampling teams or other environmental workers at the site.<br /><br />For more information, including a fact sheet for the plan as it was proposed in February, see www.epa.gov/reg5rcra/wptdiv/sites/buickcity/. An information repository with site documents has been established at the Flint Main Branch Public Library, 1026 E. Kearsley St.<br /><br />ABOUT BUICK CITY<br />- Automotive production at the Buick City property began in the 1890s <br />- The Buick Motor Co. moved to Flint in 1903 and became a division of General Motors when that corporation was formed in 1908<br />- The facility also produced military equipment during World Wars I and II<br />- Manufacturing operations at the South end portion of the site ceased in 1999<br />- More than 15 million Buicks were built at the Buick City complex<br />- During the 1970’s, General Motors employed nearly 30,000 people at the Buick City - it was the largest UAW local in the U.S.<br /><br />ABOUT MLC OWNED PROPERTY IN FLINT<br /> - Michigan has over 4000 acres of MLC property<br /><br /> - Flint area has over 850 acres of MLC property, which is more than 20 percent of the <br /> Michigan total<br /><br /> - City of Flint proper has 640 acres of MLC property and 4.7 million sq. ft. of buildings<br /><br />- City of Flint has the most MLC land of any city in the countryCity Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-13383446377177120492010-05-12T13:31:00.002-04:002010-05-12T13:33:41.407-04:00Mayor Dayne Walling Will Attend Summit on Auto Impacted Communities<span style="font-family:verdana;">Flint Mayor Dayne Walling will travel to Washington D.C. to attend a summit on auto impacted communities. The Auto Communities and the Next Economy: Partnerships in Innovation summit is being hosted by the White House and Washington based Brookings Institution.<br /><br />Mayor Walling will be joined at the conference by mayors from across the country whose communities have been negatively impacted by the decline of the automotive industry. The summit will focus on American auto communities and their role in the future.<br /><br />“This summit provides a unique opportunity for Mayor’s of the country’s hardest hit auto communities to come together and share with the federal government what is needed to help turn our communities around,” said Mayor Walling. “No other community in the country has been impacted the way Flint has from the downturn of the automotive sector. I am looking forward to an engaging and productive discussion around the revitalization of American auto communities.”<br /><br />The summit will be held in Washington D.C. May 17 – 18, 2010.<br /><br /><br />About Brookings Institute<br />The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Whose mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, provide innovative, practical recommendations that advance three broad goals:<br /> Strengthen American democracy;<br /> Foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans and<br /> Secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system.</span>City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-31479685368986022002010-05-11T13:28:00.004-04:002010-05-11T13:34:04.128-04:00Mayor Walling Talks Trash Collection, Compost, and the Return of Firefighers During Weekly MessagePlease click<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYBS-bSRZdM"> here </a>to view the Mayor's weekly video message for May 10, 2010.City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-18525796112161199152010-05-11T13:24:00.003-04:002010-05-11T13:27:49.046-04:00City Of Flint Brings Back 34 Laid Off Firefighters<p><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">This addition brings the total number of firefighters in the department to 100<br /></span></strong></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">The City of Flint has re-hired 34 previously laid off firefighters. The layoffs date back to 2007 including 21 firefighters who were laid off as of March 24, 2010. The city plans to hire 5 additional firefighters by July 1, 2010, bringing the total number of<br />re-hires and new hires to 39.<br /><br />The city of Flint received a $6.7M Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from FEMA, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, to bring the fire department staffing levels to 105. The grant which covers salaries and benefits for 39 firefighters is effective from May 10, 2010 through May 10, 2012.<br /><br />Flint Mayor Dayne Walling applauds the efforts of FEMA for funding 100% of the city’s grant request. “This is great news for the community. We asked for funding for 39 firefighters and we received it,” said Mayor Walling. “Just recently the city was forced to layoff nearly 2 dozen firefighters. This grant not only restores those 21 laid off firefighters but it also adds more than a dozen more firefighters to the ranks making this the largest fire department this community has had in several years.”<br /> <br />The increase in staffing in the Flint fire department has made it possible for the city to re-open two previously closed fire stations. Fire Station #8 on Atherton Road and Fire Station #3 on Martin Luther King Avenue are open and serving the community as of May 10, 2010.<br /><br /></span></p>City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-42428002226819784132010-04-20T18:54:00.003-04:002010-04-20T18:57:47.985-04:00Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy Expanding Into Flint Bringing More Than 1,000 Jobs Over The Next Five Years<div align="left"><strong>Mayor Dayne Walling Welcomes The Expansion Of Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy Into Flint. </strong><strong>Expansion expected to bring 1,000+ new jobs to the City of Flint over the next five years</strong><br /><br /></div><div align="left">Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, the nation’s largest privately held specialty pharmacy company, has received a $61.5 million tax credit from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board for a new headquarters and expansion in Flint at the Great Lakes Technology Centre where the company expects to add more than 1,000 jobs over the next five years.<br /><br />Diplomat was notified of the 18-year tax credit during today’s MEGA board meeting in Lansing. The MEGA board provides refundable tax credits against the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) to companies expanding or relocating their operations in Michigan. Flint beat out competing sites in Ohio and Texas for the multi-million dollar project.<br /><br />In addition, the company will receive a $14-million grant over 10 years for worker training through Career Alliance, Inc., a Michigan Works agency serving Genesee and Shiawassee counties.<br /><br />Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said this is a significant step toward substantial job creation in the city. “We are excited about the possibility of the creation of more than 1,000 new jobs in the City of Flint over the next five years in the rapidly growing life sciences and healthcare field,” said Mayor Walling. “The majority of these new jobs will be filled with residents from right here in our community who have been trained through Career Alliance. With this expansion of Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy we are positioning ourselves as a regional leader in health technology and life sciences.”<br /><br />“This is great news for the City Of Flint. All aspects of the healthcare industry are growing. I am hoping with the expansion of Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy into our city it serves as a springboard to attract similar business to our area with the same kind of job creation and economic development potential,” said Delrico Loyd, President, Flint City Council.<br /><br />Diplomat will invest $12M over the next five years into the expansion. The company plans to purchase the 340,000 square foot building at the Great Lakes Technology Centre on south Saginaw Street and begin consolidating operations from its current headquarters on Elms Road in Flint Township. The transition is expected to begin in 90 days.<br /><br />“The award to Diplomat means Michigan can further position itself as a life sciences leader, attracting new and complementary businesses that support the rejuvenation of the Flint business landscape and the appeal of Michigan as a hotbed of ingenuity and health care talent,” said Phil Hagerman, Diplomat’s president, CEO and co-founder. “We thank Governor Granholm, the MEGA board, the City of Flint and the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce for their support in assuring that Diplomat will remain a Michigan-based company.”<br /><br />For more information about Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, including company history, executive team, project details, hiring plans and other information, visit http://projectpromise.diplomatpharmacy.com. Additional employment information will be available from Career Alliance (http://www.gsworks.org/). </div>City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-58255890833127406082010-04-15T13:27:00.001-04:002010-04-15T13:28:54.800-04:00Mayor Dayne Walling In NYC For Mayor's Institute On City Design Conference<span style="font-family:verdana;">Flint Mayor Dayne Walling is spending the week in New York City attending the Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD) conference. Mayor Walling is one of six mayors from across the country who has been invited to attend the session. The MICD is taking place April 14–16 in New York City and is the first in MICD’s 24-year history to be held in America’s largest city.<br /><br />As an invited Mayor to the conference, Mayor Walling’s expenses to attend are covered by the MICD. “This is an excellent opportunity for me to connect with some of the best urban planners in the country. What I take away from this experience will be invaluable as we begin comprehensive master planning in the city of Flint,” said Mayor Walling.<br /><br />Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is hosting Mayor Walling along with Mayor Carl Brewer, Wichita, KS; Mayor George K. Heartwell, Grand Rapids, MI; Mayor Lori C. Moseley, Miramar, FL; Mayor Joseph C. O’Brien, Worcester, MA; Mayor A. C. Wharton Jr., Memphis, TN; and Mayor Jay Williams, Youngstown, OH.<br /><br />MICD has assembled an outstanding resource team to guide the mayors through the design process: Robert Freedman, MRAIC, AICP, LSUC, Director of Urban Design, Toronto, Canada; Gordon Gill, AIA, Partner, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, LLP, Chicago, IL; Toni L. Griffin, Urban Design and Planning for the American City, Newark, NJ; Walter J. Hood Jr., Principal, Hood Design, Oakland, CA; Michael P. Kelly, General Manager, New York City Housing Authority, New York, NY; Bonnie Nelson, Principal, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, San Francisco, CA; and Russell Perry, FAIA, LEED AP, VP and Managing Director, SmithGroup, Washington, DC.<br /><br />The Mayors’ Institute on City Design is a leadership initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the United States Conference of Mayors and the American Architectural Foundation. Since its inception in 1986, the Mayors' Institute has worked with more than 800 mayors, transforming communities across the country by preparing mayors to become the chief urban designers of their cities. Industrial waterfront conversion, transit-oriented development, public housing redesign, neighborhood sustainability, and civic space design are just a few of the topics addressed at recent meetings of the Mayors’ Institute.<br /></span>City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-80918950300567398792010-04-08T15:51:00.004-04:002010-04-08T15:59:43.255-04:00Mayor Dayne Walling Begins Weekly Video MessagingThis week Flint Mayor Dayne Walling recorded his first weekly video message. His inaugural video message included a review of public safety issues, every other week trash collection, city golf courses and the upcoming budget.<br /><br />The video message can be viewed on the city's website <a href="http://www.cityofflint.com/">http://www.cityofflint.com/</a>. Video messages are also uploaded to YouTube. Please click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG8Mr73KB0M">here</a> to view the mayor's first video message.City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789710891775434786.post-43389559625414447532010-04-08T15:42:00.004-04:002010-04-08T15:49:31.565-04:00Mayor Dayne Walling Discusses SAFER Grant On WNEM's "Ask The Mayor" SegmentMayor Dayne Walling answered questions about the SAFER grant and the city's golf courses on his weekly Ask The Mayor segment on WNEM TV-5. Please click <a href="http://www.wnem.com/video/23090355/index.html">here</a> to see the interview.City Speak - The official blog of the City of Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00278969625276054515noreply@blogger.com0