We are excited to announce our logo design contest. The contest is open to students in Flint from middle school through college. The winning logo design will reflect the city's diversity, strength, resilience, and pride. The deadline to submit entries is 5:00 p.m December 1, 2009. For complete contest rules please click here.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Re-branding Our Image
We are excited to announce our logo design contest. The contest is open to students in Flint from middle school through college. The winning logo design will reflect the city's diversity, strength, resilience, and pride. The deadline to submit entries is 5:00 p.m December 1, 2009. For complete contest rules please click here.
Nightline In Flint
ABC News Nightline Reporter John Donvan and his producer Mary Marsh recently spent a couple of days in Flint. They were here to interview Mayor Walling and County Treasurer Dan Kildee about population decline and the shrinking city concept.
Mayor Walling does not support the concept of shrinking Flint, but has a different approach to population decline. The mayor's approach calls for recycling our land and re-purposing it in a way that adds value to our community. The mayor's vision is to establish Flint as a 21st Century sustainable city with new jobs, safe neighborhoods and great schools.
The nightline story in my opinion was disappointing. The reporter and producer spent more time on the discussion of shrinking and little time on sustaining. They failed to get both sides of the story.
Click here to view the report and make your own judgement.
Mayor Walling does not support the concept of shrinking Flint, but has a different approach to population decline. The mayor's approach calls for recycling our land and re-purposing it in a way that adds value to our community. The mayor's vision is to establish Flint as a 21st Century sustainable city with new jobs, safe neighborhoods and great schools.
The nightline story in my opinion was disappointing. The reporter and producer spent more time on the discussion of shrinking and little time on sustaining. They failed to get both sides of the story.
Click here to view the report and make your own judgement.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Flint: The Toughest City In America!
Photo Courtesy of New York Times
New York Times columnist Dan Barry and photographer Fred Conrad spent several days in Flint last week. They were drawn to the city for the same reason many others are focusing on Flint these days; they're trying to capture our resilient spirit and gage how we are surviving in the face of population decline, high unemployment, and major manufacturing job losses. I've been told by more than 1 national reporter that Flint is on the threshold of developing a model of survival that other cities will follow. One thing for sure-Mayor Walling's model is about sustaining, not shrinking. "Amid Ruin of Flint, Seeing Hope in a Garden," click here to read the article.
Friday, October 16, 2009
U.S. Senator Carl Levin Attends Day Long Meeting At City Hall
U.S. Senator Carl Levin, (D-MI) and Jo-Ellen Darcy the Assistant Secretary of the Army were in Flint for a day long meeting with Mayor Dayne Walling. The closed door meeting took place at City Hall, Friday, October 16, 2009. Flint’s Green Cities Coordinator Steve Montle and representatives from the offices of U.S. Congressman Dale Kildee and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow were also in attendance.
The group discussed Chevy in the Hole and the Hamilton Dam. Sen. Levin and Asst. Secretary Darcy and others were taken on a guided bus tour of both sites to asess their current condition. They will determine what it will take to move these projects forward with the possible assistance of the Army Corps of Engineers. Senator Levin is the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.
“My office has had ongoing dialogue with our federal officials regarding these two projects. Our meeting today was productive and our talks will continue as we work on the most reasonable and cost effective strategy to move these projects forward,” said Mayor Walling. “I am just pleased to know that Chevy in the Hole and the Hamilton Dam are projects the federal government is considering as possible priorities.”
The group discussed Chevy in the Hole and the Hamilton Dam. Sen. Levin and Asst. Secretary Darcy and others were taken on a guided bus tour of both sites to asess their current condition. They will determine what it will take to move these projects forward with the possible assistance of the Army Corps of Engineers. Senator Levin is the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.
“My office has had ongoing dialogue with our federal officials regarding these two projects. Our meeting today was productive and our talks will continue as we work on the most reasonable and cost effective strategy to move these projects forward,” said Mayor Walling. “I am just pleased to know that Chevy in the Hole and the Hamilton Dam are projects the federal government is considering as possible priorities.”
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
College Student Gets The City Hall Experience
Last month Jenny Serwach from U of M Flint spent an entire day with me. She wrote about her experience and the article appeared in this week's Michigan Times. In it she writes "it was one of the best days ever." She also writes about the Mayor's sense of humor and my kids. You can read the entire article by clicking here.
Flint's 4th Ward Gets Involved In Neighborhood Action Sessions!
It was a good turnout tonight at Asbury United Methodist Church for the 4th Ward introductory Neighborhood Action Sessions meeting. This was the second session hosted by Flint Mayor Dayne Walling. He will hold an introductory Neighborhood Action Sessions meeting in each of the city's 9 wards before Christmas.
Those who attended the 4th ward meeting were very engaged in the process. They asked good questions and identified a number of assets and opportunities in their community. Assets are those things in the community that add value. Washington Elementary School was one example several people gave. An opportunity is something in the community that could become an asset with a little TLC. One opportunity that many in the group sited is the vacant parking lots along Dort Highway that once held the cars of the thousands of AC Spark Plug and Delphi employees. One group from tonight's meeting said those lots would make good green spaces or community gardens. Another group thought the area would be great for erecting some basketball hoops for the youth.
That's what these Neighborhood Action Sessions meetings are supposed to do: spark discussion about assets we can build on in the community and opportunities where we can build assets.
One of the things I enjoy most about these sessions is the 15 minutes at the start of the meeting. This is the time we use to personally get to know each other and what in Flint makes us proud. Every person in the room stands up and introduces themselves and says 1 thing that they are proud of in the city of Flint.
I learned tonight that residents in the 4th ward are proud of their neighbors. They are proud of the leadership of Mayor Walling and most expressed pride in the spirit of the city and the residents.
Our next Neighborhood Action Sessions introductory ward meeting is October 28, 2009 in the 5th Ward at Job Corp on North Saginaw Street. It begins at 5:30. It would be great if it was a packed house. This is Our Flint: Strong and Proud, we need everyone to come out and participate in the process of positive change in our community.
Those who attended the 4th ward meeting were very engaged in the process. They asked good questions and identified a number of assets and opportunities in their community. Assets are those things in the community that add value. Washington Elementary School was one example several people gave. An opportunity is something in the community that could become an asset with a little TLC. One opportunity that many in the group sited is the vacant parking lots along Dort Highway that once held the cars of the thousands of AC Spark Plug and Delphi employees. One group from tonight's meeting said those lots would make good green spaces or community gardens. Another group thought the area would be great for erecting some basketball hoops for the youth.
That's what these Neighborhood Action Sessions meetings are supposed to do: spark discussion about assets we can build on in the community and opportunities where we can build assets.
One of the things I enjoy most about these sessions is the 15 minutes at the start of the meeting. This is the time we use to personally get to know each other and what in Flint makes us proud. Every person in the room stands up and introduces themselves and says 1 thing that they are proud of in the city of Flint.
I learned tonight that residents in the 4th ward are proud of their neighbors. They are proud of the leadership of Mayor Walling and most expressed pride in the spirit of the city and the residents.
Our next Neighborhood Action Sessions introductory ward meeting is October 28, 2009 in the 5th Ward at Job Corp on North Saginaw Street. It begins at 5:30. It would be great if it was a packed house. This is Our Flint: Strong and Proud, we need everyone to come out and participate in the process of positive change in our community.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Mayor Walling In The Spotlight!
Photo Courtesy of GOODMayor Dayne Walling is interviewed by Zach Frechette of GOOD an on-line blog. GOOD is a collaboration of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits pushing the world forward.
The Mayor gave great insight into his plans and his vision for the City of Flint. Read the article below.
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By Zach Frechette
When GM closed its factories in Flint, Michigan, the city was plunged into a period of darkness—famously depicted in the original Michael Moore documentary, Roger and Me—that has lasted for nearly 20 years. Widespread unemployment, plunging property values, and unchecked violence are just a few of the problems that continue plague this troubled town. Mayor Walling spoke to GOOD about how he plans to change all that. To read the complete article click here.
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