I have historically been in opposition to incumbent recall because I think elections are important and recalls make them less so. On the other hand recalls are an electoral , citizen driven, "check and balance" on elected officials to stay in touch with the needs of the electorate, You and me.
Its tough to get elected and stay elected anywhere, Flint is the gold standard for survival political toughness.
Winning a general election is a significant event in a our community, getting signatures to cause a recall event is less significant. A small well funded organized group can get the signatures needed. A small well funded organized group can win an election. This recall concept if we simply rename it a "Vote of Confidence or non confidence in an administration" has a democratic underpinning possibly we should embrace. Turning in the signatures then is the first step in, caused by citizens, causing a public vote of confidence or no confidence in the Flint Mayor Dayne Walling Administration. How could this be more democratic?
The Administration has a right to challenge the process , after all it could throw out a duly elected mayor. I guess this is the difference. Flints Public Vote of Confidence has a real immediate effect. Flint Mayor Dayne Walling could lose his job if his policies are repudiated by a public vote of "No Confidence".
The debate after the petitions are certified is not about Davenport and the cabal of activists and contributors that caused citizens to sign these petitions. Its not about the words that David Davenport chose to place on a petition. The debate must be centered on the Flint Mayor Dyane Wallings Administration. The question we must ask is do we have confidence in the Administration of Flint Mayor Dayne Walling? If we lack confidence would firing him by recall be in our interest with the next regular election so close?
Those of us who will choose to be involved in this public debate should discuss the appointment, polices and actions of the Walling Administration. This will be a responsible civic act on our parts.
What will be irresponsible if for citizens to sit back and for this community to miss this important opportunity to hold power accountable, and voice our policy preferences. Flint politics would make a great survival show, election day will be a tribal meeting that may vote out a mayor.
I plan on being involved in this debate! How about you?
Well, it appears we all have a role in demanding excellence in our city government. I prefer issues so lets beging with downtown. Not to argue it is more important than public safety, jobs or the neighborhoods but just an easier topic to start with.
I am a member of the Genesee County Democratic Party Executive Committee. As such I have been asked and accepted the chairmanship of a sub committee to organize a Flint Mayoral Debate, sponsored by the Genesee County Democratic Party and its caucus's , to include but not limited to the Black Caucus headed by Gerri Hall.
KINGS VISIT 9/26/08
Q:WHAT DOES FLINT MICHIGAN HAVE TO DO TO BE A LEADER IN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND PROSPER ONCE AGAIN!!!
A: Demand that our institutional and elected leadership commit to this as the #1 goal. Clean up the mess we have created in Flint, (housing stock, schools,and crime). Demand and be prepared for change.
* * * * *
Good Morning Flint!, 9/27/08 by Terry R. Bankert
These are the pictures I took at Kettering. http://www.flickr.com/photos/3... * * * * *
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS IN A FINANCIAL CRISIS,
COMPANIES AROUND THE COUNTRY FEAR FOLDING
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FACING ECONOMIC CRISIS
LARGEST BANK FAILURE EVER JUST HAPPENED
---
FLINT HAS TRUMPETERS HERALDING A KING.
SWEDISH BIO GAS IS BREAKING GROUND IN FLINT
GENERAL MOTORS WILL DOUBLE PRODUCTION OF 4 CYLINDER ENGINES
Chevy Cruz and Volt.
GENERAL MOTORS TO INVEST $370 MILLION IN FLINT CREATE 400 JOBS and retain 300.
UAW/GM COST SAVING CONTRACT SAVES JOBS IN FLINT
FLINT BECOMES A MOVIE TOWN
* * * *
I WAS BORN IN Flint at the Old Womens Hospital and spent several years in a boarding house near Kettering. With a brief excursion to Grand Blanc from first grade on I have lived in Flint MI USA all of my life. I am a Flintoid to the core.
I have been honored with several Flint Public offices after being trained by a political party. Today I am just a working stiff family law attorney hoping the best for his city. We have much to hope for.
Look at the economic cross roads that Flint Michigan is in. We have a new infusion of General Motors investment and a shiny new plant on the horizon.
The biogas initiative will bring huge rewards. We just might be the leader of a new industry as a region. The "real" leadership of Genesee County was in the room.
I am proud of our Mayor Williamson, Governor Granholm , Kettering University and especially State Representative Lee Gonzales for causing this to happen. Flint is on the move. I still long to be on the inside running program making thing happen. But I am not, I wish all well. I will comment from the sidelines and be your biggest cheerleader.
All you have to do is make stuff happen.
Talk is cheap, and there is too much talk in this town. So from an ex: democratic party operative, member of 3 major unions, United Way campaigner, city clerk, ombudsman, precinct delegate and Flint native- Thank You to one and all who are involved in turning my city around.-Terry Bankert
* * * *
ELECTRIFYING NEWS FOR FLINT MI USA!
OLD SPARKY WANTS TO COME BACK, SIGN ME UP!
(Gmf 07/30/2008 by Terry Bankert)
The city of Flint is preparing to get charged. That's because plans are under way for Flint to be the production home of the engine for the Chevy Volt. [1]The Chevy Volt is a one-of-a-kind plug-in electric-gas hybrid car GM unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show[2]The Volt is a battery-powered vehicle that is designed to travel about 40 miles. After that, the car would switch to an internal combustion engine[3]The four-cylinder engine built at the plant would also go into the new Chevy Cruze, a new, smaller vehicle that will be produced by General Motors in the future. [3]
Posted originally to: http://energyalternativesadvis...
YOUTH TREATED UNEQUALLY IN FLINT MI
It's like deja vu all over again[3]
CITY OF FLINT CODE
31-12 DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND DISORDERLY PERSONS.
A person is a disorderly person if the person does any of the following:
(n) For the purposes of this section, PUBLIC PLACE means any street, alley, park, government- owned or government-controlled building, common hallway or public room of any dwelling greater than two units, or any other place to which the public has lawful access, as well as any motor vehicle used to provide public transportation. Masculine pronouns in this section shall be construed to include both male and female persons.[9]
(o) Intentionally makes or causes to be made any open exposure of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breast in any street, alley, park, sidewalk, public building, school or building open to or frequented by the public or any other place that is open to the public view or to which the public has access.[9]
Unequal treatment is what Nayyirah Shariff fears most from Flint's crackdown on saggy pants.[1] A question asked at a recent Flint community meeting was are people were a certain style of clothing which does not violate the law being unfairly targeted? My answer is yes.[trb]
