MCM | May 2024 Digital Edition by Lorraine-Publishing

FROM THE PUBLISHER

DEAR READERS,

Team My City has always been known for sharing unique and compelling stories – often, our content is in uenced by national observances, holidays, things to which we can all relate. is month, we chose several groups and individuals who are dedicated to making life better for their fellow humans in a variety of ways.

To acknowledge Law Day (May 1), we are highlighting members of the Greater Flint legal community. Included is a “7 Questions” pro le of Captain Jillian Macey, the rst woman to ll the role of Genesee County Corrections Administrator. Also featured is the Community Resolution Center, a group of professionals celebrating 30 years of helping people resolve legal con icts outside of a courtroom. And we take a look at the MADE Institute – standing for Money, Attitude, Direction and Education – they provide programs and initiatives to help people transition from jail cells to living successful lives. Finally, local criminal defense lawyer Nicholas Robinson o ers his expertise with a timely article about the process of jury selection. We appreciate those who helped us share these stories with you.

Gracing our cover is a photo of the fantastic mural that has been created for the Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC). It has been quite a process and involved artists from all over the world. e mural will be unveiled on May 9 – check out “My Arts” on pg. 32. And, it’s time for the Fli River Anglers to enjoy another season of great y shing on the Flint River. A chapter of the FRWC, they reach out to impact the lives of underserved local kids while furthering their mission to preserve the waterway. You can help them continue their good work – that story is on pg.10.

We can’t go wrong with stories about people helping kids. Read about the Flint Flames youth basketball program that is part mentoring, part skills – they’re training some of the state’s best young players! e coaches are dedicated to providing an environment for local kids to thrive while having fun and just being kids. You can help them, too – check it out on pg. 36.

Finally, as the country honors our veterans this month, we are happy to share news of the long-awaited Veteran’s Memorial at Freedom Park in Fenton. e space will be o cially dedicated on Memorial Day this year. As a Fenton resident, I will be on hand to celebrate the work of the passionate group whose journey to create this beautiful tribute began in 2019. Read “Remembrance and Re ection” starting on pg. 6. ere’s plenty more great reading to round out this issue – I hope you enjoy it. anks for spending time with My City.

Vince Lorraine Publisher & Editor in Chief Vince@mycitymag.com

PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF

Vince Lorraine

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR

Sherron Barden

STAFF WRITER

Cheryl Dennison

FREELANCE WRITER

Mark Spezia

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Erin Caudell

Dr. Christopher Douglas

Vera Hogan

Alexandria Pazienza-Nolan

Nicholas R. Robinson. Esq.

Leslie Toldo

Shannon White

ART & DESIGN

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Hailey Carriger

Daria Akulova OPERATIONS

ACCOUNTING/CIRCULATION

Kim Davis SALES

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Terese Allen

ISSN#1559-3436 is published monthly by My City Magazine, Inc., 14165 Fenton Rd. Fenton, MI 48430. Canadian Mail Agreement #41971515. For back issues, inquire for availability. Editorial Correspondence: Address product information and inquiries to: Editorial Department, My City Magazine, 14165 Fenton Rd., Fenton, MI 48430, phone 810.230.1783. To authors, photographers and people featured in this publication: All materials, articles, reports and photographs in this publication are the property of My City Magazine and cannot be used without written permission. The opinions and conclusions recited herein are those of the respective authors and not of My City Magazine. My City Magazine is not responsible for returning unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other materials. Every effort will be made however, to return rejected manuscripts, etc., if they are accompanied by sufficient first-class postage, but the Publisher will not be responsible for any loss of such material.

Where to Buy MY CITY MAGAZINE

Fenton’s Open Book

105 W. Shiawassee Ave. Fenton, MI 48430

810.629.8000

Hurley Lobby Gift Shop

Hurley Medical Center One Hurley Plaza Flint, MI 48503

810.262.9306

COVER ART PROVIDED BY KATE PEPIN

Remembrance AND REFLECTION

Fenton to dedicate new Veteran’s Memorial

BY VERA HOGAN | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CITY OF FENTON

“ ank you for your service.”

Wecan’t say this enough to living veterans. We can’t say it at all to the nearly 2,853,000 active members of the U.S. military who have died in service to our country. But Americans have found other ways to remember and express their gratitude.

In almost every American town, there is a memorial to honor our country’s war dead and their sacri ces and whether big or small, each one is special to the folks who live there. e City of Fenton is no di erent and this year, a special place to honor both living and deceased military personnel will be dedicated on May 27 – Memorial Day –and Freedom Park will o cially become Freedom Park Veteran’s Memorial.

Beginning in 2017, the City of Fenton Parks & Recreation Board and Beauti cation Commission began discussing the concept for a veteran’s memorial at Freedom Park. A subcommittee was formed, members visited other communities with veteran’s

memorials and brought forward several ideas for the development of Freedom Park, according to Committee Chair and City of Fenton Mayor Pro Tem, Patricia Lockwood.

“On February 5, 2019 Dan Czarnecki, Fenton’s then-DPW director, made a presentation to the Fenton City Council to move forward with this project,” Lockwood explained. “It was recommended that a committee be formed of individuals with a passion for establishing and carrying out this type of memorial in the Fenton community. Later that month, the City Council passed a resolution establishing the committee to plan and implement the Freedom Park Veteran’s Memorial.

The committee first met on May 30, 2019 but the pandemic brought the planning to a halt from March 2020 until September 2021. Since then, the committee, city administration and OHM Engineers have been meeting monthly, reviewing the designs for the park located at the triangle bordered by W. Shiawassee, W. Elizabeth and Park Streets.

RENOWNED SCULPTOR TOM WHITE OF ARIZONA WAS COMMISSIONED TO CREATE THE BRONZE STATUE TITLED “GOLD STAR MOTHER.”

“ is is a historic site of 1837, a public square where town meetings were held and troops mustered before going o to battle,” Lockwood informed.

Fenton Memorials was diligent in locating the granite needed to create the rst of three memorials. e second memorial is an obelisk surrounded by the seven branches of the military. e Fenton City Council commissioned renowned and internationally acclaimed sculptor Tom White of Arizona to create the third memorial – a bronze statue titled “Gold Star Mother.”

e memorial will y three ags – American, State of Michigan and City of Fenton. e American ag ew on the battleship U.S.S. Arizona, now entombed at Pearl Harbor. With the ag, the city received a certi cate of ag presentation to the Veteran’s Memorial Park Dedication. It reads, “In tribute to the more than 2,400 lives lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor, the national ensign ies continuously from the battleship U.S.S. Arizona … Stricken from the active list in 1942, the Arizona, resting in 38 feet of water, is no longer

in commission.” e certi cate is signed by Tom Leatherman, Superintendent of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Several Michiganders were among those on the Arizona who perished in that December 7, 1941 attack.

“Over 500 engraved bricks will be placed in the walkway to honor our veterans, living and deceased, and give tribute to their sacri ces,” stated Lockwood. Citizens purchased the bricks to honor their loved ones.

e existing gazebo has been re nished with new wooden benches installed for visitors to sit and re ect.

Also included in the new landscaping are seven wrought iron benches honoring veterans from the seven branches of service, and a “donor wall of appreciation” is forthcoming.

“Giving thanks to all veterans, living and deceased, is the primary focus of this memorial, in appreciation and loving memory of all those who have protected our freedom, and those who have given the ultimate sacri ce. We honor you and will never forget,” said Lockwood.

e Fenton VFW (Curtis-Wolverton Post 3243) Memorial Day event begins at 9:30am at the Fenton Community →

& Cultural Center, 150 S. Leroy St. Following a wreath-laying service at the Shiawassee River, the parade will proceed to Oakwood Cemetery for the annual service. e VFW honor guard and public will proceed to Freedom Park for the Veteran’s Memorial dedication. Pastor Robbie Carnes will deliver the invocation and Mayor Sue Osborn will welcome attendees. Patricia Lockwood will give a brief history of the Memorial and introduce committee members and a guest speaker. e dedication will conclude with the raising of the three ags, a 21-gun salute and dedication of the three memorials. A luncheon will follow at the Community Center.

In addition to Chair Patricia Lockwood, the Veteran’s Memorial Committee members include Scott Grossmeyer, Tracy Bottecelli, Dawn Overmyer, Pastor Robert Carnes, Doug Tebo, Jennifer Wenzel, John Scott, Ed Koledo, Shelly Day, Gus Van Hecke and Ken Rodenbo (now deceased).

Freedom Park is .35 acres small, but rich in history. It is Fenton’s rst park and the place where, during the Civil War, Colonel William Matthew Fenton had the soldiers practice drills. When the town was founded in 1834, it was also the town square and once featured a wooden bandstand where the Fenton City Band would perform. e park has long been a place of remembrance to honor local community members who have served our country. ◆

My City LAW

Law Day (May 1) is celebrated throughout the month to recognize the role of law in our society; an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice and contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share.

In this special section, we highlight members of the Greater Flint legal community who serve the community in a variety of ways. Included is a “7 Questions” pro le of Captain Jillian Macey, the rst woman to ll the role of Genesee County Corrections Administrator. Also featured is the Community Resolution Center, a group of professionals celebrating 30 years of helping people resolve legal con icts outside of the courtroom. And we take a look at the MADE Institute – standing for Money, Attitude, Direction and Education – providing programs and initiatives to help people transition from jail cells to living successful lives. And, local criminal defense lawyer Nick Robinson o ers his expertise with a timely article about the process of jury selection. We appreciate those who helped us share these stories with you. ◆

Working Through Con ict

Community Resolution Center celebrates 30 years of providing mediation services

BY VERA HOGAN

Resolving con icts outside of a courtroom may seem like an impossible task, so much so that it is often better to get a third-party mediator involved to assist individuals and families with negotiating successful solutions.

e Community Resolution Center (CRC) has been doing just that for nearly three decades, having received notice of its rst grant award on November 21, 1994. Community Dispute Resolution Programs are grant-funded by the State Court Administrative O ce of Dispute Resolution. Michigan citizens in every county have access to low or no-cost mediation.

From 1994 to 2003, the CRC served citizens in Genesee County, after which the service area was expanded to include Saginaw, Arenac, Bay, Midland, Clare, Gladwin, Ogemaw and Roscommon counties. e CRC has two physical o ces – one in Flint on Court St. (a tenant of the Genesee County Bar Association) and one in Saginaw, located in the Saginaw County Courthouse.

“All of our mediators are volunteers, currently a roster of 56,” stated CRC Executive Director Dayna Harper, Ed.D,

MSA, BS. “We have a seven-member board of directors who represent four of our nine counties. e experience of this dedicated group ranges from lawyers, department heads at Saginaw Valley State University and University of Michigan - Flint and a court reporter.”

“Mediation can be court-ordered or self-referred and can take place before, during or after a court case,” explained Harper. “Our process can help parties resolve con icts ranging from general civil cases such as small claims, landlord/tenant, business to business, employment disputes and probate. We also work with domestic relations matters, including all aspects of divorce and parenting time.

“ e Michigan Supreme Court saw the need to provide citizens with resources for Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR),” Harper added. “Mediation empowers people to work through con ict and design their own agreement, which helps alleviate the overburdened courts by settling cases prior to trial.”

Specialty programs include: Special Education – available at no cost to parents and schools for any child receiving special education services; Behavioral Health – free mediation services for anyone receiving Behavioral Health Services; Access and Visitation – any parents who need to establish or modify parenting time; MI Resolve – an online ling service for general civil or domestic relations cases; and Restorative Justice – a program for juvenile o enders.

“Our cases are conducted online and in-person in all nine of the counties we serve,” Harper said. “We try our best to accommodate the parties’ schedules.”

A free or low-cost option, a regular mediation fee is $100 per side and is lowered or waived for anyone who cannot a ord it. e fee is never an obstacle for people to receive mediation services through the CRC.

“ e cost of mediation is minimal compared to the expense of ling a court case and going to trial, not to mention the time it takes to wait through the →

“Mediation empowers people to work through conflict and design their own agreement, which helps alleviate the overburdened courts by settling cases prior to trial.”

Dayna Harper Executive Director,

CRC

court process – mediation can typically be scheduled within two weeks,” Harper said. “Many of the specialty programs have additional grant funding, so there is never a cost for services.” Volunteer mediators are well-trained. ere are four components to becoming a quali ed mediator, which includes 48 hours of general civil training and 48 hours of training in domestic relations. ey must also observe two cases conducted by a quali ed mediator, and conduct one mediation to conclusion under the supervision of a quali ed mediator. Education requirements for mediating general civil cases include a Juris Doctor degree or graduate degree in con ict resolution. For domestic relations, a Juris Doctor or a graduate degree in counseling, social work or family therapy is required.

“For anyone who does not have the education component, there are experience requirements that can be met for quali cation,” Harper added. “All quali ed mediators are required to obtain at least eight hours of continuing education every two years.” ere are many examples of successful mediations.

“One mediator was stopped in Home Depot by a gentleman who told the mediator they had mediated their parenting time case several years prior and that it had improved the dynamics of their family,” Harper shared. “Another mediator conducted a probate case in which step-children had denied a wife contact with her elderly husband. e woman called the Center the next day and said she felt that since her court case began, the mediator was the only person who had listened to her. ere are many more stories of people who work through con ict with our services and come out on the other side with relief and hope for the future.”

To commemorate its 30-year anniversary, a CRC volunteer appreciation reception is in the planning stages for July. ◆

“I stress to them how important it is to appreciate and take advantage of the real second chance MADE gives people and that awesome things will happen if they stick with the programs,” he says. “I hope sharing my story will reverberate with people needing help and give them some hope. I’m honored and humbled whenever I’m asked by MADE to do that.”

Johnson is just one of MADE’s many success stories. To date, more than 1,250 individuals have bene tted from its services which are also geared toward at-risk youth and veterans needing assistance with returning to civilian life.

“I’m very proud and thankful for all we have achieved through hard work and dedication and earning the support of residents in the community and all the great organizations that believe in what we are doing and partner with us to make it possible,” El-Alamin says. “We’re always excited to see this collaborative and tireless work lifting up Flint. It’s very important to serve such a vulnerable population.”

El-Alamin’s work has been regularly recognized along the way. Last year, he was named Humanitarian of the Year by the Total Life Prosperity Community Development Corporation and received a 2022 Michigan Founders Fund Community Trailblazers Award.

A 1999 Flint Northwestern grad, El-Alamin has also been honored with the Changemaker of the Year award from the National Clean Water Collective for extensive e orts during the height of the Flint Water Crisis when MADE arranged for and distributed donations of bottled water. e organization also submitted water samples to Wayne State University scientists for Legionnaires’ disease testing.

“I’m grateful for all the recognition and belief in my vision to provide an absolute, necessary service after the barriers I dealt with trying to restart my life after prison,” El-Alamin says. “ ere are so many people in Flint with felony convictions on their records who need hope that they can overcome where they have been. We can’t ignore such a great need and must continue to address the e ects of mass incarceration.”

MADE does its work with a team of roughly 30 sta members, board members and volunteers.

“When you look at reasons for our success, our dedicated board of directors, sta and the volunteers we have is a big one,” El-Alamin says. “We have an amazing and diverse team of

professionals who always provide great input to help our cause.”

Obviously, nothing would be possible without the fundraising ability of El-Alamin and his team.

MADE is fueled by generous grants and donations. Last year, the organization received a nearly $300,000 grant from Islamic Relief USA.

“We’re always excited to see this collaborative and tireless work lifting up Flint. It’s very important to serve such a vulnerable population.”

Leon El-Alamin

e money has been mostly used for purchasing additional houses to eventually bring the total of MADE’s transitional and mixed-use housing units to 15, and for work on the organization’s commercial building. One facility will house young adults who have aged out of the foster care system.

“Our goal is to help our clients attain a basic standard of living and obviously, housing is a big part of that because a former inmate’s chances of being homeless is greater,” El-Alamin says.

“Renovating the homes is a big part of our skilled trades program and our transitional housing gives people an immediate place to stay. When they get out of prison, there is a short window of time to help them stay on the right path.”

El-Alamin added that people like Johnson are then eligible to move into MADE’s mixed-use housing if they meet certain standards while residing in transitional housing. →

“ at makes it easier for folks like John to continue doing the right things,” he says. “We don’t want anyone to get o track once their 90 days in transitional housing is done.”

For Johnson, opening the door to a house he helped bring to life through MADE is a special feeling.

“It’s so di erent than if I just moved into some apartment that I had no real connection to,” he shares. “ is home is a reminder of how far I’ve come and what I’m working toward.”

One of MADE’s newest initiatives – a Residential Carpenter Specialist Registered Apprenticeship Program – was launched earlier this year. In partnership with GST Michigan Works, the program provides the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in the carpentry industry.

Likewise, MADE’s Green Workforce Development Program, with funding from the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, provides training for green energy jobs. e program combines onthe-job training in green carpentry and lead abatement with classroom environmental literacy instruction.

MADE’s Google Career Certi cate Scholarship Program began last year, providing a way for enrollees to become certi ed in elds like cybersecurity, data analytics, project management, IT support, UX design and digital marketing & e-commerce.

and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.

Recently, El-Alamin found yet another way to serve Flint when he was appointed to ll the 1st Ward City Council seat left vacant by the sudden death of Eric Mays in February.

Political o ce is something El-Alamin has long aspired to, even prior to MADE’s founding. He ran for City Council in 2012 and the Flint School Board in 2014, garnering 4,000 votes, as people began to notice how serious he is about helping the city.

“I’m excited to be a fresh set of eyes and ears on the City Council to address all the problems of the 1st Ward and the city as a whole,” says El-Alamin, who is also serving a ve-year term on the Flint Housing Commission. “In the past, we’ve had too many politicians giving people who live in that area false hope about making things better. We have to seriously tackle issues like widespread blight and violence.”

IN LATE MARCH, LEON EL-ALAMIN WAS APPOINTED TO FILL THE 1ST WARD CITY COUNCIL SEAT LEFT VACANT BY THE SUDDEN DEATH OF ERIC MAYS IN FEBRUARY.

MADE also o ers a health and wellness program and an entrepreneurship program consisting of weekly gatherings of MADE participants with top-tier executives and university professors who teach and mentor them.

A social justice program which facilitates the healing and reintegration process for individuals leaving prison and those impacted by violence and MADE’s digital technology program is designed to empower individuals with the necessary digital technology skills to succeed in today’s job market. MADE’s workforce development initiatives focus on equipping participants with the skills and resources to enter long-term careers in high-demand industries.

Among the other agencies MADE partners with to allow all these programs to ourish are LISC Flint, Ruth Mott Foundation, Mott Community College, Kettering University, United Way

El-Alamin intends to retain the seat through the August primary and November general election while keeping his foot rmly on the accelerator when it comes to the work of MADE.

As of 2021, he is no longer a convicted felon, the result of sweeping clean slate laws passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Still, El-Alamin’s body holds reminders of his former life of cocaine dealing, running with the Pierson neighborhood gang and frequent violence.

Taking a bullet to the head during a gang turf war put El-Alamin in a month-long coma and left him deaf in one ear and with shrapnel in his skull. A scar runs down his head. It’s all chronicled in his autobiography, Tears Dry & Wounds Heal: e Story of My Life, which was published last year.

John Johnson is forever grateful for his connection with MADE.

“I’m an only child, so Leon has been like the big brother I never had,” he says. “He’s a wise leader guiding people through di cult things in their lives. I don’t want to think about where I would be without him and MADE.”◆

Fit for Duty

The Process of Jury Selection

BY NICHOLAS R. ROBINSON

“JURY DUTY? UGH!”

fiyou’ve received one of those documents in the mail, you probably called your lawyer buddy immediately to ask how you could get out of it. While most people dread being summoned for jury duty, it should be considered an honor to participate.

Citizens of the United States have a few mandatory civic duties – jury service is one of them. It is a way for people to be part of the judicial process. In Michigan, a person is eligible to serve as a juror if they are:

• 18 years or older

• A United States citizen

• A resident of the county or district of the court calling for service

• Able to communicate in English

• Physically and mentally capable of performing service

• Without a felony conviction prior to service

With several high-pro le trials recently in the national news, I thought some information about jury selection would be of interest. e following is an explanation of the process.

For a trial of any case in which a defendant is charged with a felony, 14 jurors must be chosen. Twelve jurors will ultimately decide the outcome; two will be excused at the end of the trial and put on standby as alternates, in case another juror must be absent due to an emergency.1 During jury selection, the process of

asking potential jurors questions, either general or related to the speci c case, is called voir dire.2 For trial lawyers, the goal of voir dire is to ensure that no one on the jury harbors a bias that could a ect the outcome of the case. We have all seen TV shows and movies with a slick defense attorney who asks jurors questions about bumper stickers or what magazines they subscribe to. When determining someone’s suitability to serve on a jury, this is worthless information.

In a capital case – one in which the crime is punishable by up to life in prison – both the prosecution and defense teams can excuse up to 12 potential jurors for any reason.3 ese are called peremptory challenges. An attorney can excuse any number of jurors for cause.4 “For cause” means there is a very good reason why a person would not be t to sit on the jury, such as a medical condition, extreme nancial hardship from missing work during the course of the trial, or bias toward one party. For example, the defense attorney may use a peremptory challenge to exclude a potential juror whose family member was the victim of a similar crime. e peremptory challenges are an attorney’s tool for shaping the jury; when dismissing a juror with a preempt, he or she does not have to provide any reason why. It might be because the juror gave the attorney a dirty look, said something she didn’t like during voir dire, or maybe

the attorney just didn’t like the shirt the juror was wearing. Generally, a juror can be excused if the attorney feels that he or she would not be a good juror for their side.

When I am picking a jury, I care about potential jurors knowing and understanding three concepts:

1. Burden of Proof,

2. Presumption of Innocence, and

3. Reasonable Doubt.

If I can get a jury that understands these three concepts, I’m o to a good start in trial.

BURDEN OF PROOF

I am a criminal defense attorney. I need the jury to understand that I have zero obligation to prove my client’s innocence and that the burden of proof rests solely with the government. I tell every jury that I could literally fall asleep at the counsel table5 and not ask a single question6 and technically, I would not be doing anything wrong – because it is the government that has the burden of proving their case against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.

PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE

We have heard this phrase for our entire lives and it is still hard to grasp. It’s human nature to think that where there is smoke, there is re. at is, if the defendant is charged with a crime, he must be guilty. is is a signi cant hurdle for any defense attorney to overcome. Jurors will say they understand that a defendant is presumed

1 I always feel bad for jurors who sit through an entire trial and then are not involved in the verdict.

2 French for “speak the truth.”

3 Unless the reason for the dismissal is on the basis of race, ethnicity or gender.

4 Excuses for cause do need approval from the judge; preempts do not.

5 Note: I do not fall asleep at the counsel table.

6 Another note: I deﬁnitely ask questions.

MYLAW

to be innocent, and I will ask them if they see a man pulled over on the side of the road, his hands on the hood of his car and being patted down by police o cers, do they think, “Hmmm – I wonder what he is presumed innocent of?”7 e answer is: of course not. If I can get the jury to understand that the trial starts with the presumption that the defendant is innocent and the prosecutor has to prove their guilt, again, I’m o to a good start.

REASONABLE DOUBT

e burden of a prosecutor is to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.8 e legal de nition of “reasonable doubt” is a mess – it’s hard to follow and it never makes sense.9 If I am being honest, it took me about ten years to gure out how to properly explain this to a jury.10 Essentially, it means that if you have a doubt about what happened and that doubt is reasonable, you must nd the defendant not guilty.11

Any trial lawyer who claims they know how to “pick a good jury” is lying. ere are obviously other things that a lawyer will talk to a jury about during selection; but one who can get them to understand these three concepts and remember them throughout the entire trial will have chosen a jury that is t for duty. ◆

7 I wish I could remember what attorney I stole this idea from.

8 Back to Burden of Proof.

9 I will spare you the full deﬁnition; your eyes would fall out of your head if you had to read it.

10 For real.

11 Civil cases where only money is involved carry a di erent burden of proof. That’s a preponderance of the evidence, basically 50% plus one.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick is a trial attorney specializing in criminal defense. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and Ohio Northern University School of Law. His ofﬁce is located in Downtown Flint and he has been accepting cases statewide for over a decade.

A JEWEL AMONG US

Mosaic depicts life in and around the Flint River

BY VERA HOGAN | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KATE PEPIN

Ifanyone knows the critical importance of clean water, it’s the good people of Flint, MI.

Just over a decade ago, a public water crisis occurred as a result of local leaders switching the municipal water source from Detroit to the Flint River, after which aging corroded pipes leached dangerous levels of lead into the water. Many actions were required to remediate the

situation, including switching Flint’s primary water supplier to the Great Lakes Water Authority, which reintroduced treated water into the system.

Despite this public health crisis, the Flint River is and always has been very important to the community. e Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC) aims to provide citizens with safe, enjoyable ways to

protect this valuable resource. To that end, artists and many volunteers, under the direction of multimedia artist Kate Pepin of Ann Arbor, have been working for over a year on a mosaic mural project that will visually represent the jewel those living within the watershed boundaries have in their communities.

“ is artwork is a depiction of a healthy Flint River and serves as a reminder of what the Flint River Watershed Coalition has always been about – protecting, promoting and improving one of our area’s greatest natural resources,” said FRWC Executive Director, Nancy Edwards.

“ e Flint River’s history is long and

The water droplets in the mosaic were created by artists from around the world, including Canada, Germany and China.

complicated, at times marred by human misuse and ugliness, but it is always resilient, alive with life and full of beauty. is mural serves as a reminder of how far we have come since the Clean Water Act (1972), how far we still need to go, and an acknowledgment of the work that must be done to keep the Flint River Watershed intact for generations to come.

“Kate’s mosaic mural provides us with a beautiful piece of artwork that is a focal point in our newly renovated space, highlighting the importance of a healthy watershed for everyone who sees it,” she added. Holding degrees in Architecture, Policy and Urban Planning, Pepin retired from teaching in the Health & Human Services Department at the University of Michigan-Dearborn after 24 years. She has since focused her e orts on environmental health issues through mixed media artwork and sculpture (katepepinarts.com).

She often uses found objects or natural materials in a manner that highlights their resilience and beauty.

e mosaic is being carefully constructed at the FRWC’s newly renovated Flint o ces at 630 W. Kearsley St. According to Pepin, the nished piece will be ten feet tall by 13-1/2 feet wide and displayed on a wall in the lobby/conference room area. People will not only be able to enjoy it when they rst walk in, but also see it from outside through large windows in the front of the building.

Created with stained glass, tempered glass and stones, the mural depicts the ora and fauna returning to the Flint River Watershed. It also features returning sh species, including sturgeon. During twice-weekly workshops, volunteers worked diligently to complete the piece.

e water droplets in the mosaic were created by artists from around the world, including Canada, Germany and China.“Two artists who have worked onsite with me since we started are Randee Pieper and Kate Hanley,” Pepin added. She volunteered to oversee the creation of the mosaic for the FRWC. →

WHERE IS PFAS FOUND?

• Firefighting foam (used often at airports and military bases)

• Flame-resistant clothing & firefighter gear

• Cleaning products

• Water-resistant fabrics, such as rain jackets, umbrellas & tents

• Grease-resistant paper

• Nonstick cookware

• Personal care products like shampoo, dental floss, nail polish & eye makeup

• Stain-resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery & other fabrics

• Most recently, some brands of bandages have been found to contain PFAS (time. com; April 4, 2024).

• For more detailed info, visit the Great Lakes PFAS Action network at glpan.org.

PFAS contamination can:

According to webmd.com, studies suggest that high levels of PFAS, known as the “forever chemical” can lead to:

• Changes to cholesterol levels

• Developmental effects or delays in fetuses, breastfed babies & children

• Changes to your immune system

• Thyroid problems & thyroid disease

• A higher chance of kidney, prostate or testicular cancer

ABOUT THE FLINT RIVER WATERSHED COALITION

The FRWC is a membership organization that promotes citizen stewardship of its natural resources by providing members with the sources, knowledge and capacity necessary to protect local water quality and watershed habitat. For more info on activities including Kayak Flint, Water Quality Monitoring, Flint River GREEN (education program currently serving 1,750 students in 20 school districts from Genesee, Lapeer and Saginaw counties), Flint River Cleanups and more, visit flintriver.org/ and facebook.com/flintriver watershed/

MYARTS

Pepin approached FRWC with a proposal to design and manage the creation of the mosaic. Great Lakes PFAS Action Network helped get the project started, as well as donors including Klobuchar Foundation, Flint Glass Service, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, and Genesee Ceramics.

ARTIST AND PROJECT

It is Pepin’s intent to work on water quality issues – of particular concern to her is PFAS (Per- and poly uoroalkyl substance) contamination in our waterways. PFAS is a group of thousands of chemicals used in hundreds of types of products and their contamination of water sources is not only a Flint problem, but also a global one.

Works of art like the FRWC mosaic are intended to bring about positive change in communities by encouraging conversation, raising awareness and inspiring action through community engagement.

On May 9 from 5-8pm, FRWC will welcome the public to the mosaic’s unveiling at the grand opening of their newly renovated space. e mosaic and related artwork created by Davison students will also be displayed during the Greater Flint Arts Council Flint Artwalk on May 10 from 6-9 pm. ◆

DIRECTOR KATE PEPIN WITH THE WORK IN PROGRESS.

Smokeit! Grill it! BBQ it! IT’S TIME TO

BY CHERYL DENNISON

It’stime to fire up the grill or the smoker and enjoy some fun in the sun with some great food. May is National Barbecue Month and there are many ways to celebrate. You can host a backyard barbecue, try out new recipes or even make your own homemade sauce. You can also choose to visit one of the many local restaurants that serve up some yummy BBQ ribs, wings, brisket, chicken – it’s ALL good!

SMOKE IT!

For some really delicious, traditional Texas BBQ, keep your eyes out for a food truck that can be seen serving it up all around Genesee County – PitBoss Smokehouse. MCM met up with the boss himself – Brent omas.

An ironworker for 20 years, omas and his wife Shane got into the food truck business six years ago after omas was injured. He always enjoyed cooking for friends and family, and BBQ is his passion!

On the PitBoss menu, you will nd some tasty options: smoked pork sandwiches, brisket, pork tacos and smoked ribs to name a few, served with hand-cut fries or Five Cheese Mac. “Everything is smoked! omas exclaims. “ at’s my thing!”

The food truck owners were kind enough to share this popular recipe:

PitBoss Smokehouse Asian Pork Tacos

Salsa

• 1 cup pineapple, diced

• 1 cup mango, diced

• 1/2 cup red sweet pepper, diced

• 1/2 cup fresh Jalapeno, diced

• 1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped

Slaw

• 2 cups green cabbage, finely sliced

• 1/2 cup carrots, grated

• 1/4 cup dark sesame seed oil

• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

• 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds

• 1/4 cup avocado oil

Also Needed

• Corn Tortillas

• Hoisin Sauce

• Chili Tia Sauce

To Make

Place three warmed tortillas on a plate. Add a portion of smoked pork and equal amounts of both sauces. Add salsa and slaw. Enjoy!

PitBoss Smokehouse meats are smoked right on the truck for 16-18 hours using apple, cherry and hickory wood. e most popular meat is brisket. “We can’t keep it on the truck,” he says, adding that the pulled pork-loaded Five Cheese Mac is a top seller, as well.

According to omas, many people are using smokers at home for their own backyard BBQ. His advice for the home smoker is to “be on top of it” – watch the temperature. “If the temperature drops too quickly, you will get tough meat.” And, don’t over-season, he adds. “You can always add more but you can never take it away.”

GRILL IT!

Gas vs. Charcoal: e debate continues! While there are scienti c reasons to believe that charcoal can produce a more intense and complex avor than gas grilling, there are also practical considerations to take into account, such as convenience and ease of use.

Cooking with gas may be more convenient – just re it up and it’s ready to go, and cleanup is much easier. But many people love the char-grilled avor of food cooked over coals. But does charcoal really make food taste better? According to bbqspitrotisseries.com, it is really a matter of personal preference. Ultimately, the best way to nd out what works for you is to experiment with di erent methods and techniques until you nd your perfect grill. →

Brent Thomas

Shane Thomas

BBQ IT!

BBQ chicken and baby back ribs … yum! ese are favorites for many foodies when ring up the grill for a backyard barbecue. And many people say the secret is in the sauce. ere are so many to choose from: Texas-style, North Carolina vinegar, South Carolina mustard sauce, Alabama white, honey sauce, Kansas City BBQ, sweet and spicy – the list is endless!

According to learntobbq. com, the ve best-selling bottled

barbecue sauces in America are: Sweet Baby Ray’s, Stubb’s, Kraft, Bulls-Eye and KC Masterpiece. Sweet Baby Ray’s is the clear market leader and Stubb’s and Kraft are also very popular. BullsEye and KC Masterpiece are favorite brands, but their sales are slightly lower than the top three.

All of the top ve sauce brands o er a variety from mild to spicy, as well as di erent avor pro les such as smoky, sweet and tangy.

Of course, many people prefer to make their own sauce. Here is a simple, classic recipe from Taste of Home.

Classic Barbecue Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup

• 3 Tbsp brown sugar, packed

• 1 tsp cider vinegar

• 1 Tbsp yellow mustard

• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce

• 1 to 2 Tbsp water (optional)

To Make

In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered until slightly thickened, 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate leftovers.

DAY IS MAY 17. GRAB SOME COLD DRINKS & NAPKINS ... LET THE FUN BEGIN!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Flint’s Mental Health

Crisis

BY STACY SAWYER, HAMILTON COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK

ALBERT UJKAJ, LMSW Director of Behavioral Health Hamilton Community Health Network

Weknow that Flint is a city full of resilience, strength and spirit – but it also is a city faced with economic hardships, environmental crises and systemic disparities that present challenges. As a therapist, Albert Ujkaj, LMSW, Director of Behavioral Health at Hamilton Community Health Network has witnessed rsthand the impact these factors have had on his patients. He and the entire Hamilton Behavioral Health team work with patients of all ages daily to support and manage their emotional wellness.

When I sat down to talk with Ujkaj about behavioral and mental health, we began discussing our community and how our everyday experiences in uence every aspect of our lives. You don’t always think, “I must be stressed because rent is due.”

Usually, you’re just worried about paying for it, not realizing that worry creates stress which can create many emotions – from anger to avoidance to depression – which can then lead to physical symptoms.

Our emotional state often spills over into our physical well-being, with mental health issues frequently manifesting as

physical symptoms. ink about how often you lay awake at night worrying or “thinking” about something. Do you experience headaches, fatigue, digestive problems or moodiness? ese can be typical signs that you need to talk with someone about the source of the problem.

“When we talk about mental health, it’s not just about our feelings. It’s also about our bodies and our relationships with others,” explained Ujkaj. “ at’s why it’s important to consider what is bothering you. It can be things like having a safe place to live, the economy, access to healthcare, employment, or being able to a ord healthy food. Everything can a ect how we feel emotionally.”

Mental health directly impacts our performance in various domains, from academics and careers to personal pursuits. Di culties concentrating, making decisions or managing stress can hinder productivity and personal ful llment. is can create a domino e ect on our overall quality of life, shaping our ability to nd enjoyment in everyday activities or cope with life’s challenges.

“Focusing on good mental health through therapy, social support, self-care practices and healthy habits is essential for nurturing a ful lling and balanced life.”

Ujkaj also talked about how the economic decline in Flint contributed to widespread poverty and unemployment. ese problems have led to an overwhelming need for mental health support in a large proportion of the community.

“Getting help isn’t a bad or negative thing; not getting the help you need can be much worse.”

“All these factors add up and lead to stress, anxiety, depression and more,” Ujkaj continued. “It’s usually not just one issue that causes someone to feel this way – it’s a mix of problems. Not having enough money, not being able to see a doctor when you need to, and worrying about things like pollution in the air and water can all make you feel anxious or sad.”

As a therapist, Ujkaj and his team help patients feel comfortable and safe when talking about their feelings. at means understanding where they’re coming from and respecting their experiences. Anyone who is struggling with substance abuse, depression, personality disorders or family problems can bene t by meeting with a therapist. You are not alone. It’s important to have a place to go where you feel safe and feel like you belong. “Getting help isn’t a bad or negative thing; not getting the help you need can be much worse,” Ujkaj added.

Albert

Ujkaj,

LMSW

Director of Behavioral Health Hamilton Community Health Network

MAY IS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

You can get the help you need right here in Flint, at Hamilton Community Health Network. Hamilton provides behavioral health services both in person and via Telehealth. If you think you or a loved one may be struggling with mental health, don’t delay getting help. To schedule an appointment, call 810.406.4246 or visit Hamiltonchn.org. ◆

Children’s Champion AWARDS BREAKFAST

RIVERFRONT BANQUET CENTER | 3.21.2024

Photos Courtesy of Whitmire Photography

Over 900 individuals gathered for the 29th event dedicated to recognizing those who have shown outstanding commitment to the well-being of Genesee County children. A collaboration between Voices for Children Advocacy Center (VFC) and United Way of Genesee County, the event invites the entire community to unite in support of children and to bene t the work of VFC. Since its inception in 1995, the Awards have been a beacon, recognizing individuals and organizations committed to uplifting the lives of children. roughout the morning, attendees celebrated the 150+ award nominees. Ten awards and ve scholarships were presented to local individuals, businesses, organizations and initiatives for their contributions in making Genesee County a nurturing environment for children.

Accolades included the McLaren Flint’s Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Carolyn Boegner, the F.A.C.T. Caring Adult Award bestowed upon Lynda Williams, and the Impact Award posthumously given to Kres Washington.

Additionally, deserving scholars were celebrated with the Curbco Scholarship, awarded to Jin Jin Eastman, Ariana Krueger and Justin Brown, as well as the Community Foundation’s Bob Emerson Scholarship recipients: Kameron Motley, Collin Ridgway and Ella Kenworthy.

Returning to share the emcee duties were VFC Board Member and ABC12 News Anchor Angie Hendershot, and Genesee County Sheri Chris Swanson. Congratulations to all honorees! ◆