Safer print coverage by Marjory Raymer

SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014

$2.00 / POWER ING MLI VE .COM

NEWSPAPER OF THE Y E AR > MICHIG A N PRES S A S SOCI AT ION NEWSP

LOCAL SPORT S / C1

LOCAL / A3

GRAND BLANC CRUISES TO TITLE DID YOU SPRING FORWARD? Daylight saving time started at 2 a.m. today, so clocks should be set an hour ahead.

TODAY’S MUST�READS

Zachary Lee Parker, 18, is arraigned Friday. (Katie McLean / MLive.com)

FLINT

Charges filed in fatal crash A Swartz Creek teenager has been accused of seconddegree murder and seven other charges in a wrong-way crash that killed a woman. Mariah Bailey-Collins, 36, was killed Feb. 9 when the car in which she was traveling with her husband and son collided head-on with another vehicle. Police said Zachary Lee Parker, 18, was driving south on northbound U.S. 23. Details, A4

HUNDREDS BID BURTON CHIEF FAREWELL

EDITORIAL: FIGHTING FIRE WITH FUNDS

FLINT NEEDS FEDERAL AID FOR FIREFIGHTING FORCE

t’s devastatingly simple, really, if you examine the evidence. Without a renewed SAFER grant, the city of Flint will burn. It will burn even faster than it does now, and with more injuries to firefighters and citizens — unless this city receives the funding it desperately needs to fund the 39 firefighters whose jobs are on the line when the federal grant expires in June. There is no question. We need this grant. We need it because we’re No. 1 in the nation for arsons per capita. We need it because wide swaths of vacant housing have become a playground for arsonists in neighborhoods where families live and

INSIDE Where to write or call to help champion SAFER funding for Flint, B2

children go to school. We need it because as Flint has lost firefighters to cutbacks, the number of fire-related injuries to civilians has more than tripled, from 167 in 2010 to 618 in 2012. We need it because no one wants to find out what happens when there

aren’t enough firefighters to fight all the fires. But that is what is almost certain to happen if Flint is not awarded another grant for hiring firefighters. Flint’s application is pending for its $7.9 million request for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant — commonly known SEE GRANT, A2

Flint firefighters battle a house blaze Tuesday on Joliet Street. (Jake May/MLive.com)

Kegs hold beer at the Red Baron Taproom & Grill in Burton. (Katie McLean/MLive.com) GENESEE COUNTY

Business seeks to tap trend The Red Baron Taproom & Grill in Burton has been granted a brewpub license — the latest among Genesee County businesses banking on the growing trend in craft beer. Details, G1

DAILY QUOTE

I pray for the “Ukraine every day.” MARY MARTIN, WHOSE FAMILY BECAME PART OF A GENESEE COUNTY COMMUNITY OF UKRAINIAN IMMIGRANTS. DETAILS, A6

GENESEE COUNTY

Detroit, KWA compete for small water customers in Lapeer County By Ron Fonger

rfonger1@mlive.com

Workers are tunneling along the path of the new Karegnondi Water Authority pipeline, but Imlay City and Lapeer are taking their time before making a decision the two cities must live with for decades to come. The choice: Whether to continue buying water from Detroit or switch delivery

pipes and join the upstart KWA, which is building a pipeline from Lake Huron to Flint. The volume of water at issue is relatively small — not enough to change the KWA pipeline project, the intake of which is under construction at the Lake Huron shoreline. Genesee County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright said the size of a treatment

plant, pumping stations and transmission pipe won’t change — regardless of the decisions Lapeer and Imlay City make. However, KWA and the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department want to have contracts with the Lapeer County cities and are making 11th-hour pitches for their business. Public water consump-

INDEX Advice................ F5 Business ............ G1

tion in the area might not amount to much now, but the level could rocket quickly if boosters of the I-69 corridor succeed in luring food processors or water-intensive manufacturers here in the future. “It’s such a small portion of the overall system that it really makes no difference, (but) we’d like them as partners,” said Wright, who also

is chief executive officer of the KWA. “They are buying their future” with these next contracts, he said. Almont, Lapeer and Imlay City are part of the Greater Lapeer Utility Authority, which has purchased water from the Detroit water system for decades. Lapeer uses about 1 million gallons of SEE WATER, A8

FEEDBACK Classified............ E1 Entertainment.... F1

Local................... A3 Lottery ................ A2

Nation............... A17 Obituaries......... A11

Opinion............... B1 Sports................. C1

Travel .................. F8 Weather............ A17

Send your comments to comments@mlive.com.

FL SUNDAY

A2 / SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 / THE FLINT JOURNAL

Local&More Grant

CONTINUED FROM A1

as a SAFER grant. If approved, it would be Flint’s third such grant since 2010, an unprecedented number of renewals. Flint needs this grant just as much, if not more, than the fire departments that already have been awarded the grant this year. A Flint Journal/MLive.com analysis of these 186 communities that already have received SAFER grants this cycle shows Flint’s financial picture is worse off than 183 of them — with a higher poverty rate, lower median income and lower median housing value, according to Census figures. We’re not saying these communities don’t deserve this grant — their money already has been awarded, and that’s not for us to decide or change. But it’s plain to see Flint should be on this list alongside cities such as Portland, Ore.; Winter Park, Fla.; and Jersey City, N.J. — each of which received a grant amount similar to Flint’s request, but has less than half the poverty rate and more than twice the median household income. If Jersey City needs this

Fire crews work to contain a house blaze Tuesday on Joliet Street in Flint. (Jake May/ MLive.com)

OBITUARIES LIST

CONTACT US Flint mlive.com/flint Marjory Raymer Editor mraymer@mlive.com 810.406.9001 Clark Hughes Managing Producer for News, Sports, Business chughes3@mlive.com 810.347.8825 Bryn Mickle Managing Producer for News, Entertainment, Photo bmickle1@mlive.com 810.406.9828 Kristin Longley Community Engagement Specialist klongley1@mlive.com 810.429.5333 By Department flnews@mlive.com flsports@mlive.com flbusiness@mlive.com flentertainment@mlive.com Letters flletters@mlive.com Robert Graham Director of Sales rgraham2@mlive.com 810.893.6148 Obituaries obitads@mlive.com 810.767.0690 Customer Service/Delivery customercare@mlive.com 800.875.6300

Statewide mlivemediagroup.com Danny R. Gaydou President president@mlive.com John P. Hiner Vice President of Content jhiner@mlive.com Charity Plaxton Vice President of Sales & Marketing cplaxton@mlive.com Steve Westphal National Accounts Director swestpha@mlive.com Ritu Parr Director of Marketing rparr@mlive.com By Department advertise@mlive.com marketing@mlive.com

DELIVERY The Flint Journal 137th year. No. 197 Published four days a week by Mlive Media Group at 540 S. Saginaw St., Suite 101, Flint, MI 48502 Phone: 810-766-6280 or 800-875-6300 Postage paid at Flint, MI Publication identification: (USPS 200-300) Postmaster Send address changes to Advance Central Services, 3102 Walker Ridge Dr., Walker, MI 49544 Subscription Rates 4 Day Delivery $12.94 (4 weeks) Sunday Only $11.20 (4 weeks) By Mail 4 Day Delivery $20.00 (4 weeks)

SHEPHERD Tony, 54 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) SILVERTHORN Frances, of Flint (Swartz Funeral Home) SLAMA Pearl, 96, of Flint (Allen Funeral Home) SLINKARD Cindy, 55 (Allen Funeral Home) SMITH Jerry, 77, of Montrose (O’Guinn Family Funeral Home) SMITH Joseph, 44, of Linden (Sharp Funeral Home) SNEAR Bryan, 61, of Clare (Cremation Society of Mid-Michigan) STEPHENSON Kathleen, 82, of Clio (O’Guinn Family Funeral Home) STEVENSON John (Brown Funeral Home) THOMPSON Joanne, 81, of Linden (Sharp Funeral Home) WALKER Kenneth, 50 (Serenity Funeral Home) WALLACE Tony, 44 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) WHEELER Ronald, 78, of Clio (O’Guinn Family Funeral Home) WILLIAMS Glenn, 51 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) WILLINGHAM Michael, 43 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) ZELENKA Michael, 58, of Fenton (Sharp Funeral Home)

NCG CINEMAS Lapeer • 1650 Demille Rd. 810-667-SHOW

Burton • Courtland Center Mall 810-223-0242

INCENTIVE

Owosso • 314 E. Comstock 989-723-SHOW 4790908-01

SAVE UP TO

150

/YR

IN ENERGY COSTS

only

11a - 4pm 11am Mon. - Sat. Mo

only

4pm - Close Mon. - Sun. Mon

With purchase of beverage. Not valid with any other discount. Coupon good for up to 4 people. Expires 4/12/14. Court & Center

For a FREE pickup, call (877) 270-3519 or visit ConsumersEnergy.com/recycle.

No appliance age restrictions. Refrigerators and freezers must be in working condition and must be a minimum of 10 cubic feet in size, utilizing inside measurements. Consumers Energy contracts with JACO Environmental, an appliance recycler, to pick up and recycle refrigerators and freezers that are in working condition. Funding for this program is limited. Customers must own the unit(s) being recycled at the service address associated with the electric account. Room air conditioners and dehumidifiers must be collected during a refrigerator or freezer home pick-up. Limit of two large and two small appliances accepted per account per year. A check will be mailed to the customer within four to six weeks after the appliance collection. See website for details. Available to Consumers Energy residential electric customers. © 2014 Consumers Energy

LOTTERY

Saturday’s Fantasy 5 jackpot was worth $100,000. Saturday’s Classic Lotto 47 jackpot was worth $4.75 million. Saturday’s Powerball jackpot was worth $50 million. Tuesday’s Mega Millions jackpot is worth $309 million. Powerball results are available at mlive.com/lottery. The drawing took place after press time.

Here’s a chilling fact: That refrigerator or freezer in your garage or basement is running up your utility bill by an average of $150 a year. Recycle it this winter and get some of that money back. We’ll pick it up for free and you’ll pick up $50! Throw in an old working room AC or dehumidifier at the same time as your fridge or freezer and get an extra $15!

With purchase of beverage. Not valid with any other discount. Coupon good for up to 4 people. Expires 4/12/14. Court & Center

4045 E. COURT ST., BURTON • 810-744-0333

Results from Saturday: Midday Daily 3: 762 Midday Daily 4: 5274 Daily 3: 728 Daily 4: 2651 Fantasy 5: 3, 12, 31, 38, 39 Classic: 5, 8, 16, 17, 25, 44 Poker Lotto: Queen of Clubs, 5 of Diamonds, 2 of Hearts, 3 of Diamonds, 5 of Clubs Keno: 3, 14, 15, 18, 21, 26, 35, 37, 40, 41, 48, 53, 55, 57, 62, 63, 67, 68, 71, 73, 76, 78 Late Friday result: Mega Millions: 11, 13, 51, 57, 69 Mega Ball: 1 Megaplier: x4

Get $50 when you recycle this winter!

GET A

Grand Blanc • 8220 Trillium Circle Ave. 810-695-5000

4773569-02

ALEXANDER Camilla, 74, of Davison (Swartz Funeral Home) BALFOUR Paula, 81, of Largo and Fenton (Moss Feaster Funeral Home) BEAMER Dennis, 57, of Davison (Allen Funeral Home) BEAUREGARD, Johnny J., 42 (Martin J. Banks Funeral Home) BERGER Charles, 88, of Burton (Sharp Funeral Home)

BRAUN Kaye, 66, of Flushing (Rossell Funeral Home) CHANEY Hollis, 76 (Serenity Funeral Home) DELSMAN Ervin, 80, of Flint (Swartz Funeral Home) FINTOR Elaine, 62, of Brown City (Allen Funeral Home) FOX Kimberly, 49, of Mt. Morris (Martin Funeral Home) FROST Mark, 53, of Flint (Sharp Funeral Home) GERMAIN William, 90, of Flint (Swartz Funeral Home) GRAHAM Flotella, 82 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) GRAVES Harlon, 56 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) GREER Margaret, 74, of Flint (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) HAPPIE Irene, 95 (Reigle Funeral Home) HUDSON Jarvis, 59, formerly of Flint ISOM Simon, 63 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) JACKSON Patricia, 76, of Grand Blanc (Sharp Funeral Home) JOHNSON Archie, 77, of Petoskey, formerly of Swartz Creek (Swartz Funeral Home) JOHNSON Daniel, 65, of Flint (Swartz Funeral Home) KIBASH Jean, 84, of Flint (Swartz Funeral Home) KUYK Ruth, 97 (Elton Black & Son Funeral Home) LEWIS Jacqueline, 32, of Grand Blanc (Sharp Funeral Home) LIEBENGOOD Walter, 57 (Sharp Funeral Home) LIMBAN Danny, 56, of Fenton (Temrowski Funeral Home) LUCAS Kazue, 89, of Flint (Allen Funeral Home) MALLOY James, 82, of Burton (Swartz Funeral Home) MANN Hope, of Mt. Morris (Martin Funeral Home) MERRILL Deedthridge, 87 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) MOODY Charley, 83 (D. O. McComb and Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home) PARRISH Karen, 55 (Serenity Funeral Chapel) PATRICK John, 66 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) PERIAT Sharon Kay, 66, of Sylvania (H H Birkekamp Funeral Home) RICHERT Sherry, 45, of Burton (Sharp Funeral Home) SALSGIVER Sandra, 60, of Davison (Allen Funeral Home) SCHLUCKBIER Marjorie, 85, of Burton (Swartz Funeral Home) SCHULZ Robert, 67, of Mt. Morris (Martin Funeral Home)

good stewardship of its federal grant dollars, the city and out-county fire departments should seriously examine opportunities for consolidation and shared services. The bottom line is that Flint has an enormous need for firefighters and a dwindling ability to pay for them — despite the city’s attempts to make good-faith efforts, including a public safety millage passed by voters, a full-time fire chief, reduced compensation for firefighters and guaranteeing the city will dedicate more than half of the general fund for public safety. But these efforts are not enough. We need this grant because the damage wrought by these fires will go far beyond the ashes and smoke and burnedout shells of empty houses if Flint loses 39 firefighters. Because, even though population loss has left Flint as a shadow of its former manufacturing-town glory, we’re still here — all 100,515 residents, plus all the other people who work within this city’s borders every day. So please: Give our fire department — and our city — the support it desperately needs. Please, don’t let Flint burn.

Enrique D25iemYeecarkes Maestro

CelebratinG Orchestra with The Flint Symphony

Saturday, March 15, 2014 8pm � the whiting

Guest Artists Katherine Weintraub, soprano saxophone* 2013 William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition Winner

Nicole Greenidge Joseph, Soprano** Wendy Bloom, Mezzo Soprano** Flint Festival Chorus, Wendy Bloom, Director** Measure for Measure, Steve Lorenz, Director**

Villa-Lobos, Fantasia para saxophone* Mahler, ��

��

Flint Symphony Orchestra 2013 - 2014 Classical Concert Series is sponsored by the Whiting Foundation & MLive and The Flint Journal

��

FSO Classical Concert Series Media Sponsor

��

4777581-02

Complete obituaries begin on Page A11. For more information, go to MLive.com.

4720199-02

SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014

grant, then Flint needs it, too. Flint needs it just as much as Benton Harbor and Muskegon Heights, two Michigan cities on the list that are poorer than Flint but in 2012 reported eight arsons and 15 arsons, respectively, to the FBI. Flint reported more than 15 times that. That reason and all these other reasons are why Flint needs this grant. You’d be hard-pressed to find a community that needs it more. Without it, the public safety forecast is grim: Flint loses 39 firefighters, at least two fire stations close, response times increase and the federal staffing requirements for fighting fires go up in smoke. And, make no mistake, the whole county needs this. With an understaffed force, suburban departments certainly will be tapped even more frequently to help the strapped city. We know the funds for this grant are available. A total of $337.5 million had been set aside by Congress for hiring firefighters around the country, and there’s just $72.7 million left to be awarded. We recognize the city has used this grant — what should be a temporary stopgap — at least twice now. And, to show

B2 / SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 / THE FLINT JOURNAL

Opinion

Ö Share your opinions Letters to the Editor, The Flint Journal, 540 S. Saginaw St., Suite 101, Flint, MI 48502 flletters@mlive.com

In America, equal means ... equal I see things very simply. Too simply sometimes, maybe. But you tell me. If you were to ask me, for instance, whether two people of the same gender should be allowed to marry, I would ask you, “Are they adults?” Yes, you would say. “Are they sane?” Far as I know, you would say. “Are they brother and sister? Father and daughter? Mother and daughter? First cousins? Anything like that?” No, you would say. “Are they in love?” I would ask. Yes, you would say. It seems so. To which I’d say, “Then who am I to tell them not to?” That’s my simple view of the gay marriage issue, which has so many people across the state in an uproar. I can’t find any reason to think it’s any of my business who marries whom, beyond those few I already mentioned. Like the comics say, shouldn’t gay people share in the slings, arrows and joys of marriage, too? I don’t think traditional marriage will crumble if Jayne Rowse and April DeBoer, two nurses who are suing the state for the right to marry and adopt children together, are successful in getting Michigan’s gay marriage ban declared unconstitutional. Nor do I think society will fall to ruin. Mostly, I think life will proceed as before. Have you seen any headlines out of places where gay marriage is legal that say “Fire and brimstone from angry

Andrew ew Hellerr

andrewheller eller column@ @ gmail.com m

deity kill thousands — gays to blame”? I haven’t, but maybe I’m reading the wrong websites. I’m not trying to make light of those who object. I’m just trying to encourage them to calm down for a second and look at it a different way. It seems to me that America has been on a long, slow, sometimes tortured slog toward fulfilling its creed that all men are created equal. We finally got around to saying people shouldn’t own people back in 1863. We finally gave women the vote in 1920. We finally desegregated the schools in 1954. At every lurching step toward equality in this country, there have been people who objected, who said black people “couldn’t” or female people “shouldn’t.” Now they’re saying gay people couldn’t and shouldn’t. They should just be happy to be second-class citizens under the law and stop complaining. It’s those modifiers in front of the word “people” that always make up my mind for me — black, female, gay, whatever. If you have to add them, that’s a good sign you’re on the wrong side of history.

YOUR TURN

FIGHTING FIRE WITH FUNDS We’ve made our voice heard -now it’s your turn. Become a champion for Flint firefighting and tell the Federal Emergency Management Agency — which awards SAFER grants — how much we need these funds. Write or call Michigan’s Congress members and encourage them to lobby on Flint’s behalf. Federal Emergency Management Agency Timothy W. Manning, Deputy Administrator, Protection and National Preparedness 500 C St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20472 U.S. Sen. Carl Levin 269 Russell Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 202-224-6221 U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow 133 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 202-224-4822 U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek 514 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-4735 U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga 1217 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-4401 U.S. Rep. Justin Amash 114 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-3831 U.S. Rep. Dave Camp 341 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515

202-225-3561 U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee 327 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-3611 U.S. Rep. Fred Upton 2183 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-3761 U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg 2436 Rayburn House Office Building; Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-6276 U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers 2112 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-4872 U.S. Rep. Sander Levin 1236 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 888-810-3880 U.S. Rep. Candice Miller 320 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-2106 U.S. Rep. Kerry Bentivolio 226 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-8171 U.S. Rep. John Dingell 2328 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 202-225-4071 U.S. Rep. John Conyers 2426 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 202-225-5126 U.S. Rep. Gary Peters 1609 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 202-225-5802

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Little to brag about as Obamacare unfolds Eugene Robinson’s column, “Despite GOP, Obamacare is working” (Feb. 18), is wrong on so many counts. Claims that “Obamacare is working” are laughable when enrollment is not even halfway to goal, the Obama administration does not know how many people have actually paid for insurance and young people necessary to make the Affordable Care Act succeed are not signing up. The only fact they can brag about is that more than 80 percent of the enrollees will receive insurance subsidies or Medicaid that will give you freedom to choose whether to work. Why do liberals think Republicans want the ACA to succeed when none of them voted for it? Would you expect Democrats to support tax cuts or voter ID? Certainly not. There are alternate plans to pro-

vide health care to Americans, but if you believe that any Republican plan could pass the Senate and be signed into law by this president, you must be from Washington or Colorado and smoking weed. — James Popov, Grand Blanc

Schools too harsh on teacher, principal in chair incident

attempted to relay humor. The whole thing is a farce. Both the trusted and treasured teacher and her principal should be reinstated. — Anne Fischer, Burton

Elected officials do little except work to keep their jobs

I read your newspaper and watch the news on TV. I am a citizen of the It seems to me that Goodrich United States. I have spent years in schools needs to develop a sense of the Marine Corps protecting America humor. and the freedom we have and seem to The boy “stuck in a chair” was in no be losing. danger. He decided to place his body I watch our elected officials workthrough a chair and the whole thing ing not for us, but working for their apparently was handled with good party and their re-election. They forhumor. got what they were elected for, which Humor, particularly for children is to represent us. with Asperger’s Syndrome, an autismWe are not Democrats or related syndrome, has to do with Republicans. We are a republic who social inabilities, and it was impleelect representatives to work for us. mented in this case. The “taser” thing That is democracy — they forgot. referred to “tickling,” and here again, — Gary Komperda, Millington

FROM THE COMMENTS

More absentee voting? It has its merits MLive.com

ocal state legislators are hoping to encourage more people to vote by creating more absentee voting opportunities. Flint Democrats Rep. Woodrow Stanley and Sen. Jim Ananich are requesting a hearing on bills that would allow voting for days prior to an election. Stanley has been pushing no-reason absentee ballots since 2009 in hopes of increasing voter turnout. Here is what MLive commenters had to say. “The perception that absentee voting favors one party over another is not a valid reason to exclude absentee voting. Encouraging absentee voting is a valid method to increase voting, and for this country to work, we need all the voters we can get. If fraud is truly a worry, then precautions must be taken and it must be prosecuted. Any precautions that lessen the number of voters is a failure. And any party that tried to limit the number of voters should be prosecuted. — Madmaxine “Absentee voting is a common community organizing tactic that

attempts to gain more liberal votes. This also predisposes voters to undue political influence of others. It is far too easy to serve a bunch of homeless men dinner and hand them absent ballots while persuading them to vote for what is in their ‘best interest.’ “There is no excuse for an able-bodied person not to be able to get to the polls on Election Day. For those who work polls are open early and late. — Northernmax “It is rather difficult to get the kids off to school, work 10 to 12 hours, get the kids and go vote. It may not be impossible but usually not easy. Don’t

tell me it is not sometimes hard or impossible to get to the polling place. Most employers don’t care if you vote or not, so it may come down to keeping your job or not voting.” — A6117071 “We don’t need more voters; that isn’t a problem. What we need are smarter voters!” — Southbeagle “Those not interested in voting will just allow someone else to request their absentee ballot and then use it for their own choices.” — Shanedr

EDITORIAL BOARD Marjory Raymer Editor marjory_raymer@mlive.com

Bryn Mickle Managing producer bmickle1@mlive.com

Kristin Longley Community engagement specialist klongley1@mlive.com

Clark Hughes Managing producer chughes3@mlive.com

Jason Christie Audience solutions sales manager jchrist2@mlive.com

GUEST COLUMN

Lawmakers need to stop patching and rebuild funding for roads

By Larry Nielsen

n 2010, Michigan spent $154 per person on its roads and bridges, but the poor condition of our roads cost drivers $350 per year. This according to Census data and Mike Nystrom of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association. That year, Michigan ranked last in spending among the states. Nystrom, whose group represents road and other infrastructure contractors, also points out that Michigan has the highest percentages of bridges ranked as structurally deficient or functionally obso-

lete in the Great Lakes states. Besides increasing driver frustration, the condition of our roads hurts tourism, deters business investment and slows job growth. The challenge for the governor and every Michigan legislator is to develop a long-term plan to fix the road problems by fixing the funding problem. And it is a big problem. Studies have placed the price around $2 billion to just catch up with current needs. Gov. Rick Snyder proposed $1.2 billion for roads and bridges, and now it is up to the Legislature

to look for long-term solutions. The issue is so pressing that Rich Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce tweeted on Feb. 16 there are just two questions for the state House and Senate: “(1) What are you going to do to fix the roads? (2) When are you going to do it?” The Legislature is addressing the harsh winter’s impact on local roads by considering at least $100 million more for them. While this is greatly helpful, the funds are a bandage and do not address the structural issues. We need to fix the state’s crum-

bling roads and bridges and to support other transportation options. A long-term solution would benefit every resident, every business and every community. I believe the great majority of people and businesses across Michigan are waiting for answers to the questions raised by Studley. To move Michigan forward, the Michigan Municipal League has developed “Partnership for Place: An Agenda for a Competitive 21st Century Michigan.” You can view it at bit.ly/1oquZP8 — Larry Nielsen is the Paw Paw village manager.

THE DIFFERENCE

While road funding in the Great Lakes states has generally declined, Michigan has lagged. Here, by 2010 national ranking (the latest available), is per capita spending for each state and the difference with Michigan. xxx 16. Ill. x U.S. avg. 29. Wis. 33. Ind. 41. N.Y. 47. Ohio 50. Mich.

2010 $412 $302 $302 $289 $239 $214 $154

+$258 +$148 +$148 +$135 +$85 +$60 —

2013 $235 n/a $231 $187 $257 $235 $174

+$61 n/a +$57 +$13 +$83 +$61 —

SOURCE: Census Bureau (2010 rankings), Michigan Department of Transportation (released 2013)

TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014

$1.00 / POWER ING MLI VE .COM

NEWSPAPER OF THE Y E AR > MICHIG A N PRES S A S SOCI AT ION

BOYS BASKETBALL / B3

LOCAL / A3

WORKSHOP STUDENTS TO PERFORM

GRAND BLANC RALLIES TO ADVANCE TODAY’S MUST�READS GENESEE COUNTY

Board might reverse oﬃce consolidation Just 15 months after the county clerk and register of deeds offices were merged, the Board of Commissioners is considering undoing the consolidation. Board Chairman Jamie Curtis said Wednesday he will appoint a committee to make a recommendation on the possible separation of the offices in advance of the 2016 election. Details, A3 GENESEE COUNTY

State oﬃcials to a�end fracking forum A state Department of Environmental Quality geologist will be joined by government officials, attorneys and a Michigan State University representative during a public forum on mineral leases and fracking. The event, 7 p.m. March 21 at Forest Township Hall, will include MDEQ geologist Sarah Roberts; state Rep. Sarah Roberts, D-St. Clair Shores; attorneys Linda Berker and Aaron Bowron; and Curtis Talley, of Michigan State University Extension Office. Details, A5

Grand Blanc City School students work Friday at Sloan Museum. (Samuel Wilson/MLive.com)

FLINT

Oﬃcials, residents foresee dire consequences if SAFER grant is not renewed

Fearing for their lives By Dominic Adams

dadams5@mlive.com

It’s an unsettling prospect for those who live in the nation’s arson capitol. Nineteen firefighters — a quarter of the department — would be laid off. There would be longer waits for help. Two fire stations would close. Neighboring communities would find themselves getting more calls to fight fires in the city. The city still is waiting to see if it will get an unprecedented second renewal of a federal grant that pays for 39 firefighters. What would happen if Flint didn’t get the $7.9 million SAFER grant? Well, the consequences are dire, city officials say and residents fear. “My property — that’s always replaceable,” Southeast Side resident Charlotte Spivey said. “My kids — they’re not.” It’s a fear the city echoes in its application for the federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant, saying the funding loss would “put the community at increased risk for loss of life and property. ” Since 1985, the city has watched the size of its fire department drop from 275 firefighters at 10 stations to 85 at five stations. The city projects there would be enough money in the fire budget to fund only 46 firefighters if it doesn’t get another round of full SAFER funding. As of Monday, all but

A swing set stands in the foreground of a courtyard outside an inferno at Atherton East apartments in Flint. Several people were displaced after the apartment building was destroyed by the blaze in early February. (MLive.com files)

$72 million of the $337.5 million set aside for SAFER grants already has been awarded. City officials say even if they dip into the public safety millage to offset the grant funding loss, Flint would have to lay off 19 firefighters. In its federal grant application, the city paints a grim picture of what would happen without the SAFER grant: •The community would

MLIVE Learn which communities received SAFER grants on our searchable database: ow.ly/ur3Z.

be at increased risk of death and property loss, as the city would have to get rid of four-firefighter engines that allow rescuers to race into a burning building instead of wait for more firefighters to show up at the scene.

•Firefighters would have to focus on keeping fires from spreading instead of putting them out. •The city will be even more at the mercy of mutual aid, relying on outside departments to fight fires. Those neighboring departments, however, are not reimbursed fighting Flint fires, which will result in financial hardships for outcounty budgets. •Two fire stations would

close, resulting in longer waits for fire trucks and more firefighter injuries, because of a heavier work load. All of this in a city that two years ago reported 736 structure fires, including 352 deemed arson, according to Flint’s SAFER grant application. Flint has held the No. 1 ranking in the nation for SEE SAFER, A2

FLINT

Students enjoy week of classes at museum Elementary school students in Genesee County spent a week away from their usual desks last week to learn in a new classroom: Sloan Museum. Teacher Jaime Cramer’s third grade class at Grand Blanc City School spent five days studying at the museum. Details, A7

DAILY QUOTE

an ongoing “eﬀortThistoisbuild upon the things that we’ve done in re-engaging the council.”

DARNELL EARLEY, FLINT EMERGENCY MANAGER, ABOUT MANDATED COUNCIL MEMBER TRAINING

FLINT

Local UAW considers merger with Grand Rapids oﬃce By Ron Fonger

rfonger1@mlive.com

The International UAW wants to merge its Flintbased regional office with another headquartered in Grand Rapids. But the union would never leave Flint, the city where it was born 77 years ago, would it? The International UAW isn’t saying what the fallout of such a consolidation would be, only that the merger of Region 1C in Flint and 1D in Grand Rapids will be decided by a vote of delegates to the UAW’s Constitutional

Convention in June. One reason the timing could be right for a merger here: Region 1C Director Norwood Jewell is expected to be elected vice president of the International UAW at the convention, leaving the top job here open. Michele Martin, a UAW spokeswoman, told The Flint Journal/MLive.com in an email that “details (of the merger) will be worked out following approval by the UAW’s membership.” Martin added, “At this point, we really can’t say more than that.”

The Sit-Down Strike Memorial is located outside Sitdowners Memorial Park at UAW Region 1C. (MLive.com files)

Although one local union leader said he doesn’t believe

INDEX Advice.............. A14 Classified............ C7

Flint’s Region 1C office will close, calling the property on

West Atherton Road “near sacred ground,” an expert on organized labor said costcutting measures are needed at the UAW because of longterm losses in the union’s membership and lower wages for many of those who remain. “They are trying to dramatically reduce the footprint and cost (of a union that was) built for 1.5 million members and is now under 400,000,” said Art Wheaton, of The Worker Institute at Cornell University. SEE MERGER, A2

FEEDBACK Comics ............... C5 Local................... A3

Lottery ................ A2 Nation............... A12

Obituaries........... A8 Opinion............. A11

Sports................. B1 Stocks............... A13

TV ..................... A15 Weather............ A15

Send your comments to comments@mlive.com.

FL DAILY

A2 / TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014 / THE FLINT JOURNAL

Local&More SAFER

Flint firefighter Rahshemeer Neal sprays water onto an apartment building to keep it from warping and catching fire while the department battles a blaze Feb. 5 at Atherton East apartments in Flint. Several people were displaced after an apartment building was destroyed by the blaze.

CONTINUED FROM A1

DELIVERY The Flint Journal 137th year. No. 198 Published four days a week by Mlive Media Group at 540 S. Saginaw St., Suite 101, Flint, MI 48502 Phone: 810-766-6280 or 800-875-6300 Postage paid at Flint, MI Publication identification: (USPS 200-300) Postmaster Send address changes to Advance Central Services, 3102 Walker Ridge Dr., Walker, MI 49544 Subscription Rates 4 Day Delivery $12.94 (4 weeks) Sunday Only $11.20 (4 weeks) By Mail 4 Day Delivery $20.00 (4 weeks)

(MLive.com files)

could get set on fire.” As it stands now, the fire hall near Brown is one of three city fire stations open on a 24-hour basis. The others are the downtown fire hall and the station on Western Road on the city’s east side. Two stations — one near downtown on King Boulevard and one on East Atherton Road on the south side — are open only when enough firefighters are on duty, Firefighters Union President Mark Kovach said, adding the MLK station is open about 80 percent of the time.

for every two that go inside a burning building. “It makes it exponentially challenging,” Kovach said. “You can’t go inside. Where you run into the difficulty is when we routinely have two fires at one time. “We’ve been very lucky. There’s have been no serious (firefighter) injuries.” Flint gets mutual aid an average of 98 times a year and provides mutual aid only five times a year, according to the SAFER application. Losing SAFER would put Flint and surrounding departments in a tricky situation. FEWER FIREFIGHTERS Davison-Richfield Fire Without the SAFER grant, Department Chief Mike Kovach said it’s anybody’s Wright said his department guess which stations would provides less mutual aid to stay open and which would Flint than it has in the past. close: “It’s all up to the chief.” “I’m sure that if they’re not The city also would be able awarded the SAFER grant, to send only three firefightwe’ll be responding more,” he ers per engine on a run if its said. “I can’t imagine them losgrant isn’t renewed, according ing any more people and still to the application. Federal being able to function.” safety rules, however, require Wright said there is a thin two firefighters to be outside line when weighing how

Merger

CONTINUED FROM A1

“I can imagine a time (Flint’s international office could close, because) in terms of geographic coverage, there’s not that much distance between Detroit and Flint,” Wheaton said. The International UAW has more than 390,000 active members and 600,000 retired members, according to its website, and while there are more than 750 local unions in North America, there are only 10 International offices — four in Michigan. The Journal could not reach Jewell or Region 1D Director Gerald Kariem for comment on the proposed consolidation. Region 1D covers 62 counties, spanning western, central and northern Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula. The region includes Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Traverse City

and Saginaw. Region 1C covers 11 Michigan counties, including the cities of Flint, Lansing and Jackson. Offices are on Van Slyke Road, near GM’s truck plant, the company’s last assembly plant in Flint. The same property also is home to an outdoor memorial to those who participated in the Flint Sit-Down Strike of 1936-37, which led to the creation of the union. “I don’t think any place is untouchable, but Flint and its history and what was done here is known,” said Art Reyes, president of UAW Local 651. “Flint is so very important to the history of General Motors and UAW, (so) I would fully expect the International would have a presence here,” Reyes said. Wheaton said Flint’s role in the history of organized labor can’t be denied, but neither can the changes in the UAW since workers here seized control of the factories

OBITUARIES LIST TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014 Complete obituaries begin on Page A8. For more information, go to mlive.com.

BAIRD Floyd, 87, of Montrose (O’Guinn Family Funeral Home) BERGER Charles, 88, of Burton (Sharp Funeral Home) BRAUN Kathleen, 84, of Fenton (Sharp Funeral Home) BROWN, Ritchie D., 46 (Martin J. Banks Funeral Home) BULLOCK Anita, 72, of Alvarado, Texas (David Clayton & Sons Funeral Home) DELSMAN Ervin, 80 (Swartz Funeral Home) DUMLER Henry, 91, of Flushing (Reigle Funeral Home) DUNICH Mary, 90, of Burton (Reigle Funeral Home) FROST Mark, 53, of Flint (Sharp Funeral Home) GERMAIN William, 90, of Flint (Swartz Funeral Home) HUTSON Mary, 86, (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) JACKSON Patricia, 76, of Grand Blanc (Sharp Funeral Home) JOHNSON Archie, 77, of Petoskey, formerly of Swartz Creek (Swartz Funeral Home) JOHNSON Daniel, 65, of Flint (Swartz Funeral Home) KIBASH Jean, 84, of Flint (Swartz Funeral Home) KINGSTON Pauline, 82, of Burton (Allen Funeral Home)

much a neighboring department comes in with mutual aid. “The ultimate mutual aid is you use a neighboring department as much as they use you,” he said. “When it gets out of line, it becomes a budgeting issue. If I’m going there more than they’re coming here, that raises a red flag.” UNACCEPTABLE CUTS

Deep cuts to fire services are unacceptable for Flint resident Christina Nichols. In 2007, Nichols called 911 after she found her husband unresponsive. The fire department was there in three minutes, she said. “Their response time was very fast,” Nichols said. “Had it (taken) 20 minutes, that’s just not cool. In an emergency, you need fast response.” Nichols and her two children live on Lincoln Avenue, on the city’s southeast side. She fears if another grant is not awarded and there is a fire at her home, she would be

they worked in, refusing to budge until the company recognized the union in 1937. Wheaton said the number of autoworkers in the UAW has declined as manufacturers have cut back on workers and paid new employees a lower wage, and as plants such as the Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, Tenn., operate without a union. The Associated Press last month reported annual dues, the UAW’s main income source, are down 40 percent since 2006, and officials said they need to add members and reduce costs. “They were hoping to have some positive momentum” after the Volkswagen vote last month, but the highstakes vote narrowly failed. “Political organizing drives are extremely difficult and very costly,” Wheaton said, which is part of the reason the UAW is asking members at its convention for a dues increase in addition to the regional office merger.

HISTORY OF GRANT

The city got a $6.7 million

Results from Monday: Midday Daily 3: 232 Midday Daily 4: 8662 Daily 3: 597 Daily 4: 7783 Fantasy 5: 11, 14, 17, 37, 38 Poker Lotto: 3 of Hearts, 8 of Spades, 3 of Spades, 10 of Spades, King of Spades Keno: 5, 6, 16, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 31, 36, 37, 43, 45, 46, 48, 57, 58, 67, 68, 75, 76, 80

BIRTHS LEWANDOWSKI Jane, 53, of St. Clair Shores, formerly of Grand Blanc (Swartz Funeral Home) LEWIS Jacqueline, 32, of Grand Blanc (Sharp Funeral Home) MALLOY James, 82, of Burton (Swartz Funeral Home) MOORE Lawrence, 90, of Flint (Dodds Dumanois Funeral Home) OBERPRILLER Loretta, 90, of Flint (Sharp Funeral Home) PETERS Lawrence, 68 (Sharp Funeral Home) RICHERT Sherry, 45, of Burton (Sharp Funeral Home) SCHULTZ Raymond, 91, of Fenton (Sharp Funeral Home) SCOTT Myrtle, 80 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) SILVERTHORN Frances, 86, of Flint (Swartz Funeral Home) SNIDER Phillip, 57, of Swartz Creek (Allen Funeral Home) SPENCER, Alta L., 92 SWANK Betty, 93, of Grand Blanc (Swartz Funeral Home) WALLACE Tony, 44 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) WEBB Daniel, 53 (Swanson Funeral Home) WEST John, 88, of Flushing (Swartz Funeral Home) WHITE Peggy, 72 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) WHITEHEAD Robert, 73, of Burton (Allen Funeral Home) WILLIAMS Marschaunda, 43 (Swanson Funeral Home) WILSON Deric, 18 (Swanson Funeral Home)

GIRLS Amelia Jane was born Feb. 16, 2014, at Hurley Medical Center to Samantha (Hosea) and Russell Steensma-Mersino of Mt. Morris. Makenzie Fae was born Feb. 2, 2014, at Hurley Medical Center to Ashley (Whitcomb) and Talon McLaren of Flint. BOYS Isaac Adam was born Jan. 19, 2014, at Genesys Regional Medical Center to Lindsea (Jolliff) and Tyler Lampinen of Flint. Tucker Alan was born Jan. 21, 2014, at Genesys Regional Medical Center to Shelbi (Taylor) and Kevin Reynolds of Capac. Ryder James was born Jan. 15, 2014, at Genesys Regional Medical Center to Ashley (Lintz) and Drew Youngston of Owosso. Matthew Joseph was born Jan. 17, 2014, at Genesys Regional Medical Center to Erica (Zawacki) and Joe Crawford of Linden. Maizen Keith was born Feb. 11, 2014, at Genesys Regional Medical Center to Jamie (Bennett) and Shawn Kingsland of Flint. Tristan Robert was born Feb. 11, 2014, at Genesys Regional Medical Center to Heidi (Rackel) and Nathan Adams of Flint. Lowgin Timothy was born Feb. 7, 2014, at Genesys Regional Medical Center to Jessica (Thorne) and Joshua Drake of Flint. Roman Antonio was born Feb. 20, 2014, at Genesys Regional Medical Center to Jessica (Bolley) and Robert Marzullo of Fenton.

SAFER grant in 2010 after the firefighters union applied for the money. The city got a $6.9 million SAFER grant in 2012 after the city applied for a renewal. If the city did get the full amount, it would provide almost $4 million in funding the first year and $3.97 million in the second year, and the third consecutive award of a full SAFER grant. “The more times you receive funding, the more difficult it is to continue to receive funding. No one wants to become dependent on grants,” Kovach told The Flint Journal last month. “All the things that (city leaders) have asked of us, we have been doing.” Prior to Congress approving $340 million this year for the SAFER grants, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, urged lawmakers to continue funding for the grants. “This program is critical to ensuring public safety, especially in communities like mine that are experiencing significant fiscal challenges,” Kildee wrote. Sixth Ward City Councilman Sheldon Neeley said losing the grant will leave no part of the city untouched. “One hundred percent of the city would be impacted if this grant is not renewed, either in public safety or economically,” Neeley said. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has $337.5 million to spend on SAFER. So far, 186 communities across the nation have received funds, with $72 million yet to be awarded. A Flint Journal analysis of all the recipients shows Flint’s financial picture is worse than 183 of those awarded SAFER grants — with a higher poverty rate, lower median income and lower median housing value, Census figures show.

LOTTERY Monday’s Fantasy 5 jackpot was worth $110,000. Tuesday’s Mega Millions jackpot is worth $309 million. Wednesday’s Classic Lotto 47 jackpot is worth $5 million. Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot is worth $60 million. More results at mlive.com/ lottery.

309 JACKPOT IS NOW

MILLION

MEGAPLIER INCREASES NON-JACKPOT PRIZES ONLY. ODDS OF WINNING JACKPOT: 1 IN 259 MILLION. IF YOU BET MORE THAN YOU CAN AFFORD TO LOSE, YOU’VE GOT A PROBLEM. CALL 1-800-270-7117 FOR CONFIDENTIAL HELP.

4774275-06

Register to win free tickets at marvac.org courtesy of Big Boy® Big Boy is a registered trademark of Big Boy Restaurants International LLC

Enter to win event tickets and camping packages from

FREE PARKING Weekdays 2-9 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 4785943-02

per-capita arson in cities of 100,000 or more residents, and an analysis last year by The Flint Journal/ MLive.com found there were 1,631 suspicious fires at vacant buildings from 2008 to 2012. “We have to let people know that our response times may be slowed,” Flint Fire Chief David Cox told the Flint City Council’s public safety committee. The federal grant is critical to Flint maintaining its current ability to fight fires, according to the grant application. “Continuation of the SAFER grant at current levels is essential if even the current marginal levels of public safety staffing can be continued over the longterm,” said city spokesman Jason Lorenz. With a gas station across the street and a vacant house next door, DaShawn Brown doesn’t want to wait and see what would happen if the city was forced to close the fire station a half-mile from his northwest Flint home. “I’ll be real worried about that,” said Brown, who lives at Pierson Road and Kermit Street. “Anything could happen — even that (fire station)

waiting alongside firefighters for a second squad to respond. “Your house is gone by then,” Nichols said. Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said the grant is critical to keeping the city safe. Flint firefighters respond to the second-most calls in the nation per capita and is first in runs per firefighter, according to city’s grant application, citing federal statistics. “The need in Flint relative to other communities is well documented in the incidents in fire and arson,” said Walling. “The city should be in a position to receive funds again.” Fifth Ward City Councilman Wantwaz Davis said it is imperative Flint get the $7.9 million grant. “We need all the police officers and firefighters to prevent tragedy in our community — it’s of paramount importance to keep this as the focal point if we’re talking about keeping our community safe,” Davis said. “Keeping our community safe and free from crime and arson should be our first priority in order for us to retain and sustain a good quality of life for our residents.” The block Johnny Edmonds lives on, along Marengo Avenue on Flint’s northwest side, has been spared of a lot of the blight and arson seen on surrounding streets. Having firefighters come from across town wouldn’t work, Edmonds said. “That’s going to be quite a distance,” he said, adding the closest station is on Pierson Road, about a half-mile away. “We need that one open.” Edmonds said longer response times increase the chances of him losing his home if there’s a small fire.

Perani Arena & Event Center

Just south of I-69 at Center Road

OFF

adult or senior admission any day

Limited to one coupon per person. One discount per coupon. Coupons may not be combined with any other offers. Expires March 16, 2014. Journal

SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2014

$2.00 / POWER ING MLI VE .COM

NEWSPAPER OF THE Y E AR > MICHIG A N PRES S A S SOCI AT ION

AskAsk about t our ou r VISA VISA SAbalance balance ce about our

LOCAL SPORT S / C1

transfer nsfer pro promotion! omotion! transfer promotion! * !*

POWERS GOES OUT IN SEMIFINAL

$0 balance transfer fee | $0 cash advance fee | $0 annual fee

PLUS a low promotional rate on all balances transferred!

Apply today* at (800) 748-0451 or visit �� to view our low promotional rate! * *Equal opportunity lender. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change and may vary based on creditworthiness. All loans subject to ch aapproval. Balance transfers must be completed by 5/31/14. Promotional rate ends 11/30/14. See Credit Union for details. ra

4799543-01

TODAY’S MUST�READS

FIGHTING FIRE WITH FUNDS

GRAND BLANC

Flint firefighters contain a blaze Friday at a commercial structure in the 1000 block of Hubbard Avenue. No one was hurt, but the vacant building was a total loss, officials said.

A reveler celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in downtown Flint. (MLive.com files)

(Jake May/ MLive.com)

FLINT

Time to make St. Pat’s plans With a whole day, there’s plenty of time to honor heritage and have some fun. “It’s a good time for everybody,” said one downtown business owner. Details, A6, A7 GENESEE COUNTY

Home sales pendulum swinging back?

Retailer finding market in cyberspace In the midst of a stalling economy several years ago, Tyrone Kirkland shut his doors to TKO Designs. Now, he has partnered with two other business people for TKO To Go, an online specialty boutique. Details, G1

DAILY QUOTE

“

Those are nu�y choices, buddy!” “INK MASTER” JUDGE TALKING ABOUT THE WORK OF FLINT TATTOO ARTIST KYLE DUNBAR. DETAILS, F3

Lack of SAFER grant might mean longer waits for firefighters

INSIDE Flint can’t endure another flare-up, mayor says in guest column, B2

By Dominic Adams

dadams5@mlive.com

It took the Flint Fire Department almost nine minutes to drive 3.6 miles to a fire at Redstone Townhomes off Atherton Road during a house fire last month. The fact that no one was hurt is normally a cause for celebration among firefighters. Instead, the response time underscored the challenges the city already faces in trying to put out fires as fast as it can. The nine-minute response was far from the four- to six-minute standard set by the National Fire Protection Association. The Flint response to the Atherton Road fire likely would have been much faster if the fire station just 1.4 miles from the blaze had not been closed

The Flint Fire Department says it will have to close two fire stations and lay off 19 firefighters if it doesn’t get a $7.9 million SAFER grant renewal, according to information provided by Flint officials. Here’s where the city’s six fire stations are located:

6 W. Pierson Rd.

E. Stewart Ave.

MLIVE

To sign an online petition supporting Flint’s $7.9 million federal grant request for firefighters, go to bit.ly/ SAFERpetition. For a database showing why Flint needs firefighter funding, go to bit.ly/ SAFERdatabase.

Flint

St. th. E. 5

7 W. Court St.

for the day — a problem city and union officials said will be more common if the federal government rejects the city’s request for a $7.9 million federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant. A rejection, the city said, might double response times, drive up insurance rates, cost 19 firefighters their jobs and force the SEE SAFER, A10

By Molly Young

myoung7@mlive.com

Tweets celebrating a “white” team’s victory erupted Thursday following the Howell boys basketball win over Grand Blanc. Several students in Howell now are facing disciplinary action, according to the high school principal. Grand Blanc lost 54-49 to Howell on Thursday in the Class A regional final at Linden High School. Among the Twitter messages posted after the game: •“Not only did we beat Grand Blanc but we’re all white. Howell’s the definite winner tonight.” •“All hail white power. #HitlerIsMyDad” •“Tonight was probably one of the most racists nights of my life. I heard so many slurs and expressions. I also said a few things. ...” Hashtags with other tweets included #kkk, #lightthehcross, #rosaparks and #wewhite. PRINCIPAL: STEPS TAKEN

Davison Rd.

N. Dort. Hwy

FLINT

Response times at risk

STATION LOCATIONS

d. Blv ing rK he Lut rtin Ma

A new report shows while home sales in Genesee County are down more than 16 percent in the first two months of this year, prices are up sharply compared with the same period last year. Details, A3

FLINT

Racial tweets follow win by Howell

8 Atherton Rd.

1. Fire Station No. 1: 310 East Fifth St. 3. Fire Station No. 3: 1525 Martin Luther King Blvd. 4. Fire Station No. 4: 4309 Industrial Ave. 5. Fire Station No. 5: 3402 Western Road 6. Fire Station No. 6: 716 West Pierson Road 8. Fire Station No. 8: 202 East Atherton Road 5. 1701 Davison Road (former Station No. 5) 7. 1830 West Court Street (former Station No. 7)

Howell High School Principal Jason Schrock said he is well aware of the tweets, and disciplinary action has been taken against those involved. “The school has responded to each instance and is moving forward,” he said. He would not say what disciplinary action was taken. Grand Blanc has black and white players. Howell’s team is only white. Grand Blanc Schools Superintendent Norman Abdella said although it’s “hard to believe that the racial banality expressed through those messages even exists in this day and age,” he believes Howell administrators will aptly handle the situation. “It would be totally unfair to judge a district

(MLive.com)

INDEX

SEE TWEETS, A2

FEEDBACK

Advice................ F5 Business ............ G1

Classified............ E1 Entertainment.... F1

Local................... A3 Lottery ................ A2

Nation............... A17 Obituaries......... A11

Opinion............... B1 Sports................. C1

Travel .................. F8 Weather............ A17

Send your comments to comments@mlive.com.

FL SUNDAY

A ɢʀ�ɴ� ɪɴ�ɪ��ɪ�ɴ �� ʟ�ʙʀ�� Mɪ�ʜɪɢ�ɴ. C�ʟ�ʙʀ�� Mɪ�ʜɪɢ�ɴ P��ɢ�: $127 ��ʀ ��ʀ��ɴ ��ʀ ɴɪɢʜ�*

Experience the history and splendor of America’s Summer Place at an exceptional rate over the following dates: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 19, 20, 26, and June 1. Includes a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily, Michigan-themed reception, free golf green fees (cart fee required), free admission to Fort Mackinac, 25% oﬀ lunch at Grand Hotel restaurants and a 10% discount on shop merchandise.

*Available for new bookings only. Limit two rooms per guest. All rates subject to additional fees. 4757342-04

To re s er v e c a l l 1-8 55-8 8 5- 410 7

A10 / SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2014 / THE FLINT JOURNAL

Local GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP

Board OKs Reid Road work, passes on costlier projects By Dana DeFever

Last month, the township board took issue with Grand Blanc Township has the road commission after approved the least expensive it was expected to spend of three proposed road proj$617,645 to fix up the three ects this summer. roads. Because McCandlish At a meeting Thursday, the and Embury Roads are to be township board decided to resurfaced, the costs of those move forward with a $20,720 two projects are much larger. chip seal project, including “They’re too big. We’re a fog overlay, on Reid Road, not getting any benefit,” from Porter Road to Dort Township Treasurer Earl Highway. The total cost to Guzak said about the limited the township will be $10,360, funding the township would which will be funded through receive from the road comthe township’s capital projects mission. fund. The remaining costs will Guzak said he doesn’t want be paid for by the Genesee the township to dwindle County Road Commission. its capital projects fund on The Reid Road project “something we shouldn’t be was proposed last month, spending money on.” along with the resurfacing “To me, there’s $61,000 of McCandlish and Embury available. That’s all that’s roads — both of which are in available in 50/50 money, so bad condition and likely won’t I want to maximize that for happen this year. every dollar I can,” he said. ddefever@mlive.com

Guzak asked whether there were other chip seal/fog overlay projects on the list of needed repairs the township could do — that would cost less. Township Manager Keith Edwards said there are three other projects, including two other portions of Reid Road and Genesee Road, as well as ditching work for which the township could use funds from the road commission. Edwards is expected to bring back estimated costs of the other chip seal projects and ditching to the township board’s next meeting for further discussion. John Daly, road commission manager-director, attended Thursday’s meeting to answer questions from the board, as well as give members an overview of the commission’s funding and duties.

The resurfacing of McCandlish Road in Grand Blanc Township was among road projects proposed in February. (Dana DeFever/ MLive.com)

However, it wasn’t until after that discussion ended and Daly had left the meeting that Trustee Larry Anderson said he wants to see Genesee County switch to an elected

road commissioner to hold officials’ feet to the fire, if they are not getting the job done. “I would like to see counties all across Michigan go to an elected road commission. If

John Daly doesn’t do his job, as long as he’s got four, five set of friends on the county board of commissioners, he still has his job,” Anderson said.

FLINT

NAACP gives scholarships, awards at 33rd annual Freedom Fund Dinner By William E. Ketchum III

and cultural achievement among minority high school The Flint Branch of the students. The money from the NAACP held its 33rd annual auction goes to help students Freedom Fund Dinner on who won local competition Saturday at the Riverfront get to the national competiBanquet Center, awarding tion in Las Vegas. scholarships to students and “ACT-SO is a program with presenting awards to commu- 25 different areas: sciences, nity leaders. arts, technology, entrepreFive Genesee County neurship — not just singing seniors were awarded and dancing. It’s an awesome $1,000 scholarships by the program,” said Frances National Association for the Gilcreast, president of the Advancement of Colored Flint branch of the NAACP. People, with first-time part“We have to raise money to ner Hurley Medical Center make sure our young people giving two of the scholarships don’t have to pay to go where to future medical students. they need to go.” Award recipients include Along with remarks by Janet Pickell, who was postadministrators and introhumously awarded the Celia ductions of area leaders M. Turner Humanitarian who attended the dinner, Award; Woody Etherly, who children from the Creative received the C. Frederick Expressions Dance Studio Robinson Civil Rights Award; performed a piece, led by and Clarence Pierce, who instructor Sheila Millerreceived the Distinguished Graham. Leadership Award. Terry Deas, director of The event included a silent diversity for the Cracker auction before the event to Barrel Headquarters in raise money for winning Lebanon, Tenn., was the students in the ACT-SO: event speaker. the Academic, Cultural, Dr. Karen Weaver, chairTechnological and Scientific woman of the Freedom Fund Olympics, a youth program Committee, said the event administrated by the NAACP attracted about 400 attendees to encourage high academic this year, along with sponsors. wketchum@mlive.com

Safer

CONTINUED FROM A1

permanent closing of two fire halls. Losing two fire halls would leave the city with three fire stations — a fraction of the 10 stations the city had in 1985. “We are already at a minimum of manpower, so the loss of any fire personnel could certainly hinder the department’s ability to effectively carry out our day-to-day operations,” Flint Fire Chief David Cox Jr. said. The city projects there would be enough money in the fire budget to fund 46 firefighters if it doesn’t get another round of full SAFER funding. “Here at home, we have done everything we can to put a strong fire prevention, safety and suppression system in place,” Mayor Dayne Walling said in a guest column in The Flint Journal/MLive. com. “Despite our limited city resources, we are putting the highest priority on maintaining the largest maximum staffing levels we can afford. “This has to be a team effort,” Walling said. “It is only fair for us to encourage FEMA to match the commitment that Flint’s citizens have shown to our own community as we struggle forward with our recovery and regeneration.” As of Thursday, all but $72 million of the $337.5 million set aside for SAFER grants was awarded. A fire station at Pierson Road and Kermit Street on the city’s north side is one of three fire stations open on a 24-hour basis. The downtown fire hall and the station on Western Road on the city’s east side also are staffed at all times. Two other stations — No. 3, near downtown on Martin Luther King Boulevard, and No. 8, on East Atherton Road on the south side — are open only when enough firefighters are on

Fire Lt. Mark Stratman makes a radio call Friday at the scene of the fire on Hubbard Avenue.

duty. The MLK station is open about 80 percent of the time, Flint Firefighters Union President Mark Kovach told The Flint Journal/MLive.com. Union officials said it’s up to the chief which stations will stay open, but they assume the most likely fire halls to close will be Stations 3 and 8 because they already are closed sometimes.

chief’s strategy fits the city of Flint.” Cox declined comment on specifics of any contingency plans to address funding losses if the grant is denied. Yeneer Kandogan, the associate dean at the University of Michigan-Flint’s management school and an expert in international business, said fire cuts will hit residents and businesses in their wallets. COST TO RESIDENTS, “The risk of fire is going to BUSINESSES SEEN go up,” Kandogan said. “The “It’s not just response cost of living in Flint would go times, but it’s going to be a higher, and that would make cost to them,” Kovach said. it less likely for people to live “The last time that they closed here.” 8, we had several people call He estimated a 10 percent us up and say, ‘My insurance increase to insurance rates company just called me up for businesses and residents. and said my home insurance “There’s no formula, but is doubling.’ That’s a huge the risks are higher,” he said. financial impact on them Shannon Voelker, who has alone.” lived on McKeighan Avenue Cox has not said which on Flint’s south side for fire stations would close, but almost six years, doesn’t like City Council President Scott the prospect of losing a fire Kincaid said he is not confistation that is less than a mile dent the chief has a workable from his home. solution to providing fire “You don’t know you don’t protection with three fire sta- have it until you need it,” tions. Voelker said. “It would be a “I think he’s out of touch concern to me for insurance with reality when it comes to purposes because why should providing service to citizens I have to pay for someone of the city of Flint,” Kincaid else’s mistakes? It’s not my said. “I just don’t think the problem. I’m not the idiot in

charge. I didn’t make the mistakes.” Kincaid, who represents the 9th Ward, said the city’s most valuable housing stock and best occupancy rates are in the south side. He also said the southern part of the city has the most business investment. “The administration has to realize that those are the people who supported the public safety millage,” Kincaid said. “They don’t look at property values.” Duane Hanson has lived in his home on Missouri Avenue on the city’s east side since 1966. He is on a fixed income and said he doesn’t know if he would be able to withstand a huge increase to his homeowner insurance. “It would just about put me out,” Hanson said. “I’d like to move out, but I’m too damn old.” City Councilman Wantwaz Davis said his 5th Ward has the highest population of Flint’s nine wards, and it doesn’t make sense to close Station 3. “When you talk about closing a part of public safety, it makes the residents of this city — of my ward, the 5th Ward — become substandard, and that’s something I don’t agree with,” Davis said. “My main concern is the safety of the citizens of my ward. To consider closing down one of the fire departments would be a great injustice on the residents living in the 5th Ward, who continue to suffer from arson.” Closing either Station 3 or 8 comes with drawbacks, Kovach said. “It depends on how you want to look at it,” he said. “You’ve got life safety, which we always considered to be the top priority — that’s higher over in Station 8’s territory. Not that it’s nonexistent by any means over in Station 3’s territory, but a lot more of the fires you have in 3’s territory are vacant.”

“ACT-SO is a program with 25 diﬀerent areas: sciences, arts, technology, entrepreneurship — not just singing and dancing. It’s an awesome program.” FRANCES GILCREST, PRESIDENT OF THE FLINT BRANCH OF THE NAACP

LIFT CHAIRS ★ Huge Selection ★ Immediate Delivery ★ Up to 3 Years Interest Free!

Positioning you for life.

810-767-1380 | www.skaff.com 23 Expressway at Hill Road • Flint

4774220-02

Flames soar from the rooftop of a vacant commercial structure Friday as Flint firefighters contain the blaze in the 1000 block of Hubbard Avenue in Flint. (Jake May/MLive.com)

B2 / SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2014 / THE FLINT JOURNAL

Opinion

Ö Share your opinions Letters to the Editor, The Flint Journal, 540 S. Saginaw St., Suite 101, Flint, MI 48502 flletters@mlive.com

EDITORIAL

GET�TOUGH LAW ON ABUSE STARTS TO GET JOB DONE

Flint Journal/MLive.com Editorial Board

t’s difficult to celebrate the first use of Dominick’s Law, which stiffened penalties for child abuse in Michigan, because it means another child suffered horrible abuse while a parent failed to protect him. But the inaugural use of the law, as tragic as it is, does deserve acknowledgement. After all, it is because of the tireless efforts of Dominick Calhoun’s family that the mother of a 3-year-old boy and her boyfriend both will spend years behind bars for their actions or, in the case of the mother, her inaction. May this serve a reminder to all parents that they have a moral obligation as well as a legal duty to protect their children from harm. In April 2010, 4-year-old Dominick Calhoun died as a result of abuse by his mother’s boyfriend. His paternal grandfather, Rick Calhoun, and The case that other relatives channeled their grief into changing state law and triggered the succeeding in a two-year quest law’s harsher to strengthen penalties for child penalties did not abuse. And now, following those have to happen, tireless efforts, Aleesha Ann and we hope Wyatt, 24, and Robert L. Martin, parents will take 35, both of Flint, have become the first people in the state to note of its moral be charged, convicted and sentenced under the law. force. Wyatt was given a minimum of five years, 10 months to a maximum 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree child abuse in the case of her son. Martin in January got 14 to 21 years after pleading no contest to first-degree child abuse and assault with intent to murder. Wyatt’s son was taken to the hospital on Nov. 1, 2012, with bruises covering his entire body, court records show. In addition to suffering from cracked ribs, the boy underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. This didn’t have to happen. Records show that in June 2012, Child Protective Services told Wyatt not to let Martin care for her children. Rick Calhoun said he hopes the tougher sentences will help persuade mothers to take more care about who they allow around their children. We couldn’t agree more. In the meantime, for children who are victimized and abused, at least stiffer penalties now apply to those who harmed them or who let it happen.

EDITORIAL BOARD Marjory Raymer Editor marjory_raymer@mlive.com

Bryn Mickle Managing producer bmickle1@mlive.com

Kristin Longley Community engagement specialist klongley1@mlive.com

Clark Hughes Managing producer chughes3@mlive.com

Jason Christie Audience solutions sales manager jchrist2@mlive.com

FIGHTING FIRE WITH FUNDS: GUEST COLUMN

Feds should protect Flint’s gains Ç Go to MLive

By Dayne Walling

ever play with fire. We all learn that at a young age. We all hope that the Federal Emergency Management Agency follows this simple fire prevention rule and renews Flint’s SAFER grant. Flint can’t endure another flare-up. Here at home we have done everything we can to put a strong fire prevention, safety and suppression system in place. Despite our limited city resources, we are putting the highest priority on maintaining the largest staffing levels we can afford. About 80 percent of Flint’s general fund is dedicated to public safety. Beyond that, voters supported one large police and fire protection millage, and taxpayers continue to fund another police millage. Volunteers are stepping up and acting as the eyes and ears for their neighborhoods. Community groups are clearing blight and boarding up houses. We are on a mission in Flint to provide a safe, secure and healthy environment for

You can champion Flint’s bid for more firefighting support by signing our online petition at bit.ly/Ooybj3

everyone. We are doing everything we can to get ourselves off the top 10 worst lists in murder and arson. In the past year, we’ve made significant progress and have started moving down the national list. But we can’t continue forward if we are left alone. It is only fair for us to encourage FEMA to match the commitment that Flint’s citizens have shown to recovery and regeneration. It has been a tough few years of progress and everyone has pitched in to do their part at the city, county, state and federal levels. It is notable that the state has stepped up with additional troopers and detectives, funding for the lockup, more special prosecutors and jail space in other counties’ facilities.

With President Barack Obama’s leadership, the federal government has made extraordinary investments in Flint for police officers, firefighters, neighborhood stabilization and master planning. No one expected this would be fixed in a few years. The investments need to be sustained and protected until we have a full recovery. FEMA continues to aid and invest in New Orleans more than eight years after Hurricane Katrina — as is only right. Flint experienced that scale of loss over decades, and the recovery is no less severe. We have a strong plan. We have a dedicated and proud community. We need strong and committed partners to work side by side with us to do the work ahead. The SAFER grant means 39 firefighters are coming to work today. They are on the front lines of the battle against blight and danger. We need them to stay on the job to prevent our progress from going up in smoke. — Dayne Walling is mayor of Flint.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR How could things go so wrong with emergency dispatch? There are a few things that just boggle my mind — two of them are the recent incidents involving 911 emergency dispatch. I’m talking about the alleged beating of a pizza store employee and a fire where the department was sent to the wrong address. How can the police or any law enforcement department be busy on other calls when this beating was taking place? Are there not the State Police, sheriff, Flint Township and so on available? Next, how about the fire that cost a young woman her life? The fire truck getting sent to the wrong address in a fire emergency, I’m sure, wasted several minutes. There is obviously something that needs fixing with 911. Hope we never

need them because the number could be busy. Strictly unbelievable. — Jerry Lynch, Flint

Dream Act gives help to some of those who need it most Coming from a life of privilege, I do not know many of the obstacles faced by the less fortunate members of society. I feel it is therefore my responsibility to offer a voice to those who have been shut out. The Dream Act is a piece of legislation that would allow undocumented students to receive financial aid to pursue college degrees. These are taxpaying individuals who have been working to support their families. The government spends billions each year providing aid to countries, but will deprive those who call the U.S. home. How can the government deprive

education to those who work for it and have the dedication to pursue a college degree? What is it that makes people like me the exception — people born in privilege who have the opportunity to continue on — while others who have worked hard slip through the cracks? Think of all the untapped resources that are just being wasted due to the lack of help offered. What if by preventing undocumented immigrants from getting these same opportunities we are missing out on the Einstein, Gates or Jobs of this generation? This is not a free ride. Like every other student, they would be required to pay the money back and contribute to society as educated individuals. Passing this act would give students who call America home a future for themselves and future generations. — Deanna Burbank, Fenton

GUEST COLUMN

Public servants do themselves a favor, too, by letting in the sunlight Editor’s note: Today marks the beginning of Sunshine Week, a national event designed to encourage openness in government. This guest column was written for the Michigan Coalition for Open Government, which helps citizens and journalists in their quest for access to government meetings and documents. For more information, visit miopengov.org.

By T.J. Bucholz

ewarding careers in public relations often start with roots in the media, and my path has been no different. After graduation from journalism school, I began my career in communications as a print journalist, covering

township and city government while applying the lessons I had learned to serve the public interest. I learned how to build relationships and trust with public officials and — on occasion — how to write a Freedom of Information request when it was warranted. Even though I was entitled to the information, public entities often attempted to close off my access to it, something every journalist in this country has experienced. Before rejoining the private sector, I spent a decade as a communications director in Michigan government for both Republican and Democratic governors. Hundreds of information

requests from citizens and media came across my desk. During that time, I always felt that complying with Michigan’s “sunshine laws” — its Freedom of Information and Open Meetings acts — laws was the price of doing business in the public sector, and that government employees should be comfortable with their decision-making processes, and with personal information being available for public review and open to question. If you are uncomfortable with those decisions being questioned in public yet aspire to a career in government, you should look elsewhere. In the spirit of Sunshine

Week, I believe governments at all levels need to take the time to reflect on how they deal with citizens and the media and to redouble their efforts to serve the public forthrightly. Government must do a better job adhering to the spirit of Michigan’s sunshine laws. Officials should not question the motivation of citizens and journalists making FOIA requests but process them without delay. It should not be automatic for government to file for 10-day extensions beyond the law’s five-day response window. While some requests obviously take time to process, some can easily be honored upon receipt. Most to the point, I would

argue that when government agencies receive an official FOIA request from a private citizen or a media member, they already are headed down the path toward failure. There are rare occasions where information should rightly be exempted, but the majority of requests from journalists seldom require FOIA to even be invoked. In every instance I’ve seen, journalists asked for information first before relying on the law. Honoring those initial requests is a smarter play for officials. Individuals responsible for communications in government have one primary job that is often neglected — answering media requests as soon as possible. Addressing

them quickly while respecting their deadlines leads to better relationships and can avoid an adversarial process that can accompany sensitive FOIA requests. If we are to have the strongest possible democracy, transparency and the willingness for government to be open to all of its citizens should be the goal and, eventually, the reality. — T.J. Bucholz, a senior director of public affairs for Lambert, Edwards & Associates, is volunteering as spokesman for the Community Review Team investigating the Lansing Board of Water and Light’s handling of the prolonged power outage last December.

SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014

$2.00 / POWER ING MLI VE .COM

NEWSPAPER OF THE Y E AR > MICHIG A N PRES PR R ES E S S A S SOCI SO SO SOC OC C I AT A T ION IIO ON O N

SPORT S / D1 �3

LOCAL / A 4

U�M, MSU ADVANCE IN NCAA TOURNEY TODAY’S MUST�READS

FLINT TWINS’ DEATH CASES DETAILED

A talee of two ttowns

“Itt kind nd d of of scares s ares me when I’m sc I m walking walking g byy myself.” myself. y | “It’s Itt s 2014. 2014. Get over it.” it. | “II felt bad about our reputation.” reputation. p | “Not Not onlyy did we beat be Grand ran an nd Blanc Bla anc but an bu ut we’re we’r we ’ e all wh white.” hitee.” | “These kinds off occurrences occu urr rren nce ces by a tiny, tiny, tiny percen ces percentage en nta tage (of people) paint the community with tag w a broad brroad br rush. h.” | “People “P Peo opl ple le kn k ow w what wha hat went hat wentt on. we on. It’s It’ t s an an incorrect inc ncor orrect ctt rreputation. eput ep put utat atio tio ion on. n. T hat’ hat ha t’s not not the no the Ho th H well wel we ll o ttoday.” toda oda day. y.” | “( y.” ““(They (Th (T They a They re) a bu re) re b bunc unc nch ch o of brush.” know That’s Howell off to are) bunch hi high igh gh school scch hoo ol ki kids ids trying trry ryin i g tto o keep keep thee myth myytth h alive.” alivve ve.” . | “The “Th T e media med me dia will w ll wi l n not ot lett the the stigma stiigm g a re rrest.” esstt.” | “This “Thiss iiss not sso something omeeth thing g th that hat a repre represents reeseen ntt H Ho Howell.” owell.” | “They “They had had d most mos o t of o theirr ffacts a ts ac ts wrong.” wrong ng.” | “It’s ng “It’ss a pleasant plleassan ant place placce to live. livve. e There’s Theree’s not not really reallyy d discrimination isccri r mina n tion na ng going oin ng on ng on.” n.” | “They n. “Th hee h ccall ca all tthemselves hemseellvees ‘h he hem ‘hicks.’ hic icks.’’ T ick They hey co consider ons n id derr tthemselves heems m elve vees re rebe rebels.” ebels beels. be ls.” | “If ls. Iff yyou ou a ou ar are re d re diffe diff different, ifffe ferreent, ntt, th they hey ey w will i l no il not to tolerate olera lera attee you you.” u..”” | “We We ge We get et tthe et hee bad ad d rep, reeep p but ut we we’ree no nott anyy di d dif different.” iff ffer ffer ereen ent ” | “T ent ““There “The The here re a are re no o mo more mor re H re Howell owell o ow wel eell ll st stu students tud uden u den eents nts ts u using sing si ing g tthe he N he N-word -wo -w wor ord o rd th than h n tthere heree a here he are re in re n an anyy ot other the her sc her sch schools hool ho ols ls acro ac across cro rosss ss th the and members country.” | “Our basketball team was appalled, our our staff sHowell ta afff m embers embe band erss were wer erace, e disgusted, disg di sg guste uA3 ste ted, a n our students? Our students were fed up.”

FIGHTING FIRE WITH FUNDS

GENESEE COUNTY

Appeals order leaves gay wedding plans in limbo

Cierra Nelson’s grave is decorated in 2001. (MLIve.com files) FLINT

Dreams on hold By Molly Young

Case closed 13 years later After almost 13 years of investigation into the death of 10-year-old Cierra Nelson, Flint police have closed the case because they believe the person responsible is dead. The announcement marks the official end to a case that drew international attention after the Lawndale Elementary honor student went missing in 2000 near her north Flint home. Police Sgt. Greg Hosmer, declined to identify the suspect, saying, “There was not enough to arrest him.” Details, 10 FLUSHING

Blame winter for extended school School closings in doubledigit figures have led Flushing officials to change the final day for K-6 students from June 11 to June 17, while middle and high school students now are scheduled to finish June 18, as opposed to June 12. In his 25-plus years as an educator, Flushing schools Superintendent Tim Stein said he couldn’t recall a year with as many cancellations because of harsh weather. Details, A4

DAILY QUOTE

“

We’ve got an event that’s so hard, we have a Ph.D. chemist from University of MichiganFlint and a nuclear physicist from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.” DEAN OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS AT MOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ABOUT THE 29TH ANNUAL REGION V SCIENCE OLYMPIAD. DETAILS, A9

myoung7@mlive.com

Happiness turned to heartbreak for same-sex couples who were prepared to make history Monday morning. A day after a federal judge in Detroit overturned Michigan’s ban on gay marriage, an appeals court granted state Attorney General Bill Schuette’s request for a stay on the ruling. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals order puts a freeze on same-sex marriages until at least Wednesday. Aimee Loubert and Deborah Baldwin had planned to be in line outside the Genesee County Courthouse an hour before its 8 a.m. opening Monday. The couple have been together 19 years and thought their dream of marriage finally would be realized after U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman in Detroit ruled the state’s ban on gay marriage unconstitutional. On Saturday, the couple had picked out their wedding clothes — a white skirt and top for Loubert and a black suit and royal blue shirt for Baldwin. Loubert said she still believes same-sex marriage will happen in Michigan. “I have not lost hope,” said Loubert, who gathered with friends Saturday night at a Flint church to discuss the stay. “This is just a temporary setback.” The couple spent two hours at the clerk’s office Friday afternoon, waiting for the ruling to come down, but it wasn’t announced until after the office closed for the weekend. ‘DISAPPOINTED PEOPLE’

County Clerk-Register John Gleason said he was dismayed by Saturday’s stay. “I know there’s an awful lot of disappointed people. I’m disappointed, and I’m not even involved,” said

Oﬃcials not banking on SAFER in future By Dominic Adams

dadams5@mlive.com

Partners Aimee Loubert, 45, and Deborah Baldwin, 60, of Flint, eat with friends at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Flint after hearing disappointing news they would not be able to get married Monday morning, after all. On Saturday, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted state Attorney General Bill Schuette’s request for a stay on Friday’s ruling overturning Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriages. (Katie McLean/MLive.com) Same-sex couples are married in a group earlier Saturday by the Oakland County clerk in Pontiac. (AP)

With the city anxiously awaiting word on its request for a $7.9 million grant to avoid laying off 19 firefighters and closing two fire stations, Flint’s application for that money offers few insights on how the city plans to maintain its fire staffing in the years ahead. The city already has taken steps toward addressing its fire situation, passing a public safety millage that raises at least $3 million a year through 2018. Flint also won a $20.1 million federal grant that will allow the city to tear down 1,500 vacant houses — attractive targets for arsonists in a city that has ranked as arson capital of the nation. But the five-year public safety millage approved by voters will not be enough to offset the loss of a federal grant, according to the application for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant, leaving the city with the hope the state Legislature will allow voters to decide on an income tax hike of 1.5 percent for residents and 0.75 percent for nonresidents. Flint would get an extra SEE SAFER, A2

MORE INSIDE From the editor: SAFER too important to stay silent, A5

Gleason. “And it disappoints me that we have done this to so many people. They’ve made arrangements. They have their pastors and everything all lined up.” Gleason said his office will be ready to issue marriage licenses if the stay is lifted. “Whenever they turn us loose, we’ll be ready,” said Gleason.

MORE INSIDE State leaders, others react to Friday’s ruling, A13

Before the stay, he said he expected dozens of samesex couples Monday, and that they would have been able to pay a $25 waiver fee to marry as soon as they had the $20 license in hand.

INDEX Advice................ F5 Classified............ E1

FLINT

Typically, applicants for a marriage license must wait three days to marry. “We would expect most same-sex partners, who have waited for so long and are anxious, will choose to pay the fee to get married right away,” he said. Gleason said “a few” ministers were ready SEE LIMBO, A8

Ç MLIVE

FEEDBACK Entertainment.... F1 Local................... A3

Lottery ................ A2 Nation............... A15

Obituaries......... A10 Opinion............... B1

Outdoors ............ C4 Sports................. C1

TV .......... Diversions Weather............ A15

Send your comments to comments@mlive.com.

FL SUNDAY

A2 / SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014 / THE FLINT JOURNAL

Local&More $7 million per year if voters were to approve the increase in the income tax, but the measure has been stuck in limbo in a House committee on tax policy since June. And if an income tax hike doesn’t happen? The city projects it will spend more than $4.1 million over the next two years in public safety millage funding to pay for 20 firefighters per year. A SAFER renewal could free up some of that money, leaving more to fund police officers. According to Flint’s fiveyear financial projection, the city will have 75 total firefighters each year through 2018. The city will pay for 55 firefighters from the general fund and 20 using the millage. Those projections are based on the city not getting the SAFER renewal. City Council President Scott Kincaid said officials have been searching for other means of revenue instead of SAFER. “Whether it’s SAFER or not, we always look for additional funding other than our regular income tax-based funding,” said City Council

DON’T LOOK TO FEDS?

The vice president of a Washington, D.C.-based Libertarian think tank, Americans for Limited Government, believes money for fire departments should not come from the federal government. “There is no constitutional authority for the government to be funding firetrucks,” Rick

OBITUARIES LIST

Flint

SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014

mlive.com/flint

Complete obituaries begin on Page A10. For more information, go to MLive.com.

Marjory Raymer Editor mraymer@mlive.com 810.406.9001 Clark Hughes Managing Producer for News, Sports, Business chughes3@mlive.com 810.347.8825 Bryn Mickle Managing Producer for News, Entertainment, Photo bmickle1@mlive.com 810.406.9828 Kristin Longley Community Engagement Specialist klongley1@mlive.com 810.429.5333 By Department flnews@mlive.com flsports@mlive.com flbusiness@mlive.com flentertainment@mlive.com Letters flletters@mlive.com Robert Graham Director of Sales rgraham2@mlive.com 810.893.6148 Obituaries obitads@mlive.com 810.767.0690 Customer Service/Delivery customercare@mlive.com 800.875.6300

ALLEN Virginia, 92, of Flushing (Rossell Funeral Home) ATKINS Susan, 61 (Swanson Funeral Home) AUBIN Alta, 75 BARRETT Jimmie, 78, of Grand Blanc (Swartz Funeral Home) BROWN Johnnie, 90 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) BROWN Robert, 78, of Burton (Swartz Funeral Home) COLLARDEY VAUGHAN Dolores A, 90, of Grand Blanc (Swartz Funeral Home) DACH Louise, 86, of Indian River (Lintz Funeral Home) DAVIS Dorothy (Swanson Funeral Home) DEAVER-POMROY Eleanor, 82, of Birch Run (Oguinn Family Funeral Home) FETTERS Phyllis, 90, of Fenton (Swartz Funeral Home) GRATSCH Hazel, 86, of Grand

Manning said. “If the people of the city of Flint need a new firetruck, the state or local government should pay for it.” Manning said Flint needs to look at itself instead of asking for money from Washington. “Any town or city that finds itself in a subservient role to the federal government because they’ve become dependent on federal grants needs to rethink their own tax structure, their own spending structure, so they can control how they provide basic services,” he said. “That’s a basic responsibility that any local government has, and that’s what Flint, Mich., needs to do.” Alfonso Baker worries more cuts will jeopardize his north-side home and said property values in the city aren’t going to go up enough to be able to fund the fire department. “I don’t think they’ll ever be able to go away from the grants,” Baker said. “It makes you feel insecure in your home if you don’t have any fire protection.” The head of the Flint Firefighters Union said the city needs to move away from dependency on federal money. “You have to be able to go

away from (SAFER),” Flint Firefighters Union President Mark Kovach said. “We were all reliant on revenue sharing, and everyone was able to go away from that. Nobody wants to be reliant on grants, but the communities are what they are. “What we have is difficult to overcome. It didn’t happen overnight, but when you compound the loss in industry and a crippling loss in state aid — it all goes bad. We’re not going to be able to immediately provide everything we need probably for several years down the road.” Flint Township Fire Chief John Ringwelski said his department never has provided more than 12 runs of mutual aid in one year to Flint, which he said isn’t a lot for his department. Ringwelski believes it will be up to Flint residents to find the money. “That would pretty much require the residents of the city of Flint for an even higher increase in taxes, and I’m not sure if they have the tax base,” Ringwelski said. “If the residents want to maintain the same level of services that they once had, they’re going to have to come up with more tax money.”

Blanc (Hill Funeral Home) GROVE Ronald, 79, of Burton (Sharp Funeral Home) HARRIS, Ricardo Londel, 49 (Serenity Funeral Chapel) HARRISON Karen, 78, of Palm Coast HAVERLAND Charles, 90, of Cocoa, Fla. HIND Marilyn (Swanson Funeral Home) HUDSON Murril, 56 (Swanson Funeral Home) JACKSON Florence, 91, of Flint (Sharp Funeral Home) JAMES-HALL Phyllis, 81 (Swanson Funeral Home) KEILLOR William, 71, of Flushing (Rossell Funeral Home) KIRBY James, 80, (Temrowski Family Funeral Home) KISS, Charlene, 63 (Serenity Funeral Chapel) MARSHALL Lorraine, 89, of Flint (Swanson Funeral Home) MAYES, Kevin, 46 (Serenity Funeral Chapel) PARENT Trula, 75 (Swanson Fu-

neral Home) PHILBURN Martha, 66, of Fenton (Sharp Funeral Home) RAYMOND Harlan, 90, of Durand (Sharp Funeral Home) RICHER Rosalie, 90, of Burton (Swartz Funeral Home) ROOT Victor, 59, of Gaines (Sharp Funeral Home) RUSTIN John, 75 (Serenity Funeral Chapel) SANDERS Pearley, 60 (Swanson Funeral Home) SANDERS-RICHARDSON Emma, 95 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) SCHMIDT Hildegard, 81, of Goodrich (Swartz Funeral Home) SCHNEIDER Charlotte, 91, of Swartz Creek (Sharp Funeral Home) SHORT Robert, 84, of Montrose (O’Guinn Family Funeral Home) SIMPSON Leanna, 61 (Swanson Funeral Home) SINNOTT Robert, 71, of Goodrich (Allen Funeral Home) SMITH Eva, 97, of Flint (Rossell Funeral Home) TRAWEEK Mathew, 30, of Grand Blanc (Swartz Funeral Home) TYSON, Louis, Sr., age 68 (Serenity Funeral Chapel) WEATHERWAX Lloyd, 74, of Columbiaville (Jansen Family Funeral Home) WELLISLEY Carl, 79, of Flushing (O’Guinn Family Funeral Home) YORK James, 87 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home)

LOTTERY Results from Saturday: Midday Daily 3: 131 Midday Daily 4: 7462 Daily 3: 710 Daily 4: 0299 Fantasy 5: 11, 21, 22, 27, 32 Classic Lotto: 1, 3, 10, 15, 24, 32 Poker Lotto: Queen of Clubs, Queen of Spades, 7 of Clubs, King of Hearts, 2 of Spades Keno: 4, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 21, 26, 29, 31, 34, 36, 38, 46, 48, 49, 54, 57, 59, 61, 73 Late Friday result: Mega Millions: 2, 23, 30, 35, 53

Mega Ball: 10 x5

Megaplier:

Saturday’s Fantasy 5 jackpot was worth $105,000. Saturday’s Classic Lotto 47 jackpot was worth $1 million. Saturday’s Powerball jackpot was worth $96 million. Tuesday’s Mega Millions jackpot is worth $20 million. Powerball results are available at mlive.com/lottery. The drawing took place after press time.

Steve Westphal National Accounts Director swestpha@mlive.com

Janet Blackmer, of Flint, has her blood drawn last March in honor of her son, who was killed in June 1980, when he was 21. (MLive.com files)

FLINT

Blood drive to honor 2013 homicide victims By Sarah Schuch

sschuch@mlive.com

It’s more than a blood drive. The University of Michigan-Flint will team up with the American Red Cross to hold a blood drive and balloon release to honor Flint homicide victims. In 2013, there were 52 Flint homicide victims. The blood drive, which is organized by a UM-Flint health communication class, is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday in the Happenings Room, Harding Mott University Center in Flint. This is the second year students have organized the blood drive in honor of those who were killed in Flint. Last year, they were looking for 66 donors in honor of 66 victims. “I personally see the blood drive as an opportunity to unite our campus to the larger Flint community, demon-

NCG CINEMAS Lapeer • 1650 Demille Rd. 810-667-SHOW

MORE INSIDE For more information and donation requirements, call 800-448-3543 or visit redcrossblood.org.

only

11a - 4pm 11am Mon. - Sat. Mo

only

4pm - Close Mon. - Sun. Mon

With purchase of beverage. Not valid with any other discount. Coupon good for up to 4 people. Expires 4/26/14. Court & Center

Grand Blanc • 8220 Trillium Circle Ave. 810-695-5000 Burton • Courtland Center Mall 810-223-0242 Owosso • 314 E. Comstock 989-723-SHOW 4790908-01

With purchase of beverage. Not valid with any other discount. Coupon good for up to 4 people. Expires 4/26/14. Court & Center

4045 E. COURT ST., BURTON • 810-744-0333

�� G��X AWD SEDAN $

2,999 TOTAL DUE PLUS TAX, TITLE , PLATES

279

/ MO.

MODEL NO. ��

PLUS TAX

WITH PREMIUM PACKAGE �� PER MONTH PLUS TAX WITH �� TOTAL DUE PLUS TAX, TITLE, PLATES, �� SEC DEPOSIT DUE �� MONTH ��K MILES PER YEAR LEASE. � OR MORE AVAILABLE, IN STOCK ONLY. EXP. �/��/��

MSRP ��,��.��

�� QX�� AWD $

2,999 TOTAL DUE PLUS TAX, TITLE , PLATES

399

/ MO.

PLUS TAX

�� MONTH LEASE, ��K MILES PER YEAR LEASE �� SECURITY DEPOSIT. � OR MORE AVAILABLE IN STOCK ONLY EXP. �/��/��

CORRECTION U.S. Rep. Gary Peters is a Bloomfield Hills Democrat running for the U.S. Senate. An incorrect photo labeled as Peters was used on Thursday’s Michigan & Business page.

strating that we are in fact a single community of hope and everyday heroes,” said Assistant Professor of Health Education Lisa Lapeyrouse in a statement. Last year, the drive collected 81 pints of blood. This year, they hope to bring in even more. Since the homicide number dropped by 22 percent in 2013, organizers hope to collect 22 percent more blood. The goal is 95 pints of donated blood. Participants must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Food will be provided at the event and a balloon release will be held at 1 p.m. in memory of the victims.

4720199-04

CONTINUED FROM A1

President Scott Kincaid. “We also have to look at how do we best service the city?” City spokesman Jason Lorenz said Flint plans to address shortfalls in the fire budget but declined to specify how it will address the issue even if the city gets two more years of SAFER. “We always plan as if we’re not going to get the SAFER grant,” Lorenz said. “We never assume that that money is going to be there. That’s just fiscally irresponsible to budget money you don’t have in hand.” As of Tuesday, all but $66.18 million of the $337.5 million set aside for SAFER grants already was awarded. Without a SAFER renewal, city officials said there will be longer waits for help, and neighboring communities will get more calls to fight fires in the city.

MSRP ��,��.��

WITH PREMIUM & PREMIUM PLUS PACKAGE

4796830-02

SAFER

MODEL NO. ��

Sales: 888-639-6022

Service & Parts 888-639-6022

INFINITI OF ANN ARBOR

5515 Auto Mall Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Ritu Parr Director of Marketing rparr@mlive.com By Department advertise@mlive.com marketing@mlive.com

DELIVERY

Now Selling

The Flint Journal 137th year. No. 205 Published four days a week by Mlive Media Group at 540 S. Saginaw St., Suite 101, Flint, MI 48502 Phone: 810-766-6280 or 800-875-6300 Postage paid at Flint, MI Publication identification: (USPS 200-300)

3 Off

Postmaster

Send address changes to Advance Central Services, 3102 Walker Ridge Dr., Walker, MI 49544

Your Purchase of $20 or more

Subscription Rates

4 Day Delivery $20.00 (4 weeks)

With Coupon. Expires 4-12-14.. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFER.

4796981-02

4 Day Delivery $12.94 (4 weeks) Sunday Only $11.20 (4 weeks) By Mail

• Organic Produce • Organic Meats • Vegetarian Deli • Supplements • Gluten Free Products Mon- Thur 10 am - 7 pm • Fri 10 am - 8 pm Sat 10 am - 6 pm • Sun 12 pm - 5 pm

KNOWLEDGE • SERVICE • EVERYDAY LOW PRICES Somerset Towne Centre 4290 Miller Rd • Flint

810-230-8008

4802923-02

B2 / SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014 / THE FLINT JOURNAL

Opinion

Ö Share your opinions Letters to the Editor, The Flint Journal, 540 S. Saginaw St., Suite 101, Flint, MI 48502 flletters@mlive.com

EDITORIAL

DON’T UNDO IT: FIRST, TRY TO MAKE IT WORK

Flint Journal/MLive.com Editorial Board

he decision to merge the Genesee County clerk and register of deeds offices wasn’t made casually — it took years of debate and scrutiny before it finally became official in 2012. Now, a mere 15 months after the inaugural clerk-register took office, the county Board of Commissioners is planning to appoint a committee that would consider reversing the merger and to make a recommendation. This is the wrong approach. At a time when budgets are tight and consolidation is the municipal buzzword, separating these offices would be foolhardy and counterproductive. Both offices serve important and similar functions. Along with supervising elections, the county clerk maintains records of the courts, births, deaths and more, while the register of deeds Merging the officially records property docucounty clerk and ments, including mortgages. Instead of studying undoing register made the merger, the commission fiscal sense, and would better serve taxpayers by looking at how to make the these oﬃces have merged offices more efficient a lot in common. and effective. With an elected official in Now is not the charge, the clerk-register office time to study needs to be structured in a way that it can run smoothly no a reversal. matter who is chosen to lead it. Ultimately, voters will decide if a change is needed. We recognize that the county board and ClerkRegister John Gleason don’t always agree, but such a decision shouldn’t be based on personality clashes. There’s a reason the offices were merged in the first place — to save taxpayer money — and that hasn’t gone away. County officials need to look beyond the politics of this issue and look for ways to improve services to the public. Dismantling an effort to streamline county services would be a backward move for Genesee County. Let’s continue to keep our community moving forward.

FIGHTING FIRE WITH FUNDS: GUEST COLUMN

Federal aid can take the heat off Flint At this critical point in the city’s battle against arson and blight, the money is needed more than ever

By U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee

n the coming weeks, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be awarding its final Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants. These grants provide funding for fire departments to purchase equipment and keep firefighters on the job. If any community has demonstrated a persistent need for a SAFER grant, it’s Flint. Without a renewal, nearly a quarter of our firefighters would be laid off. Two fire stations could close. Without a SAFER grant, there will be fewer men and women on the street combating arson and fires at a time when our community desperately needs them. Unfortunately, arson remains a serious problem in Flint. In 2012, there were 352 intentionally set fires, enough to give us the nation’s highest per-capita arson rate. In recent years, federal dollars from the SAFER program that has

kept firefighters on the job protecting our citizens. Flint, like most cities across the state, has seen a decline in the local tax base, made worse by cuts in state revenue sharing, that has resulted in drastic public safety cuts. Meanwhile, fire-related injuries have tripled. Last year, I fought to keep the SAFER grants in the federal budget, and I was glad that Congress fully funded them in the bipartisan agreement. But now it’s up to FEMA to allocate the money to cities and to recognize its vital importance to Flint. Securing the grant for a third time, however, will be an uphill climb. SAFER grants are intended to be temporary, not permanent fixtures in a municipality’s budget. Thus, we must all work to lessen the need for this type of support by reducing the blight in our neighborhoods. Vacant properties are the main targets for arson. Further, abandoned properties depress property values, which reduces family wealth and decreases the tax base the city depends upon to provide basic services — like the fire department. That’s why I secured $100 million in federal funds — more than $20 million for Flint alone — to

tear down more than 1,000 blighted homes. This won’t solve the problem entirely, but it’s a good start. I hope the Genesee County Board of Commissioners will support — rather than undermine — the efforts of County Treasurer Deb Cherry and the Genesee County Land Bank to address vacant properties. If we deal with blight at the source — as the Land Bank is intended to do — the tax base will be more stable and our local governments will be more selfsustaining. The community knows that we can’t rely solely on SAFER grants year after year to fight crime and arson. That’s why I’m working every day with local officials and in Congress on initiatives to help aid Flint’s economic recovery and invest in our people. But alongside these efforts, I will continue to advocate in every way possible to help ensure that Flint is among the cities FEMA selects to receive a SAFER grant this year. You can also add your name to support Flint’s application as well. Simply put, our community needs it. — Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, represents Michigan’s 5th Congressional District. He founded the Genesee County Land Bank in 2002.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Union officials do not get to say what harassment is

EDITORIAL BOARD Marjory Raymer Editor marjory_raymer@mlive.com

Bryn Mickle Managing producer bmickle1@mlive.com

Kristin Longley Community engagement specialist klongley1@mlive.com

Clark Hughes Managing producer chughes3@mlive.com

Jason Christie Audience solutions sales manager jchrist2@mlive.com

TALK BACK Here are the emails available for our syndicated columnists. You also are welcome to respond with a letter to the editor for publication here. E.J. Dionne Jr. ejdionne@washpost.com Charles Krauthammer letters@charleskrauthammer.com Ruben Navarrette ruben@rubennavarrette.com Kathleen Parker kathleenparker@washpost.com Eugene Robinson eugenerobinson@washpost.com George Will georgewill@washpost.com

Union officials are prohibited by law from harassing, bullying or intimidating employees (“Hurley employee: Union posts names of workers who don’t join,” Feb. 25). Those who violate the law are engaging in unfair labor practice. It is essential to note that union representatives do not get to determine what is harassment, bullying or intimidation. If an employee feels they have been subjected to unfair labor practices by any union official, they should contact their attorney and file a complaint. I also will be leaving a labor union. I am going to stop paying dues and instead use my money to pay for the increase in my health insurance premiums. I am not going to subsidize the heinous workplace violations of chronic

problem employees. I do not need a union to do my job, nor do I want one. Instead of posting the names of people who are exercising their legal rights, I suggest it would be more constructive to post the Local 1603 bank statements so all members can see exactly how their dues are being spent. They deserve to know exactly how every single dollar of their money is being spent. — Christopher Kelly, Flushing

Democracy needs free exchange of info, ideas over Internet If net neutrality is removed, we will lose the ability to select our source of news and to freely communicate. Our democracy will not survive. Internet service providers must be reclassified as common carriers. — John Helsom, Flushing

ABOUT LETTERS We welcome letters to the editor and try to publish as many as possible. To help us do that, we ask that letters be brief — no more than 250 words — and address public policy or news and opinion articles. In responding to an article, please cite the headline and date of publication. Guest columns reflecting the writer’s experience or expertise also may be submitted at 400 words. Letters are subject to editing. Email letters to flletters@MLive.com or mail them to the address at the top of the page. Be sure to include your name, address, hometown and phone. (The address and phone are for verification only.)

Let’s face it — language is something you can’t boss around

acebook executive and author Sheryl Sandberg — with the help of the Girl Scouts, singer Beyonce, the actress Jane Lynch and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice — has launched a campaign to ban the word “bossy” because in her view it’s damaging to girls. When I heard about it, I have to confess my immediate reaction was to think, “Gee, that’s kind of bossy of her.” I mean, who died and made her captain of the word police? That’s a bit mean, but then I’m not a fan of attempted censorship, no matter how well-intentioned. Word-banning seems to be a trend of late. It’s become fashionable to try to ban words we’re uncomfortable

Andrew w Heller andrewhellercolumn@ ellercolumn@ gmail.com m

with, which you really can’t do in the first place. You can no more ban a word than you can ban the air. In fact, language is a lot like air — ban it all you want, it’s still there. So what are you really doing? For example, as repellent and horrible as the N-word is, it still exists. People still use it. It’s not something I’d ever use, for sure. But I wouldn’t

want it legally banned. The rap industry might collapse, for one thing. For another, it’s bad precedent to begin banning words. The old slippery slope argument is grossly overused and seldom accurate. Banning words would be the exception. LET’S NOT GO THERE

If you ban one word, we’ll ban others, sure as the sun shines — demeaning words, curse words, insulting words. The color would slowly drain from our language, and the PC police will have won. Ban the words that some people don’t like, and eventually no one will be able to have a good, satisfying

argument without being arrested, and where’s the fun in that? And without expletives and other rude terms, football and hockey fans would be effectively rendered mute. No one wants that on their head. I’m sure the “Ban Bossy” campaign isn’t seeking a legislative solution, anyway. They just want to discourage use of the word, and I get that. I have a daughter. I wouldn’t want her being labeled bossy just for speaking her mind and being a leader, although, honestly, I can think of a lot worse things to call someone. Some people, particularly bosses, particularly some of the ones I’ve had, would view being called bossy as a compliment. Tell an editor he or she is bossy and they might even

smile, which is not something editors do very often. It seems to hurt their faces. LET’S NOT BE STUPID, EITHER

But I get the larger point behind the “Ban Bossy” campaign. Telling girls they’re bossy is often a way of keeping them down and herding women in general into narrowly drawn gender boxes. We shouldn’t do that. I completely agree. What we tell people about themselves they often become, and that’s not a good thing when what we tell them is based on race or gender stereotypes or narrow-minded views. People who do that are jerks. I’m glad I’m free to call them that.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

$2.00 / POWER ING MLI VE .COM

NEWSPAPER OF THE Y E AR > MICHIG A N PRES S A S SOCI AT ION

SE ASON PREV IEW / SEC T ION C

LOCAL / A3

AUSMUS LEADS TIGERS INTO NEW SEASON TODAY’S MUST�READS FLINT

Aiming to alter city’s image

RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP

Oil company wants mineral rights for 90-plus acres in county parks

Drilling in store?

HUNTING FOR OIL These two parcels of Genesee County park land — 25 acres in Richfield County Park and 67 acres in Holloway Regional Park — are among 22,000 acres in Michigan that are under consideration for oil and gas leasing, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. E. Mt Morris Rd.

N 67 acres

N. Baxter Rd.

Diplomat Pharmacy’s leader is expanding an internship program and a new fellowship for college students that will take place in Flint this summer. One of the goals is to change the image of Flint. “If we can attract and become known for Hagerman attracting the thought leaders of tomorrow, we believe it will have an impact on the perception of our community as a whole,” said Diplomat Pharmacy CEO Phil Hagerman. Details, G1

NEW MARKET WON’T OPEN UNTIL JUNE

Holloway Reservoir

Holloway Reservoir lies next to Holloway Regional Park, an area that might be included in a May 1 state auction for gas and oil leases. (Katie McLean/MLive.com)

Lack of hall status irks Grand Funk fans

SWARTZ CREEK

Walkway design upsets city The city of Swartz Creek and a Wayland-based construction company will go to the Michigan Department of Transportation in May for arbitration over the style of arches used on a walkway attached to a bridge. City Manager Adam Zettel said the arches are “terrible,” and the city is balking at paying the $16,000 tab for the work. Details, A4

DAILY QUOTE

“

PROMOTER OF A DAVISON HIGH CRAFT SHOW WHO SAID THE DISTRICT STOPPED AN APPEARANCE BY FORMER TIGER DENNY MCLAIN. DETAILS, A3

N 25 acres

E. Coldwater Rd.

SEE DRILLING, A5

(MLive.com)

Pain of losing SAFER grant would extend beyond Flint dadams5@mlive.com

If Flint doesn’t get $7.9 million for firefighters, the city said it will need to lean on its suburban neighbors for more help. But those neighbors said there will be limits to that help. Burton’s interim fire chief, Tom Osterholzer, said his city

would be forced to draw a line in the sand if Flint called too many times. “How long can budgets absorb that before municipalities say, ‘We can’t absorb this?’” Osterholzer said. “We’ve been able to make it work. If there’s a dramatic increase — that’s where we’re going to have an issue.” Flint officials said the city

will lose funding for 39 firefighters and be forced to close two fire stations if it doesn’t get a renewal of the federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant. Flint already gets mutual aid an average of 98 times a year but sends its firefighters to other communities an average of five times a

INDEX Advice................ F5 Business ............ G1

Teachout Rd.

FIGHTING FIRE WITH FUNDS

By Dominic Adams

If he paid his dues, he’s over and done with that. What’s the big deal?”

comments on the possible leases until Friday. The county Board of Commissioners, Parks and Recreation Commission and Sierra Club Nepessing Group are among those rallying against the proposal. Even though drilling on the surface of the land would not be allowed in the parks, there is the potential for drilling or fracking on adjacent property and for mining oil or gas underground, said Mary Uptigrove, Michigan DNR manager of mineral rights management. The potential for increased drilling or fracking is quickly becoming a hot-button issue in county, where Western has been active in

N. Gale Rd.

Flint-bred Grand Funk Railroad is missing one honor it could add to its achievements: recognition in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Fans hope to change that. Details, A9

ikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders might have to make way for a new activity at Richfield County and Holloway Regional parks: drilling for oil and gas. A company that is buying up mineral rights from private property owners around eastern Genesee County also is interested in oil and gas beneath the surface of more than 90 acres of land in the two parks, according to filings with the state Department of Natural Resources. The DNR said Western Land Services asked the state to include 25 acres in Richfield County Park and 67 acres in Holloway Regional

Park near Wolverine Campground in a May 1 oil and gas lease auction. No final decision has been made on whether the land will be included in the auction — something DNR Director Keith Creagh will determine in coming days. After recent protests from the county about fears of wells sprouting up on parkland, the DNR already has changed the classification on the land, taking away the winning bidders’ ability to construct drilling wells on the surface of the land. The state controls access to oil and gas on the properties as a result of previous DNR grants that required the transfer of those rights from the county to the state, but the state is accepting public

Irish Rd.

By Ron Fonger

rfonger1@mlive.com

FLINT

N. Henderson Rd.

Grand Funk Railroad was named after the Grand Trunk Western Railroad that ran through Flint. (MLive.com files)

year, according to the city’s grant application for SAFER money. Without the grant, Flint said it would be forced to cut down to 16 firefighters per shift, requiring it to rely on mutual aid when two fires were burning at the same time in the city — a situation SEE SAFER, A2

Ç MLIVE

FEEDBACK Classified............ E1 Entertainment.... F1

Local................... A3 Lottery ................ A2

Nation............... A15 Obituaries......... A10

Opinion............... B1 Sports................. C1

Travel .................. F8 Weather............ A15

Send your comments to comments@mlive.com.

FL SUNDAY

A2 / SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014 / THE FLINT JOURNAL

Local&More SAFER

today because of the fire department’s response,” Davis said. “If that five- to 10-minute difference causes one person to die, it ain’t worth it. That could be my house. I think (the fire department) is the wrong place to cut.”

CONTINUED FROM A1

DELIVERY The Flint Journal 137th year. No. 209 Published four days a week by Mlive Media Group at 540 S. Saginaw St., Suite 101, Flint, MI 48502 Phone: 810-766-6280 or 800-875-6300 Postage paid at Flint, MI Publication identification: (USPS 200-300) Postmaster Send address changes to Advance Central Services, 3102 Walker Ridge Dr., Walker, MI 49544 Subscription Rates 4 Day Delivery $12.94 (4 weeks) Sunday Only $11.20 (4 weeks) By Mail 4 Day Delivery $20.00 (4 weeks)

BEYOND ONE DEPARTMENT

Grand Blanc Fire Chief Jim Harmes said his department never used to provide mutual aid for Flint but now goes about two or three times per year. Flint firefighters respond to the second-most calls in the nation per capita and rank Flint firefighter Phil Maser trudges through snow March 14 as first in runs per firefighter, he carries a hose to the side of a fully engulfed building in the according to city’s grant appli1000 block of Hubbard Avenue in Flint. (Jake May/MLive.com) cation, citing federal statistics. “They had an arson probpart of the city’s argument on an emergency basis, and I lem where people are setting for getting another round of know it’s not deliberate.” three, four fires at a time — SAFER money, adding there Curtis said this should be they virtually couldn’t handle also are worries of increased the last round of SAFER the it all,” Harmes said. “No one injury to firefighters and loncity will need because Flint fire department could have ger waits for people who need is working to get its financial handled that many fires.” help. house in order. Until FEMA makes a deciThe Federal Emergency “This is not pitting one sion on the grant, Harmes Management Agency has neighbor against the other,” said he will reserve judgment budgeted $337.5 million for Curtis said. “When times are on what will happen if the SAFER grants nationwide, but tough, you come together. request is denied. the pool continues to dwindle, We are one community — “It’s one of these things with less than $70 million left Genesee County.” where we’re all kind of colas of mid-March. Burton resident Holly lectively holding our breath,” Miller agrees with Curtis. he said. “I’m sure things aren’t ‘WE ARE ONE COMMUNITY’ “Obviously, Flint doesn’t going to change much on our Genesee County board have any money, so I think end.” Chairman Jamie Curtis said that Burton should still go Flint Mayor Dayne Walling the surrounding communithere because it’s still our said the loss of the SAFER ties support Flint in its battle community,” Miller said. grant would be a significant against being the arson capi“If humans are in danger, blow to the county’s firefighttal of America. humans are in danger. If my ing force as a whole. County commissioners house is on fire and there’s “The consequence of that is unanimously approved a reso- a house on fire in the city of Flint would likely need mutulution in support of the grant. Flint, I would hope they would al aid more often, but also Curtis, who lives in Burton, come to mine.” Flint would have a reduced said he is aware his tax dolThree years ago, Randal capacity to provide mutual aid lars might go toward fighting Davis was able to alert his to large fires in other parts of a fire in Flint. neighbors when their house the county,” Walling said. “It doesn’t concern me caught on fire on Flint’s south Genesee County because I know it’s not being side. Commissioner Omar Sims, abused,” he said. “I know it’s “That house is still there who represents Flint, said it will be devastating if the grant does not come through. “We can only rely on mutual aid for so long,” Sims said. OBITUARIES LIST SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014 Complete obituaries begin on Page A10. For more information, go to MLive.com.

ADAMS John, 43 (Swanson Funeral Home) ANDRES Margaret, 56 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) AUTEN Vivian, 87, of Holly (Dryer Funeral Home) BALL Denise, 49, of Durand (Sharp Funeral Home) BARBER Constance, 52, of Flushing (Swartz Funeral Home) BILLINGS Francis, 91, of Lansing (Rossell Funeral Home) BLOCK Helen, 82 (Swanson Funeral Home) BOOTH Robert, 97, of Flint (Allen Funeral Home) BYAS Skyy, (Serenity Funeral Home) CHOMA Mary Louise, 66, of Flint (Swartz Funeral Home) COLLINS Meredith, 61, of Swartz Creek (Swartz Funeral Home) COTTON, Joyce, 59 (Serenity Funeral Chapel) CRUM William, 65 (Lawrence E Moon Funeral Home) CUMMINGS Dennis, 72 DIXON, Iola, 92 (Serenity Funeral Chapel) DOBBS Brian, 58, of Flushing (Swartz Funeral Home) EDWARDS Lena, 52, of Davison (Swartz Funeral Home) FORD-ARKANSAS De’Koven, (Serenity Funeral Chapel) FRANKLIN Zachary, 52 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) GOLDEN Charles, 65 (Swanson Funeral Home) HARRISON Anna, 65 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) HUBBARD Helen, 96, of Grand Blanc (Sharp Funeral Home) JACKSON Florence, 91, of Flint (Sharp Funeral Home) JACKSON Mildred, 71 (Swanson Funeral Home) JONES Linell, 88 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) KOCHENDERFER, Arnold, 67(Serenity Funeral Chapel) LAKE Herbert, 76, of Mt. Morris (Martin Funeral Home) LANDRY Virginia, (Allen Funeral Home) LAROY William, 56, of Baraga MARBLE Eva Belle, 59 (Swanson Funeral Home) MILLOWAY Eleanor, 73, of Flint (Sharp Funeral Home) MITCHELL, Solomon, 68 (Serenity Funeral Chapel) MYSLIVEC Eva, 84, of Owosso (Watkins Brothers Funeral Home) PERKINS Marthamary, 101, of Grand Blanc (Rossell Funeral Home) PLUMB Douglas, 78, of Grand

Blanc (Swartz Funeral Home) PROUTY James, 82, of Kalamazoo (Sharp Funeral Home) REID-WILLIAMS Gloria, 64, of Flint (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) RYERSON Neil, 76 (Swanson Funeral Home) SAYLOR Barbara, 70, of Flushing (Sharp Funeral Home) SCRIVENER Amos, 83, of Linden (Sharp Funeral Home) SMITH Justin, 25, of Flint (O’Guinn Funeral Home) SMITH Margaret, of Flint (Martin Funeral Home) STEFANKO Joseph, 96, of Flushing (Reigle Funeral Home) STRAUGHEN Mildred, 71, formerly of Gaines (Sharp Funeral Home) TAYLOR Joyce, 74, of Flint TOWER Noble, 84, of Paisley, Fla. TOWN-FERGUSON Susan, (Hansen Funeral Home) WASHINGTON Angela, 54, of Flint (Serenity Funeral Chapel) WATKINS Harry, 82 (Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home) WHITE, Irontae Rayheen Bashaun, 22 (Serenity Funeral Chapel) WICKLIFF Mark, 65, of Columbiaville (Jansen Family Funeral Home) WRIGHT Jay, 76, of Grand Haven, formerly of Alpena (VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home)

Shooting victim identified By David Harris

dharris5@mlive.com

Police have identified a man shot to death Thursday night. Irontae R. White, 21, was leaving a vehicle about 7 p.m. Thursday on Barbara Drive, near Oxley, when he was approached by a man who fired several shots at him, police said. White was pronounced dead at the scene.

No arrests were announced. Lorenzo Mills, 56, who works a third shift, was awakened by the shots. “It’s disheartening that it happened,” he said. “I got family that is trying to get me to move out.” Anyone with tips is asked to call police at 810-2376801 or Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAK-UP.

LOTTERY Results from Saturday: Midday Daily 3: 170 Midday Daily 4: 0406 Daily 3: 396 Daily 4: 5420 Fantasy 5: 14, 32, 33, 34, 39 Classic Lotto: 6, 7, 12, 24, 32, 47 Poker Lotto: King of Hearts, 4 of Hearts, 7 of Diamonds, Jack of Hearts, 2 of Hearts Keno: 3, 6, 10, 13, 14, 20, 21, 25, 28, 29, 34, 36, 40, 42, 43, 48, 49, 50, 57, 61, 63, 74 Late Friday result: Mega Millions: 2, 3, 9, 50, 73

Mega Ball: 12 x3

Megaplier:

Saturday’s Fantasy 5 jackpot was worth $105,000. Saturday’s Classic Lotto 47 jackpot was worth $1.1 million. Saturday’s Powerball jackpot was worth $50 million. Tuesday’s Mega Millions jackpot is worth $20 million. Powerball results are available at mlive.com/lottery. The drawing took place after press time.

$10 0

1 IN 6 TICKETS WINS!* *Odds of winning depend on the total number of tickets sold through April 14, 2014. There will be one $40,000 prize for every 30,000 tickets sold. There will be 17 prizes of $100, 616 prizes of $50, and 1,033 prizes of $15 for every 10,000 tickets sold. If you bet more than you can afford to lose, you’ve got a problem. Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help. $40,000 winning ticket holders will receive a net prize amount. To arrive at the net prize value, the Lottery will hold and deposit on behalf of each prize winner the required state and federal income taxes on the gross prize. The federal income tax rate is subject to change and will be determined at the same time a prize winner files their claim. The Lottery is not responsible for additional taxes in excess of the amount withheld by the Lottery that may be due when a prize winner files all tax returns for the year the prize is claimed.

4774296-23

Ready to own your own home? We’re here to help. BEST Home Loan at FirstMerit

only

If you plan to purchase a home, purchase and rehab a home, or construct a new home, a FirstMerit BEST (Building Equity Starting Today) Home Loan* may be just right for you.

11a - 4pm 11am Mon. - Sat. Mo

With purchase of beverage. Not valid with any other discount. Coupon good for up to 4 people. Expires 5/3/14. Court & Center

only

4pm - Close Mon. - Sun. Mon

With purchase of beverage. Not valid with any other discount. Coupon good for up to 4 people. Expires 5/3/14. Court & Center

Benefits include the ability to borrow up to 95% of purchase price with a minimum of 1% or $500 of borrower funds to be used for down payment, no private mortgage insurance required, no minimum loan amount, and no income limit restriction. 4720199-05

the city said already happens “many times.” Flint was ranked the arson capital of the nation, with 352 suspicious fires in 2012. “The city of Flint, with any reduced staff, will be at the mercy of mutual aid,” the city said in its grant request. Outcounty departments, however, do not receive reimbursement from the city for helping Flint, leaving taxpayers in those communities on the hook for those costs. Mundy Township resident Laura Parnell doesn’t believe she should have to worry that firefighters she pays for will be in Flint if she needs them. “I feel like Flint should pull their money from something else because Mundy Township shouldn’t be fighting their fires,” Parnell said. “What if my house catches on fire, and they’re all in Flint? If something were to happen, my house would go up in flames.” She said it isn’t fair Flint uses resources she pays for. “I moved there because it made me feel safe there,” Parnell said. “It makes me feel less safe to know that my firefighters are in Flint.” The mutual aid issue is just

FLINT

4045 E. COURT ST., BURTON • 810-744-0333

Get pre-approved for a BEST Home Loan today. Call 877-Merit Loan® (877-637-4856), and speak with one of our Mortgage Loan Officers who will answer all your questions and get you started toward purchasing your new home.

NCG CINEMAS Lapeer • 1650 Demille Rd. 810-667-SHOW Grand Blanc • 8220 Trillium Circle Ave. 810-695-5000 Burton • Courtland Center Mall 810-223-0242 Owosso • 314 E. Comstock 989-723-SHOW 4790908-01

All loans are subject to credit approval. *Available in geographic locations designated by the 2010 U.S. Census as Low-to-Moderate income areas.

firstmerit.com Member FDIC

2700_FM14 4801391-04