SHELDON NEELEY

I called you and Quincy (Murphy) headkerchief heads,” Mays told council member Ladel Lewis (Ward 2) before he was twice ruled disorderly and ordered to leave Monday’s meeting. Lewis, the council’s vice president, issued warnings to Mays before his removal Monday, saying the councilman has become an embarrassment to the city. Monday’s removal of Mays is the most recent in a string of incidents that have hardened divisions among council members -- sometimes along racial lines. Other council members have said they’ve been called dogs, prostitutes, snakes, stupid and ignorant in council chambers and inside City Hall. Council President Allie Herkenroder (Ward 7) said Monday that divisions among council members don’t have to accelerate into name-calling.

Neeley said Monday that residents who filled out forms developed by council members to request ARPA funds have been “misinformed” and said they should wait to apply for funding through the organizations that are eventually chosen to administer community grants by a yet-to-be-named citizens advisory committee. The city was awarded $94.7 million in ARPA funds and has allocated nearly $38 million to date on projects including a massive demolition program and credits to individual water bills. Neeley has proposed spending $15.6 million for what he’s called community grants that are designed to address housing and blight elimination, public health and economic development. Groups that are chosen to dispense the community grants will be capped at charging a 10% administration fee, Chief Financial Officer Robert Widigan said. During a rare Saturday meeting, four council members heard from dozens of residents, many of whom were interested in receiving ARPA funds to improve their homes.

Council members were divided on the ordinance, which requires two readings and approval by the council, but agreed to move it forward during their committee meeting on Monday, Jan. 9. But other council members said many officials and employees in City Hall are in a similar situation but won’t receive any benefit from a bump in pay for Edwards. Lewis and council members Quincy Murphy (Ward 3), Judy Priestley (Ward 4), Allie Herkenroder (Ward 7) and Eva Worthing (Ward 9) supported the ordinance. Council members Eric Mays (Ward 1), Jerri Winfrey-Carter (Ward 5) and Tonya Burns (Ward 6) voted no. Read more at The Flint Journal:Flint mayor’s top aide wants pay raise but City Council not ready to give itClyde Edwards named Flint’s new city administratorFlint council members taking closer look at privately owned blighted property

Barton’s recommendation to terminate the firefighters was eventually overruled inside City Hall, a decision the chief never endorsed. “At no point did undue influence by Mayor Neeley or any other elected official affect the outcome of the investigation, or the imposed employee discipline. “The city of Flint denies all allegations that Mayor Neeley influenced the internal investigation of the Pulaski ... fire and resulting decisions to discipline the firefighters involved in the tragic incident. “Mayor Neeley received endorsements from many labor organizations prior to the election. However, Mayor Neeley did not receive the campaign endorsement of Flint Firefighters Union Local 352,” the statement says.

“In addition, Mayor Neeley’s wrongful conduct constituted tortious interference with Chief Barton’s contractual relationship with the City. The lawsuit says Neeley wanted to lock down support for his re-election from the Flint firefighters union, which represented and has defended the actions of the two firefighters. Zlotek also later resigned from the department and was recently hired by the Bay City Department of Public Safety’s Fire Operations Division. In October, the estate of Lamar Mitchell also filed a lawsuit against Zlotek, Sniegocki, the city of Flint, and the Flint Fire Department in Genesee Circuit Court. Read more at The Flint Journal:Fired Flint fire chief says he got the ax because he wouldn’t lie for the mayorBarton out as Flint fire chief but city won’t say whyFlint firefighters issued all-clear at fatal house fire, but kids were still inside

March2022 continued to be a year of internal struggles among members of the Flint City Council. Approximately 30 days later, council members voted to remove Mays as council president after just five months in the position. Neeley said on May 10 that a new executive order to combat harassment and bullying in City Hall stemmed from the treatment of city employees by members of the City Council. After months of debate, the City Council eventually approved the $8.6 million ARPA appropriation in September. Members of the City Council elected Allie Herkenroder from Flint’s 7th Ward as the new council president.

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley’s top aide wants a raise but the City Council isn’t ready to oblige. Edwards’ salary could be adjusted -- only if council members change the job description -- but any pay increase would not be subject to their approval. Edwards, who serves as Neeley’s primary emissary to the council, is also responsible for the day-to-day management of all city departments. 1st Ward Councilman Eric Mays said he’s not ready to raise executive pay until other city employees, including those working in the City Council office, are better paid. 5th Ward Council member Jerri Winfrey-Carter said she’s also not ready to raise the city administrator’s pay scale, saying Edwards already is a top earner among other city administrators in Michigan -- a claim that the city administrator disputed.

FLINT, MI — Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley invites the Flint community to attend the traditional tree lighting ceremony next week. The tree lighting is set to take place at 5:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19 outside Flint City Hall, 1101 Saginaw St. “Our Junior Mayors are stepping up to provide a symbol of hope and optimism. There is no one better than our youth to lead us.”In addition to the traditional city tree, three smaller new trees make their debut this year. One tree has blue lights in honor of Flint police, another tree has red lights in honor of Flint firefighters, and a third tree has multi-colored lights to symbolize unity and peace.

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley continued to preach a gospel of unity during his State of the City address on Tuesday, Dec. 13, telling residents and officials that they must be united for Flint to move forward. “We have to learn how to work together better ...,” Neeley told the crowd at a special meeting of the Flint City Council in the Capitol Theatre. “Together, we are strong.”

FLINT, MI -- Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley outspent his challenger in this Nov. 8 general election by a nearly three-to-one margin, new campaign finance reports show. Neeley finished with more than 52% of the ballots cast in the general election, giving him a 1,281-vote margin of victory. Overall spending by the two candidates in the race dropped significantly from when they faced each other the first time in 2019 -- from $421,028 to $285,530, campaign finance reports show. MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Neeley or Weaver for comment on their campaign finance reports on Monday, Dec. 12. His campaign spending included more than $10,000 to Kadrew Printing and Mailing of Flint, $2,500 to Detroit consultant Virgil Smith, and more than $11,000 to television station WJRT in Flint.

“Over the last 10-plus years, Flint City Golf has made tremendous strides,” said Frank Preketes, the company’s owner. Flint Journal files say Flint City Golf was founded by Flint attorney Tom Warda and Preketes in a venture designed to keep the public golf courses in Flint in operation after former emergency manager Mike Brown looked to shed them because they were losing money in 2011. Pattan said her group has increasingly relied on Kearsley Lake and Swartz Creek during the years that Flint City Golf has run the courses. “Without their support, the Flint Junior Golf program would have ceased to have been a viable entity years ago,” Patton said. “The condition (of the courses) has dramatically improved, making the experience for our young golfers both valuable and enjoyable.”Established in 1939, Flint Junior Golf is the longest-running junior golf program in the country, she said.

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley will deliver his third State of the City address -- the first with a live audience -- during a special meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The city announced the address will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Capitol Theatre, 1241 E. Kearsley St., in downtown Flint. “I’m grateful for my first opportunity as mayor to present the State of the City address to Flint residents in person, following two virtual presentations during the pandemic,” Neeley said in a statement released by the city. Neeley defeated former Mayor Karen Weaver to win a second term in the Nov. 8 election, collecting more than 52% of the votes cast. He took the oath of office for his second term on Monday, Dec. 5, stressing the need to unify the city, improve customer service inside City Hall, and to step up efforts to better market Flint to outsiders.

FLINT, MI -- Residents who are interested in evaluating requests for American Rescue Plan Act community grants in Flint can apply to join a Community Advisory Committee that will make recommendations to the mayor and City Council. Applications for the ARPA committee are due by 5 p.m. on Jan. 5, the city said in a news release on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Committee members must be Flint residents and applicants are being asked about their knowledge of the city, areas of expertise, community involvement, and any other relevant experience. The Community Foundation of Greater Flint and Ruth Mott Foundation have also agreed to lend staff support for ARPA committee meetings, according to the city. Read more at The Flint Journal:Judges pick Clemons to replace Gleason as next Genesee County clerk-registerNeeley takes oath for second term as Flint mayor, continues unity messageI-475 work closing northbound lanes, ramps in Flint

Flint, MI -- The campus of the Flint Cultural Center was bright with holiday lights and the sound of a large crowd Tuesday night for Flint’s 37th annual Holiday Walk. The main event of the night, however, was the tree lighting. This year the tree lighting took place in a small clearing between the Flint Institute of Arts, Longway Planetarium and Flint Repertory Theatre. A Santa Claus performer gave a countdown to the big moment -- the tree lighting -- alongside Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. Other musical performances on the campus included Holiday Cabaret, Ringspiration Bell Choir and a series of musical improv performances at the Dort Music Center.

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley has taken the oath of office for his second term as mayor, sharpening his focus on a message of unity and partnership heading into the next four years. Speaking to more than 100 supporters, residents, friends and family, Neeley pledged to work toward widespread partnerships during a swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Dec. 5, inside Flint City Hall. “I continue to extend the olive branch of partnership,” Neeley said Monday. “If we aren’t unified, nothing can be done.”Neeley and the council had a sometimes stressful relationship during his first term as mayor. The mayor’s final words in his address Monday were, “I love you, mom.”Read more at The Flint Journal:Neeley wins second term as Flint mayor with 53% of voteNeeley focuses on rebranding Flint in second term as mayor3 Flint officials file bullying, harassment complaints against city council

FLINT, MI -- Sheldon Neeley will take the oath of office for his second term as mayor on Monday, Dec. 5, in City Hall. The city announced the swearing-in ceremony will take place at noon with Neeley taking the oath from Genesee District Court Judge G. David Guinn. Neeley won his second term as mayor in the Nov. 8 general election, defeating former Mayor Karen Weaver with more than 52 percent of the vote. The Flint City Charter sets the mayor’s term at four years. Neeley told MLive-The Flint Journal after last month’s election that he will focus on unifying the city and on a rebranding effort in his second term.

FLINT, MI -- Former Flint fire Chief Raymond Barton says his refusal to lie in the aftermath of a fatal house fire in which two children died has cost him his job. “I wouldn’t lie for the mayor ...,” Barton said. If I did, I’d still have a job.”Barton was a mayoral appointee, first chosen to lead the Fire Department by former Mayor Karen Weaver in 2016. The 25-year veteran of the department remained as chief during Neeley’s first term in office. “This is a disservice to the residents of the city of Flint,” Burns said.

FLINT, MI – The new Genesee Health System Center for Children’s Integrated Services will serve as a one-stop shop for Genesee County families and mental health services. It marked the completion of a multi-million-dollar, 60,000-square-foot development that will allow Genesee Health System to serve more families seeking mental health services. Constructed from August 2020 to March 2021, the new facility will house all mental health and behavioral health case management services, as well as primary care. Related: New Genesee Health System building combines children’s health programs under one roofSpecifically, it’ll house the Neurodevelopmental Center of Excellence, Children’s Autism Center, Child and Family Services, Outreach and the Federally Qualified Health Center. Winiarski, who led the project’s development, said in 2019 that the four mental health facilities needed more capacity.

FLINT, MI -- Fresh off an Election Day victory, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley thanked city voters on Wednesday, Nov. 9, and extended an olive branch to former Mayor Karen Weaver and the members of the Flint City Council, saying he’s willing to work with them to improve the lives of residents. He’s previously described some council members as “obstructionists and dysfunctional” and been frustrated as proposals, including contracts, have been bogged down in council chambers. His opponents have accused the mayor of playing politics as he conducts city business and some council members campaigned against his re-election. “I reach out to our co-equal branch of government -- the City Council ... Let’s move the people’s agenda forward,” Neeley said. Read more at The Flint Journal:Neeley wins second term as Flint mayor with 53% of voteNeeley says he won’t debate Weaver in race for Flint mayorPolice investigate threats made against Flint mayor

FLINT, MI -- Voters in Flint have given Sheldon Neeley a second term as mayor. More than 30% of registered voters in Flint cast ballots in Tuesday’s election and Neeley collected 11,692 of the 23,484 votes. MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Neeley for comment after the results of the election were released on Wednesday, Nov. 9. In the closing days of the campaign, Flint police said they were looking into threats made against Neeley on social media and sent to the mayor’s office. Read more at The Flint Journal:Neeley, Weaver advance to November showdown in race for Flint mayorPolice investigate threats made against Flint mayorNeeley, Weaver answer five critical questions about their campaigns to head Flint

FLINT, MI -- On an election night that promised a long wait for unofficial results, no one is waiting longer than voters in Flint and the city’s candidates for mayor. This year’s Flint mayoral election is a rematch of 2019 when Neeley won by a margin of just 205 votes -- 7,082 to 6,877. He has also focused on his public safety efforts as mayor and accused Weaver of financial mismanagement during her time as mayor. In the closing days of the campaign, Flint police said they were looking into threats made against Neeley on social media and sent to the mayor’s office. Read more at The Flint Journal:Neeley, Weaver advance to November showdown in race for Flint mayorPolice investigate threats made against Flint mayorNeeley, Weaver answer five critical questions about their campaigns to head Flint

FLINT, MI – Police are looking into threats made against Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. Flint Police Chief Terence Green said the department received communications on social media and to the mayor’s office that are “concerning and threatening in nature.”“Unfortunately, I’ve been advised of credible threats against me. Political threats against elected officials have increased tenfold since 2016, the New York Times reported. Researchers at Princeton University and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) are currently developing a database to track threats made against public officials. Neeley is currently running for reelection against former Mayor Karen Weaver.

Two brothers -- Zyaire Mitchell, 12, and Lamar Mitchell, 9 -- died from injuries they sustained in the house fire on West Pulaski Street. They were found by other Flint firefighters, who were working to rid the home of smoke and smoldering debris. “Ordinarily, the city of Flint does not comment on pending litigation,” the statement says. The estate of Lamar Mitchell filed a lawsuit against the two firefighters, the city and the Flint Fire Department last month in Genesee Circuit Court. Read more at The Flint Journal:Flint firefighters issued all-clear at fatal house fire, but kids were still insideOne Flint firefighter resigns, another disciplined for roles in fatal house fireHome where 2 Flint kids died from fire had faulty wiring, investigators say

FLINT, MI – One mayoral candidate and four school board candidates visited the Genesee County Jail Wednesday morning to make their pitch to more than 20 pretrial detainees. The pretrial detainees, all registered voters, received an opportunity to hear from candidates in the Flint mayoral and school board races. This is the 10th straight election where pretrial detainees have been able to vote through the vote program in the Genesee County Jail, organizer Percy Glover said. A stranger who overheard the plans about letting pretrial detainees vote suddenly paid for his bill. This way, Genesee County Jail administrators and Sheriff Chris Swanson can allow the inmates to return to a community that they helped envision with their votes.

FLINT, MI -- Claressa Shields, who became the undisputed women’s world middleweight champion last week, will get a hero’s welcome in Flint this week. “Claressa Shields embodies Flint’s pride,” Neeley said in a statement issued by the city. Thursday’s event comes roughly four months after the city renamed Spencer Street as Claressa Shields Street in recognition of Shields. The street renamed in her honor is across from Berston Field House on the city’s north side. Read more at The Flint Journal:Flint’s Claressa Shields scores unanimous victory over rival Savannah Marshall in much-anticipated fightClaressa Shields-Savannah Marshall championship fight gets record ratings‘One of the greatest things to ever happen’: Flint renames Claressa Shields’ street after her

The council’s proposed ARPA budget included nearly $18 million for community grants tied to neighborhood improvement, economic development, public safety, public health and youth development. 1st Ward Councilman Eric Mays attempted to call for a vote on the proposed council ARPA budget Monday, saying there weren’t enough votes to approve it. Priestley said Tuesday, Oct. 18, that the council ARPA proposal was developed without input from the mayor and his administration. The councilwoman called the proposed budget imperfect but said it took into account the views of other council members and citizens. Council President Dennis Pfeiffer and 9th Ward Councilwoman Eva Worthing were absent from the meeting, leaving just four of nine council members present.

FLINT, MI -- Two months after a break in the Great Lakes Water Authority pipeline that supplies Flint, the city has completed the process of reintroducing GLWA water into its distribution system. A city spokeswoman told MLive-The Flint Journal that the transition was completed on Thursday, Oct. 13, returning Flint’s water supply to a mix of 95% water from GLWA and 5% from Genesee County. Both providers use Lake Huron as source water but the city had used county water exclusively since the Aug. 13 GLWA pipeline break. A project to build a backup connection to the county water system was completed earlier this year. Flint’s transition to county water proved easier than other communities affected by the GLWA line break.

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley says he won’t debate challenger and former Mayor Karen Weaver in advance of the Nov. 8 election. Neeley said in a statement to MLive-The Flint Journal that “there’s no need to debate and give a platform to vitriol and disinformation” coming from Weaver’s campaign. The spat over this year’s debates is not the first time candidates for Flint mayor failed to debate. Williamson, who lost the election to Stanley but later was also elected mayor, said then that he would accept Stanley’s invitation to debate only if Stanley would take a lie-detector test. Read more at The Flint Journal:Neeley, Weaver answer five critical questions about their campaigns to head FlintNeeley, Weaver advance to November showdown in race for Flint mayorNeeley says political staffer responsible for any claim he graduated from SVSUFlint mayoral candidates spar over development, water rates at debate

FLINT, MI -- The City of Flint has received $4 million in new grant funding for two public safety-related programs, Mayor Sheldon Neeley announced Tuesday, Oct. 11. The grants include $1.5 million from the Department of Justice for a Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative and $2.5 million from the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. “This grant aims to implement evidence informed strategies to reduce and prevent violent crimes in the city,” Ferguson said. There are anywhere from 450 to 500 untested sexual assault kits, Flint police Sgt. Mona Patterson, who leads the sexual assault cold case division, said.

FLINT, MI -- Second thoughts about your vote for Flint mayor in 2019? Voters in Flint get a chance for a do-over or can double down on their choice between incumbent Sheldon Neeley and former Mayor Karen Weaver in the Nov. 8 election, the second straight mayoral election in which the two candidates are competing to lead the city for the next four years.

FLINT, MI – Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited Flint this afternoon to announce the official reopening of I-69 through the heart of the city after a two-year, $100 million construction project. All lanes of I-69 in each direction between Fenton Road and M-54 (Dort Highway) officially reopened today, with local and state leaders calling it a “critical artery” for Flint and mid-Michigan economy. The entire project, including on and off ramps from I-475, is expected to be completed by the end of this year, Whitmer said. “As much as we all make jokes about orange barrel season here in Michigan, we all know that they are a good sign – a sign of progress,” Ananich said. Neeley called I-69 a critical artery for economic development and growth in the state of Michigan.

FLINT, MI -- The city’s chief financial officer is boycotting City Council committee meetings, saying they have become a “waste of time and energy” and have subjected him and others to bullying and harassment. “Moreover, certain council members have increasingly subjected my team and me to unwarranted and slanderous personal attacks on our professionalism and character based on untrue, unproven and easily discredited lies. Widigan, who was not at the council’s committee meetings on Wednesday, is among Neeley administration officials who have complained about the way they have been treated by council members throughout this year. Mays said Wednesday that Widigan’s decision not to attend committee meetings is problematic for the city because council members won’t be able to get the financial information they need before voting. Read more at The Flint Journal:3 Flint officials file bullying, harassment complaints against city councilFlint mayor’s executive order on bullying stems from City Council treatment of employeesFlint lockup contract expires.

FLINT, MI – The city is planning to honor two local organizations that helped families affected by the explosion on Hogarth Avenue late last year by providing them each with a key to the city. In the aftermath of the explosion, several organizations provided helping hands to the Hogarth Avenue community, located on Flint’s southwest side. “We stand ready to help restore our community,” Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said in a Friday, Sept. 30, letter. Also: An ‘outpouring of love and support,’ community rallies after Flint house explosionWhile a cause has been at least partially determined, the neighborhood remains partly in ruins. Read more from The Flint Journal:An ‘outpouring of love and support,’ community rallies after Flint house explosion27 homes damaged or destroyed after Flint house explosion, city says‘Life is forever changed,’ Flint resident says as neighborhood copes with aftermath of house explosion

FLINT, MI -- If there’s not a $300 credit on your home water account, it’s time to call City Hall. Mayor Sheldon Neeley said on Monday, Oct. 3, that the city has applied the long-talked-about credits to 28,057 residential customer accounts in Flint, including roughly 12,000 with past-due balances. It really reduces the water cost (for one year) for residents inside the city of Flint by one-fourth,” Neeley said. Flint Chief Financial Officer Robert Widigan said the payments from past-due accounts have helped boost the city’s water fund in addition to benefitting customers. City officials said customers with questions about the water credits should call 810-766-7346.

FLINT, MI — City of Flint officials say a new partnership with Flint Latinx Technology & Community Center will provide expanded Spanish translation services for residents. Flint has provided phone and onsite translation services for the past three years through Connie Steller, deputy clerk in the city’s public health and information desk. The city said its new partnership with Latinx Flint will increase its capacity to provide translation for other city communications. “Flint Latinx is equipped to provide onsite and phone translation for Spanish-speaking residents, as well as simultaneous translation during events,” city officials announced. “Flint Latinx can also provide translation, subtitles, and audio-dubbing for video communication.”A city spokeswoman said the initial agreement between the city and Flint Latinx is for $2,000 and can be renewed as needed.

FLINT, MI -- A public open house next week will give residents a chance to get information on planning for Michigan’s newest state park and to offer suggestions for the project. The state Department of Natural Resources announced the open house will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Mott Park Clubhouse, 2701 Nolen Drive, in Flint. Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, the state park plan for Flint gained steam after up to $30.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds were designated for the project in March. Once completed, it will become the 104th state park in Michigan and the first in Genesee County. The DNR says emails should include “FLINT STATE PARK” in the subject line.

FLINT, MI -- Every water customer in Flint will receive a $300 credit on their water bills and that payment can be used to avoid shutoffs on accounts that are overdue. “The residents want the $300 credits (and) I’m supporting the $300 tonight proudly.”A city spokeswoman said Tuesday, Sept. 26, that officials are working on details of the water credit plan, including when credits will post to accounts. Mays had attempted to double the amount of the water credit to $600, but that amendment failed in a 7-2 vote. Flint’s water rates have long been among the highest in the United States. In 2015, the nonprofit group Public Water Now listed Flint water as the tenth-most expensive among the 500 largest public and private water systems in the country.

FLINT, MI – The Flint Police Department is increasing the pay it offers to its recruits for the first time since 2005. Effective immediately, the department will begin paying police recruits $15 an hour, department and city officials announced Monday, Sept. 26, during a news conference held in the Flint Police Department roll call room. The $15 an hour rate is a $4 increase from what the department offered recruits previously. “We’re saying that we want officers here in the city of Flint,” said Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley, who said the pay increase was a long-term goal of his and Flint Police Chief Terence Green. Those five recruits will see the pay rate increase, as will future recruits the city employs.

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley is continuing to advocate for his proposed $8.6-million program to provide $300 water bill credits to every customer in Flint despite stubborn resistance from the City Council. Neeley highlighted his American Rescue Plan Act spending priorities during a news conference on Thursday, Sept. 22, urging the council to take action on the plan when it next meets. “Hopefully next week coming up we will have that ... credit that’s before City Council,” the mayor said. Other council members have said the water credit proposal amounts to election-year politics by Neeley and doesn’t address the long-term cost of water for customers. Neeley said Thursday that the council has had the broad outlines of the water credit proposal since June 14.

FLINT, MI – Demolition of a blighted structure that has attracted illegal dumpers has begun on the north side of Flint. Mayor Sheldon Neeley held a news conference Friday morning to announce the demolition, discuss how residents can help fight blight and highlight his administration’s cleanup efforts. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of $250 to $1,000 for information that helps lead to the arrest of anyone illegally dumping in Flint. “We cannot clean up this level of blight without the help and support of residents in this community,” Neeley said. Residents can dial 1-800-422-5245 to report illegal dumping in Flint.

FLINT, MI – With a need for faster response times, the city is partnering with private companies to provide emergency medical services. STAT EMS will begin dedicating response services to the city within 30 days. “We’re proud and excited to embark on a major new endeavor,” said STAT EMS President and CEO Marc Lund. Officials said STAT EMS will provide monthly data to the city regarding response times that apparently is not available now. The agreement, because it does not involve finances, will not need approval by Flint City Council, Council President Dennis Pfeiffer said.

FLINT, MI -- Flint Clerk Inez M. Brown says she’s retiring from her position at the end of this month after 25 years in the position. Speaking to members of the City Council at their meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 7, Brown made the announcement, leaving the city to make a series of decisions and preparations before the general election on Nov. 8. 10 Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley speaks after City Clerk Inez Brown announces retirementMLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Brown for comment on her decision to retire on Thursday, Sept. 8, and she did not announce a reason for the timing of her decision. City Attorney William Kim said the council will appoint the next city clerk, whose term will begin Jan. 1, and can also appoint an interim replacement for Brown. 1st Ward Councilman Eric Mays also praised Brown for her work as clerk on Wednesday and said he was surprised by her announcement.

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley says he never claimed to have completed a bachelor’s degree at Saginaw Valley State University and said biographies that say he did are the result of “a compounded oversight made by a political staffer.”Neeley issued the statement on Wednesday, Sept. 7, the day after a Fox News Digital report accused him of having lied about graduating from the university throughout his political career.

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley says he won’t abandon a plan for giving $300 water bill credits to every customer in Flint even if the City Council has other ideas for using the $8.6 million the program would cost. In addition to Mays, council members Judy Priestley (Ward 4), Jerri Winfrey-Carter (Ward 5) and Tonya Burns (Ward 6) voted against the resolution. Claire McClinton, a Flint water activist, said residents need long-term relief from the high cost of water -- not just a one-time break. A year later, the nonprofit group Public Water Now listed Flint water as the tenth-most expensive among the 500 largest public and private water systems in the country. Read more at The Flint Journal:Flint mayor’s ARPA plan calls for across-the-board cuts in water billsFlint council delays action on $300 water credits, accuse mayor of playing politicsFlint council delays vote on $300 ARPA water credits

FLINT, MI -- The city of Flint and Flint Township were removed from a list of 23 communities the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) issued a boil water advisory for Saturday morning because of a water main leak. RELATED: Great Lakes Water Authority issues boil water advisory for 23 communities, 935K, after main leakFlint is now receiving 100% of its water from the GCDC pipeline until further notice and the water quality is unaffected by this change, officials said. “My administration has worked diligently over the past two years to ensure that Flint’s water system is protected from malfunctions like these that otherwise would have affected water quality. GLWA Water Quality will advise the affected communities when the Boil Water Advisory has been lifted. For more information, contact Great Lakes Water Authority Water Quality at waterquality@glwater.org or by calling 313-926-8192 or 313-926-8128.

FLINT, MI -- A program to give $300 water bill credits to every customer in Flint remains stuck in a City Council committee despite Mayor Sheldon Neeley’s direct appeal for support. Flint officials estimate the city is owed about $49 million in past-due water bills. An amendment to allow residents to use the $300 credits as part of a payment plan for avoiding water shutoffs also failed to also win enough support for passage Monday. Neeley urged the council to approve the plan in a news release hours before Monday’s meeting and said he is exploring an option for residents to gift their water credits to others in greater need. “Allowing folks to transfer their water credits to those in greater need would help to maximize the potential economic relief that this can provide for our city.”Read more at The Flint Journal:Flint mayor’s ARPA plan calls for across-the-board cuts in water billsFlint council delays action on $300 water credits, accuse mayor of playing politicsContractor gets $17.8M contract for Flint service line work with deadlines looming

FLINT, MI – A July investigation by the Flint Police Department’s Special Investigative Unit led to the seizure of one kilogram of Fentanyl and three arrests, authorities with the department said during a Tuesday, Aug. 9, news conference. This is a very dangerous narcotic.”The seizure was significant, Flint Police Chief Terence Green said, amounting to $500,000. “(The) seizure of this large quantity of fentanyl definitely saved lives,” Green said Tuesday. Forty-one fatal overdoses have been reported in Flint thus far in 2022, with six in July. Three people were arrested in connection with the investigation, but they were each released pending further investigation, Green said.

FLINT, MI -- Flint voters are getting a re-run in the November race for mayor after incumbent Sheldon Neeley and former Mayor Karen Weaver finished as the top two vote-getters in the Tuesday, Aug. 2, primary election. When the two candidates were on the 2019 general election ballot, Neeley narrowly won by a 7,082 to 6,877 margin. Neither candidate could immediately declare victory on primary election night this year as results were slow to trickle in. In the final days on the primary campaign, each of the three candidates rallied their supporters to turn out at the polls on Tuesday. MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Weaver or Neeley for comment early Wednesday.

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley has signed off on new contracts with the two largest unions representing city employees. The city said in a news release that the contracts cover workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Locals 1600 and 1799. Neeley and Sam Muma, president of AFSCME Local 1600, had announced their contract agreement during a news conference in April. Local 1799 represents city supervisory employees and has 47 members, according to a city spokeswoman. In its news release, the city said the contracts replace pacts that had been imposed on the unions by former Flint emergency managers.

FLINT, MI -- Part of an $850,000 Charles Stewart Mott Foundation grant will help pay for a gun buy-back program in Flint -- one that’s designed to take specific types of automatic weapons out of circulation. “I am thankful for the Mott Foundation’s support in addressing our urgent need to curb violent crime in our city,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said in a statement released by the city. As of July 10, homicides were down more than 40 percent in Flint compared to the same point in 2021, which was a near-record-breaking year, according to Flint crime statics. The gun bounty program had been announced by Neeley nearly two years ago, but the Mott grant will provide funding for the initiative developed by Flint police and the Detroit Crime Commission. The center was established in 2017 and is used to analyze crime trends, but the Mott grant will allow it to operate around the clock, according to the city.

Authorities are responding to a significant oil spill in the Flint River in Flint.

The former mayor of Flint is running for her old job.

Authorities say a 4-year-old girl and a 55-year-old woman were killed in an overnight explosion and fire that destroyed three homes in Michigan, damaged several more and sent debris falling onto a neighborhood.

Flint mayor Sheldon Neeley concerned the environmental impact of the crime will last longer than the sentence.

FLINT, Mich. – Former Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley took issue with arguments made by former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s attorneys in the Flint water crisis case. Residents complained about skunky water, but Snyder’s environmental agency insisted the water was safe until a doctor in 2015 reported elevated lead levels in children. They argue that Snyder worked in Ingham County, not Genesee County, so the indictment returned in Flint should not stand. Rick Snyder file motion to dismiss charges in Flint water crisis

A company is accused of illegally discharging nearly 48 million gallons of waste from landfills into Flint wastewater system.

FLINT, Mich. – A curfew will be instituted in Flint to slow the spread of coronavirus, starting Thursday. UPDATE -- April 1, 2020: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 9,334; Death toll rises to 337During a Facebook Live event, Mayor Sheldon Neeley said the curfew aims to limit the amount of people in public and increase social distancing. Whitmer officially declared a state of disaster Wednesday after the amount of coronavirus cases in Michigan reached nearly 10,000. Michigan coronavirus timeline: Key dates, COVID-19 case tracking, state ordersGenesee County, as of April 1, 2020, has 249 confirmed cases of COVID-19. More information on coronavirus (COVID-19):

FLINT, Mich. Voters have elected a new mayor in Flint, Michigan, where recovery from a lead-contaminated water crisis remains a major issue. Former Flint city councilman and current state Rep. Sheldon Neeley on Tuesday defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Weaver. Weaver served one term as Flint mayor and survived a recall effort in 2017. But she recently told The Flint Journal the city must finish replacing lead pipes. Flint voters also passed a public library millage and public library bond proposal on Tuesday.