Protest planned tomorrow at the Crim
Pastor Latrelle Holmes, Greater Galilee Baptist Church of Flint
"Disastrous".
That's how a Flint pastor describes an 11th hour meeting with Flint's Emergency Financial Manager Ed Kurtz, in an effort to avoid a potentially embarassing protest at Flint's Crim Festival of Races on Saturday.
The head of the Concerned Pastors for Social Action met with Kurtz on Thursday. They plan to protest what's going on in Flint at the Family Dollar store on Fifth Avenue during the race.
Pastor Latrelle Holmes of the Greater Galilee Baptist Church says it's not their intention to disrupt the Crim. Instead they want their voices heard. Accoring to a news release they have the following concerns:
A reduction in water bill rates. They are asking the EFM to initiate a forensic audit of the water and sewer funds and to give appropriate rebates to citizens based on the findings.
Reallocation of the $750,000 CDBG designated for Genesee Towers to demolish projects in the highest priority areas of greatest need .
Commit to an equitable allocation of dollars from Smith Village to areas of greater priority.
Commit to an equitable allocation of future disbursement of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Neighborhood Stabilization Plan resources to the highest priority areas of greatest need.
Commitment from Flint to fund infrastructure upgrades and repairs in the North Flint area.
Termination of allocation of city funds to Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce in light of organization’s consistent failure to utilize its resources and intentional energies to spur business and economic development initiatives beyond downtown.
Reinstate the Citizen’s District Councils (a conduit for allocation of CDBG funding and voice of the residents)
Revocation of the prior order regarding public safety millage. Refocus on legislative support to increase/equalize income tax for outside of Flint wage earners.
In addition to Dr. Reginald Flynn, speakers during a Wednesday rally included Pastor Lewis Randolph, President of the Concerned Pastors for Social Action; Bishop Bernadel Jefferson, local activist to repeal P.A. 4; Pastor Eric Marks; Pastor R. Sherman McCathern; Pastor Jeffrey Hawkins, Pastor Patrick McNeal; Pastor Ira Edwards; Pastor Latrelle Holmes; Councilman Bernard Lawler, and Councilman Sheldon Neeley.
For information, call (810) 787-9019.
Here are some stories on the subject:
http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?list=196419&id=791796
http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2012/08/flint_pastor_moves_forward_wit.html
http://club937.com/flint-pastor-has-change-of-heart-in-protest-to-interrupt-crim-race/
