Touts new crime prevention and job creation measures
FLINT -- At noon Monday Walling took the oath of office for the second time and promised to execute the duties and responsibilities of the city of Flint.
Some of those responsibilities, though, will soon go to a state-appointed emergency financial manager.
But there is no indication yet of who that may be. Speculation is that the manager may be Walling himself, but if he has any indication of who it may be, Walling isn't budging.
"I have not heard any information or had any discussion on names of the people being considered with the state or with the treasurer. That decision is the Governor's to make."
Whoever it is, one member of city council, Bernard Lawler, says it could be a good thing. "The mayor couldn't make some of the tough decisions because of the charter and limitations and the financial manager can come in and make these tough decisions that have to be made," said Lawler.
Among them, restructuring the union contracts of the city's four public safety unions. In his speech, Walling mentioned "a few remaining holdouts" keeping the city from moving forward, likely a reference to the unions.
He appeared to be looking past the city's financial issues and on to the future, announcing a new crime initiative that begins with the unveiling this week of "shot spotter", a network of sensors that will allow police to pinpoint where shots are fired from.
"The days of running and hiding in Flint are over when you run we can follow you when you hide we can find you and we only have to catch you once," said Walling in his address, a line that drew heavy applause.
He also promised more jobs citing a new regional development agreement designed to lure businesses to the I-69 corridor and a jobs plan that he says will "bring new jobs and development to every part of Flint."
The identity of the city's new state-appointed emergency financial manager should be known within a few weeks.
