Friday, December 23, 2011

FLINT MUST FIGHT TO CHANGE ITS POLITICAL CULTURE

I feel it important to raise a voice for change. I am not proud of my Flint City or its elected officals who have allowed it to slip into recievership twice in my life time. We now have a financial manager whoses employees now include the Flint Mayor and Council.


 Their boss gave them their income back as long as they play by his rules. It is his rules that count now in this recievership. The Emergency Manager works for the Republican Governor. The Governors job is to protect the State of Michigan from the liability of a financialy defunct city and to serve the people in it.

 Let there be no doubt that our non partisan city government in a community of democrats is now run by a republican. Thank you Mayor and City Council.The change I propose is to get the community involved in charting the course of this city after the republican governor is done running it.

 When this governor is done with us I predict our police department will be contracted to the sheriff and our assets will be sold off.

 When the the issue of county executive is raised by the Republican Governors friends the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce [ an organization inept at job creation but successful at power and resource grabbing] Flint tokenized leaders will read their lines and say Flint has no choice but to join in.

 I suggest change in the form a electing a charter revision commission and letting the community participate in this debate to chose its own future.


 We are done with downtown over the neighborhoods and elected officals that cannot protect our city.

 A petition drive is needed to get on the ballot a question allowing the Flint Citizens to decide if they want the election of a charter revision commission. This commission could recommend charter change to the citizens, none, a little like returning the city council terms back to two years and not paying them to major changes [revision] reducing the council from 9 to 5 , eliminating the mayor and bring city managers and professionalism back to Flint. Several of us will go to the community to earn your support.

 I will meet with groups formal and informal on this topic. Your help is request, by me, here. Your thoughts?

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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Mike Brown FLINT MI leader of the Governors Emergency Manager Horde.

We have to remember what he is really here to do. Take our stuff, neuter our elected officals and let the Genesee Regional Chamber Of Commerce have their way with us




FLINT EMERGENCY MANAGER SAYS MAYOR AND COUNCIL NOT THE PROBLEM.[1]
One of the reasons why brown says he restored partial pay is because he does not blame the current mayor or council for Flint's problems.[1]



"If you really look at the financial problems, it's a structural problem that started over 25 years ago, as our tax base declined and our cost of government like legacy costs, pensions and health care, that have gone up, we have less and less to pay for services," says Brown[1]



THAT’S NOT WHAT THE GOVERNORS OFFICE AND TEAM SAID.



A state review found Flint that has deep financial problems and has shifted money around to try to make ends meet.[4]





BY TAKING THESE DOLLARS THE FLINT CITY COUNCIL NOR MAYOR CAN MEET WITH CONSTITUENTS WITHOUT THE EMERGENCY MANAGERS PERMISSION.WE HAVE NO ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE THE EMERGENCY MANAGERS JUST HAS EMPLOYEES



In a written directive issued Tuesday, Brown announced that city council would be allowed one scheduled meeting per month for hearing public comment, conducting public hearings and addressing other matters to be decided by the emergency manager, the Flint Journal reports. Brown will also allow council members to attend public meetings in their respective wards, Michigan Radio reports.[2]



In a written directive issued Tuesday, Brown announced that city council would be allowed one scheduled meeting per month for hearing public comment, conducting public hearings and addressing other matters to be decided by the emergency manager, the Flint Journal reports. Brown will also allow council members to attend public meetings in their respective wards, Michigan Radio reports.[2]





COUNCIL PERSON SAID SHE WANTED MORE MONEY, FOR HERSELF?



Council member Jackie Poplar says she would wanted at least 50% of her council pay restored, but she says she can live with the $7,000 restoration and would work for nothing if she had to. "I was elected by the people, for the people, and I continue working for the people."[1]



ORGANIZED BEGGING



"We've been meeting and we've been talking about the role and the responsibilities of the city council and talking about having a forum for the city council to be able to continue to play a role in government," City Council President Scott Kincaid told the Flint Journal. "So I'm pleased that he's looking at us playing a role."[2]





BROWN RECOGNIZES THE REAL COLLABORATIVE SKILL SET OF THE COUNCIL AND GREAT ABILITIES OF FLINTS MAYOR.



Flint Emergency Manager Michael Brown restores partial pay for the mayor and city council.

The mayor and city council see this as a vote of confidence in their skills and a willingness to work together.

Council member Jacqueline Poplar says, "It means that we are going to move forward. It means that he is trying to work with us."[1]



WALLING NEW JOB ASSIGNEMENT, GO TO MEETINGS. ISN’T THIS WHAT EASON HAD HIM DOING?



Brown’s order includes a list of responsibilities for Walling, including facilitating economic development prospects; holding positions on various boards, such as the Karegnondi Water Authority, Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce and Flint Downtown Development Authority; and holding open office hours and communicating with residents.[3]





THE BACKROOM DEAL FROM DAY ONE WAS TO KEEP THE MONEY FL;OWING TO THE ELECTED OFFICALS.

Emergency Manager Michael Brown says public act four of the emergency manager law requires the pay of elected officials to be reduced to zero.[1]

POWER CAN BE USED WISELY AND NOT.

However, he has the power to restore pay.[1]



AGREED, ELECTIONS DO MEAN SOMETHING.

"These are elected representatives, and I think as long as we can work out a cooperative arrangement, it's important government can continue to function that way," says Brown, who also restored Mayor Dayne Walling's pay by 60%.\[1]



YOU HAVE TO GIVE KINCAID CREDIT HE KEPT THE FLINT CITY COUNCIL IN THE GAME. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MAYOR. THANK YOU BOB EMERSON-NOT,



City Council President Scott Kincaid also applauded the resumption of city council meetings.

“We’ve been meeting and we’ve been talking about the role and the responsibilities of the city council and talking about having a forum for the city council to be able to continue to play a role in government,” said Kincaid. “So I’m pleased that he’s looking at us playing a role.”[3]



The order also said council members “shall address the concerns of their respective constituencies,” attending meetings in their wards as directed by Brown and communicating with their residents.[3]







BROWN IS LOOKING FOR COLLABORATORS NOT INSURGENTS, HE FOUND THEM FOR POCKET CHANGE.

"He made a commitment that this was going to be a collaborative process and is recognizing there is a number of positive efforts that were underway. Council has an important role to play in committees, providing public hearings for ordinances, and other changes and that right here within the staff that was in place that were involved in initiatives that he wants to see continued," says Walling.[1]

SOME OTHER DUDE DID IT.

One of the reasons why brown says he restored partial pay is because he does not blame the current mayor or council for Flint's problems. [1]



BROWN AGREES FLINT HAS A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM. THE ONLY STRUCTURE IS THE FLINT CITY CHARTER. IF BROWN WILL PUT THE CHARTER REVISION QUESTION ON THE BALLOT I WILL PLEDGE TO ONLY THROW OLIVE BRANCHES AND ROSE PETALS AT BROWNS FEET AND HIS NEW EMPLOYEES.[Mayor and Council] [ Okay in Flint Speak if he will order the ballot question I will kiss his …...]



"If you really look at the financial problems, it's a structural problem that started over 25 years ago, as our tax base declined and our cost of government like legacy costs, pensions and health care, that have gone up, we have less and less to pay for services," says Brown.[1]



JAN 15 2012 WILL BE REMEMBER AS THE DAY THE FLINT COMMUNITY WAKES UP....

Brown has until January 15th to present his budget plan to the state and then execute that plan.[1]





MIKE , JUST DO WHAT IT TAKES, QUICKLEY, HARSHLY, DO NOT SHELTER PAST DECISION MAKERS, LET US DEAL WITH THEM .HELP US BUILD A NEW FUTURE THROUGH CHARTER REVISION. WE RESPECT YOU, U SHOULD HAVE RUN FOR MAYOR.....

He says he's still overwhelmed by the job and that it could take some time.[1\]









[1]

http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=699852#.TvL-btQeNLc




[2]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/21/flint-emergency-manager-restores-power-pay_n_1163038.html


[3]

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/12/flint_emergency_manager_partia.html


[4]

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/e10c4b2cae8d48f6a5e94c63f1d7b95f/MI--Flint-Finances/

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Did you know that if DNA shows you to be the father of a marriedwoman's child you have no rights to see your child in Michigan!


GOOD MORNING FLINT!


Date12/18/2011

By Flint Divorce Bankruptcy Attorney Terry Bankert. Downtown Flint Lawyer 235-1970


FLINT OR MICHIGAN FATHERS CHILD CUSTODY AND PARENTING TIME RIGHTS

Michigan Child Custody and Parenting time Law keeps Matt Dykema from seeing his young daughter and having child custody and parenting time, he cannot be the father that DNA says he is.[see 1]

FATHERS HAVE A VARIETY OF PRESSURES WHEN THEY TRY TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN

FOR INSTANCE - Kate Gosselin shares custody of her eight kids with their father Jon Gosselin . While a divorce can be messy, it is always encouraging when the parents find a new partner who is willing to, not only accept them, but also their children. Apparently Jon has found that and if a new report is to be believed, Kate is slightly jealous that her kids have taken so well to his girlfriend.[4]

IT JUST FEELS HORRIBLE AND UNFAIR THAT A CHIULD DOES NOT GET TO KNOW THEIR BIOLOGICAL FATHER IF HE STEPS FORWARD UNDER MICHIGAN LAW!


Good Morning Flint! is the daily blog of Flint Divorce lawyer Flint Bankruptcy Attorney Terry Ray Bankert 810-235-1970 If you have legal question call or contact through http://www.attorneybankert.com/



Under Flint Divorce and Michigan divorce and child custody Law today the current husband is presumed by the law to be the “father” of a child when the married party may not have had contact for years. Is that fair?


The Biological Flint or Michigan father can not even get his case heard in a Michigan Family Law Court. The plaintiff must allege that the child was born out of wedlock. Girard v Wagenmaker, 437 Mich 231, 470 NW2d 372 (1991). This requirement frequently creates a problem of standing if a man seeks to establish his paternity when the mother was married to another person during any part of the pregnancy.[2]

see here; http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/2011/12/did-you-know-that-if-dna-shows-you-to.html
WHAT IF DNA PROVES HE IS THE FATHER


A DNA test proves Matt Dykema is the girl's father, but the baby's mother was married to another man when the child was born. The two have since divorced.[1]

CHILD BORN IN THE MARRIAGE IS OF THE MARRIAGE


News articles say that A 1956 Michigan law says a child born during a marriage is a product of the marriage. Judges follow that law when deciding custody issues. It gives the ex-husband more rights than the biological father.[1] SEE http://terrybankert.blogspot.com/2011/12/dna-may-prove-you-to-be-father-but-does.html

More specifically the rights of a biologoical father not married to the mother to see the child do not exist in Michigan. The Child Custody Act of 1970, MCL 722.21 et seq., is no longer used to determine paternity. A putative father may not seek custody or parenting time under the Child Custody Act unless there is first an acknowledgment of paternity or an order of filiation under the Paternity Act. Hoshowski v Genaw, 230 Mich App 498, 584 NW2d 368 (1998); Afshar v Zamarron, 209 Mich App 86, 530 NW2d 490 (1995).[2]

DID YOU KNOW -In divorce proceedings, the general rule in Michigan is that the court does not have the power to litigate the rights of persons other than the husband and the wife. Yedinak v Yedinak, 383 Mich 409, 175 NW2d 706 (1970). In addition, the authority of the court is purely statutory, Flynn v Flynn, 367 Mich 625, 116 NW2d 907 (1962), and no statute provides for determination of the paternity of a third party as part of a divorce action, Pruitt v Pruitt, 90 Mich App 230, 282 NW2d 785 (1979). However, the court may determine the paternity of the husband during such a proceeding. Serafin v Serafin, 401 Mich 629, 258 NW2d 461 (1977); Atkinson v Atkinson, 160 Mich App 601, 408 NW2d 516 (1987). A court must have in personam jurisdiction over the husband to make a paternity determination pursuant to a divorce decree. Gonzales v Gonzales, 117 Mich App 110, 323 NW2d 614 (1982).[3]

MICHIGAN PRESUMES THE CHILD TO BE OF THE HUSBAND AND KEEPS ALLEGED BIOLOGICAL FATHERS OUT.

According to statute and caselaw, there is a strong presumption that any child conceived or born to a married couple before commencement of a suit for divorce is legitimate; this presumption may be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence. Raleigh v Watkins, 97 Mich App 258, 293 NW2d 789 (1980); Johnson v Johnson, 93 Mich App 415, 286 NW2d 886 (1979). Michigan courts allow a husband and wife to testify regarding a child’s paternity. Serafin. [3]

A finding of fact in a divorce decree that a child was born of the parties’ marriage establishes the child’s paternity. Hackley v Hackley, 426 Mich 582, 395 NW2d 906 (1986). Once a child is determined to be a child of the marriage in a divorce judgment, the doctrine of res judicata bars relitigation of paternity, even if the issue was not contested in the divorce. In re Cook Estate, 155 Mich App 604, 400 NW2d 695 (1986). In Cook, a mother whose deceased child was declared to be a child of the marriage in the divorce judgment was barred from asserting in a subsequent proceeding that her former husband was not the child’s biological father. In Rucinski v Rucinski, 172 Mich App 20, 431 NW2d 241 (1988), a father’s attempt to deny paternity of a child born during a marriage that ended in divorce was barred by res judicata. Since he had not denied paternity during the divorce proceedings, the divorce judgment and support order constituted an adjudication of paternity.[3]

IN DYKEMA MOM THEN DIVORCED AFTER THE BIRTH, EX HUSBAND WILL NOT GIVE UP HIS RIGHTS.


Matt Dykema and his attorney have requested the woman's ex-husband relinquish his rights but, so far, he has refused. It has Dykema and his Muskegon attorney Chris Houghtaling looking to Lansing for help -- and they might get it.[1]

BILL PENDING TO GIVE BIOLOGICAL FATHER RIGHTS


In December, the Michigan Senate unanimously approved four bills that would update the old law. It's the work of Senator Rick Jones, a Republican from Eaton Rapids. [1]

JUDGES TO HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY

Jones says his legislation would allow judges more flexibility to hear and rule on cases like the one in Ottawa County, ultimately allowing them to make decisions based on what's best for the children.[1]

LEGISLATURE TO ARGUE ISSUE IN 2012

The House Judiciary Committee is expected to take up the bills in 2012. [1]

WHAT THE FATHER NEEDS IS AN ORDER OF PATERNITY

The stated purposes of the Michigan Paternity Act (Paternity Act), MCL 722.711 et seq., are to confer on circuit courts jurisdiction over proceedings to compel and provide support of children born out of wedlock; to prescribe the procedure for determining such liability; to authorize agreements for furnishing such support and to provide for enforcement; and to prescribe penalties for the violation of certain provisions of the Paternity Act. Most paternity actions in Michigan are brought under the Paternity Act. If paternity is not voluntarily established, the party seeking a finding of paternity must file suit in the family division of the circuit court. The mother, the alleged father, or the Department of Human Services (DHS) may bring the action. Genetic testing is available as a valuable and objective means of resolving paternity cases before trial. If a determination of paternity is made, the court must enter an order of filiation. The order of filiation must provide for the support of the child, reimbursement of the medical expenses incurred in the child’s birth, health care insurance coverage when it can be obtained at a reasonable cost, and support for the period before the order was entered.[2]



The purpose of the Paternity Act is to provide for support of children born out of wedlock. Van Laar v Rozema, 94 Mich App 619, 288 NW2d 667 (1980); Tuer v Niedoliwka, 92 Mich App 694, 285 NW2d 424 (1979); Smith v Robbins, 91 Mich App 284, 283 NW2d 725 (1979); Boyles v Brown, 69 Mich App 480, 245 NW2d 100 (1976). The act confers jurisdiction on the circuit courts to compel and provide support for children born out of wedlock, to set forth procedures to determine liability, to authorize agreements providing for support and enforcement of such agreements, and to prescribe penalties for violation of certain provisions of the act. MCL 722.711 et seq.[2]



722.714 Paternity proceeding; parties; venue; action not required; commencement of action; statute of limitations; initiating and conducting proceedings; utilization of child support formula; verification of complaint; charge; summons; default judgment; genetic paternity testing; next friend or guardian ad litem; rights of indigent defendant; order of filiation.


SOURCES THIS ARTICLE

[1]

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/190315/2/Biological-father-seeks-help-gaining-parental-rights


[2]

Michgian Family Law ch 21 (Hon. Marilyn J. Kelly et al eds, ICLE 7th ed 2011), at

http://www.icle.org/modules/books/chapter.aspx/?lib=family&book=2011553510&chapter=21


(last updated 12/09/2011

[3]

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0sju2nu33jxa5145ihib0x55))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-722-714


[4]

http://celebs.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980922294




LEGAL
Flint Divorce Law
http://dumpmyspouse.com/

Flint Bankruptcy Law
http://www.nojokebeingbroke.com/

FLINT NEWS
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/

Poll: Should a community consider contracting police services with the sheriff's department if it saves money?
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/12/poll_should_a_community_consid.html

Specificaly should Mr Brown Flints Financial Manager should strongly consider (emphasis on consider) doing what Oakland County did with Pontiac PD


http://www.abc12.com/category/210512/news

WNEM TV5

The Senate voted Saturday to temporarily avert a Jan. 1 payroll tax increase and benefit cutoff for the long-time unemployed, forcing a reluctant President Barack Obama to make an election-year choice between unions and environmentalists over whether to build an oil pipeline through the heart of the country.

http://www.wnem.com/

FOX 66

NYC Protesters Mark 3 Months of Occupy Wall Street

A group of protesters have gathered in a small New York park to mark three months since the start of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

http://wsmh.com/

FLINT AREA EVENTS

Magic Trip

Presented by Flint Institute of Arts at Flint Institute of Arts

December 16-December 18, 2011

The Friends of Modern Art film series at the Flint Institute of Arts presents a free-wheeling documentary from the makers of "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" and the Oscar-winning "Taxi to the Dark Side." This film chronicles the fabled journey across 1960s America by writer Ken Kesey ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest") and his band of pals known as the Merry Pranksters.

http://www.geneseefun.com/


http://www.abc12.com/category/216182/abc12-calendar-notebook


FLINT AREA ENTERTAINMENT

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/flint/




-



WEATHER

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http://www.bing.com/weather/search?q=weather%20flint&unit=F&qpvt=weather+flint&FORM=DTPWEA


-



PRICE OF GAS IN FLINT

-

http://flintgasprices.com/


-

http://www.abc12.com/category/213633/gas-gauge




-

FLINT AREA SCHOOL CLOSINGS

http://www.abc12.com/category/213603/school-closings


-



-

MICHIGAN NEWS

-

http://www.mlive.com/news/


-



OCCUPY MOVEMENT-MICHIGAN

-

http://occupyforall.wordpress.com/


-

http://www.occupyflint.org/


-

FLINT CHARTER REVISION PETITION DRIVE UPDATE

Petitions are in the field.



-

FLINT AREA OBITUARIES



http://topics.mlive.com/tag/Flint%20Obits/index.html


-

MIDMICHIGAN BUSINESS

http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/


-

FLINT AREA SPORTS

http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/


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FLINT LIVING & COMMUNITY Weddings, Engagements, Births, Anniversaries, Obituaries & More



http://www.mlive.com/living/flint/


-

JOBS

http://www.mlive.com/jobs/


-

CLASSIFIED ADS

http://classifieds.mlive.com/






******

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Friday, December 16, 2011

Origional Occupier

Origional Occupier
Origional Occupier,
originally uploaded by terrybankert.
Good Morning Flint!
GOOD MORNING FLINT!


Date: 12/16/11

Q: Can the Flint Emergency Manager Terminate a City Offical from the position of Flint Mayor, Flint City Council of Flint Ombudsman.

The link below is the order of the Flint Emergency Manager in its entirety. Please note that he correctly cites a statute authority to eliminate City Departments. He clearly refers to the Flint Ombudsman as an “ Office”. He then terminates an Office when his only authority was to eliminate a department. Just a word..Office...what can it mean. He can eliminate a department, but can he t terminate an individual or officia?. Well he cannot eliminate the office of Mayor. He cannot eliminate the office of City Council. I argue he cannot eliminate the office of City of Flint Ombudsman. Gee, if I am right here what are the implications for the Office of Ombudsman? Where else could he be overstepping his authority, if he has? What do you think.- Terry Bankert of Flint-

http://www.cityofflint.com/FinancialMgr/pdf/11EM005.pdf

Good Morning Flint! is the daily blog of Flint Divorce lawyer Flint Bankruptcy Attorney Terry Ray Bankert 810-235-1970 If you have legal question call or contact through http://www.attorneybankert.com/

LEGAL

Flint Divorce Law
http://www.attorneybankert.com/

DID YOU KNOW?

Spousal support payments are taxable under IRC 71 and deductible under IRC 215 if certain requirements are satisfied.

Statutory requirements. The following are the more significant statutory requirements for taxable/deductible treatment:

Cash payments. Payments must be in cash (the use of a residence, i.e., imputed rent, does not qualify).

Termination on the payee’s death. The payer’s obligation to make the payments must terminate when the payee dies; furthermore, there must be no obligation for the payer to make any payment as a substitute after the payee’s death (such as a continuation of payments to the payee’s estate or to children of the marriage).

Not designated as child support. The payments must not be designated as child support (although “unallocated family support” payments—constituting both spousal support and child support—may qualify if certain requirements are satisfied).

Spousal support recapture. Qualifying payments that are disproportionately skewed or bunched in the first couple of years after settlement may be subject to recapture. The recapture rule applies during the three calendar years beginning with the first year payments are made.

When there is excess front-loading, recapture means that a portion of payments deducted by the payer and taxed to the payee will flip, that is, become taxable to the payer and deductible by the payee.

The purpose of recapture is to discourage labeling property settlement payments as spousal support to obtain a tax deduction. Property is likely to be paid in a lump sum at or near settlement; spousal support is more likely to be paid in level annual payments over time.

Recapture will not occur unless:

$15,000 threshold. Annual spousal support payments exceed the $15,000 statutory allowance.

Decline of payments during the first three years. Annual payments decline from one year to the next by more than $10,000 either from the first calendar year in which payments are made to the second or from the second calendar year to the third. Thus, a decline in spousal support payments after the third calendar year will not result in recapture.

The following are exceptions to these requirements:

Death or remarriage. Recapture will not result if a decline in or termination of spousal support is incident to the death of either party or the remarriage of the payee spouse.

Fluctuating income. This exception applies if payments drop by more than $10,000 from one year to the next during the three-year measuring period due to a decline in income (e.g., an annual bonus or incentive pay award) to which the payee spouse is entitled to a certain percentage.
SEE
http://www.icle.org/modules/books/chapter.aspx?Chapter=9&book=2006553550&lib=family#i2006553550-ch9-ti2
-
http://dumpmyspouse.com/
-
Flint Bankruptcy Law
-

http://www.nojokebeingbroke.com/
-
FLINT NEWS
-

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/
-
http://www.abc12.com/category/210512/news
-

FLINT AREA EVENTS

http://www.geneseefun.com/

http://www.abc12.com/category/216182/abc12-calendar-notebook

FLINT AREA ENTERTAINMENT

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/flint/
WEATHER

http://www.bing.com/weather/search?q=weather%20flint&unit=F&qpvt=weather+flint&FORM=DTPWEA

PRICE OF GAS IN FLINT
http://flintgasprices.com/

http://www.abc12.com/category/213633/gas-gauge

FLINT AREA SCHOOL CLOSINGS

http://www.abc12.com/category/213603/school-closings

MICHIGAN NEWS
http://www.mlive.com/news/

OCCUPY MOVEMENT-MICHIGAN
http://occupyforall.wordpress.com/

http://www.occupyflint.org/


FLINT CHARTER REVISION PETITION DRIVE UPDATE

Petitions are in the field.

FLINT AREA OBITUARIES

http://topics.mlive.com/tag/Flint%20Obits/index.html

MIDMICHIGAN BUSINESS

http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/

FLINT AREA SPORTS

http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/



FLINT LIVING & COMMUNITY Weddings, Engagements, Births, Anniversaries, Obituaries & More

http://www.mlive.com/living/flint/

JOBS

http://www.mlive.com/jobs/

CLASSIFIED ADS

http://classifieds.mlive.com/


******

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

TZU, Flintoid and a couple of Occupiers

Subdue the powerful without fighting by causing stuff to happen that allows them to decide it is not in their interest to attack/control/"act on you".If you cannot win do not use troops. If you are not in danger do not fight. All warfare is based upon deception. ( see, SUN TZU " The Art of War")




Yesterday there were concerns of eviction. Today  there are  none.


Yesterday there was chaos,suspicion,betrayal, false leaders, fear, mission doubt and self doubt at OCCUPY FLINT. Today I sense there is a recommittment to the Occupy Movement and individual responsibilities in a consensus driven participatory democracy


Today we / I have a calm realization that in a protest movement founded on confontation of power making no apologies .....stuff happens


Post above by Terry Bankert






THINGS HAPPENING AT OCCUPY FLINT, [reposting]



Justin Beckley ill spread the word Protest 2-5 @ North ZBank Center (stabenaws office)...against the NDA



from facebook pertaining to 12/13/2011


*****

GA usually around 7 pm every day.

****



Michael Burton from facebook
A summary of what happened today:12/12/2011

This morning Occupy Flint was served with a notice that the property owner(s) wanted us to leave the site. This was based on information flowing from unconfirmed sources, upon which some Occupy Flint members acted without consensus from the GA, asking for help dismantling the camp when in fact there was no actual order or citation yet seen by us.

Following up on the rumor that the City Code Enforcement Office was about to cite the camp for violations, calls were made. This is what was discovered:
...
Some pressure from downtown businesses and the Durant hotel owners was put on the city code enforcement office to do.... something, anything, to make OF go away (because, apparently, of the amount of support pouring from Flint residents--it was making them nervous). So Someone close to the code enforcement office heard talk about citing the camp, and informed one of our members, who reacted as though a shut-down was a done deal.

Upon hearing the allegations that were flying, the property owner(s) decided it was too much drama (and probably they were under pressure from many of the same sources as the enforcement office), and so they asked us, very nicely, to leave.

Then, as time permitted, a more thorough investigation took place and we learned that
the city attorney's office said there is NO plan to cite the camp or to try and find reasons to cite the camp.

With this information, the property owner(s) agreed Occupy Flint could stay, unless of course the property gets sold.

see
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2626791160952&set=a.1487110429646.71351.1590497652&type=1&theater





*****

Erin Erwin from facebook  see next post on petition

workshop in Lansing on Friday. It is a splendid opportunity to learn very much from someone who has been working with petitions and campaigns for a very long time! This is an update and change of location for this committee. I will be at Wise Guyz Pizza at 8 to have an informal, brief meeting on this and a few other subjects relative to it. [today 12/13/2011]

[see post below a to topic-trb]
*****
Erin Erwin on facebook
So, here is what I have been talking to some of you about and I'd like to post this status as an opportunity for any of you who may be interested in petition circulation. The meetings I have been attending are all relative to ending marihuana prohibition. The text I'm sharing is work so far on actual language attorneys have spent much time preparing and may be slightly changed but I want to share it to get some opinions, if any at all.

"CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT TO END MARIHUANA PROHIBITION IN MICHIGAN

A petition to amend the Michigan Constitution Article 1, to add;

Article 1 Section 28, Repeal of Marihuana Prohibition.

For persons at least 21 years of age, who are not incarcerated, marihuana acqusition, cultivation, manufacture, delivery, transfer, transportation, sale, possession, religious, medical or personal use, ingestion, presence in or on the body, or possession or use of paraphernalia shall not be prohibited abridged, or penalized in any manner; nor subject to civil forfeiture; provided that no person shall be permitted to operate a motor vehicle while impaired."

Awesome, right?!

Bill Schuette, our Attorney General has a long history in his family with DOW Chemical. Understandably from his point of view... he doesn't want marijuana to be legalized because it would negatively impact that company because of the various uses marihuana would provide and impact that particular industry. This is an incredible 'local' example of what kind of corporate interests control politicians and personal agendas they are following instead of meeting the requests and demands of The People first. The Attorney General is a public servant... and with his clear and strong opposition to our current Medical Marihuana Laws, it shows well how little he cares about you and yours.

This status is a call to action! Take some time to contact me with what you can bring the table if you'd like and I can help get you on board with tasks... even if you don't feel you have time to physically support this petition circulation... there are many other things you can do, even from the very chair and computer or phone you are reading this from. : ]

Closet marijuana users, Occupation brothers and sisters, friends, neighbors... all of you! I am asking for your help, come January, when this petition will be ready.

Food, fuel, fiber, clothing, medicine, JOBS and so much more...! We The People have a Voice so let's show the government what We want and what We need!

I want to add that I still plan tomorrow on holding a brief committee tomorrow evening after a GA regarding an actual workshop on Friday that I will be attending regarding petition circulation. It will involve going to Lansing on Friday and collecting information from people who would like to become involved with this very thing.

I will also be bringing forward a proposition for Occupy Flint to support this petition and circulate it after a concrete petition sheet is in my hands so you all know exactly what you're agreeing to....end from Erin Erwin

****
Daily protes under the Bank of America sign downtown Flint.

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Sunday, December 11, 2011

"OCCUPY FLINT" The movement is getting stronger. The camp at 505 MLK Ave. Flint Mi is threatened.

OCCUPY FLINT
OCCUPY FLINT,
originally uploaded by terrybankert.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED.

1. Protesters

2.Camp support

3. To be decided by GA later,Contributors to legal defense fund [ if not pro bono]

4. Legal Defense team. Contact Terry Bankert at 810-730-6427

5. Lobby for Occupy Flint if you can. TO; City Emergency Manager, your union, your church, your Governor, your legislature, your Mayor, your council person, your neighborhood group, your clubs and associations,and to any person or organization that you think can help. You make the contact please. Call them. Write them, talk to them in person. Message them by face book,and post on their facebook wall.

GOOD MORNING (OCCUPIED) FLINT! 12/11/2011


The movement in Flint is strong and getting stronger. The Camp at 505 MLK Ave. Flint Mi is threatened.
Our American Indian tribal camps were crushed. Our right to peaceful assembly and free speech as a people was trampled. Our people and culture scattered to the winds. The same is happening to our "Occupy Movement" brothers and sisters.


What will be the legacy of the Occupy movement? Now is not the time to give up hope occupiers. This country is founded on the principals of peaceful assembly and free speech. Zoning restrictions and building codes are secondary to these sacred American principals. Occupy Flint has not confronted our brothers and sisters on the Flint Police force. We have not distracted scarce city resources or cost the city a dime.The headquarters of Occupy Flint is on Private property, 505 MLK Ave. Flint Mi 48503.It will be legally costly to the City of Flint to attempt ,and it will fail, to move Occupy Flint from this site.

What ever happens to this camp site will  not stop the " Occupy Flint" movement.

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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

OCCUPY FLINT AND SUPPORTERS JOIN US IN RENEWED NATIONALISM

“OCCUPY FLINT” SUPPORTERS- If you are part of the 99% wanting change in the United States of America join us in Flint MI. Downtown Flint next to the Durant Hotel 505 MLK Ave, Flint MI. Stop by.

99%ERS THIS IS YOUR DEFINING MOMENT JOIN IN THE FIGHT LIKE PROVIDING FOR YOUR FAMILY DEPENDS ON IT! BECAUSE IT DOES! Join with “ Occupy Flint” 505 MLK Ave, Downtown Flint north of the river next to the Hotel Durant.


MESSAGE , FROM TERRY BANKERT,TO “OCCUPY FLINT”AND SUPPORTERS. PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA IN HIS 12/06/11 SPEECH FROM OSAWATOMIE SHOWED HE IS WITH US THE 99% AND NOW OUR “WAR CRY” FOR RENEWED NATIONALISM IS ON.




ECONOMIC INEQUALITY THE DEFINING MOMENT OF OUR TIMES. said President Obama

No more your on your own economics.
SUPPORT THE AMERICAN DREAM, WE DO.

NEW FAIRNESS, NEW DEAL,, SQUARE DEAL,OBAMA CARE WORKING ,REPUBLICANS TRUMPED, DEFEND WORKING-CLASS AMERICANS, NEW POPULISM, RENEWED NATIONALISM.

“Renewed Nationalism “ the call to arms by President Obama from Osawatomie, Kan. 12/06/11

“OCCUPY FLINT” SUPPORTERS- If you are part of the 99% wanting change in the United States of America join us in Flint MI. Downtown Flint next to the Durant Hotel 505 MLK Ave, Flint MI. Stop by.

99%ERS THIS IS YOUR DEFINING MOMENT JOIN IN THE FIGHT LIKE PROVIDING FOR YOUR FAMILY DEPENDS ON IT! BECAUSE IT DOES! Join with “ Occupy Flint” 505 MLK Ave, Downtown Flint north of the river next to the Hotel Durant.

WHAT CAN TO DO TO SHOW YOUR RENEWED NATIONALISM? Protest out side under the Bank Of America Sign downtown Flint.

If your home is in foreclosure and want to fight back we will join with you and to OCCUPY YOUR HOME”.

LOCAL ACTION

Join us in our active support and action in the petition drive to overturn the Michigan Emergency Manager Law, and locally join with us in circulating the Occupy Flint Petition calling for a General Revision of the Flint City Charter and giving our city back to its citizens. Stop by our Camp at 505 MLK Ave downtown Flint next to the Durant Hotel. We are there 24/7.[ Terry Bankert of Occupy Flint]

CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN

We must end the Bush Tax Cuts today. President Barrack Obama in his speech from Osawatomie, Kan.joined the “Occupy Movement”


AGAIN.99%ERS THIS IS YOUR DEFINING MOMENT JOIN IN THE FIGHT LIKE PROVIDING FOR YOUR FAMILY DEPENDS ON IT! BECAUSE IT DOES! Join with “ Occupy Flint” 505 MLK Ave, Downtown Flint north of the river next to the Hotel Durant.

"This isn't just another political debate. This is the defining issue of our time," he [OBAMA]said. "At stake is whether this will be a country where working people can earn enough to raise a family, build a modest savings, own a home and secure their retirement." http://www.freep.com/article/20111207/NEWS07/112070328/Obama-promises-he-ll-fight-to-help-the-middle-class


THE 99% have the right to feed their family and own a home in America. We have suffered decades of economic policies that have benefited the only the richest and destroyed the middle class.

"This country succeeds when everyone gets a fair shot, when everyone does their fair share, and when everyone plays by the same rules," he [ President Barrack Obama] ”

Obama promises he'll fight to help the middle class
http://www.freep.com/article/20111207/NEWS07/112070328/Obama-promises-he-ll-fight-to-help-the-middle-class

Obama call to arms “A New Nationalism" to make his call for the payroll tax cut and deliver a broader message against the Republican economic agenda. It was his third trip out of Washington in three weeks to press for passage of the payroll tax break set to expire next month.”

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/06/MNQT1M94VA.DTL#ixzz1fpucXNaO

Occupy Flint is an ongoing peaceful ,assembly using the tools of free speech and protest of National and local economic policies that help the few(1%) and harm the many (99%).

Nationally it has been Congressional policy that through bailout and stimulus benefited Wall Street, Big Business and Big Banks. This same policy process offered no meaningful help to our middle class and poor families loss of jobs, home, dignity .ability to live in peace in their own homes and sustain their families.

President Obama spoke 12/06/11 from Osawatomie, Kan.“Infusing his speech with the type of populist language that has emerged in the Occupy protests around the nation, Obama warned that growing income inequality meant that the United States is undermining its middle class. He said it "gives lie to the promise that's at the very heart of America: ... that this is the place where you can make it if you try.

"This is a make-or-break moment for the middle class, and all those who are fighting to get into the middle class," Obama said as he sought to make an economic case for his re-election. "At stake is whether this will be a country where working people can earn enough to raise a family, build a modest savings, own a home and secure their retirement."

Obama chose this town of 4,500 people where Theodore Roosevelt once laid out the progressive platform he called "A New Nationalism" to make his call for the payroll tax cut and deliver a broader message against the Republican economic agenda. It was his third trip out of Washington in three weeks to press for passage of the payroll tax break set to expire next month.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/06/MNQT1M94VA.DTL#ixzz1fptOhQwI

Locally we have seen in Flint a Municipal government organized by a dysfunctional outdated City Charter that has given preference to the 1% that back and profit from Downtown economic policies to the detriment of Flint having a meaningful neighborhood agenda. Downtown economic policies that cater to Uptown reinvestment and monopolistic policies ot the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce including a Downtown Foundation with its capitalist son.

Long term we plan to change the actors and their agenda in Washington. Locally we plan to change the foundation of local decision by changing the Flint City Charter and thereby changing how economic decisions are made in Flint. What can a Charter do?. It can make Flint City Council positions unpaid and not a career. It can eliminate the Flint Mayors positions that has through several administration walked us into economic irresponsibility and two take overs by the state of Michigan. The Charter can change the number of city council member from the bloated top heavy 9 to an efficient streamlined 5. The Citizens protector the Flint Ombudsman can be given enhanced powers to seek legal remedy when the mayor or council violate the Flint City Charter. The are hundreds of other changes that you can make to your charter to build a better life for you in flint. Join us.

I am proud of the “ Occupy Flint “ movement in Flint.

The founding principals of the occupy movement can be found in the following statement.

This statement was issued from Zuccotti Park by the general assembly at Occupy Wall Street. on or about 10/07/2011

“As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies. As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members. That our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors. That a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people, and the Earth, and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power.



We come to you at a time when corporations — which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality — run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here as is our right to let these facts be known.



They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.



They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give executives exorbitant bonuses.



They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in workplaces based on age, the color of one’s skin, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.



They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.



They have profited off the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless animals, and actively hide these practices.



They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.



They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is, itself, a human right.



They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut worker’s health care and pay.



They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people with none of the culpability or responsibility.



They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams, but look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.



They have sold our privacy as a commodity.



They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.



They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products, endangering lives in pursuit of profit.



They determine economic policy despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.



They have donated large sums of money to politicians, who are responsible for regulating them.



They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.



They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives, or provide relief in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantial profit.



They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.



They purposefully kept people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.



They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners, even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.



They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad.



They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.



They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.



To the people of the world,



We, the New York City general assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.

Exercise your right to peaceably assemble, occupy public space, create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.

To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.”

Join us and make your voices heard. I offer to continue to this discussion with you or any group you belong to.

by Terry Bankert of Occupy Flint

810-235-1970

terry@attorneybankert.com


or Facebook

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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

GOOD MORNING (OCCUPIED) FLINT!

Good Morning Occupied Flint! and greeting from Flint Divorce/Bankruptcy Attorney Terry Bankert , 810-235-1970.

Even in a General Assembly (GA) in the occupy movement one brave or strong, manipulative personality can get everything. How does a GA survive in conflict? Very well if the people are committed to the movement and not just power or vengeance. We will see. I am here for the movement not the personality power politics .

MY REPORT.
OCCUPY FLINT - CAMP, .
1. There was individual discussion of a protest at the Holiday walk.Will it happen tonight?
2.Camp has moved to winterizing by a tremendous effort of a few for the benefit of the many last week.
3.The camp and many in the movement have great expertise about urban farming. Some time ago sustainability plans were made. Now with winterizing and warmth at hand these plan are one of the priorities. The Occupy Flint camp site at 505 MLK Ave Flint Mi next to the Durant Hotel is now an Organic Urban Farm. “ Occupy Flint- Urban Farm. Orders are in place for distribution of its organic product. This income stream will be a key component to making the camp site economically viable and to comply with the Michigan Building Code.
4.GA did not start as of 7:33 last night. We have a standing Monday night commitment at 8 pm. What happened?
5.Will Occupy Flint continue the street protest under the Bank of America (BOA) sign Downtown Flint?
OCCUPY FLINT-CHARTER REVISION
6.A ballot Question committee was formed as required. The petitions are now fully vetted. Our goal is 8,000 signatures. This sub unit will file the campaign finance reports but the group is not collecting money. All resources consumed will be by in kind individual contribution.
OCCUPY FLINT-CHARTER REVISION-PETITION DRIVE
7.This sub group will not draw significantly on the resources of the camp and will not be a distraction to OCCUPY FLINT from its primary mission of Economic Protest and local action.
FLINT EMERGENCY MANAGER
8.Draconian measures are in play. The disposed of power structure in manuvering to remain the citizens power structure.

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

REQUEST TO MIKE BROWN

Terry R. Bankert
MESSAGE TO FLINT.




Occupy Flint is an ongoing peaceful ,assembly using the tools of free speech and protest of National and local economic policies that help the few(1%) and harm the many (99%). We offer a voice for change in our nation, state and city.

Events bring into focus voters discontent.

One such event is the appointment of Emergency Manager Mike Brown by Michgians Governor. This is a state take over because our leaders could not keep our economiuc house in order.

We ask that during this period of suspension of the powers of our elected officals the community be given the ability to review its City Charter. How? By the election of a Flint Charter Commission. This way we the voters can decide what powers should be returned to elected officials when the manager leaves.

Mr, Brown you have the power to start this process. Direct the City Clerk to place on the next regular ballot a questions asking voters if the want a General Revison of the Flint Charter. Please! The election will cost the city nothing.

Nationally it has been Congressional policy that through bailout and stimulus benefited Wall Street, Big Business and Big Banks. This same policy process offered no meaningful help to our middle class and poor families loss of jobs, home, dignity, ability to live in peace in their own homes and sustain their families.



Locally we have seen in Flint a Municipal government organized by a dysfunctional outdated City Charter that has given preference to the 1% that back and profit from Downtown economic policies to the detriment of Flint having a meaningful neighborhood agenda. Downtown economic policies that cater to Uptown reinvestment and monopolistic policies ot the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce including a Downtown Foundation with its capitalist son have denied resource to the neighborhoods.



Long term we plan to change the actors and their agenda in Washington. Locally we plan to change the foundation of local decision by changing the Flint City Charter and thereby changing how economic decisions are made in Flint. What can a Charter do?. It can make Flint City Council positions unpaid and not a career. It can eliminate the Flint Mayors positions that has through several administration walked us into economic irresponsibility and two take overs of Flint  by the State of Michigan. The Charter can change the number of city council member from the bloated top heavy 9 to an efficient streamlined 5. The Citizens protector the Flint Ombudsman can be given enhanced powers to seek legal remedy when the mayor or council violate the Flint City Charter. There are hundreds of other changes that you can make to your charter. Help us  build a better life for you in Flint. Join us.


I am proud of the “ Occupy Flint “ movement in Flint. Join us.

The founding principals of the occupy movement can be found in the following statement.


This statement was issued from Zuccotti Park by the general assembly at Occupy Wall Street. on or about 10/07/2011



“As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies. As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members. That our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors. That a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people, and the Earth, and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power.



We come to you at a time when corporations — which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality — run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here as is our right to let these facts be known.



They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.



They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give executives exorbitant bonuses.



They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in workplaces based on age, the color of one’s skin, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.



They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.



They have profited off the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless animals, and actively hide these practices.



They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.



They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is, itself, a human right.



They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut worker’s health care and pay.



They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people with none of the culpability or responsibility.



They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams, but look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.



They have sold our privacy as a commodity.



They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.



They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products, endangering lives in pursuit of profit.



They determine economic policy despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.



They have donated large sums of money to politicians, who are responsible for regulating them.



They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.



They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives, or provide relief in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantial profit.



They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.



They purposefully kept people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.



They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners, even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.



They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad.



They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.



They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.



To the people of the world,



We, the New York City general assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.



Exercise your right to peaceably assemble, occupy public space, create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.



To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.”



Join us and make your voices heard. I offer to continue to this discussion with you or any group you belong to.



by Terry Bankert of Occupy Flint

810-235-1970

terry@attorneybankert.com


or Facebook

Sphere: Related Content

Friday, November 25, 2011

THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT IS AN ECONOMIC PROTEST TARGETING WALL STREET, BIG BUSINESS AND BIG BANKS. Do not get distracted.

Challenging Mortgage Foreclosure, first why!

WHY IS THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT PROTESTING IN FRONT OF BANKS? WHY SHOULD THE PROTEST BE EXPANDED? YOU DECIDE.

Have you, a family member, or a friend lost a home to a Bank Mortgage Foreclosure? Have you , a family member or a friend been encouraged by a Bank Mortgage officer to take out a home loan with your income inflated , your down payment reduced, and the value of the home you were buying inflated by a false market that collapsed? Have you , a family member , or a friend been given given the run around when trying to use federal incentives aimed at allowing your house to be kept? Have you , a family member or a friend lost value in your home to where it is now worth less that what you paid for it? Have you, a family member or a friend ever been enraged because of the stimlus money or bailout received by Wall Street, Big Business and Big Banks? How angry would you be if you knew these same banks were lying on their paper work, committing a fraud on the court just to be able to foreclose and take your house. Now do you understand this small part of why we are protesting in the Occupy Movement? Join us in this economic protest.

This is presented by Terry Bankert of "Occupy Flint". The Occupy Movement is a political push back against the  the political right that has dominated our public policy, our media, and National Politics. To what end? They are responsible for a do nothing congress overseing a republican , Wall Street, Big Business and Big Bank collapsing false economy that has enriched them and impoverised our people. We stood by as they , Wall Street, Big Business and Big Banks were bailed out and we are foreclosed and bankrupted. This push back from the left is similar to the  tea party push back from the Republican conservatives. There is one critical difference. WE OUT NUMBER THEM, STAY FOCUSED AND DEMAND ECONOMIC CHANGE.


DID YOU KNOW “GMAC, JP Morgan Chase (JPM), Bank of America (BAC), and One West employees routinely sign hundreds of documents without verifying what they are signing. Those documents are then submitted to the courts as if they were true to enable Banks to foreclose on delinquent properties.”[11] When is a lie a little lie? Can we presume a bank that will tell a little lie will also tell a big one?

The mortgage industry velocity in moving property interest without proper documentation has created a cesspool of illegal home foreclosures and countless pain to us. As punishment we want the Mortgage Banking Industry to pay for these crimes against the middle class. We demand Congressional and State legislative change and Federal and State criminal prosecutions.I suggest a modification of the Chapter Seven Bankruptcy Code to allow a cram down of all mortgages owed to the present value.


THE MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL THINKS THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

“In Michigan, the attorney general took the rare step in June of filing criminal subpoenas to out-of-state mortgage processing companies after 23 county registers of deeds filed a criminal complaint with his office over robo-signed documents they say they have received.”[8]11/16/2011


DID YOU KNOW “The Attorney General’s Office has made prosecuting mortgage fraud a priority for his office. A mortgage fraud unit was created and teamed up with the Michigan State Police and other law enforcement agencies to tackle the problem. Since January 2009,the Attorney General’s Office has arrested twenty individuals charged with mortgage fraud related crimes totaling at least $1.75 million in losses. They have been charged with some of the toughest crimes a prosecutor can charge for white collar crime -
racketeering, uttering and publishing and false pretenses.”[9]

DID YOU KNOW “These mortgage fraud schemes involve the use of inflated appraisals and straw buyers to gain mortgages far greater than the value of the property. The criminals take the  extra money from the mortgage and leave the straw buyer hanging with a mortgage they cannot afford and property worth far less than the mortgage amount.”[9]

The Occupy movement is about economic justice and accountability through political pressure, accountability through prosecution and legislative change’ Join us in our protest.

Terry Bankert of “Occupy Flint” 11/25/2011


NOTES, NOTES, NOTES,NOTES,NOTES,NOTES



DID YOU KNOW THAT IN OTHER STATES THERE ARE PROSECUTIONS.11/16/2011 “Two title officers have been indicted on more than 600 charges alleging they directed a "robo-signing" scheme that led to the filing of tens of thousands of fraudulent foreclosure documents, the Nevada attorney general's office said Wednesday. [8]



Look at this case ,“GMAC is not listed anywhere on the property profile, yet GMAC shows up on my credit report when they were not involved in the transaction. GMAC failed to explain why we were denied a loan modification, even thought they already knows what type of loan this was, it qualified for a 30% principle reduction.There still is no mention of the illegal foreclosure, GMAC did not assign the mortgage and used an illegal company to foreclose! They continue to rip off homeowners during these economic times and they can’t get away with this! [1]



The Mortgage Industry uses “ Blackwater” like mercenaries to seize property.



Look at this example.



“I came home to find two trucks being loaded with my personal belongings. A “lock-out” company, hired by the bank, informed me that the house was foreclosed upon, and they now were the owners of my personal property.I called the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the company was ordered to leave. Once a home becomes foreclosed on, it doesn’t mean that the bank can take your belongings and change the locks. They are required to file a writ of possession that is carried out by sheriff’s deputies.In my case, no writ of possession had been filed. But the lock-out company already had removed several valuables that were never recovered. I felt violated, as if I woke up and found myself in a communist country.

[2]





“A Clark County District Court judge issued warrants for California residents Gary Randall Trafford, 49, and Geraldine Ann Sheppard, 62, after a grand jury handed up the 439-page indictment. Their hometowns were unavailable, and they could not be immediately located for comment.”[8]



“The indictment says that between 2005 and 2008, Trafford and Sheppard directed employees to forge their names on foreclosure documents, then notarize the signatures they just forged. The defendants then had the employees file the fraudulent notices of default with the county recorder's office to begin foreclosures on homes. “11/16/2011 [8]







DID YOU KNOW “The Mortgage foreclosure industry is ripe for reform. Here is one example.”On February 11, the Florida Supreme Court amended the rules of foreclosure proceedings in a radical way: they want someone to swear that the allegations in the complaint are actually true. (Buncha bomb-throwers, aren’t they?) [3]



“The amended rule says:

When filing an action for foreclosure of a mortgage on residential real property the complaint shall be verified. When filing an action for foreclosure of a mortgage on residential real property the complaint shall be verified. When verification of a document is required, the document filed shall include an oath, affirmation, or the following statement:

“Under penalty of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing, and the facts alleged therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.”[3]



IS THE PROBLEMS THE ATTORNEYS?



“For the plaintiffs’ law firms, the foreclosure mills filing all these lawsuits, the new rule is a disaster – because they can’t possibly confirm the truth of what they file with the courts. How do we know this?”[3]



IN THE FORECLOSURE BUSINESS IS ANYONE TELLING THE TRUTH?



One of them actually told the Florida Supreme Court so. Shapiro & Fishman, one of Florida’s largest foreclosure mills, has asked the Court to back down from the verification requirement, with the astonishing reason that it’s impossible to get anyone to swear to the truth of a foreclosure complaint.[3]



“Nevada has been the state hit hardest by the recession and the housing crisis, leading the nation in bankruptcies, foreclosures and unemployment. Yet, the problem of shoddy mortgage paperwork, which comprises several shortcuts known collectively as "robo-signing," is more widespread.”[8]



“Judges who handle foreclosures in Maine, California, Arizona, New York and other states have thrown out foreclosure cases because documents apparently were robo-signers. The nation's largest banks, including Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo & Co., and other lenders temporarily halted foreclosures nationwide last fall because of the issue. “[8]



THE SYSTEM MOVES MASSIVES AMOUNTS OF PAPER WORK. The Plaintiffs’ lawyers don’t know the truth because the industry is bending or breaking the rules by people not fully informed.







“In their “Motion for Rehearing,” [PDF] Shapiro explained that their lawyers cannot ethically swear to the truth of the papers they file with the court, because they rely on information from others:

It is also unclear whether an attorney or law firm representing a lender can verify a mortgage foreclosure complaint based upon information he/she/it obtained from the client or other parties, including the holder of the note and the servicer.[3]

Plaintiffs are the end of a series of owners of the mortgage paperwork they don’t know the truth



“Well, ok…. If the lawyers can’t do it, how about their clients, the plaintiffs who claim to own the loan? Nope, says Shapiro:

[W]hile the holder of the note may have some limited knowledge in order to verify portions of the complaint, it may not have the necessary knowledge to verify the remainder of the complaint. For example… it may not have personal knowledge of when the last payment on the note was made or if a default notice was mailed to the client.”[3]

No one knows the truth!



“So… the supposed owner of the note ordinarily has no idea when or if they’ve been getting paid? That may sound crazy, but many lender hire “servicing agents” – in essence, bag men – to collect their money for them from borrowers”. [3]



JUST WHO ARE THE SERVICING AGENTS?



“So, why couldn’t the servicing agents swear to the truth of the complaint? Shapiro says, it’s because they don’t know enough, either…. and what they don’t know will surprise you: Who are these bag men work for.”[3]



“The loan servicer would, presumably, have that knowledge [about payment status of the loan]… but likely would not have personal or direct knowledge of other factual allegations.”[3]



“What “other factual allegations”? Simple things, like who owns the note – the very people these bag men are supposedly collecting for. (If they don’t even know, then who does?)”[3]



“There’s one giant, gaping hole in Shapiro’s argument to the Supreme Court. In every foreclosure action, these law firms submit to the court evidence in the form of affidavits – sworn written statements – which are supposed to swear to the truth of all the elements of the plaintiffs’ claim. These affidavits are the basis for judgment in more than 99% of all foreclosure cases where the house is sold”.[3]



“And Shapiro has just admitted that they are false. Because the one person signing them cannot possibly have “personal knowledge” of all the facts of the case – at least, that’s what Shapiro has said. “[3]



ASSEMBLY LINE OF JUSTICE



“Workers who processed tens of thousands of mortgage foreclosure papers portrayed their jobs as assembly-line work that required them to sign off on documents without reviewing them.

The depositions — which are sworn statements given in lawsuits against servicers — were released this week by a Florida lawyer defending 3,000 homeowners in foreclosure cases. They are the latest evidence in a controversy over foreclosure practices that has led state officials and federal regulators to investigate whether foreclosure papers filed with courts were false or fraudulent.[4]



“A Wells Fargo employee in South Carolina said in a March deposition that she typically signed 300 to 500 foreclosure documents in a single day and that her only other responsibility was to make sure her name and title were written correctly.

Shown a foreclosure affidavit that she had signed in 2009, she said she did not know if the information was accurate.[4]





FORECLOSURES: Banks seize a record 288,345 homes in third quarter

QUESTIONS: All 50 states launch joint investigation into foreclosures



THE PROCESSORS DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH.



“In a separate deposition, a foreclosure supervisor for Litton Loan Servicing in Houston could not define the terms "promissory note," "mortgagee," "lien" or "circuit court," even though those terms were on foreclosure papers she had signed. Litton is a mortgage-servicing company, which collects mortgage payments and forwards them to the mortgage holders.

Litton Loan declined to comment.[4]





“A third witness was a Bosnian refugee who came to the U.S. in 1999 and spent nine years working as a housekeeper, teacher's aide, Walmart clerk and in the shipping and receiving office of Washington Mutual in Jacksonville. She was made a "document execution specialist" in 2008 for WaMu, which is now part of JPMorgan Chase. The woman, who speaks halting English, testified that she signs 30 to 40 affidavits a day”.[4]



“JPMorgan is expanding its document review to 115,000 loans because of possible concerns about the affidavits' signatures and notarization, spokesman Tom Kelly says. He says JPMorgan

began making changes to its processes earlier this year

“.[4]



“The depositions were released by Deerfield Beach, Fla., attorney Peter Ticktin, who says he has taken 150 depositions from bank employees who make similar admissions about foreclosure documents they signed off on.”[4]



"This is what all the problems are about," Ticktin says. "These document signers are at the heart of the problem."[4]



ROBO SIGNERS



“They're now popularly known as "robo-signers," because recently released depositions from other lawsuits revealed some mortgage-servicer employees admitting to signing off on thousands of foreclosure documents a month without giving them proper review.”[4]



DOES MICHIGAN REQUIRE JUDICIAL APPROVAL?



“In 23 states that require judicial approval to foreclose, servicers must prepare affidavits and documents for courts to review. They are supposed to be verified and signed in the presence of a notary.”[4]





“Investigators are trying to determine if faulty and fraudulent documents were filed to foreclose on homeowners in violation of state laws. “[4]



BACK DATED DOCUMENTS



“Another common trade practice is to create pre-dated, backdated, and fraudulent assignments of mortgages and endorsements before or after the fact to support the allegations being made by the foreclosing party.”[5]



WHO ARE THE FORECLOSING PARTIES



“ Foreclosing parties are most often the servicer or MERS acting on the servicer’s behalf, not the owners of the actual promissory note. Often, they assist in concealing known frauds and abuses by originators, prior servicers, and mortgage brokers from both the borrowers and investors by the utilization of concealing the true chain of ownership of a borrower’s loan.”

[5]





MICHIGAN PROSECUTIONS RE: MORTGAGE FRAUD

The following

twenty people have been charged and this is only the beginning:[9]

NAME CHARGE COURT

1. People v. Patricia Michno Uttering & Publishing 6th Circuit Court – Oakland

2. People v. Dequincy Hyatt Racketeering/False Pretenses 16th Circuit Court – Macomb

3. People v. Seaesther

Thompson-Hayes Racketeering/False Pretenses 16th Circuit Court – Macomb

4. People v. Aaron Brooks Racketeering/False Pretenses 16th Circuit Court – Macomb

5. People v. Pietro Biundo False Pretenses 41B District Court – Clinton

Township

6. People v. Evelyn Santana ID Theft/False Pretenses 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne

7. People v. Dagoberto Reyes ID Theft/False Pretenses 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne

8. People v. Bilal Hashem Uttering & Publishing/False

Pretenses 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne

9. People v. Ali Haidous Uttering & Publishing/False

Pretenses 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne

10. People v. Sami Makky Uttering & Publishing/False

Pretenses 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne

11. People v. Mahmed Beydoun Uttering & Publishing/False

Pretenses 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne

12. People v. Eddie Zaben Racketeering/False Pretenses 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne

13. People v. Hayder Azawi Racketeering/False Pretenses 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne

14. People v. Jeffrey Barry False Pretenses 29th Circuit Court – St. Johns

15. People v. Damon Clark Racketeering/False Pretenses 8th Circuit Court - Stanton

16. People v. Reginald Tardy Racketeering/False Pretenses 8th Circuit Court - Stanton

17. People v. Maria Hernandez False Pretenses/Identity Theft 17th Circuit Court – Grand

Rapids

18. People v. Richard Gosselin Racketeering/False Pretenses 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne

19. People v. Rita Gosselin Racketeering/False Pretenses 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne

20. People v. John Klein Uttering & Publishing/False

Pretenses 6th Circuit Court – Oakland [9]









[1]

http://hissingkitty.com/complaints/gmac-illegal-mortgage-foreclosure/


[2]

http://floridaforeclosurefraud.com/2009/06/beware-illegal-evictions-in-florida-foreclosures
/

[3]

http://floridaforeclosurefraud.com/2010/03/foreclosure-lawsuits-are-built-on-lies-shapiro-fishman-admits-foreclosure-claims-cannot-be-verified/


[4]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2010-10-15-foreclosures15_ST_N.htm


[5]

http://loanaudit.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/mortgage-assignment-affidavit-fraud/


[6]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreclosure


[7]



http://www.housingpredictor.com/illegal-foreclosure-investigation.htm
l

[8]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/2-indicted-vegas-foreclosure-robo-235911376.html


[9]

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/Cox_Fights_Mortgage_Fraud_284937_7.pdf


[10]

https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/foreclosure.aspx


[11]

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/02/robo-signing-scandal-spreads-documents-show-citi-and-wells-also/

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