Who will call the meeting? You?

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
2/6/09
By Terry Bankert http://attorneybankert.com/

BANKERTS SATURDAY BLURBS UPDATE:

My effort to seek the Gubernatorial appointment to fill the vacancy on the 7th District Probate Court seat recently vacated is going well. Donna Proffer has said she supports me. Thank You.

All applicants must formally apply. Some of us were continued last time because we have gone through the process the previous year.

My ultimate objective is to be a sitting judge so I will go through this vetting process again.

Unless there is a grass roots ground swell the cards are stacked against me. I do not know the governor. She may know me if she reads my blogs, one would hope she is too busy. The people I know who have access to the governor probably will be swayed by advocates of one candidate and the candidate herself. This candidate is well equipped for the job and political histories are important in a political appointment.

Good Luck Barb.

At some point I will run against an incumbent. I’ll just draw straws.

GENESEE COUNTY PROBATE SEMINAR. As luck would have it I attended this local seminar sponsored by The Genesee County Bar association and its most competent Director Ramona Sain. I took only a couple photos, Shala threatened me with bodily injury if I videoed her again. Thumb nail http://www.flickr.com/photos/30366181@N05/sets/72157613435705631/ Slide show http://www.flickr.com/photos/30366181@N05/sets/72157613435705631/show/ Yes I am taking a camera class, the blurry will end. Remedial English is contemplated. Its humbling to be humble.

WOULD SOMEBODY CALL THE MEETING. The time is right for a non office holder or institutional group to call a meeting of a cross section, open invitation, of people institutions and business committed to building a future for Flint. If a status group will come together to fund it and call the meeting , I’ll run it. I am up to it are you?

WFLT 1420 AM RADIO 9:00 TO 9:30 AM Terry Bankert radio show “ Know the Law.” Todays issues are spousal support and community issues. This is a call in show. 239-5733 [810]. Believe or not I lecture recent court of appeals decisions focusing on one topic. This one is spousal support. The purpose is to break down barriers through information. If you know your rights you then are better equipped to protect your rights and to navigate through the emotional waters of a domestic proceeding. See: article 2/6/09 http://terrybankert.blogspot.com/

My article in the CPSA Courier is on mediation. I am a court certified domestic mediator. Try mediation for privacy and dignity in a domestic proceeding. Call 235-1970. see: http://cpsacourier.com/

MICHIGAN PUBLIC RADIO. I was interviewed Friday. Following is a video of a radio interview? Thumbnails http://www.flickr.com/photos/30366181@N05/sets/72157613454660776/ SlideShow http://www.flickr.com/photos/30366181@N05/sets/72157613454660776/show/

FRIDAYS WILD RUMOR. Buchanan was fired?

FLINT TALK RADIO. I am not going to produce another segment for 2 weeks. I will switch to a 30 min format with a guest and we will explore a Flint issue. The value to guests is the hot link that can be used. If you want to be a guest on this segment or one of my 60 second pod casts call me at 235-1970. Rules, we will talk about one researched issue you must declare your position ahead of time I will argue the opposite. I dare you. 235-1970. Would net work media hire me please, or do I really just have delusions of grander?

TODAYS AGENDA-BANKERT 9 Am WFLT call in Radio 239-5733 Call in. Saturday, February 7, Genesee County Democratic Party Winter Convention. Registration begins at 9:15 AM, convention begins at 10:00 AM, at UAW Local 651, 3518 Longway Blvd (between Center and Averill), Flint. Purpose is to elect delegates to the State Party Convention and consider resolutions. By Party rules, delegates to the County Convention are precinct delegates and elected Democratic officials and Party nominees at the last general election. I will be there at 9:45 check in talk to a few people then move on.


Saturday, February 7, A CONFERENCE TO PROMOTE RACIAL HEALING THROUGH URBAN SUBURBAN MINISTRY, Reverend Smith Facilitator. Theme Biblical reconciliation: The Real Problem is sin not skin. 10: 00 am lectures and workshop. LOCATION, Peace Presbyterian Church, 1521 N. Elms Road, Flint, 810-230-9544 FREE

Thursday, February 12, Genesee County Democratic Party Meetings, Executive Committee 6:00 PM, General Membership 7:15 PM. At UAW Region 1C, 1940 W. Atherton Road.

Friday, February 20, Democratic Club 225 Lunch, Kathryn Hunter-Williams will speak about Flint's role in the Underground Railroad as we celebrate Black History Month. Noon at Walli's, 1341 S. Center Road, Burton. FREE to members of Club 225 in good standing, guests $15. Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 18 to Donna Proffer at 694-2653.

Saturday, February 21, Michigan Democratic Party Winter Convention. At Cobo Hall, Detroit. Details to be announced.

MUST READING FOR PUBLIC POLICY JUNKIES. BLOGGING FOR MICHIGAN for the best economic alalysis and other stuff. http://www.bloggingformichigan.com/frontPage.do

LT GOV. JOHN CHERRY ON GOVERNMENTAL REORGANIZATION http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/02/lt_gov_john_cherry_says_michig.html

My opinion tomorrow.

If you see Jennifer or John today a plug for me would be appreciated. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30366181@N05/sets/72157613209911589/show/

Posted here by Terry Bankert

Please consider continuing this discussion on Face Book. http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Bankert/645845362

116838

Sphere: Related Content

Mike Brown the rest of the story!

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
1/5/09
By Terry Bankert
http://attorneybankert.com/

In Flint MI USA the lions are circling, what they think to be soon a political carcass, politics as usual or is there another agenda?

Ready, Early now Brown so long is the journey so short is the stay.

Why bring a professionally competent person with excellent ties to the very top decision makers in state government? Possible answer, to keep Flint out of another full state receivership. This move is not about the recall its about state receivership.

The lynch pin of the Flint City Charter is the City Administrator position.

In the contest between the pressure of unfetter political leadership and demands for professional decision making and management of our city the City Administrator position operating within a paradigm of “competence”is critical to a well run city.

In all of the strong mayor administrations ,since the 1974 vote brining in our current charter, we have had only three city administrator prepared to fill the professionally demanding and critically important position of Flint City Administrator.

35 years and we get only 3.

Why because we the people have not demanded that our City Council comply with the spirit and intent of our city charter.

The council has encourage the placement of politicians in this professional position. That is except now.

All downtown want to avoid the loss of power of a state receivership, they have found a way. That way is Mike Brown.

Here is a lay test. A Flint City Administrator should be qualified to hold the position of city manager or township manager anywhere in the mid west.

A professional city administrator with solid Lansing ties can cause Flint to avoid receivership!

Mr. Brown meets this simple subjective test.

And he can cause Flint to avoid receivership. Good pick. Once again without our public involvement the council slams another appointment through.

The realities of Flint and the events to follow may show this to have been the only course. We have an excellent City Charter. But a charter has no power if we, voters, do not demand excellence and accountability of our Council and Mayor.

We have been woefully quiet and not demanded excellence. Mike Brown brings excellence to the table. I hope he has enough time to make a difference. and keep Flint out of State Recievership.

Here is a random thought, just a wild guess.

Lets hypothetically assume the powers to be in Lansing , and as troubled as the state economy is, they may soon be required because of Flint budget problems to place the city back into receivership. Who would they pick to be the state receiver? Mike Brown would be an excellent pick.

SO to continue hypothetically if you place Mike Brown in as City Administrator and he works closely with Governor Jennifer Grandholm, and his personal friends Lt. Gov. John Cherry and State budget director Robert Emerson the state does not fully place Flint in a receivership because they now have a local decision maker they trust. Just a wild Guess.

In this analysis Don Williamson is not going anywhere, this is not a last ditch effort to avoid recall.

This is a logical, reasonable, and successful way to avoid state receivership.

Now I am not spinning , positioning or shifting alliances, when I was Ombudsman ,a million years ago, I regularly argued for charter compliance. I regret I was not more effective in mobilizing you to this cause.

From my comfortably seat on the sideline I will chant,” follow the charter”, “avoid state receivership at all cost”.

The roar from the community is to keep us out of state receivership, stabilize the management of the City of Flint, improve our image so we are not longer a laughing stock, tell us what going on, transparency and full public disclosure and debate on policy.

Those of us who have stayed in Flint, kept our business in Flint deserve no less.

Posted Here by Terry Bankert 1/5/09
Consider continuing this discussion on Face Book
http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Bankert/645845362

- Flint City Charter http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Michigan/flint_mi/cityofflintmichigancodeofordinances?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:flint_mi


fyi
Sec. 2-411 VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF MAYOR.
Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of the Mayor, the remainder of the unexpired term shall be filled as follows:
A. if one year or less remains in the unexpired term, the Council shall within thirty (30) days appoint a person having the qualification for such office to serve as Acting Mayor during the remainder of the unexpired term.
1. The Acting Mayor shall possess all the powers of the Mayor as provided by this Charter, except the power to remove Mayoral appointees. The power to remove appointees of the Mayor may not be exercised without the concurrence of the City Council.
2. The Acting Mayor shall receive the same compensation as provided for the office of Mayor.
B. if more than one year remains in the unexpired term, the City Council shall either:
1. Within ten (10) days call a special primary election to be held within ninety (90) days thereafter to fill such a vacancy. A general election shall be called not less than forty-nine (49) nor more than sixty (60) days after the date of the primary election, or
2. Call primary and general elections to be concurrent with the next State primary and general November election if such vacancy occurs within one year prior to said State general November election.
C. Until such time as the Acting Mayor is appointed pursuant to paragraph A above, or until a Mayor is elected pursuant to paragraph B above, the City Administrator shall serve as Temporary Mayor. The City Administrator shall possess all the powers of the Mayor as provided in this Charter, except the power to remove Mayor appointees and the power of veto. Appointees of the Mayor may not be removed by the City Administrator serving in the capacity of Temporary Mayor without the concurrence of the City Council.
(Adopted by the electorate, 11-5-74)

Sphere: Related Content

Will the ambulance come when you call.

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
BY Terry Bankert http://attorneybankert.com/

About 50 Flint firefighters and a 100 other citizens today at the Genesee County Board of Commissioners meeting spoke to block a proposal for the county to take over paramedic runs inside the city. Are you concerned an ambulance will come to your home in Flint if the county controls the ambulance dispatch?

Get involved in the debate under way over the future of Flint's paramedic service. “The sheriff ( Robert Pickell)says it's time for Genesee County to take over. The county gives the Flint Fire Department roughly $700,000 a year for paramedic service within the city.That millage agreement has been in place for almost 20 years. "

"But Sheriff Robert Pickell wants to end it.”

I attended part of this meeting and took a couple of pictures and videos.

Thumbnail http://www.flickr.com/photos/30366181@N05/sets/72157613331313232/

Slide Show http://www.flickr.com/photos/30366181@N05/sets/72157613331313232/show/

"We feel like no one can give the service we give," said Raymond Barton, president of the Flint firefighters union. "We do this service with pride."

“County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell today proposed changing the arrangement that had sent paramedic millage money to the city of Flint in return for the fire department making medical runs in the city. That arrangement has been in place since at least 1990.Pickell said he would hire at least seven additional paramedics with the property tax money.”

Several paramedics and firefighters were addressing commissioners in advance of the board considering the proposal. A similar plan died less than two ago after initially being approved by the commissioners. Members then became increasingly worried that the expansion might bankrupt the county's paramedic program. The Flint ambulance community argues Pickell is trying to grab all the money in this county for his program .“

One of Flint County Commissioners seems to be siding with Pickell. "All I know is that when a call goes out in a district that I represent, there's a time lapse," said County Commissioner Omar Sims. Sims wants the city to explain how it's spending the $700,000 in millage money it gets every year for EMS. "In tough times, people have to be accountable," Sims said.”

One citizen posted on the mlive article and stated”Furthermore, don't ever think that the Flint firemen should be set aside. They do the City of Flint a great service. They are sometimes the first on scene. Whether it’s a medical or a fire. ( to a critic of Flint) You obviously don't live in the City or have ever required fire/ems service. Two thumbs up for Flint Fire.( Not )Centralized EMS - please lets cost this county more money that we don't have to bring in one ambulance service that will end up charging the county to run its service here.... No one works for free.

The balancing act of efficiency ( cost)and effectiveness ( saving lives) will determine the analyst viability of Centralized ambulance services. Lives , turf and political power are at stake. This is an issue worth of your attention. "Was the system broken somehow? Was there some reason the sheriff decided to take it over now?" said Flint firefighter Rico Phillips.”

“Tuesday, commissioners voted to postpone debate until a committee meeting on Feb. 18.”

As a Flint taxpayer residential and business I am very interested in this issue. I am looking for a full debate. Lives are at stake here I believe voters need to be convinced that if a Sheriff or County Commission controls dispatch of all ambulance services will it improve response times to Flint poor and elderly.

Convince us Sheriff. Lets have active discussion , involve the community.

The last thing this issue need is power politics.

Just where were our city leaders at this meeting and will the commissioners from Flint seek our comment?

Is this the first step of county consolidation and centralization of services? Will this centralization led to a county executive.

If yes is this good for the citizens of Flint?

Posted Here by Terry Bankert

You are invited to continue this discussion on Face Book http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Bankert/645845362

- http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/02/flint_firefighters_oppose_coun.html

- http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=6639260

Sphere: Related Content