Dayne Walling for Mayor of Flint!!!

The Genesee County Young Democrats would like to congratulate Dayne Walling on receiving our endorsement for mayor of Flint. This is an important election as Flint is in a position of change and transition. In this time of change, Flint needs a mayor with fresh, intelligent ideas and a proven track record.

Mr. Walling's alternative methods for rebuilding Flint focus on community involvement and are necessary changes from the overly bureaucratic structure that has plagued Flint since its growth from a logging community to an industrial center. At a time when localities receive fewer federal dollars, watch as their populations disintegrate, and suffer from political corruption, Flint's community is the solution for rebuilding Flint. At the center of Flint's future is the next generation. Young people will shape the next decade for Flint and Mr. Walling is perfect to lead us to this destination.

Mr. Walling also has tremendous experience for his age. He is Flint's only Rhode Scholar. He assisted the redevelopment of our nation's capitol by bringing millions in grant money in his role working for the Mayor of Washington D.C.. Never once did he forget about his roots in Flint. As co-founder of the Flint Club, Mr. Walling created a way for former Flint residents living abroad to reinvest in their home town and aid its comeback. Finally, Mr. Walling came home to work for the Genesee Land Bank, a nationally renowned governmental organization built to redevelop beleaguered neighborhoods in Genesee County.

The GCYD would like to thank both candidates for their prompt and complete responses to our questionnaires. We wish Mr. Walling luck and look forward to working with his campaign in the month of October. This election is incredibly important and if anyone would like to assist us in taking back Flint, call Keith Flynn at 810-625-0741. Or check out Mr. Walling website and contact Mr. Walling's campaign headquarters at 940 S. Grand Traverse Flint, MI 48502, 810-233-9190. Also, check out the coverage of the endorsement in the Flint Journal.

Dan aka "the Delinquent"

This is another member profile featuring our previous treasurer Dan. So Dan, I hear you've been a member of the GCYD for as long as it's existed. How do you think it has changed over the years and where do you think it is going?

Well first off, you can't prove I stole that money. GCYD has changed a lot over the years that I have been with them. We have expanded considerable over the years and have done many events that i didn't think we could ever pull off. We are continuing to grow and I believe that we will have a bright future with our continued campaigning to increase youth turnout in Genesee County.

So what is your educational background and what are your goals?

I have Associates in Accounting from Baker College of Flint. My goals are two fold. I hope to be a Marine and i would also like to be a police officer later in my life.

So where are you politically speaking? I know you have been conservative on some issues and liberal on others. Tell us where you stand.

Wow, you pulled that question did you? Well, to tell the truth, I'm not a Democrat. I am also not a Republican, though you all seem to love calling me that. I guess, if i had to label myself, I would call myself an independent. I believe in some parts of both platforms but I can't identify with either one completely.

OK, what is the future of Flint?

HA, a burning post apocalyptic wasteland? Well, only as long as Williamson is still in office. I know we can do better. Flint can live again, but not until we have someone that can actually do the job in office. Williamson can't even get the grass cut in our public parks.

what do you like to do with your spare time?

I read, do some gaming, clean my gun collection, drive aggressively, drink, sharpen my five dozen knives, swords, and unique weapons, and smoke. lots and lots of smoking. I can't start my day without a drag of nicotine and shot of J.D.

OK. Different strokes for different folks. I hear you are going into the Marines. Why did you join and what do you think about the war in Iraq?

I've always wanted to be in the Marines. They are the best of the best and that is what I hope to one day become. I am not a Marine yet, but I will be someday. Nothing will stop me. As for the war in Iraq, I can only say that I will be there to follow orders. I will do as I must and as I am told by my superior officers. I have no further comment on that subject.

Alrighty, one more question. I hear you've had some bad luck recently at speedway gas station where you used work. Care to discuss what you think about corporate America and your previous employer?

Ah, speedway. I'd burn the place to the ground if it wasn't a crime. Don't get me wrong, I hold no ill will towards my fellow co-workers or my store manager. It is the district manager and all those above her that I dislike. They obviously disliked me too or they would not have fired me under the false pretense of insubordination. They also tried to show a history of insubordination by writing me up for not forcing customers to buy bags of M&M's every time they came into the store. I'm sorry for the fact that I hate going into a store and having someone try to sell me something that i don't need every time I am there. I respected the customers enough to not do this to them every time they came to my register. I was only one month and five days away from being vested with the company which would have given me a bonus of over $1000. Interesting that she decided to cut me loose just before i would have gotten more money out of them, don't you think? The only one that could fire me was the district manager or higher in the company. I believe she fired me out of her own dislike of me rather than a real reason like theft. But I guess I should thank her at the same time. After five years of being abused by this company, I finally got the kick in the butt i needed to move on and join something that i can be proud of. The Marine core will be my new home and i welcome it with open arms. As for corporate America, well, nothing will change as our economy slides further and further into chaos. They have their profits and they will continue to force their goods on everyone even when we don't need what they are selling. What can you do to stop it though?

Well, there you have it. Thank you Dan and good luck in the Marine Corp. We know you will do an excellent job for our country.

Go Directly to Jail, Do Not Pass Go

There is no question that the city of Flint faces the challenge of crime as well as economic hardships. Flint’s crime rate surpasses the national average in almost every felony. As the city tries to restore law and order, city administrators are forced to consider the practical realities which hinder their ability to provide crime prevention to the citizens of Flint. For instance, there is little space to house all who are arrested in Flint on a daily basis. Mayor Williamson’s solution is to open more jails. Makes sense. If there is not enough space then why not create more space. On the surface, the simplicity of this plan seems like pure genius. Many love this idea including the police who feel they are making a difference when the criminals they put in jail are not just walking through the jail’s revolving door, but are incarcerated till trial where they belong. However, this is deceptively simple.

While I support the jail being re-opened, the Mayor’s plan leads to uncertainty as to how long the jail will remain open. Like almost all of the Mayor's policies, the re-opening of the jail is not fully explained and the public is placated by his financial contributions to other similar programs. The reality is that the jail would require the employment of about 30 guards, upkeep on the facilities, and money to support the jail’s population. These costs could rise past $1 million per year assuming the guards are paid $30,000 a year. The fate of the jail depends upon the Mayor funding the facility and its staff from the Flint Auto Auctions o junkyards, but it is hard to believe that the auto auctions will be able to support the jails permanently considering they make on average about $500,000 a year.

All of his other solutions depend upon his continued monetary support. Where will we Flint be when he is no longer funning for mayor? Just like the mayor's dumpsters, which littered our streets when he was running for Mayor, the funds for the jail could dry up and leave the city in the unfortunate position of releasing prisoners and employees. This smells like a political stunt designed to win the Mayor votes in time for the campaign season and it would be irresponsible to rely on the Mayor’s patronage.

None of the Mayor’s plans are designed to rebuild our city. Instead of aiding that effort, he constantly struggles against those who are trying to build long-term, enduring solutions like the Genesee County Land Bank, Uptown Development Corporation, and the Mott Foundation. Really, the Land Bank is one of the only government agencies in Flint which has had success. Affordable downtown lofts, small businesses tailored to meet the demands of college students, and the rejuvenation of Flint neighborhoods can all be attributed to these actors. Political favors at election time are not going to be enough to fix Flint’s problems. If we want to rebuild our community we will have to do it from the ground up and avoid relying on the simple solutions. Putting criminals behind bars will help the city, but we must also work to support such a project financially. Plus, this alone will not save Flint. It will take a reinvigorated downtown built to support a diverse economy built off of our abundance of opportunities in higher education. Only by rebuilding Flint's workforce and securing jobs for the future will crime decrease. If there is anything that our community must take from Flint’s history, it’s that we cannot depend upon short-sighted visions for our community and we must focus on building long-term solutions that will endure the test of time.

- Keith