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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Many renters with no water aren't waiting to be forced out of Pierson Road apartments
Flint resident Andrea Jones, 39, stands with two large multi-gallon water jugs inside of her packed up apartment living room on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014 at Glen Acre Estates, an apartment complex on West Pierson Road, just east of Clio Road in Flint. Jones plans to move out on Friday, as her apartment building was condemned and the water shut off. The city of Flint says tenants were using stolen water at the West Pierson Road apartment complex where a condemnation notice has been posted and residents in 28 apartments have been ordered to leave. One day after notices to vacate the property were posted, many residents were already preparing to move out on Aug. 6, rather than hunkering down in an effort to stay. "I think it's awful that the (apartment) owner and management have been collecting rent from its residents and haven't been paying their own bills," she said. "So, I'm moving out." Jake May | MLive.com
Jake May | jmay2@mlive.com
Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on August 06, 2014 at 6:05 PM, updated August 06, 2014 at 6:25 PM
FLINT, MI -- Annette Geter has already found a new place to live, but she knew it was time to leave Glen Acre apartments a few weeks ago -- when the city turned off the water in her apartment in the middle of a shower.
"They need to close (it all) down," said Geter, 39, who said she's seen things get progressively worse in the two years she has lived at the complex on West Pierson Road, just east of Clio Road. Some of the complex was condemned by the city this week.
One day after notices to vacate the property were posted, many residents were already preparing to move out Wednesday, Aug. 6, rather than hunker down in an effort to stay.
"I don't know" said Samuel L. Morgan Jr., 44, about where he will go. "I'm going to see if I can find a place, whatever way the wind blows."
Morgan had a U-Haul truck parked outside his apartment building, and Geter was bringing in packing boxes while some of their neighbors continued to haul water in plastic jugs, hoping the city will give them a reprieve and turn the water back on.
Flint emergency manager Darnell Earley's office issued a statement Wednesday, saying the city cut off water service to one of two properties that make up Glen Acre apartments in November 2013 because of unpaid water bills.
Six months later, inspectors "found that water was illegally turned on at (the property) and water service was again shut off," the statement says. "Under city law, residential dwellings must have water service to maintain livability."
Four buildings are occupied at Glen Acre while eight others have been at least partially boarded up, burned or striped of metal.
Two of the occupied buildings still have water because they are located at a separate billing address than the two occupied buildings without water.
City officials have said they initially posted condemnation notices on all buildings by mistake.
Noelle Heller, general manager for the apartment's property management company, said the city isn't telling an accurate story when it says water has been shut off since November because of non-payment.
Heller said city employees have turned the complex's water on since that time, and said there has been confusion over billings and past payments because there are two separate water accounts, each covering half of the complex.
Police have called and visited the property, the general manager said, but have not indicated what will happen to residents who don't abide by the condemnation order.
"I'm telling (tenants) to hang in there with me," Heller said. "Let us work on this (and in the meantime) let people have water."
MLive-The Flint Journal has been unable to reach City Attorney Peter Bade or Flint spokesman Jason Lorenz for comment beyond a news release issued by the city.
Richard Bingham, 25, said he's hoping he can stay at Glen Acre but is ready to move to his grandparents' home nearby if he must.
Bingham said he's already been visiting to use their shower.
"It seems like a nice place," Bingham said of Glen Acre. "I'm trying not to have to relocate."
Morgan said he's given up on the complex and said so have most of the others who occupy 28 apartments with no water.
"When I moved in, every last building was open ... (Now) they got buildings out here that's no good. Those are the ones that need to go."
Heller said 29 apartments that are currently rented have water service.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sat Aug 09, 2014 6:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Thu Aug 07, 2014 7:51 am |
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00SL2
F L I N T O I D
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quote:
untanglingwebs schreef:
I never said 30 days. The city has a past practice of 10 days. The city condemned apartment complexes in the past and had a mechanism in place to assist these tenants. A 24 hour eviction is unreasonable, especially when you possibly have elderly and semi-ambulatory tenants.
My apologies for the “30 days” typo, however, what you did say was quoted immediately above that typo, and the rest of my post still stands. There’s a lot of misinformation being published and repeated without anyone except the parties involved knowing the facts (and even then, some of them may not know all the facts). If there were, in fact, “elderly and semi-ambulatory tenants” in a condemned or unsafe building, then responsible person(s) such as yourself should have notified Adult Protective Services who could have them removed IMMEDIATELY–no notice given. Read up on “elder abuse and neglect.” If you have questions about the city code and ordinances and the International Property Maintenance Code adopted by the City of Flint the references are in post http://www.flinttalk.comviewtopic.php?p=74524#74524
________________________________________________________
When was the inspection, Webs? June 30 or July 30?
quote:
Ron Fonger: @grannylake The notice of violations was based on an inspection June 30. It claims the property is a nuisance based on structures being vacant and open; occupied with no water; and having broken, damaged or missing doors and windows throughout. - Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
Source: http://www.flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=74498#74498
quote:
untanglingwebs: The city inspected July 30, and waited over a month to implement a condemnation and eviction. The city inspector is not even following code to give the people ten days to move. waiting until the first if the month means many have already paid rent. These people have few if any resources.
Source: http://www.flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=74499#74499 |
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Thu Aug 07, 2014 7:23 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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AC Dumas appealed to attorneys on Facebook. At least one responded. According to Fonger the inspection was done June 30th. According to other reports, the water was on sometime in June.
The media repeatedly showed copies of the eviction that stated the city was relying on chapter 24. Chapter 24 clearly says 10 days. That was the past practice.
However the media is now quoting city representatives as saying the matter of eviction is going to resolved through the courts and the renters can temporarily stay put. WNEM did what WJRT shoud have done. They went and sought an attorney's advice. |
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Fri Aug 08, 2014 6:38 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Attorney discusses renters' rights
Posted: Aug 07, 2014 5:19 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 07, 2014 5:27 PM EDT
Posted By Brianna Owczarzak - email
By Faith Gantner - email
FLINT, MI (WNEM) -
Rent is paid up, but the water is shut off at a local apartment complex.
TV5 first brought you the story of the desperate tenants Wednesday at Glen Acres in Flint.
In Mid-Michigan residents have been paying their rent and having their water shut off. Cities and towns are cutting off utilities because landlords haven't paid their bills and renters are left high and dry.
"If the lease does say that the landlord is responsible for paying for the water and sewer then the tenants have a right for that to be provided," said Kristi Kozubal, Bay City attorney.
She said under Michigan law a landlord who doesn't provide services agreed to under a lease is guilty of something called constructive eviction.
"That gives, by law, the tenants a remedy to damages and a right to regain possession under the law in court," Kozubal said.
Kozubal also referenced the condemnation notices posted on Glen Acres buildings this week asking tenants to move out within 24 hours.
She said those are not eviction notices and legally there's not much the city can do to force tenants out.
"They will have to go to court first through the summary proceedings, act and obtain eviction just like a landlord would have to and that does take a certain amount of time, certainly more than 24 hours," Kozubal said.
As for tips to avoiding situations like this Kozubal stresses that future renters should pay close attention to the wording of their lease, and find out as much as possible about the property owner before signing off.
"Getting to know your landlord on a person to person basis I think is something that is good information for all tenants everywhere," Kozubal said.
Copyright 2014 WNEM (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. |
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Fri Aug 08, 2014 6:41 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Kozubal also referenced the condemnation notices posted on Glen Acres buildings this week asking tenants to move out within 24 hours.
She said those are not eviction notices and legally there's not much the city can do to force tenants out.
"They will have to go to court first through the summary proceedings, act and obtain eviction just like a landlord would have to and that does take a certain amount of time, certainly more than 24 hours," Kozubal said. |
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Fri Aug 08, 2014 6:43 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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| I heard about the story from friends who saw it on the noon news. It did not air again until 5:30 pm. I watched the next day and was relieved when city officials had backed off and said the matter was gong to resolved in court. TV 12 never dealt with the issue of why the matter of the tenants wee going to court and I wondered if an attorney had intervened. The city suddenly reversed their position. |
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Fri Aug 08, 2014 6:47 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Laws for Condemning a Property | eHow - eHow | How to ...
www.ehow.com › … › Real Estate › Other Real Estate
Laws for Condemning a Property. ... Michigan: One Year Later for Condemning ... officers are empowered to condemn buildings if they are unsafe for ...
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How Will You Know If Your Property Is Condemned?
real-estate-law.freeadvice.com › … › Condemnation & Eminent Domain
If your property has been condemned, ... But the government is required by law to offer the property owner “just compensation” for the property.
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What Happens to a Condemned Property? (with pictures)
www.wisegeek.org/what-happens-to-a-condemned-property.htm
A condemned property is generally demolished ... Law; Business; Finance; ... a condemned property is one considered by a local building authority to be unsafe to
Laws for Condemning a Property | eHow - eHow | How to ...
www.ehow.com › … › Real Estate › Other Real Estate
Laws for Condemning a Property. ... Michigan: One Year Later for Condemning ... officers are empowered to condemn buildings if they are unsafe for ... |
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Fri Aug 08, 2014 12:48 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Laws for Condemning a Property
By Shauna Zamarripa, eHow Contributor
Laws for Condemning a Property thumbnail
Eminent domain can be sited when condemning a property.
Properties are condemnable when they reach a point where repairs would far exceed market value or when the property has become an eyesore in a neighborhood. While many condemned properties have been vacant for long periods, city, state and national laws must be followed before condemning any building. Have a question? Get an answer from a personal finance professional now!
Other People Are Reading
How to Get a House Condemned
What Are Your Legal Rights If Your Property Is Condemned?
Property Condition
In order for any city or municipality to remove a property from private custody, that property must be considered a blight. In other words, the city must provide substantial evidence that the property is in severe disrepair and is causing values in a neighborhood to fall. If a court finds in favor of the city, ruling that a property is a blight, the city can invoke the right of eminent domain and claim the rights to the property. If the owner can be located, compensation for the property must be made, but if the owner is not able to be located, the city can take possession of the property.
Read more : http://www.ehow.com/facts_7635374_laws-condemning-property.html |
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Fri Aug 08, 2014 12:54 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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What Happens to a Condemned Property?
Condemned properties are considered unsafe to inhabit.
Condemned properties may be demolished.
Article Details
• Written By: Pablo Garcia
• Edited By: O. Wallace
• Last Modified Date: 11 July 2014
• Copyright Protected:
2003-2014 Conjecture Corporation
the US, a condemned property is one considered by a local building authority to be unsafe to use or inhabit. Once a dilapidated building or house has been condemned, the property can not be inhabited until the owner is able to provide proof that the violations have been fixed. If the property is not repaired within a set amount of time or the expense of rehabilitating the structure is not justified, it is generally demolished by the appropriate local authority. Sometimes property is “taken” through state or federal powers of eminent domain in order to put it to an important public use. These uses include roads, parks, and levees.
Local departments of building safety or inspections are usually responsible for designating a structure as condemned. This designation generally occurs when a property has been vacant, unoccupied, or boarded up for more than six months. A house or building may also be condemned because of repeated building code violations that have not been addressed and that render the structure uninhabitable or unsafe to use. Other factors include the severity of any damage, the impact on surrounding structures, and any attempts by the owner to improve the property.
A condemnation order is usually issued by a building safety director on behalf of a city or municipality, and the owner of the property may appeal the order. Most jurisdictions give the owner a reasonable opportunity to rehabilitate or repair the property. He may also negotiate a rehabilitation agreement with the building authority for repair and restoration of the property.
The owner of rental property that is the subject of a condemnation order may not continue to rent the property. In some jurisdictions, the owner’s license to rent any properties may be revoked until the matter is resolved. If the property is not restored or no rehabilitation agreement is reached, the appropriate authority can have the structure demolished. In some localities, the owner may be partially or wholly responsible for the demolition expenses.
There are situations where the expense of restoring the property is not justified by the potential market value after all the necessary repairs. Under these circumstances, an owner of a condemned property may voluntarily have the property demolished. The parties may reach an agreement as to the expense of tearing down and removing the structure. Often, the local building authority will bear the cost in order to enhance property values of surrounding structures.
Unlike condemnation, government seizure of private land under powers of eminent domain is based on the location of the property and not its condition. The property is taken to promote some important public purpose, which can include the building of a highway, an airport, or a public facility. In most places, the owner must be fairly compensated for the loss of the property. |
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Fri Aug 08, 2014 12:57 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Landlord Liability for Unsafe Living Conditions
With few exceptions, tenants are legally entitled to rental property that is in good repair and meets basic structural, health, and safety standards—both when they originally rent the unit and throughout the rental term. Depending on the state and the severity of the problem, tenants have the right to withhold rent, pay for the repairs and deduct the cost from the rent, move out, and/or pursue other legal remedies if the landlord violates their legal responsibility to provide safe and livable (habitable) premises.
Landlord Repair and Maintenance Responsibilities
State laws and local housing codes typically require landlords to:
•keep basic structural elements of the rental property (for example, walls and roofs) safe and intact
•maintain common areas, such as stairways, clean, sanitary and safe
•keep electrical, plumbing, and other essential services operating safely, and
•comply with other housing rules, for example, regarding sewage disposal, fire protection, rodent infestations, legal nuisances, such as drug dealing on the property, and the like.
Learn more about what Responsibilites Landlords Have For Maintenance.
Unsafe Living Conditions: Tenant Options
If a landlord fails to provide safe and livable rental premises, tenants typically have specific legal options. In most states, if the landlord fails to fix a serious problem that makes the rental unit uninhabitable—such as holes or leaks in the walls, unsafe floorboards, or no waste disposal—tenant options include:
•withholding the rent
•repairing the problem (or hiring someone else to do so) and deducting the cost from the rent
•filing a complaint with state or local health or building inspectors (who may fine a landlord who fails to correct the problem within a set amount of time, or actually condemn the property in severe cases)
•suing the landlord for the difference between the monthly rent and the value of the unit with defects, or
•moving out (without giving the required amount of notice).
Learn more about Tenants' Rights For Repairs.
Steps Tenants Must Follow to Pursue a Legal Option
State (and sometimes local) rules typically provide specific details on these options (if available at all). Tenants must usually meet three conditions to pursue one of these legal options:
(1) The problem must be serious (such as rats in the kitchen) and imperil the tenant’s health and safety. Tenants have different options when it comes to minor repairs.
(2) The tenant must tell the landlord about the problem and give the landlord a minimum amount of time (this is often set by state law) to fix it.
(3) The tenant must not have caused the problem (either deliberately or through carelessness or neglect).
Other conditions may apply, depending on the legal remedy. For example, a tenant who withholds rent must typically be paid up in rent and in compliance with all lease clauses; some states require that tenants deposit the unpaid rent with a court or local housing agency. When it comes to the repair and deduct remedy, many states limit the amount a tenant can deduct to a dollar limit or a specific percentage of the rent, and only allow the use of this remedy for essential services, such as heat in the winter.
How Tenants Can Avoid Problems and Protect Themselves
The best way to avoid living in an unsafe rental unit is to thoroughly inspect the property before moving in. Be sure your lease or rental agreement spells out landlord responsibilities for repairs and maintenance. Also, try to get information from other tenants on the how the landlord handles repairs and maintenance and responds to tenant complaints.
Because rules and procedures vary widely, tenants need to do a little legal research and check state and local housing laws, especially state rules on rent withholding and repair and deduct remedies, to clearly understand their rights and options when it comes to unsafe living conditions. It's also a good idea to check state laws prohibiting landlord retaliation for exercise of a tenant right. Finally, be aware that rules may be in flux when it comes to certain problems, such as mold or bedbugs, or landlord liability for criminal activity on rental premises.
Legal Advice
Tenants are legally entitled to rental property that is in good repair and meets basic structural, health, and safety standards. However, tenants may encounter issues with their rental property reducing their enjoyment or making their home uninhabitable. Thus, state laws often specify legal remedies tenants have if their rights are violated. And some issues are not easily resolved. It may be in your best interest to consult with an experienced tenant’s lawyer for advice.
by: Marcia Stewart
ccredited Business -- Rating A+ |
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Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:03 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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TV 12 reported the Red Cross and Resource Genesee had gone to the complex to assist the residents. What happened to the United Way?
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sat Aug 09, 2014 7:38 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:15 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Flint pastor calls on city to condemn remainder of 'horrific' Glen Acre apartments
The city of Flint has given notice to residents of Glen Acre apartments that they must vacate their homes because of building code violations, including having no water.
Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on August 08, 2014 at 5:30 PM, updated August 08, 2014 at 5:31 PM
FLINT, MI -- A pastor and president of the North Flint Reinvestment Corporation is calling on the city to condemn the few buildings that remain open at a West Pierson Road apartment complex where tenants were living without water.
The Rev. Reggie Flynn of Foss Avenue Church, president and chief executive officer of North Flint Reinvestment Corporation, said in an email to MLive-The Flint Journal that the time has come to condemn what's left of the complex, located directly across the street from the former Urban League building, which is now owned by NFRC.
The statement says the NFRC building is being renovated for use as a community education center and will house Eagle's Nest Academy, a K-4 HighScope charter school.
"In my view, the Glen (Acre) apartment complex is in horrific condition and needs to be totally condemned," Flynn's email says. "It is an eyesore in the neighborhood and a severe public safety threat to the children and families who will be utilizing the community education center and attending the school.
"Glen (Acre) has been a hot-bed for crime, violence and drug use for several years. The only viable solution is to (demolish) the apartments and reconstruct ... with quality, mixed-income housing."
MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Flynn for further comment Friday, Aug. 8.
Jason Lorenz, a spokesman for the city of Flint, issued a statement saying the city "will continue to review the matter with regard to Glen Acres, just as it would with any other property, and how it complies with city ordinances, planning, zoning and other related laws."
The city posted condemnation notices throughout Glen Acre this week, but later said two apartment buildings in the complex of 12 structures could remain open, partly because tenants there still have water.
The notices say residents in buildings that have been condemned have no water, making them unfit for human occupancy.
Water shutoffs occurred there in November because of overdue bills for part of the complex, according to the city. Police are now investigating how water was turned back on in the same area before the city shut off the service again last month.
First Ward city Councilman Eric Mays, who represents the area, said the city should be certain displaced residents from Glen Acre have somewhere to go before additional apartment buildings are condemned. Tenants were given just 24 hours notice to find somewhere else to live.
"First get them a better condition to live in," Mays said Friday. |
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Sat Aug 09, 2014 7:02 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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That area started to deteriorate in the 1980's. The 235 homes on Cloverllawn are nearly demolished. The strip mall in the back is nearly gone. The former night club (Ali Baba ?) is demolished along with the other buildings. FACT along with Council woman Poplar went on tv to demand the demolition of a complex just east of Glen Acre close to Pastor Kennedy's Church.
Go east from Glen Acre to Fleming Road. The laundramat is long gone and the building housing it is covered in K-Block graffiti on the Kermit Street side. The graffiti warns outsiders to stay off that street. The party store and gas station on that corner have ad numerous murders and shootings at that site.
Pierson Hood and King Squad graffiti is prominent in this area. There was some Black P Stone graffiti in an area just south of the North Flint Plaza, on King and Pierson, designated for immediate demolition and reinvestment, but the house has been demolished, That area had a murder within the last month. |
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Sat Aug 09, 2014 7:23 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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What happened to the development plan Flynn had for the Third Ward?
Ujima Village proposal for north side of Flint
Posted: Feb 02, 2012 3:09 PM EST
Updated: Feb 03, 2012 11:32 AM EST
FLINT (WJRT) -
(02/02/12) - As he stands on an abandoned lot with an abandoned house on the north side of Flint, Dr. Reginald Flynn sees a brand new development with a day care, a school, an arts, trade and technology center, a grocery store, other businesses and new housing.
"It's kind of emotional for me," Flynn said. "To come back home and make a difference."
A 1984 graduate of Beecher High School, Flynn vowed never to return to Flint after he was jumped at age 18, and suffered a broken jaw and broken ribs.
But now he's back, with a vision called Ujima Village.
"Ujima stands for unity, cooperative economics, it's a Swahili term," he says.
The land targeted for this development sits along Carpenter Road between I-475 and Dort Highway.
Dr. Flynn is president of the non-profit North Flint Reinvestment Corporation. The executive director is Blake Strozier.
"I remember I sent him a letter detailing if you need anything, that he can contact me," Strozier said.
Flynn says he got that letter as he prepared to preach one Sunday, saying "God has answered my prayers."
Flynn is the pastor of Foss Avenue Baptist Church, and Strozier is a pastor at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.
Both men grew up here, and both recently returned with degrees focused on urban renewal.
"I believe in his vision that the best way to do redevelopment and resurrect the life of this city is to resurrect the north side of Flint," Strozier said.
It's a cradle to career concept. Eagle's Nest Child Care, run by the Foss Avenue Church, would relocate to Ujima Village. The plans call for Northridge Academy, a local charter school, to do the same.
"We would love to be a part of it. It's one of our long range strategic goals, however I might add that there are a number of approvals that we would have to obtain, and a lot of other hurdles we'd have to cross to get to that point," said Charles Winfrey, the president of the Northridge Board of Directors.
The funding formula for Ujima Village, according to Strozier, is "50 percent from federal, state and city funds, 25 percent from private investors, and 25 percent from community development investors."
The expected price tag is $20 million.
"I don't have $20 million. Don't have it," Flynn said. "But this is a faith-based initiative, and I've seen it happen in other major cities, because I've worked in them."
He's referring to projects in Atlanta, and Columbia, South Carolina.
There are hurdles to Ujima Village in a city run by an Emergency Manager.
Mike Brown says he's aware of the project, but the city's emphasis is public safety and infrastructure. "It's encouraging in neighborhoods throughout Flint that there are groups looking at improving quality of housing, improving quality of education for kids and looking at economic development. To the extent that there are people working on those types of issues, I think, is important for the city."
Artist renderings portray a clinic run by the Hamilton Community Health Network, however CEO Clarence Pierce says "Hamilton is not in a position to make any comment at this point on this project."
Winfrey, who speaks for Northridge Academy, also heads McCree Theatre and would love the community theatre group to find a home in the arts, trade and technology center at Ujima Village.
"I think the Ujima Village is a very, very outstanding concept, a very worthwhile project, and I think, you know, it's time that our community got behind those who want to 'do,' as opposed to continue talking about the problem," Winfrey said.
According to Flynn, "It's really about our children and it's about improving the quality of life of kids who are right in the abyss of poverty. I see the potential in their eyes when I go to the day care center."
Strozier adds, "I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe this city had a better chance for a better day ahead of us," Strozier said.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sat Aug 09, 2014 7:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Sat Aug 09, 2014 7:25 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Organizer of new Flint charter school looks at options after daycare shuttered
Deante Johnson loads a wheelbarrow with fresh mulch to spread at the playground at 5005 Cloverlawn Dr. on Friday, July 25. The shuttered Flint elementary school will become a charter school in 2015.
Dominic Adams | dadams5@mlive.com By Dominic Adams | dadams5@mlive.com
Follow on Twitter
on August 01, 2014 at 6:00 PM, updated August 01, 2014 at 6:05 PM
FLINT, MI – Plans to have a north side daycare act as a feeder for a planned new charter school are on hold after the state revoked the daycare's license.
The Eagle's Nest Academy is on track to open next year inside the former Selby Elementary School at 5005 Cloverlawn Dr. and originally would have drawn students from an area daycare operated by the group putting the academy together.
The Rev. Reginald Flynn, president the North Flint Reinvestment Corp. and pastor of Foss Avenue Baptist Church, told The Flint Journal that the Eagle’s Nest Child Care Center lost its license to operate as a day care after a bus driver left a child on the bus last winter.
“We just had a bad situation occur,” he said. “It required me to terminate the employees, but it was devastating to me.”
The day care is on a two-year license suspension and Flynn is figuring out what they’ll do after it is up.
The child care facility also was put on a sixth month probation by Michigan’s Department of Human Services prior to the school bus incident, Flynn said.
He said the probation had elapsed at the time the child was left on the bus and Flynn could not remember the specifics of the first incident.
The Flint Journal could not reach the DHS for comment.
Although North Flint Reinvestment Corp. still owns the building, Flynn said the day care has been closed.
“I don’t want this incident to affect our ability to recruit for Eagle’s Nest Academy,” Flynn said. “That was a tragedy. That was a blow to all the work we’ve done to early childhood education.”
In the meantime, the group is moving full steam ahead and will spend the next year working to upgrade the facility.
After purchasing the building for $25,000, Flynn said they’ve already spent an additional $25,000 on repairs at the school. The building was closed by the Flint School District in 1988 and was later purchased by the Urban League of Flint.
“This is going to be a community education center,” Flynn said. “We’re going to have a facility that meets the needs of the total family.”
Parents who want to continue their education will be able to do so at the new charter school, he said.
“If we can grow the knowledge base of the parents – then we’re accomplishing something,” Flynn said.
Flynn said a five-member board for the charter school meets at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.
Dominic Adams is a reporter for The Flint Journal. Contact him at dadams5@mlive.com or 810-241-8803. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+. |
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Sat Aug 09, 2014 7:31 am |
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