Flint mayor Dayne Walling won re-election last night. But it may end up being a temporary victory.
"Tonight…you can see…that the people of the city of Flint…are behind me and my administration," Walling told a cheering crowd at his victory party last night.
Dayne Walling celebrated his win last night with jubilant supporters. But they all knew that earlier in the day, Governor Snyder accepted a report that said the city of Flint is in a financial emergency.
The governor is expected to appoint an emergency manager to run the city. Flint officials could appeal the decision. But Walling says he’s prepared to work with a manager appointed by the governor.
“I’ll do whatever I can to move our city forward," says Walling, "The people have clearly spoken tonight. It’s been two very difficult years. But now I have a full four year term. I’m proud of what we’ve done over the last two years.”
Walling singled out four city unions that have resisted contract concessions, as part of the reason why Flint is mired in debt.
