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Flint pastors complain about "dysfunction" at city hall

steve carmody
/
Michigan Radio
Rev. Herbert Miller (at podium) talks to the news media during a Flint city hall news conference

Flint pastors says it’s time for an end to the city’s dysfunctional government.

Mayor Karen Weaver and a majority of the city council have spent months battling over city contracts and other issues. In protest, the city council recently decided not to vote on the mayor’s resolutions for 30 days.

Members of Flint’s Concerned Pastors for Social Action, who’ve supported Weaver in the past, say it’s time for the bickering to stop. The pastors held a news conference at city hall to express their frustration with the growing rift inside city hall.

Pastor Herbert Miller says the squabbling is justifying the perception the city can govern itself.

“In my humble option our city government is fractured and it is dysfunctional at best,” says Miller.

The pastors don’t fault the mayor for the problems at city hall. 

The pastors singled out councilman Scott Kincaid. They want Kincaid to apologize publicly for likening the mayor to a "dictator" and a "small child" in need of correction.

Kincaid has led the city council’s efforts to prevent the mayor from hiring a new trash hauler, over the objections of a majority of the city council. The council voted 8-1 to keep the old garbage company on the job.

The pastors say they will act if Kincaid fails to apologize. But they declined to say what that action may be. 

But other people watching the news conference shouted out that they would push to recall the long-time city council member. 

No comment from either councilman Kincaid or Mayor Karen Weaver about the pastors’ comments.  

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
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