Don Williamson's tenure as Mayor

[Pachuco]

I would like to hear from you first then I'll vote and tell why.

[dnast]

I'll say mediocre. The street paving has been better than it has in years, and the city seems to be fighting blight somewhat better. The budget is still intact, and racial/social tension seems to be better than just two years ago (he's really trying to pay attention and provide for a broad range of residents and never brings up race).

However, he really dropped the ball with CDBF grants and HUD money. I believe he was also wrong for holding up money owed to contractors for doing work that started before he took office. I know he meant well by trying to make sure that city money was being used properly, but he also hurt the good guys in the process. A lot of non-profits are now closing shop because of the lack of funds. He also made a big mistake by publicly attacking the city council, city employees, and county officials so much as soon as he took office. Now, they aren't so willing to work with him and it's hurting the city.

Overall, I think the city is in better shape in most aspects except for charity funds and the recent crime wave (which I don't blame him for, of course). I do believe that could've accomplished a lot more had he not made these mistakes and could've been the hero he wanted to be. Luckily he has time to learn from the mistakes and can hopefully admit them to himself as well as learn from them. I'm hoping he can stay and help the city and learn to get along with others until a younger leader with great vision can take his place and get the city completely back on track.

[RustTown]

I don't know if my opinion means much since I don't know much about Flint, but I'm pretty familiar with your guy's last mayor. Compared to him, Williamson seems like a Donald Trump. For as average as Williamson may be, he must be many times better than the last mayor.

[Pachuco]

Well the streets are paved,downtown is having a rennasaince,housing projects are popping up all around the city, blight is slowly, but surely becoming less noticiable, and Flint has seen a large surplus in the treasury, I''ll say he's doing a b+job , a good job. Plus though smoe do not like, h e's cleaning house from the Stanley administration.

Now on the bad side, The war with the city council is stopping major project to be postponed or stopped completely and millions of HUD money is at stake. And there has been 3 recalls against him in less than a year, which is hurting the image of Flint and a horrible misuse of a recall.

[dnast]

Don't get me wrong. I think in his second year he can make "good" progress. I like his approach of spending money fixing up the appearance of the city to attract/keep residents and businesses instead throwing tax abatements out there and waiting for something to happen.

I don't give him any credit for most of what's happening downtown, though. Except for the Rowe building and possibly Brown Sugar Cafe, all of these other projects were announced before he took office. While running for mayor he highly critisized city officials for spending money on the Saginaw St. streetscape project and the arches. Thankfully, he seems to have learned the value of downtown and worked to get sewer/water lines fixed downtown and approved building a new parking ramp for the coming businesses and residents downtown.

One big mar on his record is the fact that he seemed to be so much against bringing a casino to Flint and then months later we find out that his company has been in talks with the same tribe to bring a casino to their property a couple of miles outside the city limits in Mt. Morris township.

I tend to be too positive about Flint and what's happening here, so I had to make sure I took a look at the big picture. He's doing a good job in some aspects, but there are some things that I can't look past.

That being said, the optimist in me won't let me harp on the bad and I'm really hoping the progress can be accelerated in the months and years to come. I think Mr. Williamson is a person that can get the job done. Let's hope he wholeheartedly steps up to the plate and follow through with his vision while accepting certain aspects of others'.

[Pachuco]

I think he was was so against a casino is because he wanted to build factories there.

[VeeFan]

Financially he has been an asset to the city; but politically and socially he's a different story. He's made no secret that he thinks his way is the only way to accomplish things, and he has no guilt about who he's had to alienate to get his goals accomplished. It's not surprising why the city council doesn't get along with him, and why so many nonprofits despise him.

I wouldn't associate the redevelopment with him also, considering how many times he's butted heads with the developers, and in some cases held up the projects. If he donated some of his own money to these projects, instead of solely funding his own projects, then he could deserve some praise for helping downtown.

[Pachuco]

Off topic, but Johnine Coleman and Ed taylor are finished. They are rude, they led the city into debt,insult residents, are power hungry, and are a just a bunch of sorelosers who just don't like the don.