Undercover?

Last Wednesday, the City of Flint’s new interim deputy police chief, Sgt. Tim Johnson, took control of the new task force recently installed by Mayor Don Williamson. The announcement was made during a story aired on ABC12 News. It was very strange to see two of Flint’s officers, dressed in full uniforms, standing behind the Don and Sgt. Johnson with their faces pixelated because they are undercover police.

These brilliant law enforcers had to know they were going to be on television given they were surrounded by Channel 12 News cameras and lights. You just wonder how bright they could possibly be, or were they just vying for an excellent photo opportunity with his honor and the new chief. “Hi mom!”

I would not trust this new task force to solve shoplifting crimes, let alone anything major. They will be working between 8 p.m.-4:30 a.m. to ferret out the crime problems currently facing Flint. Maybe they should be working undercover, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., throughout our high schools and city streets.

“I’m going to continue to work very hard to suppress the crime that’s actually in this city, to move it out,” Sgt. Johnson said during the interview. “That’s what we’ve been doing. That’s what we’re going to continue to do.”

Move the crime to where Sgt. Johnson? Grand Blanc? Flushing? Clio?

General Motors again stuck it to Flint – pulling the plug on the new Volt engine plant. UAW Local 599, once the organization which held the fate of all Buick workers, has been jolted by the Volt decision. Mayor Williamson and Local 599 President Bill Jordan continue to show its members confidence the engine will still be manufactured in Flint.

GM is equal to a spoiled child. You provide the child with all the cake, ice cream and gifts he or she wants, and they still let you down. Mark this writer’s words – that engine will not be produced in Flint, or even in the United States. Williamson will soon be history, and Jordan, along with his union brothers, will be waiting for their checks in an unemployment line.

Flint needs to realize manufacturing jobs are gone. Get over it, and let’s move in a positive direction. A college community with an emphasis on medical education seems to be a reasonable solution to revitalize downtown, once again making Flint a vibrant, thriving community.