Flint Announces Task Force To Advise When And How To Safely Reopen The City

Press release from the City of Flint:

FLINT, Michigan—Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley announced today that he is forming a blue ribbon task force that will help advise when and how to safely bring the city back online as restrictions are eased.

The task force will be made up of a cross section of professionals, community leaders and residents representing different sectors of the community.

“This task force will help to make sure we remain proactive and responsible as we move toward reopening businesses in the coming weeks and months,” Mayor Neeley said. “We will continue to make protecting the health, safety, and welfare of our residents our Number 1 priority and this task force will ensure all voices have a chance to be heard as we navigate through these unprecedented times.”

As COVID-19 began spreading in the state of Michigan, the City of Flint quickly emerged as a municipal leader by proactively responding to the widespread public health crisis:

The City of Flint is the only local entity to appoint a medical adviser on coronavirus.

The City of Flint was the second city in Michigan to declare a State of Emergency.

The City of Flint declared a State of Emergency 8 days before the first positive cases in Genesee County.

The City of Flint launched a water reconnection program 16 days before the state ordered all communities to start similar programs.

The City of Flint is the only community in Michigan to create a Water Payment Assistance program in response to COVID-19

The City of Flint was the first city in Michigan to implement a curfew.

The City of Flint remains under curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. everyday. Mayor Neeley extended his initial 30-day executive order for two additional weeks, coinciding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s extension of her statewide stay home order.

“We have to remain steadfast to protect life and be proactive in our actions. This task force will allow us to resurrect our city in a better and stronger way,” Mayor Neeley said.

Members of the task force so far include:

Gerard Burnash, director of the Flint Downtown Development Authority

Maurice Davis, vice president of Flint City Council

Kate Fields, finance chair of Flint City Council

Chief Phil Hart of the Flint Police Department

Pastor Jeffrey Hawkins of Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church

Tim Herman, CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce

Charis Lee, Flint attorney and Army veteran

Pastor Daniel Moore of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, president of the Michigan State Medical Society

Quincy Murphy, Flint resident and activist

State Rep. Cynthia Neeley, D-Flint

Bryant Nolden, county commissioner

Dr. Lawerence Reynolds, medical adviser for the City of Flint

Anita Steward, interim superintendent of Flint Community Schools

Beverly Walker-Griffea, president of Mott Community College

Brenda Williams, Flint attorney

Katy Yellow, director of placemaking for the Flint Downtown Development Authority

Asa Zuccaro, executive director of Latinx

This press release was produced by the City of Flint. The views expressed here are the author’s own.