My City November 2022

MYHISTORY

Dayne Walling (2009-15)

Don Williamson (2003-09)

Born in Flint in 1974,Walling graduated from Flint Central High School in 1992 and went on to attend Michigan State University where he earned a degree in social relations.Next, he attended the University of Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, receiving a degree in modern history.He then received a master’s degree in urban affairs fromGoldsmiths,University of London.Upon his return to the U.S.,Walling worked in the mayor’s office inWashington,D.C. as manager of research and communication.While there, he founded and served as president of the Flint Club, a 501c3 non-profit acting as a network of people who care about the City of Flint.Walling then served as Rep.Dale Kildee’s field coordinator. In 2007, he returned to Flint and ran for mayor, narrowly losing to incumbent Don Williamson.After Williamson’s resignation in 2009,Walling ran against and defeated Brenda Clack.As mayor,Walling chaired the Economic Development Corp., Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Downtown Development Authority and Genesee Chamber of Commerce Energy Committee. In 2010, he was named chair of the Karegnondi Water Authority Board. In 2011, he lost all mayoral powers on the day of his reelection when Flint was declared in a state of “local government financial emergency”with the office of mayor taken over by a state-appointed financial manager. In 2013,Walling made good on one of the promises made during his first term when the city adopted its first new master plan since 1960.Over 5,000 residents took part in its creation.Dubbed the “Imagine Flint Master Plan” it has won numerous awards and still serves as a guide for new developments. In 2014,Walling was given authority over the Planning and Development, and PublicWorks Departments, restoring some mayoral powers. In 2014, the city made the switch fromDetroit water to the Flint River withWalling famously taking a drink on television and personally testifying to its safety.This, in conjunction with the ensuing water crisis, would cause him to lose the next election.After his mayoral tenure,Walling would own and manage 21st Century Performance – a company that works with and aids non-profit entities. He also became an instructor at UM-Flint, Saginaw Valley State and Central Michigan Universities, and acts as principal and senior policy advisor for 21p/m/c Policy &Management Consulting. In 2018, Walling ran for State House of Representatives, losing to John Cherry in the primary.

Controversial fromthe get-go,DonWilliamson’s tenure asmayor was awhirlwind of activity.Hewas born inFlint in 1934, one of eight children living onKearsleyDr.He left school after eighth grade and later entered theworld of business. In 1962,Williamsonwas convicted of several business scams including passing bad checks,was incarcerated for three years and thenparoled.After serving time, he started a variety of successful businesses includingRuggedBedLine,Colonel’s International, andBrainerd International Raceway.After hismarriage to PatsyLou in 1972, they started the very successful PatsyLouAutomotive Group. In 1999, he ran formayor against incumbentWoodrowStanley and lost by a landslide. Immediately after Stanley’s recall,Williamson threwhis hat in the ring against FloydClack.His campaignwas rather unorthodoxwithWilliamsonusing his ownmoney to clean the streets andneighborhoods while overseeing the project wearing aworkman’s hardhat.He promised to do the jobwithout taking a salary and voters were swayed – hewas elected by a largemargin.As soon as taking office, Williamsonbegan feudingwith theCityCouncil and localmedia. He banned all readingmaterials unrelated to city business fromCity Hall andhad a Flint Journal carrier arrested for refusing to divulge the identity of city employee subscribers.He described theCityCouncil as “about as valuable as puke on a brand-newcarpet.” Inhis first four years inoffice,Williamsonworkedwithin a balanced budget.During the 2007 election againstDayneWalling,Williamson foundhimself in hot water.Hewas accused of bribing citizens for votes whenhe handed out nearly $20,000 at the car dealershipPatsyLou owned as part of a “CustomerAppreciationDay.”Eachpersonwho receivedmoneywas givenhis campaign literature.During the election, he also claimed the city had an $8milliondollar surplus; but after his electionwin, auditors found a $4milliondeficit. Inorder to balance the budget,Williamson fired 60 employees and proposed an additional loss of 174 employees, 21 jail security guards, 59 police officers, nine firefighters, and closure of the city jail.By 2018, the deficit grew to $9million at which time a recall petitionwas submittedwith the election scheduled for 2009.Williamson resigned just weeks before the recall electiondue to ill health.After leaving office, he erected a bronze statue of himself inDavisonTownship inscribedwith themotto,“Success is the best revenge.”DonWilliamson died in 2019 and theWilliamsonFoundationwas founded inhonor of Don andPatsyLou.

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