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:
- Ed Benning, general manager/CEO of Mass Transportation Authority
- 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
- Mezon Green, Flint resident and activist
- 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
- Bishop Roger L. Jones Sr., Greater Holy Temple COGIC
- Charis Lee, Flint attorney and Army veteran
- Casey Lester, Flint School Board Member.
- 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
- Isaiah Oliver, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint
- 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
- Kady Yellow, director of placemaking for the Flint Downtown Development Authority
- Asa Zuccaro, executive director of Latinx
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