Worried Flint worker testifies

FLINT - Brennan Community Center employee Tony Cole told the Flint City Council on Thursday night that he was on city time when he painted equipment at Woodlawn Park before a campaign picnic organized by supporters of Patsy Lou Williamson, the mayor's wife.

"I'm going to have to really watch my back now," Cole said, fearing for his job. "Something's really going to happen to me."

In the unusual investigative hearing, council members questioned a number city employees and residents, including Mayor Don Williamson, after allegations arose that city funds and workers were used to further Patsy Lou Williamson's campaign for state Senate, primarily for her campaign picnic.

Using taxpayer-funded resources, such as city employees, in a political campaign is against the law.

If the allegations are found to be true, some city administrators might be fired.

Mayor Williamson was the first of an expected 15 people to testify throughout the next week.

"I never asked any employees to work for my wife's campaign," Williamson told the council during his 30-minute testimony.

After the questioning, Williamson remarked on the council's actions.

"Without a doubt, I've seen a lot of ridiculous things in my life, but this has got to be the top of the muck," he said to the council.

Each council member questioned witnesses for three minutes.

Much of the mayor's 30-minute testimony was spent clarifying the scope of the hearing - whether it should question only work done in connection with the campaign picnic or with the entire Patsy Lou Williamson campaign.

Cole, the second person questioned, said city Parks and Recreation Director Bob Cook told him to do the work at Woodlawn Park, including purchasing paint and applying it to a swing set and slide to correspond with the picnic theme - the University of Michigan vs. Michigan State University.

"Usually, we basically pick our own colors," Cole said about choosing paint. "But for this event it would be green and white and blue and gold."

He said Cook also told him to accommodate Mercedes Kinnee, a campaign volunteer who organized the picnic, with whatever she needed. Cole, who has worked in the department for a little more than a year, said other tasks should have been completed that day.

"We've got grass to cut, too, and other facilities we need to maintain that were brushed aside," he said. "It took away from people who should have been on machinery and weed-whacking."

When asked why he didn't voice his concerns at the time, Cole replied he was afraid of being "insubordinate."

"Who's going to pay my bills if something goes down early, if you know what I mean?" he said. "I just kept my mouth shut."

Also brought up at the meeting was a letter signed by various city employees, swearing they've never worked for the campaign during work hours. Cole, who said part of his shift that day was overtime, said he was asked to sign the letter, but didn't.

"I felt uncomfortable signing it," he said.

Cole also said he saw Patsy Lou Williamson campaign signs transported in city vehicles and inside Pierce Community Center. Council members continued to ask him why he didn't bring the issue up to his superiors.

"It's bad enough that I'm up here telling the truth right now," he said. "I didn't want to file a grievance. I don't want any trouble. I'm paid to keep my mouth shut and do my job."

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