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Paul Keep
Hidden gems prove Flint has potential to rebound
FLINT JOURNAL COLUMN
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Sunday, April 30, 2006
By Paul M. Keep
JOURNAL COLUMNIST
I surprise some people when I tell them it is hard for me and my family to leave
the Flint area.
After my upcoming move to Muskegon was announced, I had many people who aren't
from the area suggest I must be feeling relieved or happy to be leaving Flint.
This reaction, of course, can be traced right back to the terrible image our
home has in the minds of many people who live outside Genesee County. But they
don't really know us, do they?
I certainly don't deny we have problems to work on here, but I'm quick to point
out the many good things about living in the Flint area. Because of the bad
reputation, we have many gems that outsiders have not yet discovered.
In time, I believe they will.
Among many other things, Flint can boast of a vibrant farmer's market, a
comprehensive cultural center with many renovated components, beautiful campuses
at the University of Michigan-Flint, Mott Community College and Kettering
University and a re-awakening of downtown commercial and residential
development.
The biggest miracle in Flint may be the still-new subdivision - University Park
Estates - that was built on Flint's north side in an area where blight used to
rule. It is a thriving neighborhood now that gives hope to all who live and work
nearby.
The rest of Genesee County has much to offer as well. My family and I chose to
live in Flushing and have enjoyed its small-town rhythms. There are many other
wonderful "bedroom" communities that offer a range of life experiences and
charm.
And, yes, it is true that some parts of Genesee County are doing much better
than other parts. That is bad enough, but the real shame is thinking that is OK.
That serious challenges affecting a large number of people just a few miles away
can be ignored is unacceptable and a failure of local leadership.
We will climb higher as a community - Flint and the rest of the county together
- when we help each other up the ladder as opposed to tearing each other down
when we think someone has a leg up on us.
All this was on my mind on a recent airplane flight from Florida back to
Michigan. A line of thunderstorms was in our path and the pilot did an excellent
job of steering us through the bad weather with a minimum of turbulence for the
passengers. We adjusted to changing circumstances and moved up or down as needed
to stay out of trouble.
That is what good leadership in a community does, too.
As we made our way north, the pilot seemed to be guiding us between the most
beautiful collection of vertical clouds I've ever seen. Then, at times, the
plane was enveloped in a fog that reduced visibility to zero.
Good leadership sets a course and is able to persevere through life's ups and
downs.
Through it all, we knew where we were headed and that we were getting there the
best possible way for everyone aboard the plane.
My wish for the Flint area is that it can identify and support the kind of local
leadership that will promote such smooth sailing here in future years.
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