Crim 2007

The "Crim" for 2007 appeared to be another success. There was a very good turnout for this annual event considering the weather that took place in the Flint area during the 48 hours prior to the start of the race.

There was rain (and lots of it) beginning on Thursday and on Friday there was more rain, flooding and a tornado! On Saturday, the morning of the race, the skies were still cloudy and dark with rain off and on.

However, that didn't stop the race. There were about 14,000 people entered for the several events that make up the Crim Race. This was my first time to actually view the race. I viewed the race from the sidelines, not as a participant, as I was trying to take photographs of the event. This was made difficult by the rain, dark skies (low light) and a long (slow) lens.

I really hate to say this, but a foot race, (after about 2,000 racers pass by before your eyes) becomes rather boring. However, at about the time I was becoming bored, I began to take more notice of the expressions on the faces of those participating in the race. I was stationed at about the four mile mark and witnessed expressions ranging from what appeared to be exhaustion (near the point of giving up) to laughter and chatter among racers. What a mix of emotions exhibited by the runners! For some strange reason I found that aspect of the race to be very interesting and entertaining.

As a result the day ended up being a fun day for me. With the cooperation of a few breaks in the clouds, the extra light allowed for some decent photos. I'm already looking forward to next year's race and another great showing of support by the residents of the Flint Michigan area.

A Fine Role Model

The vice president of the Flint Board of Education was arrested in Flint on Tuesday, August 21, 2007. Click here to read the article from the Flint Journal reporting the incident. I may also post the article below in the event that the link expires.

Seems some members of the Flint Board of Education have had a difficult time as of late. Recently the president ran up a $3000 cell phone tab which made news. However, she was re-elected to the board, lost the "presidency" title but was then made the treasurer. Perhaps because she could get $3K for her cell phone use it was decided that her real talents were dealing with finances!

And now comes vice president Raymond Hatter. Arrested for driving on a suspended license. As if this isn't bad enough we find that this isn't the first time that Mr. Hatter's license has been suspended. The article reports that his license has been suspended a total (so far) of nine times! Five times for "unpaid tickets or failing to appear in court" and four times for failing to pay "driver's responsibility" fees.

The board's attorney (the board certainly needs one) said that "he doesn't believe such civil infractions would preclude Hatter from serving as an elected official". Now think about that statement for a few minutes...

This guy is arrested, drives while his license is suspended, has had his license suspended nine times, doesn't pay his tickets, doesn't pay "driver responsibility" fees and ignores the judicial process! Yet the board's attorney thinks that such actions are not a detriment to his ability to serve as the vice president of the Board of Education. What a load of adult male bovine excrement!

Any and all members of the Board of Education should have exemplary records and first-class credentials as they are officials that are highly visible in the community and responsible to taxpayers, teachers and students. They are looked to to "do the right thing" when making decisions regarding one of the most important aspects of people's lives: Education!

It appears that Mr. Hatter is far from qualified to administer the duties of such an important public office. Furthermore, as students (at a very impressionable age) look up to those in authority to make proper decisions concerning the student's future those in such authority serve as role models. Mr. Hatter certainly fails at this aspect of his office!

By allowing Mr. Hatter to continue to hold office we will be sending the wrong message to thousands of young people. We will, in effect, be telling them that it is OK to be irresponsible, disobedient of the law and contemptuous of the courts, the duties of his elected office, and those people that he was elected to serve. Those personal characteristics are NOT acceptable in society and should certainly not be tolerated of those in public office.

In short, Mr. Hatter should be immediately removed from office by the overwhelming demand of the citizenry!

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