As many of you know, there are several important races going on THIS year: state legislative races, local races, mayoral races. I'd like to blog today about one such race: the race for mayor of Flint, Michigan.
I grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, and went to the University of Michigan-Flint. While I live on the east coast now, I still have connections to both cities: family, and friends.
And there's a person that I know that is actually running for Mayor of Flint...and he's deserving of our support.
His name is Dayne Walling. Recently, a buddy of mine told me he was running for Mayor. My friend and I knew him awhile ago back when we were in college when we worked at a Model United Nations conference with him. I vaguely remembered...good kid, I thought.
Then, at my friend's mention, I checked out his race for Mayor. I was astounded to learn what Dayne brought to the table:
Growing up in Flint, Dayne knows that it is hard working people who have made this city what it is today. His parents, both lifelong educators, are his role models. They showed him that hard work pays off. From his job as a lifeguard at Bluebell Beach to his work with the Urban Coalition and National Voice in Minneapolis, he has shown the courage to face tough challenges for the sake of the community.
For Dayne, leadership starts with listening. Like one of the most famous Rhodes Scholars, President Bill Clinton, Dayne is a dedicated public servant. Dayne has learned from the best teachers across the globe, so when his career began as a manager and resource analyst for Washington, DC's mayor Anthony Williams, Dayne was able to bring his own talent and the expertise learned from his advisors to begin to revitalize our nation's capital following Marion Barry's failed administration. Drawing on the lessons he learned while organizing in Lansing's neighborhoods as a student at MSU, and volunteering with community groups in Flint, Dayne coordinated grants and partnerships that created over 30 million dollars in economic, education, and housing funds for DC’s community groups and local government agencies.
Dayne Walling is a Flint original and he brings a world of experience back to his home town. Dayne knows that people in Flint have the skills and the dedication to bring opportunity back, and he already knows the groups in Flint which have been working for many years to improve the city. By founding and building Flint Club, he has seen the potential of his often maligned home town. Most recently, Dayne has worked for the Genesee Institute at the Genesee County Land Bank to develop new ways for citizens and community groups to be involved in redevelopment. As Mayor, he will work with those citizens and community groups so that City Government, in partnership with all of Flint's citizens, can join in the hard work of rebuilding the city.
I was surprised to learn this kid I knew back in college had accomplished so much. Rhodes scholar. Resource manager for the nation's capital. Community organizer.
But what astounded me even more is that he has the true calling of public service. Here's a young man, only 33 years old, who has lived and worked around the nation, incredibly bright...
and he has returned to his hometown to serve.
Even more amazing is the interesting dynamics behind this race. This is obstensibly a non-partisan election, but the worst kept secret is that the incumbent, Don Williamson, is a true DINO. He has given campaign contributions to Herr President. And it's ticked off the Michigan Democratic Party so much that they've taken the unusual step of endorsing Dayne in a non-partisan election.
Check out his endorsements. Dayne is exactly the remedy the City of Flint, so downtrodden for so many years, needs.
I can't think of a better candidate to get behind in 2007 if you are a member of the netroots.
Young, smart, energetic, visionary, committed, progressive.
So, if you can, show Dayne some support financially. I already did.
And if you live near Flint, and can tear yourself away from the UM-MSU game this weekend for a few hours, call up their campaign. I'm sure they could use your help knocking on some doors.
Thanks for reading.