Sunday debate brings business boost to Flint

[Siwsan]

To set the stage for down town Flint, most of the restaurants/bars in the down town area are NON-CHAIN establishments. The are local, unique businesses that use local resources. I'll give a shout out to 'The Torch' that is mentioned in this article. It is a fantastic 'dive' bar with the best burgers in the state. But, I digress. I hope people will carry the message that Flint is a wonderful vibrant town that has been victimized by a selfish, cruel, greedy and heartless governor.

Sunday debate brings business boost to city

The stage is set for a big weekend in Flint.

The Flint water crisis will be front and center.

"We're kind of the canary in the mine, and so for us, it's a big deal," said resident Mark Thorton.

People in Flint saw some movement as crews broke ground to replace lead pipes.

Residents hope to hear former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders address Flint and the country's infrastructure.

They say it will be an important topic in their race for the White House.

"We have an old infrastructure, so it's not necessarily the flint water problem, it's what the country's infrastructure problem is," said Randy Thomas, Genesee County resident.

The final preparations are made before the two Democrats take the stage to address those very issues.

Local businesses are preparing for a busy weekend of their own.

Photographers, producers, political people all looking for a place to eat and drink.

"Hopefully they'll be coming in and excited about everything Flint has to offer," said Nolan Ward.

Ward is the manager of the Torch Bar and he's already received quite a bit of interest.

"We had some people call the other day and they said that if we can have 65 people in here, then they would try to fill our bar up, as long as we can air the debate on the TVs and have the volume turned up and everything that they'd be in," Ward said.

And they're also filling hotels, several have no vacancy this weekend.

"The Democratic Party has two really good candidates and I think it's come down to where we're thinking, OK, who can pull the job off?" Thorton said.

This weekend, we just may get the answer.

"This is actually probably the most positive thing that I've seen Flint have the spotlight on itself since I've lived here," Thomas said.



Read more: http://www.wnem.com/story/31392077/sunday-debate-brings-business-boost-to-city#ixzz42AnuP2mw

[MADem]

1. The debate is in Flint because Hillary insisted upon it. It was a good move. nt

[Siwsan]

2. As a Bernie supporter, I have repeatedly given Hillary total credit for this debate

And given her the grateful shout outs that she absolutely deserves.

Senator Sanders was the first to publicly call for Snyder's recall/resignation.

I think that both candidates are passionate about their support for this city.

[MADem]

3. They've been ignored in Flint for far too long.

There are lots of towns and cities like this. Some big, some small--but all in need of a little help and maybe an economic boost.

A lot of them are up in northern Maine. If some one of these "tech start up" guys could find a way to decide that it was "cool" to live up in Maine, where the outdoor life is prized, the air is clean, the water too--they've got a willing workforce up there. Flint looks like they've got a willing workforce, too. They need an anchor industry or three...maybe tax incentives would bring them in.