Flint’s Broken System Wasn’t Built Overnight—It’s the Product of Decades of Decay, Activist Says
Community activist Arthur Woodson says systemic corruption, party politics, and a lack of transparency have plagued Flint for generations—and the people are paying the price.
FLINT, Mich. — Community activist and Flint resident Arthur Woodson says the dysfunction plaguing Flint is the result of decades of corruption, failed leadership, and what he describes as a “machine within a machine” in the Democratic Party.
In a wide-ranging interview, Woodson didn’t hold back. “The Democratic Party has always been following my plantation slave owner,” he said. “We send free money to the city and it goes to the 520(c)(3)s and the pastors, the mislead the chiefs into the slaughterhouses.”
Woodson, who has lived in Flint since he was two years old, said the city's problems are deeply entrenched and bipartisan solutions have been elusive. “People are waking up to all that, and they don’t like the fact that we are breaking up their machine,” he said.
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He believes there is an inner circle that controls who gets political power. “You never see a Black person win any county seat unless it’s approved by the white Democratic Party. The voters don’t pick the leaders—the party does,” he said.
Woodson also raised serious concerns about local elections. He said he witnessed evidence of voter roll tampering and irregular ballot counts in recent elections. “It’s blatant corrupt,” he said.
One of the major frustrations for residents, according to Woodson, is the lack of transparency. “I filed a FOIA request in 2019 and still haven’t gotten a response,” he said. “I paid $182 and nothing. That’s breaking the law.”
Woodson also criticized the city's handling of police and fire services. “Flint is the only place I know where you can come in and become a millionaire—just not the average residents,” he said. “We don’t have lawyers who will work pro bono, so they just run over us.”
He said that despite having funding and tools to improve city services, leadership refuses to act. “It’s not that they don’t have it, it’s that they won’t implement it. It’s incompetence. It’s that they don’t care,” Woodson said.
While he was critical of current Mayor Sheldon Neeley, he praised previous administrations like Mayor Karen Weaver’s. “Crime was going down. They hired 33 firefighters. Things were moving in the right direction,” he said. “Neeley is a puppet. He does whatever the higher-ups tell him to do.”
Woodson also leveled criticism at state leaders. “Governor Whitmer had him [Mayor Neeley] stop talking about the water crisis. Attorney General Dana Nessel didn’t hold anyone accountable,” he claimed. “They are the reason people haven’t gotten paid from the water settlement.”
According to Woodson, residents of Flint have largely lost hope. “Only six percent of the city voted,” he said. “They’re tired. They feel like it’s no help.”
He added that many people vote Democrat simply because Republicans don’t show up. “Republicans don’t come and talk to us. Why would I vote for someone who isn’t telling me what they’ll do to help me?”
His solution? “We need a new mayor. We need someone who’s dedicated to fixing Flint. We already have the tools—we just need the leadership willing to use them.”
Woodson said real change won’t come from elected officials or foundations, but from the people. “If we see something wrong, we post it. We go viral. That’s how we fight back.”
Despite the city’s struggles, Woodson remains committed to change. “I care about Michigan and the United States—but I need to fix home first.”
Mr. Woodson is correct. If Mayor Neely is following order from Governor Witless it is because she is getting them from George Sorors, the man who wants to topple the US from the inside out. The man who owns most of the Democratic Party. Somewhere I have a list. They do tell you who to vote for. I want to know who they bought in the Michigan Education Association who thinks every teacher and school employee should vote Democraptic in Michigan. I quit listening to them because I have a brain and know how to use it. I don't need a union telling ME how to vote. Mr. Westerby who commented here first is absolutely correct. As a kid we shopped Smith-Bridgemans, went to the Capital theater. Got shoes from the Stride Right shoe store. We ate downtown. The stores downtown went all out for Christmas. Flint was a wonderful place to be in and around. Even in the early 70s my friends and I went downtown to the movies and ate afterward. Then they built the Genesee Valley Mall. Downtown became a place not to go. Sad. Truly sad. I took my daughter downtown once or twice. It was cool to show her how the Flint Journal was printed. You could stand on the sidewalk and watch it through the windows. I loved going to the Farmer's Market.
I’m older than you fellas and to my memory the hey day for Flint was the 50’s and 60’s. My grandmother took me to Flint with her shopping and we roamed the streets for hours safely. The firehouse on Saginaw was one our favorite places harassing the firemen! Fun times!