Dayne Walling
92nd Mayor of Flint
In office
August 6, 2009 – November 3, 2015
Preceded byMichael Brown (acting)
Succeeded byKaren Weaver
Karegnondi Water Authority Board of Trustees Chair
In office
October 26, 2010 – November 25, 2015
DeputyGregory L. Alexander
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byGregory L. Alexander
Personal details
Born (1974-03-03) March 3, 1974[1]
Political partyDemocratic[2]
SpouseCarrie[3]
ChildrenBennett, Emery[3]
ResidenceKensington Avenue[1]
Alma mater

Dayne Walling (born March 3, 1974) is an American politician who was the mayor of Flint, Michigan from 2009 to 2015. Although the Flint mayor's office is a nonpartisan position, Walling is a member of the Democratic Party.[2]

Life

Early life and education

Walling was born on March 3, 1974 to two Flint schools educators. In 1992, he graduated from Flint Central High School.[1]

Walling then earned a bachelor's degree in social relations from Michigan State University. He attended the University of Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship getting a bachelor's in modern history. He followed that with a master's degree in urban affairs from Goldsmiths, University of London.[1]

Public life

Walling began his public service career in the mayor's office in Washington, DC. For over two years, he worked as manager of research and communication. During that time, Walling was a founder and president of the Flint Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization.[4] Walling had also served as U.S. Rep. Dale E. Kildee's Field coordinator and worked to get out the vote for National Voice.[1]

He then became a policy advocate for Urban Coalition of Minnesota and was a doctoral candidate at University of Minnesota. After an April 2004 Flint forum, Walling decided to move back to Flint to run for mayor. In May 2006, Walling and his family moved to Kensington Avenue in Flint. He worked for one year as a senior research fellow at the Genesee County Land Bank.[1]

Political career

In the 2007 primary, Walling was one of seven candidates for mayor.[1] Walling made it to the general election along with Don Williamson.[5] Walling received support by the Michigan Democratic Party[2] but lost to Williamson.[6] On August 4, 2009, Walling won the special general mayoral election over Genesee County Commissioner Brenda Clack to replace Williamson after his resignation.[7]

One of Mayor Walling's appointments came under scrutiny by the public and city council, after he appointed Donna Poplar as human resource director. Poplar was fired from her job as Genesee County Community Action Agency Director in 1999 and convicted of a felony which was later expunged.[8]

David Davenport, a school board member, filed recall language with the county election commission, which approve the language that named cutting fire and police protection as reasons for the recalled. In the third quarter 2010, recall petitions were turned in by the Committee to Recall Dayne Walling were rejected for signature issues. The committee attempted to have those signature reinstated by the courts.[9]

On October 26, 2010,[10] the Karegnondi Water Authority Board of Trustees met for the first time with representatives from the incorporating counties and cities.[11] Walling was elected chair.[10]

In his bid to be re-elected, Walling came in first in the nonpartisan general primary on August 2, 2011 with Darryl Buchanan taking second to face off with him in the general election in November.[12] On November 8, 2011, Walling defeated Buchanan 8,819 votes (56%) to 6,868 votes (44%).[13]

On the date of his re-election, the Michigan State review panel declared the City of Flint to be in state of a "local government financial emergency".[14] His authority as Flint Mayor was superseded by the appointment by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder of Michael Brown as the city's Emergency Manager on November 29 effective December 1.[15] After a series of emergency manager on April 30, 2015, the state moved the city from under from an emergency manager receivership to a Receivership Transition Advisory Board.[16] On July 1, 2014, Walling as mayor was given operating authority over two city departments, Planning and Development and Public Works, by Flint emergency manager Darnell Earley.[17]

During his first campaign for mayor, Walling promised to spearhead a new master plan for the city of Flint. The plan then in place was over 50 years old.[18] In October 2013, the citizens of Flint adopted the first new master plan since 1960.[19] Over 5,000 Flint residents took part in the process to craft a road map for Flint's future. The Imagine Flint Master Plan now serves as a guide for City operations and a blueprint for new developments.[20] The plan has won numerous awards and is only the third plan in the city's history.[21]

Walling served as the chair of the national Manufacturing Alliance of Communities from 2013 through 2015. As chair, he championed Flint's role in the transformation of the U.S. manufacturing industry. Walling also led the Maker Mayors effort which led to the first-ever Maker Faire at the White House with President Obama.[22]

In late 2014, Walling became an instructor at the University of Michigan-Flint for its fall semester teaching POL 324: Seminar in Applied Politics – Institutional & Leadership Practices.[23]

Flint water crisis

In 2014, the City of Flint began undertaking a water supply switch-over from Lake Huron to the Flint River.[24] After the switch was made, residents immediately complained about the smell, taste, and color of the water, as well as skin problems after bathing.[25] State and city officials reassured the public that Flint's water was safe, with Mayor Walling personally testifying to its safety by drinking the water on local television and tweeting that he and his family drink Flint water every day.[26][27]

In early September 2015, Walling requested an additional $10 million from the state government to replace water service lines with lead or lead solder and for the city to step up development of a corrosion control plan to be finished by the end of the year.[28] After meeting with Doctor Mona Hanna-Attisha, the lead doctor of the Hurley Hospital Lead Study, Walling issued an advisory on lead while the state still had issue with the study.[29] Doctors recommended ending the use of the Flint river as a water supply, but were told in a meeting with Walling and other city officials that such a move would bankrupt the city.[28]

The water crisis was at the center of the November 2015 election.[26] Walling ultimately lost his re-election bid to Karen Weaver.[30][31]

Later career

On Monday, January 29, 2018, Walling declared that he was a candidate for the 49th District State House seat to replace term limited Phil Phelps.[32] He was defeated by in the Democratic primary by John Cherry on August 7, receiving the second most votes.[33]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Chick Whiteside, Mary Ann (May 15, 2007). "Dayne Walling". Flint Journal. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Raymer, Marjory (October 22, 2007). "State Dems take aim at Williamson". Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Kristin, Longley (6 August 2009). "Mayor Dayne Walling lays out priorities at swearing in ceremony, pledges to keep police chief". Flint Journal. Flint, Michigan: Booth Newspapers. Archived from the original on 12 August 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  4. ↑ Bach, Matt (November 13, 2007). "The Flint Club". Flint Journal. Flint, Michigan: Booth Newspapers. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  5. ↑ Raymer, Marjory (August 9, 2007). "Two white candidates make history". Flint Journal. Flint, Michigan: Booth Newspapers. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  6. ↑ Murphy, Shannon (February 9, 2009). "3 comments Timeline: Don Williamson's reign as Flint mayor marked by success, controversy, disputes". The Flint Journal. MLive Media Group. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Mayor-Elect Dayne Walling To Be Sworn In". wnem.com. Meredith Corporation. August 6, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  8. ↑ Longley, Kristin (August 25, 2009). "Latest Flint appointment sparks controversy; Donna Poplar named personnel chief". Flint Journal. MLive Media Group. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  9. ↑ Longley, Kristin (September 2, 2010). "Who's pushing recall effort? Committee to Recall Dayne Walling takes fight to court". The Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Thorne, Blake (October 27, 2010). "Karegnondi Water Authority sets course for cutting ties with Detroit water". The Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  11. ↑ Fonger, Ron (October 23, 2010). "Years in the making, Karegnondi Water Authority is ready to set new course for water". The Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  12. ↑ Longley, Kristin (August 3, 2011). "Darryl Buchanan declares 2nd place finish to Mayor Dayne Walling in Flint mayoral primary election". Flint Journal. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  13. ↑ Longley, Kristin (November 9, 2011). "About 19 percent of voters turned out to re-elect Flint Mayor Dayne Walling". Flint Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  14. ↑ Longley, Kristin (November 9, 2011). "Dayne Walling re-elected mayor as state declares financial emergency in Flint". Flint Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  15. ↑ Longley, Kristin (November 29, 2011). "Former Acting Mayor Michael Brown named Flint's emergency manager". Flint Journal. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  16. ↑ Fonger, Ron (April 29, 2015). "'A heavy burden' lifted from Flint as Gov. Rick Snyder declares end of financial emergency". Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  17. ↑ Fonger, Ron (June 4, 2014). "Flint Mayor Dayne Walling gets new authority from emergency manager". Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  18. ↑ "'Imagine Flint' master plan process takes center stage during forum". MLive.com. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Flint City Council approves first master plan since 1960". MLive.com. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Inside Flint's First Master Plan Since 1960". Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Flint community, staff receive Michigan Association of Planning award for city master plan". MLive.com. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Mayor Dayne Walling and Flint 'maker' headed to White House inaugural Maker Faire". Flint Journal. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  23. ↑ Schuch, Sarah (July 25, 2014). "Political perspective: Flint Mayor Dayne Walling to teach course at University of Michigan-Flint". Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  24. ↑ Adams, Dominic (April 14, 2014). "City switch to Flint River water slated to happen Friday". mlive.com. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  25. ↑ "A timeline of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  26. 1 2 Ganim, Sara; Tran, Linh (January 11, 2016). "How tap water became toxic in Flint, Michigan". CNN. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  27. ↑ Fonger, Ron (April 2, 2015). "Flint Mayor Dayne Walling: I drink Flint water every day". Michigan Live. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  28. 1 2 Fonger, Ron (September 25, 2015). "Elevated lead found in more Flint kids after water switch, study finds". The Flint Journal. MLive Media Group. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  29. ↑ Fonger, Ron (September 24, 2015). "State says data shows no link to Flint River, elevated lead in blood". The Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  30. ↑ Fonger, Ron (November 4, 2015). "Results: Flint mayor's race, other 2015 Genesee County elections". Mlive. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  31. ↑ Fonger, Ron (November 4, 2015). "Karen Weaver unseats Dayne Walling to win Flint mayor". Mlive. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Former Flint Mayor Dayne Walling announces bid for State House". ABC12 News. January 29, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Dayne Walling". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
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