State Roundup

Romulus
Home of suburban Detroit mayor is searched by police

ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) — State police say they’ve searched the home of a suburban Detroit mayor as part of an ongoing public corruption investigation.
The search began Monday night at the home of Romulus Mayor Alan Lambert.
Police say Lambert was interviewed and allowed to leave. Police said he’s been cooperative, and numerous items were seized. State police Lt. Michael Shaw says any request for possible charges in the case isn’t expected for at least a month or so.
A message seeking comment from Lambert was left Tuesday by The Associated Press.
Romulus drew attention in 2011 after a former police chief and five detectives were charged in an alleged scheme that used drug forfeiture money to pay for prostitutes, alcohol and marijuana.
Shaw says the search isn’t related to that case.

Flint
Some upset with response to gun in elementary school

FLINT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Some parents are upset that they got letters instead of immediate notification after a first grader brought an unloaded gun to a Flint-area school.
The student showed the gun inside a backpack to another student Monday morning at Dye Elementary School in Genesee County’s Flint Township, The Flint Journal reported. Officials say the other student told a teacher, the backpack was confiscated and police were called.
Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools’ superintendent Steve Tunncliff defended the decision to send a letter, saying officials “were able to determine we had a safe environment very, very quickly.” The principal and a counselor also directly contacted parents with students in the classroom involved.
“There was no question in my mind or the township police that we had a safe situation,” he said.
Three investigations are currently under way by police, school officials and protective services, Tunncliff said. No one was injured.
Jennie Stein has three children attending Dye Elementary and said parents should have been made aware of the situation immediately. She said the school did a “very poor job of informing parents” and the notification was “not acceptable” given the situation.
“We just got a phone call that said they were sending some important information in a letter in the students’ backpack,” Stein said. “We did not receive a phone call until after 4 p.m. They just threw the letter in the backpack and told the parents to find out when they got home.”
Tunncliff said he understood the parents’ concerns, but noted that the situation was under immediately under control. He said the school makes a point to constantly discuss safety issues with students, urging them to keep adults informed if they see or hear anything unsafe.

Flint
Professor: College has culture of racism and ageism

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A Mott Community College professor and a black secretary say there’s a culture of racism that’s become prevalent at the Flint school.
The Flint Journal reports Beverly Bliesath, a business management professor, and Chulindra Cooks spoke Monday at a meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees.
Bliesath also read a letter from a psychology professor who was unable to attend the meeting. It stated that racism and discrimination against people based on their age have created a hostile work environment. Bliesath also appeared before the board at its Feb. 25 meeting.
In a written statement, Mott Community College President Richard Shaink said the complaint is being investigated thoroughly and all allegations are being addressed. Shaink said that the school “takes reports of discriminatory conduct seriously.”

Lansing
Report claims  improvements for migrant workers

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A report released Monday shows that Michigan has made some progress toward improving the lives of the 90,000 migrant and seasonal farmworkers living in the state.
The report says the number of children participating in Migrant Education Programs has increased. The state has also expanded in-season inspections of migrant housing to ensure they follow proper guidelines.
Migrant labor is common up and down western Michigan where growers raise fruit and vegetables.
A 2010 report by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights called the condition of Michigan’s migrant workers “unconscionable.”
A workgroup made up of nine state agencies was formed to implement 15 recommendations, including ensuring migrant and seasonal farmworkers don’t make less than the minimum wage and are informed about their legal rights.a