Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by L.M. Land
Beverly Lewis, executive director of Hasselbring Senior Center, who is 67 years old, is a former educator who told the Courier the people she has the most compassion for are seniors and babies. She said she spent her last few years in education working with babies, and after retirement, in 2017, she became director of the senior center.
“They’re just like family,” she said of the seniors who utilize the center’s services regularly.
Lewis added: “I know them well, and they know me well.”
After the City of Flint announced it would take over daily operations of the center, Hasselbring Senior Center filed a civil complaint in the Seventh Circuit Court of Genesee County. The civil complaint seeks damages for: alleged lies and misrepresentation, reckless endangerment of the truth and continuous interference.
Lewis stated she has proof of everything she has alleged in the lawsuit.
Alcohol use on the center’s premises was a topic of discussion at a recent press conference held at Cathedral of Faith Church.
The Courier obtained a copy of a proposed lease agreement between the City of Flint and Hasselbring Senior Center made of August 1, 2024.
Lewis said that in her eyes according to the previously proposed agreement: “They were OK with the alcohol as long as they were going to be able to get a percentage of the rentals.”
Section 2(b )of the August 2024 agreement states: “In addition to the rent payment listed above,” (which was stated to be $500 a year and increasing after four years), “the lessee” ( being Hasselbring) “shall pay the City of Flint 10% of any rental fees paid to them by third parties for use of the property or any portion of the property.”
Section 6(a) of the agreement states: “The distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the property must be done in accordance with licenses and permits issued by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MCCC).”
Ed Taylor, City of Flint Chief of Staff told the Courier the agreement was written by the City along with Hasselbring.
He further stated: “It doesn’t matter.”
He pointed out the agreement is now null and void and that alcohol use is prohibited on the city ordinance. He also stated he knew alcohol had been used on the property previously.
The ordinance prohibiting alcohol use on City of Flint property is in Chapter 6, Article 1, Section 6-6 of the Flint City Code of Ordinances.
Taylor said the other reason the center’s current service provider is being evicted is because the Flint City Council’s indefinite postponement of a five-year lease extension. He added negotiations went on for 11 months.
“Negotiations are over,” said Taylor. “There will be no more negotiations. The City is taking over daily operations of the center. We’re not kicking any seniors out. The center is not closing, and there will be more services and better services for the seniors.”
A senior sleepover was held starting on Jan. 5, 2025, the date the center’s service provider was to be evicted. There, seniors played games, ate snacks and watched a football game in which the Detroit Lions won over the Minnesota Vikings.
66-year-old Flint Resident Robert King was one senior who attended the sleepover.
“Due to the fact things are going well, I don’t see why anyone would want to come and take it,” King said of the senior center situation.
“When I heard about this I came to support it,” King added.
King recently became a member of Hasselbring Senior Center.
“I’d been coming with other people I know in the area for a while though,” said King. “…I play card games, play dominoes mostly, and I throw cornhole pretty well. If anyone want to come give me a challenge, they’re welcome.”
King said to the Courier: “If it ain’t broke, why come and try to fix something? I think Ms. Beverly is doing a wonderful job down here.”
“We’re going to continue to do what we do,” said Lewis. “We’re open 8 to 5:30, Monday through Friday. We’re going to continue to do what we do until and unless we’re forced out of here. As of right now, that hasn’t happened. They have more work they need to do. If they want us out, they have more work they need to do.”
The Courier will continue to provide updates on this ongoing news story.
.
