Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
A group of pastors and community leaders recently held a meeting with Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet to talk about matters of immense concern to much of the Flint community. The meeting was held on Thursday, January 29, at Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.
McDonald Rivet talked with the community leaders about the federal budget, highlighting parts that are of great importance to Flint within the Department of Health and Human Services budget. She shared that one part of the budget could help ensure the residents of Flint receiving Water Crisis settlement checks make sure the federal government doesn’t take back any of their money.
“We’ve been fighting from day one to make sure that the Flint Registry continues to be funded, which is so important for so many people here and across the city,” stated McDonald Rivet. “We’ve been fighting to ensure that our residents don’t go hungry and that they maintain their health insurance. All of that has been a really big battle in Washington, DC as we see this administration try to strip away programs that people really rely on.
“The piece that I talked about really specifically related to the Water Crisis Settlement dollars is putting language in that makes sure that the government can’t claw any of the money back after people get their settlement checks.”
On Tuesday, February 3, the president signed a $1.2 trillion funding package. Lawmakers have until February 13 to negotiate a final deal for DHS, or it faces potential shutdown.
Homeland Security and Ice activity were also discussed.
“I think nobody is arguing about the fact we should get violent criminals off our streets,” said McDonald Rivet. “We’re not saying we shouldn’t protect our borders. But, what is happening now and what ICE is doing across the country, is picking up people in often brutal ways-masked ICE agents without body cameras who are not using due process, going into people’s homes without a warrant. This is not making the U.S. safer. It’s making our communities more dangerous, and it’s terrifying people.”
The attendees discussed what can be done in response to this situation. McDonald Rivet said concerned residents can help make sure food is available for people who are afraid to come out of their homes. According to McDonald Rivet, it could also mean making sure people who are detained get access to legal help.
She said that anyone with questions about the Flint Water Crisis settlement should contact the special master at (202) 420-2200 or deborah.greenspan@blankrome.com
Additionally, McDonald Rivet said anyone who encounters ICE activity or has other concerns can contact her office at mcdonaldrivet.house.gov/contact or (810) 238-8627 for the Flint office.
Swanson, who is also running for Michigan governor, told the Courier during COVID, he had deputized 45 faith-based leaders to help serve food. This occurred during one of the many initiatives of his office to address food insecurity.
Swanson said of Christ Fellowship” “This is a congregation that’s brought Black pastor leadership together in Flint…I’ve grown up here. So, I know these people. I’ve worked with them.”
Swanson has been the Genesee County sheriff for seven years and has worked within the sheriff’s office for over 30 years.
He talked to the Courier about the impact he believes he could have as governor.
“…Look at the work we’ve done…whether it’s IGNITE, educating people in the jail, giving them a pathway to never come back,” said Swanson. “They’re getting jobs. They’re getting their lives back. We’re breaking addiction. We’re breaking homelessness. We’re breaking generational incarceration. If we’re able to do that in the county, imagine what we’ll do statewide when that happens.
“Then our human trafficking, you know the fact that you have somebody that’s going to try to stand up and defend those that have been trafficked-give people who haven’t had a voice a voice.
“Then, there are the things we’ve done humanitarian-wise, whether it’s giving back to the community and holiday spectaculars. These are the trust situations that I have built for years…
“There’s no misunderstanding what I’m going to be like as governor. You’re just going to get more of it.”
One participant in the roundtable discussion held at the church asked Swanson of his run for governor: “How can you get there?” and “What is the pathway?”
“There are five counties that are really heavily important to get to the primary,” Swanson said. “One of them is Genesee County. So, to have one of the biggest counties…this is something that, when I was asked, it wasn’t like I needed to come up with an answer. I love Genesee County, and if I can just mobilize the county here, then we’re going to be able to do it.”
The roundtable participants were given petitions in order to help Swanson obtain the at least 15,000 valid signatures needed for his name to appear on the ballot for the Democratic Party primary election. That election takes place August 4, 2026.
But, the signatures must be filed by 4 p.m. April 21, 2026.
Pastor Allen C. Overton, moderator for the Great Lakes Baptist District Association and pastor of Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, said after the meeting that he was very thankful for Swanson sharing with the clergy his vision and the direction he wants to go in to make Flint a better city, as well as Michigan a better state.
“And we’re always happy to have Congresswoman McDonald Rivet to come in and share with us what’s going on in Washington….I think she did a very good job in letting us know we have some resources that’s out there through her…
“So, I am grateful for both of them, and I think they both did an outstanding job”
