Battle ‘Greek’ Appears to be in ‘Muddy Walters’ UPDATE x 1

UPDATE: This article is continuing to unfold LIVE so please keep checking back for the latest developments and updates. This article was originally scheduled to be published and go live on Monday September 25, 2017 -due to a possible public appearance by Mayor Dave Walters at a local NPC 10 meeting the release was delayed in hopes that Mr. Walters could clarify some of the concerns stated in this article. And Mr. Walters did not disappoint. Video obtained from NPC 10 meeting (Linked HERE) shows Mr. Walters givning his latest update which happens to be in direct conflict with what the evidnece presented in this article and also with the previous update he gave on WBCK on April 27, 2017.

Read on for yourselves as this article contains a lot of information. We have sourced and provided numerous forms of evidence that we have obtained throughout our 13 month investigation that we have provided throughout this Op/Ed article via links, documents, videos, pictures etc. So please be sure to click on the various links contained in the article for additional information and supporting evidence.

Battle Creek, Michigan. Cereal capital of the world.  Home of Snap, Crackle, and Pop; Sugar Bear, Tucan Sam, Tony the Tiger,  and the “ World’s Longest Breakfast Table” held annually  in celebration of its cereal creators roots. That’s what Battle Creek should be known for. Not so much anymore. Instead, recently, Battle Creek  made number 22 on a list of “Top 25 Worst Cities to Raise Your Children.”  While debate rages on[line] about the accuracy of the numbers and stats reported, one thing is obvious: Battle Creek has some very serious issues in multiple areas regarding educational systems and supports for  children that obviously need to be addressed. Below average high school graduation rate. Low preschool enrollment. Higher violent crime rate.  Not to mention the huge decline in enrollment within the Battle Creek Public School District, that as a result, has seen multiple school buildings close and be put up for sale at fire sale prices. Knowing this, it’s fair to say that if Battle Creek is having issues regarding educational systems and supports for children, shouldn’t we try to improve our situation before we try to become education destination for other students from other countries? Shouldn’t the city only meddle in city government and leave the various Boards of Education to handle school district issues? Or better yet—How common or appropriate is it for a City government/city official, to co-mingle in the affairs of local school boards? Or co-mingle their duties and responsibilities as a Hilliard Lyons Financial Advisor, City Commissioner/Mayor, Korean Martial Arts student and HapKiDo Board member?

Allow me to let your Mayor, Dave Walters explain. On June 20th, 2016, Dave Walters made an appearance on WBCK’s “Richard Piet Show” to discuss his recent trip to China.

According to Walters, he says that about two years ago,  local business man named Hee Kwan Lee was approached by an investor with the “UC [Education] Group” from Los Angeles. This “UC Group” allegedly has a program where they bring a delegation of South Korean college students to study international studies and English as a second language,  via a Partnership between the City of Battle Creek, Western Michigan University and Kellogg Community College. Walters goes on further to state that the reason they went to China is that this guy that has this going with the South Koreans also has the same deal going on over in China. According to Walters, China then wanted to “piggy-back” the same idea with the UC Group and send a delegation of Chinese students to Battle Creek. Walters said the trip was two fold one was to visit the university that was being built there in China by the South Koreans. And second, they needed to get the Chinese governments approval. So the end result is that in about 1 year to 18 months from now (6/20/16), Battle Creek would have as many as 1000 Chinese and South Korean students living and taking classes in Battle Creek.

While this may sound like something great happening to the city of Battle Creek, allow me to pull back the curtain and show you what is really going on with all the co-mingling with the mayor, your tax dollars the mayors martial arts instructor buddy turned city contractor for the trip. The information gathered for this article has been complied over the course of 13 months via “Freedom of Information Act” requests, research, interviews, articles, news announcements/memos, and just good old fashion, sitting back and letting them talk and tell “their version of ‘alternative’ facts” and then just comparing it with things previously published, written, or said previously; only to then find out they are in direct conflict or contradiction with others things that have been said. And a very different story starts to emerge, compared to what the documents say…

With that, the documents will show you  what appears to be fraud, malfeasance, misfeasance, co-mingling, lying, cover up and out right abuse going on with your taxpayer dollars by your government and city leaders.

Remember, to keep in the forefront of your mind Civics 101 from High School and what the roles and duties are of your government. There are laws, policies, boards, and a chain of command of how things happen and get done. Just because something sounds like a “great idea” or a positive boost for the city–doesn’t mean that the government can always participate, fund, support or be involved. The general fund of the city of Battle Creek is not just one giant piggy bank to spend as they please. Although we do have some bankrupt city officials who act and think otherwise, but that would be digressing. So keep in mind the legal roles and duties vs personal wants, desires and inappropriate co-mingling of various personal, private, public, political, profitable and professional connections. This story makes every attempt to break things down as much as possible and lay out the evidence via documents and other media throughout this article. It may get a bit convoluted. Just remember, if we were dealing with honest people telling the truth and acting in honest, ethical and professional ways, this article would be very straightforward, and much shorter, as the truth has no agenda and nothing to hide.

So how did this all come to be and get financed? Enter The Travel Committee (See Minutes here TravelCommMins ).

On May 9, 2016 Commissioners Mike Sherzer, Kaytee Faris, and Deb Owens met along with City Clerk Vicky Houser and Assistant City Manager Ted Dearing. The purpose was to discuss and seek approval of travel expenses in the estimated amount of $2,836.41 for Mayor Dave Walters to travel to China with ACM Ted Dearing to participate in discussions with the UC Education Group regarding student education partnerships June 5, 2016-June 9, 2016. Dearing went further to explain that both Kellogg Community College and Western Michigan University have committed to partnering with the city and this program. He stated there would be opportunities for student housing downtown and that the UC Group has been to Battle Creek and they have big development plans. Commissioner Owens inquired about the money coming from the International Relations Committee budget (IRC). Dearing told the committee that Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) recently transferred the IRC funds to the city stating they were unrestricted. Dearing also stated that this trip would NOT impact the general fund and the funds for the trip would be covered by the IRC. Dearing also noted that he and city finance director Linda Morrison already approved the expenditure from the IRC. The Travel Committee voted and approved the travel request of Mayor Walters to go to China to participate in these discussions. $2,190.41 Air Travel, $300 Visa, $196 passport, and $185.00 meals totaling $2871.41. Lodging and meals provided by China, mileage by Dearing.