East Court group discusses crime watch, tax abatement, election

The College Cultural Neighborhood Association July 22 discussed the neighborhood crime watch and the Aug. 3 election.

Mike Herriman, chairman of the neighborhood watch committee, said house signs for the neighborhood watch have been distributed and the feedback from the community has been positive.

"The signs draw attention to what we're doing and get people talking. I don't know if it will turn criminals away from the neighborhood, but it may make them think," Herriman said.

The group discussed getting more signs for vehicles to show there's more eyes and ears than just people watching at their windows. The signs will be used when cars are out patrolling the neighborhood and will be shared between patrollers. Herriman said he does not want to see the signs on cars parked in driveways.

Herriman reminded residents to remain safe while out patrolling.

"Don't chase, don't engage, don't confront — be eyes on wheels. You're there to observe and make the call," Herriman said.

The group is also getting vests for patrollers to wear while walking. The yellow mesh construction-style vests will have reflective strips to enhance visibility. Participants can buy the vests for $10.

The group discussed the response to its first test of the "Red Alert" system. Block captains call into the alert system and leave a voicemail. The voicemail then goes out to all people in the system. The alerts inform people if something has happened and there is a description. The group decided to run the alert tests at 1 p.m. the first Saturday of the month after residents complained about having the alert on a weeknight.

The next neighborhood watch meeting will be Aug. 12.

Association Vice President Mike Keeler told the group the 11-year tax abatement for University Park Estates is in its last year, and Rep. Woodrow Stanley has requested 11 more years. Keeler said Mayor Dayne Walling must approve the request. Keeler thinks the mayor intends to do so.

"Call Dayne and tell him not to do it," Keeler said.

With falling tax revenue, the city needs those properties on the tax roll, Keeler said. He sees little danger of the houses being foreclosed on if the tax abatement isn't approved. During a recent drive through University Park Estates, only one of about 100 houses was for sale, he said.

(University Parks Estates, bounded by Industrial Avenue and Cornellia, North Saginaw and Harriet streets, is an 83.6-acre subdivision north of the Flint River.)

Kay Schwartz, Flint Public Library interim director, gave reasons to pass the 1.4 millage request on the August ballot. Due to falling Flint property values, the library, Schwartz said, is in a "revenue crisis."

Since 2004 the library has reduced staff by 30 percent. There have been no raises in the past two years for staff and pay cuts are scheduled for 2011 in the form of furlough days and unpaid holidays.

But, Schwartz said, the public has not felt a reduction in library services and programs.

"It's a point of pride that the public is not aware of our belt-tightening," she said.

"We are the gateway to the Cultural Center. About 1,100 people a day come through our doors. Our librarians answer about 500 questions a day and help people fill out job applications," Schwartz said.

If passed, there will be a .5 mill increase and a .9 mill renewal, costing the average home owner an additional $11 yearly.

Robert Campbell, Flint Community Schools communications manager, explained the proposed .4 mill for the schools. It would create a "sinking fund" for the schools for buildings and site improvement. Campbell cited Durant Turi Mott, built in 1922, that needs extensive repair.

"We need better schools for a better Flint," Campbell said.

The millage proposal equates to an average $84 dollars a year.

Keeler reminded Campbell of a meeting between CCNA, the Central Park Neighborhood Association and the Flint Board of Education last year on the possibility of Powers Catholic School buying Central High School.

"There was no cooperation from the school board on Powers buying Central," Keeler said.

The $6 million offer from Powers was declined with no reason given to the public. The refusal was a lost opportunity for Central Park and the College Cultural neighborhoods, Keeler said.

"We told ourselves we would remember that the next time you needed something," Keeler said.

Jerry Ragsdale, Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) assistant general manager, spoke in support of the .4 mill MTA is seeking. The increase would mean roughly $20 more a year for a $50,000 home.

Ragsdale said  the MTA is expecting to lose $1.2 million in state aid, and more than $2 million in total reduction.

MTA serves the Flint area with fixed routes, as well as daily routes to Great Lakes Crossing linking people to the Detroit bus system and Troy. The MTA system is essential for many elderly and disabled people in the city, as well as a cost-effective way of daily transportation for many others.

The group will next meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at MCC.