Central Park group discusses blight, beautification

Blight issues and plans for beautification topped the agenda at the Central Park Neighborhood Association meeting Oct. 14.

Beautification chairman Greg Brown asked for volunteers for the fall cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 6. Trimming and pruning shrubs at East Street Park will be included in the cleanup with tools provided for volunteers.

Brown asked members for recommendations to deal with neighborhood blight issues, suggesting that a letter to offenders from the association would help stem nuisances.

"The trash from one house usually ends up in everyone else's yard," he said.

After a discussion about the problem, the group agreed to contact the offenders directly.

A member suggested that another problem, preventing animals from tearing apart trash bags left on the parkway for pick-up, could be solved by spraying the inside of the bag with a solution of ammonia water.

Greg Brown, Ingrid Halling and Nicholas Letterman were appointed to nominate candidates for the group's election. The committee will present a slate of officers for 2011 at the Nov. 11 meeting.

Mott Community College policemen heard crime complaints that included a suspected arson at 814 Thomson St., shots fired on Court Street and Avon and suspected vandals climbing on the Central High School roof.

Discussion about drug testing of residents of Richert Manor was tabled because no one representing the public housing development was at the meeting. A Flint Journal article Oct. 3 was distributed stating Mayor Dayne Walling was considering the action.

The group was told there will be a Halloween party from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at Ballenger Field House.

The group will meet next at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Court Street Neighborhood House, 727 East St.

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