South Side group gets Code Red

The South Side Business and Resident Association organized a separate nonprofit group, the Southside Neighborhood Code Red Crime Watch, and joined other neighborhood groups using the Code Red warning system to fight criminal activity.

Blondie Powell, chairperson of the group, Jan. 18 told the Southside Business and Resident Association 13 people belong to the crime watch. It uses cell phone, e-mail and text messages to alert other members of criminal activity.

Group dues are $12 a year which covers the fees of the service, Powell said.

Powell said she's hoping Code Red will help reduce crime in the area like it has in other neighborhoods.

Raynetta Speed, Genesee County Land Bank community outreach coordinator, told members her organization plans to demolish 15 to 20 houses in the neighborhood. She also said if the group wished to have a community garden they could adopt a vacant lot or use a side-lot transfer for any vacant Land Bank-owned property.

Dale Scanlon, East Side Business Association, talked about the mayor's speech at the Potter Longway Neighborhood Association meeting Jan. 17. Scanlon was concerned about the 174 houses in the city targeted for demolition by the end of the year. The mayor said the new deadline for demolition is March 31. The city is in the process of hiring contractors to take down the buildings.

Scanlon also reported about the two public safety millages the mayor will present to Flint City Council. One millage is a continuation of a current police millage supporting 16 officers. Another millage is to reopen the city jail. Both are two mills.

Art Wenzlaff reported on his negotiations with MTA about Flint International Academy's MTA assessment. He said the school would be charged extra unless they could increase riders. The school currently has 317 students using MTA transportation but may be assessed for 350 to 375 students.

"When property tax revenue drops, so does the MTA revenue," Wenzlaff explained.

Wenzlaff set Jan. 29 as the date for a Flint International Academy food giveaway.

"This month the Muslim community mosques are providing the food and the giveaway location will be changed to the Diplomat Pharmacy Building. "It's a good building and we can do the whole thing indoors," Wenzlaff said.

The Southside Business and Resident Association will meet at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 15 at Applegate Chevrolet Conference Room, 3637 S. Saginaw St.

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