Potter Longway group marks first year

The Potter Longway Neighborhood Association May 16 marked its first year and discussed Code Red, a neighborhood survey and neighborhood blight.

President Rob Gill talked about the group's achievements, including a recent cleanup of Longway Park, a new mobile recycling unit, the start-up of Code Red crime alert system and a neighborhood newsletter.

Gill asked for help with a neighborhood survey.

"We need everyone to survey their block and report vacant homes and homes with broken windows or high grass," he said. "Last year volunteers mowed vacant properties, started several community gardens and boarded-up broken windows on vacant properties."

"This year we want to initiate a youth program to reach out to the teenagers in the area," Gill said. "We're going to look for youth leaders in our local high schools and churches and find ways to include them in our programs and projects."

Vice President Eric Pruitt reported on the Code Red crime alert system. Members discussed appropriate ways to report suspected criminal activity.

"We will be putting together a list of do's and don'ts for our 20 Code Red volunteers," Pruitt said. "We're also looking for members to act as block captains so we can cover the entire area."

The Potter Longway Neighborhood Association represents about 3,000 houses, he said.

Several members reported problems with blight and unresponsiveness from the city's blight hotline.

Councilman Josh Freeman, (Ward 4) suggested members e-mail him with any unresolved blight issues. He added the Genesee County Land Bank would make two sweeps of the city to mow Land Bank owned properties, one in June and another in September.

Freeman also reported on the April 25 budget hearings.

"The budget must be adopted by June 6," Freeman said. "The mayor has asked for a 15 percent concession from the fire and police unions. Without those concessions the police force will be reduced by 19 officers and 13 firefighters."

According to Freeman cuts in the city's customer service personnel will also be coming.

In other matters the group agreed to join the Eastwood United Methodist Church in a Super Saturday Fun Fair May 28 at the church facility.

The group will meet next at 7 p.m. June 20 at the Eastwood United Methodist Church, 3312 Whittier.

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