South Side group recognizes volunteers

The South Side Business and Resident Association meeting Aug. 16 recognized volunteers for graffiti removal, construction of brick flowerbeds, tree plantings and maintenance, murals and mowing.

Art Wenzlaff recognized Larry Fogelberg and Mary Sanders for organizing volunteers to remove graffiti quickly and replace it with murals.

"We're taking our neighborhood back from graffiti artists. Mary and her two sons are good examples of what we as an organization can do for the neighborhood. The mural on the 12th Street overpass is being painted today — just in time for the Back to the Bricks celebration," Wenzlaff said.

Wenzlaff also honored Ronald Bush, who organized volunteers that built the brick flowerbeds lining South Saginaw Street and David Caswell who watered the new trees planted on the street.

Mary Lossing, Flint River Watershed Coalition, thanked the group for its participation in the Thread Lake project.

"We stenciled drains and delivered brochures to homes," Lossing said.

Referring to the graffiti epidemic that swept the South Side recently, David Caswell, as a member of the Citizen's Nuisance Task Force, said he would like to see stronger penalties for those who commit these acts.

"Last year those convicted of graffiti got 10 months in jail and 120 hours of community service. When they finished their sentences they went out and did it all over again. We're got to find a punishment that works," Caswell said.

Renetta Speed suggested that Wenzlaff work on a grant to purchase video cameras for the graffiti-infected areas. "We've seen more convictions when there is video tape of the crime," Speed said.

Caswell also announced that the Downtown Weed and Seed group are sending 30 young people to Drug Education for Youth Camp at a cost of $350 a camper. He said Flint Police Officer Tanya Meeks would be one of the counselors. The camp, that targets kids ages 9 to 12, tries to provide self-esteem boosting programs and strong social skills.

The annual South Side community celebration will take place at the Brennan Center from 11 a.m. to dusk Aug. 20.

The group will meet next at 11:45 a.m. Sept. 20 at Applegate Chevrolet, 3637 S. Saginaw St.