Fairfield group sets goals for 2012

Fairfield Village Council set its 2012 organizational goals Dec. 3. President Andy Ellard congratulated members for their 2011 performance and praised the group's ability to build relationships.

"We are like Mighty Mouse in the city," Ellard said, "but we could not have accomplished as much as we have this year without our partners in the city, at Court Street Nonprofit and those who gave us grants," he said.

Topping the list of goals for 2012 were improved street lighting, an emergency preparedness guide for residents and a block captain recruitment and training program.

The group decided to continue their unity picnic, youth task force, Chalk-the-Walk Program, tree planting project, newsletter, cleanups and maintaining the housing inventory. They agreed to restart their community garden efforts when the proposed site clears bankruptcy.

Judy Hovey, chair of the beautification committee, reported the group identified and ranked the committee's goals for 2012 as to participate in Gilkey Creek cleanup; plant minigardens in some parkways; expand front yard light program; plant miniorchards in vacant lots; build a community pavilion in a vacant lot and hold the annual picnic and other activities there; develop gardens in newly created vacant lots; continue work on the art and community garden at 909 E. Seventh St.; create a task force to report vacant, derelict properties that are in violation of city codes; replant trees, remove stumps and dangerous branches; create a plan and recruit a task force to work with landlords; and find funding to help with external repairs and home improvements.

Before developing the beautification goals, Hovey said, her group identified values they hold for their neighborhood.

"We are proud of our neighborhood and we want to share that pride with others," Hovey said.

Values included a welcoming appearance, opportunities for children and elders, beauty, safety, interaction among neighbors, sense of responsibility and respect for others and pride in ownership.

Ellard reported that the number of vacant houses in the 234 houses in the Fairfield Village neighborhood increased 10, to 30, in 2011. Ten of these vacant houses are rental units.

Raynetta Speed, Genesee County Land Bank, reported a recent homebuyers fair yielded 10 people signing up for mortgage-ready interviews, including people whose credit is less than perfect.

"These are homes the land bank has put up to $80,000 in rehabilitating with all new appliances. Purchasing one of these properties is less expensive than paying rent and the low monthly payments include taxes," Speed said

Sgt. Lloyd Nicholson, Mott Community College public safety department, announced a joint emergency response training workshop, with members from Central Park and College Cultural neighborhood associations, Dec. 15 at the MCC RTC Auditorium at 7 p.m. Dec. 15.

Ellard announced the resignation of Gary West as chairman of the safety committee. Ellard said he has two volunteers ready to take the position.

The group will meet next at 1 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Court Street Village Nonprofit, 727 East St.