City seeks community input

By Alan Matthews Nov 2009

Mayor Dayne Walling is holding "neighborhood action sessions" to promote resident-driven change in Flint. The goal of the 49 sessions is to create city improvements through civic engagement, said Rhoda Matthews, citizen services director. The sessions will be in three phases and held in each of the nine Flint wards.

Phase I introduces city staff and services, asks for strategic priorities and lays the groundwork to identify opportunities for improvement in each ward. Between phases, volunteers will form ward workgroups to consider the opportunities identified at the meetings.

Phase II, in the winter of 2010, will identify action items. Phase III, in the spring, will assign work and funding sources for each item and result in a citywide project plan for improvement.

Matthews described the sessions in Ward 1 held Oct. 1 as rushed, but said the sessions in Ward 4 held Oct. 14 were better structured. Attendance grew from 30 to 50 in the two sessions, a trend Matthews hopes will continue.

A session begins with each attendee saying one thing about Flint that makes them proud. City staff and the city councilperson are introduced. Walling speaks about his vision for the city and attendees are split into small workgroups. The groups each identify at least three community assets to be improved with city help. Walling answers questions throughout the session.

Matthews said it is important residents get involved both with identifying problems and helping to resolve them. "This is an opportunity to create the future residents want for their city," Matthews said.

The schedule of the remaining Phase I meetings are:

Ward 8 " 5:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at Zimmerman Center Room 109, 2421 Corunna Rd.

Ward 7 " 5:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Brennan Center, 1301 Pingree Ave.

Ward 9 " 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at Insight, 1110 Eldon Baker Drive.

Ward 3 " 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Berston Field House, 3300 N. Saginaw St.

Ward 6 " 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec.16 at McLaren Regional Medical Center in the Ballenger Auditorium, 401 S. Ballenger Highway.