Mayoral candidate says he will bring jobs to city

Eric Mays, mayoral candidate, was the featured speaker at the Eastside Business Association meeting May 25.

Mays, a native of Flint, said he was a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in political science and a 31-year veteran with General Motors. He spoke about job creation, public safety, resolving budget problems and leadership.

"Let's talk about jobs," Mays said. "I will create jobs immediately. The second week after I'm sworn in, I'll ask everyone who wants a job to meet me and my staff at the Perani Arena. Anyone who wants to make money show-up. I'll give everyone 10 water bottles to sell. You give me $10 dollars and sell them for $1.50 each," Mays explained.

Regarding the recent rumors of a state takeover of the city, Mays said that he would put aside $7 million at the start of each fiscal year so that at the end of the fiscal year there would not be a budget shortfall.

"We could have generated another $2.5 million during the last election if the mayor hadn't attached the millage to the city jail. People will vote for additional police officers — but not for a city jail," Mays said.

According to Mays the city has a shortage of detectives and needs more undercover police.

"We need to get guns off the street on the North End. That will take trained undercover officers that can mingle with gangs. When Obama went to get Bin Laden he sent in the Navy SEALs. We need to use the right tools to clean up our neighborhoods," Mays explained.

Mays said he was in favor raising the city income tax for workers who live outside the city.

"We need to put the burden on working people rather than those not working," Mays said. "We could get another $8 million in revenue."

Mays also suggested store owners ban together and purchase police protection "the same way that Kettering University and Mott Community College" have done.

Mays addressed leadership issues. "Flint has not had superstar leadership," Mays said. "Flint lacks a good point guard leader. I was a point guard when I played basketball."

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