Mayor wants four more years

Mayor Dayne Walling was the featured speaker at the East Side Business Association meeting June 8.

Walling began by listing his accomplishments during his term in office.

"When I became mayor, Haskell Center was closed. There were chains on the doors," Walling said. "Today, the center is operational holding a summer program for kids with the Boys and Girls Club."

Walling continued his list of accomplishments that included the expansion of Great Lake Technical Center, home of Diplomat Pharmacy. Diplomat hired 68 people this year, and may hire another 200 if they close a multimillion-dollar deal. He said other businesses are beginning to fill the 350,000-square-foot facility at 4100 S. Saginaw St. since he took office.

"My administration has used federal neighborhood stabilization dollars to tackle demolitions on the East Side," Walling added.

According to Walling these demos are making the city safer by preventing criminals from harboring in vacant buildings.

"The Durant is open again with a 97 percent occupancy rate. And, the U-M Flint broke their enrollment record this year with over 8,000 students," Walling continued.

"Is there more to do? Absolutely. That's why I want four more years," Walling said.

Looking to the future, Walling predicted that General Motors would be investing more money than it has for many years in their Flint operations — and helping in the clean-up process.

Walling also took credit for the massive amount of grant money — about $60 million — that his staff added to the municipal budget for public safety employees and neighborhood stabilization from a variety of sources.

"We've gotten over $20 million from the Neighbor Stabilization Program," Walling said. "We will continue to put money into demolition and blight elimination. We want to strengthen neighborhoods — to make Flint a walk-able and bike-able safe city."

"No other candidate has this kind of track record in grant funding. These are dollars we wouldn't have if the grants hadn't come in," Walling said.

Switching to long-term goals the mayor said he's looking at a five-year plan for the budget and a 10-year plan for the capital improvements with an improved downtown riverfront.

Walling's future plans include accelerating economic diversity.

"We can't be a one-industry community anymore," Walling said. "We need advanced technology jobs, jobs in healthcare and education. We want to attract professionals and businesses to our downtown office space. We can no longer import our way to economic development. We have to become leaders in logistics and explore regional opportunities in shipping, trucking, air and rail."

"We're putting together a comprehensive master plan using funds from $1.5 million competitive grant," Walling said. "Four years from now you'll see all these things in place — and a more stable city."

Walling talked about public safety issues. He said he and Police Chief Alvern Lock, with input from Michigan State University, are making changes to the police department.

"We're changing how calls are managed. We have a smarter 911 system. Our goal is an overall reduction in crime," said Walling.

Members questioned Walling about the water contract with Detroit.

"My goal is to have the lowest cost and highest quality water. We have an up-to-date treatment plan that is underutilized," Walling said.

Concluding his presentation, Walling said, "We've done the best we can. My office is open to people every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon. I am truthful and responsible about budget numbers, and I've invested your money in every part of the city."

"We've got a lot done in two years. We can do more in four," he said.

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