Two candidates speak at East Side meeting

Mayoral candidates Don Pfeiffer and Scott Smith were the featured speakers at the East Side Business Association meeting July 27. Both candidates said their primary objective was to reduce crime, but each had a slightly different approach to the problem.

Pfeiffer and Smith promised to increase the number of police on the street if elected. Smith vowed not to take a paycheck until 50 police officers were added.

Pfeiffer took a business approach to the problem.

"I'd swap our current street lights for LEDs that in the course of three years will save the city $5 million," Pfeiffer said. "I will also negotiate with the unions  —  not dictate to add resources to the detective bureau," he added.

He favors partnering with the Genesee County Sheriff to consolidate services.

Pfeiffer said if elected he would begin a nationwide search for a new police chief.

"There are too many cliques in the department," Pfeiffer said.

He also favors a hiring a police reporter dictation service to get officers out from behind desks and on the pavement.

"We need to speed up our complaints, have an online crime reporting system. We need to open the city jail that will have it's own small revenue source from bail fees," Pfeiffer said.

Smith pointed to the $3.5 million the city spends each year for police overtime.

"That's a controllable expense that could be used for more officers," he said.

Smith also advocated bidding out services like trash pickup, maintaining golf courses and towing.

Pfeiffer and Smith agreed that blight control needs to be addressed and penalties increased from $25 to three or four times that amount.

"If we don't clean up blight it's hard to attract buyers for our homes and new business," Pfeiffer added.

Smith said if elected he would put teeth to the existing laws and work with city council.

"I have a number of long-term customers and employees. I know how to work with them," Smith said.

Pfeiffer and Smith advocate consolidating 911 with the county. Pfeiffer also wants to consolidate libraries to reduce taxes. He said he would embrace urban gardens and encourage growing more than vegetables.

"We can beautify our neighborhoods with flowers and shrubs grown in these urban gardens," Pfeiffer said.

"We need to look at our parks and form joint ventures with businesses that will maintain them and also advertise in them. Let's have a city dog park where you can let the dogs play in a safe environment," Pfeiffer said.

Smith and Pfeiffer outlined their plans to bring jobs to the city.

"When crime is under control, we will see job growth," Smith said. "I will advertise in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today to give Genesee Towers to a Fortune 500 corporation who will jump-start our downtown with new jobs.

Pfeiffer favores hiring a national sales team to go around the nation to bring business here.

"We need a Yahoo or Google here. That generates a buzz about our city, where businesses breed 'to-do' people," Pfeiffer.

Both candidates are businessmen.

Pfeiffer, married with one child, said he and his brother own a contracting business in Louisiana. He was born and raised in Flint.

Smith was born in Flint and owns and operates Emerald Lawn Landscaping in Burton with 65 trucks and 100 employees operating in three states. He is also a licensed builder.

Both men attended Mott Community College.

–––––––––––––––––––

Your comments are welcome. E-mail them to the editor at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .