Mayoral appointee speaks to East Side group

Rhoda Woods, Flint's citizens service director, explained her role as an assistant to the mayor dealing with residents' needs at the Eastside Business Association meeting Aug. 24.

"I am one of the 14 appointees of the mayor. To set the record straight, none of us earn $100,000 — not even the mayor who voluntarily took a pay cut," Woods said.

She said her current position was one of the most interesting jobs she has had. She cited her involvement with neighborhood meetings that set the agenda for Mayor Walling's first year in office.

"We discovered that public safety and economic development were the primary concerns of our citizens," Woods said.

As a result of these meeting the Blue Badge Volunteer Program, a program that provides opportunities for residents to work with local government, was instituted.

"It is these partnerships between residents, business owners and police that have a positive impact on reducing neighborhood crime, reducing the fear of crime and enhancing the quality of life in the community," Woods said.

She said that October is crime prevention month and the city will hold open houses at the ministations and recognize volunteers.

She is also involved with the Ceasefire Program. She said recently five people have been accepted into the program designed to rehabilitate nonviolent offenders.

Besides determining citizens needs Woods also reviews the internal departmental needs. "From the data collected we determine what projects we can accomplish and set priorities for them," Woods said.

"I also coordinate the internship program. We have three or four interns working in our department," she said.

Members asked questions about the increases in the water rates to take effect soon.

According to Woods, increases in rates from Detroit and the existing water bond agreement are the reasons for the hike.

Woods attended General Motors Institute in Flint and has a master's degree from Wayne State University. She worked as an information systems specialist prior to her appointment.

In other matters:

• Lori Riggs of the U.S. Attorney's Office reported 67 at-risk kids attended the Drug Education for Youth Camp which 43 law enforcement people participated in.
• The Potter Longway Neighborhood Association is holding a cleanup at Longway Park beginning at 6 p.m. Aug. 26.
• The Eastside Mission is holding its Back to School Bash Aug. 28 at 1829 Delaware Ave. Children will be given backpacks filled with school supplies at the event.