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I've been asked if I was going
to comment on the state of the city address. Well, I finally had time to go
through the whole thing. I give the best and worst of the address below with my
comments in orange.
updated03/07/06
Well I got to watch and video tape the address today. When the Mayor began
recognizing his staff and appointees. I now understand why there was so much
applause during the address. 90% give or take 5 percent where working for him.
LOL Not many average citizens were there. Way to stack the audience to give the
illusion of appreciation of the people.
He also mentioned how few
people are coming in on Wednesday's with complaints. Down to ten the other day.
Well No wonder. When you've tried everything else. And finally end up and the
Mayors office and still nothing gets done (except smoke blown up your rear) and
there isn't an Ombudsman to go to. You finally give up and make plans to move.
Who signs every check? Who
approved the Former City councils back pay? Then who played like they were
against it from the beginning? Claiming the City Council stole money from the
city? I'm going to write a special page for those of us who not only know how to
spell INTEGRITY. But, also know what it means!!
2006 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
MAYOR DONALD J. WILLIAMSON
February 23, 2006
GOOD EVENING FELLOW CITIZENS.
2005 WAS A BUSY YEAR.
IT WAS A YEAR OF GOOD DECISIONS.
IT WAS A YEAR OF GREAT TEAMWORK.
BECAUSE OF THIS LEADERSHIP, THE STATE OF YOUR CITY HAS
IMPROVED
GREATLY IN 2005. BEFORE I DISCUSS THE HIGHLIGHTS OF
2005, LET ME FIRST
ACKNOWLEDGE PATSY AND MY FAMILY. PLEASE STAND.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT. THE
CITY OF
FLINT THANKS YOU AND I THANK YOU!
LET’S REVIEW THE HIGHLIGHTS OF 2005.
FIRST, LET’S TALK ABOUT CRIME
IN 2005, WE SAW MAJOR CRIME REDUCED. THE RATE OF CRIME
ALSO WAS
REDUCED. AND WE SOLVED MORE CRIMES IN 2005. WE DID THIS
WITH GOOD
DECISIONS AND GREAT TEAMWORK.
I’m confused as to what “MAJOR CRIME” was reduced. A
quick check of the Flint website and police stats
http://www.cityofflint.com/police/Stat.htm shows that crime was up in
every area except for Rape which did have a noticeable decrease. A four to
fifty percent increase in crime from 2004 to 2005 is not a MAJOR REDUCTION. It
is an increase!
LET ME GIVE YOU SOME EXAMPLES OF TEAMWORK. THERE WAS A
PLACE IN
FLINT THAT WAS A MAGNET FOR CRIME. PEOPLE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING
WE COULD DO. What people
said there was nothing we could do? The people I talk to say there is plenty we
could be doing. A few thoughts come to mind. First, try investigating crimes.
Don’t just pull up to the scene of a crime and
sit in your police car and look
around. Get out of the car, walk up to the door and check with the people that
called it in. Then knock on the doors of the neighbors. Don’t expect them to
come running out to the police car, for the whole world to see them (including the
criminals that committed the crime). BUT I REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE ‘OLD
WAY’ OF DOING THINGS. Really? Let’s see? Two years
of faxes, phone calls and emails, begging you to do something. Has resulted in removal of my website in support of Don Williamson, to creating and
renaming it, to show how he and the City is not doing the job they were elected
or hired to do. So the 'OLD WAY' of Crime being on the decline for TEN (10)
YEARS wasn't good enough? So in your first year in office it went up 17% PERCENT
and the Second year it only goes up 12 % percent more. So since it didn't go up
17% only 12% that is a reduction??? SOMEONE PLEASE HELP TO UNDERSTAND THESE
NUMBERS?? How Spending More is a "Savings", How increased Crime is a "Major
Reduction"?
I PULLED MY TEAM TOGETHER! AND I AM PROUD TO TELL YOU
THAT CHIEF (CHEF HAGLER)
HAGLER, SHERIFF PICKELL AND PROSECUTOR LEYTON, WORKING
WITH
ATTORNEY GENERAL MIKE COX, JOINED FORCES TO CLOSE CLUB
XCLUSIVE!
CRIMINALS ARE NOT WELCOME IN FLINT ANY MORE AND NOW
THEY ARE
GETTING THE MESSAGE!
Yes,
they’ve got the message. Murder has increased so much, that 2006 is likely to be
the highest murder rate in 20 years. Also here it is the third month of the new
year. And the city's crime
stats page has not yet been updated for 2006. Is there a reason for that?
THANK YOU CHIEF HAGLER, SHERIFF PICKELL AND PROSECUTOR
LEYTON…GREAT TEAMWORK AND A JOB WELL DONE!
AND THAT IS NOT ALL! IN MAY 2005 SHERIFF PICKELL AND
PROSECUTOR
LEYTON ARRESTED 3 PEOPLE FOR STEALING $1.2 MILLION FROM
OUR CITY
BEFORE I TOOK OVER.
While,
this is admirable. And should be done. We arrested 3 people for ripping off
the city for 1.2 million yet the mayor Administration also lost us another 1.4
million in HUD Money. What did we save? 1.2 plus 1.4 equals 2.6 total LOSS. Not
a gain.
WE WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY CORRUPTION IN FLINT! IF YOU
STEAL FROM THE
TAXPAYERS, YOU WILL GO TO JAIL!
APPLAUSE, STANDING OVATION!!
IN JULY, I ANNOUNCED A $3,000 REWARD TO ANYONE WHO
HELPS US
RECOVER ANY AUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPON USED IN ANY FLINT
HOMICIDE.
THIS IS A GOOD DECISION WHICH FOSTERS GREAT TEAMWORK!
Yes, but in Flint. You can know that a
Felon has
stolen GUNS, Know where the Gun safe that he stole them from is dumped, Know
where the guy is living, Have supporting evidence that he is actually the one
that stole the guns. But, you refuse to make anyone take notice or do anything
to arrest the suspect. You allow the Police Dept to wait (THE OLD WAYS) until
the felon has actually used those guns in committing higher priority crime!
Before, anything ever happens. It sure seems more cost effective to me. To
arrest the criminal for the considered lower priority crime of stealing the gun.
Rather than wait until he uses it and then give out a reward.
I AM PROUD TO SAY WE HAVE ADDED 14 NEW POLICE OFFICERS
AND WILL BE
ADDING ANOTHER 15 THIS YEAR. Is
more police really what we need? We have a larger police budget than cities with
200,000 residents; we spend 29 million for 254 officers compared to
26 million
for 275 in MUCH larger cities. Plus we have almost twice as many officers
than cities the same size with crime levels well below the
National average.
Amherst NY.
I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT NOW MORE OFFICERS ARE
WORKING
DURING THE HOURS THAT CRIMES ARE BEING COMMITTED. This
may prove to be an excellent idea. I don’t understand. Why, if it was so
important. It took two years to hash this out in the contract. Crime should have
been the NUMBER ONE priority for our new mayor. It should have been the first
problem solved. Not half way through his administration. The only other thing I
don't understand. Is how could that have been a contractual problem. Management
always has the right to job assignment. Almost seems like a cop out to me. A way
to disguise two years of not doing anything.
IN APRIL 2005, MY WIFE AND I DONATED $1000.00 TO THE
VICTIM ADVOCACY
PROGRAM TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF CRIME WITH PERSONAL
PROTECTION
ORDERS. OUTSTANDING! That
was a great thing to do.
WE BELIEVE THIS IS A GREAT DECISION WHICH FOSTERS GREAT
TEAMWORK.
AND THERE WILL BE MORE NEWS. I HAVE MET PRIVATELY WITH
ATTORNEY
GENERAL MIKE COX TO DISCUSS A NEW PROJECT THAT WE MAY
IMPLEMENT
HERE IN FLINT, CALLED THE PROJECT JOSHUA.
Why did we have to wait two years before deciding we
were going to treat convicted felons, as convicted felons, and arrest them for
possession of a firearm?
ALSO, I AM NOW FORMING A NEW TASK FORCE TO FOCUS ON
GANG AND
DRUG CRIME VIOLENCE. IT WILL OPERATE OUT OF OUR FLINT
POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND WILL BRING TOGETHER, ON ONE TEAM,
MEMBERS OF THE
FLINT POLICE, THE FBI, THE GENESEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S
DEPARTMENT AND
THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS.
MEMBERS OF THIS ELITE SQUAD WILL BE SWORN IN AS U.S.
MARSHALLS WITH
IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO THE FEDERAL GRAND JURY.
This is another excellent, truly excellent idea!
Those 40 supercops could sure use some
backup.
YOU CAN PRINT THIS MESSAGE IN THE FLINT JOURNAL
TOMORROW----WE -
ARE - DECLARING - WAR - ON CRIMINALS IN FLINT!
NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT OUR CITY
I CAN REPORT TO YOU THAT 12 NEW HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
HOMES WERE
BUILT IN THE FOSS AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS WAS A GOOD
DECISION
AND SHOWED GREAT TEAMWORK! This is great, So why did we lose 1.4 million by not
paying local non profits to help with redevelopment of other homes in this city?
IN APRIL, REVEREND SMITH VINCENT AND THE MISSION OF
PEACE
PARTNERED WITH FLINT TO ENCOURAGE OUR CITIZENS TO
BECOME
HOMEOWNERS THROUGH THE “HOMEOWNERSHIP UNIVERSITY”. MORE
TEAMWORK! EXCELLENT
IN 2005 WE DECIDED TO CELEBRATE THE LAST 150 YEARS OF
OUR GREAT
HISTORY. MY WIFE PATSY LOU MADE SURE IT WAS A GRAND
PARTY. WE
RAISED A LOT OF MONEY FOR A GREAT CAUSE AND WE BROUGHT
GOOD
NEWS AND GOOD FUN TO THE CITY THROUGH GREAT TEAMWORK.
THANK
YOU PATSY AND THE COMMITTEE FOR A GREAT JOB!
IN 2005, ONE OF OUR CITIZENS, LINDA WALTERS, ACTED
QUICKLY. SHE IS
ONLY ONE PERSON, BUT SHE BRAVELY HELPED SAVE THE BOYERS
FAMILY
FROM A FIRE ONE LATE EVENING IN JULY…ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF
A GOOD
DECISION AND GREAT TEAMWORK. THANK YOU LINDA WALTERS
FOR
SHOWING THE WORLD WHAT THE PEOPLE OF FLINT ARE MADE OF!
AND WE CANNOT FORGET THE ROCK IN 2005! PATSY AND I
PROUDLY DONATE
$500 EVERY SIX MONTHS TO HELP DISCOVER THE BEST ARTISTS
IN FLINT.
LET’S APPLAUD FRANK McCARTHY, OUR FIRST WINNER IN 2005!
IN 2005, PATSY AND I ALSO DONATED TO THE YWCA BECAUSE
WE FEEL THEIR
WORK IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF FLINT. THIS IS A
GOOD DECISION
WHICH FOSTERS GREAT TEAMWORK.
AND LAST SPRING THE CITY HOME FUNDS CONTRIBUTED
$400,000 TO SAVE
200 FAMILIES AT RISK FROM FEDERAL CUTS TO THE FLINT
HOUSING
COMMISSION. WITH TEAMWORK AND GOOD DECISIONS WE HELPED
OUR
CITIZENS IN THEIR HOUR OF NEED.
DURING 2005, I ALSO DECIDED IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO
FORGET OUR ROOTS.
. . THAT IS WHY I HELPED DESIGNATE THE STOCKTON HOUSE
AS A NATIONAL
HISTORIC LANDMARK. IT HAS BEEN A PART OF OUR CITY SINCE
1872 AND
THROUGH OUR TEAMWORK THIS BUILDING WILL NOW BE
PRESERVED FOR
FUTURE GENERATIONS.
NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT OUR FINANCES
IN 2005 WE WORKED HARD TO ANALYZE OUR BUDGET AND
PROTECT EVERY
TAX DOLLAR.
Yep, spent an
extra 160,000.00 or so dollars on purchasing Chevy Tahoes from Suski Chevrolet.
Instead of purchasing safer, less maintenance costly, and more fuel efficient
Chevy impalas from a city run business. Oh and then there is the few thousand
more we spent on Garbage trucks from another out of the city supplier. Oh and I
almost forgot about the illegal contracts/hand shake agreements for tree
trimming by another supplier outside the city.
WE REFUSED TO BUCKLE-UNDER TO POLITICAL OR MEDIA
PRESSURE. God forbid that spreading lies about city
councilman and non profits in the city, would be considered political pressure. Oops,
that was the Mayor doing that wasn't it?
WE REFUSED TO CONTINUE THE OLD WAYS OF CORRUPT
POLITICS. Didn’t someone change the rules or change
the qualifications for someone else’s husband could get a high paying job in the
administration? Then there was the tree trimming contract that didn't go through
the bidding process.
THESE GOOD DECISIONS AND GREAT TEAMWORK PRODUCED
FANTASTIC
RESULTS.
WE ENDED THE YEAR WITH A $6.1 MILLION SURPLUS, AFTER
STARTING WITH A
$28 MILLION DEFICIT!
Yep,
and then rewarded the people that did it by calling them thieves and liars.
WE RECEIVED TWO NATIONAL AWARDS, FOR FINANCIAL
REPORTING AND
BUDGETING.
WE REVERSED OUR CASH POSITION BY OVER $40 MILLION, TO
$80 MILLION, IN
JUST TWO YEARS!
Yep, and
then rewarded the people that did it by calling them thieves and liars.
AND EVEN THE GOVERNOR RECOGNIZED OUR HARD WORK BY
FINALLY
LIFTING THE FINANCIAL EMERGENCY ORDER AND APPLAUDING
OUR
SUCCESS.
MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE HAS UPGRADED OUR CITY’S
CREDIT RATING
FOR 2006, WHICH MEANS COST SAVINGS ON INTEREST
PAYMENTS.
THANK YOU FINANCE DIRECTOR ‘PETER D.’ FOR ALL YOUR
HELP. AND THANK
YOU BUDGET DIRECTOR RON JACKSON FOR YOUR HELP TOO.
THIS IS GREAT TEAMWORK FOR THE CITIZENS OF FLINT!
NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT BUSINESS
THIS WAS A YEAR THAT SAW THE GRAND OPENING OF 125
TOWNHOMES FOR
LOW TO MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES WHICH REPLACED THE SITE
OF ASBURY HEIGHTS APARTMENTS, ONE OF OUR WORST BLIGHTS.
THANK YOU ROSEWOOD DEVELOPMENT AND ROSEWOOD MANOR HOMES---GOOD DECISION AND GREAT TEAMWORK.
Yes very good!
IN 2005, THE STATE NAACP SELECTED OUR GREAT CITY TO
HOST THEIR 69TH ANNUAL CONVENTION IN SEPTEMBER.
Yes very good!
THANK YOU NAACP FOR YOUR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE!
THIS YEAR WE SAW A BRAND NEW POPEYE’S CHICKEN OPEN ON
CLIO ROAD, JUST SOUTH OF PIERSON ROAD. Great
one business started. How many others closed? I know Big Al’s closed in my
neighborhood. I’m sure there has got to be more in the city closing all the time.
I RECOMMEND STOPPING THERE FOR DINNER AND SUPPORTING
THEM WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE. Good
Idea. Support Flint businesses even if the City refuses to give local businesses
contracts.. that are less money, same or higher quality, product or parts of it
are made in Flint. Why just Popeye’s?
IN APRIL 2005, I AM DELIGHTED TO REPORT THAT ROWE
INCORPORATED.
SIGNED A 10 YEAR LEASE TO MOVE THEIR HEADQUARTERS INTO
FLINT AND
BRINGING WITH THEM THEIR 100 EMPLOYEES!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING THEM TO THE 500 BLOCK OF
OUR GREAT
CITY THIS SUMMER!
Downtown Flint. EXCELLENT!
AND IN MAY WE SAW THE OFFICIAL START OF CONSTRUCTION
FOR THE
“FIRST STREET LOFTS” AT FIRST AND SAGINAW. THANK YOU
UPTOWN
DEVELOPMENT AND MOTT FOUNDATION FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO
OUR
CITY!
I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE ENTERED INTO A NEW
TOWING
CONTRACT THAT WILL DISPOSE OF JUNK CARS AND AT THE SAME
TIME RAISE
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SAVINGS FOR THE CITY. I PLEDGE
TO REOPEN THE
CITY JAIL AND HIRE NEW POLICE OFFICERS WITH THE NEW
DOLLARS RAISED
FROM OUR NEW FLINT POLICE DEPARTMENT IMPOUND LOT.
With the project already starting. We have already
begun to scam the citizens of Flint. Instead of going after the criminals
stealing your car and then abandoning it across town. Flint allows your car
first to be stolen, so the it can be towed. Why? Because, the city makes money off your
misfortune. Besides it is in the best interest of the City. Not to investigate
car theft. Because we can open a jail or pay for more Police with the money we
make off auctioning off your car or selling it for scrap. So the more cars that
get towed to the impound, the more money the city can make.
STOLEN VEHICLES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE LOT AND
GONE OVER FOR EVIDENCE GATHERING PURPOSES. I COULD UNDERSTAND CHARGING THEM FOR
THE TOWING. BUT NOTHING ELSE. SINCE AS LONG AS THE CITY CAN MAKE MONEY OFF
STOLEN VEHICLES. THE CITY WILL NEVER ATTEMPT TO FIND THE SUSPECTS OR INVESTIGATE
THE CRIME.
THIS WAS A YEAR THAT ALSO SAW GENERAL MOTORS COMMIT TO
A WORLD
CLASS ENGINE PLANT ON VAN SLYKE ROAD WHICH WILL GO ON LINE IN A FEW
MONTHS. GM has torn down
or closed how many plants in Flint? And building on to a plant (which is a good
thing) is this really something to get overly excited over? Loose tens of thousands of jobs
and create a hundred or so. Plus, they will soon be closing the last Buick plant.
IN NOVEMBER, THE CITY CONTRIBUTED $100,000 TO THE FLINT
GENESEE
ECONOMIC GROWTH ALLIANCE TO HELP FIND VALUABLE USES FOR
THE
BUICK CITY SITE. Let me
get this straight? We are spending 100,000 to sell or market GM Property? While
YES, it is
in our best interest to do so. I would think we could figure out some way of
motivating GM to sell it, or even build on it.
WE BELIEVE THIS IS A GOOD DECISION THAT WILL FOSTER
GREAT
TEAMWORK AND WE EXPECT TO SEE RESULTS IN 2006.
WE HAVE ALSO BEEN COOPERATING WITH KETTERING UNIVERSITY
ON THEIR
NEW FUEL RESEARCH CENTER. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NEW
PROJECT FOR
FLINT.
I ALSO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I MET WITH STEVE MILLER,
THE CHAIRMAN
OF DELPHI, AND I AM CONFIDENT WE WILL CONTINUE THIS
IMPORTANT
DIALOGUE TO PRESERVE JOBS IN FLINT. IF YOU ARE
LISTENING MR. MILLER,
OUR MESSAGE TO YOU IS A SIMPLE ONE: “FLINT IS NOW A
GREAT PLACE TO
DO BUSINESS AND WE WILL HELP YOU HELP US!”
LET’S TALK ABOUT LEADERSHIP
MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT 2005 SAW GREAT CHANGE IN OUR CITY
COUNCIL. I guess he who tells the biggest,
loudest and
most
lies wins. Or was it, the candidate that mows the most peoples lawns or cuts the
most peoples trees with Don's crew wins. Can't say Don doesn't work hard to put
in the fix.
THIS CAME ABOUT BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE SAW THE NEED
FOR CHANGE. And yes we will see a need for change
when the next mayoral election comes up also. Many of us really thought you
would come in and make some real changes. Not just talk about changing from the
"old ways." But actually Changing from the "old ways."
WE ARE A GREAT CITY, BUT WE ARE EVEN GREATER WHEN WE
WORK
TOGETHER. So are you saying
the next time someone takes time off work to come down there and sit for an hour
to wait to speak to you on your “open door” policy day? You will actually talk
to them. Then really get something done?
THIS IS A TIME FOR GOOD DECISIONS AND GREAT TEAMWORK.
Don't you think waiting almost two
years is a bit slow in coming? But, I’m always up for good
decisions and team work. No matter how long it takes to get started,.I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND RECOGNIZE THE BEST COUNCIL
PRESIDENT
WE HAVE EVER HAD.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRYL BUCHANAN, THANK YOU FOR ALL
YOUR HARD
WORK AND GREAT TEAMWORK.
AND I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND SALUTE OUR NEW COUNCIL
MEMBERS:
JACKIE FOSTER POPLAR,
KERRY NELSON,
SANDY HILL
SHELDON NEELEY
JIM ANANICH,
EHREN GONZALEZ, AND
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE COUNCIL MEMBERS SIMS AND
KINCAID. AND
ALL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE PRESENT. WOULD YOU
PLEASE
STAND. The only person I
ever see, taking every opportunity to play politics or be divisive or
argumentative or degrading of others in office is… Don! This is yet another
perfect example of the Pot calling the kettle black. But, the good news for Don
is. Most of the people in Flint don’t seem to be smart enough to notice. They
are just thrilled someone is coming out to cut their trees and their lawn and
painting over the same graffiti over and over and over again. Instead of going
after the punks putting it up there every week. It can really make you look good
having people continuously removing the graffiti. Instead of actually doing
something about keeping it from getting it put up there in the first place.
THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR EFFORT, YOUR
INTEGRITY AND YOUR TEAMWORK. THE CITIZENS ARE WELL
SERVED BY YOUR
SERVICE.
I WANT TO GIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO GEORGE PECK. HE
HAS BEEN
INSTRUMENTAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, AND
I THANK HIM
FOR HIS DEDICATION TO THE GREAT CITIZENS OF FLINT.
I ALSO NEED TO RECOGNIZE MY DEPARTMENT HEADS AND
SUPPORT STAFF
WHO ARE SO DEDICATED TO THIS CITY.
WILL THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE PLEASE STAND:
PEGGY COOK
TRACHELLE YOUNG
BILL AYRE
BOB COOK
JOE CONROY
CHIEF RICHARD DICKS
PETER D.
BOB ERLENBECK
BILL FOWLER
CHIEF GARY HAGLER
RON JACKSON
CLEORA MAGEE
DEIRDRE PITTS
DELPHINE ROGERS
CHARLES YOUNG
CHRISTINE BROWN
CHRIS MARTIN
MARGARET FREDERICKS
SALLY HAYWOOD
JUNE URDY, AND
ALMA MCGUIRE.
NOW, WILL ALL OF THE CITY EMPLOYEES PLEASE STAND. I
WANT TO THANK
YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR GREAT CITY.
WE ALSO COULD NOT HAVE ACHIEVED WHAT WE DID IN 2005
WITHOUT THE
GREAT WISDOM AND FAITH OF OUR SUPERB RELIGIOUS LEADERS.
WOULD
ALL OF THE CLERGY PLEASE STAND.
THANK YOU ALL FOR PROVIDING SUCH GREAT SUPPORT THROUGH
YOUR
FINE CHURCHES – WHICH ARE THE CORNERSTONES OF OUR
COMMUNITY.
LET’S TALK ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
I TOLD YOU WE WOULD CLEAN UP OUR STREETS AND
NEIGHBORHOODS. Crime up! But the streets
are
clean. Personally, I’d still rather live on a dirty street with low crime than a
clean street, that is ranked the 4th highest in the nation in crime!
I AM PROUD TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE 20 NEW WASTE TRUCKS
ON THE WAY
TO PICK UP GARBAGE AND KEEP OUR CITY CLEAN.
Spent more from out of town than buying them right
here in Flint.
DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS MY WIFE AND I ALSO OPENED
AND OPERATE
A RECYCLING CENTER ON GRAND TRAVERSE AND 12TH STREET,
FOR OUR
CITIZENS TO USE AT NO COST TO THE CITY OR THE CITIZENS.
Thank You. This was a very good thing.
AND I AM VERY PROUD TO REPORT TO YOU THAT LAST YEAR WE
PAVED 140
MILES OF STREETS, THE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT EFFORT IN OUR
HISTORY!
BY AUGUST OF LAST YEAR WE WERE DEMOLISHING BLIGHTED
HOUSES AT
THE RATE OF 12 PER WEEK!
Any demolition of blight is welcome. And there is always a road to be paved.
Only, can we repave some more of the roads that need it. And not the roads that
don’t?
IN JULY, OUR CITY WAS ROCKED BY A VIOLENT WINDSTORM.
ONE OF OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS NEEDED IMMEDIATE HELP. OUR TEAM QUICKLY
CLEARED
TREES THAT HAD FALLEN ON ROOFS AND RESTORED POWER. OUR
CITIZENS
RECEIVED THE IMMEDIATE HELP THEY NEEDED. THEY CALLED IT
A MIRACLE---
WE CALL IT GOOD DECISIONS AND GREAT TEAMWORK!
IN 2005 MY TEAM ALSO CREATED A NEW 50:50 PROGRAM FOR
SIDEWALK
REPAIRS. IT IS VERY SIMPLE. I DECIDED THAT IF YOU HELP
US CLEAN YOUR
STREET, WE ARE GOING TO HELP YOU. THIS IS A GOOD
DECISION THAT
FOSTERS GREAT TEAMWORK.
First I’ve heard of this? So I have to help Don’s people in order to gain what?
I AM ALSO WORKING ON A NEW OPTION FOR OUR WATER SUPPLY.
BY
KEEPING A SHARP EYE ON EXPENSES AND CONTINUING OUR
FINANCIAL
DISCIPLINE, I BELIEVE THAT WATER AND SEWER RATES WILL
NOT INCREASE
This is one of those not big issues
today, but will become one down the road. Good job at identifying it and at
least attempting to do something before it becomes a big issue. Great foresight!
That is refreshing that we have someone looking ahead on something.
FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS, HELPING YOU SAVE MONEY ON YOUR
WATER BILLS.
WE ALSO ANNOUNCED THIS YEAR A $200 REWARD FOR ANYONE
WHO
REPORTS ILLEGAL DUMPING. CALL THE HOTLINE AT 237-2432
IF YOU SEE
SOMEONE TRASHING OUR CITY!
Another thing I hadn’t heard about. Sounds like a good thing to me.
I
AM ALSO PROUD THAT WE REBUILT PIERSON ROAD FROM HORTON TO
FLEMING AND COMPLETED REPLACEMENT OF THE WATER MAIN,
SEWER AND
STORM SANITATION SYSTEM! BUT THE REAL NEWS IS THAT WE
FINISHED ON
BUDGET AND TWO WEEKS EARLY! THANK YOU WADE TRIM AND
ROWE
INCORPORATED FOR A JOB WELL DONE!
I AM DELIGHTED TO REPORT TO YOU THAT WE HAVE PAINTED,
REPAIRED AND
REOPENED OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS. THE HASKELL COMMUNITY
CENTER
IS THE LATEST TO BE REOPENED. THE PIERCE CENTER ROOF
WILL BE
REPLACED, AND BERSTON AND HASSELBRING ARE OPEN AND
OPERATING.
ALL OF THESE FANTASTIC RESULTS COME FROM GREAT TEAMWORK
BY A
GREAT STAFF.
These are
going to be tuff. They have been allowed to fall apart for so long. I personally miss
the Public swimming pools we used to have. Now that would be something. Get
these places back to their original glory. But, that’s too much to ask of any
Mayor. Except, maybe the ones that let them get that way! Rutherford and?!
THANK YOU BOB COOK AND BILL AYRE FOR A JOB WELL DONE!
IN 2006, WE ARE GOING TO BE AS ACTIVE AS EVER!
WE WILL BE REPAVING 160 LANE MILES OF STREETS IN FLINT.
WE ARE GOING TO REBUILD 5TH AVENUE.
WE ARE REPAVING EAST COURT STREET FROM I-475 TO AVON
STREET.
WE ARE REPAVING CHEVROLET AVENUE FROM 3RD TO DUPONT.
WE WILL REPAVE WEST COURT STREET FROM PERSHING TO
BALLENGER.
AND LAPEER ROAD FROM E. COURT TO BELMONT.
AND THIS YEAR WE WILL BE REBUILDING THREE BRIDGES!
1. THE CHEVROLET AVE BRIDGE OVER THE FLINT RIVER,
2. THE GARLAND STREET BRIDGE OVER THE FLINT RIVER, AND
3. THE 12TH STREET BRIDGE OVER THREAD CREEK.
I AM VERY PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED TOGETHER
IN 2005.
OUR GOOD DECISIONS AND GREAT TEAMWORK WILL CONTINUE TO
HELP US
REBUILD OUR GREAT CITY IN 2006.
Outstanding! As I mentioned above. We needed to
repave more roads that actually needed repaving. Good job.
WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN 2006.
BUT I KNOW WE CAN DO IT WORKING TOGETHER.
AND I WILL KEEP LEADING WITH MY FAVORITE MOTTO:
“BE SURE TO GIVE THE CUSTOMER WHAT THEY WANT, WHEN THEY
WANT IT AND EVEN MORE THAN WHAT THEY EXPECT!”
Exactly, but how about having city employees follow
that policy. Especially in the Police Dept. When someone goes in to report a
crime. PUT DOWN YOUR YOGURT!! And give the
CUSTOMER in front of you, the
same respect you expect from someone at the grocery store, or the K-Mart. The
person in front of you is PAYING YOUR PAYCHECK! They deserve your full
attention.
THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT. GOD BLESS YOU AND
HAVE A GREAT
EVENING!
http://www.cityofflint.com/mayor/myr_welcome.asp
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