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Revitalization "IN FLINT"?
My problem with building a casino in
Mt. Morris and then, possibly, attempting an annexation
of the property is. That it doesn't instill pride in Flint. In order to better
ourselves as a City. We have to steal property from the suburbs. Or, the
business coming in to the “CITY” is barely 500 yards in the City limits. I
believe, if we where to do a complete overhaul of the Buick property. Do it as a
casino/hotel/resort. We may have a chance at some real revitalization in
FLINT!
Every few years. Flint soaks us, or some organization for revitalization of Down
Town. Nothing seems to last very long. Riverbank Park was trashed the last time
I went down there. The windmill place was cool, but it's now in shambles. The
Flint river
water falls don't work anymore. Flint’s solution to vandalism is to just cover
it up, and wait until the vandals become tired and quit doing it. We’ve even had
experts come into Flint and tell us, "The faster you
get it done -- they will eventually move on or quit. It isn't sexy or fun
(anymore)." Wow, what a great plan. I prefer Holly’s method.
Investigate, arrest and then prosecute. Nobody
seems to want to take responsibility to maintain any of the projects. I'm
curious to see how long the vehicle city lights will last.
We need something to bring a sense of Community. This city has been beat almost
to death. There have been years of racism built up on ALL sides. We need to
bring this to a close, forget about color. I've read about when the brick
streets where first laid. People of Flint volunteered to come down and help lay
the brick. I'd like to see something along the lines of bringing in "This Old
House" to come in a supervise/assist with pulling up and renovating the brick
streets. Have the whole city of whoever will volunteer to pull up the brick,
clean it. Then with some good engineers and the remodeling masters, lay a new
foundation, and reset the brick. Smooth out the street. City Maintenance can
repair or replace pipe, or sewer lines, do some updating, while the Brick is
being cleaned and foundation prepared. This is one of my very old ideas. I don't
think it would have worked twenty years ago. I believe the PEOPLE in Flint are
willing today to make it work. We need
something to bring the community together to get past race, or wealth and
politics. Then work together for Flint's betterment.
The only problem I see is the Politics. I doubt the Mayor would be interested
unless it would benefit him in some way. The thing is, it would. However, not
the way he has been using his position as Mayor.
I realize I'm sometimes an
idealist. But, wouldn’t it really be great, to have the whole community to
come together, for the benefit of the community and not to make, this or that
politician “look good.” Moreover, not out there screaming “Look what I’ve done”
or “I sign the checks” or "I've painted over the graffiti" taking credit for things, they were forced to do.
Plus, how do you think it would look to people and businesses, outside of Flint.
To read about how Flint came together as a community to redo their downtown
streets. After it was finished, we could have one of those parties in the
streets that they used to have downtown in the 40’s and 50’s. (http://www.flinthistory.com/features/theater/).
Maybe have the Flint Symphony play some old swing or Big Band music. Get some of
the old Do-whop groups. Some times we have to go back before we can move
forward.
How did we go from such a great city the crap hole we are in now. The city
cannot blame the UAW or GM for it's own short sidedness. It was those
organizations that still today give to Flint. Though, not as much as yesteryear. I was saying
back in
the 1980’s before GM started its big downsizing that Flint needed to change its
focus. GM wasn’t going to be here forever. And, we cannot expect the Mott
Foundation to bail us out every couple of years. My idea then was to try to turn
Flint into more of a College town. It only took Flint, almost twenty years to
start thinking that way. But, we haven’t heard anything about the real progress
towards doing that. There was an article in the Journal a few years back. That
Flint was going to start to move towards a College town. That won’t sustain
Flint. However, every little bit helps.
Flint can change. But, it takes Leadership! Someone to take the Bull by the
horns, and pull people together, LEAD! Not waste time putting down people you
don’t agree with, at every opportunity, or playing politics with grant monies,
or city contracts, etc. We someone to take the reins and do it. Because, it’s
the right thing to do for the City! Here is what Leadership IS!!
Dependability - the certainty of proper performance of duty.
Bearing - creating a favorable impression in carriage, appearance and personal
conduct at all times.
Courage - the mental quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism, but
enables a man to proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.
Decisiveness - ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in clear,
forceful manner.
Endurance - the mental and physical stamina measured by the ability to withstand
pain, fatigue, stress and hardship.
Enthusiasm - the display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance
of duty.
Initiative - taking action in the absence of orders.
Integrity - uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles; includes
the qualities of truthfulness and honesty.
Judgment - the ability to weigh facts and possible solutions on which to base
sound decisions.
Justice - giving reward and punishment according to merits of the case in
question. the ability to administer a system of rewards and punishments
impartially and consistently.
Knowledge - understanding of a science or an art. the range of one's
information, including professional knowledge and an understanding of your
marines.
Tact - the ability to deal with others without creating offense.
Unselfishness - avoidance of providing for one's own comfort and personal
advancement at the expense of others.
Loyalty - the quality of faithfulness to country, the corps, the unit, to one's
seniors, subordinates and peers.
Oops, I think that last one gave away where I learned this stuff.
The hardest one for me is TACT. I usually start out being tactful. Then
after a
few years of beating my head against the wall, and writing letters. The problem
is I'm just the average Joe. I don't have big campaign bucks to stuff in
someone's shirt. So what is the incentive for elected officials to listen. Only
around election time or when they are called out in public meetings will they
even address the problem, or patronize you.
So, when I run up against the “Elected Leaders” who lack
Courage, Enthusiasm, Integrity, Judgment, Justice, Knowledge, and Unselfishness.
Where everything they seem to be doing has a
future personal monetary gain or political reason behind it. Instead of
doing it because, it is the best thing for the City. I fail to even consider
using any tact. I could handle a leader or elected official lacking in two or
three areas. But, not this many. And definitely not lacking in
INTEGRITY.
BTW
Semper Fi.
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