LEWTON-RICH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
www.lewtonrich.org
JAN. 20, 2005
Welcome
1. Pledge
2. Introductions: Dottie and Jim Stark, Officer Jason Bock, Greg Scrimger, Joe McDonald, Vic Celentino, Councilwoman Carol Wood, Councilman Brian Jeffries, Councilman Randy Williams, Neil Davis, Chuck Fleck, Micki Fuhrman, Angela James, Patty Farhat and Kathy Dunbar.
3. Minutes: Minutes were read and approved. It was suggested that we put our web site address at the top of our minutes. (www.lewtonrich.org)
4. Treasurer’s report: $.56 in dividends. We currently have $117.76.
5. Police Department’s Report: Our LPD Team 10 Officer Jason Bock passed out maps with a crime report. There was a mother-daughter dispute in the neighborhood, but other than that, things have been pretty calm. Regarding Lewton School, after-school parking problems, Jason has written out over 30 tickets at $30.00 each. The parking situation has improved a lot. Jason also patrols the Dwight Rich parking lot at least two times per night. (The night time person also patrols this lot.) Call Sgt. Linda Wright if there are cars parked in the street overnight (272-7486, ext. 9024).
6. City Council Report: Councilwoman Carol Wood talked about budget issues. The Council will continue to take the approach that the budget needs to be fixed before other items are approved. There is a large concern about lack of police coverage in the city of Lansing. There are unanswered concerns about the budget. Carol’s thought is that these concerns need to be addressed and dealt with. Councilman Brian Jeffries spoke about the difficulty in obtaining information regarding these budget issues. He feels that the City and Council need to work together and communicate. The lack of information makes it difficult for Council to come back to the people to discuss the budget and the shortfalls. Councilman Randy Williams talked about the recent snowfall and the plows—if your street does not get plowed, call Randy. Also, concerning Logan Square Shopping Center, the architect has plans posted for improvements during 2005. Comerica Bank (located in Logan Shopping Center) is closing due to cost-cutting efforts of the bank, but the ATM will stay.
7. Code Compliance Officer: Code Compliance Officer Greg Scrimger has followed through with some of our previous issues. The new data base will start next month. He is making a running list to enter in the computer when the data base is up. Greg’s e-mail address is gscrimger@ci.lansing.mi.us. Everyone thanked Greg for his outstanding work in keeping our neighborhood in compliance with the city of Lansing’s codes. (We are blessed. He gives 150% !!)
8. County Commissioner’s report: County Commissioner Vic Celentino thanked everyone for voting for him in November. (He missed that meeting due to parent-teacher conferences). He will bring the new animal control person to speak at our meeting in the spring. Also, if you know any one who would like to become involved with county government, go to the web site: www.ingham.org and you can find out the boards that are accepting applicants. The Ingham County Youth Commission is looking for members; if you are interested, call 676-7200. Also, there are jobs with the parks department, e.g. life guards, etc. Regarding Capitol City Airport, Vic worked hard to get cooperation between Clinton, Ingham and Eaton counties. There are negotiations with the other counties at this time.
9. Joe McDonald: (Virg Bernero’s office) Senator Virg Bernero worked on SB 1, to create a Mental Health Ombudsman to help Michigan families navigate the state’s mental health system.
10.
Kathy Dunbar: Kathy brought South Lansing
Community Development Association Newsletters to pass out to those who did not
receive one in the mail. The South Lansing Community Development Association
has two events coming up: the Taste of the South
Side, to be held on the 3rd or 4th weekend in April. Twelve to fifteen restaurants will be participating,
similar to the chili cook-off that’s held at the Lansing Center/City Market
each summer. The other event would be to hold a South side Scavenger Hunt
– to see what positive things the South
side has to offer. An example of a negative press,
would be the murder in Walsh park; that was incorrectly labeled “South side” by
the newspapers and newscasters. The South side Scavenger Hunt
coupled with a community picnic will be
held the last weekend in July. Participants will go to the precinct and pick up a
passport with various places listed that they can visit. They will then go into
Hawk Island County Park for the raffle at the end of the scavenger hunt.
A question was
asked about the Bad Habits Party store—Carol explained how party stores got
their license, and also that we as a neighborhood association, could monitor
the places that we are concerned about and also write letters to the Liquor
Control Commission, for example. Any concerns that we have, pictures etc., we
can take to city hall and to City Council. Scott Sanford is a code compliance
officer, who deals with sign’s on buildings and he can be reached at 483-6746.
Kathy talked
about a house selling in her neighborhood, that the potential buyer stated, was
going to be turned into a rental after they acquired it. She learned that if
you sell your home “by owner” you can choose who you wish to sell your home to.
If you sell your own home and don’t want it to become a rental, you can put a
restriction in the deed. (Single use deed restriction).
There is a
fund-raiser Saturday (1.22.05) night, at
7:00 p.m. for a firefighter, who is
fighting cancer, at the Cadillac Club.
The price is $35.00 per couple. You can purchase
tickets at the door.
12. Neighborhoods-N-Bloom: There was a workshop yesterday
for new-comers to this project. The application needs to be in on January 24th
to get flowers for Dwight Rich School. Neil will make the contact at Rich, and
Patty will order the flowers. Kathy suggested offering the Mayflower Church
some flowers since they are a part of our neighborhood. Kathy will talk to the
church and then talk to Patty.
13. Public Comment: There were no comments.
14. Old Business:
a. Election of Officers: We have a slate of officers: Patty
as President, Angela as Vice-President, Chuck as Treasurer, Micki
as Secretary, Neil Davis, Mike Flaga and Clarence Conyers as At-Large Members.
Current At-Large Member, Marsha Pullen declined to run this time, due to health
problems. The association members who
were present voted in the board as proposed.
We hope and pray that Marsha’s health problems improve and
that she is back to good health soon. We
shall miss her on the board but hope to see her at monthly meetings.
15. New Business:
a. Grants: One grant has been submitted for a neighborhood
association sign. There is a concern over placement of the sign (we had
proposed the corner of Mt. Hope and Pleasant Grove). If we cannot secure the
placement, (via city approval of use of the right-of-way land) then we will
wait until next year to apply for this grant, after we have done the proper
paper work and secured the city’s approval.
Carol Wood suggested that we write a grant to obtain “street sign
toppers”.
There are also grants available to help with printing
brochures for the association. It would be helpful for us to have a fact sheet
about our neighborhood, which we could use on numerous occasions; we would have
them available at our monthly meetings, we could provide then to neighbors when
selling their homes, among other things.
We will submit a grant for this as well as for the street sign toppers.
b.
Bea Christie Award Dinner will be held on
Feb. 18th, at 5:30 p.m. at the
Lansing Center. Patty has tickets available at $15.00 each if anyone
is interested in attending.
c. Norris family: Mike suggested writing a letter of
appreciation to them regarding their Christmas display and Santa Claus.
16. Raffle: prizes were held until February due to low
attendance.
17. Meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Micki
Micki Fuhrman, Secretary