Bill Matt

Today the City Council Public Safety committee will be discussing the Mayor's crime prevention strategy, but I expect most of the focus to be on the controversial camera plan. Unfortunately the broader scope of implementing PROGRAMS to help build families and guide youth to the proper path. These long term strategies are vital in our community, and it is my hope that they receive as much attention, input from the community, scrutiny and resources as the cameras have. Part of the plan includes: (LINK)

... expanded youth development programs that engage and empower young people to get on and stay on the right road, and the addition of a Neighborhood Watch Officer to greatly expand the reach of neighborhood watch organizations city-wide.

and to quote the Mayor:

..."encourages and empowers Lansing residents to work together to create safer neighborhoods, and helps our young people to get and stay on the right road"

In addition, the crime prevention plan fails to address building and supporting programs that prevent violence against women, as has been repeatedly pointed out by Melissa Dey Hasbrook these past few weeks in letters to Council and the Mayor. More great information can be found on her blog at (WOMEN WRITERS).

Engaging the community and building programs are the visionary strategies I support for Lansing. How do we get started?

Labels: Bill Matt, cameras, crime, lansing city council, women writers

Early this morning, a merry band of hardy volunteers ventured into the Grand River and canvassed the now revealed river banks to pick up trash and remove debris.

I gamely reported for duty at 8:30am, and by 9:00am was waist deep in the Grand. I worked around the Elm Street bridge where we pulled out approximately 8 bikes, various poles, a shopping cart and matress, tires and junk. This was a typical residential dumping ground, easy to toss things over the bridge rail on a quiet street. I waded along against a firm current until I tripped on something. I usually tried to lift the item out of the water with one foot, while balancing on the other. This went pretty well, with more volunteers in a canoe helping pull things to shore, and more volunteers yet, dragging the junk up the steep riverbank to be stacked near the trail or road to be picked up later.

Further along the river, past the Elm Point Park foot bridge, we found a concentrated area of what appeared to be older commercial garbage. Some full, 5 gallon paint buckets that had long since been dumped, a cash register, something that may have once been a fridge or ice box, and several deteriorating barrels. Most of this trash was lodged in the mud of the bank, and took lots of effort to dig out, pry and the roll up the bank. The smell of petroleum was fierce, and thin oil slicks drifted away from where we worked.

The chore was exhausting, dirty, smelly, and hot! Being there with other volunteers was great and seeing a major and immediate difference was rewarding for all of us. It was great.

Labels: Bill Matt, clean up, Draw down, Grand River, lansing

Today the Mayor held a press conference announcing a six point plan to increase police presence in the city in an effort to reduce crime. This is most certainly due to the recent rash of homicides in Lansing. Last year we had a total of 6 in the city. This year we are at 8 and counting. For the first half of last year we had 2, an increase of 300% over the first half of this year. Residents are demanding action, and the Mayor has responded.

The plan includes 10 video surveilance cameras at a price tag of $250,000.00, and one additional officer to work with neighborhood watch groups estimated at $100,000.00. The cameras will feature recording devices with video saved for 2 weeks, which will certainly help to investigate crimes after the fact. The main goal however is to deter crime in the ten hottest spots in the city. I would expect that at least one, maybe two, will be deployed in the 3rd ward.

This afternoon, City Council had the chance to question Chief of Staff Jerry Ambrose, and Police Chief Mark Alley. There were reassurances that training would be extensive and sensitive areas, such as your windows, would be blocked out, protecting your privacy.

Similar efforts are taking place all over the country:

Baltimore (LINK)

Other surveillance-camera systems in Baltimore have reportedly been successful crime-reduction tools in the areas in which they have been employed. The Downtown Partnership, for example, has had surveillance systems in place since 1996 in various places in the city center; the nonprofit downtown booster organization has 80 cameras nestled into well-marked areas.

And the ACLU has it's concerns:

But with the cameras come privacy concerns, and groups including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Privacy Information Center say that surveillance cameras fail to truly reduce crime in urban areas, are subject to abuse by government and law-enforcement officials (in a position paper on video-surveillance, the ACLU cites a case in which a Washington, D.C., police officer used the cameras to gather information on patrons of a local gay club), and have a “chilling effect” on public life.

And in Philadelphia (LINK):

PHILADELPHIA -- A year after the first city-owned police surveillance cameras came online at 12 crime hot spots, the results are inconclusive but encouraging, officials said.

Initial statistics compiled by the city suggest the cameras are reducing crime at key intersections while generating arrests for crimes that previously went undetected, according to a report Sunday in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

An additional 500 cameras are slated to be installed during the next two years, officials said.

So Lansing is far from the first to try this method of crime fighting. Several people spoke out today to voice concerns over privacy issues. One even called it a form of slavery. Please.

From my personal experience, I have had two Neighborhood Associations request cameras to help deter crime in their neighborhoods. Clearly there is a divide between people that want cameras and people that don't want cameras. I suggested to the administration that rather than look strictly at hard data and decide where to put cameras, they work with neighborhoods that want cameras initially, so as to lessen the soon to be heard public outcry.

I am a big fan of public safety. I think we should be upgrading our police technology to get the police the best tools available to get their jobs done. That includes cameras. In fact, part of the NAN program I am working on would eventually incorporate the technology infrastructure to support wireless cameras in neighborhoods. I also think that privacy issues must be strictly adhered to, and that no one's civil rights are infringed upon. Walking and talking in public, while being video taped, doesn't in my mind take away civil rights.

The Mayor's plan also calls for youth activities, family building, and strengthening neighborhood watches and associations. It is a wide ranging and ambitious plan, with cameras just a small part of the overall strategy. It will certainly get most of the press and scrutiny over the next few weeks. Council will have to approve the funding for these programs, so we will be looking for answers from the administration to your most pressing questions. Please let us know.

Labels: Bill Matt, cameras, lansing, lansing city council, police

To all of you who voted for me, donated time or money, or simply offered encouragement and advice: THANK YOU!

A convincing victory yesterday was very surprising to me. While I was cautiously optimistic, never did I expect to win with 21% margin over the runner up! I am very pleased, and thankful to all my supporters, and especially to my wife Michelle. Now, on to November, where I expect to campaign as if I am down 10 points! I won't let up, and I hope all of you continue to support me and spread the support far and wide throughout the 3rd Ward.

FYI, I'll be checking out for a while. The Great Lakes Folk Festival (LINK) starts Friday in downtown East Lansing, and that's where I will be. Come and join us if you have some time. It's free, and the word on the street is the Carolina Chocolate Drops will be this years surprise hit!

Labels: 3rd Ward, Bill Matt, great lakes folk festival, lansing city council

While most of the press locally on the election has been on campaigns, I'd like to point out what I have actually accomplished in just three months in office.

1. I have made an connection (NAN's LINK) between Nationally renowned MSU Professor Dr. Tom Muth and the Churchill Downs Neighborhood Association. (LINK) Check out Churchill's sweet looking site. Great job Kathy, Yolanda, and the rest of the association!

2. I have introduced the the Boy's & Girls Club Director with another MSU Instructor who wants to mobilize 30 young, professional engineers to volunteer teaching science, career placement, and tutoring to the kids at the center. This will be hundeds of hours per year!

3. I have brought together a group of 3rd Ward Neighborhood Association Executives to meet to discuss common issues and common solutions.

4. I have met with the Executives of and participated in a number of Association meetings, picnics, and Neighborhood Watch meetings, both listening and sharing ideas for solutions. These include Churchill, Colonial Village, Coachlight, Pinebrook, Lewton-Rich, Averill, Lansing Eaton, Woodmere, and Riverview.

5. I have started a positive branding campaign for the 3rd Ward, to enhance the image and highlight our positives, including the 4th of July Parade. (LINK)

6. I have started this website with not only services for residents, but a regularly updated column on timely issues for you to read and respond to. I'm making accessibility for you to City Hall easier and more transparent. I have been up front and honest on where I stand on many important issues (LINK) that affect you most.

These are simply the start of things I've done as your council representative. While consistently supporting residents, from CSO victims to Homeowners fixing their houses up, I have voted with a broad perspective with you always in mind. I have also helped many residents with concerns and problems navigating the city services.

Sure, I have campaigned some in the traditional sense, with flyers and yard signs, but actually meeting residents door to door has been the most valuable experience. It hasn't been uncommon to be invited in for a little sit down chat and pumped for information and given an earful at the same time.

I think that if you ask any city Department Heads, they would tell you that I ask the tough questions, but treat issues fairly. I think we all respect each other and will be accomplishing great things in the future.

Solutions, not talking points, are what makes the difference between me and my opponets. So yes, I am campaigning, but I am also serving the residents with innovative and lively ideas that will bring resources and opportunity to the 3rd Ward.

Labels: 3rd Ward, Bill Matt, Campaign, lansing city council

An issue before us on the ballot Tuesday is decision on whether to sell the South Grand Avenue parking ramp.

City of Lansing Sale or Disposition of Waterfront Property LINK

A portion of Lots 3 and 4 of Block 112 and Lots 1, 2 and 3 Block 113 Original Plat and vacated Allegan St. east of Grand Avenue beginning at the intersection of a line 22 feet north of the south property line of Lot 3 Block 112 Original Plat and the Grand River thence west 25 feet parallel to the south lot line of Lot 3 Block 112 Original Plat, thence south along a line parallel to the west bank of the Grand River to a point 4 feet south of the north line of Lot 3 Block 113 Original Plat thence east along a line parallel to the north line of Lot 3 block 113 Original Plat to the Grand River, City of Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan?

Did you get all that? Me either. If a paragraph is harder to follow than that, I don't know where it is!

A number of people have asked what I thought, so I'll give you my take.

The vote is required for the city to sell any riverfront property. A developer has proposed a large retail housing mix with parking. Their plan calls to tear down the old City Club property which is adjacent to the ramp to the South. This vote authorizes the city to develop property on the river, be it for this development or another. The city cannot develop all of the river fontage on our own, so we must work with developers to get a nicer riverfront. This is just like the vote that we just had for the Ottawa power station, where it makes obvious sense to sell some dated and depleted assets for a chance to develop it. It is in fact such a given that this type of developement is a great business decision, that there is talk of making a broader riverfront ordinance that would be more efficient and flexible. We will try to identify parcels to be rehabilitated and parcels like green space, to be protected so we can move forward with opportunities, be it public, private or grant driven, quickly.

The ramp itself does generate a revenue, but frankly, it's just getting too old to maintain it. The fact that the ramp is on the river which makes it an attractive parcel is actually very fortunate for us. Why would we want an old deteriorating ramp that we couldn't fix or sell. The thinking is that the development, even with tax abatements for 12 years, would be a net positive financially for the city, plus with a denser population of residents, the economic advantage is larger still. Well, we did not get specifics on these projections, but I would be confident that the gain is greater than 200 grand revenue from the South Grand Ramp minus repairs, etc.

There are still questions for the developers and the EDC. What is the estimated tax revenues for the new development? How much public parking will be available? Which parts of the small parking lot on the City Club parcel will be used? How exactly do you "sell or otherwise dispose of that portion of the South Grand Avenue parking ramp"? A Portion of a ramp? What?

The plan also mentioned maintaining (and actually replacing a broken) riverwalk access to the public. We will want to ensure this, and again, it should be a net investment to the city compared to our cost of fixing and maintaining that section of riverwalk. I would expect all departments, especially Planning, along with LEPFA and the downtown PSC to get a riverfront master plan for Lansing completed.

When I see the Grand River in Lansing Michigan, I want to see a sprawling boardwalk with parks and stores filled with couples and families, retail and entertainment, and yes, even condos. This vote will help us develop and highlight our greatest natural asset, so I plan to vote YES.

Labels: Bill Matt, lansing, LSJ, South Grand Ramp

This is neat: (LINK)

Ingham County Clerk Mike Bryanton has an online searchable database of all candidate campaign finance reports. It is very user friendly...simply put in the candidates name and check the reports you want to view. The reports do not even come up as a slow loading PDF, so you can scroll through them rather quickly. The reason I really like this site is that it is fast...reports filed last Friday were online by Tuesday, and also I think you should know who is paying for your candidates. In local races maybe not so much, but too often in government, candidates are not open, and agencies hide behind FOIA requests, keeping information from you, our bosses. Great job Mike! It's nice to see government working efficiently and for the people. I encourage you to check out the site and plug my name in to review my fianance reports.

Labels: Bill Matt, Bryanton, Campaign Finance Reports, County Clerk

Brought to you via the Washington Post (LINK)

Montgomery County officials have taken the unusual step of warning Comcast cable subscribers about an imminent change to the terms of their agreement with the cable provider that would limit customers' rights to take legal action.

Seems Comcast slips in a little paper notice of your agreement to arbitration to settle disputes, giving up your right to a court case, including class action, if you decide to sue them.

Here's more:

In bills sent in July, Comcast, which provides cable service to more than 150,000 homes in Montgomery County and 24 million nationwide, informed county subscribers of a policy change that county officials say denies customers the right to take the company to court and bars class-action suits. Instead, the change would require serious disputes to go to arbitration.

I'm sure one of these County Commissioners were notified of this action by one of their eagle-eyed constituents, and I wanted to share it here with you so you too can keep an eye on your JULY monthly statement. He is the power of citizen journalism and being your own best watchdog brought to life!

Disclaimer, I am a Comcast subscriber for cable and internet access. The prices are high, but I like local programming and DSL is not an option in our neighborhood. Overall, for the quality of the product I am very satisfied. For the price, very unsatisfied. Regardless of your choice, everyone should be allowed their day in court.

Labels: cable, comcast, internet, lansing, legal