William Matt
It is my pledge to always seek justice on behalf of the City of Lansing. As your neighbor, I will work diligently to find responsible solutions to our challenges, and lead with a vision guided by a hope of an ever-better city.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
City Pulse scoops LSJ, again.
Props to the Lansing City Pulse for again doing investigative work and informing readers of a big story right here in our back yard.
The Our Savior Lutheran post following this one hit the Pulse today. It is not up online yet, but should be later today at: City Pulse Online Link.
While the story soft shoed neighbor concerns and the complete lack of neighbor notification, it did add some important notes. First, our Council member A'lynne Robinson is at least aware of the project and heard from her neighbors "they were concerned about what the center's presence would say about southwest Lansing".
No, frankly that is one of the least of our neighbors concerns. What we are concerned about is that increased troubled youths might bring with them a whole host of problems such as criminal activity, illegal drug use, and disruptive behavior that will spill over into our neighborhoods making our kids less safe and have a negative impact on our neighborhoods and homes. I'm less worried about the image it will portray to other Lansing residents.
Robinson continued she "was surprised to learn that 40% of the teens targeted for the school actually live in the vicinity of the Holmes Road location."
I'm not surprised, and neither are the neighbors on the South side.
Anyhoo... The article goes on to say that the Ingham juvenile system had a consultant indicate the system was doing poorly on numerous fronts, including the use of overly punitive measures.
The article shares that the plan will need Lansing City Council approval for rezoning before it can become a reality. That's good, because Lansing residents will now have more of an opportunity to express their concerns if they have any.
The Our Savior Lutheran post following this one hit the Pulse today. It is not up online yet, but should be later today at: City Pulse Online Link.
While the story soft shoed neighbor concerns and the complete lack of neighbor notification, it did add some important notes. First, our Council member A'lynne Robinson is at least aware of the project and heard from her neighbors "they were concerned about what the center's presence would say about southwest Lansing".
No, frankly that is one of the least of our neighbors concerns. What we are concerned about is that increased troubled youths might bring with them a whole host of problems such as criminal activity, illegal drug use, and disruptive behavior that will spill over into our neighborhoods making our kids less safe and have a negative impact on our neighborhoods and homes. I'm less worried about the image it will portray to other Lansing residents.
Robinson continued she "was surprised to learn that 40% of the teens targeted for the school actually live in the vicinity of the Holmes Road location."
I'm not surprised, and neither are the neighbors on the South side.
Anyhoo... The article goes on to say that the Ingham juvenile system had a consultant indicate the system was doing poorly on numerous fronts, including the use of overly punitive measures.
The article shares that the plan will need Lansing City Council approval for rezoning before it can become a reality. That's good, because Lansing residents will now have more of an opportunity to express their concerns if they have any.
Labels: A'Lynne Robinson, Ingham County Commission, lansing city council, OSL
Friday, March 7, 2008
County Facility for "Deliquent & Disturbed Youth" at OSL
Recently I was notified, via email last Wednesday, of a meeting that same night at Our Savior Lutheran Church & School on Holmes Street. The meeting was to inform neighbors and concerned citizens of a planned Ingham County facility for the church property, after the church moves to Delta Township this summer. I was not able to attend this meeting due to the short notice, so I can't say what the proceedings were or the what the support or opposition from the neighbors was. Nor have I seen anything reported in the LSJ or local TV news about the plan.
My curiosity was stoked again earlier this week when I received another email regarding the Lewton Rich Neighborhood Association planned for Thursday, March 27 that would feature a Lansing Police representative to discuss the proposed county facility. Attached to this meeting notice was the notification letter from the county regarding the meeting from the previous week. This was the first and only official notice I saw, and it was after the fact. Since I live on the first block of Boston, off Pleasant Grove approximately 1/2 mile from the facility on Holmes, and just a block away from a portion of "Victor Woods", the green space with trails that runs between MLK, Holmes, and adjacent to our neighborhood Colonial Village, I think that our neighborhood would be brought into the planning loop by the County for this facility. In fact, the tenor of the Lewton Rich email notice, a neighborhood further North and West of Colonial Village, was of alarm, and claimed that neighbors should attend and speak out as the facility is in our neighborhood.
So I wanted to find a little background info on the facility proposal. In a resolution adopted December 11, 2007 (LINK) the county authorized "THE PURCHASE OF OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOUSING THE CONTINUUM OF CARE FACILITY". Now, some may claim that the title of this post is alarmist or sensational, but I took it directly from the first Whereas: "WHEREAS, the Circuit Court has previously proposed that the County consider a Juvenile Assessment Center and a Continuum of Care Facility that would house and treat delinquent and disturbed youth in Ingham County".
Additionally, in the next few sentences I found "this facility is proposed to house a full scope of services (e.g., prevention, intervention, aftercare, and sanctions) and include a variety of programs and services: Alternative Day School and After School Program, Family Assessment and Treatment Center, Substance Abuse Services, Mental Health Services, among others".
Now, back to the letter that was sent to some people. The letter begins "We are writing to share some exciting news for our community..." Yes, I can feel the excitement. In fact it is so exciting, that there are last minute, little noticed meetings, and no media coverage, that it literally screams excitement!
Not that there is anything neighbors or apparently the City can or will do even if there is 100% resident and neighbor opposition. I get the feeling this is a done deal. The letter states that our help and feedback is sought as they "implement a plan". That doesn't sound like there are any decisions still to be made. Nor does the original linked resolution seem vague about the purpose. To authorize 1.975 million dollars for the purchase of the property, and to: "begin operating the Continuum of Care Facility by the start of the 2008 - 2009 fall school year."
So this thing looks like a done deal, and I don't want to disparage the plan or idea, but I do feel a bit, no strike that, I feel totally left out of the communications loop by the County, and that is unfortunate. I am a pretty astute observer of local happenings, so I can imagine how other neighbors will feel when they hear about this plan.
I think if done right, this is an asset for Lansing. To get this type of investment in our community to help at risk and under performing youth is admirable. In fact, a lot of what I heard from neighbors last year on the campaign trail was that delinquent and sometimes violent or belligerent kids were running amok in the neighborhoods causing all kind of havoc. How are we best able to address some of these kids behavior problems without investing in programs and facilities. I think it is an ideal location, right in the heart of the South Side of Lansing. In addition, I would much rather have a structured program run by Ingham County, one of the better run local municipalities, than to have an abandoned and empty property.
I should add a disclaimer here as well. Both of my two older boys attend Our Savior School and we are members of the church. We expect to continue sending them to OSL at the new Delta facility in the fall. I have spend literally hundreds of hours inside and around that facility. It needs some work, but it is a wonderful property.
So a good and needed program, and a nice local site. What's my problem?
My problem is the remarkable lack of notice. Like I said, it's not like I don't know our County Commissioners, I know just about all 16 on a first name basis and serve with them on various commissions and boards. I live just blocks away. I sent an email earlier today to Dale Copedge, our District 6 Commissioner who lives a couple street over from me. I asked Dale if there were any more public forums being scheduled. If Dale doesn't know that Lewton Rich and Colonial Village, two of the largest and most powerful associations in Lansing were not fully noticed and are sending alarming emails, then he just didn't do a good job communicating with us. I haven't heard back from Dale, but I will let you know if I do. For those neighbors opposed to the program, I suggest you contact your Commissioners and City Councilmembers. Especially Dale and A'lynne Robinson.
My curiosity was stoked again earlier this week when I received another email regarding the Lewton Rich Neighborhood Association planned for Thursday, March 27 that would feature a Lansing Police representative to discuss the proposed county facility. Attached to this meeting notice was the notification letter from the county regarding the meeting from the previous week. This was the first and only official notice I saw, and it was after the fact. Since I live on the first block of Boston, off Pleasant Grove approximately 1/2 mile from the facility on Holmes, and just a block away from a portion of "Victor Woods", the green space with trails that runs between MLK, Holmes, and adjacent to our neighborhood Colonial Village, I think that our neighborhood would be brought into the planning loop by the County for this facility. In fact, the tenor of the Lewton Rich email notice, a neighborhood further North and West of Colonial Village, was of alarm, and claimed that neighbors should attend and speak out as the facility is in our neighborhood.
So I wanted to find a little background info on the facility proposal. In a resolution adopted December 11, 2007 (LINK) the county authorized "THE PURCHASE OF OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOUSING THE CONTINUUM OF CARE FACILITY". Now, some may claim that the title of this post is alarmist or sensational, but I took it directly from the first Whereas: "WHEREAS, the Circuit Court has previously proposed that the County consider a Juvenile Assessment Center and a Continuum of Care Facility that would house and treat delinquent and disturbed youth in Ingham County".
Additionally, in the next few sentences I found "this facility is proposed to house a full scope of services (e.g., prevention, intervention, aftercare, and sanctions) and include a variety of programs and services: Alternative Day School and After School Program, Family Assessment and Treatment Center, Substance Abuse Services, Mental Health Services, among others".
Now, back to the letter that was sent to some people. The letter begins "We are writing to share some exciting news for our community..." Yes, I can feel the excitement. In fact it is so exciting, that there are last minute, little noticed meetings, and no media coverage, that it literally screams excitement!
Not that there is anything neighbors or apparently the City can or will do even if there is 100% resident and neighbor opposition. I get the feeling this is a done deal. The letter states that our help and feedback is sought as they "implement a plan". That doesn't sound like there are any decisions still to be made. Nor does the original linked resolution seem vague about the purpose. To authorize 1.975 million dollars for the purchase of the property, and to: "begin operating the Continuum of Care Facility by the start of the 2008 - 2009 fall school year."
So this thing looks like a done deal, and I don't want to disparage the plan or idea, but I do feel a bit, no strike that, I feel totally left out of the communications loop by the County, and that is unfortunate. I am a pretty astute observer of local happenings, so I can imagine how other neighbors will feel when they hear about this plan.
I think if done right, this is an asset for Lansing. To get this type of investment in our community to help at risk and under performing youth is admirable. In fact, a lot of what I heard from neighbors last year on the campaign trail was that delinquent and sometimes violent or belligerent kids were running amok in the neighborhoods causing all kind of havoc. How are we best able to address some of these kids behavior problems without investing in programs and facilities. I think it is an ideal location, right in the heart of the South Side of Lansing. In addition, I would much rather have a structured program run by Ingham County, one of the better run local municipalities, than to have an abandoned and empty property.
I should add a disclaimer here as well. Both of my two older boys attend Our Savior School and we are members of the church. We expect to continue sending them to OSL at the new Delta facility in the fall. I have spend literally hundreds of hours inside and around that facility. It needs some work, but it is a wonderful property.
So a good and needed program, and a nice local site. What's my problem?
My problem is the remarkable lack of notice. Like I said, it's not like I don't know our County Commissioners, I know just about all 16 on a first name basis and serve with them on various commissions and boards. I live just blocks away. I sent an email earlier today to Dale Copedge, our District 6 Commissioner who lives a couple street over from me. I asked Dale if there were any more public forums being scheduled. If Dale doesn't know that Lewton Rich and Colonial Village, two of the largest and most powerful associations in Lansing were not fully noticed and are sending alarming emails, then he just didn't do a good job communicating with us. I haven't heard back from Dale, but I will let you know if I do. For those neighbors opposed to the program, I suggest you contact your Commissioners and City Councilmembers. Especially Dale and A'lynne Robinson.
Labels: A'Lynne Robinson, Continuum Care Facility, Dale Copedge, Ingham County Commission, OSL, South Lansing
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