Dear Readers,
Yes it is true that Ingham County Land Bank has accepted an offer from Mid- Michigan Recovery Services (MMRS), for men recovering from substance abuse. I am finding it difficult to understand who thought this would be a good idea. We have a 30 bed facility around the corner on Willow Street that also serves men. They would like to have a 16 bed facility to add to our neighborhood. As a 28 year resident and business owner it is disturbing.
I repeat, the Ingham County Land Bank is in the process of selling the Superintendent’s House located on the former Michigan School for the Blind Campus located at 1141 N. Pine Street!!!
I would like to see diverse food options in my neighborhood. A grocery store would be key for all of the new tenants with limited incomes and no vehicles. I would like to see a neighborhood center where parents could enjoy time with their children or engage in healthy activities. During former Mayor Bernero’s administration, he began to dismantle and demoralize neighborhood organizations. They took away the North Network Center on the campus that used to serve the community and seniors. They had an after school tutoring program, chess club, computer club and a whole host of other neighborhood activities to keep young people busy.
I would like better sidewalks for those who are in wheelchairs who now ride in the street along side those pushing carriages because the sidewalks are so awful. I would like to see more community engagement and volunteerism at Mid Michigan Leadership Academy (MMLA). It is the ONLY school in Walnut Neighborhood Organization's area and it is a charter school.
Did I say that this proposed rehabilitation facility is next to the Head Start preschool and MMLA. Again is this economics?
I wish that I felt safer after experiencing a multitude of interactions with potentially dangerous addicts, including someone trying to push their way into my home while asking for sexual favors during the day. This happens. My friend getting out of her car with a cane to visit and someone is begging her for $10.00. How unsettling.
One of the highlights is seeing the children taking a walk to the ice cream store or seeing the pre-schoolers out playing. It is easy to say what you want when you are not actually in the fish bowl. There are some fish that don't belong in that particular fish bowl with others. A certain balance needs to be maintained… this is a big city. There are no stigmas in not wanting everything in one place. That is called balance. Did I say there is a 30 BED FACILITY AROUND THE CORNER?
I would like to know if any other organizations have had problems with the Ingham County Land Bank? The stories are rolling in. I wonder if other property options were given? Who do we hold responsible when things don't go according to the kumbaya fairy tale that we can lump people together and find optimal success. People get to work from 9-5 get in their cars and drive off to their safe homes and their self implied elitism shines when talking about where they live.
I am still waiting for the low income housing to see how that goes. I am still waiting for the senior housing. From what I recall the age is 55 years old. What will happen if their children move in or visit the “she doesn't live here or he just stays here sometimes” syndrome? Other low income units have that type of issue. Low income housing… what is that? I have a friend who is disabled. This person will go to sanctioned classes to keep SSI and fall off to get back on. The disability is alcohol and another white substance. Trying to help one addicted person just cost me almost $2,000. The grief alone of late night activity, other addicts invading your home, abandoned cars on the street for seamless drug transfer (yes, just leave the vehicle on the street, two people have keys or the window is busted out and you never have to go inside the house.) A vehicle is utilized as a drug depository and transfer. Yes, it happens.
When are people going to say enough is enough for poorer neighborhoods? There will be a meeting at MMLA’s gym at 730 W Maple Avenue in the gym on February 6 from 4-5:30 pm.
ENOUGH,
Rina Risper
February 4, 2018- February 17, 2018
