Tuesday, November 26, 2002

Oakland Press Article / Front Page Headline / Silverdome: Everything from Fish to Chips or Soup to NUTS

One of the more interesting proposals received by the Stadium Authority proposes a Pontiac Town Center approach. To include a Pre-school Center, Arts program, Basketball Courts, Swimming Pools, among other "Community" driven service elements. This propposal asks for a mere 300 million dollars. This proposal parrelles our Pontiac SMART Community Complex initiative except it is not as "far reaching" nor as diverse, nor as inclusive or community driven, as our initiative. Although I'm sure it intends to address Community Services and Youth, it nevers mentions having involved them in the "visioneering process." Additionally, it's projected cost exceeds our modest requirments by 30 to 1. All this form the best and the brightest. Clearly, we are on the right track given the target elements of this proposal. It should certainly inspire us to continue our efforts in ernest. One of the other proposals asks to have the Silverdome given to them for the sum of $1.00. I guess they haven't heard the cry of the current administration of the City of Pontiac (Mayor Willie Payne). "DOLLAR DAYS" are over in this city! FINALLY the 3rd proposal simply asks to "CHANGE" the state law regarding GAMBLING! PLEASE SAY IT AINT SO! You bet 100K.......YOU LOSE SUCKER! Stay tuned......more to come.

Best,

Jim

Sunday, November 14, 2002 5:00AM

TO BE CONTINUED OR NOT? THIS IS THE QUESTION THAT ONLY YOU CAN ANSWER!

HOPE THE HOLIDAYS FIND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY'S WELL...........

BEST,

JIM

SAFE NIGHT / Wednesday, November 13, 2002 6:00PM

Why can't we have "SAFE NIGHT" EVERY NIGHT? So sayeth Mr. Ray Wright, Executive Director of the JAMM Project (Master of Ceremonies for the Safe Night Program) along with a few hundred young people and Mayor Payne. The event was FUN, entertaining, informative, educational (Science, Community, Music) and interactive. Congratualtions to Mr. Wright and his continued efforts on behalf of Pontiac Youth.

God Bless,

Jim

Meeting Summary / Pontiac SMART Youth / First United Methodist Church
Saturday, November 9, 2002 2:00PM

"AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE"

Incredible presentations from a varied and diverse group of passionate individuals. Mr. David Allen from "EARTH FORCE" gave all of us an "historical understanding" of his forebearers efforts to deliver a message of epic proportions to Methodist congregations dating back to the Cival War era. His presentation and video tape on environmental issues culminating with his Earth Force initiative was well received and engaging. Mr. Allen also offered the Pontiac SMART Youth an opportunity to create a Pontiac SMART Youth Earth Force Program. It was determined that there was some interest in doing this by the youth.

Mr. Pat O'Connor of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discussed his "daily duties" on behalf of the environment and his corresponding interest in the urban environmental issues relating to Pontiac with a particular focus on Crystal Lake and the adjoining Rails & Trails connector to the city (Mr. O'connor was an instrumental element in the development of a successful grant initiative to secure funding for the project). It was determined that we should develop a "Field Trip" to Crystal Lake led by Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Allen to familialize ourselves with these incredible environmental assets. Additionally, we discussed the possiblity of an "outreach opportunity" with Webster Elementary School in Detroit (Mr. Allen Works with this school) at the foot of the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit River to visit them and conversely they visit us in Pontiac to share our developing environmental interests. We will attempt to utilize AMTRACK for transportation on a day trip excursion.

During our "intermission" Soup & Bread and refresehments (thanks to Mrs. Battles) were served while some of the group went up to look at the SMART building. Mr. Allen & his son Garth also set-up a telecope to check out Crystal Lake from the building location.

Mr. Ken Anderson opened our next session with an "empowering" discussion about the role "historical social issues, leadership, and self-esteem" play in the formulation of any successful community developments. This message resonated with everyone and was riveting. Mr. Anderson is co-developing an organization called PACE and intends to create programming centered on these and other urban development issues of significance to these communities.

Mr. Richard Williams (Oakland County Minority Affairs Offive) was also moved to address the gathering in support of Mr. Anderson' message and added much to the discussion centered on "personal responsibility" and our need to use our individual/collective intelligence to THINK! He suggested that perhaps we should review some movie video tapes such as "Schoodays" and "Glory" for some historical retrospective. His passion was something to behold and certainly something for all of us to emmulate. I hope everyone HEARD what these gentelmen were delivering. It was so "on-message" and inspring! Mr. Williams also suggested that perhaps we needed to develop a "newsletter" to get our message out! I hope that our youth will step-up to the challenge of such brilliant suggestions!

Mr. Tony Bacon an Detroit Artist and Detroit Public Schools intructor for 22 years was kind enough to shorten his presentation about his experience in the fields of Art and Education. However, he focused his brief statements on the importance of "creativity" in any conceptual endeavor. He also targeted some of the youth whom expressed an interest in artistic expression and met with each of them "one on one" after his remarks. Thank you Tony for your creative participation and your indulgence in the interest of time.

Flyers were distributed to everyone about the SAFE NIGHT program being orchestrated by Ray Wright, executive director of the JAMM Project, on Wednesday, November 13, 2002 at 7:00PM at the Pontiac Pike Steet Boys and Girls Club. I think everyone was going to make an effort to attend.

It was determined that the next meeting should take place prior to the December holidays and we should meet at the McMath-Hulbert Observatory. Several people indicated that a week night might be better instead of Saturday afternoon. Jim Ross accepted the resonsibility of contacting everyone to determine a date/ time, etc.

In closing..........WOW!

May "peace and understanding" follow each of you all the rest of your days..........

Jim

Saturday, November 2, 2002 11:00AM

Videoconfernce between the Observatory and Walton Park Manor YAPPO Computer Learning Center.

Subject: Vision, Leadership, and "Fail to plan, Plan to Fail"
Moderator: Rick Williams, Oakland County Minority Affairs Office.
Presenters: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity / Oakland University.
Mr. Cornelius Myrick,
Mr. Errin Witaker,
Mr. Kendrick Bouie.

This program lasted two hours and was well received by the young people. The "focus element" of the program was the Pontiac SMART Community Complex exectuion and what elements of leadership might be neccessary for it's success.

The following comments are some of the reactions to the program presentation. Youth: "This project is about youth and we know what we want to do." "We would like to have adult participation, but we want them to support what we are doing and show us how to do it, not tell us what to do." "We have a list of things we want to do at the Complex." The list was read by the youth and each item on it was discussed with some indications from the "presenting group" about how we should proceed. The youth made a representation "regarding money for the project" and how it had been determined that the "money issue" should not interfere with their creativity at this time." A comment (Rick Williams) was made about "where did they ever get that idea from?" In unison the youth responed that "Mr. Ross, Jim Ross, Jim said it." Mr. Williams responded that "that guy is as crazy as a june bug (or a fox)." Proceedings were halted until Mr. Williams could be made to understand the consequences of such a statement. Mr. Williams was allowed to continue and gave an apt understanding of the concept (defer the money issue until we had exhausted our creativity so as not to stifle it). He also asked "if any of the youth had written any grants?" The youth responded "no" but certainly if they prevailed, grants would be written about them and their success." Several other elements of the Alpha Phi Alpha program were presented and discussed. The presentation ended.

Summary: "Kids say the darndest things." "It would be my hope that all were listening intently, like their lives depended on it!"

We want to thank Mr. Williams and the presenters from Alpha Phi Alpha for their insights and instruction and hope that we can continue this realtionship. It has immense power!

These excrepts were not intended to articulate the entire presentation and certainly they don't, but merely to identify and encapsulate some of the more outstanding elements. This forum was created to offer a repositiory for expression(s) from all involved. Please submit your understandings so that they may be shared. This is the purpose of Community.

Hope all finds you well....see you on Saturday afternoon.....bring your imaginations!

Jim

Great Meeting Saturday, October 26, 2002

Tour of the SMART building was interesting and exciting thanks to the willingly shared "imaginations" of all involved.
Food was great, ESPECIALLY the "chicken soup!"
Thanks to the Walton Park Manor youth who attended and Joe Bradley for making sure they were able to get there.
Thanks to Rick & Jeremy Williams for stopping by to see what we are up to!

Next meeting November 9, 2002 2:30PM
We will be inviting Leona Patterson and some young people form Lancaster Village to join in our endeavors.

Best,

Jim