Subject: Development of a New Southend Community/Senior Center

Dear Southend Neighbood/Community Organization:

The above subject center was listed as a priority on the August 1990 ballot when the VOTERS approved a 1 MILL, five year renewable millage for Park Inprovements and Development.

VOTERS have renewed this millage in 1995 and again in 2000. Also some 1.5 million dollars from the sale of the Civic Center was set aside for the development of a NEW SOUTHEND COMMUNITY CENTER/SENIOR CENTER. THIS FUND IS NOW DOWN TO ABOUT SOME $600,000 DOLLARS. WHERE HAS THIS MONEY GONE????

THIS MILLAGE WILL BE UP FOR RENEWAL AGAIN THIS YEAR (2005), ON THE AUGUST PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT.

The north, east and west sides of Lansing have full service community centers owned and operated by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. WHY NOT THE SOUTHEND OF LANSING???

This issue is more than a southend issue. It is an issue of how our tax dollars are spent, when voters approve tax millages.

After almost 15 years of broken promises, it is time for all southend residents, neighborhood/community associations to come together and require the Mayor and Lansing City Council to develop a New Southend Community/Senior Center as soon as possible. And give a full accounting of why a priority project covered in the 1990 Parks Millage has not been done.

I’am willing to meet with your group to present all of the facts relating to this issue. Please feel free to contact me at (517) 882-7559.

Thank you for your assistance to this important Southend Community issue.

Darnell E. Oldham, Sr.