Motor City Blight Busters

Here is a link to the full article (with some very interesting comments), and John's section is copied below:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080907/NEWS05/809070532

The 'city has been in a state of paralysis'

John George, 50, founder of Motor City Blight Busters, a 20-year-old
non-profit that targets the decay of northwest Detroit neighborhoods
such as Brightmoor and Old Redford. Blight Busters and its army of
volunteers have demolished more than 150 houses, contributed to the
renovation of some 200 homes, and, working with such partners as
Habitat for Humanity and Northwest Detroit Neighborhood Development,
have constructed 300 homes.

How did the mayoral scandal impact you?

"The
whole city has been in a state of paralysis....It's difficult to
negotiate, plot or plan when the individual you're speaking with might
not be around to follow through on the commitment....People at a
minimum understand now who's going to be in charge.

What would you tell the new mayor?

"Work
with us...When Blight Busters tear down an abandoned house, the whole
neighborhood smells better, looks better, feels better, property values
go up a little bit, and community spirit soars....

"In the last
90 days, Motor City Blight Busters has taken down 9 abandoned
properties. If the city could have just provided the dumpsters, we
could have taken down 20 properties."

I think we should add one more property to that list.

Anyone up for tearing down a house on the first or second Saturday of October?

Let us know-

Terry

Have sledge hammer. Will travel.

Pick a date and I'm in. Our last MCC Blight Busters event still gives me a warm glow.

YUP!

Oh heck yes, I'm in.  No better or more fulfilling exercise.  Also, doing it at that time of year the weather will be a little cooler - all the better to rebuild things.

A tentative "yes" for me - if possible, please confirm the date ASAP.

Nice article.. Detroit needs more of good people, activities and initiatives like this .

Count me in if it is 2nd Sat of Oct. If its 1st Saturday I am in NY, So I will not be able to make it.

Would love to bring down the past and contribute in building a brand new future !

Henry Joshua
.DotSign
www.dot-sign.com

What is the age minimum?  (I might not qualify, hee hee!)

I would like to engage some of my family and friends who are in high school--great way to earn service hours!!

That's a great question, Mary! Terry do you know?

I mentioned BlightBusters to a local org that works with teens, and they asked the same question - can high-school kids participate in BlightBuster events?

I know they have had 6th graders working for them. While I don't know the exact minimum age, I can tell you that plenty of young folks have been there. Heck, I think Dan Graejac brought a 14 year old. Dan, can you confirm that?

Thanks-

Terry

Terry -

I'm involved with a non-profit in Rochester Hills that is specific to middle school and high school kids. I'd love to get them involved in a BlightBusters day. It's one thing for a parent to bring their kid to a demo day, but there may be restrictions as to whether an organization can bring a bunch of them without their parents - so that is the question.