WRITING QUESTION: What is something important (good, bad, or other) that happened for/to you in your neighborhood? Why was it important? How did it make you feel when it happened? How do you feel about it today?

“When our assoc. put up entrance signs to our neighorhood, it made all of even prouder” – Alicia Pitts

“The week after we moved in, our neighbors on our street had a potluck block party/welcome fest. We got to meet every one on our street right away in a warm, inviting way. Going door to door on our own is a little nerve-racking and awkward for my delicate sensibilities. The friendly party was a great first impression.” – Bob Mabbitt

“I was a victim of a B&E and I was home at the time. It was terrifying. It's a significant part of story for my 30 years in the home (it was my childhood home & I bought it when my mom moved), and while it was a dramatic time in my life, it has brought me closer to neighbors and made me a "fighter" for the betterment of our neighborhood.” – Cathy Lancaster

“Stray bullet hit my home which was frightening as many have been hurt or killed under the same circumstances. I think it was an isolated incident which may have involved a shoot out between a suspect and police. I did not like then nor do I like it now.” – Denise Smith Allen

“I saw a house burn down last year across the street from my mom's house. It was terrifying. I'm not sure how I feel about it today. It was experience that residents in other parts of the city have to deal with on a regular basis. Why should our neighborhood be any different?” – Desiree Duell

“East Village Magazine Provides a collective identity” – E. Custer

“Our car was stolen 2 times from in front of our house. The experiences embittered me somewhat. As victim of a property crime, I'm disappointed and more cautious. I still feel angry, and I resent having to install home alarms as a result of the crime.” – E. Perkins-Harbin

“I have purchased two houses in the neighborhood and both of them were broken into immediately following the purchase, before I moved in. This was frustrating because it caused a further delay in moving into the house. I feel the same today.” – Emma

“We have a slum landlord who owns the house next to ours and he moved in a crack dealer. It was so stressful and completely disheartening. It was 6 months of tension & fear that affected our whole block. We all wanted to leave but we own our homes (which are worth nothing in today's market) and we are retired and don't really want to start over somewhere else. Finally we forced the landlord to evict them and went to court. Peace has been restored but at a cost to our feeling of security. Some people think they can dump their trash here because it is Flint not Grand Blanc. They can all go to hell.” – Ingrid Halling

“Don't know...” – Jessica Coyne

“Mott expanded to the hospital area which was torn down, and this has been fine. At first I was apprehensive, but because it is tucked away where it isn't totally visible from street or homes.” – Leslie

“good-met my husband here, raised our child here-he went to Central and was in an excellent education program-he went to excellent undergrad and grad schools with scholarships. he graduated in 2000 from Central-it still had excellent programs he participated in-theatre, journalism, swimming. Library and FIA have good films, lectures etc in the daytime and evening. we are near downtown which is wonderful-I now have a nice commercial area to walk in-I walk all over everywhere and far. Bad-our house has been broken into twice- years ago. Made me very scared at the time and still leery of strangers around and coming home at dark..” – Margie Latter

“People are always coming to the door here. In the poorer neighborhood where I grew up, that was also true but it was much different. There it was neighbors wanting to borrow something or just hang out a while, or kids bored looking for something to do. Here, our neighbors rarely stop by, but people are always at the door asking to rake or mow or shovel, selling an alarm system a candidate or a package of meat. It happens all the time. It makes me feel like walking over to the neighbor's door and just knocking to see what they are doing. If they've met any interesting candidates or mowers lately.” – Melodee Mabbitt

“Neighborhood watch (especially the Facebook page monitoring activity). It provides a sense of security that people are watching out for one another.” – Michael Kelly

“I feel our neighborhood is very important and vital to the city of Flint because it is the Center everything that Flint has to offer. We are near downtown and we are near the Whiting, FIA, FIM, and Flint Public Library.” – Stephanie Render

“Neighbors are friendly and watch out for each other. It makes you feel good about your neighborhood.” – Stephany Diana

“Our kids have grown up here, and are now in high school. So, it's still happening, but I am very happy that they will think of this neighborhood as Home for the rest of their lives, no matter where we go.” – Tom Spademan

“One of my new neighbors ran into me just recently at Meijer and came over to me and introduced herself. It made me feel good. It also let me know after I get settled I will feel at home... in my new neighborhood.” – Vanessa Terrell