Mott Park Association elects new president

The Mott Park Neighborhood Association Nov. 19 elected Susan Burhans president.

Former President Marta Wyngaard-Tavakoli served three terms and was ineligible for re-election.

"I'm very happy with the outcome of the election," Wyngaard-Tavakoli said.

"We need to attract more young people to our group because they are our future leaders. Having a young person in a leadership position helps," she said.

Burhans moved from Ann Arbor to Flint five years ago after she and her husband bought their first home in Mott Park. She works as an operating partner at an accounting firm

"We chose Mott Park because we love the sense of community, the architecture, the parks, history and diversity that comes with the Mott Park neighborhood ," Burhans said.

"I became involved in the neighborhood association because I not only have a vested interest as a homeowner, but I believe it is everyone's responsibility to do their part whatever that may be. We truly enjoy our home here and have met many great neighbors because of our involvement in the community," Burhans added.

Prior to her election Burhans was part of the association's steering committee.

Her major objectives for the association are "crime, abandoned and neglected homes and maintaining our neighborhood including the park and golf course," she said.

"We are also continuing our recycling program and planning to expand it. We had a successful art and music expo with Rockin' Art in Mott Park and look forward to another fun family event next summer," she added.

Information about Mott Park events can be found at www.mottpark.blogspot.com or the Mott Park Facebook page Mott Park, Flint MI which Burhans developed.

Burhans wants other neighborhood associations to work toward the same objectives.

"Together, we can make more things happen in our city and more projects can be accomplished," she said.

"I would like to reach out to the leadership of other neighborhood associations in the area so we  can start meeting on a frequent basis. By working together we will be able to address issues that affect everyone in the community. Information, ideas and concepts that have been successful can be shared and applied to other areas of the city," Burhans said.

Wyngaard-Tavkoli will continue to work with the association focusing on revitalizing the area's crime watch.

"We want to take back our neighborhood. We have to say this is enough crime," Wyngaard-Tavakoli said.