Pubdate: Wed, 12 May 2004
Source: Flint Journal (MI)
Copyright: 2004 Flint Journal
Contact:  http://www.flintjournal.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/836
Note: Prefers to print letters from people in the area of The Flint Journal
Author: Elizabeth Shaw
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

FLUSHING TO MULL ASKING HALF-MILL TAX FOR DARE

FLUSHING -- City residents could be asked to decide the future of a popular 
school police program at the Aug. 3 election.

On Monday, the City Council voted to hold a public hearing on May 24 to 
place a 0.5-mill request on the primary ballot to continue funding the 
school district's Drug Abuse Resistance Education. The program is being 
phased out this year due to the loss of state DARE funding and the 
expiration of the city's federal COPS in Schools grant.

The issue gained widespread public attention in January when district 
parents and students launched a heated protest against the transfer of Sgt. 
Eddie Dolgan, a popular DARE liaison officer, to regular patrol.

City officials had hoped to enlist funding help from neighboring townships 
in the district. However, Flushing Township already provides a liaison 
officer at the high school, while Flint, Clayton and Mt. Morris townships 
share in several other school districts.

"We made a commitment if we didn't hear anything from the townships that we 
would put this on the ballot, and we will," said Councilman Mike Szukhent.

The 0.5-mill levy would provide about $105,900 to support the program for 
three years. It would cost the owner of a home with a taxable value of 
$100,000 about $50 a year.

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QUICK FACTS

At issue

What: Should Flushing residents be asked to approve a 0.5-mill levy to fund 
a school police liaison officer and DARE program in the Flushing School 
District?

What's next: Public hearing at 7:30 p.m. May 24 at City Hall, 309 E. Main St.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom