We are standing here at Grafius Run in the north central part of Williamsport. Grafius Run has been a thorn in the side of this neighborhood for decades. Each and every time there is a heavy rain storm the residents of this neighborhood keep their eye on this run. More times than not, the culvert here has stopped up, causing flooding down thru Elmira Street and neighboring streets resulting in serious flood damage. Currently, we have temporary solutions involving cameras and the actual need for the physical presence of streets and parks personnel when it rains. It is time to begin the search for a long term solution. City Council started that process in the last budget by placing a placeholder in the capital projects budget to remind us that we need to solve this problem. But that is just a wish list. A long term solution for this Grafius Run project will take 7 or 8 years, but we must begin now. It will require the skills of a planner as well as someone experienced in grant writing. The city currently has neither. My administration will work with council to find money to hire an experienced planner/grant writer for the city. The individual will be housed in the Community and Economic Development department. Not only will Grafius Run be a top priority for this position, but we will also look for any grant dollars for the Old City project, street reconstruction, levee certification and any other projects identified as needs. Historically, grant writers pay for themselves in 2 or 3 years. I do not expect this to be any different. My administration will care about and will focus on issues throughout the city’s neighborhoods – problems like this – that affect the soul of our city.