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Attendance:
George Jones, David Love, Bob Babione, Sr. Leah Holzum,
Brian Wilson, Anne Thompson, Odel Martin, Ernestine Isaiah, Sarah
Green, Diana Green, Pam Talley, Connie Bedwell, Eunice Bedwell,
Don DeVivo, Kim Jayne, Dexter Silver, Rev. James Potter, Phil Heagney,
Bill Souders, Joe Roddy, Sr., Ron Midget, Joan Botwinick, Kellie
Shelton.
Beginning:
After about twenty minutes for socializing and refreshments
(fresh strawberries, sherbet, and frozen yogurt), Bob began the
more formal part of the meeting, pointing out that the most important
part - neighbors getting better acquainted with each other - had
already occurred. Rev. Potter led the opening prayer for blessings
on the assembly and its efforts.
Membership and Dues:
Upon discussion, the consensus was: all who had
interests in FPSE should have a voice and a vote; an annual contribution
of $6 to $12 would be appropriate; membership, however, should not
depend on making any contribution or paying other dues; participation
in Council activities was valuable to the neighborhood; and outreach
was needed to include those who could not come to meetings, especially
elderly.
Neighborhood Cabinet:
Bob reported that state appropriations for Caring
Communities and ARCHS has been cut, over forty percent. Kahtib Waheed,
a Caring Communiteis originator, stressed that decisions must be
based on principle, not personality. He suggested that the principle
for neighboods is ``put children and families first, keep children
and families - all of them - first.'' He also urged avoidng racist
decisions, which are all too prominent in St. Louis history.
Financial support from ARCHS:
Bob reported that Neighborhood Facilitator
Serena Muhammed had asked about the Council submitting a budget
to ARCHS. The good part would be funding for mailings and other
support; the bad part would be the perception of more of the
same old top-down planning instead of resident-driven action. Discussion
was postponed to allow for discussion of block organizing.
National Night Out:
The annual NNO will be Tuesday, August 7. Organizing
activity could focus on that event.
Block organizing:
(1) Brian Wilson spoke about simple techniques for neighbors getting
to know each other and work together, starting with small projects
like alley clean up. He had ``phone tree'' forms so neighbors would
know each others names and telephone numbers and booklets on how
to get started. The organizer need not be known as a ``captain.''
Trust should be built up so that problems are routinely reported.
Brian stressed that crime reports can be made without giving a name
and without having the police come to your home.
(2) Phil Heagney reported work he has already done to produce a directory
for his block. He and his wife Barbara Prosser introduce
themselves and explain the purpose of the directory. They hand out an
explanatory letter as they visit each home. Neighbors'
interests and capacities will be included. Each person can choose
what information, if any, they want in the directory. The directory
would also include information about neighborhood resources.
(3) Bob had a list of capacities and interests. With capacities in
a directory, neighbors could be in contact with one another for
needs. The strategy is to build communities from the inside out,
to see the glass as half full instead of half empty.
(4) The effort on Gibson will continue and the effort on Hunt will
get underway shortly.
Affordable housing:
A discussion developed about the Community Development
Corporation's Park East buyout of thirty-plus buildings (98 units)
from a "problem
landlord." Several Council members were concerned about taxpayers
funding efforts that create homelessness. Rev. Potter said the wolf
in your neighbor's back yard today will be in yours tomorrow. The
group felt needs for: (1) lead time and relocation expenses for tenants
who have to move, (2) help for the displaced in finding new places,
(3) efforts to continue to provide affordable rental units, (4) fix
up funds for current residents, and (5) the possibility of
lease-purchase
options to maintain affordability. Joan reported that Steve Acree of
RHCDA had said that the $500,000
in tax credits awarded to the CDC (and remain unsold) were not involved
in the landlord buyout. The group felt strongly that action was
needed to sell those tax credits to fund fix up projects for current
residents. George, Joan, and Pam will discuss actions and what can
be done to influence the CDC toward the listed needs.
Other matters:
(1) George reported that the Vida Abundante church at 4372 Vista
needed support in securing an occupancy permit for the building.
The Council unanimously approved sending a support letter.
(2) Bob announced that an activity growing out of the June 21 Security
Task Force meeting was a walk planned for the 4500 Oakland on Friday,
June 29, at 5:30 p.m.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at about 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully,
J. Botwinick, Secretary, with additions by Bob Babione
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