| |
-
Present
-
Yvette Randle, George Jones, Kim Jayne, Don DeVivo, Esther Williams, Ida Roundtree, Phil Heagney, Mike McGrath, Peggy Sutton, Dan Scott, Ernestine Isaiah, Alan Rowlson, Ann Thompson, Sr. Leah Holzum, Demetrius Chapman, Joseph P. Roddy, Carolyn Guild (St. Louis Effort for AIDS), Simone Phillips (same), Bob Babione, Vickie Forrest, and Joan Botwinick.
-
Announcements, Community Concerns
-
Carolyn Guild and Simone Phillips talked about the Staying Alive Coalition, which is part of the Effort foe AIDS. The coalition has a mobile unit that will do completely confidential testing. Staying Alive offers incentives for people to come back to get their test results. As of 2002, the St. Louis region has over 6,000 HIV cases and there are 208 AIDS and 89 HIV cases in FPSE, giving it the third highest rate in St. Louis. The coalition will have information delivered to every home as to when testing will be. They stress abstinence but will also give free condoms. They need volunteers to help conduct tests and for other work. Contact Carolyn at the Chouteau Building, 1027 South Vandeventer, Suite 700. Telephone 645-6451. The AIDS/STD HelpLine: 647.1147 or 800.337.2437.
-
H&EDCorp news
-
The Housing and Economic Development Corporation (H&EDCorp) began discussion of cooperation and perhaps even merger with the Adams Park Community Center Board at its February meeting.
Phil Heagney reported on the Executive Director search. Seventy-nine people applied. The search committee (some H&EDCorp board members and two residents) will interview 10 whose resumes looked best. The committee will make recommendations to the board after meeting with Alderman Joe Roddy. Council members
asked about residents having any influence in H&EDCorp's policies
and hiring. Phil welcomed anyone to talk with him or other committee members (whose names are in the February Buzz) and pointed out the concern for public discussion of applicants who may not wish to have their current employers know they are seeking a new position.
Agenda items for the H&EDCorp March meeting include hiring the new executive director, selection of additional board members, and election of officers. Keena Henderson became an at-large member in February. Dan Corbin (Ranken East) and Lara Thiel (Gibson Heights) have been nominated.
In response to Don DeVivo's question about H&EDCorp finances, George Jones reported that the board is trying to get a picture of the finances. According to George, there had not been a budget in the past and the fiscal year did not match the fiscal year of the funders. The board is working towards remedying that. Bob observed that it was difficult to understand board discussion of finances because only board members had any figures.
-
McRee Town support
-
Joan reported that the plan for he Garden District calls for demolition of homes in the McRee Town neighborhood. Some FPSE residents joined with Neighborhood Enterprises and Midtown in various demonstrations protesting demolition of still more usable buildings and the displacement of families, some of whom have been in their homes for a long time.
-
Block organization / directories
-
Bob reported that Phil Heagney and others were working on a plan to make more connections between neighbors in FPSE. A model could be the "inreach" system used by C4 (Churches Committed to Community Concerns). In that system, neighbors visit with neighbors to get to know them, find out their interests and abilities, and compile the information as a basis for block directories and collective action. C4 will provide orientation sessions of one-and-a-half hour for the interviewers. Two training sessions are available: Sunday, March 16 at the St. Cronan Parish Center at noon and Monday, March 24 at Adams Community Center at 6:30 p.m. ____ members signed up for participation.
-
Housing for current residents
-
George and Yvette discussed their vision of buying 32 homes from Jack Kraus and selling them to the current renters. They have the funds to start a 501(c)(3), hope to use NAP credits, will apply for YOP credits, and have a contact through Esther Williams at MERS for employing young people from the neighborhood for the needed repair and upgrade work. Council action is not needed at this time, George said, but Council support will be requested after plans are more specific and provided to the Council.
-
Treasurer's report
-
Ernestine reported a balance of $1,045 at Commerce Bank. Bob noted that bills for the first two issues of the Buzz ($117 each) are due. Kim moved that the Council give $100 to Lighthouse Outreach Center in appreciation for being so helpful and accommodating Council meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
-
Peace walks
-
George reported that some residents have agreed to have a peace walk on the first Saturday of the month. The walk is not to demonstrate for or against anything but to promote neighborliness. The first walk will be March 1, meeting at Gibson Heights Presbyterian Church at 8:30 a.m.
-
Green Party
-
Don DeVivo is the Green Party's candidate for president of the Board of Aldermen in the primary (March 4) and General Election (April 8).
-
Certified Nurse Assistants
-
The Community Education Center at Sherman School may train 10 community residents as CNAs (Certified Nurse Assistants).
-
The Buzz
-
Bob reported the second issue of the Buzz was printed but weather conditions had delayed distribution again. Items of the Buzz should be gotten to Bob by the end of the first full week of the month. Reporters and writers are needed. Also sponsors and advertisers to defray expenses.
-
Health Fair / Birthday celebration
-
George noted that the four-year anniversary of the Council was coming up in April. Also, on April 26, the Ranken Health Committee will have its annual health fair. The rental rate at Adams Center or the fair has gone up considerably since last year. The Council discussed joining with Ranken and others in supporting the event and including celebration of the Council. Bob asked about substituting the celebration for the regular April meeting. A final decision can be made at the March meeting.
-
Next meeting
-
The next meeting will be March 25 at Lighthouse Community Outreach Center, 6:30 p.m.
| |