Neighborhood Meeting Minutes 1/9/25
- Jan 18
- 3 min read
What a great turnout for our first meeting. It seems like it was very well received. I have attached a PDF of the slides that I presented.
For those that could not make the meeting, I gave a brief background of myself. I have lived in the B-Section for 25 years. (4 years at 9 Bentley, and the past 21 years at 25 Bonnie). I am a retired Captain from the New York City Fire Dept. where I worked in the Bronx for 25 years.
We discussed what our short term and long term goals would look like. I mentioned that OUR neighborhood is a very desirable place to live and raise a family. The main goal is to maintain and enhance our neighborhood to its fullest. The S-Section has had a neighborhood organization for the past 30 years which is run by Kevin Walters - who also was present at our meeting.
The first action would be to identify where we could build entrance signs to the neighborhood that would mimic how the S-Section has theirs, and I also referenced Island Estates (they also have a neighborhood association.) These signs would regularly be planted and decorated for the seasons such as spring and summer flowers, mums and pumpkins in the Fall and maybe holiday lights for Winter. (examples in slides attached.) Also of top priority, is cleaning up areas in our neighborhood that obviously need it.
Another goal that I believe would be beneficial to the neighborhood is establishing a youth volunteer and leadership initiative. There are many reasons for kids to get community service hours logged - one being for college applications. As an organization, we will keep track of hours served and I will personally look for kids seeking leadership opportunities, where they can organize clean-up parties as needed etc. They can maybe help out some of the more elderly neighbors with shoveling snow or raking some leaves. These types of opportunities for the kids are endless. Maybe also organize an annual B-Section BBQ at Oxhead park?
We also discussed having a political voice, and one that can enhance what the S-Section has started. Kevin Walters mentioned how they have established relationships with local representatives, and are currently working on enhancing the look of the Nicholls Rd corridor between 347 and 25a. It would also be good to be informed about the next part of the 347 Greenway Project which will impact our area. Will there be sound barriers? This is very much up in the air at the moment. The goal here is to be informed!
Additionally, a great majority of people have complimented Blueberry on the American Flags up and down their block. We are looking at putting more all around the neighborhood.
We talked about developing a website, and this will be underway shortly. This will be the medium in which we share communication. Mass email can be a pain (I'm already hoping this one gets to your inbox and not in junk). The website will include ways to sign up for a committee etc. More to follow on that. There is a facebook page for the neighborhood which we will push info out on, but not everyone is on facebook which is why a website will be beneficial. Once underway, another form of communication will be quarterly or semi-annual newsletters.
A few of the questions that were brought up - Can the B-section lobby for Gas in the area? Can we get Speed Bumps or Stop Signs around Barker to slow people down? What type of business structure should we use i.e. not-for-profit? Once we get out of the gate, we can handle the answers to these types of questions. I am going to set up a separate bank account to start, and get the website going first.
We are suggesting a $50 annual contribution, but it will be whatever people are comfortable with. No obligations whatsoever.
Please let me know any questions you have. I'm sure there will be a lot and I will try to get all the answers. We also have Kevin Walters as a great resource so we are off to a great start.
Remember, In Unity there is Strength - Lets "B" Strong - Neighbors looking out for neighbors!
Tim Grant
Facebook Page for those not on yet is: The "B" Family Page
Comments