Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Making changes

Thank you to Wyshina, Ms. Haynes, Monique, Sylvia, Bernard, Lori, and Dana coming out to the meeting with Dwaine Caraway today! I hope everyone felt like they got to voice their concerns...and I hope you were satisfied with the response. (I hate that I forgot to take pictures!!)

Though Dwaine said he was going to get right on those issues, we need to make sure we get our part done so the city is unable to make excuses for the repairs they are responsible for. We want the city to see that we want our neighborhood to be better and we are willing to do our part to make it happen as long as we have their support…even if we’ve tried before (as I know many of you have made calls before).

We have tentatively planned a
Town Hall meeting
January 5, 2008
10:00 a.m.
Location: After-School Academy

Please write this down and plan on attending!

Before that meeting, there are several things we need to accomplish…
1) Writing down the specific address of EVERY street light that is out—Who wants to be responsible for that?
2) Ms. Haynes calling about the DHA change in paying rent
3) Getting the word out about the Jan. 5 meeting—inviting friends, neighbors, etc. We want to begin showing the city that we will show up…but we also can’t get discouraged when people don’t. We just need to persevere. People will start coming out when they see that things are actually happening.
4) Visit the churches across the street and find out what community efforts they have…and just get to know them in general…begin building a relationship with them (maybe invite them to visit the ASA or the EOC)—Who wants to be responsible for that?
5) Begin our own meetings/conversations.

We need a Resident Council here at Turner Courts. But, we don't have enough people to make it work--President, Vice President, Treasurer, Chaplain, Sergeant at Arms, and 2 alternates. I suggest that we just start having lunch/community conversations and begin talking about the issues and working on them. As we attract more people and create leadership within our own group, we can advocate for a resident council.

Wyshina had a great idea I think would be great for us to start working on…I am going to look into getting us all trained and deputized to be people who can register voters. If we can do that, we will probably do it during our ASA staff development meeting (anyone can attend though). I’ll let you know when we get the person to train us.

I want to hear your comments about the meeting. Make comments below. (Ask Sylvia if you need help doing this)

Thanks again for coming today! I look forward to the possibilities!!

5 comments:

Larry James said...

I'm very excited by what you all are doing in Turner Courts and in the Rochester Park community. This is one of the most important and historic neighborhoods in our city. Your work will not be in vain, nor will it go unnoticed,especially by the children. Let me know how I can help.

Mrs. Sylvia said...

I am really glad that he showed up. That is a start. I have high hopes for the residents of Turner Courts. I believe in them. So many people have come and gone, but I want to stay here and be a part of what is going on. Even though I am moving I stil love the friends that I have made in Turner Courts and the children just the same.

wharris said...

I am so excited about the town hall meeting. This lady came by the ASA today her name is Bridget Tyler and she works with this group called Acorn, and she to was excited about what we are doing. She also lives here in Turner Courts. She already had a copy of the light that needed to be fixed in the neighborhood, I thought that was awesome. She let us have a copy of the lights and the addresses. That is one part out of the way. Sylvia also gave her a copy of the notes you (janet) sent us. She gave us her info.

Lori said...

Although I arrived at the meeting a little late . I'm very excited about re-establishing a resident
council and crime watch comittee.
Ms.Sylvia and myself will be going into the neighborhood to get the word out about the town hall meeting. Every resident must be informed.

Michael Davis-Dallas Progress said...

Dwaine and I will do our best to improve your neighborhood. It won't happen overnight, and we will have to keep at it.

I know people will be skeptical - promises have been made to your area over and over. But we won't give up, and I know you won't either.

See you in two weeks!!!