Friday, April 23, 2010
The Neighborhood-Centered View from Lake View
I had the pleasure of being the council representative to the Lake View Neighborhood Association last night. As the group meets on Thursdays, I haven't been there in a very, very long time. It was nice to see new and returning faces. Normally on Thursdays I'm with my son at his fencing club, but he's in a school play and they were rehearsing last night. So that freed up the evening.
As I said last night on Twitter, the big thrill for me was being asked to lead the pledge. I still find that very inspiring.
Otherwise, the message was the same from the group as it would have been a couple years ago: we want lower taxes, and we want more police. I had the pleasure of telling the group that the city is forming neighborhood teams of police and code enforcement officers. There was actually no one from the city other than me at this neighborhood meeting, so that took a bit of thunder away. But I pledged to the group that this year's city council really wants an emphasis on neighborhood issues, even in these horrific budget times.
Years ago, you had lively neighborhood meetings attended by several city representatives. The neighborhood groups had very small budgets for community activities. We are in leaner times now, and the veterans of these neighborhood associations know it.
Yet the spark won't go out. Amen. Yesterday's meeting included a guest, the treasurer of the Pacific Neighborhood Association. The Pacific Neighborhood Association went moribund when a community leader moved away and because there is a lot of turnover in its two neighborhoods, Springbrook (what we all used to call McChord Gate) and Ponders. But a new cluster of club officers, largely responsible owners of large rental complexes, are having organizational meetings and plan a public gathering June 29. It was heartwarming to watch Lake View's lovably gruff president, John Adams (his email address begins "johnoldone...", mentoring the newcomer and offering advice and examples of bylaws and other documents drawn from a decade of experience. Almost everyone at the meeting offered advice to their younger sibling association. They asked the guy to return at their next meeting so they can hear what's going on and be available for more advice.
Just looked at the city website, seems like the Pacific group might also be changing their name: here's their page.
The group also spent some time talking about the proposed Point Defiance Bypass which would send trains through Lakewood like never before. We talked about some of the issues, and I encouraged them to attend the May 17 presentation by the state and the state hearing planned for June 7. At this point, the issue is so political I worry us politicians don't have credibility, but these very real Lake View residents living in very real worry about the effect of what's in essence a brand new rail line are very sincere and compelling.
Neighborhood associations have their ups and downs in Lakewood, but we can't let them go away. Both the city and volunteers like a few motivated folks from Springbrook are good examples of how Lakewood will remain focused on neighborhoods.
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As I said last night on Twitter, the big thrill for me was being asked to lead the pledge. I still find that very inspiring.
Otherwise, the message was the same from the group as it would have been a couple years ago: we want lower taxes, and we want more police. I had the pleasure of telling the group that the city is forming neighborhood teams of police and code enforcement officers. There was actually no one from the city other than me at this neighborhood meeting, so that took a bit of thunder away. But I pledged to the group that this year's city council really wants an emphasis on neighborhood issues, even in these horrific budget times.
Years ago, you had lively neighborhood meetings attended by several city representatives. The neighborhood groups had very small budgets for community activities. We are in leaner times now, and the veterans of these neighborhood associations know it.
Yet the spark won't go out. Amen. Yesterday's meeting included a guest, the treasurer of the Pacific Neighborhood Association. The Pacific Neighborhood Association went moribund when a community leader moved away and because there is a lot of turnover in its two neighborhoods, Springbrook (what we all used to call McChord Gate) and Ponders. But a new cluster of club officers, largely responsible owners of large rental complexes, are having organizational meetings and plan a public gathering June 29. It was heartwarming to watch Lake View's lovably gruff president, John Adams (his email address begins "johnoldone...", mentoring the newcomer and offering advice and examples of bylaws and other documents drawn from a decade of experience. Almost everyone at the meeting offered advice to their younger sibling association. They asked the guy to return at their next meeting so they can hear what's going on and be available for more advice.
Just looked at the city website, seems like the Pacific group might also be changing their name: here's their page.
The group also spent some time talking about the proposed Point Defiance Bypass which would send trains through Lakewood like never before. We talked about some of the issues, and I encouraged them to attend the May 17 presentation by the state and the state hearing planned for June 7. At this point, the issue is so political I worry us politicians don't have credibility, but these very real Lake View residents living in very real worry about the effect of what's in essence a brand new rail line are very sincere and compelling.
Neighborhood associations have their ups and downs in Lakewood, but we can't let them go away. Both the city and volunteers like a few motivated folks from Springbrook are good examples of how Lakewood will remain focused on neighborhoods.
