Happy New Year to all of the Growler's faithful readers!Our neighborhood is entering a new decade, and fresh opportunities for renewal and improvement now present themselves.
There are those who in the past have posted comments here that reflect their concern and frustration about what is happening in our community. Occasionally these comments descend into something close to despair.
The Growler wants to remind readers that while change doesn't happen over night, in fact our neighborhood is increasingly becoming more effective and powerful in communicating our positions and needs to City officials. The Cranky One has been told privately by several Council members that our persistent pressure on issues like public housing has been effective and helped bring about the first cracks in the City's glacial housing policies in decades. And the results of the General Election last May show that this neighborhood can make itself heard at the ballot box.
We need to keep up the momentum to make this neighborhood one of the most desirable places in the City to live. The assets are already there -- such as as access to Metro -- but quality of life issues will continue to linger unless residents are prepared to grapple with them.
What can you do?
First, plunk down your $10 and join the civic association. The group has a new identity -- as the West Old Town Citizens Association -- as well as record membership and a capable new President, Heidi Ford, who has been actively engaged in the discussions on all of the critical issues that have confronted the community in the last three years.
Few neighborhoods in Alexandria have been effective with City leadership and elected officials without a strong and active civic association.
Even if you can't attend every meeting, membership gets you on the mailing list and you can be apprised about breaking news and important issues.
But make no mistake that attending meetings is also important, especially when City officials are on hand to make presentations. The monthly meetings are held from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Durant Center and attendees have a great opportunity to raise issues with police and other officials and to get answers.
Second, watch, observe, report and contact. If you see suspicious activity, call the police. As the Growler has pointed out many times in the past, even if law enforcement can't arrive in time to stop a drug transaction in progress, the citizen contact is recorded as a "call for service" and is a critical element in determining police resources.
And if there are issues and City policies that strike you as wrong or ineffective, contact the Mayor, City Council, and the City Manager. Links to do so are provided on the right side of this blog page.
Third, get to know your neighbors. Our best protection against crime as well as poorly considered City policies lies in looking out for each other. Sometimes its hard to do this with family obligations and career demands. But community solidarity and group action are the most powerful vehicles to make this a great place to live.
So with that the Growler wishes everyone a prosperous 2010, and as always stay tuned for further developments!
8 comments:
Growler, what are the boundaries for the West Old Town Citizens Association? Are they the same as those of the former Inner City Civic Association? At one time, as I recall, that civic association did not encompass all of Parker Gray, or at least not the parts west of West Street. Does the civic association have a website?
When I look back over the last decade, I have mixed feelings. The neighborhood has come SO far in the past ten years. It is truly a different place than it was ten years ago - and for the better. The changes, however, have been due to the neighbors hard work and NO THANKS to the City, other than possibly the cops. And there have been SO many missed opportunities due to the City's incompetence (or pigheadedness), notably the hideous and empty Monarch, the ridiculous Braddock Road Plan, the loss of Harris Teeter, multiple murders, and, most tragic of all, the utter failure to take advantage of Bland and disperse a fair number of public housing units. Their failures will haunt this neighborhood for decades to come.
On the other hand, there have been numerous victories - cleanup of HM park, the day labor agency, the Travelodge, countless renovations completed and on the horizon, as well as new projects at Payne St and Bland. I haven't picked up a crack bag in months. It's an exciting time but I think Growler is right. Keep your eye on the ball and your trigger on the voting machine. Otherwise the bastards at City hall will keep doing their best to undo everything we've achieved.
The boundaries for the civic association are Cameron on the south, Wythe on the north, Columbus on the east and West on the west.
FYI, the civic association is about to launch a new Web site. When it is ready to go, the Growler will publish the link.
Off-topic, perhaps, but WTOP reports Virginia topped all other states in putting historic places on the National Register. "Kaine noted that many of the recently listed properties are taking advantage of tax credit incentives to create residences, assisted living facilities, and commercial and retail spaces."
Is Parker-Gray now on the National Register? It's been up for nomination at least twice and yet City seems to have botched up the follow through both times.
Happy New Years back, Growler and to all Growler followers as well. Here's to an effective and safe year for Parker Gray.
A West Ender in Alexandria.
Growler
I'd just like to add my congratulations and thanks for your commitment to the Parke Gray neighborhood. You have duly taken on the increasingly important role of citizen activist and it's working!
Michael Bergin
Want to post quick thank you for positive comments. Sometimes and understandably things can turn a bit negative. This has been great place to live and look forward to more improvements in 2010 - like new coffee shop on Queen and Fayette? Anyone know any more details?
There is an article on alexandrianews.org about how the Alexandria Democratic Party just elected a new leader. I don't know anything about the new guy personally, but he was Bill Euille's campaign manager. The mayor has not been a friend of this neighborhood in my opinion, so this makes me nervous. Can anyone provide insight? Here is the article.
http://www.alexandrianews.org/2010/01/alexandria-democrats-get-new-leadership/
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