North Limestone Neighborhood Association Meeting 02.08.10

The following notes were taken by Kathleen Burke, a member of CETA:

6:25-We enter Al's Bar and are informed that the meeting has moved next door to Sidecar
6:29-We enter Sidecar, great Marty and meet a red bearded man whose name I miss.
6:31-A police officer, Archie, and unnamed woman enter. Proceeding this follows a story about a crack house on Upper in which a girl earlier that week had stabbed her boyfriend (possibly ex-boyfriend) to death.
6:34-Two more men enter and the meeting starts. The agenda centers on historic homes and which homes in the community should be pushed to receive Blue Grass Trust plaques.
6:36-The officer report is given. There were 352 calls and 52 reports made in what I assume to be the last month. The crime breakdown is as follows: 4 robberies (all with suspects named), 6 residential burglaries (2 involving electronics, 1 domestic, and 1 copper), 2 LFAs (I'm not sure what LFA stands for). The analysis is that there were less calls that before and most of the calls were for weather related collisions. Eight calls were for narcotics. Panhandlers are discussed. As well as threatening messages left on a car that parks on the street (legally). Discussion follows: Could this be Charlie? Charlie has lived here since 1975 and may have a sense of personal ownership over the street.
Marty begins talking about negative image and the role of 4th street as a safe corridor. The following was in reference to placement of people in refurbished homes without really considering the consequences: If people come into a community to help it they need to have a good understanding of the community. Sometimes good people with good intentions can cause lots of harm.
6:50-Bill Pickering of the Bluegrass Trust talks about the Bluegrass Trust. BGT is a private organization that raises awareness. Having a BGT plaque does not require the owner of the property to do anything in addition. It is a self-imposed title. It signifies that the owner desires to maintain and preserve the property.
6:52-Enter an unnamed latecomer.
6:54-Enter another unnamed latecomer.
Talk continues about BGT and the discussion involves tax credits, grant money, and specific historic homes. Some of these homes are the Morton House and Thorn Hill. Duncan Park is also discussed. The last weekend in May BGT will place a plaque on the Morton house. Can the North Limestone Neighborhood piggy-bag off of this good PR event for the mounting of plaques on homes in the neighborhood? Marty suggests pushing for 10 homes.
7:25 Donna, last name not mentioned, speaks about realty. She is a Realtor for the MLK Neighborhood. She states that the best way for a community to remain strong and affordable is for there to be a mixture of big homes and small homes.
Following Donna Marty calls out for names of homes to be put on a list of potential homes for the BGT trust plaque.
Monty and I talk about the folklore project. Everyone gets excited about Spalding and instantly we have at least 3 offers of people to share stories. These will be collected at a later date.
8:01 Meeting ends.
Total in Attendance including Marty and us Transy folks is 13.

William Wells Brown Neighborhood Assocation Meeting 1.21.10

The following are notes taken by Heath Stiltner, a member of CETA:

After a short introduction by Billie, the president of the neighborhood council, we were welcomed by each member and introduced.

The first item on the agenda was a police report by officer Brian Penix. He explained to our group the function of clear units and what he himself did in that position for the East End. In short, the officer relayed to us some of the common problems they were having as far as crime in the area. The breakdown of which can be seen in the unabridged version of the meeting minutes. Also, if information is needed on the area or a concern is needing to be voiced, you may contact officer Penix at, bpenix@lfcg.com.

The chairman of the board announced that they had gone on a virtual tour of the city with the current mayor. The mayor has expressed, to the chairman, an interest in working with citizens and officers to find new and effective plan for solving some of the unique problems present in the East End. The chairman has seen a significant increase in effective police effort in problem areas. The mayor has been a big part of the Hope 6 organization, no further information on the program received. The chairman went on to list several events and organizations which can be seen below:
-Low income housing being offered in the area to boost the attraction of new residents.
-There is a fund in effect which will allow parts of the area to be restored, called the East End Renaissance fund and it is receiving government backing. Their goal is a $5,000 fund which will then be matched by an outside organization.
-There are events in the area sponsoring the planning of small private gardens to make residents more self-sustainable.
-Sewer testing in the area is being carried out this week.
-Several local fire stations have closed.
-The Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden, or IMMAG, has received a grant and will be starting work soon, donations to the fund are still welcome.
-Catholic Action has received a House on Silver Maple.
-Pepsi Refresh Project is an effort to encourage people to take action in their community and is taking applications and votes in potential winners for nonprofit projects.
-Paint Your Heart Out will be held on Elm Tree to Race in efforts to improve the area before the reopening of the Lyric Theatre.
-On Febraury 13, at 10 a.m. in the Kentucky Theatre, there will be a public meeting to discuss the upcoming Lyric Theatre.
(More information on most of these on flyers and also online)

Rachel, the Executive Director of the local Habitat for Humanity has started a movement to help low income housing make improvements to their existing homes at a low price. More information available on Flyers.

The secretary of the board also works at the William Wells Brown Community Center and explained what they had weekly and daily as well as a Black History month program which will begin on February 18.

On Thursday February 19, 7:00 p.m. At the Beaumont Center there will be a presentation discussing the importance and disappearance of the Black jockey throughout history.