It is encouraging to see residents of the Skinker-Debaliviere area become actively involved in the real estate and housing problems of our neighborhood. At several meetings of the newly formed Skinker-Debaliviere Residential Service, as well as at a recent joint meeting of the Rosedale-Skinker and Washington Heights Neighborhood Associations, considerable effort has been made to identify and analyze those influences in and on our community that could weaken the character of its residential areas.
Much of the focus of these early meetings, as is evident from the article on page 3, has been directed towards Realators, their questionable usage of FHA financing and their general approach to the handling of real estate in our area.
The problems, we believe, are much deeper than real estate practices and the value and effectiveness of federal assistance programs for the needy.
In attempting to maintain the character of our neighborhood, we feel that there must be a clear definition of the character and a recognition that the character can and must bridge economic and educational stratification as well as social classes and racial groups.
We applaud the Skinker-Debaliviere Residential Service for its block unit approach and for showing insight in the structuring of its organization to include as essential staff Beautification and Sanitation.
As much as who lives in our neighborhood, the development of residential character comes from how our residents live and care for their neighborhood. We believe that the Skinker-Debaliviere Residential Service is capable of making a vital contribution to our area and we give them our whole hearted encouragement and the assistance of all our readers.
The Residential Service may be contacted at 863-9259.
Originally published in The Paper, May 1970.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
