Historical February 1982 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
SDCC hailed the advent of its new Executive Director, Ron Laboe, at its first regular meeting since his December 14 appointment.
The Council maintained continuity by continuing to focus on the same issues that have dominated its time during recent months: Nina Place redevelopment and Washington Heights/Pantheon/lowinterest loans relationship or lack thereof.
This is not to say that the old issues are without new twists.
A letter signed by Roy Bell, President of NMKR Corp., was presented, stating, “We, the directors of NinaMcPherson-Kingsbury Redevelopment Corporation, hereby withdraw our active involvement in the Nina Place Area, in light of the national, political and economic conditions affecting urban redevelopment and housing opportunities for low and middle income people.
We resign our involvement with a sense of frustration and disappointment, but feel that this is the only appropriate course for us at this time.” This corporation was originally formed in 1980 under the auspices of the Council for the purpose of developing plans and recommendations for achieving improvement in the Nina Place Area. Dissension about the structure and representation of this body led to formation of a second group, the Nina Place Redevelopment Corporation, which also developed its own strategy for the area. Both groups submitted proposals, and the conflict on the substances of these proposals is still unresolved. Faced with the “withdrawal” of one of the two corporations, the council puzzled over how to proceed.
It passed a motion instructing the executive director to educate himself on existing documents about Nina Place and to recommend the next step. Ed Jones asked for Council action on correspondence originally submitted in June 1981, stating Washington Heights Neighbors’ opposition to blighting and eminent domain and asking the Council to take the same stance. Willis Lloyd moved that the Council go on record opposing any plan or proposal advocating the use of blighting and eminent domain in Washington Heights. Ken Cohen argued that it was inappropriate for the Council to take a stand on this issue now because, “on the one hand we’re tabling Nina Place while the executive director of the Council becomes educated, and on the other hand this is perhaps the most controversial issue involved in Nina Place redevelopment proposals.” A tie vote of 4 to 4 failed to pass the motion. Turning to the other major topic for continuing Council discussion, it should be noted that the board held a special meeting on December 21, at which Harold Williams presented a proposal for a Washington Heights revolving loan program for home improvements.
At that meeting the Council approved Jim McLeod’s motion endorsing the concept of a home improvement loan with an interest reduction component and developing a group to work with the executive director in finding ways to implement this concept.
At the regular meeting January 11, executive director Ron Laboe told the Council that he is writing a letter to CDA submitting data about Skinker-DeBaliviere in an effort to achieve CDA designation as a “Target Neighborhood for Homeowner’s Assistance.” Ed Walsh stated that now was the time to ask Pantheon to exert its influence to help SDCC lobby CDA to obtain Homeowner’s Assistance funds.
This action quickly and confusingly led to a revival of the question whether or not the council should re-endorse the Pantheon-linked Neighborhood Assistance Program Application it earlier submitted, then subsequently withdrew.
This issue was tabled.
The Council did not spend all its time on the aforementioned issues. Treasurer Frank Burke presented the proposed budget for 1982.
He pointed out that the principal increases over 1981 will be an additional five dollars per month for the bookkeeper and approximately 10% increase in the’ allotment for utilities.
The final budget will be presented at the February meeting.
The bylaws committee continues to meet. Ken Cohen gave a sneak preview of the official neighborhood poster, and announced that plans are being made for a gala unveiling party.
A newspaper and aluminum can drive will be co-sponsored by Rosedale and Washington Heights Neighbors on February 19, 20 and 21. Receptacles will be located in the Council parking lot. Roy Bell resigned as the Rosedale representative to the Council. Steve Neiwoeliner is the new representative, and Paul Kurtz is the new alternate.
Originally published in The Paper, February 1982.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1982_02.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 7.
