Meet Ann FitzGibbons

By Karen Bynum

Historical December 1982 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

The Paper interviewed Ms. Anne FitzGibbons, new executive director of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council, about her past experiences and her expectations for the Council and the neighborhood.

Paper: Ann, what do you see as the major challenge of your job?

AMF: The major problem I see is apathy. I hope to continue to bring high quality programs here and get people re-involved.

For example, I am asking local artists to lend SDCC some of their works to display at the office.

In this way I hope to get our neighbors to appreciate the great wealth of people who live here.

Paper: What about housing, which has been a major concern of the Council?

AMF: In the past, the Council focused on saving the deteriorating housing stock in the area.

This problem has been solved to a great extent—we’re now a stable neighborhood. What we need now is to maintain our present level and project our image.

Paper: Will you continue as executive director of the West End Neighborhood Arts Council?

AMF: Yes. I’ll use contacts and programs begun there to improve our neighborhood pride and draw outside interest.

Paper: How will you address the negative aspects of neighborhood politics?

AMF: Many people are sticking with the past—the negative past. I believe that I can convince them that I am new, not to the neighborhood, but to the conflicts. I am not avoiding the issues but can emphasize the positive aspects of life in Skinker-DeBaliviere. I am not seen as a person who has taken sides and I am open to all members of the community.

Paper: Do you see communication between diverse neighborhood groups and individuals as an issue?

AMF: I intend to spend a lot of time in oneon-one conversations with residents, personally inviting them to get involved.

I have discovered that many people do not really believe they are welcome in neighborhood organizations and activities.

We are planning to enlarge our cultural, educational and beautification projects which will utilize the energies and talents of many people. I plan to operate this office with an open door policy.

As far as groups are concerned, I plan to continue the co-sponsoring of cooperative and non-controversial programs such as exhibits, films, home improvement seminars, adopt-a-lot programs, etc., letting groups put their collective energies into positive actions to enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Paper: Tell me more about your “Open door policy.”

AMF: I want this office to be a focal point of neighborhood activity. I am continuing to work on the Neighborhood Resource Guide, and I want one of the rooms here in the office to be a resource center.

We will continue to collect information on properties available to both rent and buy. I want Skinker-DeBaliviere residents to call on me and use this office and its resources.

Paper: How will the office be managed?

AMF: I will be hiring a part-time secretary soon, and we will continue to use the telephone-answering service to take messages on which I will take action.

Paper: What about fund raising?

AMF: I will be starting on that immediately.

While working with Arts Council, I made many contacts with foundations and businesses who supported our activities. I also made the following suggestions to the SDCC in my interview: cooperative neighborhood organization benefits, establishment of a business society, corporate donation program, grant writing for specific projects, and using the Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program. Also we will be attempting to sublet some of our extra office space.

One of our early projects will be to repair and decorate the interior of the SDCC office building. We’ve already accomplished a major clean-up.

Paper: Good luck to you, Ann.

AMF: I am looking forward to working with the neighborhood residents to boost our area. (This interview provided by Karen Bynum of The Paper staff.)