Historical November 1984 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Community (L. comunis; see common) 1.
The people living in the same district, city, neighborhood, etc. under the same laws; 2. a group of people living together and having- interests, work, etc. in common; 3. ownership or participation in common; 4. similarity; likeness, as in “community” spirit.
This definition has been brought to you by Webster’s New World Dictionary.
The real thing is alive and well in Skinker-DeBaliviere. Friday, Oct. 19, 1984, our neighborhood demonstrated its community spirit during a fund raiser of dinner, dancing, and Dixieland on the Huck Finn riverboat. Over $1000.00 was raised for the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council. Approximately 110 people enjoyed an evening of good food, drinks, and music during a romantic excursion on the Mississippi.
The proceeds from the event will go towards the operating expenses of the Community Council.
The Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council has a history of “community.” Formed in 1966 through the efforts of the Rosedale Neighborhood Association, the Washington Heights Neighbors, and the Parkview Agents with the financial support of four institutions, Delmar Baptist Church, Grace United Methodist Church, St. Roch’s Catholic Church and Washington University, the Council drew its boundaries and began to concentrate its efforts towards revitalization of the area.
The boundaries presently are Lindell on the south, Delmar on the north, Union on the east, and Mehlville on the west.
The role of the Council was and still is to concentrate on improving the quality of life in the community.
At first, the Council addressed issues of housing, absentee landlords, vacant and dangerous buildings, street crime, trash, and decay.
The Community Council established a residential service made up of volunteers who brought daring, do-it-yourselfers into the homes of our neighborhood.
We all had something in common; other than grubby clothes and dirty fingernails, we had the determination to make our urban lifestyle work.
The one successful way to make our community work was to organize and address issues together.
The Council organized block watchers, a crime prevention program that works because the community makes it work. Crime has decreased 150 percent in the past ten years thanks to our neighbors. SDCC established a relationship with City Hall and, as a group, collectively had the power to get the services requested.
A summer youth employment program was established and has been continued. Food and assistance to those in need has always been a primary concern of the Council.
The Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council continues to build on its original purpose, to serve the residents of the community and improve the quality of life for everyone.
The Council has reorganized the Neighborhood Watch program and maintains communications with the Seventh District Police on a regular basis.
The Council has been the regional headquarters for Operation Brightside which has been more and more successful with each consecutive year.
The Christmas Walk has attracted thousands into our community in celebration of the holidays.
The Council orchestrated the planting of approximately 150 trees in our neighborhood.
Programs such as “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” Trio Cassatt, The Brass Quintet, Opera on the Road, puppet shows, jazz, and many others have all been brought to you through the efforts of the Council.
The Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council addresses the concerns and issues of the community which involves each and everyone of us. You are involved because you live here, you are affected by the Council on a daily basis. Residents can rely on the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council because it is an organization made up of the people who live here.
The Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council greatly appreciates the support it has received from those who contributed to our recent fund raiser and would appreciate any future contributions.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1984.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Printed statement “Crime has decreased 150 percent” is mathematically problematic for ordinary counts and has no supporting series; retained as original attributed claim, not a verified statistic.
Original source: SD_Times1984_11.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
