Historical March 1986 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
At February’s SDCC meeting, the main pieces of business were letters of support.
This may not sound very fascinating, but it is one of the major functions of the council. Almost every grant, whether governmental or private, requires evidence of neighborhood support.
One hopes that this is due to an awareness of the ineffectiveness of “imposed” solutions to neighborhood situations.
When outside agencies decide to sponsor an activity or program, it seems only logical to first determine the reception that the activity or program will receive. SDCC with its composition of both institutional and elected representatives is the ideal place to “pass” on these grant requests. Several were voted upon at this month’s session. People’s Clinic needed a letter of support to file with their proposal for federal funding.
It was decided to send one Pantheon requested a letter for the Council’s support for the continued redevelopment rights to Kingsbury Square.
It was granted. Bob Salisbury, a former resident, wanted the Council’s backing for a redevelopment plan for 6111 Pershing.
He and his partner, Ted Dearing, also a former resident, are attempting to gain ownership and begin a rehab project for this derelict building currently owned by Rosedale Living Inc., Michael Bearden president.
As this would be an adversary acquisition and involve a grant through the Housing Implementation Program as well as a tax abatement, evidence of neighborhood support is essential.
After much discussion, the Council decided to send such a letter but voted to include a proviso that some members felt would keep them from liability.
There was a presentation from the new director of Hamilton Community School, Kalimba Kindell.
She is eagerly beginning her tenure in this area and expressed a desire that the community school truly reflect the needs of the neighborhood.
She is aware of the enormous diversity in race, economic status, and cultural identity of the Hamilton area population and she hopes to design content, activities, and services that reflect this diversity. Several grant applications and possible grant applications were also topics for discussion and decision.
The program of revolving loans for low-interest home repairs is moving along.
The Council’s application for authority under the Neighborhood Assistance Act has been temporarily approved.
This authority will allow the Council to raise money from private sources who will be granted a 50 percent tax credit. Money raised in this manner will be added to the $5,200 raised from the Carlin concert.
The executive director, Nancy Farmer, is continuing to work on a grant application from the Arts Commission for a series of neighborhood art activities: studio tours, outdoor concerts are among the offerings. S.L.A.T.E. (St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment) has recommended for refunding eight teen-agers to be daycare workers and tutors at Grace Methodist in the summer of ’86.
A proven success record was instrumental in gaining this contract. Georgi Fox presented a new opportunity to the Council. Union Electric has grants available for community-based groups (churches, for example) to help residents make their homes more energy efficient. SDCC decided to begin planning for the winter of 1986-87.
A suggestion was made to co-operate with Hamilton Community School in this effort.
The business of the Council seems mainly to be that of garnering funds for the worthy endeavors of area residents and institutions.
There is a lot of money involved in not-forprofit activities.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March 1986.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1986_03.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
